Trudeau vs. Lucki

This is going to sound very arrogant.  I do not intend it so. The rhetoric today, especially surrounding the tragic death of Floyd George is wearisome.  The Preacher, Qohelet, would exclaim, “Vanity, vanity. All is vanity."  When our culture departs from God and His Word there is a tiresome emptiness to the language. Nothing is more obvious than the universal condemnation by our political leaders, following the mantra of movements like Black Lives Matter, indicting us all with the charge of “systemic racism”.  To her credit, the Commissioner of the RCMP doesn’t buy that. But her statement brought the criticism of our Prime Minister.

“Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said today the RCMP and other police agencies across the country have a problem with systemic racism — a day after RCMP Commissioner Brenda Lucki said she's "struggling" with the term and denied racism is entrenched within the organization.

"Systemic racism is an issue right across the country, in all our institutions, including in all our police forces, including in the RCMP. That's what systemic racism is," said Trudeau when asked about Lucki's comments by reporters during a news conference in Ottawa this morning.” [1]

Commissioner Lucki said this, “That is an interesting question because in the last couple of days I have honestly heard about 15 or 20 definitions of systemic racism," she said.

"If it refers to an unconscious bias that exists ... we definitely have that in the RCMP and we are not immune to it at all. There are times when our members don't act in accordance with our core values, which includes racism, and it's those times that we have to make sure that that doesn't happen."” [1]

Lucki is on point.  People are using the term “systemic racism” in casual and careless ways.  Prime Minister Trudeau is using the term in casual and careless ways.  If we are talking about Canadian government policy in years past that levied indelible harm to our indigenous people, that is systemic racism.  If we are talking about dogmatic, legislated assaults on black Americans by the US government in years past, that is systemic racism.  For systemic racism to occur in Canada’s police forces there needs to be structural, programmatic, pedagogical intent and applications toward racism.  Quite clearly there is not.  As a former soldier I can say with confidence that there is not systemic racism in the Armed Forces.  Businesses and institutions cannot be unilaterally slurred be assuming systemic racism.  

This attempt to deflecting the problem and blaming systems is an age-old trick — and it won’t work.  Commissioner Lucki is closer to the truth as she uses the term “unconscious bias”.  And that charge can be duly levied upon all mankind.  The Bible calls it our “sin nature”.  It is our default setting.  We are born with one shtick and that is to prefer ourselves above others.  We live in a post-modern world where words and definitions don’t matter.  The cultural definition of racism is so broad and so thin it is meaningless, all meaningless.  As the Commissioner noted there is no agreement on the term systemic racism. 

Nelson Mandela unfortunately said this, “No one is born hating another person because of the colour of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate.”  Nothing could be more wrong than that.  His application is that if we learn to hate we can learn to love.  Not a chance!!!   The Bible teaches us that we are born with a sin nature that is inclined to all manner of evil including preferring ourselves over others.  Apart from a change of heart that is offered in the Christian Gospel, there is no hope.  

The Bible teaches that there is but one race.  The Bible teaches that through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ our self-centered, self-absorbed, self-centered default bias can be forgiven and replaced with a heart motivation to love God and love others as ourselves.  This can only occur through the miracle of salvation.  When this miracle takes place, men and women, blacks and whites, people from every nation, tribe and language are united in essential and eternal unity with Christ and one another.  There is no other solution.

So Commissioner Lucki I commend you.  We do have an unconscious bias to honour, prefer, love ourselves above others and only the redeeming work of Jesus Christ can change that.   

_______________________________________

1. https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/rcmp-systemic-racism-lucki-trudeau-1.5607622{

The Infallible Test of the Spirit's Work, 1 Samuel, Part 34

Previously I wrote, “The jealousy, anger, resentment of Saul forever changed the course of his reign.  As to David we read that Saul “stood in fearful awe of him.”  Proverbs 29:25 (ESV): “The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe.””  In Chapter 19 of 1 Samuel we have the ongoing saga of Saul’s resentment and assault on David.

