This story is not just a struggle between two people, but a winner-takes-all battle between two peoples. It also symbolizes how Israel always has – and always will – prevail when God is on his side.
There are other Biblical references to how Israel has prevailed (and will prevail) in what appears to start off as a hopeless battle:
- Gideon defeats the Midianites [Judges 7]
- The fall of Jericho [Joshua 6]
- Israel defeats the Amalekites [Exodus 17:8-16]
- Israel’s enemies to be annhilated [Ezekiel 39]
Modern history also bears out God’s protection over Israel:
- Israeli War for Independence (1948-49)
- Sinai (Suez) War (1956)
- Six-Day War (1967)
- Yom Kippur War (1973)
- Raid on Iraq’s Osirik nuclear reactor (1981)
- Persian Gulf War (1991)
- Intifada (1988-92)
- Al-Aqsa Intifada (2000-present)
Time after time, Israel’s neighbors have tried to wipe them off the map, drive them into the sea, or whatever rhetoric they choose to use at the time, and yet they have failed every time. It’s not only hard to beat God – it’s impossible.
I believe the struggle between David and Goliath not only represents the battle between Israel and the Philistines, but the ongoing epic battle between Israel and the world that we are witnessing today. It doesn’t take much to notice that God is the God of Israel. Are we listening?
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