Wednesday Oct 4, 2023
“When the Philistines were at war again with Israel, David and his servants with him went down and fought against the Philistines; and David grew faint. Then Ishbi-Benob, who was one of the sons of the giant, the weight of whose bronze spear was three hundred shekels, who was bearing a new sword, thought he could kill David. But Abishai the son of Zeruiah came to his aid, and struck the Philistine and killed him..””
II Samuel 21:15-17
I asked God as I usually do to wash me with the water of his word, refresh my mind, and show me Jesus, since the Old Testament is full of Jesus hidden in the stories. As I read this, much stood out to me even in the beginning that pointed to Jesus. The first pointer (no pun intended) was that the spear was made of bronze. Bronze represents “judgement” in the Bible. (Seen in the bronze altars of judgement, and the bronze serpent judged on a cross for instance)
(““Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.”
John 5:24)
I just wanted to put that lovely verse there. Years ago a dear family member of mine who is a believer in Christ once told me they were terrified of the day they were to stand before the throne of judgement. I didn’t have anything to say to them because I didn’t yet know that verse, but now I do, and it gives me so much peace. Once we have believed in Jesus, our judgement is behind us, at the cross. Death is behind us. There is only life ahead. We have already died and passed from death to life. Amen. Anyway, haha, I’m getting distracted.
You’ll see why I’m mentioning all these details at the end. Seeing Jesus in the scriptures will give you a revelation of his heart for you.
Anyway, the enemy was trying to obtain the victory by piercing David with a bronze spear weighing 300 shekels. In the Bible, 300 is a number representing victory, used in 1 Kings 10 with the 300 golden shields, as well as Judges 7 when God reduced Gideon’s army to 300 men for the victory over the Midianites.
The enemy thought he could kill David, but Abishai the son of Zeruiah came to his aid. Seeing hints of Jesus here, I looked up the name Abishai and it means “Gift of God”. Ooh! Even more. Ishbi-Benob means “taking captive.” Zeruiah means “pain or tribulation of the Lord”. I’m immediately reminded of the cross, that Jesus suffered so we wouldn’t have to, and put God's law, which previously judged us for our sins, to death in his own flesh (Ephesians 2:15-16). Put all these meanings together in light of Christ, and you get this wonderful message-
“The enemy seeks to take you captive, and attempts to win the victory over you with a spear of judgement (judging you for your sins). He thinks he can kill you with it, but the Gift of God, Jesus Christ the Lord- out of His pain and tribulation (at the cross), He has come to your aid. He has struck the enemy and killed him.”
Hallelujah! (I felt like saying hallelujah. Seemed right.) This made me so excited. Whatever you are going through, no matter what it may be, Jesus has defeated every enemy that is against you at the cross. He always comes to your aid, especially when you are feeling tired.
..alright. I just realized I'm writing this at 2:30 am so, time for me to go to bed. Hope you enjoyed expounding from the scriptures with me things about Jesus like he did on the Emmaus road. Also the picture posted here is from a cool river I found the other day and it happens to have the verse mentioned in this article highlighted so I thought it was fitting. :)
“..thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
I Corinthians 15:57