Grace to Face Giants

 

When the Philistines were at war again with Israel, David and his servants with him went down and fought against the Philistines; and David grew faint. – 2 Samuel 21:15

 

Are you worried about something big in your life? Do you feel like a big fearsome giant is shadowing you, just waiting until you grow tired so he can strike and bring you down? Life is filled with giants. Giants can be people, or giants can be circumstances. Whatever the giant is that you are facing, you won’t win the battle without God’s grace. We need God’s grace to face the giants in our lives. And this study in the life of David is aimed at helping you understand how you might find that grace to face the giants in your life.

In 2 Samuel 21, David is getting to the point in his life where he is old and does not have the stamina to battle as he once did. God’s gentle grace protects him from harm and surrounds him with those who will help him. God gives grace in the gray years of life. God is faithful to provide whatever His children need in whatever season of life they are living.

There’s something to observe from the start here; the giants keep coming. No matter how old we are or how many battles we fought, the giants will still come at us until our dying days. And when we are “faint,” they will mercilessly try to do us in. There are no Marcus of Queensbury rules with the giants in life. There will always be giants to fight in life.

¹⁵ When the Philistines were at war again with Israel, David and his servants with him went down and fought against the Philistines; and David grew faint. ¹⁶ Then Ishbi-Benob, who was one of the sons of the giant, the weight of whose bronze spear was three hundred shekels, who was bearing a new sword, thought he could kill David.

David went out to war with his men against the Philistines. Kings who “went out to war” did not always actually go into battle with his men, but David seems to be one who did. This time while David entered the fight, he “grew faint,” made him vulnerable. Then Ishbi-Benob,” (whose name means “his dwelling is in Nob”), seeing that David was vulnerable, thought he might have an opportunity to kill David. The renown of David for having defeated and killed Goliath, seems to have been a piece of history that Goliath’s descendants or followers hoped to avenge one day. This Ishbi-Benob “was one of the sons of the giant,” a descendant no doubt of Goliath.

Giants. The history of the “giants” in scripture traces their origins to the Flood (Genesis 6:1-4). These giants were the product of “the sons of God” which refers to spiritual beings (Job 1:6; 2:1; 38:7) having intercourse with “the daughters of men” whose unnatural and unholy relations produced “giants” (Nephilim). This unnatural interaction is coupled with the dissent into depravity that caused God to judge the world with a global Flood (Genesis 6:5).

“Giant” here in 2 Samuel 21, is translated from the Hebrew rapha and means tall. The Rephaim were intricately connected to the Amorites who were associated with being giants. The Anakim, mentioned in Deuteronomy 2 and 3 and Numbers 13, and referred to as “the sons of Anak,” are expressly said to have come from the Nephilim. Those east of the Jordan (outside Canaan) referred to the Anakim as Rephaim and are associated with the Ammonites (Amos 2:9-10). The identifying labels of Canaanite, Hittite, and Amorite were probably umbrella terms for the occupants of the Promised Land.

Rephaim and demons. What is interesting is that Jews of the Second Temple period believed that when a Rephaim was killed, their disembodied spirits became demons or “unclean spirits.” The idea behind being “unclean,” was forbidden mixture, which was how these disembodied spirits were viewed. These disembodied spirits, after being relegated to the underworld, would arise from the underworld looking to reinhabit a body and cause havoc with people (e.g., Isaiah 14; Ezekiel 16 and 32). [1]

Giants after the flood. Since the Flood wiped out all living land creatures, how do we again see mention of “giants” in the land? “Giants” intimidated ten of the twelve spies sent by Moses to investigate the Promised land (Numbers 13:33). The Anakim were considered giants (Deuteronomy 2:11), as were the Zamzummim (Deuteronomy 2:20). Og, king of Bashan had a thirteen-foot-long iron bed and was believed to be of the giants (Deuteronomy 3:11; Joshua 12:4;13:12). In fact, Bashan is referred to as “the land of the giants” (Deuteronomy 3:20).   The forest lands of the Perizzites in Canaan were associated with giants (Joshua 17:15). David fought the giant Goliath (1 Samuel 17). And we see the defeat of giants in 2 Samuel 21 here that we a e studying.

So how did such giants reappear? Did they reappear? Some contend that the Flood was not global but only regional, and that some giants had survived. But that contradicts scripture that says God, “destroyed all living things which were on the face of the ground” (Genesis 7:4 and 23). The two other options explaining the presence of “giants” post-Flood are first, that more “sons of God” repeated their offense with “the daughters of men” post flood and therefore creating more “giants.” This would be supported by the reference in Genesis 6:4 that says giants existed then “and also afterward.” The extra-biblical book of Enoch would support this view. Another view is that all the giants perished in the Flood, but since they were “men of renown” (Genesis 6:4), reference to them could be used to describe someone of great stature, such as we do, “They are a giant of a man/woman.” Whatever their source is, these “giants” were abnormally huge beings, formidable and fierce.

It says of Ishbi-Benob’s weaponry that, “the weight of whose bronze spear was three hundred shekels,” or a little over seven pounds. Now that might not sound like much but try to throw a five-pound weight and you’ll find a seven-pound spear took some strength and would do some serious damage it if hit someone, especially an elderly David.

¹⁷ But Abishai the son of Zeruiah came to his aid, and struck the Philistine and killed him. Then the men of David swore to him, saying, “You shall go out no more with us to battle, lest you quench the lamp of Israel.”

Grace. What do I mean when I use the word “grace”? The usual definition of grace is God’s unmerited favor. That is a good definition, but we need to put a bit more meat on those bones. God’s grace starts with being God’s Redemption At Christ’s Expense. Now, our passage is in the Old Testament and while Jesus is not explicitly named, He and God’s grace are there. For instance, a few chapters earlier in 2 Samuel, God covenanted with David telling him “And your house and your kingdom shall be established forever before you. Your throne shall be established forever” (2 Samuel 7:16). That “forever,” was and is fulfilled in Jesus Christ, who is referred to with the messianic title “Son of David.” God’s grace was extended to king David through the extension of his kingdom.

