The Bible doesn't merely contain stories for us to enjoy; they are lessons for us.
We will be studying three examples of victory in times of conflict. The enemies for us today are the enemies of God: the world, our own fleshly desires, and the devil. In these examples, there are some common threads to notice.
Who is the enemy?
Jericho, a city, can represent the world.
The Midianites, a people group that took everything for themselves, can represent the flesh.
Goliath, a strong enemy who wanted to enslave God's people, can represent the devil.
Who leads the battle?
Joshua, an older man
Gideon, who may have been middle-aged
David, a younger man
Who participates in the victory?
At Jericho, all the people
Against the Midianites, only a very few
Against Goliath, only one individual
These battles all take place in the land God had promised to His people. Christians have inherited spiritual blessings, but we also will face spiritual battles as we strive to enjoy those blessings.
Before facing Jericho, Joshua had already learned several lessons. First, he had already experienced victory when he fought against the people of Amalek in Exodus 17. That battle was won through prayer, as pictured by Moses lifting up his rod to God.
Joshua had also learned to spend time in God's presence (Exodus 33:11). Further, he had wholly followed the Lord (Numbers 32:12).
Jericho was a great city. As with cities in general, Jericho offered enjoyment and safety. But it was an obstacle to God's people. It had to be removed if they would be able to progress. In the Christian life, conflict should be expected. But victory can also be expected. God had promised Joshua that no one would be able to stand against him because He Himself was with him.
Joshua can represent Christ, as well. The people had to have their eyes on him if they would have victory.
In Numbers 13 and 14, Joshua had already shown faith in God's power when he spied out the land as a younger man. At that time, everyone else (except Caleb) had shown a lack of faith. But now Joshua, as an older believer, was able to encourage the people to trust in the Lord. The rest of Israel must have encouraged Joshua, too, because now they responded in faith to his direction. He had been waiting 40 years for this victory! Making spiritual progress is a way for us to encourage one another.
Jericho was securely closed up to Joshua. The world may well be closed to us. But the Lord had instructions for victory anyway.
The first five chapters of Joshua are like a soldier's boot camp. There has to be preparation for battle. In boot camp, soldiers are removed from old relationships, and they don't just get to do anything they want or eat whatever they want. Similarly, Joshua and the Israelites had to cross the Jordan River (ch. 3), they had to meet the true commander of the army (5:14), and they had to have a new source of food (5:12). Spiritually speaking, Christians have to learn the same lessons.
The ark of God's covenant plays a central role in the battle. When the soldiers arrayed themselves, their position was described in relation to the ark. Some were in front of it, and some were behind. Both positions are important. Where are we in relation to the Lord Jesus, whom the ark represents?
Each soldier and priest had a particular place in the ranks. The people were to be completely silent; but when Joshua told them to shout, they were to shout! And when the walls fell, the soldiers were to move straight ahead to the part of the city near them. We are also arrayed in a particular place in God's army. Can we keep rank, following God's directions precisely and at exactly the right time?
The battle was already won before it started! "See! I have given Jericho into your hand," God said (6:2). God had given them the city; they just had to take up their responsibilities in the battle. God uses us in His victories, although He has already won the ultimate battle through the work of Jesus on the cross.
The walls looked impenetrable. However, that was only an illusion. They were not strong before God. Let's not think of the world as a safe place.
"By faith the walls of Jericho fell down," declares the New Testament in Hebrews 11:30.
Notice that there are no spectators. All the people obeyed, and nobody was on the sideline watching.
There were seven priests who blew trumpets as they walked in front of the ark. God's perfection (seen in the number seven) is displayed even in that way.
The trumpets would be heard by the people inside Jericho as the priests blew them outside the city. Probably that sound did not seem very ominous to them. The world today believes that God is not of much danger to their lives; they are content to ignore Him.
The priests who carried the ark led the movement of the army (6:11). The ark contained the Ten Commandments, Aaron's rod that grew buds, and a pot of manna. For us, these represent carrying Christ's lordship over our lives, His priesthood to intercede for us, and His perfection as a man in this world. We carry Him into battle.
The priests carrying the ark remind us to be holy priests, offering spiritual sacrifices to God by Jesus Christ. The priests who blew the trumpets show the Christians' character as royal priests, announcing the praises of God (1 Peter 2:5, 2:9). To the world, our testimony as royal priests is seen first, just as the priests with trumpets were in front of the ark.
We are priests, and we are also soldiers. This is not a theoretical position. There are battles to be won! Let's be active for the Lord.
Second Bible study: Gideon leads 300 soldiers against the Midianites
Judges 6:3-6 and 7:1-25 (whole chapter)
First study: Joshua at Jericho | Third study: David and Goliath Top
This battle was against the people of Midian. This enemy had brought the Israelites into complete poverty by stealing their harvest year after year (6:3-6). They took everything for themselves. The flesh in us also does that.
