Saturday, March 6, 2010
Trouble on Steroids
(I Samuel 17:1-14)
“Into every life some rain must fall.” So goes the old saying, assuring us that trouble is the sure inheritance of the human race. Troubles, however, come in different sizes. The daily “mist” of interruptions, delays, and minor frustrations pales in comparison to the periodic hurricanes of job upheaval, serious illness, and unexpected death. Today’s passage records Israel’s confrontation with trouble on steroids.
The Philistines suffered significant losses in their defeat at Michmash (14:31). Unwilling to risk another debilitating military debacle, they engaged Israel in a challenge known as representative battle. Such a battle, not uncommon in the near east, involved opposing sides each choosing a warrior as a representative. The agreement, outlined in verses 8 and 9, is typical of such military arrangements.
The Philistine champion, Goliath of Gath, was formidable indeed! Standing at 9 feet, six inches, he was definitely head and shoulders above the rest. Likely, Goliath was descended from the giant sons of Anak who lived in the southwest corner of Palestine (Joshua 11:22). Whatever his origin, Goliath represented a significant challenge to Israel. To make matters worse, his continual taunting (10) inspired fear in Israel’s fighting forces. Any resolve they had possessed melted away in the presence of the savage Philistine warrior (11).
Israel’s response, however, was unfounded. God had already proven Himself to be Israel’s champion. Perhaps Saul’s instability caused his men to doubt, but God Himself had never failed. In fact, trouble on steroids would provide an opportunity for God to show Himself mighty on the behalf of His people. Say, maybe that’s why you’re facing such monumental problems. Maybe God wants to prove Himself to you!