In this covenant with God, David would learn about God’s grace. Though David would fall into sin with Bathsheba, murder her husband, hide his sin, be exposed to public shame, make a mess of his family, and certainly show that he was by no means perfect, God still kept the covenant with David. That is grace.

The last chapters of David’s life are a painting of grace. We see God’s grace as God’s Redemption At Christ’s Expense in that David had a tender heart toward God and a solid trust in Him from an early age. When we look at the Psalms of David, they are full of faith and God’s gracious provision. David worshipped God for His salvation, but David also worshipped God for His provision. Grace is God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense, or God’s Resources At Christ’s Expense.

Now I say God’s grace is redemption, riches and resources in Christ, because the New Testament testifies to that. The Old Testament is the New Testament concealed. The new Testament is the Old Testament revealed. We know the old by the new and the new by the old. They are intertwined and each is essential to understanding either.  The new Testament tells us all sin is forgiven in Christ. God passed over old Testament sins until the cross. On the cross of Christ, all the debt of all sins before, during and after the cross of Christ, were propitiated or legally dealt with to God’s high just standard, forgiven (Romans 3:21-26). In Christ, God is both just and the Justifier. That is abundant grace.

But God’s grace doesn’t stop there. In the new life found through faith in Christ by God’s grace, God continues to provide and help and supply for our needs. That is why we also say grace is God’s Resources At Christ’s Expense. And those resources are abundantly evident in the life of David. The portion of scripture under study here is a perfect example of this.

By God’s grace Abishai came to David’s protection and killed the giant Philistine. And then it was clear to David’s men that no longer should he go out to battle with them. He was not able. And he was too precious to them to risk losing him in battle.

God’s Grace to Face Giants!

The battles with the Philistines and the giant descendants of Goliath continued. 

¹⁸ Now it happened afterward that there was again a battle with the Philistines at Gob. Then Sibbechai the Hushathite killed Saph, who was one of the sons of the giant. ¹⁹ Again there was war at Gob with the Philistines, where Elhanan the son of Jaare-Oregim the Bethlehemite killed the brother of Goliath the Gittite, the shaft of whose spear was like a weaver’s beam.

“Saph” means tall. A common characteristic of these “giants” was that they were tall. And yet God’s people were able to defeat them. This too speaks of God’s providential hand and the courage of His warriors to trust Him to defeat “tall” enemies.

 ²⁰ Yet again there was war at Gath, where there was a man of great stature, who had six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot, twenty-four in number; and he also was born to the giant. ²¹ So when he defied Israel, Jonathan the son of Shimea, David’s brother, killed him.

²² These four were born to the giant in Gath, and fell by the hand of David and by the hand of his servants.

 These giants were abnormal. One of them mentioned here had six fingers on his hands and feet. But as scary and abnormal as these giants were, God’s people courageously went up against them and defeated them. Goliath was slain by David, and the rest of Goliath’s offspring were put down by David’s mighty men.

So, what, based on this passage, can we say the grace of God provides for us to face the giants in our lives? God’s grace is not only God’s Redemption At Christ’s Expense, but also God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense, it is God’s Resources At Christ’s Expense. We see the following manifestation of the grace of God in this passage:

 First, God’s grace moves us to face the giants (2 Samuel 21:15). The Philistines, from whom the giants came, were perennial enemies of God’s people. Similarly, we are at war with the principalities, powers, and rulers of darkness (Ephesians 6:12). Fighting the forces of darkness is part of God’s grace. God’s grace and the gospel of grace in Christ pits us against the darkness of the world. God’s grace moves us to face the giants of darkness (2 Corinthians 10:4-5). If faith is like a muscle, it will only grow by being used, strained, tested. God allows giants in our lives to build our faith as we trust Him through the battle.

 Second, God’s grace informs us that the giants believe they can destroy us (2 Samuel 21:16). Ishbi-Benob thought he could slay David in his “faint” state. The enemy always thinks they can defeat us. They want to take us over and manipulate us to their dark ends. To be forewarned is to be forearmed.

Under the New Covenant the Holy Spirit gives us spiritual gifts such as the gift of knowledge and the gift of discernment (1 Corinthians 12:7-11). When we are born again, the Holy Spirit also gives us an anointing which helps us to discern false teaching (cf. 1 John 2:18-27). God provides us with gracious resources, an early warning system so to speak, intelligence information about our adversaries, to help us prepare and oppose enemies that come against us. Therefore, even though we face an adversary who thinks they have the upper hand, we can be victorious. God provides us with armor and weapons so we can be victorious (Ephesians 6:12-18).

 Third, God’s grace provides helpers to protect and carry on the battle (2 Samuel 21:17a). David grew faint and was apparently at the mercy of Ishbi-Benob, but Abishai intervened to protect David and slay Ishbi-Benob. God provides helpers to protect us and bring victory. As) we bear one another’s burdens (Galatians 6:2), and attend fellowship (Hebrews 10:24-25), and love one another (John 13:35), God provides helpers, protectors, those who come along side us to lift us up. God’s grace provides Abashis to step in and fight on our behalf. I thank God for the Abishis in my life.

