The Remnantনমুনা

The battle lines had been drawn, but the two armies were at a standstill. Israel and Judah gathered on the north side of the valley of Elah and their long-time enemy, the Philistines, were arrayed to the south. For forty days, the Philistines taunted the armies of the living God, who showed up to battle but lacked the courage or the champion to fight for them.

Each side was to choose a man to represent their army. Whoever survived the duel would be the victor, and the other side would be their servants. Israel had yet to find a volunteer, but the Philistines had an ace in their pocket: the nine-and-a-half-foot-tall Goliath. He was a man of war, and he was terrifying.

When the teenage shepherd, David, showed up to deliver fresh cheese and bread to his older brothers, he couldn’t believe his ears. How could his countrymen allow God’s name and reputation to be sullied in such a way? How could they stand by and let this brute carry on like this?

David volunteered to fight the giant. He had experienced God’s faithfulness in battle before, so he gathered a few stones put them in his shepherd’s bag, and approached Goliath. This was not a battle about small versus great, or courage versus fear, this was about God’s name, fame, and ability to save.

David ran toward Goliath, put his hand in his bag, took out a stone, and slung it at the giant. Both armies stood transfixed as the small stone flew through the air and landed squarely between Goliath’s eyes. The giant teetered and then fell down dead. David rushed over to the Philistine, used his own weapon against him, and cut off his head.

David and Goliath by Caravaggio, 1599, Public Domain

Seeing that their victory was secured, a great shout rose up from the men of Israel and Judah, and they pursued and plundered their enemies.

The story of David and Goliath has become synonymous with the story of the underdog. We love to root for the little guy who overcomes great odds to defeat his foes. But is that what we’re supposed to glean from this famous story? Are we to identify with David, or are we someone else in the story? Instead of playing the role of the champion, are we actually the cowardly army waiting in the wings for someone else to fight the battle for us?

David’s victory was imputed (or transferred) to Israel. When he won, they won. This is what Jesus Christ, our Champion, did for us at the cross. He defeated our ultimate foe, Satan, and his victory was imputed to us.

Is Jesus your Champion, or are you looking for another? Don’t try to play the role of the champion; instead, find security in your placement behind your Champion who is the King of kings and Lord of lords. His victory is yours, and therefore, you are more than a conqueror through him who loved you.

Questions to Consider:

1. David was offended by the Philistine's open mockery of God and his people. Are you equally offended when God’s name or his people are mocked and mistreated? How do you respond?
2. Have you ever placed yourself in this story and wondered how you would’ve responded? When you’ve done so, have you ever considered yourself as part of the army waiting in the background instead of being David? How does that make you see this story differently?