The Armor Of Goliath

DAVID AND GOLIATH: THE SPIRIT OF FAITH AND THE SPIRIT OF FEAR - CHAPTER 3

THE ARMOR OF GOLIATH

10-24-04

Goliath trusts in his armor. David trusts in his God.
Goliath’s covering is fear (hate). David’s covering is faith (love).
Goliath’s covering is carnal (fleshly, visible – of the world). David’s covering is spiritual (invisible).
Goliath’s universe is centered (focused) on himself. David’s universe is centered (focused) on God.
Goliath’s hedge of protection is his dead armor. David’s hedge of protection is the living Word of God.
Goliath’s brass armor manifests that he is proud of his sin. David’s lack of armor manifests his humility.

(Prov 16:18) Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.

EXAMINING GOLIATH’S ARMOR:

DISCERNING GOLIATH’S COVERING

(1 Sam 17:5-7) And he had an helmet of brass [brazen: symbol of sin: the brazen altar of sacrifice (the cross) “and the brazen grate for it” Exo 38:30] upon his head, and he was armed with a coat of mail [covered with jointed plates of metal (like fish scales)]; and the weight of the coat was five thousand shekels of brass [125–194 lbs]. And he had greaves of brass [a shin-piece of armor] upon his legs, and a target of brass [Dakes: “a plate of brass covering the chest”] between his shoulders. And the staff [shaft] of his spear [a lance (for thrusting) - Cain] was like a weaver's beam; and his spear's head weighed six hundred shekels of iron [17-23 lbs]: and one bearing a shield went before him.

1. (Gen 3:7) And the [natural] eyes of them both were opened [and their spiritual eyes were closed], and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.

2. aprons = Heb: a belt: apron, armor, gird (-le) /// to gird on (as a belt, armor): be afraid, appointed, gird, restrain, X on every side.

3. (Gen 3:21) Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins [hide, leather, skin], and clothed them [figuratively, with the atoning substitutionary death of an innocent lamb].

4. brass = Heb: copper [bronze]; hence, something made of that metal, i.e. coin, a fetter; fig. base [low, foundational] (as compared with gold or silver): brasen [brazen], brass, chain, copper, fetter (of brass), filthiness /// nachuwsh; (perh. in the sense of ringing, i.e. bell-metal; or from the red color of the throat of a serpent when hissing); coppery, i.e. (fig.) hard:--of brass /// nachash; to hiss, i.e. whisper a (magic) spell; gen. to prognosticate: divine, enchanter, (use) X enchantment, learn by experience, X indeed, diligently observe.

5. (Gen 3:1a) Now the serpent [nachash] was more subtle [cunning (usually in a bad sense) /// to make bare] than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. [Goliath = Heb: exile /// to denude (Dict: to make naked or bare; strip) espec. in a disgraceful sense]

6. (Num 21:6-9) And the LORD sent fiery serpents [nachash; snakes] among the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel died. Therefore the people came to Moses, and said, We have sinned, for we have spoken against the LORD, and against thee; pray unto the LORD, that he take away the serpents from us. And Moses prayed for the people. And the LORD said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it [considers, discerns], shall live. And Moses made a serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole, and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld [looked intently at, to regard with pleasure, favor or care: consider, have respect] the serpent of brass, he lived.

7. (John 3:14,15) And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.

8. (Gen 4:6-8) And the LORD said unto Cain [in the sense of fixity; a lance (as striking fast): spear], Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen? If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door [crouches (on all four legs folded, like a recumbent animal)]. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him [“and let them have dominion” Gen 1:26]. And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him.

9. iron = Heb: iron (as cutting) by extens. an iron implement: (ax) head, iron /// (appar. mean. to pierce); holes. [something hard, strong, rigid, unyielding - weapons: spear, sword, ax]

10. (Lev 26:18-20) And if ye will not yet for all this hearken unto me, then I will punish you seven times more for your sins. And I will break the pride of your power; and I will make your heaven as iron, and your earth as brass: And your strength shall be spent in vain: for your land shall not yield her increase, neither shall the trees of the land yield their fruits.

THE ARMOR OF GOD

(Eph 6:10-20) Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles [(trickery): lie in wait] of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand [resist] in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about [to fasten on one's belt /// to bind about] with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

1. (Rom 13:12) The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light [phos; (to shine or make manifest, espec. by rays); luminousness:--fire, light].

Amen