Gideon might have been a middle-aged man. In chapter 8 (verses 28, 32) we're told he judged Israel for 40 years and died at an old age, so perhaps he was in his 20s, 30s, or even 40s at the time of this battle.
Through the battle, God taught Gideon that He could deliver His people even when just a few soldiers remained from the original army---just a remnant who were brave and watchful. We don't have to be discouraged by small numbers, either. Large crowds might not be full of faithful people.
Midian was naturally related to Israel; their ancestor named Midian, from whom the nation came, was a son of Abraham (Genesis 25:1-2). Natural relationships and other things can hinder us from enjoying God's blessings, too.
Gideon was threshing wheat in his family's winepress to hide it from the Midianites. This shows he was determined to provide food for his family in a time of poverty. Are we determined to provide spiritual food for ourselves and others?
Gideon also knew God's power had been displayed in times past. He was ready to see God act again. This was part of the reason God could use him as the deliverer.
Probably the prophet's words in chapter 6:8-10 had already been growing in Gideon's mind and heart. It's the Scriptures that produce in us the understanding and expectation that God can help His people.
Gideon was a man ready to work. He was not hiding in a cave like others (6:1). At the same time, he had very humble thoughts of himself (6:15). These are always traits of the people God uses.
In terms of the nation of Israel, there was a root problem of sin and idolatry that had brought God's discipline upon them. Even Gideon's family (his father) had an idol in the home. Before calling his army, Gideon had to deal with the obvious obstacle at home by knocking down that idol.
However, the hearts of the people in general were probably not completely emptied of their habits of idolatry. Those who came to fight in Gideon's army were likely so accustomed to leaving God out of their thoughts that God had to make sure there would be no glory for the soldiers when they won the battle. Therefore He arranged for the army to be greatly reduced.
Are we looking for any glory ourselves? All victories for God must bring glory entirely to Him.
The Lord told Gideon to ask, "Who is afraid?" There appeared to be 32,000 soldiers, but there really weren't! More than two-thirds were afraid. We can only be useful to God through faith, not simply because we are going along with a crowd of others.
Not only did God decrease the army, but He also exposed the hearts of those who lacked faith. They had not learned the lessons of confidence in God that Gideon had shown in chapter 6.
Ten thousand soldiers remained. But most of them were not watchful. At the brook they kneeled down and drank to their hearts' content, forgetting that an enemy was near.
We should be watchful for the Lord's return. We should also be watchful as soldiers. Am I one of the 300 whom God wants to keep for the battle? How we conduct ourselves in the little things of life, even how we eat and drink, will prove our character.
Even legitimate things can be a hindrance. We are thirsty for refreshment at times---but are we also aware of what's going on around us? Even finding personal satisfaction and refreshment from God's word can become a distraction if it makes us forget the needs of others.
There are some things in the world that we can either use or abuse (1 Corinthians 7:31). The Midianites can represent those earthly things that choke our spiritual progress when we value them too dearly (compare the Lord's words in Matthew 6:31-34 and 13:22). Those who kneeled to drink, showing no concern for the impending battle, displayed that attitude. God's things must come first.
The 300 watchful soldiers lapped water from their hands like dogs (7:5). Dogs were despised, unclean animals in Israel; are we willing to take such a low place before God? Today, dogs are considered loyal and faithful companions. Are we loyal and faithful to God's cause?
The battle itself was won by thoroughly unconventional methods. In 2 Corinthians 10:4, Christians are told that our weapons are not natural, fleshly ones, but spiritual; yet they are effective to overthrow the enemy.
As far as God was concerned, the battle was over before it started (7:9). We are on God's side, and He has already won!
God's grace allows Gideon to receive extra encouragement before the battle begins. Gideon and his servant sneaked to the guard tents of Midian and overheard one guard telling another about his dream, in which a loaf of barley bread knocked over a Midianite tent. The second guard said, "This is the sword of Gideon! Into his hand God has delivered Midian" (7:14).
God can use...
people who are afraid---Gideon had his own fear, 7:10-11.
people who are little---a barley loaf (7:13) is not an impressive opponent!
people who are broken---the 300 soldiers all had to break their pitchers in order to let lights shine out. Christians are also compared to clay pots (2 Corinthians 4:7); we may be easily broken, but that simply means God's excellent glory will shine out even more brightly!
We would like to be suitable for the Master's use, as 2 Timothy 2:21 says.
Gideon had heard the Midianite guards talk about "the sword of Gideon." But he is not satisfied with that! He instructs his little army to shout for "the sword of the Lord and of Gideon." We may be God's servants, but we have only a secondary place in the victory God gives.
