Giants in the Earth
Part xv
David and Goliath
— Whose son art thou? —
  I was once told by a wise man (are there any left?) that before he preached on any verse or chapter that he read that chapter as many times as it had verses. There is much wisdom in this statement; therefore, I suggest that you read 1st Samuel Chapter 17 only once . . . just to become familiar with the great battle between David and Goliath. Don’t get nervous, I did not suggest that you read it fifty-eight times because it has fifty-eight verses, but this is not a bad thing to read a chapter over and over again to see what God has for you.
• whose son is this youth?
• whose son the stripling is.
• Whose son art thou, thou young man?
  This phrase ‘whose son’ appears in our battle chapter three times. Three is the number of that which is solid, real, and that which takes in content not just merely two lines that meet, but by a third line joined together with two other lines produces a cubic means of measurement. A measurement of not only length, breadth, and depth, but here is the number of divine fullness: the Godhead bodily. Why is the Holy Spirit directing our thoughts to see more than mere words in the phrase ‘whose son is this?’
  Saul knew who David was because 1st Samuel, Chapter 16, informs us that David had been in the court of Saul prior to Chapter 17; however, Saul either did not remember who David’s father was, or he never knew. (Read 1 Samuel Chapter 16)
And when Saul saw David go forth against the Philistine, he said unto Abner, the captain of the host, Abner, whose son is this youth? And Abner said, As thy soul liveth, O king, I cannot tell. (1 Samuel 17:55)
And the king said, Enquire thou whose son the stripling is. (1 Samuel 17:56)
And as David returned from the slaughter of the Philistine, Abner took him, and brought him before Saul with the head of the Philistine in his hand. (1 Samuel 17:57)
And Saul said to him, Whose son art thou, thou young man? And David answered, I am the son of thy servant Jesse the Bethlehemite. (1 Samuel 17:58)
  Why is this important? I mean, really, who cares who David’s father was. What has this to do with the battle scene in Chapter 17 against the giant Goliath? This is where we need to do some preparation in building a background and foundation for what unfolds later in Scripture. Everything about mankind has a beginning, everything is built on a foundation, a history . . . ALL history is necessary, whether you like it or not, whether you approve of it or not because you are what you are because of history: your history genetically, your history environmentally, and your history spiritually. (There are evil forces who are attempting to remove all history, and replace it with their own manufactured approved history to control minds.)
  This entire series of articles called Giants in the Earth has been a study of the history of the giants that roam the world today in power and influence through industrial, political, financial, economic, social, academic, military, and religious institutions. In closing this particular root from Cain to Ham through Canaan to the name of Goliath, these giants of power and influence are still in the earth. God willing, we will be dealing with the giants in the line of Cush later, but for now, Goliath is the last of this particular giant line of Canaan. Let’s see where God the Holy Spirit will lead. I am never sure where I am going, but I usually know when I get there.  
  The story of David and Goliath is universally known as a battle between an underdog and a larger adversary; however, not many know much about the man David, or the shepherd David, the warrior David, the exiled David, the songwriter David, the poet David, the musician David, the adulterer and murderer David, the gracious and forgiving David, the tearful repentant David, the military commander David, the lonely David, or David, the anointed servant of God. When discussing types of Christ, David is one of the most prominent types in Scripture. Volumes upon volumes have been written about David, and there is no end to the many directions that authors can explore. Sculptors and artists have added to scores of museums the beauty and testimony of this man of history. There is much more to David than the conflict as documented in 1st Samuel Chapter 17.
  The first mention of the Davidic line is in 1st Samuel 16:1, And the LORD said unto Samuel, How long wilt thou mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? fill thine horn with oil, and go, I will send thee to Jesse the Bethlehemite: for I have provided me a king among his sons. David is first noted through his father Jesse, a Bethlehemite; therefore, Jesse is a noted progenitor of the Davidic line. The meaning behind the name of Jesse is extremely interesting in its root structure, for instance, it means ‘strong, firm,’ ‘to exist as an entity with substance,’ and ‘of him who is,’ and in ‘of him who is’ also contains a meaning of a ‘lasting existence,’ from the resident of one who lives in Bethlehem ‘the house of bread.’ Do I have to spell this out? Jesse is a type of Jehovah, the Godhead bodily, the great I AM, the preexistent One, The ‘of him who is.’ There are 44 verses in the entire Bible with the name of Jesse, and 46 mentions of this name within the 44 verses. [‘Of him who is’ (Jesse) is mentioned in the New Testament five times (Matthew 1:5, 6; Luke 3:32; Acts 13:22; Romans 15:12).] The number of grace being the number five.
  It is through Romans 15:12 (the last mention of the name ‘Jesse’) that we are drawn back into history and into the Old Testament to the book of Isaiah Chapter 11, verses 1, and 10.
SIDE NOTE: I pity those who believe that the Bible only consists of the New Testament and describe themselves as New Testament Christians . . . more than 1/3 of the New IS the Old. Although the age of the Church can be reckoned from the book of Acts, Christianity (which is not a religion) is revelation from God, and relationship with God in Christ is reckoned from the very first book of the Bible called Genesis. The term or word ‘Christianity’ is considered a New Testament concept, nevertheless, how about this concept that is found in Genesis. And to Seth, to him also there was born a son; and he called his name Enos: then began men to call upon the name of the LORD. (Genesis 4:26) Here is the connection between Genesis and the book of Acts, and the connection continues on to the book of Romans 10:13, and onto 1st John Chapter 3, verses 1 and 2. Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. (1 John 3:1) Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. (1 John 3:2) The following notation is from an article by Michael Haigh that I feel fits right into this article at this point.
. . . . . Seth had a son, and his name was Enos it was at this point in time that they began to call on the name of the Lord. They also, by doing this, took the name of the Lord to themselves, and they called themselves the sons of God. And to Seth, to him also there was born a son; and he called his name Enos: then began men to call upon the name of the LORD. (Genesis 4:26)
SIDE NOTE: There are five mentions of this phrase, call upon the name of the LORD, in the Bible.
And to Seth, to him also there was born a son; and he called his name Enos: then began men to call upon the name of the LORD. (Genesis 4:26)
I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the LORD. (Psalm 116:13)
I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of the LORD. (Psalm 116:17)
For then will I turn to the people a pure language, that they may all call upon the name of the LORD, to serve him with one consent. (Zephaniah 3:9)
For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. (Romans 10:13)
That which first began in the first book of the Bible, Genesis, has been restored in the Church age by the divine act of the new birth. John in his first epistle declared by the Spirit of God, Now, are we the sons of God.
Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. (1 John 3:1) Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. (1 John 3:2)
In Genesis they acquired the title of sons of God because they called on the name of the Lord. Beloved, how did WE acquire this name? We are the sons of God because we too have called on the name of the Lord.
  Back to our article on David and Goliath . . . It is through Romans 15:12 (in the last mention of the name of Jesse in the Bible) that we are drawn back into history and into the Old Testament to the book of Isaiah Chapter 11, verses 1, and 10 with the name of Jesse. This previous statement may sound very familiar to you because it is an exact repeat — repetition can be a good thing. If you read the previous verses of verse 12 in Romans Chapter 15, you will see the mind of the Spirit of God connecting the Gentile world with the people of God. The following verses add to this connection. The Word of God is One; the Bible is one unit; as the Godhead bodily cannot be separated, the Word of God cannot be separated, and the Bible cannot be separated — it is one
For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. (Romans 15:4)
Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers: (Romans 15:8) And that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy; as it is written, For this cause I will confess to thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto thy name. (Romans 15:9) <NT>
Therefore will I give thanks unto thee, O LORD, among the heathen, and sing praises unto thy name. (Psalm 18:49) Great deliverance giveth he to his king; and sheweth mercy to his anointed, to David, and to his seed for evermore. (Psalm 18:50) <OT>
And again he saith, Rejoice, ye Gentiles, with his people. (Romans 15:10) <NT>
Rejoice, O ye nations, with his people: for he will avenge the blood of his servants, and will render vengeance to his adversaries, and will be merciful unto his land, and to his people. (Deuteronomy 32:43) <OT>
And again, Praise the Lord, all ye Gentiles; and laud him, all ye people. (Romans 15:11) <NT>
O praise the LORD, all ye nations: praise him, all ye people.(Psalm 117:1) <OT>
And again, Esaias saith, There shall be a root of Jesse, and he that shall rise to reign over the Gentiles; in him shall the Gentiles trust. (Romans 15:12) <NT>
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  The last mention of the name of ‘Jesse’ is a direct quote from the book of Isaiah, Chapter 11. Why did the Holy Spirit of God deliberately place this connection from Romans Chapter 15 to Isaiah Chapter 11?
And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots: (Isaiah 11:1)
And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and his rest shall be glorious. (Isaiah 11:10)
  Do not abandon this article quite yet before you have had an opportunity to see the connections between the Old and the New. (I really dislike using the words ‘Old’ and ‘New,’ but I use them for your benefit.)
  I enjoy these connections from New to Old, and from Old to New, and I especially relish and appreciate the numerical sense in Isaiah 11:1, and 11:10. The treasure chest of Scripture is bottomless. There is no end to what can be found hidden in typology, symbolism, and in numerical meanings, for instance, when following the word ‘root’ there are two types of roots: one that is evil, without any sustainable foundation of the root of the serpent as in Isaiah 14:29. The following references have been specifically selected from many others.
Lest there should be among you man, or woman, or family, or tribe, whose heart turneth away this day from the LORD our God, to go [and] serve the gods of these nations; lest there should be among you a root that beareth gall and wormwood; (Deuteronomy 29:18)
I have seen the foolish taking root: but suddenly I cursed his habitation. (Job 5:3)
Therefore as the fire devoureth the stubble, and the flame consumeth the chaff, [so] their root shall be as rottenness, and their blossom shall go up as dust: because they have cast away the law of the LORD of hosts, and despised the word of the Holy One of Israel. (Isaiah 5:24)
Rejoice not thou, whole Palestina, because the rod of him that smote thee is broken: for out of the serpent’s root shall come forth a cockatrice, and his fruit [shall be] a fiery flying serpent. (Isaiah 14:29)
For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the LORD of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch. (Malachi 4:1)
——♦——
And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots: (Isaiah 11:1)
And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and his rest shall be glorious. (Isaiah 11:10)
  Notice that we have integral elements of a whole. The whole being Jesse, and the organic parts are (1) a rod; (2) a stem; and (3) a Branch in Isaiah 11:1. Also notice the plural in roots (Isaiah 11:1), and the singular in root (Isaiah 11:10). Each one of these can reveal a gold mine of spiritual wealth. BUT . . . moving on . . . In Isaiah 11:10 we have a Person, a specific Person that Paul wrote about in Romans 15:12, And again, Esaias saith, There shall be a root of Jesse, and he that shall rise to reign over the Gentiles; in him shall the Gentiles trust. (Romans 15:12) Isaiah Chapter 11, verse 2 confirms that verse 1 is about a Person: And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD.
  In Isaiah 11:1 it is plural ‘roots.’ In this we see the flock and the fold in the gospel of John Chapter 10:15 and 16. As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. (John 10:15) And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd. (John 10:16) Here is the unification of Israel and the Church for being one fold, and having one Shepherd. There is a distinct separation between Israel and the Church in their sonship, in their covenants, in their service and in their promises; and yet, there is also a unifying presence that connects ALL sheep to one Shepherd, and this is their Messiah who is Christ Jesus.
SIDE NOTE: The promises of God. One of the many errors that the Church pitches their tents into is the promises of God to Israel. God promised Israel an earthly kingdom to be recognized under the rule of their Messiah during the millennial kingdom period, however, the Church not only wants the heavenly blessings given to it, but it also claims what belongs to Israel, their earthly inheritance also. God gave certain and distinctive qualities and assignments to the nation of Israel that are very different from the qualities and assignments to the Church. That being said, there are, however, some principles that are commonly known and experienced by both Israel and the Church. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. (Romans 10:12)
For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us. (2 Corinthians 1:20)
Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers: (Romans 15:8) And that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy; as it is written, For this cause I will confess to thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto thy name. (Romans 15:9)
That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel: (Ephesians 3:6)
And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise. (Galatians 3:29)
The Church has a distinctly different view and service than Israel. The problem is that they both fell short of their inheritance because of their unbelief. Adam was cast out of paradise because of unbelief. Israel wandered in the wilderness for forty years because of unbelief. The nation of Israel was severed in half because of unbelief. The nation of Judah went into the Babylonian captivity because of unbelief. The Jewish people lost what little that remained of their nation under Rome because of their unbelief in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Religionists brought into Church thought and doctrine the things that were specifically given to Israel. Romans 9:4, Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises. Their adoption (Exodus 4:22). Their glory (1 Samuel 4:21; Psalm 26:8). Their covenants (Genesis 17:2). The Law (Exodus 24:12). The Service of God (Numbers 18:7). The promises (Genesis 12:1 -3).
