~David and Goliath~



    Almost everyone, whether Christian or non Christian has heard of the story of David and Goliath.  Unfortunately, very few are really aware of the ramifications that were involved in the conflict.
    I would like to highlight some of the many factors that were operating in this great conflict that even many pastors are unaware of.  The story is found in I Samuel chapter 17.
    In setting the scene we find that the armies of Israel and the armies of the Philistines were each pitched on a mountain with a valley between them.  The Philistines had a champion named Goliath who for forty days went down into the valley to taunt the Israelites and defy Almighty God.
    This giant who was somewhere around 10 feet tall would challenge the Israelites to bring forth their champion so there might be a duel between two warriors.  This challenge put fear in the hearts of the soldiers of Israel.
   David who was but a youth, had come to Israel's camp to bring food and supplies to three of his brothers.  While he was there David heard the men talking of Goliath's challenge, for Goliath had said, "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.  If he be able to fight with me and to kill me, then we will be your servants: but if I prevail against him, then ye shall be our servants and serve us."
    First Samuel chapter 17 is a long passage, 58 verses.  It is choked full of meaning for Christians today.  Most pastors when talking about chapter 17 spend the bulk of their time talking about how God helped the teenager David, to overcome the seasoned warrior Goliath.  This truly was a great miracle.
    I like to make sure when I teach on David and Goliath, that the people to whom I'm speaking understand the results that would occur depending on whether Israel would loose the battle or not.  You see, the story of David and Goliath is about Good vs. Evil, Liberty vs. Slavery.  After the battle one nation is going to rule and subjugate another.
  Which God or god's is going to be worshipped after the battle, is of critical importance in the life of a nation.  Psalm 34:12 states, "Blessed is the nation (goy in Hebrew) whose God is the Lord."  A nation is blessed by Jesus Christ or it is not.
   If the Philistines win the battle, the source of law is going to change which will affect every man, woman, and child in the nation.  God's laws when followed are designed to bless a nation.  Deuteronomy 4:5-8 says, "Behold, I have taught you statutes and judgments, even as the Lord my God commanded me, that ye should do so in the land whither ye go to possess it.  Keep therefore and do them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the nations, which shall hear all these statutes, and say, Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.  For what nation is there so great, who hath God so night unto them, as the Lord our God is in all things that we call upon Him for?   And what nation is there so great, that hath statutes and judgments so righteous as all this law, which I set before you this day?"
    In contrast, God pronounces woes to public officials who write laws contrary to the Bible which hurt and oppress the people.  Note if you would Isaiah 10:1,2.  "Woe unto them that decree unrighteous decrees, and that write grievousness which they have prescribed; To turn aside the needy from judgment, and to take away the right from the poor of my people, that widows may be their prey, and that they may rob the fatherless!"
   We can see then that the source of law whether theonomic, or autonomous has tremendous implications for our lives.
   R.J. Rushdoony has written "It must be recognized that in any culture, the source of law is the God of that society."
    The story of David and Goliath and the outcome of the conflict would affect the nation's arts and humanities.  Pornography and licentiousness would abound in Israel if Goliath and the Philistines were to win the battle.
  Science would be impacted by the outcome of this conflict.  It is interesting to note the absence of great scientific achievements in the Muslim and pagan countries.  It is in the Christian nation where so many wonderful discoveries have occurred that have blessed mankind.
   Education and family life would change in Israel if Philistines were to prevail.
   Because we have left so many of our Biblical moorings in the United States concerning the family we see high divorce rates, many unwed pregnancies, father's who have lost their authority, and a generation gap between parents and children.
    In education, we see federal government intruding into a realm for which they have no biblical justification, and the nation's children are suffering in ignorance as a result.
    As American philosopher George Santayana stated, "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it."
   I encourage you to study I Samuel 17, and mine out the many treasures lying in the bedrock of this important chapter.  The ramifications of our nation today are very evident.
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