1S17-21: The Biblical Parallel – David, Goliath, And The October 7th Tragedy

“Then David ran and stood over the P’lishti, took his sword, drew it out of its sheath, and finished killing him, cutting off his head with it.  When the P’lishtim saw that their hero was dead, they fled.The men of Isra’el and Y’hudah got up, shouting, and pursued the P’lishtim all the way to Gat and the gates of ‘Ekron. The wounded P’lishtim fell down all along the road from Sha‘arayim to Gat and ‘Ekron.  After chasing the P’lishtim, the army of Isra’el returned and plundered their camp.”-1 Samuel 17:51-53

Let’s talk about the October 7th massacre that occurred in Israel for a sec.

On that horrific day, Hamas terrorists waged the deadliest attack on Jews since the Holocaust – slaughtering babies, raping women, burning whole families alive, and taking hundreds of innocent civilians hostage.

Of course, Israel had no choice but to respond militarily.

After clearing Hamas militants from its territory, the Israeli army immediately began bombing the Gaza Strip from the air followed by a large-scale ground invasion which began on October 27th.

Fast forward to today, Israel has now gained the upper hand and Hamas is on the brink of defeat.

Yet how do these Hamas cowards respond?

They respond by begging for a ceasefire.

But Netanyahu is not having any of it.

Why?

Because you cannot invade the sovereign borders of the nation of Israel…

Rape, maim and murder innocent people…

And then expect to dictate the terms of your own survival and staying in power in the Gaza Strip.

Can you see how dishonest and deceitful the enemies of God are?

I bring this up because this is similar to the behavior of the Philistines after Goliath was defeated.

We’re told the Philistines “fled”.

Ain’t that interesting?

I say that’s interesting because that certainly wasn’t the deal Goliath had proposed on their behalf.

The deal was that whichever side lost would surrender unconditionally to the winning side.

But the Philistines reneged on that promise…

And hightailed it back to the cities of Gath and Ekron (the two cities of the Philistine Pentapolis).

They turned out to be both cowards and liars – two attributes that have always characterized the enemies of God.

Following Goliath’s defeat, we’re told the Israelite army chased after the fleeing Philistine soldiers and slaughtered them.

Then they returned to the Valley of Elah and raided what was left of the Philistine camp.

Onward.

Next, we’re told David took Goliath’s head and armor as a reward and put it in his tent.

However, the word “tent” here is not talking about a temporary shelter constructed out of animal skins that were common in the day.

It meant the family house.

Afterward, we’re told David took Goliath’s head and left it in Jerusalem.

That opens up a whole other topic of discussion we’ll be getting into soon.

So let’s switch over to the takeaway.

Today modern Israel needs someone like David…

After the October 7th massacre, much of the world has turned against Israel.

The Palestinians (Greek for Philistines) have partnered up with their Arab and Muslim neighbors.

They’re also supported by some countries in Western Europe, not to mention Biden’s presidency which is pushing Israel for a ceasefire.

The bottom line is there are close to a billion people around the world who would love to see Israel destroyed.

The world is threatening Israel to give up its God-given land inheritance or be wiped out.

When I say the world, I’m talking about the combined military and financial might of the gentile nations who stand against Israel.

The situation is bleak.

When the Israeli government looks at the gentile forces arrayed against them, they can’t see any way out.

And you know what?

They’re right.

Any way you slice it, from an earthly, human perspective, Israel has no hope.

It appears to be a true “Goliath against David” situation.

But here’s what modern Israel and the world are overlooking.

We ain’t just dealing with a human or earthly geo-political struggle here homies.

Just as it was in the Valley of Elah, we’re dealing with a spiritual confrontation.

And if it’s a spiritual battle, guess who is sovereign and is in control?

The answer is the God of Israel.

Remember, Scripture is all about understanding the patterns it contains.

The young David defeated what seemed to be an insurmountable obstacle in the form of Goliath.

And right now, Israel seems to be facing another Goliath in the form of all the gentile nations arrayed against her.

We’re told in the end times, that all the world’s armies with all of their advanced weaponry and overwhelming numbers are going to attack Israel in the Valley of Jezebel at the battlefield called Armageddon.

Israel will appear to be toast in this situation.

But if the Scriptural pattern is correct…

And remember, to truly understand the Bible means to understand its patterns…

Here’s what’s gonna happen…

When the arrogant gentile nations of the world gather against Israel…

And during their attack, when it seems like the Hebrew nation is on the verge of extinction…

A deliverer, one who is the offspring of David, the Messiah will return in fury to slay this modern Goliath (the gentile nations) that have gathered against Israel.

When that happens, Israel and all those who are grafted into Israel will be saved.

CONNECTING THIS TEACHING TO THE NEW TESTAMENT

“I was sent only to
the lost sheep of Israel.”
-Matthew 15:24