Man (the religious man) is not satisfied with the Spirit of God to lead. He must be the one to lead. Man (the religious man) is not satisfied with the work of the Spirit of God, nor the Priesthood of Christ, he must form another priesthood designed after the worldly priesthood of Israel. Then verily the first covenant had also ordinances of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary. (Hebrews 9:1) (It was worldly because it was not eternal, and it was only meant as a temporary place for God to dwell among His people). Man (religious man) is not satisfied with God’s description of worship in John 4:24, God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth, because he cannot understand the Spirit of God because he has not the Spirit of God. The religious man, therefore, cannot worship in Spirit and in truth. Form, ceremony, and law become service to the religionist. And as for the promises of God, the religionist makes claim to what he only understands: money, physical accomplishments, and material possessions become the promises of God. Let us return to David and Goliath — Whose son art thou?
  And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots: (Isaiah 11:1) Look again carefully at this verse, two things stand out, that which is seen a ‘stem,’ and that which is not seen ‘roots.’ One is of the realm of the seen and the other is of the unseen realm. From the seen we have a rod (that which strikes and protects). The word ‘stem’ is only found in this verse of Isaiah 11:1. A stem grows from life fed from a source of life, it proceeds and springs forth in renewed strength and vigor because within itself is life. For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself. (John 5:26) Another jewel in the Bible treasure box . . . connects the dots . . . Jesse means ‘strong, firm,’ ‘to exist as an entity with substance,’ ‘of him who is,’ he who is everlasting, immutable, the great I AM, the Father hath life in himself; gives to the Son ‘the stem’ to have life in himself. Read all of Isaiah Chapter 11 to see more of the depth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, especially verse 2, And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD. The challenge to anyone who writes about the Bible comes at this point where there is so much more to write about, and yet, to do so will only lead away from the very title of the article itself. David and Goliath — Whose son art thou? — is the subject matter, but (and I repeat) Why is this important? I mean, really, who cares who David’s father was. What has this to do with the battle scene in Chapter 17 against the giant Goliath? Whose son art thou? has everything to do with this particular conflict between Goliath and David.
  The names of the father of Goliath and his other brothers are NEVER mentioned in Scripture. We began this study with the names of actual giants, and as we progressed we learned about more and more giants AND their names; however, with this last battle of this particular giant named Goliath we have all the names of his brothers, BUT never do we read of the name of their father. This entire family fought and was killed in their fight against one man, the man called David. David was the hated target because he was the man chosen by God to be king over Israel. David was chosen by God to not only be His king, but from the stem of David would come the King, and what a King, a King of Kings, and Lord of Lords. This stem, this Branch, this Root of Jesse, would become the Savior sent to redeem the world.
  The genealogy of David is very interesting because his ancestors were not only Hebrews, but he also had a Gentile harlot (Rahab a Canaanitess) and a Gentile Moabitess (Ruth) in his lineage. Although David, the man of earth history1 spanned these two different worlds, yet, God chose David as His anointed king over His nation Israel. Yes, God separates evil from good. He is the great Separator and He is the great Unifier. Scripture is very clear on the promises of God in blessing the Gentiles in the promises to Abraham through the Seed of promise and the promise of a Redeemer. All of God’s blessings and redemptive power are based on the promises of God where Gentile and Jew become united together in the purpose and plan of God. United and yet each with a particular position, function and place, both serve God in the millennial kingdom and in the eternal realm.
SIDE NOTE: Mankind divides, separates, and creates schisms. Religion divides Christians from Christians. Politics separates money from the pockets of workers to the pockets of the politicians. Academia creates seekers of revolution from searchers of knowledge. Separation is more than ‘divide and conquer,’ it is now ‘divide and destroy.’
The unnamed father of Goliath is unnamed because names alone cannot fully describe his insane hatred for God. Mankind has finally arrived at his end state: insanity. In his quest to be ‘as gods,’ he has regressed to the lowest stage of intelligence and behavior. How can I say this knowing that there are a lot of very highly intelligent people in this world? I say this because it is true. There are more of the insane, and regressive behavior in the lower range of I.Q. individuals than there are of their opposites. How do I know? This is an easy answer . . . those who actually believe all what they hear and see on their televisions, computers, and through written propaganda prove that evolution is a lie. These people have never evolved even from an amoeba, they are still one cell creatures of self and unable to progress and function in a harmonious society.
  Now that my rant is over . . . let us return to what I have previously written: All of God’s blessings and redemptive power are based on the promises of God where Gentile and Jew become united together in the purpose and plan of God.
For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. (Galatians 3:26) For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.(Galatians 3:27) There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. (Galatians 3:28) And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise. (Galatians 3:29)
  The crux of the unification that the Holy Spirit of God writes about (by Paul) in Galatians 3:26 – 29 is the sum and substance of the very root of Scripture: Christ, the Son of God, the Son of man, the Son of David, the promised Seed, the promised Redeemer. For ye are all one in Christ Jesus . . . it is by faith in Christ Jesus that we are the children of God, and if ye be Christ’s and the children of God then there is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. HE is the crux, HE is the foundation, HE is the essence, HE is the root, and the offspring of ALL that is. The battle, David’s battle, and our battle are ALL centered around Christ. It is all connected. And it connects and centers around and in the Valley of Elah.
——♦——
The Oak
The Valley of Elah
  This battle in the valley of Elah was more than a type of a future battle to come, but it was an example of, and represented ALL the battles that mankind has ever and will ever engage in. Some say that it is the battle between evil and good (which is correct), but maybe this statement needs to be expanded. The source of all evil is Satan, and the source of all good is God; consequently, the battle is between Satan and God, and mankind is not only a pawn, and a victim from the strategy of Satan, but from God’s side man is to be the victor and the recipient of wealth and untold bounty — life eternal, but only if he is willing to receive what Adam willingly threw away. Life eternal is the prize, what man (Adam) willingly gave away, God restores that which he took not away. They that hate me without a cause are more than the hairs of mine head: they that would destroy me, being mine enemies wrongfully, are mighty: then I restored that which I took not away. (Psalm 69:4)
  God has (through type) shown us our battle, and through type He has shown us the visible enemy and the unseen enemy. But what else has God shown us (through type) about our battle through this battle of David and Goliath?
