Sunday, September 30, 2012

David, Goliath and Church Impotency


This is an analogy of David killing the giant so the children of Israel would put their enemy (the Philistines) on the run, compared to Jesus' Church putting their enemy on the run. What shining giant is challenging the church today? Why is the church rendered impotent by it? What dreadful giant started the church yelling insults at and receiving insults from its "enemies" rather than putting them on the run? What is keeping the church from fulfilling the Great Commission with the Great Commandment? The answer to these questions may surprise you.
Let us go to 1 Samuel 17 to see if the way David won the victory for the True and Living God and the nation of Israel in his day can help the Church overcome its present deplorable condition. Be assured, this was a real battle between the Philistines and the Israelites. It happened as stated. The time, place and people involved were very real. There is no part in this narrative that was exaggerated. Goliath was between 13 and 14 feet tall. He was wearing brass armor. He had a spear with a head that weighted a little over 15 (6.852 kgs) pounds. His coat of armor weighed about 126 (57.1 kgs) pounds. Goliath's war equipment, most likely, weighed more than David. The Philistines declared war on the Israelites and their God. The Israelites were at a stalemate for 40 days with the Philistines. Goliath challenged the army of Israel and the True and Living God all this time. Thus, the enemy of Israel was laying down the rules for their victory. This struck great fear into the army of Israel. David's father sent him to the battle to see how his 3 older brothers were doing. He also sent some food for them and for the army. When David heard Goliath's challenge, he took it. David killed Goliath with a slingshot. David was just a youth. He won the victory through his faith in the True and Living God. When Goliath was dead the Philistines fled. David was rewarded for his victory by King Saul.
Words in the Bible have meanings that express the context of the narrative. For example, the people and places in 1 Samuel 17 have a hidden message in them for the Church of our Savior and Lord Jesus Christ for our day.

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