1 Samuel 19 (ESV)

In this chapter, Saul attempts to kill David eight times. He initially tries to persuade Jonathan to murder David, but Jonathan refuses and asserts his friend’s innocence (vv. 1–5). In response, Saul vows not to harm David. However, he goes back on his word a short time later (vv. 9–10). In vv11-17 we read that Michal betrays her father’s confidence for the sake of saving David. Michal lies to her father to cover up her deceit. David flees to Samuel at Ramah and goes into hiding.

Twice Saul sent messengers to Ramah to arrest David but when they came into the company of Samuel we read, “1 Samuel 19:20 (ESV): the Spirit of God came upon the messengers of Saul, and they also prophesied.”  And then Saul goes himself and we read:

1 Samuel 19:23–24 (ESV): “And the Spirit of God came upon him also, and as he went he prophesied until he came to Naioth in Ramah. And he too stripped off his clothes, and he too prophesied before Samuel and lay naked all that day and all that night. Thus it is said, “Is Saul also among the prophets?””

This leaves us with several questions.  What is the nature of this prophesying?  How can a man who is subject to harmful spirits also be under the control of God’s Spirit?  What in the world does nakedness have to do with all this?

It is likely that Samuel and these prophets, including David now, were in some sort of Spirit-filled worship, perhaps declaring God’s Word with or through song.  When Saul’s messengers came into the scene the Spirit of God overwhelmed them and they were irresistibly led to join the group. Saul experienced a similar fate except the author tells us that 1 Samuel 19:23–24 (ESV): “And he too stripped off his clothes, and he too prophesied before Samuel and lay naked all that day and all that night.”  This appears to be a Divine act of humiliation.  Naked doesn’t necessarily mean naked[1].  The Faithlife Study Bible suggests:

1 Samuel 19:24 (FSB): “Saul removes his regal robes when encountering God, confirming the judgment of 15:23, 28. This involuntary prophesying seems designed to humiliate Saul and show that, despite the trappings of power, he is helpless before God.”

The ESV Study Bible adds, poignantly: 1 Samuel 19:23–24 (ESVSB): “The aggressive, angry king is humbled, even comically humiliated, before the power of the Lord, against whom he vainly strives.”

As I read this account I am reminded of Jonathan Edwards book: A Treatise onReligious Affections, where he writes,

“From these things it certainly appears, that religious affections being in a very high degree, is no evidence that they are not such as have the nature of true religion. Therefore they do greatly err, who condemn persons as enthusiasts merely because their affections are very high. And on the other hand, it is no evidence that religious affections are of a spiritual and gracious nature, because they are great. It is very manifest by the holy Scripture, our sure and infallible rule to judge of things of this nature, that there are religious affections which are very high, that are not spiritual and saving.”

In a word, Edwards argues that by simple observation of person who is under the influence of and seemingly affected by something spiritual is no evidence in itself that they are experiencing a sanctifying manifestation.

To be more blunt, just because someone experiences great tears; physical weakness and even things such as shaking or other manifestations; or a person experiences great grief and regret does not confirm they are experiencing the sanctifying work of the Spirit.  There has to be more evidence than that to decide one way or the other.  That is the point of Edwards’ book and what he will explain.

To be facetious, if many modern Christians had walked in on this praise service in Ramah they would have assumed by the uncontrollable expressions of praise, the anointing and perhaps “slaying of the Spirit” that a revival was in process.  Books would be written.  Appearances on so-called Christian TV would be made.  Strategies to replicate the event would be offered.  There would be no discernment as to what is actually going on. 

I commend to you Edwards’ book.  This does not comprehensively treat his infallible signs of the Spirit’s work, but it is a good summary:

“I shall consider Christian practice and holy life, as a manifestation and sign of the sincerity of a professing Christian, to the eye of his neighbors and brethren. And that this is the chief sign of grace in this respect, is very evident from the word of God.”

Will Saul arise from his stupor a man that is committed to holiness?  Then it can be considered a sanctifying work of the Spirit.  If holiness of life is not evident, true worship is absent also.

 

 

 

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[1] Nakedness does not always signify complete nudity, but is also applied to a person with his upper garment off (cf. Isaiah 20:2; Micah 1:8; John 21:7).