And Saul and the men of Israel were gathered together, and pitched by the valley of Elah, and set the battle in array against the Philistines. (1 Samuel 17:2)
Now Saul, and they, and all the men of Israel, [were] in the valley of Elah, fighting with the Philistines. (1 Samuel 17:9)
And the priest said, The sword of Goliath the Philistine, whom thou slewest in the valley of Elah, behold, it [is here] wrapped in a cloth behind the ephod: if thou wilt take that, take [it]: for [there is] no other save that here. And David said, [There is] none like that; give it me. (1 Samuel 21:9)
  Compare verse 2 in 1st Samuel Chapter 17 with verse 9: and pitched by the valley of Elah, and set the battle in array (verse 2) [were] in the valley of Elah, fighting with the Philistines (verse 9). First, they were encamped BY the valley of Elah, and then they WERE IN the valley of Elah, fighting with the Philistines. Before any battle (especially a spiritual battle) there first must be a preparation, sometimes it can be a collective unified gathering for action, and sometimes it can be individuals gathering in full battle dress as in Chapter 6 of Ephesians. You cannot face the enemy unprepared and without the proper defensive and offensive equipment which is the word of God, and the power and righteousness of God.
Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. (Ephesians 6:11)
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. (Ephesians 6:12)
Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. (Ephesians 6:13)
Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; (Ephesians 6:14)
And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; (Ephesians 6:15)
Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. (Ephesians 6:16)
And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: (Ephesians 6:17)　
  Far too many who profess, and profess again, and profess more again to love and know Christ have swords covered over by dust, and pitted with rust. The only time that they touch their rusty sword is to impress others on Sunday. Is there any doubt that ‘professing’ Church goers can easily be overtaken by the toothy, smiley, smooth talking cliché spewing charlatans that have crawled into pulpits with a gospel totally alien to the gospel of Christ?
By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left, (2nd Corinthians 6:7)
(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) (2nd Corinthians 10:4) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; (2nd Corinthians 10:5)
Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. (2nd Timothy 2:3)
  The word ‘Elah’ in Scripture is mentioned 17 times throughout 16 verses in the Old Testament, of these 17 mentions three refer to the valley of Elah and relates directly to this battle between Goliath and David. All the other references deal with men who were named Elah. Also, remember that the 4th king in the history of the division between Israel and Judah was a king by the name of Elah who was the last of his rebellious and evil dynasty.
  The interesting thing about ‘Elah’ is the meaning of the word. Elah means ‘an oak,’ ‘a terebinth’ tree. Of course this takes us back to the first mention of ‘tree’ of the knowledge of good and evil in the book of Genesis, Chapter 2, verse 17. There are many trees mentioned in Scripture and each one has a particular symbolic meaning: the fig, olive, sycamore, cedar, apple, palm, almond and pomegranate trees, and especially the oak tree. Many things happened around ‘oak trees,’ but here again, I cannot allow myself to wander into side meadows. I must STAY ON POINT . . .
  Both armies were preparing for battle. Verse 1 of 1st Samuel Chapter 17 describes the location and encampment of the enemy of Israel, Now the Philistines gathered together their armies to battle, and were gathered together at Shochoh, which belongeth to Judah, and pitched between Shochoh and Azekah, in Ephesdammim; verse 2 describes the armies of Israel and their encampment and location relating to the valley of Elah, Now Saul, and they, and all the men of Israel, [were] in the valley of Elah, fighting with the Philistines. (1 Samuel 17:2) The valley of Elah is the exact location of OUR battle, we are pitched in the valley of the OAK, we are pitched in the valley of the cross of Christ. ALL centers around His sacrificial death on the cross of Christ on the tree stained with divine Royal blood.
For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. (1st Corinthians 1:18)
But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world. (Galatians 6:14)
And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: (Ephesians 2:16)
(For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, [that they are] the enemies of the cross of Christ: (Philippians 3:18)
  The natural man (Adam), the unrepentant man (Adam), is the enemy of the cross of Christ. Conversing with this enemy is very interesting because as long as you talk about good and evil, or about the issues of the day, or even about religious organizations the conversation goes well; however, mention the cross of Christ, His death on the cross, His shed blood on the cross for sin . . . and watch the conversation go south . . . watch the conversation suddenly end abruptly.
Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: (Galatians 3:13)
Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. (1st Peter 2:24)
Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. (Revelation 22:14)
  From the first mention of the tree of life from Genesis 2:9 to the last mention of the tree of life in the book of the Revelation of the Lord Jesus Christ in Revelation Chapter 22, verse 14, we have the beginning of our battle to the victory of the reward of our battle in the tree of life.
And out of the ground made the LORD God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil. (Genesis 2:9)
And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever: (Genesis 3:22)
So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life. (Genesis 3:24)
He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God. (Revelation 2:7)
In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, [was there] the tree of life, which bare twelve [manner of] fruits, [and] yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree [were] for the healing of the nations. (Revelation 22:2)
Blessed [are] they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. (Revelation 22:14)
  Genesis 2:9, and 3:22 signifies that there were two trees involved in the edict of God, but it was specifically stated by the Creator that the only tree that was prohibited was the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: (Genesis 2:16) But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die. (Genesis 2:17) After our first parents chose to disobey God, the other tree, the tree of life, had to be protected from being acquired by fallen mankind. (Imagine mankind living IN sin FOREVER.)
Therefore the LORD God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken. (Genesis 3:23)
So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life. (Genesis 3:24)
  Ever since this first rebellion in Eden mankind has been attempting to achieve everlasting life through any means possible, that is, EXCEPT for the only way possible to receive eternal life and that is through God’s sacrifice in Jesus Christ on the tree of Calvary.
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. (John 14:6)
He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. (John 3:36)
That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. (John 3:15)
And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any [man] pluck them out of my hand. (John 10:28)
In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began; (Titus 1:2)
And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. (1st John 5:11)
And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, [even] in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life. (1st John 5:20)
  The battle has always been and IS in the valley of the oak, the OAK, the tree of life in Eden was totally protected by the tree of death and life at Calvary, and He who died on this tree at Calvary died so that ALL of mankind who have access to life eternal, and live for ever.
  Our battle today is the same battle that David fought against the giant forces of Satan. It is in the same spiritual location in Elah, the valley of the oak, the valley of the tree. The center point of our battle is based on God’s written word and God’s Living Word, in this I mean that, the core point of rebellion and the center point of the attack by the enemies of God, the giants of the line of Cain, have not changed since Cain rebelled against his God and Creator. Mankind has no trouble accepting that Christ as a good man, but that is the problem, He was not merely a good man, but He is God. The other problem of acceptance is that Christ died on a tree to give mankind life. Then we have the main point of contention in that mankind cannot acquire life eternal outside of God’s plan of redemption that man has absolutely no way to influence God by his works, merit, standing, wealth or by his religious affiliations. The Cain syndrome is essentially seen in man placing his accomplishments and achievements as worth something to a righteous and holy God.
