David, Goliath and Jesus

Did you know that Jesus is mentioned in every book of the Bible? God’s rescue mission did not begin in Bethlehem or even at Calvary, but way back in the Garden of Eden. On Sunday mornings in July and August, the adults are going to discover that Jesus is mentioned by each of the Old Testament Prophets. They have already discovered the Lord Jesus in the story of Abraham and Isaac, in the Passover Lamb; in the Bronze Snake; When Joshua meets the Commander of the Lord’s army and many, many, more! Jesus is mentioned in every book of the Old Testament. Today we come to the story of David and Goliath. They were very different weren’t they?

Goliath was Tall but David was… [small]
Goliath was an adult but David was a….. [boy]
Goliath was a soldier but David was a…. [shepherd]
Goliath wore armour but David had [the Bible]
Goliath boasted but David… [trusted]
Goliath was rude but David was….. [honest]

Why was David able to defeat Goliath? Who trained David as a young boy to shepherd his people by practising on sheep? (17:14). Who gave David the courage to fight a bear and a lion to defend his sheep? (17:36). Who taught David to be an ace shot with a sling and a stone? (17:49). (Don’t try that at home children). Who prompted David to challenge his enemy when he defied God? (17:47). Who inspired David to write about a descendant who would become his Lord? (Psalm 110:1-2). From when he was a young boy David trusted in God.

“The LORD who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine.” (17:37).

That is why David was confident God would protect him even though Goliath was much taller and bigger and stronger than he was (17:45-47).

Goliath had defied God. David would help everyone see that God cannot be mocked. David’s victory saved his entire people from slavery, even though:

His family disowned him
“Eliab, David’s oldest brother… burned with anger, “Why have you come down here? … I know how conceited you are and how wicked your heart is; you came down only to watch the battle.” (17:28)

The leaders used him
“Then Saul dressed David in his own tunic. He put a coat of armour on him and a bronze helmet on his head.” (17:38)

 His enemy tried to kill him
“The Philistine cursed David… Come here,” he said, “and I’ll give your flesh to the birds and the wild animals!” (17:43-44)

His God vindicated him
“So David triumphed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone; without a sword in his hand he struck down the Philistine and killed him.” (17:50)

His followers sang about him
“When the men were returning home, the women came out… danced and sang: “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands.” (18:6-7)

The people loved and followed him
“But all Israel and Judah loved David, because he led them in their campaigns.” (18:16)

What can we discover about Jesus from his great, great, great, great grandfather David? Jesus is called the Son of David 17 times in the New Testament.  Do you see the similarities between David and Jesus? Jesus was both the Son of David and the Lord of David. Like David, Jesus family disowned him. The leaders used him. His enemy did kill him. But God raised him. And today his followers sing about him. They love him and follow him. Like David, Jesus has rescued us from slavery to our enemy.  He defeated Satan on the cross.

You may be small. You may be young. You may feel afraid, but like David, you are never too young to trust Jesus.

He will be your friend and always love you.
He will be your Saviour and always protect you.
He will be your Lord and always be with you.

 

Image from the Brick Bible