Not Your Usual Father-in-Law! 1 Samuel, Part 33

1 Samuel 18:17–30 (ESV)

Undoubtedly this is the strangest marriage arrangement on the pages of Scripture.  In keeping with his promise (“And the men of Israel said, “Have you seen this man who has come up? Surely he has come up to defy Israel. And the king will enrich the man who kills him with great riches and will give him his daughter and make his father’s house free in Israel.”” (1 Samuel 17:25, ESV)) Saul offers his eldest daughter Merab to David as a wife.  The first hint that not all is well in the king’s heart is his added expectation: “Only be valiant for me and fight the Lord’s battles.”^[1]

It is here the author lets us in on a secret: Saul still wants to kill David (v17b).  David, on the other hand shows a humility of heart. “And David said to Saul, “Who am I, and who are my relatives, my father’s clan in Israel, that I should be son-in-law to the king?”” (1 Samuel 18:18, ESV).  This supports the notion that his desire to combat Goliath was truly for God’s honor and not for his own reward.  During the time that passed Merab became the wife of another. 

Father Saul learned that daughter Michal loved David, so immediately he saw another opportunity.  His motives were still ungodly.  “Saul thought, “Let me give her to him, that she may be a snare for him and that the hand of the Philistines may be against him.””^[2]  We are not sure how Michal could be a snare to David.  In Chapter 19 we learn that she practiced idolatry and perhaps Saul saw that to morally defeat David.  But with the help of David’s servants, Saul was able to convince David to accept Michal as his wife.  But again, he adds a dangerous proviso: “‘The king desires no bride-price except a hundred foreskins of the Philistines, that he may be avenged of the king’s enemies.”^[3]

Saul thought that surely David would die as he takes up this challenge.  Not so! 

“David arose and went, along with his men, and killed two hundred of the Philistines. And David brought their foreskins, which were given in full number to the king, that he might become the king’s son-in-law. And Saul gave him his daughter Michal for a wife.” (1 Samuel 18:27, ESV)

Saul’s failure to get David killed exasperated this monarch: “Saul was even more afraid of David. So Saul was David’s enemy continually.”^[4]

The author’s postscript on David was amazing: “Then the commanders of the Philistines came out to battle, and as often as they came out David had more success than all the servants of Saul, so that his name was highly esteemed.” (1 Samuel 18:30, ESV)

In Psalm 76, Asaph wrote, “Surely the wrath of man shall praise you; the remnant of wrath you will put on like a belt.” (Psalm 76:10, ESV) A modern paraphrase reads, “Human defiance only enhances your glory . . ..” (Psalm 76:10a, NLT) The message of this story as we consider the Big Story is that “I am God, and there is none like me,  declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose.”^[5]

David was God’s anointed.  In David there would come the greatest son, the Lord Jesus Christ.  The rage of Saul could not prevent that.  God’s purposes will stand.  It was Job that would say, ““I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted.” (Job 42:2, ESV)

All of Saul’s plans failed. He added expectations to his original offer hoping David would die in battle. He asked for the lives of 100 Philistines, hoping David would die in battle. He viewed his daughter as a snare and offered her to David.  The result was the intensified anger of Saul and the magnified glory of God.  Every time Saul tried to bring David into a vulnerable place, into a place that would take his life, it brought David closer to kingship – it brought the purposes of God to establish a Davidic dynasty closer to fruition.  It brought Jesus Christ the Son of David, into reality.  “No purpose of Yours can be thwarted.”

 

 

 

 

 

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^[1] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (1 Sa 18:17). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

^[2] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (1 Sa 18:21). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

^[3] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (1 Sa 18:25). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

^[4] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (1 Sa 18:29). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

^[5] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Is 46:9–10). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

The Atomic Toxicity of Resentment, 1 Samuel Part 32

1 Samuel 18:6-16 (ESV)

1 Samuel 18:6 (ESV): “As they were coming home, when David returned from striking down the Philistine, the women came out of all the cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet King Saul, with tambourines, with songs of joy, and with musical instruments.”

