Today, annihilation (the second death), David and Goliath, stoning, and the plagues of Egypt are in view. Only through judgment that displays divine grace, mercy, and righteousness can there be the completeness of divine revelation. Because so many of us first heard an account of David and Goliath as a bedtime story, or something to amuse and entertain us, many continue to dismiss and undervalue the important aspects of divine revelation that appear. In addition to judgment against the enemies of GOD’s peculiar people, that there is judgment against GOD’s people themselves is not to be overlooked. Goliath was one of the last remaining descendants from the seven tribes who had lived in Canaan as the covenant people of GOD prior to Israel leaving Egypt. For their transgression of sacred covenant, his entire culture and race were to have been removed from the Promised Land. Thus, he may be thought of as part of “Israel’s unfinished business,” and his destruction a fulfillment of divine mandate. A fighter in the “Yahoo! Answers” forum using the ID “Racket” (Level 7 with 25,403 points, a member since November 14, 2015) posted the following:
David betrayed Goliath !!! Why didn't he use a sword instead of throwing a stone? Anyone can win wrestling if he use catapult?
Is this not a cheating of a God-chosen?
THE GOLDEN ARROW: For thus saith the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel; In returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength: and ye would not. But ye said, No; for we will flee upon horses; therefore shall ye flee: and, We will ride upon the swift; therefore shall they that pursue you be swift. One thousand shall flee at the rebuke of one; at the rebuke of five shall ye flee: till ye be left as a beacon upon the top of a mountain, and as an ensign on an hill. And therefore will the LORD wait, that he may be gracious unto you, and therefore will he be exalted, that he may have mercy upon you: for the LORD is a God of judgment: blessed are all they that wait for him. For the people shall dwell in Zion at Jerusalem: thou shalt weep no more: he will be very gracious unto thee at the voice of thy cry; when he shall hear it, he will answer thee. And though the Lord give you the bread of adversity, and the water of affliction, yet shall not thy teachers be removed into a corner any more, but thine eyes shall see thy teachers: And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left. (Isaiah 30: 15-21, King James Version, KJV)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Secular History, Sacred Revelation? (01/11/2018); GOD Protects the Faithful (12/19/2017); David, Goliath and GOD (05/26/2017); The Wisdom of Years? (10/31/2016); The Accounts of Giants (05/24/2016); Christ the Son of David? (06/12/2015); The Priesthood of Kings (10/17/2012); Childlike Faith (10/18/2012)
“Racket”, many disbelieve that GOD exists on the basis of their failure to recognize the real “presence” of divine judgment. Mature Christians may describe the confrontation between David and Goliath as one expressing divine judgment, and wrath against sin that is an inseparable aspect of the divine fullness along with faith, holiness, longsuffering, lovingkindness, righteousness, and wisdom. What on surface is merely a contest or a “fair fight” between two proud, or reckless individuals on a battlefield also must be acknowledged as a conflict between two nations, two different covenant relationships with GOD, and a sacred event that addresses divine promise, prophecy, and eternal purpose. In the same way, sinners make too little of the judgment displayed against Egypt as 10 plagues, they also make too little of the judgment that came against the Philistines.
No longer should Goliath’s offense against Israel be understood as only having challenged, insulted and mocked the army of Israel. Goliath blasphemed; denied glory to GOD, the Creator and King over Israel; and manifested himself as a living idol among the Philistines. That only David was sensitive to this, or reacted as personally attacked can be discerned as an indication that the divine anointing by Samuel the Prophet, and the imparted Spirit of GOD already were operating within, and speaking out through David.
The rules of engagement and warfare center on conflicts for conquest, gaining territory, and expanding wealth. Use of stoning as a sanction against sin comes into view as a provision that further binds a community through shared accountability, obedience to sacred law, and fundamental principles pertaining to divine sovereignty. Mortality in mankind introduced through Adam must be completed and fulfilled. Even so, divine provisions may include rebirth, resurrection, and new life. In communal judgment, every member of the collective casts only a single stone. The person who casts the stone that delivers the fatal blow may remain secret, and known only to GOD. There can be no “fair fight” between a full grown, seasoned warrior and a teen-aged shepherd boy; however, as part of becoming mature on the earth, there must be a “fight of faith” for every believer. Consider again the following that uses language from the Bible:
(1.) 1st Samuel 17: 4-11, King James Version (KJV): 4 And there went out a champion out of the camp of the Philistines, named Goliath, of Gath, whose height was six cubits and a span. 5 And he had an helmet of brass upon his head, and he was armed with a coat of mail; and the weight of the coat was five thousand shekels of brass. 6 And he had greaves of brass upon his legs, and a target of brass between his shoulders. 7 And the staff of his spear was like a weaver’s beam; and his spear’s head weighed six hundred shekels of iron: and one bearing a shield went before him. 8 And he stood and cried unto the armies of Israel, and said unto them, Why are ye come out to set your battle in array? am not I a Philistine, and ye servants to Saul? choose you a man for you, and let him come down to me. 9 If he be able to fight with me, and to kill me, then will we be your servants: but if I prevail against him, and kill him, then shall ye be our servants, and serve us. 10 And the Philistine said, I defy the armies of Israel this day; give me a man, that we may fight together. 11 When Saul and all Israel heard those words of the Philistine, they were dismayed, and greatly afraid.
(2.) 1st Samuel 17: 32-37, KJV: 32 And David said to Saul, Let no man’s heart fail because of him; thy servant will go and fight with this Philistine. 33 And Saul said to David, Thou art not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him: for thou art but a youth, and he a man of war from his youth. 34 And David said unto Saul, Thy servant kept his father’s sheep, and there came a lion, and a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock: 35 And I went out after him, and smote him, and delivered it out of his mouth: and when he arose against me, I caught him by his beard, and smote him, and slew him. 36 Thy servant slew both the lion and the bear: and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, seeing he hath defied the armies of the living God. 37 David said moreover, The LORD that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine. And Saul said unto David, Go, and the LORD be with thee.
There is far more to be said, correctly examined, and spiritually apprehended regarding the Spirit imparted from GOD through Jesus Christ. (For example, (3.) 1st Samuel 17: 40-50, KJV: 40 And he took his staff in his hand, and chose him five smooth stones out of the brook, and put them in a shepherd’s bag which he had, even in a scrip; and his sling was in his hand: and he drew near to the Philistine. 41 And the Philistine came on and drew near unto David; and the man that bare the shield went before him. 42 And when the Philistine looked about, and saw David, he disdained him: for he was but a youth, and ruddy, and of a fair countenance. 43 And the Philistine said unto David, Am I a dog, that thou comest to me with staves? And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. 44 And the Philistine said to David, Come to me, and I will give thy flesh unto the fowls of the air, and to the beasts of the field. 45 Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied. 46 This day will the LORD deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcases of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel. 47 And all this assembly shall know that the LORD saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the LORD’s, and he will give you into our hands. 48 And it came to pass, when the Philistine arose, and came, and drew nigh to meet David, that David hastened, and ran toward the army to meet the Philistine. 49 And David put his hand in his bag, and took thence a stone, and slang it, and smote the Philistine in his forehead, that the stone sunk into his forehead; and he fell upon his face to the earth. 50 So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone, and smote the Philistine, and slew him; but there was no sword in the hand of David.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.
Washington, DC
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