ON THE VANGUARD

PUT ON THE ARMOR
“Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.”
Ephesians 6:11

It may be safe to say that one of the greatest known accounts within the pages of the Bible is that of David and Goliath. This is such an underdog story. The Hebrew boy named David, who probably is no more than sixteen years old, and no taller than 5’8”, takes on the mammoth giant of over nine feet. Armed with only a slingshot and five rocks, the boy pegs the giant in the forehead and the battle is over. Rejoicing flood the Israeli camp and the army rushes to advance on the Philistines. That is the story, right? Well yes and no. Let us look at a few pieces of this story in detail.
First, opening to I Samuel 17, we read that the battle was set within the Valley of Elah, with the Philistines on one hill and the army of Israel of another hill. The Philistine’s champion warrior, Goliath, had come out each morning for the past forty days (v16) and uttered his words of defilement against the One True God. But why the morning? In Jewish culture, a prayer known as the Shema (Deut 6:4) is spoken each morning. It was Goliath’s plan to interrupt the prayers of the Jews and work early to bring fear and intimation into the hearts of the people. But what is more, Goliath also looked to bring fear into the Israelites based on his appearance. We know he was tall and well built, and based on the size of his armor and weapons we know that little stood in his way. But did you know that even still, for a person to get to Goliath he would first have to get past his armor bearer? In verse 7 we are told of this person.
Going on, however, I feel we need to clear up a few more items about this account. While it is possible that Saul’s offer of his armor to David could be looked at as a nice and caring jester, could it also be that it was part of a hoax? The king was known in battle by his armor, and it was normally the king who led the charge. That said, Saul should have been the one to take on the giant. But he too was fearful. When David came along and felt the spirit on him to take the giant out, Saul found his chance to rally the troops disguising David in his armor. But David passed on the armor. Armed with his staff, sling shot, and five stones, David walked out on the playing field. The five stones had five purposes. It wasn’t that David thought he would miss, it was because Goliath had brothers. Each stone, so to say, had an intended target in each of the brothers’ heads.
David slung his stone and SMACK!, a target was found in Goliath’s head. But the stone did not kill him. The stone only stunned the giant, bringing him to the ground (v49). On Goliath’s body was the armor, but still there was a place where the giant was unprotected. The stone found that place. Yet moreover, the giant left himself unprotected when he defiled the name of God Almighty. And, according to Deuteronomy 15:10 and 17:5, anyone speaking against God and urging the belief of a false god was to be stoned. Coincidence? Probably not. So then, with the stunned giant passed out on the floor, David took Goliath’s sword and finished the job.
So now with perhaps a little clarity on this account let me leave you with this thought. Going back to I Samuel 17:7 we see that the enemy has an armor bearer. The enemy has an armor bearer yet we don’t even wear our armor. Why did David have to take the sword of Goliath? Could it be that the army of Israel did not think this was their lucky day? Verse 24 tells us that they ran in fear when Goliath came out for his normal defilement. King Saul wasn’t even dressed in his armor if so easily he offered it to David. How do we expect to win a battle if we are naked? God has given us armor for a reason. It isn’t supposed to just be hanging in the closet like an old suit or wedding dress. It is to be worn – because the enemy is engaging us constantly. No wonder we are getting beat up like rag dolls. We have no protection. As bluntly and urgently as I can say this, I am saying to you – put on the armor. It is our turn to advance, take out the giant with a stun, and finish him off with a sword.