Celebrating the victorious homecoming of the victorious king would not have been unusual. But the author tells us that the song that the women sang honoured David more than Saul: 1 Samuel 18:7 (ESV): “Saul has struck down his thousands, and David his ten thousands.”

Saul became angry at David’s prominence and the next day we read, 1 Samuel 18:10–11 (ESV): “A harmful spirit from God rushed upon Saul, and he raved within his house while David was playing the lyre, as he did day by day. Saul had his spear in his hand. ¹¹ And Saul hurled the spear, for he thought, “I will pin David to the wall.” But David evaded him twice.”

Saul’s anger comes directly from the prominence given to David.  It is interesting that while Saul mused about the apparent dishonour he was feeling, David returned to his humble duties.  Seeing David in that role infuriated Saul to the point of wanting to kill David.  It’s quite amazing what a wounded pride will do. 

Saul was well aware that the honour given to David, although expressed by the women in Israel was from the Lord.  That made him afraid. 1 Samuel 18:12 (ESV): “Saul was afraid of David because the Lord was with him but had departed from Saul.”  Jealousy, resentment, anger and fear dominated Saul’s existence.

Saul removed David from his presence and set him up as commander of 1000.  That was a clear statement to oppose the accolades given to David.  Saul had a problem with David and the response of Israel made it worse:

1 Samuel 18:14–16 (ESV): “And David had success in all his undertakings, for the Lord was with him. ¹⁵ And when Saul saw that he had great success, he stood in fearful awe of him. ¹⁶ But all Israel and Judah loved David, for he went out and came in before them.”

Jealousy and resentment invaded the first family rivalry. Genesis 4:4–5 (ESV): “And the Lord had regard for Abel and his offering, ⁵ but for Cain and his offering he had no regard. So Cain was very angry, and his face fell.”  This anger led to murder.  James 3:16 (ESV): “For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.”

There’s a lot of inaccurate, sensational teaching in the Christian church about Satan, demonism, and their evil affect on Christians.  But the Bible is very explicit: to harbour resentment is to give an opportunity to Satan. Ephesians 4:26–27 (ESV): “²⁶ Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, ²⁷ and give no opportunity to the devil.”

I remember speaking to someone who was taking psychotropic medicines. “Do you know what was going on when you thought you had a ‘mental disorder’ and needed psychiatric help?”  What I heard was a story of disappointment, bitterness and resentment.  We are left to wonder how things might have been different if their reaction had been different?  

Eliphaz knew the truth but wrongly applied it to Job.  But what he said still retains its truthfulness: Job 5:2 (ESV): “Surely vexation kills the fool, and jealousy slays the simple.”

The jealousy, anger, resentment of Saul forever changed the course of his reign.  As to David we read that Saul “stood in fearful awe of him.”  Proverbs 29:25 (ESV): “The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe.”

When others succeed we can trust the Lord.  When others say things that harm us, we can trust the Lord. He is sovereign and raises the lowly to great heights and lowers whom He chooses. He is the ultimate Arbiter, the defender and the protector of His people. Romans 12:19 (ESV): “Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.””

“He lowers us to raise us, So we can sing His praises. Whatever is His way all is well. He makes us rich and poor, That we might trust Him more. Whatever is His way all is well.”[1]

The destructive power of jealousy, bitterness, resentment and anger is beyond comprehension.  Only forgiving as Christ forgave us; trusting in the loving, providential rule of God; and seeking the comfort of the Holy Spirit will bring the serenity that we long for.

 

 

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[1] Claire Hamilton | Johnny Parks © 2009 Integrity Worship Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing (Integrity Music, David C Cook)) Parks Publishing (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing (Integrity Music, David C Cook))

Masculine Friendships - 1 Samuel, Part 31

1 Samuel 17:55 – 18:5 (ESV)

As Saul watched the stunning outcome of the defeat of Goliath by David he must have been in awe.  Although he had previously met David (1 Samuel 16:20–22 (ESV):  ²¹ And David came to Saul and entered his service. And Saul loved him greatly, and he became his armor-bearer. ²² And Saul sent to Jesse, saying, “Let David remain in my service, for he has found favor in my sight.”) we wonder why Saul would be so forgetful and ask the commander of the Army, “Abner, whose son is this youth?” In any case Saul would want to confirm the lineage of the man that would marry his daughter (1 Samuel 17:25 (ESV): “And the king will enrich the man who kills him with great riches and will give him his daughter and make his father’s house free in Israel.”).  Saul had a moral and legal responsibility to fulfill his vows.