 Sometimes, due to a thinly veiled pride, we resist help from others. A rugged individualism. Sometimes people rely too much on others, taking advantage of them. They have an attitude of entitlement and insensitivity that borders on abuse toward those helping them. The first example is rooted in pride. Those who are too proud to accept help should remember, God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble (1 Peter 5:5-6). There’s no such thing as a maverick Christian. Those who take advantage of others do so because of a lack of faith and lace of love. Jesus calls us to have a servant’s heart. That is true no matter what state or condition we are in. There are very few situations where someone cannot serve someone else in some way. Even if physically incapacitated, a person can serve by encouraging others or praying for others. God, by His grace, sends us Abishis, don’t refuse them, but don’t abuse them either.

 Fourth, God’s grace also provides instruction about battling (2 Samuel 21:17b). In response to David’s peril and close call, his men “swore to” David that he would no longer go out into the battle with them. This was gracious guidance from the Lord for David’s good and protection. David was wise enough to accept this instruction. It is always wise to accept God’s gracious instructions. Be teachable. Receive instruction. Be a person familiar with the book of Proverbs. Submit yourself to God’s word and instruction therein.

 Fifth, God’s grace empowers us to keep on fighting (2 Samuel 21:18). Again, there was war with the Philistines. Sibbechai the Hushathite killed Saph, who was another son of the giant (i.e., Goliath). The battles and wars continued. Battles and wars don’t stop with age; sometimes they get more perilous. The truth and reality we need to understand is that, in this life, there will be tribulations and trials and hardship and tough times, but in Christ and by God’s grace, we can overcome (John 16:33). God’s grace makes us strong (2 Corinthians 12:9-10). In Christ, we have all we need to “do all things” (Philippians 4:13). All our needs are met in Jesus (Philippians 4:19). Therefore, God’s grace enables us to keep fighting when the enemy keeps attacking. God’s grace propels us into perpetual battles.

 Sixth, God’s grace gives us courage to fight (2 Samuel 21:19-21). When faced with formidable foes, such as a brother of Goliath “whose spear was like a weaver’s beam,” and “a man of great stature, who had six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot . . . also born to the giant,” they were able to courageously confront and defeat them. The average person of these Biblical times was in the five-foot-six-inch range. A “giant” nine or ten foot tall or more, would present a pretty intimidating foe. But God’s grace gave them courage to fight. God’s grace encourages us to fight courageously no matter the intimidation factor of our foes. Remember what David says in his Psalm:

 ·       Psalm 18:32 - It is God who arms me with strength, and makes my way perfect.

 

Read the context of that psalm. David had courage to fight because of His relationship with God.

That is a gift, one of the greatest gifts, of God’s grace.

Seventh, God’s grace is available to those willing to serve (2 Samuel 21:22). Those who were victorious were David and “his servants.” “Servants” here (Hebrew ebed) refers to those bound, a servant, a slave, a worshipper, a minister. This is someone willing to serve. Someone who binds and commits themselves to serve as here, in battle. To those willing to fight the enemies of God, to protect other leaders and soldiers of God, to protect God’s people, God will give grace.

God gives grace to face giants. They could be literal physical giants, or other things described as giant obstacles in our lives. Whatever it is that comes against us or that we go up against in the name of the Lord, God’s grace will be sufficient (e.g., 2 Corinthians 12:9-10).

 Sin can be a mighty big giant in life. Sin can be like a bully giant, sitting on your chest, demanding, demeaning, depressing, destroying. Yes, the biggest giant is sin. But God’s grace in Christ has provided a rescue. Jesus can be your Abishai, stepping in to defeat that giant. If you will turn from your and come to God asking forgiveness, if you trust in Jesus alone as Savior and giant slayer, God will forgive you and the Holy Spirit will give you a new life, eternal life in Jesus Christ. If that is your heart’s desire, you could pray something like this:

 “Dear God, I have sinned and disobeyed Your Laws.  I admit I deserve eternal punishment. But I repent; I confess my sins to You and forsake them. I ask that You please forgive me, not because of any good works I have done, but because I believe Jesus paid the just penalty for my sins by dying for me on the cross. I believe He rose from the dead. I believe that with all my heart. I receive it by faith, as a gift of Your grace. Help me to live for You.  Please Holy Spirit fill me, give me spiritual life, eternal life. Please help me to know you Father, Son Jesus Christ, and Holy Spirit. Help me grow in a relationship with You. Help me by Your grace. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”

 If you prayed that prayer, congratulations! Welcome to the Family of God. Welcome to God’s eternal life. Now you can grow in His grace. How do you do that? Begin praying and reading your Bible daily, regularly. Find a church that believes in and teaches the Bible as the word of God. Find a church where the Gospel is preached, and people believe in being born again. Find such a church and become a part of your new eternal family. And tell someone else about what God has done for you. Don’t go by feelings, live by faith in Jesus. He is faithful. He will help you. Remember this:

 

2 Corinthians 5:17 - ¹⁷ Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

 

1 Corinthians 10:13 - ¹³ No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.

 

2 Timothy 2:15 - ¹⁵ Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

 

2 Timothy 3:16–17 - ¹⁶ All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, ¹⁷ that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

 

 

 

 

 

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[1] (1) Demons, Giants, and Other Gods in the Bible? Dr. Michael Heiser - YouTube

 

If You Are Wise, You Will Fertilize

But he answered and said to him, ‘Sir, let it alone this year also,

until I dig around it and fertilize it.’ – Luke 13:8

It’s Springtime, the time of year when we fertilize and prepare our gardens and plant flowers and vegetables. It’s also the time of year when flowers are beginning to bloom and trees are budding. It’s a time of color and warmer weather. It’s a time of newness. It’s a welcome change from the darkness and gloom of the winter and time just preceding Spring. Now why am I talking about Springtime? Has dear Pastor Claude waxed horticultural? Well, not exactly. I love flowers and Spring, but I have another “culture” to discuss beyond horticulture.

