The Valiant and the Violent
2 Samuel 23:8-12
Also found in 1 Chr. 11:12-14
Matt. 11:12 And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.
--the devil sure didn't want the Messiah to come down to earth
--Satan knows prophecy better than most. He went on a spiritual warpath like never before.
I have no doubt that he knows how close we are to the coming of the Lord, so the kingdom of heaven is suffering violence again.
My question is----Are we going to get violent?
violent = an unhinged passion
In the Old Testament:
I. Faithful to the King
David was king and had mighty men who served and stayed close to him. Out of 30, there were 3 who were even more faithful and valiant.
Eleazer was there to defend his king at whatever cost. He served at the pleasure of the king.
II. The Place of the Battle
Pasdammin 1 Chr. 11:13---the same general area where David killed Goliath.
--the devil will try to drag you back to the same ole place he fought with you before
III. The Inspiration of Others
Adino went out and slayed 800 of the enemy at one time.
"and after him"---Eleazar went out and fought the enemy. I have no doubt that Adino had inspired him to be valiant for God and His people.
The other men of Israel had gone away (maybe as cowards), but Eleazar fought even without apparent support. Learn how to stand alone when you have to.
There will be times when it is just you and God.
IV. Qualities of a Valiant One
A. "defied the Philistines"=Willing to challenge the enemy.-v. 9
B. "he arose = responsible to rise to the occasion.-v.10
C. "smote" = doing damage to the enemy.-v. 10
D. " his hand was weary" = he was human, with limitations, but he continued in the fight.-v.10
V. His Special Weapon
Determination and Confidence
-he knew his sword
-it "clave" to his hand (like an extension of his arm)
The Word is our sword. We need to know it well, for the rough times of life.
Heb. 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Know it and Use it.
VI. Victory
"the Lord wrought a great victory that day"-v. 10
He used a man, but it was Gods' victory.
The name Eleazar means "God is my Helper"
2 Co. 10:4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)
VII. The Spoil
v. 10b "the people returned after him only to spoil"
In this manner, Eleazer ministered to his fellow men. They may have been too scared to fight, but they were allowed to partake of the spoils of the enemy.
Let us help our "weaker" brethren instead of being so critical of them.
CONCLUSION
Ps. 78:9 The children of Ephraim, being armed, and carrying bows, turned back in the day of battle.
For every Eleazar, there are truckloads of cowards.
Ephraim had plenty of armour and ammunition, but had only been accustomed to parades and exhibitions.
Ephraim was a son of Joseph. Jacob basically adopted him and Manasseh, and they became tribes of Israel. In Hosea, we see Ephraim as "a silly dove", "a cake not turned", and a "heifer".
Brother, the battle is real and God is looking for dedicated soldiers today.