And then we read, 1 Samuel 18:2 (ESV): “And Saul took him that day and would not let him return to his father’s house.”

Meanwhile as this story is developing, another story is also coming to light: the friendship of Jonathan (Saul’s son) and David.  For we read:

1 Samuel 18:1 (ESV): As soon as he had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul.

A bond of friendship was struck between the two men and a love for one another was cemented in a covenant.  1 Samuel 18:3–4 (ESV): ³ Then Jonathan made a covenant with David, because he loved him as his own soul. ⁴ And Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was on him and gave it to David, and his armor, and even his sword and his bow and his belt.”  Whether Jonathan knew it or not, his gifts to David represented an understanding that David would some day inherit the throne — his rightful position as Saul’s biological son. As noted by MacArthur: “1 Samuel 18:4 (MSB): Jonathan willingly and subserviently relinquished the outer garments and instruments that signified his position as prince of Israel and heir to the throne.”

The remainder of this portion sets the tone for the successes of David.  1 Samuel 18:5 (ESV): “And David went out and was successful wherever Saul sent him, so that Saul set him over the men of war. And this was good in the sight of all the people and also in the sight of Saul’s servants.”

This whole passage introduces us to the events that will transpire as Saul’s promise to the conquering David are fulfilled and as God’s plan to give David the kingship are also brought to pass.  The story also sets the stage for the unique friendship of David and Jonathan.  As a male writing this blog the words recorded as to this male friendship seem foreign, 1 Samuel 18:1 (ESV): “the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul.”

The context makes it clear that this was a covenantal relationship. In this agreement, Jonathan was to be second in command in David’s future reign, and David was to protect Jonathan’s family. Jonathan’s covenant with David was like a promise to be best friends forever. He was saying, “What’s mine is yours.” We will see that this friendship lasted throughout both of their lifetimes. These men would risk their lives for one another.

William Boekestein in a Gospel Coalition article writes, “Many men today struggle with maintaining male friendships. This claim doesn’t need to be argued. We know it. I personally have a sporadic friendship track-record . . . But I’m learning. It has become more clear to me that Jesus and his disciples were genuine friends (John 15:15). They spent time sharing deeply of themselves.”[1] 

“Christ is our example. His ministry was centered in deep friendships with the Twelve, whom He repeatedly called "friends" (John 15:13-15), and there was also the inner circle of three with whom He formed an even deeper friendship and to whom He bared His heart.”[2]  Dr. Hughes goes on to write:

“Men, if you are married, your wife must be your most intimate friend, but to say, "my wife is my best friend" can be a cop-out. You also need Christian male friends who have a same-sex understanding of the serpentine passages of your heart, who will not only offer counsel and pray for you, but will also hold you accountable to your commitments and responsibilities when necessary.”

Sadly I can’t contribute much to this topic.  In reflection I can see that I have many men in my life that excellent comrades and reliable acquaintances — but to say that I have a friend as described by this relationship of David and Jonathan is only a pipe-dream.  I believe that we men, Christian men, “must set ourselves against the cultural consensus and pursue and practice friendship if we are to be all God wants us to be. God's Word demands a counter-cultural manliness which is capable of deep friendship.”[3]

How do we do that?  There are probably a lot of practical ways to do this, but I think the place where Christian men must start is prayer.  We must pray that God will work the character and personality requirements for friendship, deep in our soul. And we must pray for the opportunity to develop friendships.  And we must pray for the courage to pursue friendships that bring mutual sanctification and glory to God.  I think that’s where we start.