I want to talk to you about fertilization. Jesus spoke of fertilization you know? He spoke of it to illustrate a spiritual preparatory action to help us be fruitful. God desires we are fruitful in life. A producing saint is a beautiful saint to the LORD. A fruitfully productive saint attracts others and is a welcome sight. What do I mean when I title this message, “If You Are Wise, You Will Fertilize”? How and why should we fertilize? Let’s see.

In Luke 13 Jesus was on His way to Jerusalem. And along the way He is given some news. Here we will look at what Jesus thought about the news reporting of His day. We will find that He appears Jesus doesn’t think too much of the reporting of current events. What He does care about is the personal repentance of people. There’s a great lesson to be learned in this.

13 There were present at that season some who told Him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.

We have no record of the actual events referenced here in these verses. The Galileans of Jesus day were known for being rebellious. Pilate was very much known as a politician who would not hesitate to make examples of people in vicious and violent ways. And apparently what he had done to these Galileans was breaking news being circulated among the people. This was the current headline, the breaking news story of the day.

² And Jesus answered and said to them, “Do you suppose that these Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans, because they suffered such things? ³ I tell you, no;

An Act of God? When something bad happens to someone, we often do one of two things. First, we attribute the tragedy to God. Insurance companies won’t cover things they define as “An Act of God.” Why do people automatically assign blame to God for tragedies? While God is sovereign and nothing happens that doesn’t go across His desk for approval so to speak, He is not the Author of all tragedy. In Job 1 we discover the hand of Satan in the “great wind” that brought the house down on Job’s children (Job 1:18-20). God gave Satan permission to afflict Job, but it was Satan who brought the storm. We shouldn’t be quick to assign blame for tragedies to God.

The judgment of God is on them! The second thing people often do when tragedy hits is that they blame the victims of the tragedy. They say, “They must have done something to bring this tragedy upon themselves and God is judging them. This is also disproven in the book of Job when we see Job described as “blameless and upright, and one who feared God and shunned evil” (Job 1:1). In Job 1 and 2 we discover that the tragedy and affliction experienced by Job was instigated by Satan. The bulk of the book of Job has Job not only afflicted greatly in various ways, but answering the accusations of his “friends,” who seek to blame him for what has happened to him.

Look deeper at tragedy and hardship. People of Jesus time would have been perplexed at this because they thought evil only happens to evil people. They frequently looked at their world in superstitious ways. Jesus goes on to dismiss this notion and points the people to more important things. “Do you suppose that these Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans, because they suffered such things? ³ I tell you, no;” Sometimes the tragedy that comes on people is at the hand of God in a disciplinary way (e.g., the captivity of Israel in the Old Testament). And sometimes tragedy comes upon people as a consequence of sinful choices they make. But Job and Jesus tell us here that, that isn’t always the case. We know from scripture, (and these people should have known), that bad things, evil things also happen to “good” people, even righteous people. Job is an example of this. Therefore, we need to look deeper at tragedy and hardship.

but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.

Don’t let the news or current events keep you from repenting and getting right with God. Jesus points to the greater, more relevant issue of the day for these people, i.e., “but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.”

The people of Judea looked down on those of Galilee because of they were mostly Gentiles. Jews referred to this area as “Galilee of the Gentiles” (cf. Isaiah 9:1; Matthew 4:15). Because they were Gentiles, it was assumed they were less spiritual, and they were discriminated against by the Jews. Jesus is having none of that and tells them they themselves needed to repent.

God is not racist. While the gospel came to the Jew first and then the Gentiles (Romans 1:16; 2:9 and 10), we shouldn’t assume God is bigoted or racist. Indeed. The Bible tells us very clearly, “For there is no partiality with God” (Deuteronomy 10:17; Acts 10:34; Romans 2:11; see context). There was a planned sequence of sharing the gospel, but the gospel plan of God was always intended to reach the world, bot Jew and Gentile.

It’s more important to repent. To “repent” (Greek metanoeo) means, to think differently, to reconsider, to change one’s mind. To repent means to confess and forsake one’s sin. Repentance is integral to getting right with God. God is patient and long suffering with us in hopes that the sinner will repent (Romans 2:1-4). God desires none to perish but for everyone to come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9). God, “desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:4). And repentance is a big part of that.

⁴ Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them, do you think that they were worse sinners than all other men who dwelt in Jerusalem? ⁵ I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.”

Jesus was aware of current events. Jesus was aware of what went on in the world around Him. He was familiar enough with current events to reference them as He did here. There is nothing intrinsically, spiritually, or scripturally that would justify a willful ignorance of what is happening in the world around us. Jesus kept abreast of current events, we should too.

The Pool of Siloam is located south of what is called the Temple Mount today. It was fed by the Gihon Spring which fed water through Hezekiah’s Tunnel. Apparently by this pool there had been a tower that fell, and eighteen people died as a result.

Jesus is not a racist. Notice, Jesus says, “do you think that they were worse sinners than all other men who dwelt in Jerusalem?” The “all other men” is further proof of impartiality. I say this because it has become popular for “woke” pastors who detract from God’s word in order to exert their own authority have become to bring accusation against Jesus as a “racist.” Nothing could be further from the truth. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). God loves the “world,” and offers salvation to “whoever believes.” These are clear statements of impartiality.

Safe Spaces?

 

In times of difficulty such as Pilates mingling of the blood of some Galileans with their sacrifices and the eighteen on whom the tower of Siloam fell, people seek out safe spaces. But in truth, there are no safe spaces. Evil has a way of finding people. Instead of safe spaces, we need to take refuge in a Person.

 

The Bible says:

 

·       Psalm 23:4 - Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

 

·       Psalm 28:8–9 - The Lord is their strength, and He is the saving refuge of His anointed. ⁹Save Your people, and bless Your inheritance; Shepherd them also, and bear them up forever.

