Preaching Christ From The Old Testament

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Preaching Christ From The Old Testament

By Jace Broadhurst

a. Josheb-Basshebeth killed 800 men in one encounter

b. Eleazar taunted the Philistines and even though all retreated around him he stood his ground and won the victory

c. Shammah won a victory from the middle of a field

d. The Three broke through Philistine lines to get a drink for David

e. Abishai killed 300 men

f. Benaiah killed a lion by jumping into a pit with it and beat a huge Egyptian with only a club

III. David vs. Goliath paralleled to Jonathan/Armor bearer vs Philistines

a. Reminder of the mighty men being like David

b. David against impossible odds

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c. Jonathan against impossible odds

d. David and Jonathan’s souls knit together because of like passions

IV. Church History memoirs

a. Polycarp

b. George Mueller

V. Charge to Non Christians

a. They lack the ability to make a permanent difference in the world.

b. Even with great intellectual leaps, they will ultimately be forgotten because they have pointed us in the wrong direction

c. Call to Christ

VI. Charge to Christians (more detailed to make the point of the article)

The character traits of the Mighty men, of Jonathan, and of David, are the traits of kings. One role of a king is to protect by conquering enemies.

Abraham, the beginning of our dynasty, was a great king — he took 318 men and conquered five armies to protect Lot. Moses was a great king — leading the people towards the promised land, defeating Israel’s enemies the Pharaoh of Egypt, Og of Bashan and Sihon the Amorite. Joshua too defeated the enemies of Israel; each of the judges defeated the enemies. Each of these had kingly roles, but it is not until the book of Samuel that we find God’s true king. Finally, one who will finish the fighting, who will be a blessing to the Gentiles, who will expand the kingdom over all the earth. His warriors were the means to this ideal end. They represent David, the ideal king. Each was willing to do anything to make his message heard and he was so courageous that he was willing even to lay down his own life. That’s commitment to a cause. But they didn’t truly succeed.

With Solomon peace is achieved and contact with the rest of the world reaches new heights. But still, the goal is not achieved. Israel falls, but Judah remains. Maybe a Judahite will succeed. But Judah falls. Still there is a remnant that returns. Maybe they will succeed, but for 400 years Israel remains a vassal.

Despite the failures, these warriors and kings of the past point to something. They point to a king who does not fail. They point to a king who does NOT pick up a spear to kill 800 men in one encounter; who does not defeat an Egyptian with a piece of a tree. Rather, they point to a king who will defeat all the forces of chaos by being pierced with a spear and by being nailed to a piece of a tree. They point to a king who fights and wins the victory against not 800 evil men, but all evil, and in so doing makes a way for Jews and Gentiles to win the victory through him. These men of the past fail, but Jesus never fails. We have victory through him.

This gospel message is not simply for the non-Christians. We as Christians must continue to preach the gospel to ourselves, lest we become complacent and forget. This passage in II Samuel points to one very important thing — CHRIST. He is the one who will be remembered and it is to him that we point. These are men whose character and role point directly to the great King.

VII. Wrap up charge