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[1] https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/8-ways-men-friendships/

[2] Dr. R. Kent Hughes, The Disciplines of a Godly Man

[3] Ibid,

The Sheperd's Tools - 1 Samuel, Part 30

1 Samuel 17:38–54 (ESV)

Who hasn’t heard of the courageous defeat of Goliath at the hand of the young David?  For centuries to follow many circumstances are explained by the euphemism of “that’s a David and Goliath story”.  The story includes David’s rejection of standard military armament and his encounter with Goliath with only a shepherd’s implements and yet he struck him down. David decapitated the giant and took his armor.  It is worthy to note that this “was Israel’s first victory at the hands of David.”^[1]

The inspired author emphasizes the refusal of the armor by David.  Twice he recounts David’s concern: “for I have not tested them”, along with the affirmation that “the Lord saves not with sword and spear.”  We are also captivated by the courageous and optimistic “sermon” that David preached to the giant man in verses 45-47.

The death of Goliath injected courage into the Israelite army as they pursued the Philistines, defeating them and plundering their camp.  Again the author seems to emphasize: “This day the Lord will deliver you into my hand . . . that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel, and that . . . the Lord saves not with sword and spear.”^[2] “There was no sword in the hand of David.”^[3]

The Lord Saves Not With Sword and Spear

MacArthur is right as he comments: “The tools of the shepherd proved to be appropriate weapons also for Israel’s shepherd.”^[4]  Like a better Saul (renamed Paul) who would serve God’s people once wrote: “For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds.” (2 Corinthians 10:3–4, ESV)  Indeed it is the tools of the shepherd, the shepherd’s means of grace whereby God saves.  The Westminster Shorter Catechism[5] asks:

Q 88. What are the outward and ordinary means whereby Christ communicateth to us the benefits of redemption?

A. The outward and ordinary means whereby Christ communicateth to us the benefits of redemption are, his ordinances, especially the Word, sacraments, and prayer; all which are made effectual to the elect for salvation.

Matthew Henry reminds us: “By this it appeared that his confidence was purely in the power of God, and not in any sufficiency of his own, and that now at length he who put it into his heart to fight the Philistine put it into his head with what weapons to do it.^[6]

It is very common within today’s ministries to rely on tools that are tools of the world, not the shepherd’s tools.  As Christian pastors and evangelical churches it is important to realize that the tools of the shepherd are those provided by the power of the Spirit: the preached Word, baptism, the Lord’s Table and prayer.  As God said to the priest Joshua, “Then he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts.” (Zechariah 4:6, ESV)

Let us affirm with Paul, “Our sufficiency is from God.”^[7]  It is not in the clever programming plans and marketing schemes of the modern church.  We trust in the power of God through His ordinary means of grace: the preached Word, the Ordinances properly exercised and prayer.

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^[1] Barry, J. D., Mangum, D., Brown, D. R., Heiser, M. S., Custis, M., Ritzema, E., … Bomar, D. (2012, 2016). Faithlife Study Bible (1 Sa 17:1–58). Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.

^[2] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (1 Sa 17:46–47). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

^[3] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (1 Sa 17:50). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

^[4] MacArthur, J., Jr. (Ed.). (1997). The MacArthur Study Bible (electronic ed., p. 404). Nashville, TN: Word Pub.

[5] https://reformedconfessions.com/westminster-daily/11/04

^[6] Henry, M. (1994). Matthew Henry’s commentary on the whole Bible: complete and unabridged in one volume (p. 414). Peabody: Hendrickson.

^[7] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (2 Co 3:5). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

Who Can Defy the Armies of the Living God - 1 Samuel, Part 29

1 Samuel 17:12–37 (ESV)

David’s father, Jesse, was very elderly.  David had seven other brothers and he was the youngest. You recall that David had been called into Saul’s court to play for him (1 Samuel 16:22).  He also went back and forth to tend his father’s sheep.  The three oldest sons had gathered with Saul’s troops in battle with the Philistines.  Goliath had been carrying on his challenge now for 40 days, morning and evening.

