Holding Ground When the Church is in Retreat

Many attacks are hurled against Christianity and Christians. Godly men desire to stand firm in the fray and defend the faith once delivered to the saints. Nevertheless, pitfalls abound even in the fight with some making shipwreck and falling away. How do we fight in a manner that glorifies and exalts Christ? Shammah’s stand on the field of lentils provides a manual for the Christian man to fight the good fight.

 

The Philistines and the World

“The Philistines had gathered together into a troop where there was a piece of ground full of lentils. So the people fled from the Philistines.“

One of the oldest enemies of God’s people were the Philistines. First mentioned in Genesis 10:13 they appear in much of the Old Testament. By the days of Isaac, the Philistines were actively harming God’s people by filling with dirt the wells of water necessary for survival.[1] In the days of the judges and the kings of Israel, the Philistines were a constant thorn in the side to the people of God. With notable exceptions, the Israelites were terrified of the Philistines.

The Philistines were persistent enemies. Their relentless opposition to Israel was outward expression of their relentless opposition to God.[2] Characterized by idolatry, pride, violence, and trust in worldly strength and idols, they were a recurring threat to the people of God for over 500 years. Scripture teaches that these historical events were recorded for our instruction as examples.[3] While the Philistines as a people were judged and conquered, and have vanished from history, the spirit of the Philistines and worldly opposition to God remains. Every generation of Christians faces temptations, pressures, and enemies from every side. It is easy to catalogue the sins of the culture and expand at length on the data around national atrocities even before coming to the problems of doctrinal decline, compromise with the world, fables, and endless genealogies appearing among professed Christians. That in turn works well to take the spotlight off our own personal sins, compromises, foolish talk, backbiting, and countless transgressions. The more I talk about the sin of others the less time I have to be concerned over my own sin. As the Philistines provoked, attacked, tempted, harmed Israel so the world provokes, attacks, tempts, harms, the people of God. The world wars against Christ and all who belong to Him. Left to ourselves, we are prone to fear man, wander from God, return to former sins, compromise with the world, and even make shipwreck of the faith. The dangers are many and the cost of standing can seem too high. At times retreat appears to be the safest course. That is exactly what Israel chose on the day Shammah took his stand. When the Philistines gathered themselves into a troop, the people fled. Shammah alone remained in the field.

Shammah and the Philistines

“But he stationed himself in the middle”

What a sight for the Israelites! Can anyone blame them for running? The Philistines gathered in tight battle formation. The soldiers, perhaps with a few giants out front, were arrayed in full battle gear. War cries were made. Threats were hurled across the battlefield. Weapons of incredible quality, weight, and efficiency were brandished. It would have been a terribly fearful place. The geography only made the situation worse.

The lentil plant does not grow very high, only a few feet for mature plants. The ideal place to farm lentils in quantity is a large flat field. Such a field with limited height crops leaves little room for cover. There were no caves to hide in, rocks to hide behind, trees to catch a few of the arrows, or rivers to separate the armies. On September 17 1862, in under two hours on a flat cornfield in Antietam, more than 8,000 Confederates and Union soldiers were killed or wounded. The lentil field was good for one thing in war, slaughter. Israel knew it and they were terrified. “So the people fled from the Philistines.” Shammah did something that ran contrary to every natural instinct and accepted principal of survival. His allies were retreating. The enemy was closing in. The sensible course was to follow the Israelites in retreat. Yet Shammah stood fast. It’s the stuff of legend, but this is not a legend. This is inspired history of God’s people in the days of King David. There are many remarkable details in this brief account. Shammah did not accidentally find himself trapped in the field. He deliberately took his stand: “He stationed himself in the middle.” Before the battle was engaged, before an arrow flew, before a spear was thrown, his mind was made up. He chose his position and resolved to hold it. We should not overlook where Shammah stood. He stationed himself in the middle of the field. Between the advancing Philistines and the fleeing Israelites there was a gap. Shammah stood in the gap that day in the lentil field. Death bore down on Israel and a faithful, fearless warrior planted his feet and refused to yield. In this we catch a glimpse of our great Champion. Christ stood in the place of His people, between death and life, and secured the victory. “Through death He might destroyed him who had the power of death, that is the devil…”[4] While there is much to explore around the glorious theme of Christ standing in the gap, the immediate question remains: What compelled Shammah to stand when everyone else fled? Why did he remain in the field when everything around him urged him to run?

Shammah was Prepared

“But he stationed himself in the middle”

Bravery is difficult to define and perhaps impossible to teach. We recognize it when we see it, yet no amount of reading or study can guarantee it. Only when the moment arrives can courage be revealed. Will he run or stand?  Men can, however, prepare for that day. Soldiers train for years, yet military history is filled with examples of highly trained men breaking under fire while others who seemed unimpressive distinguished themselves by remarkable acts of bravery.

