READ: 2 Samuel 23:91-0.
What an inspiring story we find tucked away here in these couple of verses in 2 Samuel 23. The story of ELEAZAR; one of King David’s “mighty men”. A number of names of those soldiers who distinguished themselves in combat for David are recorded for us her in 2 Samuel. Above all the others, however, THREE were particularly honoured: Josheb, Shammah, and this great character ELEAZAR.
He is particularly remembered for his heroic deeds in a battle with the Philistines. In 1 Chronicles 11:12-14 we are told a little more about this occasion. The battle scene was at a place called “Pasadammim” - “the dell of bloodshed”. It is, interestingly, the same place where David (years before) had defeated Goliath. This place seems to have been a recurring headache for Israel - Saul had been held up there by the Philistines until David stepped in, and now David is returned there facing the same enemy (the Philistines) in another confrontation. There’s something to be learned here - the enemy will often take us back to old battlegrounds; places where he’s held us up in the past! [As I look back on my Christian walk, my greatest battles have been fought over the same things time and time again - things that I’d already dealt with.] BE ON YOUR GUARD!
Here at Pasadammim again then, the Philistines arrayed themselves against the forces of David’s army. It seems that the Philistines posed a formidable foe, because “ALL THE MEN OF ISRAEL WERE GONE AWAY” (they had fled in fear!). But David and this man Eleazar took up position in a barley field and there took on all the might of the Philistine opposition. They routed the Philistine army completely, so that when the other men of Israel returned, all that was left to do was the looting of dead men!
What a man this Eleazar was! We can learn a lot from him; would you not a few important things about him with me.
1. THE SUFFICIENCY OF ELEAZAR’S WEAPON.
He arose and smote the Philistines until his hand was weary, and his hand clave unto the sword: and the Lord wrought a great victory that day; and the people returned after him only to spoil. (verse 10)
Eleazar brought down the entire Philistine militia with just one weapon in his hand - his trusty sword. It was:
a.) A WEAPON HE HAD CONFIDENCE IN.
He had, no doubt, fought many battles with it before. It had been a reliable sword to him - he cared for it himself, sharpening and oiling it continually, so that he knew it would not fail him in the heat of battle.
I understand that one of the first things an Australian soldier is issued with when he enlists is his automatic rifle. Each soldier is taught to know everything about his weapon - before long he can dismantle and reassemble it blindfolded in seconds. He is the only one allowed to clean his rifle, and if he misplaces it he is severely disciplined. The point of all this training is so that when he goes into battle the soldier is not concerned about whether or not his weapon will fail him - he trusts it because he knows it completely and has proven it in many repeated drills.
Eleazar wielded his sword with confidence - it had proven reliable to him time and time again.
It was also:
b.) A WEAPON HE WAS FAMILIAR WITH.
Eleazar, by constant use, had mastered that sword. Before he ever came near the battlefield he had defeated a thousand imaginary enemies - he had practised with it for hours on end. He was familiar with its feel and its weight; he knew what it could cut through, and how much force he needed to swing it with. He knew how to use it both defensively and offensively - he was totally at home using this sword. He was so familiar with it, in fact, that it became just like an extension of his own arm.
[Pause.]
Eleazar’s sword provides us with a picture of the weapon that God has placed in our hands as Christians. In Ephesians 6:17 we are told to take up . . . the sword of the Spirit, which is the WORD of GOD. Here is our “Excalibur” - the eternal, unchanging revelation of the living God - the Scriptures - the Bible.
The question is - do we know our weapon?
Do we know it well enough that we have UNFLINCHING CONFIDENCE in it? This book is the Word of God, and God is not a man that He should lie, so you can be assured of every line written here. Jesus said in Luke 16:17 It is easier for heaven and earth to pass away than for one penstroke of the law to fail. this is the unfailing truth - God’s Word is absolutely reliable! You can take Him at His Word today!
But listen - no one will ever be able to convince you of this. It is logical and reasonable that God’s Word should be trustworthy, because of who God is, BUT YOU MUST EXPERIENCE THIS TRUTH FOR YOURSELF! Preacher after preacher can assure you that God’s Word is unfailing, and we can present it in such a way that rings out with truth to you, but it will all be just words until you begin to live out God’s Word in your own life and see for yourself that He NEVER fails to keep a promise - that He is always faithful to His Word. Then you will know - THEN YOU WILL HAVE UNFLINCHING CONFIDENCE IN THE WEAPON IN YOUR HANDS! Oh, begin to take Him at His Word, and see His faithfulness poured out in your life.
