1 Sam. 17:1-11
Now the Philistines gathered their armies for battle; they were gathered at Socoh, which belongs to Judah, and encamped between Socoh and Azekah, in Ephes-dammim. 2Saul and the Israelites gathered and encamped in the valley of Elah, and formed ranks against the Philistines. 3The Philistines stood on the mountain on one side, and Israel stood on the mountain on the other side, with a valley between them. 4And there came out from the camp of the Philistines a champion named Goliath, of Gath, whose height was six cubits and a span. 5He had a helmet of bronze on his head, and he was armoured with a coat of mail; the weight of the coat was five thousand shekels of bronze. 6He had greaves of bronze on his legs and a javelin of bronze slung between his shoulders. 7The shaft of his spear was like a weaver’s beam, and his spear’s head weighed six hundred shekels of iron; and his shield-bearer went before him. 8He stood and shouted to the ranks of Israel, ‘Why have you come out to draw up for battle? Am I not a Philistine, and are you not servants of Saul? Choose a man for yourselves, and let him come down to me. 9If he is able to fight with me and kill me, then we will be your servants; but if I prevail against him and kill him, then you shall be our servants and serve us.’ 10And the Philistine said, ‘Today I defy the ranks of Israel! Give me a man, that we may fight together.’ 11When Saul and all Israel heard these words of the Philistine, they were dismayed and greatly afraid.
BLOG DISCUSSION QUESTION: We begin one of the most famous stories in the Bible. It is even referenced by sports announcers when teams like Butler play Duke. Listen to what Caiaphas said of Jesus: "So the chief priests and the Pharisees called a meeting of the council, and said, ‘What are we to do? This man is performing many signs. 48If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him, and the Romans will come and destroy both our holy place* and our nation.’ 49But one of them, Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, said to them, ‘You know nothing at all! 50You do not understand that it is better for you to have one man die for the people than to have the whole nation destroyed.’ 51He did not say this on his own, but being high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus was about to die for the nation, 52and not for the nation only, but to gather into one the dispersed children of God. " John 15. Do you hear an echo of Goliath in this?
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3 comments:
Where are all of our bloggers???? This "Goliath scene" is so mammoth in description and in intent! Yes, often times we feel that we are "facing a Goliath" in our everyday lives of challenges. I'd love to hear other peoples' thoughts!
Yeah......where is everyone?????? Maybe Goliath is too scary!
Anyway....from the blog question, "you do not understand that it is better for you to have one man die for the people than to have the whole nation destroyed.’
Interesting, the Son of David (Jesus) found himself facing a Goliath of collasal (sp?) proportions, a battle that he took on himself as all of his disciples abandoned him when he was betrayed.
Against insurmountable odds Jesus stood toe to toe with sin and death....and guess who won?
People are still listing to Saul. People are still afraid of Samuel. The true leader they ousted.Confusion? They should be. They didn't listen to God. Goliath made quite an impression. Almost ten feet tall and much armor and fearful big talk. Goliath was sent by God to be made a fool of and be killed by David. Impressionable enough to get Gods nation out of a Saul stooper to a future God leader.
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