2 Samuel 5:6-10
In this spiritual war that we are engaged in, there are a few fundamental ideas that we must fully understand. The first is to know that you know that you know that Jehovah, the God of Abraham, Issac and Jacob, is the only God. Maker of Heaven and Earth and everything in it. Able to deliver whomever He chooses. The Author of everything good and nothing that is evil. Satan, on the other hand, is nothing more than a fallen angel with no real power except to lie, kill and destroy and the author of hatred, heartache and doubt.
When given the chance God always proves Himself more powerful and alive than any of the gods of this world. Because of this we have weapons and armor against our enemies. That is exactly what is happening in this 5th chapter of 2nd Samuel. The newly crowned King David is on a mission from God. And I'm not talking about the Jake and Elwood kind of mission, this one is for real. Jerusalem is Gods city so it makes sense that He would want Gods people living there. It was so important that the very first thing that David did in office was to take the city from the Jebusites.
It shouldn't be too hard to believe that the Jebusites weren't real thrilled about that idea. Like any good army, they were confident that they would be triumphant and even told David that he would not prevail. But David found the weakness in the city and it's army by entering via the sewer system, was victorious and the city belonged to the Jews, just as Jehovah said that it would.
What can we learn from this battle? Well, it is a true story of a real battle but it is also a nice metaphor on how to triumph in spiritual warfare. Let's break it down. David represents any man. John or Jane Doe. Me. You. Jerusalem is here, it's Earth, its the battlefield that you and I fight upon. The Jebusites are a type of Satan, demons, fallen angels or just evil in general. See how they tried to get inside Davids head telling him that "You shall not come in here," and telling each other "David cannot come in here." David heard all of these things and simply refused to acknowledge them. Instead, he simply found an alternate route, one to bypass the power of the city.
Sometimes in this war, it can be so clear when it's right in front of you. But that is usually not the case. More often than not it's hidden from us. Only by learning how Satan hides himself can we triumph. Wealth, drugs, sex, gambling. Just a few ways that evil can lure us. By disguising itself as something enjoyable Satan can get us wrapped up into things and it sometimes seems impossible to find the way out.
Where are those things in our metaphor? Well, they are there but it shouldn't shock you that they are hidden. While the Jebusites can symbolize evil, they are also nothing more than people. However, they are a very spiritual people. Just as people today can put all of their faith in money or worldly security, the Jebusites put their faith in their own false gods. At the main entrance of the city, where they assumed that David would mount his attack, there were statues of these false gods. Gods that were truly powerless in the face of Jehovah. When faced with the threat of their 'power' David simply mocked these idols. Because the statues had eyes but could not see and feet but could not walk he didn't even speak their name but referred to them simply as the blind and the lame.
Aren't you glad that we serve an awesome God that fills us with power as opposed to those who can't even see or walk? I know that I am thankful every day that He can see all and roam wherever He chooses. By knowing that, and trusting that my best interest are in His mind, I'll gladly follow anywhere He sends me confident and comfortable that His might, His Word is a lamp for our feet and a light to our path.
When given the chance God always proves Himself more powerful and alive than any of the gods of this world. Because of this we have weapons and armor against our enemies. That is exactly what is happening in this 5th chapter of 2nd Samuel. The newly crowned King David is on a mission from God. And I'm not talking about the Jake and Elwood kind of mission, this one is for real. Jerusalem is Gods city so it makes sense that He would want Gods people living there. It was so important that the very first thing that David did in office was to take the city from the Jebusites.
It shouldn't be too hard to believe that the Jebusites weren't real thrilled about that idea. Like any good army, they were confident that they would be triumphant and even told David that he would not prevail. But David found the weakness in the city and it's army by entering via the sewer system, was victorious and the city belonged to the Jews, just as Jehovah said that it would.
What can we learn from this battle? Well, it is a true story of a real battle but it is also a nice metaphor on how to triumph in spiritual warfare. Let's break it down. David represents any man. John or Jane Doe. Me. You. Jerusalem is here, it's Earth, its the battlefield that you and I fight upon. The Jebusites are a type of Satan, demons, fallen angels or just evil in general. See how they tried to get inside Davids head telling him that "You shall not come in here," and telling each other "David cannot come in here." David heard all of these things and simply refused to acknowledge them. Instead, he simply found an alternate route, one to bypass the power of the city.
Sometimes in this war, it can be so clear when it's right in front of you. But that is usually not the case. More often than not it's hidden from us. Only by learning how Satan hides himself can we triumph. Wealth, drugs, sex, gambling. Just a few ways that evil can lure us. By disguising itself as something enjoyable Satan can get us wrapped up into things and it sometimes seems impossible to find the way out.
Where are those things in our metaphor? Well, they are there but it shouldn't shock you that they are hidden. While the Jebusites can symbolize evil, they are also nothing more than people. However, they are a very spiritual people. Just as people today can put all of their faith in money or worldly security, the Jebusites put their faith in their own false gods. At the main entrance of the city, where they assumed that David would mount his attack, there were statues of these false gods. Gods that were truly powerless in the face of Jehovah. When faced with the threat of their 'power' David simply mocked these idols. Because the statues had eyes but could not see and feet but could not walk he didn't even speak their name but referred to them simply as the blind and the lame.
Aren't you glad that we serve an awesome God that fills us with power as opposed to those who can't even see or walk? I know that I am thankful every day that He can see all and roam wherever He chooses. By knowing that, and trusting that my best interest are in His mind, I'll gladly follow anywhere He sends me confident and comfortable that His might, His Word is a lamp for our feet and a light to our path.