Training alone is therefore not enough for bravery. Courage is only as strong as the foundation upon which it rests. Some find courage in their cause, faith in ultimate victory, themselves, or a lack of fear of death. Shammah was certainly a trained warrior. But his courage rested on something stronger than his own skill or experience. Shammah trusted the Lord! To a spectator, Shammah stood on a field of lentils. In reality, he stood on the Rock that is Christ Jesus. He stood on the promises of God which are yes and Amen. He took refuge in the name of the Lord and found safety! Shammah was not relying merely on his sword, his military experience, or the strength of his arm. His confidence was in God! Men who enter the battle armed only with personality, determination, political convictions, or online popularity will eventually be overwhelmed. They may appear bold for a time but when the world, the flesh, and the devil press hard against them in full battle array, their foundation will be exposed. Some today rush into battle unprepared. Outward displays of Christianity, social media influences, political opposition to cultural evils, and large subscriber podcast bases, are not sufficient foundations. A man may speak much of the enemy but know little of Christ. Like the seven sons of Sceva,[5] such men will eventually find themselves exposed, bruised, and running for their lives. The man who stands firm on the field of battle, is the man who loves Christ. His faith lives because Christ lives. His confidence endures because Christ the King reigns forever. His courage is steadfast because His Savior has conquered sin, death, and hell. He may be wounded and stumble often, but he will not be defeated because he stands on the Rock and the Rock is Christ. In addition to knowing Christ a man stands firm knowing something of Christianity as revealed by Christ. Christianity is not fundamentally a religion against something. Christians are against many things but Christianity is not fundamentally negative. “I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures…”[6] Christianity is altogether and fundamentally positive! Christianity is about Christ and His glory, work, power, gospel, and salvation. Miss Christ and His work and everything is missed. Shammah was prepared for the battle because Shammah loved the Lord and trusted His word.

Shammah Refused Passivity

“But he stationed himself in the middle”

In 1939 Hollywood producers had to pay a $5,000 fine for using the word “damn” in “Gone With the Wind.” 87 years later, nearly every Hollywood production blasphemes the name of God with regulatory and promotes all kinds of sin. On average Americans consume nearly five hours of TV every day. If passivity does not ruin the soul, it ruins the ability to know when to take a stand. If our side is running away, should we run too? Shammah’s answer was unequivocally, “no.”

Shammah had several options. He could have been influenced by his fleeing friends. Afterwards, he could have ridiculed the weak Israelite army. He could have surrendered to the Philistines. He could have claimed neutrality and tried to parley with the Philistines for leniency. All these approaches would have let him live to take a stand another day. But would he know how to take a stand? Some Christians have fallen into passivity like David before his sin with Bathsheba. He should have been out fighting but instead was lounging on the roof full of inactivity. So it is with some believers today. They are content to eat, drink, and enjoy the comforts of life while the battle rages around them. They occasionally give opposition to the sin that so easily besets us, but more they seek a quiet life purchased at the expense of a faithful witness. They choose retreat, safety, and comfort to resistance, sacrifice, and conflict. While they cry “Peace, peace…” the Philistines have already declared war against Christ, His gospel, and His people. Other Christians have fallen into a different form of passivity that is disguised as activity. They mistake commentary for combat and outrage for obedience. From behind screens and keyboard they loudly denounce the sins of society, the foolishness of culture, and the failures of other Christians. Unlike Shammah they rarely step on the actual field of battle. Surrounded by online applause and encouraged by fellow spectators, they imagine themselves warriors because they speak of warfare. Souls are perishing, churches need strengthening, saints need exhortation, and neighbors need the gospel. The Philistines continue advancing while some who claim to be soldiers are content to remain commentators. The Christian’s weapons are not carnal. We do not conquer through the force of arms and the shedding of blood. The sword of our battle is the Word of God. The banner under which we march is the gospel of God concerning Jesus Christ His Son. The demonstration of power is the preaching of that Gospel, the repentance of our sins, the sanctification of the Saints, the increase of our faith, the conversion of the lost. It is possible to spend hours complaining about the darkness without lighting a candle. Such an idea was foreign to the Apostle Paul who not only denounced paganism but went to pagan cities and proclaimed Christ to those who were worshipping idols. When all Israel fled, Shammah was not occupied with the action of the Israelites. He did not worry himself about who was running away. He had a host coming against him and he was confident that in the name of the Lord He would have the victory. He positioned himself in the middle of the field determined that God’s enemies would not pass without getting through him first.

Shammah Stood his Position

“But he stationed himself in the middle of the field, defended it…”

Jeremiah, Stephen, Athanasius, Huss, Knox, Tyndale, Luther, Mortimer, and countless other faithful men are remembered for good because they took a stand on the Word of God and refused to move. Many suffered an untimely and brutal death as a result. Had they compromised, surrendered, joined the enemy, or apostatized, much would have been lost. These men stood their position and were willing to die for the faith once delivered to the saints. They stood for the gospel of Jesus Christ because the truth was worth defending.