  And this is our battle ground: it began at the tree of life and at the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. And out of the ground made the LORD God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil. (Genesis 2:9) We, all mankind, have come full circle (not in the circle of love, but in the circle of rebellion and hatred against a righteous God). This circle spins around the insane desire to be as gods. Our earthly father (Adam) desired to be as god knowing good and evil, and . . . here we are today knowing good and evil, but unable to discern the difference between good and evil. Many say that there is ‘some good’ within all; however, if there is ‘some good’ then there must be ‘some evil.’ It has never been the measure of ‘some good’ that God speaks of, but His measure of evil that determines God’s condemnation and judgment against mankind. Even if you are 99.99% good that would make you .01% evil. Even being 99.99% good you still lose and you still face the judgment of God. Too bad, you lose!
  Adam and Eve, as many others after them, have been duped, tricked, deceived, misled, beguiled, and flimflammed into believing the great deception, Ye shall not surely die, and that you can achieve heaven and life eternal on your own merits and in your own way. And not only this deception, but that greater self deception is ye shall be as gods.
  The battle in type was real, and the battle of the type is also very real because it is the attack against the central hub of the plan of God, and that is Christ’s sacrificial death on the tree of Calvary for the very withered soul of mankind.
For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; (Ephesians 2:14) Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; (Ephesians 2:15) And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: (Ephesians 2:16)
  We often hear of the battle for the soul of a nation, (which at this particular time that I am writing this is very real) as we watch stunned by the organizations hiding in the darkness and feeding the flames of a Marxist takeover of a nation built on law and order, and on the freedom to worship God. Here is a perfect time to not only see, but to understand how the unnamed father of Goliath hides in the darkness of anonymity (known but not acknowledged by his followers). Of course, the unnamed father of Goliath was/is Satan, as the unnamed father of all rebellious acts of sin and hatred is Satan. Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. (John 8:44)
  In Goliath we have the evil seed, and in David we have the good seed. The evil seed  continues on into our time line, but not as easily seen, nor as easily recognized as the giants like Goliath, but they hide themselves as ‘just men in robes of justice;’ as ‘religious men of the cloth, but clothed in guile;’ as ‘professors of learning, but teaching fanatic rebellion;’ as ‘reporters who create news instead of reporting news;’ as ‘wealth creators instead of what they really are — wealth stealers.’ The giants are well versed in masking themselves. They wear masks because they are murderers and robbers. They steal justice, they steal men, they steal minds, they steal nations, they steal wealth, they steal truth, and they steal the words of God. Therefore, behold, I am against the prophets, saith the LORD, that steal my words every one from his neighbour. (Jeremiah 23:30)
Then the LORD said unto me, The prophets prophesy lies in my name: I sent them not, neither have I commanded them, neither spake unto them: they prophesy unto you a false vision and divination, and a thing of nought, and the deceit of their heart. (Jeremiah 14:14) Therefore thus saith the LORD concerning the prophets that prophesy in my name, and I sent them not, yet they say, Sword and famine shall not be in this land; By sword and famine shall those prophets be consumed. (Jeremiah 14:15)
  Always remember that our battle is on the ground and in the valley of Elah. This is where we stand  and this is where we are grounded (at the cross). Let us see where the enemy stands and where he is grounded, and where he attacks from. Let’s return to the battle field in 1st Samuel, Chapter 17, verse 1.
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Now the Philistines gathered together their armies to battle, and were gathered together at Shochoh, which belongeth to Judah, and pitched between Shochoh and Azekah, in Ephesdammim.
  The Holy Spirit of God sets the battle field and the landscape of this battle in verses 1 and 2. We have already discussed the valley of Elah in verse 2; therefore, let us look at verse 1 to get another view of where the armies gathered together to battle. What will God show us in this verse? At this point, I do not know where God is leading, but this is not unusual! Verse 1 sets the encampment of the enemy, the Philistines, and verse 2 sets the encampment of the men of Israel. Let us look closer at the location of the camp of Goliath and the forces of evil. The first thing that I noticed was that the enemy had encroached on Israel’s territory: Judah.
  Now the Philistines gathered together their armies to battle, and were gathered together at Shochoh, which belongeth to Judah, and pitched between Shochoh and Azekah, in Ephesdammim. I am not surprised because our enemy always encroaches on the things of God, the land of Praise. Judah means, ‘he shall be praised.’ It’s like a magnet that draws the haters of God to seek ways to possess and to control the land of Praise. Our celebration of Praise has long ago been infiltrated by seemingly harmless smiling professors of truth only there to undo the truth and to replace the Spirit of God with the spirit of man. This has not only happened recently, or even within the last 100 years, but it began at the very beginning of Church history. The book of Acts is full of these deceivers. Paul named names, and continually warned them (and us) of the masked invaders into the home churches, and into their worship meetings. BUT, too many Bible followers have become brain dead to the very words of warning in their Bibles. And those who are not brain dead instead refuse to see or to admit to the ruination of their own comfortable social surroundings of their church. Worship has been redefined and replaced, and godly spiritual fellowship centered only around God, His written word and His Living Word, Christ, to encourage and to instruct have been replaced with another redefined meaning of fellowship. From personal experience, I was once invited to ‘fellowship’ with a church group that I knew of. Once again, my mouth preceded my brain, my reply was ‘If I wanted your kind of fellowship I would go sit on a bus.’ Fellowship has not only been redefined, but it has actually been stolen. Pleasant conversation in a pleasant atmosphere is not fellowship. Mingling socially is NOT Christian fellowship. Common interest is not Christian fellowship when Christ is not the center. To those who see, and understand that the collective Church is not faithful or true to God and to His Living and written word, they ask, as Simon Peter asked in John 6:68, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.
  The early Christians (before collective gatherings) knew that the One who saved them also KEPT them, and TAUGHT them. Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. (Revelation 3:20) Searching for another collective gathering, or another ‘better’ church is not the answer. Go to Revelation Chapter 3, and look at the description of your church according to the last corrupt church in Scripture: the church of the Laodiceans. If you want to be an Overcomer, then act like one. Turn not to another corrupt church, but RETURN to the One who saved you. RETURN to the Person of Christ.
  I have taken issue this very week with weak citizens who have become soft in their moral discussions, and in their weakness, afraid to verbally counter the culture of the political insanity within their own children and family. Speaking from experience, I know that every time that you make a strong stand for good. The enemy will slap you hard. So much more for the Christian, but notice something important about the word that God the Holy Spirit used in Scripture: ‘overcome,’ and ‘overcometh.’ These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.(John 16:33)
I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him [that is] from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father. (1st John 2:13) I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him [that is] from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one. (1st John 2:14)
Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. (1st John 4:4)
For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, [even] our faith. (1st John 5:4) Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God? (1st John 5:5)
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Now the Philistines gathered together their armies to battle, and were gathered together at Shochoh, which belongeth to Judah, and pitched between Shochoh and Azekah, in Ephesdammim.
