Read Jeremiah 47
When we think of the Philistines we almost automatically think of David’s epic battle with the Philistine giant, Goliath. But the Philistines, like the Egyptians, had a long history with the Israelites. Philistia and the Philistines appear almost 300 times in the Old Testament, mostly in Judges and Samuel. In the book of Judges the Lord allowed the Philistines to concur with the Israelites and to subdue them, so that they would turn and come back to the Lord in repentance and faith.
The Medinet Habu reliefs (from the ruins of Ancient Egypt) show the Philistines armed with spears and long, straight swords, with large, round shields for protection. They had three-man chariots with six-spoked wheels and they transported people by means of solid two-wheel carts pulled by four oxen. Their ships were rigged with a square sail, like those of the Egyptians, and had a duck-shaped prow, which possibly was used for ramming enemy vessels.
(Taken from Walter A. Elwell and Philip Wesley Comfort, Tyndale Bible Dictionary (Tyndale reference library; Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 2001), 1035.)
It was the Philistines who defeated the Israelites (1 Sam 4) and captured the Ark of the Covenant. The Ark was quickly returned to Israel because the Lord sent plagues against the nation.
During the reign of King Saul the Philistines increased their military activity and greatly oppressed the Lord’s people. It was during this time that young David, soon to be king, defeated and conquered the great Philistine warrior Goliath. David had earlier been chosen as the Lord’s anointed (ie the messiah) and as a sign of that anointing defeated the Philistine warrior Goliath. Israel for her part, cowered in the background, refusing to engage with the superior might of the Philistine army. David would go on to defeat and subdue the Philistines from Geber to Geza (2 Sam 5).
In chapter 47 of Jeremiah’s prophesy the Lord reveals that the Philistines will be totally destroyed by the wrath of the Lord. While it is not explicitly spelt out, the assumption is that Nebuchadnezzar would be the agent of destruction just as he was with Egypt. After the destruction, those left in Philistia were assimilated into Canaanite culture and the land of Philistia ceased to exist. The only remnant we have is the name of Palestine, derived from them. God’s Word had proven again to be true.
Prayer:
Using today’s Bible passage and notes write down points for
Adoration:
Confession
Thanks
Supplication:
· There are many people that don’t know the love and grace of the Lord God Almighty. They are currently living in condemnation. Pray that God would send His messengers of grace to these people and that they would repent and believe in Jesus for salvation.
· Pray particularly for the people of Tibet, China, Arabia, and the Middle East.
1. Why should the church of today be concerned for the nations of the world?
2. What should the church be preaching to the nations today?
3. How can we practically preach to the nations today?
No comments:
Post a Comment