For Christian Sisters

The Head of Goliath

07 May 2017 AnneT Blog, Zion An ordered list of links for each blog series is on the Archive page. (0)

A stronghold overtaken - Second in a series

Why did David take Goliath's head to Jerusalem? (1 Sam 17:54)

King Saul was presented with the head, but did not retain it as a token of victory. (1 Sam 17:57) No doubt that head had shock value for any who doubted David's prowess, but as we know, David slew Goliath for God's glory, not for his own.

Jerusalem was not wholly Israel's at the time, yet it would seem that David understood that she was Zion, the place where God's victories are prophesied and proclaimed. More on this in the next post, but first, a look at the story of David and Goliath for insight on how to proclaim our own victories in Zion.

The Philistines had gathered at Shochoh in Judah's territory, to the south of Jerusalem. The Israelites had stationed themselves in battle array on a mountain, and a valley separated them from their enemy who stood on an opposite mountain.

This pictures Satan's boast to us that his minions are evenly matched against God's soldiers, mountain to mountain so to speak.

But while we are reflecting on that possibility, he goes further: He wants us to believe he is MORE than a match, to provoke fear in our hearts.

The champion of the enemy nation was Goliath, who stood over six feet tall, possibly much taller, but Bible translations have differences. He wore a brass helmet, a coat of mail (overlapping metal plates) that weighed 5000 shekels of brass (about 125-150 lbs.), had greaves of brass on his legs, and a target of brass between his shoulders. The staff of his spear was solid and straight like a weaver's beam, its head weighing 600 shekels of iron. He also had a shield bearer. (1 Sam 17:4-7)

Before we read of this confrontation, we learn that the Lord had rejected Saul as Israel's king, so God's people were sheep without a shepherd. Satanic attacks are strategic. We little understand his intelligence and heart.

Goliath taunted Israel morning and evening, and presented himself forty days. …I defy the armies of Israel this day; give me a man, that we may fight together. (1 Sam 17:10-16)

Satan, a roaring lion, would wear us down by continual and long trials but God would build us up by this same tactic. We are led to understand the hopelessness of our circumstances unless He provides deliverance. The number 40 in Scripture signifies a period of divine testing.

David, whom Samuel had already anointed as Israel's King (1 Sam 16:13) was jealous for God's honor to take on the challenger. He did it without armor or helper, but by the Spirit of God. This is how we reach Zion as victors.

Zion

07 May 2017 AnneT Blog, Zion An ordered list of links for each blog series is on the Archive page. (0)

A stronghold overtaken - First in a series

Before Zion was the place to which we Christians march and the great city where we are born, it was an enemy fortress.

Her rulers felt so secure that they mocked King David and his advancing troops by "manning" her walls with the lame and blind. 2 Sam. 5:6-8

This is how Satan taunts God's children: You cannot reach this place! You cannot war on me! My little finger has more strength than your willpower and weapons. What? You would attack my stronghold? You may dream of success but you will never make one inch of progress, and if you try I will abase and ruin you by my stare, by my devices, by my perfect hatred of your ridiculous hope, by my Force.

Here begins a series of posts to contemplate how Zion became the city of God and the great symbol of the Christian's eternal residence.

Considering her iconic value to Christians and Jews, it was inevitable that an enemy fortress would once again be established there, also known as the Dome of the Rock.

Though the focus of this blog series is on Zion as a place in the heart, we will also contemplate the city of Jerusalem in history and current-day dilemmas.

O priests, that despise my name

07 September 2015 Anne-Turner An ordered list of links for each blog series is on the Archive page. (0)

Fourth in a series

Malachi 1:6 A son honoureth his father, and a servant his master: if then I be a father, where is mine honour? and if I be a master, where is my fear? saith the LORD of hosts unto you, O priests, that despise my name. And ye say, Wherein have we despised thy name?

Has the Lord ever said a threatening word to you personally, through his word? Every Christian would say, Yes! The Bible has power to discern our thoughts and motivations and to exhort and guide us. And if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. (1 Cor 11:31)

In Malachi 1:6 there is potential guidance for us, since WE are the priests today (1 Pe 2:9; Rev 1:6).

What does it mean to despise the name of God?

In answering this question, it is good to have a resource to consult such as the Westminster Larger Catechism (WLC). It teaches that breaking the third commandment, Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord in vain, (Ex 20:7) an analogous concept to despising His name, comprises a great number and variety of sins.

