We see Jesus,
who was made a little lower than the angels
for the suffering of death,
crowned with glory and honour.
Hebrews 2:9
On Tuesday and Friday evenings we have been looking into the word via ZOOM. The time is 6PM Pacific time. For those joining by phone, call 877-853-5247.
The meeting ID is 960 5944 1385. No passcode is needed. We will begin about 5:30 PM Pacific time for those who might want to chat before the meeting.
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Philistines and the Due Order
The Philistines once attempted to conquer Egypt but were unable and were eventually forced to settle in the south of the promised land. They did not go through the Red Sea. They knew nothing of the power of redemption. They knew nothing of the lessons of the wilderness. They knew nothing of the brazen serpent. They never fed on the manna. And they knew nothing of the passing of the Jordan. Yet they were in the land, even as far as Bethlehem, the house of God.
The Philistines represent a religious people without Christ. Today their character is found in 2 Timothy 3. Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof.
In the book of Judges the Philistines were the last enemy of Israel. The Philistine character is the enemy that the church faces today.
At one time the Philistines captured the ark and then returned it on a new cart. David had right thoughts about the ark and desired for it to be in its rightful place. He sought with the people to bring it up as recorded in 1 Chronicles 13. But he made an awful mistake. He put it on a new cart. Where did he get that idea? From the Philistines.
You never find the Philistines carrying the ark of God. Religious man can never carry the testimony of the person and work of Christ. David copied their methods and the result was disastrous. He had to learn simple submission and obedience to the revealed mind of God.
In chapter 15 he once again seeks to bring up the ark and this time he does so according to the mind of God. In chapter 14 he learns twice that simple obedience results in victory.
It is refreshing to read in 1Chronicles 15 verses11-13, “And David called for Zadok and Abiathar the priests, and for the Levites, for Uriel, Asaiah, and Joel, Shemaiah, and Eliel, and Amminadab, And said unto them, Ye are the chief of the fathers of the Levites: sanctify yourselves, both ye and your brethren, that ye may bring up the ark of the LORD God of Israel unto the place that I have prepared for it. For because ye did it not at the first, the LORD our God made a breach upon us, for that we sought him not after the due order.”
How much in Christendom today is ideas of religious man without God? How much is copied from the Philistines and not according to the due order found in the word of God? When David, and those with him, handled the ark according to the due order. God was with them and they prospered.
It is not always easy to function according to the word of God, but it is not impossible.
In 2 Samuel 23 we see some of David’s mighty men. They loved David and were faithful to him. They give us a picture of what happens when we stand for God and His ways.
Verse 9 and 10 - And after him was Eleazar He arose, and smote the Philistines until his hand was weary, and his hand clave unto the sword: and the LORD wrought a great victory that day.
His hand clave to the sword. It is so important to hold to the word of God. Let none of it slip and add nothing of the ways of the Philistines.
Verse 11 and 12 - And after him was Shammah he stood in the midst of the piece of ground full of lentils, and defended it, and slew the Philistines: and the LORD wrought a great victory.
Though alone, he would not abandon the food that was for God’s people. Spiritual food, that which builds up and sustains.
In 2 Timothy 1 Paul tells Timothy that God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord.
In chapter 2 he says, “Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier. And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully. (that is according to the due order)
In chapter 4 we read, “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.”
And he says, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.
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We hope you found this article interesting. We send out our material to the Lord's people, not in any party spirit but, in the spirit of the one body, seeking that it might be a blessing to all. Other helpful items can be found on our web site WeSeeJesus.com.
May the Lord bless and encourage you to go on in the pathway of faith for His glory.
Yours in the precious name of our Lord Jesus Christ,
Don Lewis