FLAMING WORD – P22
1 SAMUEL 17:17-18
17 And Jesse said unto David his son, “Take now for thy brethren an ephah of this parched corn, and these ten loaves, and run to the camp to thy brethren.
18 And carry these ten cheeses unto the captain of their thousand, and look how thy brethren fare, and take their pledge.”
Parched corn was the food of soldiers in Bible times. It was prepared by roasting grains in a pan, or the heads were roasted over a fire. It was exposed to fire. The food of soldiers goes through a process of fire.
Fire can represent adversity or challenges.
Isaiah 43:2
“When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.”
God promises that even when we walk through the fire, we shall not be burnt, neither shall the flame kindle upon us. In bringing the parched corn into the camp, David was proclaiming God’s faithfulness. Soldier of Christ, feed on God’s faithfulness. You will not be burnt, neither shall the flame kindle upon you.
David was to carry to his brothers ten loaves as well. The number ten represents, among other things, divine law, righteousness, and judgment. In spiritual warfare, there are rules of engagement. The word of God must be your watchword as a soldier of Christ. Righteousness cannot be condoned. In spiritual warfare, we make decrees; we enforce the judgments of our God.
To the captain of the thousands was to be given ten cheeses. Firstly, Jesse was acknowledging protocol. His sons in the army had a captain. His sons’ welfare largely depended on their captain. His well-being, therefore, was paramount.
“I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; for kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour.”
1 Timothy 2:1-3 KJV
As soldiers of Christ, when we seek the welfare of those in authority by praying for them, it will be well with us as well.
Secondly, milk goes through a laborious process before it becomes cheese. Cheese does have quite a history.
Israel likewise had quite a history. The word of God, the milk of the spirit, had kept them through the ages, and the same word, God’s covenant with Abraham, was to keep them. In giving the captain cheese, he was to be reminded of God’s deliverances throughout the ages. The Word of God is the same yesterday, today, and forevermore. He delivers and will continue to deliver.
The word of God never fails.
Shalom.