WLC Question 112 asks: What is required in the third commandment? The answer is:

The third commandment requires, That the name of God, his titles, attributes, ordinances, the Word, sacraments, prayer, oaths, vows, lots, his works, and whatsoever else there is whereby he makes himself known, be holily and reverently used in thought, meditation, word, and writing; by an holy profession, and answerable conversation, to the glory of God, and the good of ourselves, and others. [ref]

Then, the answer to Question 113 elaborates on this explanation, relating various Scripture passages to the numerous ways in which we may show lack of reverence for God's name, in effect despising it, though at times unwittingly.

Q 113: What are the sins forbidden in the third commandment?
We normally view the below points in paragraph form, but the list format makes it easy to view the associated Scriptures. (The rollover popup may not load quickly if you hover over the Scripture references in rapid succession.)

A. The sins forbidden in the third commandment are,

  • the not using of God’s name as is required; [Malachi 2:2]
  • and the abuse of it in an ignorant, [Acts 17:23]
  • vain, [Proverbs 30:9]
  • irreverent, profane, [Malachi 1:6-7, 12; 3:14]
  • superstitious [1 Samuel 4:3-5; Jeremiah 7:4, 9-10, 14, 31; Colossians 2:20-22]
  • or wicked mentioning or otherwise using his titles, attributes, [2 Kings 18:30, 35; Exodus 5:2; Psalm 139:20]
  • ordinances, [Psalm 50:16-17]
  • or works, [Isaiah 5:12]
  • by blasphemy, [2 Kings 19:22; Leviticus 24:11]
  • perjury; [Zechariah 5:4; 8:17]
  • all sinful cursings, [1 Samuel 17:43; 2 Samuel 16:5]
  • oaths, [Jeremiah 5:7; 23:10]
  • vows, [Deuteronomy 23:18; Acts 23:12, 14]
  • and lots; [Esther 3:7; 9:24]
  • violating of our oaths and vows, if lawful; [Psalm 24:4; Ezekiel 17:16, 18-19]
  • and fulfilling them, if of things unlawful; [Mark 6:26; 1 Samuel 25:22, 32-34]
  • murmuring and quarrelling at, [Romans 9:14, 19-20]
  • curious prying into, [Deuteronomy 29:29]
  • and misapplying of God’s decrees [Romans 3:5, 7; 6:1]
  • and providences; [Ecclesiastes 8:11; 9:3; Psalm 39]
  • misinterpreting, [Matthew 5:21-22]
  • misapplying, [Ezekiel 13:22]
  • or any way perverting the Word, or any part of it; [2 Peter 3:16; Matthew 22:24-31; 25:28-30]
  • to profane jests, [Isaiah 22:13; Jeremiah 23:34, 36, 38]
  • curious or unprofitable questions, vain janglings, or the maintaining of false doctrines; [1 Timothy 1:4, 6-7; 6:4-5, 20; 2 Timothy 2:14]
  • abusing it, the creatures, or anything contained under the name of God, to charms, [Deuteronomy 18:10-14; Acts 19:13]
  • or sinful lusts and practices; [2 Timothy 4:3-4; Romans 13:13-14; 1 Kings 21:9-10; Jude 4]
  • the maligning, [Acts 13:45; 1 John 3:12]
  • scorning, [Psalm 1:1; 2 Peter 3:3]
  • reviling, [1 Peter 4:4]
  • or any wise opposing of God’s truth, grace, and ways; [Acts 13:45-46, 50; 4:18; 19:9 et al]
  • making profession of religion in hypocrisy, or for sinister ends; [2 Timothy 3:5; Matthew 23:14 et al]
  • being ashamed of it, [Mark 8:38]
  • or a shame to it, by unconformable, [Psalm 73:14-15]
  • unwise, [1 Corinthians 6:5-6; Ephesians 5:15-17]
  • unfruitful, [Isaiah 5:4; 2 Peter 1:8-9]
  • and offensive walking, [Romans 2:23-24]
  • or backsliding from it. [Galatians 3:1, 3; Hebrews 6:6]

No doubt each of us will find ways in which we have not honored the name of God.

In the next post we will study the specific ways that the priests to whom Malachi spoke directly were not honoring God's name. As the leaders, the blame fell upon them more than on the people. This is true for Christians as well. We are the leaders who must set a good example.

Today, we think of Kim Davis, a Kentucky County Clerk currently in jail for standing on principle against issuing a marriage license to homosexuals. She seeks to honor God. My prayers are with her.

For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? (1 Pe 4:17)

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