  The Spirit of God through the battlefield in 1st Samuel, Chapter 17, informs us that our enemy is gathered together in our territory, the territory of Praise. Notice that the phrase ‘gathered together’ is used two times. Our enemy is unified together to separate us from each other, and to separate us from our God. They are united to cause the children of God, the sons of God, to become disunited.
Now the Philistines gathered together their armies to battle, and were gathered together at Shochoh, which belongeth to Judah, and pitched between Shochoh and Azekah, in Ephesdammim.
  Where did the enemy of Israel and the enemy of God gather together? Where did they ‘pitched,’ set up, erected, and set their tent nails deep into the ground? And finally, where did they not go to, but where did they go IN? Curious? Yes, so am I. Let us look at the meaning of the names of Shochoh, Azekah, and Ephesdammin. They didn’t pitch in Shochoh or Azekah, but they pitched IN Ephesdammin. Why did the Spirit of God mention Shochoh and Azekah? The Philistines gathered at Shochoh, and from there they pitched in Ephesdammin which was between Shochoh and Azekah. Do you have the geographical locations in your minds, now let us look further into the mind of the Spirit of God and what He is showing us. Always try to remember that the battles that Israel fought and that they are STILL fighting today are not the same battles that the Christian fights, however, we can learn much, and we can apply the lessons that we see in the Old Testament.
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: (2 Timothy 3:16) For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. (Romans 15:4)
  Shochoh means ‘his hedge,’ ‘his branch.’ Azekah means ‘fenced round,’ ‘dug over,’ or ‘tilled.’ Ephesdammim means ‘limit of bloods,’ or ‘boundary of blood,’ and ‘’an end / no further’ (especially of the earth). Ephesdammim is also rooted in the name of Adam, as in ‘red or ‘ruddy,’ as in red in the face, or blood in the face. Shochoh, Azekah, and Ephesdammim were all towns or communities in Judah populated with the citizens and people of Judah. These communities were not located in the territory of the enemies of Judah, but the enemies of Judah, the enemies of the people of God (in type the Philistines) gathered together unhindered and unchecked into God’s land of promise. This was God’s territory, and a land set aside by God specifically for His people. And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel. (Exodus 19:6) And it shall be when the LORD shall bring thee into the land of the Canaanites, as he sware unto thee and to thy fathers, and shall give it thee. (Exodus 13:11) I could quote verses where God the Holy Spirit condemns the seven groups of people who were in the land of His promise because of their total depravity, but I offer you only the following verse in Deuteronomy 7:1, When the LORD thy God shall bring thee into the land whither thou goest to possess it, and hath cast out many nations before thee, the Hittites, and the Girgashites, and the Amorites, and the Canaanites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites, seven nations greater and mightier than thou.
  Instead let us look at the hearts and minds of those who refuse to acknowledge the Sovereignty of God. Israel’s enemies have always challenged the people of God, and made claim on what God had given to them. God took this land away from the Canaanites. Mankind falsely believes that he owns the earth that he owns the land that he stands on. We all know that you only ‘rent’ the land that you have built on, stop paying the ‘rent,’ or the taxes on ‘your’ land and see how quickly you will be evicted from ‘your’ land. Mankind also falsely believes that the previous land sitters have a claim over land as if land has a genealogy. You may believe that your homestead is yours, but it is not. You can name ‘your’ land after ‘your’ name or after your fathers name, but everything is transitory. Their inward thought is, that their houses shall continue for ever, and their dwelling places to all generations; they call their lands after their own names. (Psalm 49:11) Today (2020) Israel is still fighting over her God given territorial rights against the giants of perpetual victimization, also known as professional refugeeism.
  To those who wish to argue over the ownership of the land of Israel, God is the original owner, for He created the world . . . go argue with God. <<A Psalm of David.>> The earth is the LORD’S, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein. (Psalm 24:1)
  The battle as recorded in 1st Samuel connects to the present age in Israel’s fight for her territory by the delusions of the enemies of God. Shochoh ‘his hedge,’ ‘his branch,’ and Azekah ‘fenced round,’ ‘dug over,’ and ‘tilled’ clearly describes God’s work with Israel and in Israel. Shochoh is HIS hedge, HIS branch, ‘fenced round,’ ‘dug over,’ and ‘tilled’ shows that the purpose of God was to create a people (a nation) set apart from every other nation on this planet: a special people, a holy people, dedicated to His glory and called ‘A Prince with God,’ Israel. For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God: the LORD thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth. (Deuteronomy 7:6) The law of worship placed a hedge around Israel. And do not forget HIS BRANCH, also note the word in the meaning of Shochoh: ‘his hedge, his branch,’ Jehovah has always been a Jealous God, especially regarding HIS nation Israel. Did you know that one of the names of God is JEALOUS?
SIDE NOTE: A JEALOUS GOD Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God [am] a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth [generation] of them that hate me; (Exodus 20:5)
For thou shalt worship no other god: for the LORD, whose name [is] Jealous, [is] a jealous God: (Exodus 34:14)
For the LORD thy God [is] a consuming fire, [even] a jealous God. (Deuteronomy 4:24)
(For the LORD thy God [is] a jealous God among you) lest the anger of the LORD thy God be kindled against thee, and destroy thee from off the face of the earth. (Deuteronomy 6:15)
Then beware lest thou forget the LORD, which brought thee forth out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage. (Deuteronomy 6:12)Â Thou shalt fear the LORD thy God, and serve him, and shalt swear by his name. (Deuteronomy 6:13)Â Ye shall not go after other gods, of the gods of the people which are round about you; (Deuteronomy 6:14)Â (For the LORD thy God is a jealous God among you) lest the anger of the LORD thy God be kindled against thee, and destroy thee from off the face of the earth. (Deuteronomy 6:15)
Then will the LORD be jealous for his land, and pity his people. (Joel 2:18)
God [is] jealous, and the LORD revengeth; the LORD revengeth, and [is] furious; the LORD will take vengeance on his adversaries, and he reserveth [wrath] for his enemies. (Nahum 1:2)
So the angel that communed with me said unto me, Cry thou, saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; I am jealous for Jerusalem and for Zion with a great jealousy. (Zechariah 1:14)
Thus saith the LORD of hosts; I was jealous for Zion with great jealousy, and I was jealous for her with great fury. (Zechariah 8:2)
Since God is a JEALOUS GOD all should understand that His great jealousy particularly was AGAINST His very own nation. Israel was never exempt from the actions of God in judgment against their apostasy. This also holds true for the Christian, and for the Church. All sons of God should serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear for our God is a consuming fire.