Are we FAMILIAR enough with our weapon? There is an answer in the Word of God for EVERY situation you will ever face - but if we haven’t spent time in the Word we won’t know those answers when we need them. . . . solid food is for the mature, who BY CONSTANT USE have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil. (Hebrews 5:14)
Eleazar’s sword was sufficient for the battle - but for him to be effective with it he needed to have confidence in it and to be totally familiar with it. The Word of God is sufficient for every battle we ever have to fight - how well do we know our weapon?
Secondly, we see:
2. THE STUBBORNNESS OF ELEAZAR’S GRIP.
. . . his hand CLAVE unto the sword.
OH, I LIKE THAT! Eleazar’s hand clave unto the sword, despite the fact that:
a.) THE SITUATION “SEEMED” HELPLESS.
. . . the men of Israel were gone away - YOU run away as well, Eleazar, what’s the point?! You can’t face this whole horde of Philistines alone - “He who turns and runs away lives to fight another day!” - Isn’t that right?
NO - . . . his hand clave unto the sword.
Despite the fact that:
b.) ALL HUMAN RESOURCES WERE GONE.
He arose, and smote the Philistines UNTIL HIS HAND WAS WEARY - he was exhausted! All his human strength was drained - did he give up?
NO - . . . his hand clave unto the sword.
NOTE THIS WORD “CLAVE”:
The Hebrew word implies two meanings, both of which are significant I believe.
a.) “PURSUING”, “clinging onto”, “grasping”. If we take this meaning, Eleazar “went after” the sword - he clung to it for dear life. A sword with a life of its own.
How many have ever been in situations where there’s been nothing left to do but CLING to God’s Word - to pursue it and, when you have found His promise, to hold on to it for dear life!
b.) "WELDING”, “soldering”. The sword was “welded” to Eleazar’s hand! What a great picture that is. In the heat of the battle, Eleazar and his sword BECAME ONE INSTRUMENT!
Here’s a vital principle that we need to get hold of: becoming “identified” with the Word of God. The next step along from clinging to your weapon is to actually become ONE with it. When you spend time soaking in the Word of God there comes a point where you’re consumed with the revelation of God - His ways and His promises. When you speak, your words are permeated with the truth of God, because it’s living inside of you. You can no longer find the point where your thoughts stop and the Word of God comes in, because ALL your thinking has been renewed by the Word. That’s what it means to be transformed by the renewing of your mind. (cf: LUKE 4:3-13)
Oh, that we might all be welded to the Word of God. Eleazar clave unto the sword. We see the stubbornness of Eleazar’s grip.
Thirdly, and finally, we see:
3. THE SECURER OF ELEAZAR’S VICTORY.
"... and the Lord wrought a great victory that day."
HERE is the strength in Eleazar’s sword! The Lord of Hosts! God took this one warrior and used him to put an army to flight. It was God that secured the victory for Eleazar.
Eleazar trained himself with his sword, he learned to wield it expertly, and he clung to it through the battle, but it was God’s power that enabled him to defeat the Philistines.
2 Corinthians 10:4 says: For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds.
Do you know what the name “Eleazar” means? It means - “God (is my) helper”. How appropriate! God indeed helped him to overthrow the enemies of Israel.
God was the securer of Eleazar’s victory.
CONCLUSION:
God’s weapon in the hand of God’s man or woman is a formidable thing!
His Word is sufficient for every situation you or I will ever face, but we need to know it - to have confidence in it and be familiar with it.
We need to be people of His Word - to cling to it alone as our resource.
And we can be confident that - if we will honour His Word - the Lord is able to secure the victory for us (no matter what the odds). THE VICTORY IS MINE WHEN THE BATTLE IS THE LORDS!
APPEAL:
Do you want our church to be filled with faith? FAITH comes by hearing and hearing BY THE WORD OF GOD! (Rom. 10:17)
Do you want our church to be holy - filled with holy people? Jesus said, Sanctify them by Thy truth - THY WORD IS THY TRUTH.
Ephesians 5:26 says that Jesus gave Himself for the church that He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water BY THE WORD.
Do you want our church to be filled with the power of God - to see the supernatural workings of God? Mark 16:20 says that the disciples went forth and preached everywhere, the Lord working with and confirming THE WORD with signs following.
COMMIT YOURSELF - that we ALL might be PEOPLE of the Word.
AMEN!