Third Bible study: David and Goliath
1 Samuel 17:4-10, 20-26, 32-54
First study: Joshua at Jericho | Second study: Gideon against Midianites
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Like Joshua and Gideon, David also had spent time with God in private. He had tended his father's sheep, and he had no doubt already composed psalms of praise to God and brought Him pleasure in that way.
The people of Israel were intimidated by a Philistine giant. Goliath was the enemy's champion! Intimidation is one of Satan's tactics, and when we feel intimidated it always shows a lack of confidence in God.
The Philistines were already in the land which God had given to the Israelites. One of their habits all through the Old Testament was to rob God's people---for example, taking Isaac's wells of water or filling them with dirt (Genesis 26:14-21), taking the ark of God (1 Samuel 4:11), and putting out Samson's eyes (Judges 16:21). When we feel robbed of our spiritual devotion to God, we have probably allowed the devil, our spiritual enemy, to use this "Philistine" tactic against us.
Others had tried to fight the Philistines in their own strength. Samson was supposed to overcome them, but he failed. Saul was supposed to be Israel's leader in battle, but he was still in his tent after 40 days of challenges from Goliath.
Saul was even the biggest man in Israel, head and shoulders above everyone else (1 Samuel 9:2). This just shows that our natural flesh cannot overcome the tactics of the flesh (represented by the Philistines) or the god of this world (represented by Goliath).
David was always ready to act. When it was clear what he was supposed to do, he did it! When his father sent him to the army camp with food, he left early in the morning. When he heard Goliath issue a challenge, he looked around to see who would go.
At the same time, David was not irresponsible in other things. When he arrived at the army camp, David left his supplies with a keeper. He had even left his sheep in the care of someone else before departing from home. He had a predominant interest in those sheep. God's leaders are often those with shepherd's hearts.
David had heaven's perspective on this battle. Consider these points:
Goliath only saw the armies of Israel; David saw the armies of the living God.
Goliath was the Philistines' champion, but to David he was only "this uncircumcised Philistine."
David was accused of insolence and naughtiness, but his true heart was for God's honor.
David was willing to stand for God. It's good to be willing! Of course, we also have to follow through; but at least let's start with being willing. No one else was.
When we stand for the Lord, even our fellow believers might become obstacles to our faith. David's brother Eliab was angry that David had correctly summarized Israel's hesitation about facing Goliath. Others might not appreciate our willingness to serve the Lord. But David did not get distracted by emotion or personality. He simply reiterated the primary issue at hand (verse 29).
David had already proved God's power in his life. God had helped him protect his sheep from a lion and a bear. His confidence in God wasn't just empty talk.
David's hand is emphasized several times in 1 Samuel 16 and 17. He was a man of action. The Lord Jesus was, too; and so should we be.
David was the eighth son of his family. Eight symbolizes a new beginning, just as the eighth day is the beginning of a new week. David brought a new beginning to God's people.
Eliab sarcastically asked David, "Have you come to see the battle?" David could have replied, "What battle?" Everyone else was running away from Goliath! He would not. Similarly, the Lord Jesus was the ultimate One who could not be turned aside. He did not run away or fail before Satan. Just as David went into the valley for battle, the Lord went into the valley of death to finally and completely overcome the devil.
David knew that victory would be his, to the point that he even described Goliath's defeat.
Before fighting Goliath, David tried on Saul's armor, but he knew that reliance on the usual weapons of warfare would not bring him victory. Would he trust in Saul's armor, which he could not use properly, or in the Lord (verses 37-38)? He trusted God. (And by the way, if the armor was so helpful, why hadn't Saul used it to fight Goliath long before?)
Goliath had suggested terms of surrender if Israel would defeat him. But there would be no terms of surrender accepted. God wants full defeat of His enemies; they cannot be His servants if they are opposed to Him.
David was victorious! He even had four more stones left, perhaps to use against four other Philistine warriors who in 2 Samuel 21:16-22 are called the "sons of the giant" (probably Goliath's own sons).
David defeated Goliath with a stone and sling; and then he used Goliath's own sword to cut off his head. The head of the defeated enemy was brought to Jerusalem, the capital city, to dispel all fear of the enemy. In the same way, the Lord Jesus has thoroughly defeated Satan, even using his own weapon---death---to defeat him (Hebrews 2:14).
As David declared, "The battle is the Lord's!" (verse 47). Just as David did not have to put on Saul's armor, so we do not have to become someone else in order to have victory in conflict. The Lord has already enabled us with exactly the skills, abilities, and spiritual strength He wants us to have. He will use us to bring victory in conflict if we are available for Him, our Master and Leader.
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