To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, (Hebrews 12:23)Â And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel. (Hebrews 12:24)Â See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven: (Hebrews 12:25)Â Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven. (Hebrews 12:26)Â And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain. (Hebrews 12:27)Â Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: (Hebrews 12:28)Â Â For our God is a consuming fire. (Hebrews 12:29)
SIDE NOTE: The BRANCH, Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth. (Jeremiah 23:5)
In those days, and at that time, will I cause the Branch of righteousness to grow up unto David; and he shall execute judgment and righteousness in the land.(Jeremiah 33:15)
Hear now, O Joshua the high priest, thou, and thy fellows that sit before thee: for they [are] men wondered at: for, behold, I will bring forth my servant the BRANCH. (Zechariah 3:8)
And speak unto him, saying, Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, Behold the man whose name [is] The BRANCH; and he shall grow up out of his place, and he shall build the temple of the LORD: (Zechariah 6:12)
  There is still much more that we can learn from Shochoh and from Azekah; however, let us move on to Ephesdammim which means ‘limit of bloods,’ or ‘boundary of blood,’ and ‘an end/no further’ (especially of the earth). Ephesdammim is also rooted in the name of Adam, as in ‘red’ or ‘ruddy,’ as in red in the face, or blood in the face. This place Ephesdammim is where the enemy pitched IN. Israel’s enemy (in type) and our enemy (the enemy of the Christian) can discern clearly the heart and center of the great conflict — BLOOD!
  From Israel’s view, Ephesdammim, represented what constituted the very existence of the nation. Before Israel became a nation, it was set free from the bondage of Egypt by BLOOD, the blood of the unblemished lamb, the passover.
Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year: ye shall take it out from the sheep, or from the goats: (Exodus 12:5)Â And ye shall keep it up until the fourteenth day of the same month: and the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it in the evening. (Exodus 12:6)Â And they shall take of the blood, and strike it on the two side posts and on the upper door post of the houses, wherein they shall eat it. (Exodus 12:7)
And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt. (Exodus 12:13)Â And this day shall be unto you for a memorial; and ye shall keep it a feast to the LORD throughout your generations; ye shall keep it a feast by an ordinance for ever. (Exodus 12:14)
  Then later as the nation camped under mount Sinai, they were joined together with God in a blood covenant. As a nation they entered into a blood covenant with their God and Creator, and they said, All that the LORD hath said will we do, and be obedient. This was their side of this blood covenant to obey God in all that He said for them to do.
And Moses took half of the blood, and put it in basons; and half of the blood he sprinkled on the altar. (Exodus 24:6)Â And he took the book of the covenant, and read in the audience of the people: and they said, All that the LORD hath said will we do, and be obedient.(Exodus 24:7)Â And Moses took the blood, and sprinkled it on the people, and said, Behold the blood of the covenant, which the LORD hath made with you concerning all these words. (Exodus 24:8)
  Ephesdammim not only represented the nation of Israel, but it also encompassed all the people of Israel throughout the time frame of human history that the Jewish nation is bound to their sovereign God through a blood covenant, a treaty signed with blood, an agreement to obey God and witnessed and signed with BLOOD. This is the ultimate of all covenants. God could go no further than an agreement with His nation than His agreement written in BLOOD, except for one major point, His side of the agreement had to be sealed with DIVINE BLOOD — HIS BLOOD.
Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. (Acts 20:28)
And Isaac spake unto Abraham his father, and said, My father: and he said, Here am I, my son. And he said, Behold the fire and the wood: but where is the lamb for a burnt offering? (Genesis 22:7) And Abraham said, My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering: so they went both of them together. (Genesis 22:8)
  The following verses in Hebrews Chapter 10, verses 26 – 29 unfolds to us that we, those who have received the knowledge of the truth, acknowledge and accept the truth that the blood of the covenant in the blood of the Son of God shed for us should not think of this as a light thing. Those who despised Moses’ law died without mercy under two or three witnesses, is a warning, a great warning, not to light-mindedly regard the blood of the Son of God in His sacrifice as being an unholy thing. To esteem His blood sacrifice as mundane is to spit into the face of God, and to contemptuously despise the Spirit of grace.
For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, (Hebrews 10:26)Â But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. (Hebrews 10:27)Â He that despised Moses’ law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: (Hebrews 10:28) Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? (Hebrews 10:29)
  In the effort to draw a younger crowd into the professing church, the emphasis has been on entertainment, sound systems, stage performances, and what I call ‘Let’s Party Time.’ They may call it ‘celebration,’ but BEWARE . . . do not tread under foot the Son of God, and esteem the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, as an unholy thing. God is much more than ‘your friend,’ or ‘brother,’ HE IS YOUR GOD AND CREATOR! There is a time and a place for worship, and there is a time and a place for gospel outreach, do not confuse worship with gospel because worship is for the redeemed, and gospel is for the unsaved.
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Now the Philistines gathered together their armies to battle, and were gathered together at Shochoh, which belongeth to Judah, and pitched between Shochoh and Azekah, in Ephesdammim.
  There is where the Philistines and Goliath camped: IN Judah, the place of PRAISE; in Ephesdammim, protected with the boundary of BLOOD; situated between HIS hedge, Shochoh, WORSHIP in His Sanctuary; and Azekah, tilled through His LAW.
  Although the Philistines camped there and set their tents there with the intent to destroy Israel and to finally lay claim to the land, they failed. From Romans 9:4, we see that which pertained to Israel had already previously been overcome. Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises. Their adoption (Exodus 4:22). Their glory (1 Samuel 4:21; Psalm 26:8). Their covenants (Genesis 17:2).The Law (Exodus 24:12). The Service of God (Numbers 18:7). The promises (Genesis 12:1 -3). Their GLORY had departed. Their Service to God by the Aaronic priesthood was no more, for the last authorized priest was Eli (at his end he was a blind priest). Samuel was chosen of God to stand as prophet and to judge Israel, but he was not a priest according to the law of the service of priests. The Law according to the commandments of God by Moses had been relinquished for a king (1 Samuel 8:6,7). And because Israel no longer had a priesthood, the blood sacrifices and the blood covenant were no longer honored by the people. Their entire history and birth began with the blood of redemption, and they no longer were able to worship according to God’s institution of blood redemption.
  Their GLORY was gone, their SACRIFICES were gone, their PRIESTHOOD was gone, their WORSHIP center (the tabernacle) was gone, their LAW had been nullified and replaced by governmental decrees, their ADOPTION (Thus saith the LORD, Israel is my son, even my firstborn) had been rejected, the PROMISES of God has been ignored, and they themselves broke their BLOOD COVENANT with God. Through their sinful corrupt state Israel had lost it all, except for one thing, they still possessed the land, but barely! The battle in the Valley of Elah was to be Israel’s defining moment where Judah would be taken over by the enemy of Israel: the Philistines and their Champion Goliath.
