Sidharth Mohandas
Introduction
In the book of Judges we read a very interesting story, where God instructs the nation of Israel to go into the land of Canaan and conquer all the nations dwelling there. Unfortunately, not every nation is conquered. It almost seems as if the Israelites failed God. However, in Judges 3:1-2, we read something different:
Now these are the nations which the Lord left to prove Israel by them, that is, all in Israel who had not previously experienced war in Canaan; It was only that the generations of the Israelites might know and be taught war, at least those who previously knew nothing of it. (Judges 3:1-2 AMP)
It is interesting to read that the Lord left these enemy nations undefeated. Moreover, they were left for a specific purpose – to teach the Israelites warfare.
Romans 15:4 tells us that these Scriptures written in the past were written for our instruction, so that through endurance and through encouragement of Scriptures we might have hope. I’m sure all of us have had circumstances where we seemed to experience defeat. Possibly a problem that kept coming back to us again and again. Could it be that the Lord “left” that problem or allowed that circumstance to teach you warfare?
Before we proceed into anything, it is vital that we be awakened to certain facts.
Firstly, we have a real adversary, the devil. He is not a figment of one’s imagination, nor is he some abstract concept. Now, the word devil comes from the Greek word “diabolos”, which simply means “accuser” or “slanderer”. Majority of believers are unaware of the reality of his being, though they are familiar with his works. His accusation and condemnations are real, and they not only crush us but also keep us from approaching our Helper, our God.
Secondly, we need to be awakened to the fact that we are “at war”. Now, don’t get me wrong here. By no means am I saying that we need to win a war that Jesus failed to win. On the contrary, we need to actualize and stand firm in the victory that Jesus has already won on the Cross.
Scripture exhorts us to be prepared for this warfare. “Be self-controlled and alert/cautious at all times. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. ” (1 Peter 5:8), “Resist him (the devil), standing firm in the faith” (1 Peter 5:9), “Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s scheme” (Ephesians 6:11), and so forth. In short, God is waking us up from complacency, to make us realize that He does not want us to be passive, but vigilant, active, and ready.
Men Who Lapped Like a Dog
Coming back to the book of Judges, we read about God commissioning Gideon to lead Israel in battle against the Midianites. In response, Gideon assembled an army by the well of Harod, with the Midianites encamping on the north. Gideons army numbered 32,000, while the Midianites numbered 135,000.
Now, the Lord instructs Gideon to send away all those who were fearful and afraid in his army. As a result, 22,000 men departed and Gideon was left with 10,000. Then the Lord instructs Gideon to bring his men down to the water, so that He might test them by the way they drank from the water. All those who went down on both knees were eliminated. Only those who lapped like a dog passed the test. (Judges 7:4-7).
Take a moment to picture the way those who postured on their knees, drank the water. Laying aside their shield and spear from both their hands, they went down on their knees, and buried their faces in the water. In this posture, they were totally vulnerable to a surprise attack. They could not see any approaching enemy, nor did they have their weapons ready to use. In the time they take to get themselves ready, the enemy can easily overcome them.
How about those who lapped like a dog? These went down on one knee only. Retaining their shield on their left arm, they set their spear beside them with the right arm. Then, with a cupped hand, they scooped water to their mouths. In this posture, they remained alert, constantly watching out for any surprise attack. Their weapons were already positioned for defense/ attack.
God is looking for vigilant disciples. The devil walks about like a roaring lion. He comes with his loud voice, threatening us, intimidating us, and accusing us. Are we aware of his schemes today? If not, I exhort you, be awakened and always be ready for warfare!
Sidharth,
A note of thanks for your love of the body of Jesus Christ. This was excellent. I really appreciate how our Lord has given you a passion of sound doctrine and instruction … that the saint may be built up and equipped. May you know our Lord’s blessing upon your life in more intimate ways.