 

·       Psalm 31:1–5 - In You, O Lord, I put my trust; Let me never be ashamed; Deliver me in Your righteousness. ²Bow down Your ear to me, deliver me speedily; Be my rock of refuge, A fortress of defense to save me. ³   For You are my rock and my fortress; Therefore, for Your name’s sake, lead me and guide me. ⁴Pull me out of the net which they have secretly laid for me, For You are my strength. ⁵Into Your hand I commit my spirit; You have redeemed me, O Lord God of truth.

 

·       Psalm 46:1–3 - God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. ²Therefore we will not fear, even though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; ³            Though its waters roar and be troubled, Though the mountains shake with its swelling. Selah

The message of the Bible is not to take refuge in a place or even a “kingdom,” but to take refuge in God. That is what we will see here. There are no safe spaces, not even the kingdom of God here, but our refuge needs to be in God. Get right with God.

 

⁶ He also spoke this parable: “A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. ⁷ Then he said to the keeper of his vineyard, ‘Look, for three years I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree and find none. Cut it down; why does it use up the ground?’ ⁸ But he answered and said to him, ‘Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and fertilize it. ⁹ And if it bears fruit, well. But if not, after that you can cut it down.’ ”

 

But be wise and fertilize. Jesus turns to a tool He often used in communicating to the lost, parables. A Parable is a method of communicating that illustrates a heavenly or spiritual truth by way of referencing a well-known or commonly known situation. Here Jesus refers to a man who had planted a vineyard. Such a reference would be very familiar and common in this agrarian society.

 

God desires fruitfulness. The dilemma referred to by Jesus here would be something the people He was speaking too would be very familiar with. A man planted a vineyard. He goes to get some fruit from it and finds none. This condition had gone on for some three years already. The man had had enough. “Cut it down; why does it use up the ground?” he says. Now, this man would have been justified in thinking and proceeding the way he did. But Jesus conveys something further.

 

God desires us to be fruitful. From the first command to humanity to “be fruitful and multiply,” God desires us to be fruitful (e.g., Genesis 1:22, 28; 8:17; 9:1 and 7). In the parable of the Sower, Jesus refers to fruitfulness as the indication of true conversion (cf.  Mark 4:20; Luke 8:15). Jesus says every branch that doesn’t bear fruit will be cut off by the Vinedresser His Father (cf. John 15:2). Jesus says we can’t bear fruit on our own but only by being attached to Him (John 15:4). But the purpose of Jesus choosing us is to bear fruit. He said to the apostles:

 

·       John 15:16 - ¹⁶ You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.

Jesus said, “You will know them by their fruits” (cf. Matthew 7:15-19). The “fruit of the Spirit” (Galatians 5:22-24) are indicators of the presence of the Holy Spirit in a person. Love is the prime fruit that a genuinely saved person who has been born again of the Spirit should produce (cf. Romans 5:5). Fruitfulness is normal for the genuine born-again believer (e.g., Colossians 1:10; 2 Peter 1:5-9).

 

A little more time. The “keeper” (Greek ampelourgon) or vinedresser, suggests the owner give the plant more time. He says, “Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and fertilize it. And if it bears fruit, well. But if not, after that you can cut it down.” Now what point is Jesus making here?  I suggest three.

 

First, God is merciful to give you more time to repent if you haven’t already. In Romans 2 it states:

 

·       Romans 2:1–4 - Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge, for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things. ² But we know that the judgment of God is according to truth against those who practice such things. ³ And do you think this, O man, you who judge those practicing such things, and doing the same, that you will escape the judgment of God? ⁴ Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?

God is good, patient and longsuffering. He graciously waits for sinners to repent. However, . . .

 

Second, God will judge in truth at some point. While the gardener suggested more time be given to the plant, he also said that after this one-year extension of time, it should be cut down; or judged. God has graciously given the unrepentant sinner time. But that time is not forever. Eternal life is forever. But the time God gives for sinners to repent is limited. Jesus is subtly communicating that now is the time to repent! Now is the day of salvation!

 

Third, if you are wise you will fertilize. Now fertilizer is food that has been consumed and processed through bodily functions by animals. Fertilizer is deteriorated decayed material that is rich in nutrients so that where it is spread, it facilitates growth. My further question is, “What do you think Jesus was referring to by mentioning this fertilization?” I believe it was these current event stories.

 

How do we fertilize spiritually? The Apostle Paul makes an interesting comment that dovetails nicely with Jesus his Savior and Lord’s words. The Apostle Paul gives us insight into spiritual fertilization. To the Philippians Paul was inspired to write:

 

·       Philippians 3:7–11 - But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. ⁸ Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ ⁹ and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; ¹⁰ that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, ¹¹ if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.

The word “rubbish” in verse eight is translated from the Greek term skubala. Skubala is a word used to describe table scraps, trash, garbage, sewage, manure, excrement. This is a word used to refer to something to be thrown out or disposed of, something disgusting, filthy abhorrent such as a rotting corpse or partly eaten fish. leftovers to the dogs, or sweepings, sewage, muck, or dung. Hence, it connoted something disgusting, filthy, abhorrent, that which was to be rejected or thrown out. It can also refer to “pitiful or horrible remains” as a rotting corpse partly eaten by fish.  [1]

 

What does it mean to spiritual fertilize? How do we spiritually fertilize? To fertilize spiritually is to “count all things loss” that keep us from “the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord.” To fertilize spiritually is to look at the things around you and “count them rubbish that I may gain Christ and be found in Him.” To fertilize spiritually is to do a self-assessment, to look around you at the things in your life, the things you watch, the things you do, your past times and things you participate in, and anything that hinders you from knowing Jesus, see it as rotten flesh or dead fish parts and throw it in the garbage and make it mulch to fertilize your life to know Christ better. That is what it means to spiritually fertilize.

