2012-06-29
Hi There Dear Ones,
Last week, I was led to discuss the example of the Passover exodus of the Jews from Egyptian slavery. This was indeed an example of God taking care of His human covenant partners, as is read in EX 12: 1-42. Today, we will look at another example of how God grants His covenant partners protection and assistance in dealing with enemies- yet another covenant assurance- in the story of David and Goliath.
The Philistines were Gentiles living in what is today the SW sector of Israel from Joppa to the Gaza Strip, along the Mediterranean Sea. They had five main cities, such as Gath, Ashdod, Ashkelon, Jabneel, and Ekron. During David’s life, the Jews and Philistines were engaged in a war over land and other differences. Saul and his Israelite forces were camped within earshot of the Philistines. The latter had a giant man named Goliath, described in 1 SAM 17: 4-7, who called to the Israelites, challenging them to produce a man who could kill him. He told them that the winner of this match would take the loser’s people as his subjects (verses 8-11). The Israelites were terrified and dismayed. David was the youngest of an Ephrathite, Jesse’s, eight sons. Goliath’s challenge came day after day for 40 days. David’s brothers were part of the Israelite army, and Jesse told David to take roasted grain, bread, and cheese to them. David was too young to be a soldier at the time, but put his flocks in the care of another shepherd, so that he could do his father’s biding.
At that time, Goliath stepped out and laid down his challenge again, frightening David (22-24). Goliath stated that the Philistine king will give great wealth, his daughter in marriage, and exempt the Israelites from paying taxes, if they send a man who can beat Goliath (25). David’s oldest brother, Eliab, accused David of only coming to see the battle, not with the good motives he really had. Saul overheard this and other conversations David had with another man. 1 SAM 17: 32, “David said to Saul, ‘Let no one lose heart on account of this Philistine. Your servant will go and fight him.’” David spoke of killing both a lion and a bear to rescue sheep from his flock. Then in (36-37), David said, “…This uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, because he has defied the armies of the living God. The Lord Who delivered me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.” These were amazingly brave words from one who was a young boy! Although Saul offered David is tunic, armor, helmet, and sword, David couldn’t bear the weight of them. So he took his staff, five smooth stones from a stream in a pouch (in the pocket of his shepherd’s bag) and his slingshot. He approached Goliath (40).
Goliath cursed David by his gods. Then he challenged David to come closer, saying he would give David’s flesh to the birds of the air and the beasts of the field. David’s reply comes in (45-46), “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, Whom you have defied. This day the Lord will hand you over to me, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head. Today I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds of the air and the beasts of the earth, and the whole world will know that there is a God is Israel.” Verses 48-49 give us the result. “As the Philistine moved closer to attack him, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet him. Reaching into his bag and taking out a stone, he slung it and struck the Philistine on the forehead. The stone sank into his forehead and he fell facedown on the ground.” David took Goliath’s sword from his scabbard after the giant was dead and cut off Goliath’s head. When the Philistines saw this, they turned and fled (51-52). It was then, that David really came to Saul’s attention.
We don’t have to wonder why this amazing incident happened. Goliath was not a party to the covenant, and thus, the Lord was not with him. But David was, so the Lord was with him. We must remember what we know from EX 6: 5-6, in which the Lord remembers His covenant with the Jews and promises to release them from slavery. Remember His words to his Jewish covenant partners? “I will free you from being slaves…, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with mighty acts of judgment.” Interestingly enough, David knew later when he entered into a covenant before God with Saul’s son, Jonathan, that they were bound to have the same enemies, defend each other, and be there for their families as covenant brothers. All were meant to hear David’s words in 1 SAM 17: 47, “All those gathered here will know that it is not by the sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord’s and He will give all of you [the Philistines] into our hands.” We are to see the future while remembering the past. This leaves me with my oft-repeated question: Why don’t we learn from the past and have the faith in Him that God meant for us to have? It’s a question worth meditating upon as it applies to each of our lives.
PRAYER: O Lord, we come to You in reverence to ask for Your direction in helping us to learn the lessons of covenant assurance and to help us understand why so few people take the time to review the past to make a better future. This is not for us to be judgmental, but to learn to acknowledge Your greatness, protection offered us, and compassion for us. We acknowledge You by reciting PS 86: 9-10, “All nations You have made will come and worship before You, Lord; they will bring glory to Your name, for You are great and do marvelous deeds; You alone are God.” Our next lesson before us to learn to place our trust in You. PS 37: 3-6,”Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Take delight in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him and He will do this: He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun.” Dearest Abba, I often pray that I and others will have a calm spirit and inner peace, knowing full well that You alone can give these things. This morning, many of us, Your human covenant partners, are facing difficult challenges, losses, and other kinds of trials. We ask for Your provision, protection, and clear focus with calm spirits in decision-making. PHIL 4: 19, “And with all His abundant wealth through Christ Jesus, my God will supply all your needs” NH 1: 7, “The Lord is good; He protects His people in times of trouble; He takes care of all who turn to Him.” PS 110: 10, “Then, to become wise is to have reverence for the Lord. He gives sound judgment to all who obey His commands. He is to be praised forever.” We also ask for Your direction as in PS 25: 4-5, “Teach me Your ways, O Lord; make them known to me. Teach me to live according to Your truth, for You are my God Who saves me. I always trust in You.” We offer You heartfelt thanks and praise for Your loving and wise presence and covenant assurance. In Christ’s holy/mighty name we pray. Amen.
NEXT WEEK: Our discussion of the covenant relationship between David and Saul’s family through Jonathan is to continue in accordance with the Holy Spirit’s direction. We will look at this with an eye to our review of David’s past and what he experienced in his earthly future. The idea here is to learn the lessons of reviewing what God teaches us in our past about being our Covenant Partner and what we can expect in the future. The Psalmist, in PS 116: 1, says, “I love the Lord because He hears all my prayers and answers them.” This seemingly simple statement is a tremendous covenant assurance. This morning, I am praying for three friends in particular. One is recovering from having Gamma Knife radiation on a benign brain tumor, the next one is having lung surgery, and the third is in the process of a bone marrow transplant to save him from recurrences of Lymphoma. I have lots of other friends too, and I am also praying for them. But these three are uppermost on my mind, because God is hearing my prayers and will answer them. Talk about covenant assurance, this is a big one! Those answers may not be exactly what I want and when I want, but they will be in the best eternal interests of each of these friends. How can I not end with revealing how faithful our God is? PS 86: 15, “But You, O Lord, are a merciful and loving God, always patient, always kind, and faithful.” Praise and thanks be to God forever!
Grace Be With You Always,
Lynn
JS 24: 15