  This battle between David and Goliath was much more than a battle against God’s designated land. It was against God’s anointed king, David, the son of Jesse.
Why did Goliath lose this battle, and why did David win? As it is said, It is all in the ‘genes.’ — Whose son art thou? — The key to every spiritual battle is — Whose son art thou?
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— Whose son art thou? —
And Saul said to him, Whose son art thou, thou young man? And David answered, I am the son of thy servant Jesse the Bethlehemite. (1 Samuel 17:58)
  ‘Beloved’ is the meaning of the name of David, and the name of Jesse means ‘strong, firm,’ ‘to exist as an entity with substance,’ and ‘of him who is,’ and in ‘of him who is’ also contains a meaning of a ‘lasting existence,’ from the resident of one who lives in Bethlehem ‘the house of bread.’ Do I have to spell this out? Jesse is a type of Jehovah, the Godhead bodily, the great I AM, the preexistent One, The ‘of him who is.’
  The Spirit of God does not write cryptically. He desires to be unmistakably clear; however, He also desires that those who seek to know more of the ‘holy’ SEARCH the SCRIPTURES. Jesus said, Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. (John 5:39) The treasures of Scriptures are in veins of typology, symbolism, meaning of names, and in numerical sequences. Bible study is not for the lazy. And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. (Luke 24:44) Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, (Luke 24:45) HE (the Spirit of truth) opens the understanding of the Scriptures. Bible study is not for the lazy, it is for those who diligently seek Him.
But without faith [it is] impossible to please [him]: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and [that] he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. (Hebrews 11:6)
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding. (Proverbs 9:10)
  Whose son art thou, thou young man? And David (BELOVED) answered, I am the son of thy servant Jesse (of him who is) the Bethlehemite (the provider of bread). In partial type David, the beloved of God, represents the divine Beloved Son of God, the Lord Jesus Christ. As servant, as a king anointed with the horn of oil (contrast this anointing of Saul with the vial of oil) David (also in type) is seen prophetically in Ezekiel Chapter 34:23, 24 and in 37:24, 25 as the Beloved king during the millennial kingdom.
  The genealogy in the first verse in the New Testament (Matthew 1:1) begins the generation of Jesus Christ not with Abraham, but it begins with David: Jesus Christ as the son of David. The nation of Israel waited in anticipation of the promise of a Messiah (an anointed One, the Christ) a king to come to lead them into an age of unbounded blessings; therefore, when the Lord Jesus Christ demonstrated the wisdom and power of God, the people recognized Him as the Son of David. Many, as Nicodemus, knew that Christ had been sent of God, but they could not grasp that He was the manifestation of God, and the express image of His Person. They saw Him as the Son of David, a king, but not THE KING.
  Many times during the Lord’s ministry He attempted to instruct His creatures to the things of heaven, but their minds were rooted and buried only in the things of earth and they could not (as many today cannot) understand the things of heaven. As Jesus told Nicodemus in John 3:12, If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things? With this in mind consider the following verses in Matthew Chapter 22, verses 41 – 46 (this is also mentioned in Mark and Luke, but NOT in the gospel of John.
While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them, (Matthew 22:41) Saying, What think ye of Christ? whose son is he? They say unto him, The Son of David. (Matthew 22:42) He saith unto them, How then doth David in spirit call him Lord, saying, (Matthew 22:43) The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool? (Matthew 22:44)
<<A Psalm of David.>> The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool. (Psalm 110:1)Â Consider these references: Psalm 45:6 – 7; Acts: 2:34; Hebrews 1:13; 1st Peter 3:22
If David then call him Lord, how is he his son? (Matthew 22:45) And no man was able to answer him a word, neither durst any man from that day forth ask him any more questions. (Matthew 22:46)
  Christ was the root and stem of David: Christ was David’s LORD and his son. And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots: (Isaiah 11:1) And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and his rest shall be glorious. (Isaiah 11:10)
  The crux of all issues of life and death is in the answer to this question that the Lord Jesus Christ asked, What think ye of Christ? whose son is he? Seven times in the New Testament, God the Father calls the Lord Jesus Christ, my beloved Son.
And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. (Matthew 3:17)
While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him. (Matthew 17:5)
And there came a voice from heaven, [saying], Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. (Mark 1:11)
And there was a cloud that overshadowed them: and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him. (Mark 9:7)
And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased. (Luke 3:22)
And there came a voice out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him. (Luke 9:35)
For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. (2 Peter 1:17)
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—What think ye of Christ? whose son is he? —
  How you reply to this question determines your life and your eternity. The Lord Jesus asked Peter in Matthew 16:15, But whom say ye that I am? Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. While sta nding at the foot of the cross of Christ, the Jews stated that Christ had said that He was the Son of God.
  Likewise also the chief priests mocking him, with the scribes and elders, said, (Matthew 27:41) He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him. (Matthew 27:42) He trusted in God; let him deliver him now, if he will have him: for he said, I am the Son of God. (Matthew 27:43) Those who demanded that Christ be killed by Rome clearly understood all that Christ Jesus had said to them. They knew then that Christ was the manifested and express image of God. They KNEW, and yet they rejected their God and their Creator. This is not a light thing, but you also must accept or reject the beloved Son of God, Jesus Christ. What think ye of Christ? whose son is he?
  The battle in the Valley of Elah in the land of Praise between Shochoh and Azekah in Ephesdammim with the Philistines was not only the battle between David and Goliath, but it was and it is between the father of Goliath and the father of David. Whose son art thou determined the victor in the battle between Goliath and David. Whose son art thou determines your battle today, in that your answer determines where you will spend eternity — with Christ or with Satan. Whose son art thou ? . . . .
Footnote
Footnote for this statement from Page 9: ‘Although David, the man of earth history1 spanned these two different worlds, yet, God chose David as His anointed king over His nation Israel.’
1 Mankind will only be noted for being of the earth, he has no future outside of earth history because mankind will never be allowed to share in any history of the eternal heavenly realm. The old race of mankind will be totally replaced by a new race of beings called the sons of God by adoption.
To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. (Galatians 4:5)
And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly. (1 Corinthians 15:49)
Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself. (Philippians 3:21)
Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. (2nd Peter 1:4)
© Copyright 2020, Mary Haigh
Article may be used, but not for gain. Freely ye have received, freely give.
All Scripture references are from the Authorized King James Bible. (KJV)