Psalm 78:9 is one of those verses that bother me. A core passion for me is to equip men to handle the sword of the Spirit. The challenge is that giving someone the tools to engage independently in the scripture does not insure that they will.
The sons of Ephraim are described here as those who were equipped for battle but would not engage. The number is in dispute, but it is known that in war a significant number of combatants do not fire their weapons. Why? Why do those people who have been trained to fight, or shown how to engage with the Lord through study, refuse to do so.
In 2 Samuel 24:8 – 39 one finds a list of David’s mighty men. These did not shrink back in battle. What makes the difference? My first thought was that they were engaged in battle therefore they had to fight. But the research does not seem to bear that out. I wonder if the difference is David? These mighty men had a mighty leader. Perhaps that is the difference.
In 2 Samuel 24:8 – 39 one finds a list of David’s mighty men. These did not shrink back in battle. What makes the difference? My first thought was that they were engaged in battle therefore they had to fight. But the research does not seem to bear that out. I wonder if the difference is David? These mighty men had a mighty leader. Perhaps that is the difference.
Good thought, Mike. David didn't wait for the battle (or expect to just watch) in 1 Samuel 17. In v.32, "...your servant will GO and fight with this Philistine." You gotta love his attitude!
ReplyDeleteOf course, He was prepared just in the course of his normal daily responsibilities. No seminary for him (vs.34-37). He knew his weapons and how to use them (vs.38ff.). And he didn't dwaddle trying to decide what to do, "...David ran toward the battle line to meet the Philistine." (v.48)
Too bad he forgot about all this by 2 Samuel 11:1....