2 Samuel 10:12 says - "Be of good courage, and let us play the men for our people, and for the cities of our God: and the LORD do that which seemeth Him good."
Here Joab was giving Israel a very fine military address. In a sense, what he was saying was this - "Fight pro aris et focis." In other words, fight for every good - sacred and civil. Fight for God, your families, and your country. "God and country" was the word behind his animating speech.
"Pro aris et focis" - what does this mean? It is a Latin phrase which expresses attachment to all that is most dear and venerable to a people. It has become the motto of many families, military regiments, and educational institutions. It means - "for God and country." But, literally, it can be taken as meaning - "for our altars and our hearths" - or "for hearth and home."
Joab encouraged himself, his brother Abishai, the high-ranking officers of the army of Israel, as well as the people with these words - "Be of good courage, and let us play the men for our people, and for the cities of our God..." He spoke these words to hearten the people to the battle that was "against him before and behind." (2 Samuel 10:9) Because of the position that they were in - surrounded by the Ammonites and the Syrians - "before and behind them" - they - no doubt - would be tempted to be intimidated by the number of their enemies and the position in which they found themselves.
"Pro aris et focis" - Be valiant for God and country. From a principle of love to God, fight manly for the public safety and welfare of your people, cities, and country - so it wouldn't become the habitation of idolatrous heathen.
Then, when you have done your part in fighting courageously - with nothing lacking in your duty to God and man - leave the event with God and hope for His salvation in His own way and time.
Let God's work be done by us and God's will be done concerning us!
In 1 Corinthians 16:13, we find the Apostle Paul issuing a similar command to the Church at Corinth when he said - "Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong."
What Paul was saying was this - "You have many enemies. Hence, you must continually be on your guard - lest you be surprised by them. Always be circumspect. Watch against evil. Some of you are slumbering. Stay awake. Be ready armed. Stand for the faith of the Gospel. Hold what you have already received as the Truth of God. Guard your ground. Some of you are tottering. Act the manly, firm, and resolved part. Be not terrified by what you hear and see. Show yourselves men by your steadiness, sound judgment, and firm resolution."
In response to this, Matthew Henry made these comments -
"A Christian is always in danger and therefore should ever be on the watch; but the danger is greater at some times and under some circumstances."
"Christians should be manly and firm in all their contests with their enemies in defending their faith, and maintaining their integrity."
I think that you would have to agree that the danger for us as present-day Christians is very great. We have enemies who are boldly, brazenly, and unceasingly proclaiming our extinction as the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ. Then again, there are other enemies who have the same motive but act secretly, subtly, and deceitfully in their plots and plans
We find that the "injunctions" of Joab and the Apostle Paul are very relevant for us today -
"Be of good courage, and let us play the men for our people, and for the cities of our God: and the LORD do that which seemeth Him good."
"Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong."
In view of the special dangers that we face, the Holy Spirit is saying to His people at this present hour - "Watch! Be vigilant! Be firm in holding and defending the truths of the gospel. Maintain your ground. Be not like children tossed to and fro - who lack proficiency or are unstable and weak. Show yourself a man. Some of you are acting effeminate. Do not be alarmed at your enemies. Do not be a coward or timid. Fear not! Fear will enervate you! Act like men of valor and courage. Contend earnestly for the faith. Be valiant for the Truth. Be firm, fixed, and steadfast. Put forth all vigor and energy which God has given you in order to maintain and propagate the Truth. Your cause is good. Fight the good fight of Faith. "
Throughout the Scriptures, we find similar "charges" given to the people of God to "be strong" and fight the battle of the Lord. Some of them are as follows -
Deuteronomy 31:6 says - "Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, He it is that doth go with thee; He will not fail thee, nor forsake thee."
2 Chronicles 32:7 says - "Be strong and courageous, be not afraid nor dismayed for the king of Assyria, nor for all the multitude that is with him: for there be more with us than with him."
Nehemiah 4:14 says - "And I looked, and rose up, and said unto the nobles, and to the rulers, and to the rest of the people, Be not ye afraid of them: remember the LORD, Which is great and terrible, and fight for your brethren, your sons, and your daughters, your wives, and your houses. Hebrews 13:6 says - "So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me."