Prepared and active, Shammah stood his position. The Philistines were enemies of God and Shammah had been called to oppose them. He was standing against God’s enemies. It was a field worth dying on. So when everyone else fled, Shammah remained. As a servant of the Lord, he could do no other. For that single act he is remembered in Scripture by God and numbered among David’s mighty men. Standing alone is not necessarily a virtue. Some stand courageously but are on the wrong ground. They hold firmly to positions plainly against Scripture. They fight the wrong battle because they fight for the wrong cause. They become known more for what they oppose than for Christ whom they profess. A man can fight for a false cause just as surely as he can for a just cause. Zeal without truth leads to calamity. Standing is one thing; standing upon the Rock is another altogether. Those who have fought the in the wrong place for the wrong cause must repent of their sin and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. How do we learn where and when to stand? First, by immersing ourselves in Scripture, especially the Gospels and the book of Acts. Second, by studying church history, reading of those who endured for Christ’s sake. Read Foxe’s Book of Martyrs and great Christian biographies like John Patton’s autobiography or Archibald Brown’s biography. Through Scripture and the testimony of those who came before, the Lord teaches His people to distinguish between opinion and the steadfast truth of the Lord that endures forever. May God help us to stand where Shammah stood.

Shammah Preserved his Position

“He stationed himself in the middle of the field, defended it, and killed the Philistines.”

Prepared, active, and positioned in the field, Shammah preserved what had been entrusted to him. He did not merely stand, he fought. The years of training, living with David and his men, hardship, faith, perseverance, all led to this single day when he would either defend the field or surrender it to the Philistines. Shammah recognized the enemy and the life and death struggle facing him, and he fought.

The Christian likewise is called to defend a field. Yet our warfare is not fought with steel and bow. Shammah’s battle is a picture of our own spiritual, yet no less real, warfare. We do not shed the blood of Christ’s enemies but rather proclaim Christ’s blood that was shed for His enemies. Where this distinction is missed, Christianity is missed. Christ does not call His people to destroy sinners but to call sinners to repentance, faith, and reconciliation through His blood. The Christian religion is the religion of peace because it proclaims peace to all men through the Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ. Yet the message of peace does not mean the absence of conflict. The devil hates Christ, loves death, and therefore hates the gospel that proclaims life. The devil pursues one singular objective through a variety of strategies: death and eternity in hell for every soul in every nation. Against these attacks, the man of Christ stands firm on the Word of Christ and does battle against the enemies of Christ. On the personal field, the man of God preserves the ground of his own soul. Sin is brought to light. False ideologies are cast off. The truth is embraced. Sins are confessed and he continuously flees to Christ for forgiveness and mercy. If he has been blessed with a family, he teaches them the same things and leads them regularly to the Mercy Seat. He may fall a hundred times but grounded on the Rock, he rises again and follows Christ to the end. This is spiritual warfare. This is preserving the field. On the church field, Christians labor to preserve the faith once delivered to the saints. Christ is loved, worshiped, and obeyed. Brothers sharpen one another as iron sharpens iron. Error is resisted with Scripture. False doctrine is exposed and refuted. Sinners are called to repentance of their sin and faith in Christ. The great commission is pursued. As the church maintain these priorities, the field has been preserved from the enemy. On the societal field, Christians pursue a faithful public witness of Christ the King. They speak the truth in love. They call men and women everywhere to fear God, repent of sin, and trust in Jesus Christ.  Leaders are called to kiss the Son while His anger is kindled but a little. As the gospel goes forward, as the banner of truth is lifted higher, as one soul is converted, Satan’s kingdom is destroyed, the kingdom of grace is advanced, the field is preserved from the enemy.

Shammah Saw the Prize

“So the Lord brought about a great victory!” 2 Samuel 23:12

The closing scene of Saving Private Ryan is memorable because Captain Miller lies mortally wounded as victory is secured and Private Ryan is saved. Such scenes are common in stories of war. The hero fights bravely against all odds, pays with his life, and never lives to see the outcome of his actions. Shammah’s story ends differently.

After preparing for the battle, refusing passivity, standing his position, and preserving the field, Shammah lived to see the victory. The Philistines were driven back and defeated. The Lord granted the victory and allowed Shammah to witness it with his own eyes. Yet the text is very careful to tell us who brought about the victory. It does not say, “Shammah brought about a great victory.” Shammah stood. Shammah fought. But the victory belonged to God alone. This is essential for Christian men to grasp and a great encouragement for those who do. We must be faithful. We must prepare, proclaim, and promote the gospel. We must fight sin and confess it. We must defend our families and point them to Christ. We must proclaim Christ crucified to a lost and dying world. Yet all our activities will not gain the victory of one soul. Christ Himself will have the victory, the honor, the glory. For Salvation is of the Lord. I want to see the Lord victorious over all his enemies in the future. I want to see the Lord victorious over all remaining sin in my own heart. I long to see revival in my own lifetime. 500 a year were saved through Spurgeon’s ministry at the Metropolitan Tabernacle. How many were saved during the Reformation and Great Awakening? Oh, for more of that! Through Shammah’s stand in the field of lentils, the Lord brought victory! He will bring victory again. Let all Christians prepare themselves for battle; refuse passivity; stand their position; and preserve their position, knowing the Lord is still able to save. Stand firm therefore and look for the salvation of your God.

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[1] Genesis 26:15-18 [2] 1 Samuel 17 [3] 1 Corinthians 10:11 [4] Hebrews 2:14 [5] Acts 19:13-16 [6] 1 Corinthians 15:3-4