David & Goliath aint about us....

“Then David said to the Philistine, ‘You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin.  But I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.  This day the Lord will deliver you into my hand……So it was, when the Philistine arose and came and drew near to meet David, that David hurried and ran toward the army to meet the Philistine.  Then David put his hand in his bag and took out a stone; and he slung it and struck the Philistine in his forehead…and he fell on his face to the earth……David ran and stood over the Philistine and…..cut off his head…”  -1 Samuel 17:45-50

This is a very popular and well-known story from the Bible.  When you’re a kid growing up in church, you hear this story many times.  When you’re an adult, you hear many a sermon dealing with David and Goliath.  Even in our lost culture, you will still run into people who know the basics of this story.  What is it really about?  Why did God see fit to have the historical narrative of David and Goliath included in His Word?

The story of David and Goliath isn’t about what we’ve been taught to think it’s about.

I cannot recall how many times I’ve heard the story of David and Goliath preached/taught on both in churches and online.  Its innumerable.

And without fail, 99% of the time, the message goes along the lines of, ‘You and I are David and Goliath represents our problems and struggles.  All you have to do is go at Goliath with the power of God and the Holy Spirit in the form of your “sling shot” – go at your problems with the “smooth stones” of prayer and in the name of Jesus and you will defeat your giants!’

Say what??

The Bible, from the get-go, has been what we call Christo-centric – its whole purpose is to point to the Messiah, Jesus Christ.  Jesus Himself said on two occasions in Luke’s gospel that “all Scripture speaks about [Him],” including “the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms” (Luke 24:27, 44)

So, how does the story of David and Goliath really shake out in light of the Gospel?  How is it Christo-centric?

David is JESUS – our Messiah, Savior and conquering King

Goliath is SIN/SATAN/DEATH - our greatest enemies which we can’t defeat

Israel is US – scared, cowering, unable to defend ourselves against our greatest enemies

It is Christ and Him alone who came and fought the battle for us on the cross, defeating our sin, Satan, and death and crediting that victory to all who would repent and believe in Him.  And in the End, Christ will cut off the head of the “serpent of old,” Satan, with the Sword of the Spirit, His very Word, destroying the giant once and for all! 

“O victory in Jesus

My Savior, forever

He sought me and bought me

With His redeeming blood….”