FROM THE PULPIT
Ancient Words: Israel —2
Jacob gives us the name
Israel thru his fight with the “stranger” all night at Bethel.
Jacob fought and overcame— he prevailed—and therefore received the name Israel directly from Jehovah, the Lord God of all! Israel first goes into the womb of Egpt, then after 430 years of slavery, Israel emerges strong and mighty. Moses takes them out but Joshua takes them in. The land of milk and honey becomes a reality! Israel must fight to obtain this land and fight they do! David is anointed their king, after a failed attempt by Saul, and David’s success and honor is seen to this day in the Star of David flag—flown by Israel. Israel has prevailed and will continue to prevail even in these last days. The enemy of God was a short definition assigned to the Philistines in the days of David and even before with the Judges and the definition remains accurate as carried forward by the derivative race of today.
God has had an enemy since the days of Adam, the enemy has sought to fight God in every century of man since that time. Today, the fight is real and able to seen and heard by most everyone on this planet. The enemy is dark and black and literally seeks to destroy God by attacking the very land and city which belongs to him. The Great I Am, the Lamb, was born there, lived there, died there, and was resurrected from there—and the enemy seeks to destroy Israel and wipe it from the earth. But—God will prevail—just as the word Israel means—God will prevail, He will overcome!! They will wage war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will overcome them…(Rev 17:14 NIV). Also he (David) built altars in the house of the LORD, whereof the LORD had said, In Jerusalem shall my name be forever. (2Ch 33:4 KJV-BRG)
But when the Philistines heard that they had anointed David king over Israel, all the Philistines came up to seek David; and David heard of it, and went down to the hold. The Philistines also came and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim. And David enquired of the LORD, saying, Shall I go up to the Philistines? wilt thou deliver them into mine hand? And the LORD said unto David, Go up: for I will doubtless deliver the Philistines into thine hand. And David came to Baal-perazim, and David smote them there, and said, The LORD hath broken forth upon mine enemies before me, as the breach of waters. Therefore he called the name of that place Baal-perazim. And there they left their images, and David and his men burned them. And the Philistines came up yet again, and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim. And when David enquired of the LORD, he said, Thou shalt not go up; but fetch a compass behind them, and come upon them over against the mulberry trees. And let it be, when thou hearest the sound of a going in the tops of the mulberry trees, that then thou shalt bestir thyself: for then shall the LORD go out before thee, to smite the host of the Philistines. And David did so, as the LORD had commanded him; and smote the Philistines from Geba until thou come to Gazer. (2Sa 5:17-25 KJV-BRG) (Note: Geba and Gazer are current day Gaza.)
Thus saith the Lord GOD; Because the Philistines have dealt by revenge, and have taken vengeance with a despiteful heart, to destroy it for the old hatred; Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will stretch out mine hand upon the Philistines, and I will cut off the Cherethims, and destroy the remnant of the sea coast. And I will execute great vengeance upon them with furious rebukes; and they shall know that I am the LORD, when I shall lay my vengeance upon them.
(Eze 25:15-17 KJV-BRG)
Hamas is an extension of Philistia. Hamas seeks to destroy Israel today just as their ancestors, the Philistines, attempted 3,000 years back. God will prevail—it’s in the Name!!
Scott and Jane Johnson minister with East Faulkner Church of Christ and BRG Bible. Bible questions can be sent to brgbible@gmail.com