Jesse sent David on a mission to take food for his brothers and gifts for Saul.  Jesse was kind but he was also making sure his sons were OK.  When David approached the Israelite encampment they were taking their battle positions.  David dropped his goods and went to the front lines to greet his brothers.

“As he talked with them, behold, the champion, the Philistine of Gath, Goliath by name, came up out of the ranks of the Philistines and spoke the same words as before. And David heard him.” (1 Samuel 17:23, ESV)

The very voice of Goliath caused terror and retreat in the Israelite force. David learned that Saul had offered a reward to the man who dispatches this giant. He learned: “And the king will enrich the man who kills him with great riches and will give him his daughter and make his father’s house free in Israel.”^[1]

Eliab the eldest brother heard this conversation and responded to him with contempt. “Why have you come down? And with whom have you left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know your presumption and the evil of your heart, for you have come down to see the battle.”” (1 Samuel 17:28, ESV)  We don’t know why he spoke to him with such contempt but there surely was an issue between to the two.  David’s brashness was reported to Saul, so Saul sent for him.

David volunteered to kill Goliath!

The obvious came out. “You are not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him, for you are but a youth, and he has been a man of war from his youth.”  But David gave Saul his resume and he considered this Philistine no greater enemy that the lion or bear he killed with his bare hands.“And Saul said to David, “Go, and the Lord be with you!”” (1 Samuel 17:37, ESV)

The passion of David is seen in these words: “For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?”^[2]  Undoubtedly, David was thinking of Israel being the “armies of the living God”.  But we learn in God’s Word that God is the God of armies – the Lord of Hosts.  When David went out to do battle with Goliath we read, “Then David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with a sword and with a spear and with a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.” (1 Samuel 17:45, ESV) The name of God, the Lord of Hosts is Jehovah Sabaoth.

The word "host" in English is now used to refer to a numerous quantity or multitude; like a "host of options." However, historically, it referred to a multitude of warriors. So tsabaot refers to all the heavenly armies under God's command. The hosts God commands are not limited to celestial bodies and angelic beings, but also extend to human armies as noted by David.  “Who is anyone to defy Jehovah Sabaoth?   In his great hymn, ‘A Mighty Fortress”[3], Luther anticipates this Lord of Hosts to be none other than Jesus Christ.

Did we in our own strength confide
Our striving would be losing
Were not the right man on our side
The man of God's own choosing
Dost ask who that may be
Christ Jesus it is He
Lord Sabaoth His name
From age to age the same
And He must win the battle.

Psalm 24, a Messianic Psalm points to Christ as the King of Glory, the Lord of Hosts. “Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, he is the King of glory! Selah” (Psalm 24:10, ESV). When Jesus ordered the wind to be still, the disciples said to each other, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?” (Mark 4:41). The obvious answer would have come from Amos 4:13[4], and the author of Mark makes a deliberate point to equate or at least align Jesus with “Sabaoth.”

In Isaiah 44:6 – “Thus says the Lord, the King of Israel and his Redeemer, the Lord of hosts: ‘I am the first and I am the last, and there is no God besides Me. Comparing Scripture with Scripture we find that in Revelation 22:13 that Jesus identifies Himself as “I am the Alpha & the Omega, the first & the last, the beginning & the end,” which clearly parallels this passage and affirms Jesus as Lord Sabaoth. 

Indeed, Jesus Christ is the Lord of Hosts and the question remains: “Who can defy the Lord of Hosts – the Armies of Living God? That’s a rhetorical question.  There’s but one answer: No one!

Did we in our own strength confide
Our striving would be losing
Were not the right man on our side
The man of God's own choosing

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^[1] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (1 Sa 17:25). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

^[2] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (1 Sa 17:26). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

[3] Frederick Henry Hedge | Martin Luther | Tommy Walker © Words: Public Domain Music: 1997 Universal Music - Brentwood Benson Songs (Admin. by Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing, Inc.)

[4] “For behold, he who forms the mountains and creates the wind, and declares to man what is his thought, who makes the morning darkness, and treads on the heights of the earth— the Lord, the God of hosts, is his name!” (Amos 4:13, ESV)