David and Goliath Part 4 – The VERBAL Battle 1 Sam 17:41-47

The Good News is Bad News for Goliath! 

Text: 1 Samuel 17:41-47

We noticed that David had some really good news for Saul. He was not to be afraid! The Lord would deliver His people! It was, to some extent – a declaration of Gospel Principles. But have you also noticed that the Gospel is not UNIVERSAL Good News? For those who oppose and reject the Gospel – it is CONDEMNATION! 1st Corinthians 1:18. 2nd Corinthians 2:14. See how this is demonstrated in this part of the story…

1. The Story! V40-43
David ‘drew near to the Philistine.’ And into Goliath’s field of vision comes something he didn’t expect, something that must have caused him to roar with laughter and derision. It was a boy! He DISDAINED this boy, – he curled up his lip and poured scorn upon him. It was scorn, to regard with contempt, to sneer at. He shouted out, ‘Am I a dog…’ That comment started a verbal exchange that will illustrate how the Gospel proclamation will bring great condemnation to this unbeliever. The contrast of the Philistine god with the Lord.

1. The Philistine’s pointless curse. And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. 44 And the Philistine said to David, “Come to me, and I will give your flesh to the birds of the air and the beasts of the field!” But then, what’s the point of cursing someone in the name of a god that does not exist, except as a wooden statue or a piece of stonemasonry? Really, when it came down to it, his god was himself – Self reliance, self confidence, self assurance. And those are false gods, every bit as much as the idols that were propped up in the pagan temples.
2. David’s gospel message. Then David said to the Philistine, David speaks of:-
   1. The MIGHT of the Lord. – His opponent wasn’t a boy with a sling it was THE LORD OF HOSTS! The Hebrew is Jahweh-SABAOTH – “The Lord of Hosts” Isaiah 1:24;   Psalm 46:7 Psalm 34:7 God has all the might and all the power to do exactly what he wills and purposes to do, – he created this world and everything in it, and the armies of angels and men are his, and beside Him, Goliath is no competition.
   2. The MAN of the Lord. I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts. And here’s another interesting point. Very often, the omnipotent God, with all the heavenly host at his disposal uses a human person, even a wee boy, to accomplish his purposes. David came, ‘in the name of the Lord of Hosts!’
   3. The MUTINY against the Lord. whom you have defied. You have defied the living God, – the Creator, the Mighty God. Saul ands all Israel were afraid of the giant – when they ought to have been afraid of disobeying the Lord. Goliath was afraid of no-one, – but he was about to know the terror and the fear of falling into the hands of the Lord, standing before God as a guilty, unforgiven sinner, whose last words mock and to sneer at God and at eternity. What a fearful thing! Just consider that in:- Matthew 10:28 Hebrews 10:31
   4. The MEASURES of the Lord. 46  God’s judgement upon unrepentant sinners is devastating and complete, as Goliath will soon discover…
   5. The MAJESTY of the Lord.
      1. In His Exaltation!that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel.
      2. In His Salvation! 47 Then all this assembly shall know that the Lord does not save with sword and spear;   Psalm 46:9 How then does He save? By grace! Not a proud, arrogant, self confident person like Goliath, but he will save all those who come to him with humility. Psalm 149:4 Luke 18:13-15  
      3. In his Triumph. for the battle is the Lord’s, and He will give you into our hands.

David was dedicating the battle and the victory unto the Lord, even before the physical battle commenced.
How was that gospel message received? We can only assume that it was not at all well received, for the next thing that happened was having heard David’s words the giant rushed at him, to slay him. Confronted with the truth of the Holiness, Omnipotence, Wrath and Majesty of God, the Philistine once again rebels against him, refuses to bow the knee and so seals his destiny, for time and for eternity.

2. The Significance!
The division caused by the gospel. To the sinner who repents and believes the message of the gospel is clear. It is DO NOT FEAR! The love of God has dispelled fear in the Christian. For the one who will reject the Gospel, and remain in arrogant self sufficiency the message is the opposite. BE AFRAID. Be afraid of the future. Be afraid of the day of your departure from this life. Be afraid of Judgement.
The gospel ambassador. God used a boy to deliver his message. An unlikely messenger, yet an ambassador who was chosen, anointed, prepared, able and willing to serve his King, in under the most challenging of circumstances, knowing that the one he served was more than able to care for him.

3. The Saviour!
The Gospel is always about Jesus.  READ: 2 Corinthians 2:14, Now the important phrase here is ‘unto God!’ Now, this ‘sweet smelling savour of Christ’ is not just a refreshing breeze to the world around the true Christian, but is pleasing to God! This is most important to understand. When a Christian proclaims the Gospel, that in and of itself is pleasing to The Lord, even if it is rejected by those who listen.
What a comfort for Godly ministers and preachers and Sunday School teachers and missionaries who have faithfully proclaimed the Gospel, and seen little earthly response. What comfort to know that all of those faithful gospel efforts are owned and blessed by the Lord and are pleasing to Him!

© Bob McEvoy 2014