The Sword and the Stone

One of the most helpful things (perhaps the most helpful thing) I've learned about reading and studying the Bible is the fact that all of scripture – let me say that again – ALL of scripture is about Christ. The Bible is one redemptive story, with its apex at the death and resurrection of Christ, and all of the Old Testament is part of this story. If you aren't reading the Bible that way, then you aren't reading the Bible correctly.

That being said, all of the “little stories” that are part of the “big story” also tell us things about Christ. They contain shadows, types, etc. about the coming Messiah and his reign. One of the most well-known of these narratives is the story of David and Goliath.

When I was first learning how to read the Bible, this was probably the clearest example given to me of how to faithfully look at an Old Testament through the “Jesus lens.” The lens that many people are taught to use is the “moral lens” which means we read this story seeing ourselves as David and our problems as Goliath. With God on our side, we can face any enemy with nothing more than our own metaphorical sling and stone and prevail. We just need God to give us the courage. Now this may be true, but it’s far far from the point. The point is that Christ is David, not us. He is the greater David, the final and better king. He destroys sin, death, and ultimately the devil with but a flick of the wrist. He conquers.

This morning, however, I noticed something even more interesting as I read through the story again. We read,

“So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone, and struck the Philistine and killed him. There was no sword in the hand of David. Then David ran and stood over the Philistine and took his sword and drew it out of its sheath and killed him and cut off his head with it. When the Philistines saw that their champion was dead, they fled.” – 1 Samuel 17:50-51

I get chills when reading this.

The first coming of Jesus and his work on the cross is anticipated in verse 51. A sling and a stone seem absurd when the freedom of the Israelites from the Philistines is at stake. In the same way, Christ did not come with a sword, rather he humbled himself unto literal death, a seemingly poor way to fight and defeat Israel’s enemies (most of national Israel naïvely believed their enemies were purely that – national). But alas – the giant does die per David’s stone, and the powers of this world are unarmed and put to shame per the cross of Christ (Colossians 2:15).

That’s not the end though. Verse 51 anticipates the second coming of Christ. After David kills Goliath, he stands over the giant and this time does pull out a sword and cuts off his head.  The giant had already been killed, but now he was really dead in the eyes of all who beheld him. The deed was done. Finished. There was no hope whatsoever for this beheaded Philistine.  Fast forward to Revelation, and we see that when Christ comes again, he is also coming with a sword.

“Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war… From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron.” – Revelation 19:11, 15

Satan was decisively defeated when Christ propitiated the wrath of God for his people 2000 years ago. But there is coming a time when Christ will appear with a sword in his hand and behead our ancient foe in absolute and final triumph. His first coming used the humble means of sling and stone, but the next one is coming with an iron rod. Praise Yaweh for this better David.

So, yes, get whatever moral lessons are there in the Old Testament (because they are there!), but never ever let that be the main thing. Read the stories, the genealogies, the songs, etc. in the context of The One Great Story and be amazed at the end for which God created the world. But even then… don’t stop. Dig deep and see Christ in the narrative. He is there, and He is good.

Our Daily Manna

We're in a weird season. Still support-raising but already ministering; moved into our new home but away for a month; mom and dad of a 7-month old but figuring out the parenting thing one day at a time. It's a strange place, and while the comparison breaks down (rather quickly), I couldn't help but draw parallels with "the wilderness" we read about in Deuteronomy 8.

And you shall remember the whole way that the LORD your God has led you these forty years in the wilderness, that he might humble you, testing you to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep his commandments or not. And he humbled you and let you hunger and fed you with manna, which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that he might make you know that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord. –Deuteronomy 8:2-3 (emphasis mine)

The entire context is not quoted here, but in this discourse, Moses reminds the Israelites of their identity. They were chosen by Yahweh. They had been freed from Egypt and were slowly but surely making their way to the land of Canaan, the inheritance promised to Abraham and his offspring. Nonetheless the outcome looked bleak as the people wandered and hungered and thirst in the wilderness, and it should come as no surprise they were complaining about the predicament God had placed them in. As usual this is a teaching moment that Moses seizes – there was a purpose for their forty years in the wilderness, and there’s a purpose for ours too.

Right now it feels like we’re in the wilderness. No, we aren't physically hungry and while it’s hot in Fort Walton, it’s not Middle East desert hot. But we do feel like we’re wandering – things are unfamiliar, stress can be high, and there are definitely times when we question the Lord’s goodness and doubt His promises to us.

But there’s manna.

It seems like each day the Lord is giving us just what we need to get by – no more and no less. At my best (i.e., Spirit-filled) moments I am grateful and openly praise God for His provision. At my worst (i.e., fleshly) moments I am a modern-day Israelite who whines and complains and wants to go back to Egypt where there was seemingly plenty of meat and drink on the table.

But there’s more manna.

An encouraging note here, a car to borrow there, a volunteer babysitter, a memory verse that couldn't be more appropriate- over and over the Lord dishes it out, and I have my fill. Sometimes it’s sweet and satisfying and I feel content. Other times it only makes me want more, and I feel an abominable sense of gluttony welling up inside, angry that there’s no “feast” I feel entitled to have as the elder brother.

But there’s manna.

A heaven sent, glory-filled, profoundly simple morsel of love that is exactly what I need according to my Father’s plan. Not only does it feed me, but it teaches me. I do not need the blessings of God, I need God Himself. His Word. Communion. The Church. It humbles me and tests me, graciously exposing my sin so that I can repent (yet again) for putting my trust in the gifts instead of the Giver. Lord, have mercy on this prodigal daughter.

There will come a time when we feast again, perhaps in an earthly way and perhaps not. But a banquet is coming, and until then the manna will nourish this hungry soul. Look up, look around, and let it nourish you too.

And the manna ceased the day after they ate of the produce of the land. And there was no longer manna for the people of Israel, but they ate of the fruit of the land of Canaan that year. - Joshua 5:12