The Battle is the Lord's!
I Samuel 17
May 14, 2000

I. Defiance

1.      Of Israel - Taunting

Description implies they had lost all sense of who they were and to whom they belonged.

2.      Of the Lord God

-          Ultimate aim of Goliath's taunts was to belittle Israel's God, thus mounting his own gods...e.g. Pharoah defied the Lord.

-          Goliath succeeded with Israel for it seems they forgot God (thus David's first recorded words (v. 26) is a reminder of divine realities.

 

II. Other Foes

            While David ultimately faced Goliath, he also faced 3 pre-Goliaths:

1.      In Eliab he faces the contempt of Goliath v. 28.

2.      In Saul, the mind of Goliath v. 33, "you must be experienced."

3.      In the equipment, that only the right physical elements can give the odds of winning vv. 38-39 (perhaps a little of Saul wanting credit too).

In all these David faced them with balance:  trust in the Lord and right action.  Israel from Egypt pressed forward; Jericho march around; church - pray and proclaim gospel boldly; Luther - take stand.

 

III. David's Viewpoint

1.      Sized up the problems

-          God's people have forgotten God's glory v. 26.

-          The uncircumcised Philistine is at a disadvantage.

-          The armies belonged to "the living God" not dumb idols.

2.  Refused to give in to natural fear

-          A nurtured heart prepared him for battle.

-          A right view of God kept the obstacles in perspective.

3.      Saw the greater issue v. 36 ...God's honor.

4.      Trusted in the Lord v. 37 - Ralph Davis:  "Looking back in faith enables him to look forward in faith."  Verse 45 shows how he distinguished the problem and God's might.

 

IV. Theology Lesson (for Israel and the Philistines)

1.      There are not many gods but one, living God.

2.      Because he is God, he is omnipotent v. 45 Lord of hosts.

3.      Faithful, covenant-keeping God v. 46.

4.      Gives grace (v. 46...the Lord will).

5.      Sovereign over all v. 47. 

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