Sid,
This is a very real truth. I appreciate the situation in Judges 3, where God purposely allowed some nations to be left in order to teach the next generation warfare. That idea changes my thoughts about the ‘nations’ that come against me and each situation that challenges me. I now understand more fully that each situation that comes against my peace and my welfare, is an opportunity for my Lord to have victory in yet another area of my life. Through His unconditional love, he has given me my shield of faith, my sword of the Spirit, my breastplate of righteousness, my helmet of salvation, my belt of truth, and my special shoes of His good news of peace. These are the provisions He has supplied, made to fit me, particularly, made to my exact size! He has ‘tailor’ made each piece of our armor to fit every part of us! Ride on , King Jesus. You have won the war, you have secured our victory, so we walk through this land, with your Kingship giving us the authority to carry out your will in our lives! Humbly, we accept your call.
wow!!!I always wondered how the drinking of water from the river mattered..=)..Woww!Thank U Sid,such a great reminder that the word devil itself means “accuser”.Praise God for the victory He has Given us thru Jesus!!Also helps me to know that I shudn’t be lazing away at any time but always be ready for a surprise attack!!God bless U Sid!!Thank God for the Holy Spirit’s teaching n revelation thru u.=)
Thanks for this important post. I think it is a call to the whole church at the present time, and certainly to me personally. Satan comes in all sorts of guises and we need to be alert for him. Fighting these battles strengthens our faith in the One who has already won the war!
Yes, excellent post! Let us not pretend there is no battle going on or that the devil is just a cartoon character representing some abstract evil.
I like the way you put it.
“Firstly, we have a real adversary, the devil. He is not a figment of one’s imagination, nor is he some abstract concept… Majority of believers are unaware of the reality of his being, though they are familiar with his works. His accusation and condemnations are real, and they not only crush us but also keep us from approaching our Helper, our God.”
I see the reality of the devil everyday in my own life. We all do. Temptation is our very own personal battle with evil. Sometimes these battles are so private and personal that they are not even visible to those around us. Temptation teaches us the reality of evil on a very personal level. To paraphrase C.S. Lewis no one knows how bad they are until they have tried very hard to be good. Lewis writes “Only those who try to resist temptation know how strong it is.” Through temptation and the resistance of it we learn more about the reality of evil in this world than by reading the newspaper or watching the local NEWS broadcast. Yes we see evil all around, but what about us? To a limited extent we have the ability to put up a wall between the evil out there in the world and our own world, but if we don’t resist the tempting of the Evil One in our own personal lives then we risk not understanding its true and very real power.
Good teaching. That scripture in Judges reminds me of a book I read years ago by ( Paul Bilheimer?) called Destined for the Throne. He said something to the effect, that the Lord used prayer as our school to teach us how to overcome. He said that our time here on earth is our training for reigning when Christ returns. We’ve been so spoiled in America, sometimes I get tired of all the things we worry about in Church i.e. seating, music to loud, sermon to long, what should we eat, wear, say, dress and what style of worship we should sing and play. I’m thinking that some of the issues we are facing in America is because the Lord wants us to learn just what you’ve written about here, but we’re too busy fighting the wrong fights. Lord help us to fight the good fight of faith.
VERY GOOD ARTICLE AND HIGH INSIGHTS
CONTI NUE
GOD BLESS YOU
Sid,
This is an excellent post. I thank My Dear Father for using you in this manner. May God Bless you!!
Wow Sid! There is nothing to say that hasn’t already been said! This is a great teaching, from a great Teacher. It pleases me to see you grow in your gifts!
This is such a simple Truth, but when delivered with the right Scriptures carries an anointing for deliverance!
Your style of teaching reminds me of Derek Prince. Wow! Keep up the good work brother!
This is so timely for me. I was just thinking of this the other day and always had the thought that it was Israel’s lack of obedience in not taking out all the other nations in the promised land which caused them to have to contend with them later. I never noticed that wording of “the Lord left them” and now, to fully understand the “why”.
I appreciate this greatly, Sid. You always teach me.
Love to you and Imrah,
angie
Thanks for this teaching. I am indeed awakened!
I recently posted an article Spiritual Weapons of Warfare that could be used as a supplement. Here I outline the differences between Christian weapons of warfare and Christian full Armour of God. I realized that the World Wide Web has got insufficient articles on the subject of warfare and that among the ones available most are quiet inaccurate.
Thanks again.