 

Make a mainstream media mulch. It’s very easy to get caught up in the news, breaking stories, and current events of the day. The news, whether watched, read, or listened to, can be a source of distraction and even depression if we focus too much on it. I think Jesus is telling the people it’s okay to be aware of current events, but at some point, you have to pass them through; let them serve to spur you on to repentance and getting right with God. At some point we should take what we have accumulated and consumed from the mainstream media and throw it in a mulch pit and use it to fertilize us; to help us become fruitful instead of futile. That happens when we pass it all through the screen of God’s word. God’s word helps us to keep it all in perspective. Test all things and hold on to what is good (1 Thess. 5:21). The rest, throw it in the mulch pit and fertilize.

 

Prophetic processing. Fear is often the product of a diet of mainstream media. But the Bible says very clearly, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind” (2 Tim. 1:7). If we simply take the “news” at face value and the way media packages it, we will likely be reduced to terrified wrecks. But, if we process current events through the lens of God’s prophetic word, it will help us make sense of the world we live in and understand the times. We need to be like the “sons of Issachar who had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do” (1 Chronicles 12:32a). The Apostle Peter was inspired to put it like this:

 

·       2 Peter 1:19–21 - ¹⁹ And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts; ²⁰ knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, ²¹ for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.

“Which you do well to heed.” “Heed” (Greek prosechontes – Present/Active/Participle of prosecho) which means continue to pay attention to, continue to watch, be attentive to give heed to keep following, be devoted to, be concerned about. Whatever we see on the news, whatever news we read or hear about, should be processed prophetically. We should constantly be asking, “Now where does this fit into God’s prophetic plans?” Ignorance is an ingredient to fear. Understanding, especially understanding from Gods’ word, dispels fear and builds faith and courage (e.g., Romans 10:17).

 

Light it up! God’s prophetic word is a light in the darkness of this world. And if we process the events taking place in this world by God’s word, eventually “the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.” The light will go on, the confusion, delusion, and uncertainties that feed fear will be exposed and defeated and your faith will rise up. All of this is a product of the Holy Spirit directing us, teaching us, comforting us with His word (e.g., John 14:26-27; 16:13). Jesus said, “And now I have told you before it comes, that when it does come to pass, you may believe” (John 14:29). That is the principle of prophecy; God tells us what to expect beforehand, that we might process what we see and believe.

 

Let’s dig in! Pardon the pun, but now is the time to process what we have been taking in. How about you, are you finding yourself locked into news reports so much so that they are dragging you away from God? Are you depressed by the darkness of what’s reported of what is going on in the world today? Maybe it’s time to pass those things through and fertilize. Maybe it’s time to take a break and examine your life and get right with God through faith in Jesus. Maybe it’s time to respond to God patience and grace and love and get right with Him.

 

 

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[1] Complete Biblical Library Greek-English Dictionary, The - The Complete Biblical Library Greek-English Dictionary – Sigma-Omega.

 

 

The Source of Sickness

 

But when Jesus saw her, He called her to Him and said to her, “Woman, you are loosed from your infirmity.” – Luke 13:12

 

Where does sickness come from? Are we always to blame for our sicknesses? Does sickness mean we have a lack of faith? Some people would make that claim, or bring that accusation. But all that does is compound the pain and suffering of the afflicted.

The Source of Sickness

In Luke 13 a woman with, “a spirit of infirmity eighteen years” was healed by Jesus. I don’t know about you, but to that I say, “Praise the Lord!” But what about sickness and healing? Why isn’t everyone healed? This is an age-old question that many have pondered, struggled with, and even been run aground in their faith with. It needn’t be so. The account in Luke reads:  

¹⁰ Now He was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath. ¹¹ And behold, there was a woman who had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bent over and could in no way raise herself up.

A “spirit of infirmity.” Now this is not necessarily just a bad case of osteoporosis. The scripture account states the woman was afflicted with a “spirit of infirmity.” Apparently, a malevolent spirit had a hand in this particular affliction, and that is all we can say.

Planetary and personal sin and sickness. We live in a fallen world infected with planetary sin. When our first parents sinned, it impacted creation with sin. Now, Satan of course sinned against God prior to the fall of Adam And Eve otherwise how could he have been the serpent and tempted them (cf. Isaiah 14:12-17; Ezekiel 28:11-19). But Satan’s sin and its consequences were apparently limited to him and those who chose to follow him. I do not believe God created this world in sin. When He created as we see in Genesis 1 and 2, God created a sinless world and then said what He had created was “very good” (Genesis 1:31). Holy God would not have pronounced a “very good” on something that was sinful or permeated with sin.

But when Adam and Eve chose to follow the serpent rather than the God who Created and loved them, sin entered in. That sinful influence was and remains planetary; it permeates the DNA of all creation. “For the creation was subjected to futility” (Romans 8:20; cf. also Genesis 3:17-19).This is why there are destructive storms, earthquakes, tsunamis, famines, and all the other natural destructive forces we have seen throughout history since the Fall. Our bodies having been built from “the dust of the ground,” (Genesis 2:7), are part of God’s creation. And because of that our bodies are fallen and under the influence of planetary sin. This is the cause of all ailments and sickness. This is why for instance, a man Like Pastor Chuck Smith, can live his entire life never having smoked a cigarette or abstained from alcohol and who took good care of his body, could die of lung cancer. Yes, we could include environmental factors, but those bring us to the other aspect of sin, personal sin.

Planetary sin’s influences are in effect regardless of personal decision to sin. In other words, you can get sick simply by virtue of being a part of God’s creation that is under the influence of planetary sin. Therefore, we can say that people are not necessarily blameworthy for their sicknesses. Sickness may simply be the effects of the objective planetary sinfulness of creation. But environmental factors that are linked to the cause of illness bring us to the personal aspect of sin.