"Quit you like men, be strong"
John alluded to the men (and women) required for the job in 1 John 2:13 and 14 when he said - "...I write unto you, young men, because you have overcome the wicked one...I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one."
He was not addressing children who were too young and feeble. Nor was he addressing the aged who were exhausted.
Instead, he was addressing those who were full of vigor, conflict, and victory - those who were "adults" in Christ Jesus - who were well taught in His school - adhering firmly to His principles.
What was the secret of these "adults" in Christ Jesus? What made them powerful and able to gain the victory over the evil one? It was the "Word of God" that "abided" in them.
What is needed today are those who are zealous for God - for His cause and interest and His truths and ordinances. They are active, diligent, and industrious - always abounding in the work of the Lord. They are strong and robust - able to go alone and walk by faith. They are valiant soldiers who fight under the banner of Christianity. They are confirmed disciples of Christ - well-grounded in the truth... thoroughly exercised in spiritual warfare ...no longer agitated by doubts and fears...endowed with strength... and not afraid to stand up as open advocates of the Truth.
More than ever - what is needed today are those who have learned to "put away childish things" and lay hold of the "Word of God." This is what it is going to take to "overcome" the enemies that we face in the Church world today.
The Word of God has the answer and is the answer!
In 1 Corinthians 13:11, Paul admonished the believers with these words - "When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things."
The Scriptures tell us that there is a "time for everything." (Ecclesiastes 3) It also tells us that God has made everything beautiful in His time. The seasons - spring, summer, autumn, and winter of our being - are beautiful only in their time. Childishness is only beautiful in its time.
A child's speech is marked by incoherence and unintelligibility. It is imperfect. It is the vehicle of mental fantasies and conjecture. His conceptions are cloudy, half-formed, and ill-defined. His intellect is very feeble - holding only a small amount of truth. His understanding is weak, limited, and easily deceived. It is also under the control of his senses - causing him to judge by appearances and judge all things in relation to himself. His thought and reasoning is trifling, foolish, and erring - revealing an insufficiency of data and being motivated by impulse of desire, wish, or likings.
A child speaks before he thinks and speaks all he thinks. His inclinations are governed by trifles...what strikes his fancy...and offers immediate pleasure. His judgment shows little experience and proves that he takes opinions without inquiry.
Nelsons's New Illustrated Bible Commentary had this to say - "It is normal and expected for a child to act and think like a child. But when a person becomes an adult, the acts and toys of childhood need to stop."
Imagine what it would have been like if the mighty men of Israel under Joab - facing the Ammonites and the Syrians - were childish - full of silliness, selfishness, and the lack of self-control. Suppose they were fickle and capricious - one moment displeased with what the moment before they admired. How do you think the battle would have turned out that day - when facing these ruthless enemies set on their destruction?
Things are no different today for the people of God. In the midst of great danger, we are facing enemies who are set on our destruction.
The Bible tells us how to handle them -
"Be of good courage, and let us play the men for our people, and for the cities of our God: and the LORD do that which seemeth Him good."
"Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong."
However, in order to do that, as a believer, you must be certain to - "put away childish things."
"...the acts and toys of childhood need to stop."
Your life and the life of your loved ones depend on it!
What is needed in this hour are those who - unlike the child - have their senses exercised to discern between good and evil. They are full of the knowledge of God's Word (yes, even in a time when the study of the Holy Scriptures is looked upon as being irrelevant and unnecessary.)
These believers are not apt to be struck with novelty and strange appearances. They are not taken with an outward show. They do not prefer noise and show to worth and substance.
They are "full-grown" men - showing a greater ripeness of judgment. They are "not children in understanding" (1 Corinthians 14:20) - astonished at what is striking, novel, amusing, or affords play and pastime.
Their motto is - "Fight pro aris et focis" - for God, families, and country.
"True manliness means the putting away childish things." Are you ready to fight and win the Lord's battle? The "Ammonites" and the "Syrians" are "before and behind" you.
Let me ask you once again - Have you "put away childish things"?
May God Bless His Word,
Connie
No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. (Isaiah 54:17)
© COPYRIGHT Connie Giordano - All Rights Reserved