Vintage

God's Mighty Men

Sometimes when we read about an event we can glean enough information to draw the conclusions that the author intended, but still be left desiring a more complete account.  This is the case with one of King David's mighty men. 

 "And after him was Eleazar the son of Dodo the Ahohite, one of the three mighty men with David when they defied the Philistines who were gathered there to battle and the men of Israel had withdrawn.  He arose and struck the Philistines until his hand was weary and clung to the sword, and the Lord brought about a great victory that day; and the people returned after him only to strip the slain." 2 Samuel 23:9-10 NASB

By now most of us have images in our minds about what the battle would have looked like.  If we think about it very long the questions start coming and our desire to know more increases.  It is at this point that we generally start speculating and giving our opinions.  This is not altogether wrong if we don't take ourselves too seriously and become rigid in what the Scripture does not say.

Without too much speculation I would like to point out several things that are factual from the account.  First, the Philistine army was large enough to cause the Israelites to withdraw from the battlefield.  Exact numbers are not really important.  It is enough to observe that Israel was overwhelmed and did not believe they could win so they withdrew.

Second, Eleazar was a man with enough conviction and trust in the Lord that he did not run from the battle.  Rather he met the challenge head on and risked his life.  I would also like to point out that in the process of battle he grew weary and his hand clung to his sword.  Eleazar was not superhuman.  He was simply a man who refused to run from the battle in front of him and trusted that God would strengthen him. 

Third, the Lord brought about a great victory!  How easy it would be to focus on Eleazar and his great abilities.  Maybe this is why the Scripture doesn't tell us more about him and the other mighty men.  Our natural tendency is to elevate the man rather than the Maker.  Just pause for a moment and consider the last dozen or so action films you have watched.  Most if not all of them glorify the incredible (unrealistic) abilities of a person.  

Personally I believe that there are still mighty men among us.  In fact, I spoke with one of them just the other day.  He probably doesn't even realize that I put him in this category, but I have known him long enough to watch him live out what he believes.  The following is what I see in him and in many other godly men in our community. 

These men are faced with challenges every day.  Sometimes the battle is financial, sometimes with work or health issues, on occasions it is opposition to their faith or other conflict.  While these things are critical and must be dealt with in a godly manor the most significant battle I watch these men win is the one within their marriages and families.

These men, like Eleazar, have learned to trust God and run forward into the battle rather than away from it.  They deny the easy escape rout of divorce.  They have such a conviction that they will risk emotional pain, rejection, embarrassment, humiliation and a host of other things including the denial of their personal needs to save their marriage and family.  These men take Ephesians seriously when it instructs us to love our wives as Christ loves the Church even to the point of death. 

The mighty man that I spoke with the other day made the statement while teaching "divorce is not an option."  He went on to communicate his belief that the man fulfilling his godly role is the most critical element in a marriage being healthy and strong.  He pointed out that Genesis instructs the man to leave his father and mother and then to cleave to his wife.

The Hebrew word for cleave used in Genesis 2:24 is the same word used in 2 Samuel 23:10 where Eleazar clung to his sword.  This word "dawbak" has several significant meanings.  One is to hold onto, cleave or join with.  The other is to pursue hard after.

This is a beautiful picture of what a man must do in relation to his wife.  He must join with, cleave or hold onto his wife much like Eleazar did in battle with his sword.  When a man does this not in a controlling and self serving way, but with love he brings unity and security to his wife.  As men we should also be perusing our wives.  Men can do this fairly well during the dating process, but seem to forget their natural skills after the "I do" statement is made.

The other thing I consistently see in the mighty men in our community is that it's not all about them, their great abilities, wealth or wisdom.  These men understand that without the supernatural power and love of God they would fail.  They rely on and give glory to God rather than self.  In fact, if I started naming names the true might men of God would deny that they are among the ranks, but their humility cannot hide them. 

Today I would like to say thank you to Russ and the many might men I have met who continually inspire me to love the Lord and my wife. 

Rev. David M. Smuin

Pastor / Director

Faith Counseling and Training

www.faithcounseling.org