Our personal sinful choices have consequences. “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap” (Galatians 6:7). There is a consequence for sinful choices. God in His sovereignty enforces such consequences. Our bodies are gifts from God; temples meant to house the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). Before we are born again, these temples are dormant, empty. When we are born again, the Holy Spirit takes up residence in us – “Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?” (1 Corinthians 3:16). So, we have a responsibility to be good stewards of our bodies.

Now, we should take a short moment to mention that this principle can be applied more broadly. For instance, a nation or continent, or world that forsakes God and indulges in sinful physical recklessness with the environment and with their bodies can expect a consequence. I’m not a proponent of Green Peace nor am I a tree hugger, but if we treat God’s creation sinfully, there will be consequences. And we see them in pollution and ruined or greatly diminished natural resources. Take a walk on the beach and observe the garbage that washes ashore. Go to a communist country where there are few of any environmental protections and take a deep breath of that fumes from cares, trucks, busses and factories. You’ll choke! I’m sure there are many such consequences that we could consider here. I only mention these to show the principle of consequence for mistreating God’s creation is not merely individual, but also corporate and even global.

God warns, “If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are” (1 Corinthians 3:17). We should take good care of our bodies. This does not mean we should worship our bodies. That is what some do. They are so taken with their looks and body upkeep that they obsess over their bodies to the neglect of other more eternal priorities. Watch out for this. But we should take good care of our bodies; what we eat; exercise; how we use them. And if we don’t take good care of our bodies there is a consequence, “God will destroy him.”

We can expect a physical consequence when we mistreat our bodies. Smokers have a much higher probability to cancer than nonsmokers. That’s just a fact. Those who consume alcohol have a much higher probability of liver damage. Those who indulge in illicit or harmful drug use can expect brain damage and other ailments. There is often a physical consequence to personal sinful choices.

But there is one more source of illness and that is spiritual. In our Luke 13 passage here, we are introduced to a “spirit of infirmity.” This tells us that some illness or physically hurtful conditions have a spiritual element as their cause. When we look at the book of Job, we see Satan’s involvement in the physical afflictions of that tortured man (cf. Job 2:1-8). And if Satan was involved in the physical afflictions of Job, it’s not a stretch to think that others were also attacked in such ways. And apparently, other spirits or demons follow the tactics of their boss Beelzebub.  

“Infirmity” (Greek astheneias: noun of astheneia) means weakness, sickness, distress, lack of strength. That this was a “spirit of infirmity,” indicates her condition was spiritually connected in some way. Apparently, this “spirit of infirmity” was able to force this woman into a bent over state. It was as though this woman was forced into a position of submission by this spirit.

Not all ailments are caused by spirits. But some are as we see here. Whenever someone is sick it is wise to always pray and include in your prayers a request to God to expose and solve any spiritual element in the sickness.

Eighteen years! Here, the woman was in this condition for EIGHTEEN YEARS! That’s a horrible state. Imagine, hunched over and bent for eighteen years. For eighteen years finding it difficult to look anyone in the eye or carry on a normal upright living. Thank God Jesus came along to free this woman from her bounds. The timing of God is something that may befuddle us. But knowing God’s goodness and love and His grace, we trust that He has legitimate reasons, even for an eighteen-year wait.

¹² But when Jesus saw her, He called her to Him and said to her, “Woman, you are loosed from your infirmity.” ¹³ And He laid His hands on her, and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God.

This is a moving account. Eighteen years! Eighteen years? Yes, eighteen years. That’s a long time. Think of the hopeless plight this woman was in. After five years, or ten years, its likely she had given up hope of healing. But after eighteen years, hope and even the thought of being healed had thoroughly evaporated. But with Jesus there is always hope. Nothing is impossible with Him.

Jesus sees our conditions and acts on our behalf. Now notice, it states Jesus “saw” (Greek idon – Aorist/Active/Participle of eidon) meaning Jesus was seeing, perceiving, looking after. Jesus saw her and perceived her plight. Jesus is the one who saw this woman. She did not have to ask or solicit Jesus for healing. Perhaps in her hunched over state, she didn’t even see Jesus was there!

Then it states Jesus said to the woman, “Woman, you are loosed from your infirmity.”  “Loosed” (Greek apolelusai – Perfect/Middle/Indicative of appoluo) means freed, released, let go, sent away, dismissed, let die, divorced, depart. This is a word used to convey the idea of redeeming prisoners or slaves. It is used to convey the idea of releasing someone from their legal obligations. It is used to convey the idea of being given exemption from military service. And it is used to convey the idea of being acquitted of a crime.

We don’t know how this “spirit of infirmity” entered this woman’s life. We aren’t given those circumstances. What we are told is that, no matter what led to this affliction from a spirit of infirmity, Jesus, with merely a word, “loosed” her from it. Jesus, with a word, freed and released this woman from a debilitating and humiliating ailment she had been afflicted by for eighteen years!

Sickness has a way of isolating the afflicted. When you’re sick, you feel alone, maybe even abandoned by God. But here we see that as soon as Jesus saw this hunched over woman, He sprang into healing action. Now this raises the question, “If that’s the case, has Jesus seen me and if He’s seen me, why hasn’t He healed me?” Well, to such a heartfelt question I would answer, I believe Jesus does see us when we are sick or suffering. The Bible says, “For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him” (2 Chronicles 16:9a; cf. also Zechariah 4:10). And Jesus Himself promised, “and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20). Where two or three are gathered in the name of Jesus, He is there (Matthew 18:20). Jesus told Paul when he feared and felt forsaken in Corinth, “for I am with you, and no one will attack you to hurt you” (Acts 18:10; cf. also Acts 23:10). So, there is ample evidence that God is with us during trails, hardships, and yes, sickness.

