Gospel

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DAVID AND JESUS

We have all heard the story in 1 Samuel 17:1-54 of the young shepherd boy who faced the mighty giant and defeated him. Have we considered the larger issues involved in this simple story? The Philistine army came into Judah and prepared for battle. They had Goliath, a great warrior almost ten feet tall with over a hundred pounds of armor. Goliath offered to fight whoever Israel chose to represent them, and the outcome of the one-on-one fight would determine the battle. The envoys would settle the dispute between the antagonistic armies. Each side would chose their best. The Philistines had an excellent combatant – the Israelites were terrified. For forty days the Philistine champion openly defied Israel and Jehovah.

Satan had entered Eden and defeated Eve and Adam. Every human after them had been overcome by the devil. For four thousand years Satan continually taunted righteous humans and their God. Millions of people had been conquered by Satan. No one could withstand the power of the evil giant.

Finally a young shepherd boy appeared in the army of Israel, asking why this enemy soldier was allowed to openly defy Yahweh. News spread to King Saul and David was taken to the king. David told Saul how God had rescued him from the lion and the bear and David knew the Almighty would deliver Goliath into his hand. Fearfully the king let the shepherd boy face the veteran giant. Then David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with a sword, 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. This day the LORD will deliver you into my hand...Then all this assembly shall know that the LORD does not save with sword and spear; for the battle is the LORD’s, and He will give you into our hands.” 1 Sam 17: 45-7 NKJV. And the shepherd boy hit the giant with a stone and then killed him. Israel had a great triumph by the unlikeliest of means.

Finally in Northern Israel a poor son of this shepherd was born, without wealth or worldly honor. Jesus lived in an obscure village unheralded by others. At His baptism Jehovah claimed Him as Son, and in the wilderness Jesus stood up to the worst temptations Satan could bring. So far so good. For three and a half more years the devil harassed Christ every way he could. His own religious leaders heckled Jesus, His city rejected Him and then His nation refused Him. His own disciples denied Him and one disciple betrayed Christ, but He steadfastly soldiered on. The giant couldn’t stop Jesus, not with whippings, humiliation or crucifixion – Christ kept on. Unlikely as it seemed, by apparent defeat Christ triumphed mightily. As the envoy for humanity, we can all share in Christ’s great victory over death and hell. The cosmic giant of death, theft and destruction was publically crushed by the humble man from Bethlehem. Christ offers His peace, joy and life to all who accept the covenant.

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