“But if Jesus is with me, and sees my pain, why doesn’t He heal me?” This is a more complex question that we don’t always have the answer to. Paul prayed to Jesus three times to have his “thorn in the flesh” removed. But Jesus’ answer was, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9a). There is no indication that Paul felt abandoned by Jesus while suffering this affliction. Quite the contrary. Paul responded to Jesus’ “No” about healing him, with the words, “Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Corinthians 12:9b-10). There are lessons to be learned in sickness and suffering that are more profound and eternally valuable than our healing. Learning the sufficiency of God’s grace is one of them.

There are times when God’s will and plans involve purposes beyond our mere physical healing. Peter would go so far as to say, “he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin” (1 Peter 4:1). That doesn’t mean that “suffering in the flesh” has some kind of expiatory value; or that our suffering adds in some way to the atoning work of Jesus on the cross. Jesus’ atoning work on the cross is “finished” (see John 19:30). Jesus’ atoning cross work is totally sufficient. We should not and indeed cannot add to Jesus’ cross work. So, what does Peter mean? I believe Peter is alluding to the fact that sickness and the suffering that accompanies it provides an environment suited to get closer to God. And the closer we come to God, the more clearly we see our sin. And the closer to God the more power we have over our sin. When we are suffering in the flesh, we have a greater appreciation for eternity. And when we are suffering in the flesh, we are not in a position to be as tempted as we might normally be when healthy. Because of this, we can even say, when it comes to resisting temptation to sin, suffering in the flesh has its advantages. Suffering in the flesh can therefore be said to lead us to cease from sin. Therefore, it may be a part of God’s plan to allow people to suffer.

But another reason why God might allow suffering to continue is that it provides an opportunity not only for the sick to experience the sufficiency of His grace, but others to see such sufficient grace in real life. We look at the testimony of Paul and we see him welcome the opportunity to continue in his physical suffering if it means he will experience the sufficiency of God’s grace and Jesus’ strength made perfect in his weakness. How many have watched a beloved holy one, a fellow dear believer suffer physically only to be in awe of the sufficiency of God’s grace in their hour of need? I have. I have seen God’s sufficient grace in many a brother and sister in Christ. And I have seen the absence of comfort in such times in the lives of unbelievers. Both testify to me, and to others in the presence of the suffering, that God’s grace is sufficient. We needn’t fear or dread the end of life break down of our bodies. We needn’t fear sickness or suffering. Jesus will be there and whether He chooses to heal or not, His grace will be sufficient. That is a great part of God’s plans and purposes.

The one-time God will always heal. There is one time, one situation where we can always be healed. That time and situation is when a person, caught up in and convicted of their sinful plight, calls out to God to be saved from their sin. God calls the sinner to come to Him and He will wash away our sins (Isaiah 1:18). The LORD is so gracious and generous. The LORD calls and invites the sinner saying, “Seek the LORD while He may be found, call upon Him shile He is near. Let eh wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, and He will have mercy on him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon” (Isaiah 55:6-7). And the reason God will do that is found in Jesus. Isaiah further explained, of Messiah Who is Jesus, “Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted.         But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, every one, to his own way; and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all” (Isaiah 53:4-6). All of this was accomplished in Jesus. When it says, “By His stripes we are healed,”  it is not merely referring to physical healing, it is talking about spiritual healing from the damnable effects of sin. And Jesus Himself said, “All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out” (John 6:37). So this is available to whoever calls on the name of the LORD! Praise the LORD for providing a way to be healed from our curse of sin!

How can we be healed of our sin? How can we be saved from our sin? Jesus said, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). Simple. But profound. Healing. Praise. Earlier in the Gospel of Luke Jesus said, “unless you repent your will all likewise perish” (Luke 13:3 and 5). Repentance means to confess your sins to God and forsake them. Jesus says later in Luke 13, “Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I say to you, will seek to enter and will not be able” (Luke 13:24). Salvation and healing from sin is not something we do in our own strength. We “are not able.” That is why salvation form sin is a gift of God’s grace to be received by faith in Jesus. If you want to be saved and healed of your sinful condition, then confess to God that you have sinned against Him. Then purpose in your heart to forsake your sin and trust Jesus as your Savior. God can and does justly forgive the sinner who does this because Jesus paid the penalty for our sins on the cross (see Isaiah 53:4-6; Romans 6:3). God put our unrighteousness on Jesus on the cross, and when we trust in Jesus as our Savior, God puts Jesus’ righteousness to our account (cf. 2 Corinthians 5:21). This is all provided by God to us freely as a gift of His grace (cf. Ephesians 2:1-9). You can be healed and forgiven your sins right now, today, no delay, everyone.

Now this doesn’t mean that when we are saved from our sins, we won’t experience any difficulty, trial, pain, sickness or suffering. What we saw with Paul and Peter testifies to this truth. What it does mean is that even if it is God’s will for us to suffer or remain sick, His grace is there for us, His sufficient comforting grace that will get us through. And we always have the hope of heaven; eternal life. Peter put it like this, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time” (1 Peter 1:3-5). What a wonderful provision God has given, by His grace.

The bottom line is that sometimes suffering and sickness are part of God’s plan. We might not always understand this. We probably won’t ever like it. But we must submit ourselves to God and His will and plan. Peter was inspired to conclude, “Therefore let those who surer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator” (1 Peter 4:19). Sometimes it is “the will of God” to suffer through sickness, even die. No matter the decision and plan and will of God, our only proper response is to follow other saints of old who obeyed Peter’s words to “commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator.” That should be our conclusion. And when we and those going through the suffering with us, will discover and experience firsthand, the sufficiency of God’s grace.