Rev. Anne J. Scalfaro Year B Fifth Sunday after Pentecost – 9:30 a.m. Calvary Baptist Church 24 June 2018 Denver, Colorado

“Facing God, Not Goliath”

1 Samuel 17:1-50 (The Message)

When is the last time you read the hadn’t defeated the full story of and Goliath? . He was too scared. He It’s a doozy! We hear it very didn’t put himself before Goliath. differently as adults than we do as And yet here was young David children, don’t we? willing to go before this of a threat. He could have just stayed As children the story is shortened with his sheep and been safe and and really boiled down to a simple, fine and no one would have ever yet powerful point: “God uses thought twice about it because he ordinary people and unlikely wasn’t supposed to be a hero. At means to accomplish improbable least not yet. feats.”1 David’s also not that ordinary But is David really that because he had just been picked ordinary…and is his means that out by Samuel in a line up against unlikely…and is his feat that all of his other older, stronger, and improbable? more “adept at fighting” brothers to be the next King after Saul. At Well, for one, he’s not that this point all we know about David ordinary because David willingly is that he’s a shepherd and a song- volunteers to go up against Goliath writer and he could sooth Saul – who was supposedly the “warrior with his music. Not exactly of all warriors” in the Philistine military credentials. Surprisingly, army – which was the enemy that the gentle David of 1 Samuel Israel had been trying to defeat for chapter 16 really turns barbaric at a long, long time. In fact, the the end of chapter 17. We didn’t reason the demanded a read it, but verse 51 has David King in the first place was so that cutting off Goliath’s head and someone could help them defeat taking it back with him to the Philistines. That’s why Saul as a sort of trophy became King. And guess what? prize…bragging rights, if you will.

1 Daniel B. Clendenin, “After He Killed Him, He Cut Off His Jesus (21 June 2009), accessed on June 24, 2018 at Head: David, Goliath, and Sacred Violence,” Journey with https://www.journeywithjesus.net/Essays/20090615JJ.shtml. Like the image on the cover of thrown by even the finest of your Order of Worship, we have baseball pitchers!)2 this image of David being this small boy with a sling-shot, very More than that, the stones in the innocent and naïve almost. But were not normal shepherds were not weak, nor were rocks. They were barium sulphate, they naïve. As David himself said which are rocks twice the density in the text, he knew what it was to of normal stones. If you do the go head to head with lions and calculations on the ballistics, on bears. the stopping power of the rock fired from David's sling, it's So, he was not that ordinary, and roughly equal to the stopping his means – the sling – was not power of a [.45 caliber] handgun. that unlikely. Because that’s what This is no toy sling shot! We’re he used to kill lions and bears and talking about an incredibly protect his sheep! As one scholar devastating weapon.3 explains: “In ancient warfare, there are three kinds of warriors. There's And, we know from historical cavalry, men on horseback and records that experienced slingers with chariots. There's heavy could hit and maim or even kill a infantry, which are armed foot target at distances of up to 200 soldiers with swords and shields yards. From medieval tapestries, and some kind of armor. And we know that slingers were there's artillery, and artillery are capable of hitting birds in flight. archers, but, more importantly, They were incredibly accurate. slingers. And a slinger is someone When David stands before Goliath, who has a leather pouch with two he has every intention and every long cords attached to it, and they expectation of being able to hit put a projectile, either a rock or a Goliath at his most vulnerable spot lead ball, inside the pouch, and between his eyes. If you go back they whirl it around (6-7 over the history of ancient warfare, revolutions a second) and the rock you will find time and time again goes flying. That means that when that slingers were often the the rock is released, it's going decisive factor against infantry in forward really fast, probably 35 one kind of battle or another.”4 meters per second. (That's substantially faster than a baseball

2 , “The Unheard Story of David and https://www.ted.com/talks/malcolm_gladwell_the_unheard_s Goliath,” TEDTalks (Sept. 2013), accessed on 24 June 2018 tory_of_david_and_goliath/transcript. at 3 Gladwell, ibid. 4 Gladwell, ibid.

2 So, not only was David not grow on your pituitary gland and ordinary, and his means not causes people to keep growing – unlikely…his feat wasn’t that which would explain Goliath’s improbable once you consider a size, and it would also explain why few things about Goliath. he has an attendant with him to guide him on the battle field and You see, Goliath wasn’t as mighty why he keeps asking David to as he might have seemed to be at come to him and why he thinks first. He was not artillery, he was David is carrying multiple sticks heavy infantry, decked out in all of when he really is only carrying one his armor. He thought he would be stick…because loss of eyesight is engaging in hand to hand combat, another side effect of acromegaly. which is why he kept saying to Do you remember the wrestler David, “come to me;” he thought André the Giant? Famous. He had they’d be fighting up close. King acromegaly. 6 Saul clearly thought the same thing, which is why he tried to The point in all of this being: outfit David in his armor, which of When the Israelites are up on the course, David doesn’t go for mountain ridge looking down on because he can barely move in it Goliath they thought he was this and he knows he needs freedom of extraordinarily powerful enemy. movement to have the right kind of What they didn't understand was agility for his mode of battle. that the very thing that was the source of Goliath’s apparent And comparatively, Goliath was, strength was also the source of his in essence, a lumbering giant greatest weakness.7 weighed down by a hundred pounds of armor and these Now, did David know all of this incredibly heavy weapons that are about Goliath before he faced him? useful only in short-range combat. No, of course not. But he did know As popular author, Malcolm that he was really good with a Gladwell says, “Goliath is a sitting sling. So he’s not really as weak duck. He doesn't have a chance.”5 and as vulnerable as we all imagine him to be from our Gladwell also points out that childhood story Bibles. But, even Goliath probably had a medical more than his skill, he also had condition called acromegaly, courage – and his courage came which causes a benign tumor to quite directly, the text says, from

5 Gladwell, ibid. 7 Gladwell, ibid. 6 Gladwell, ibid.

3 the Lord. The Lord, who saved me female. For you are all one in from the paw of the lion and from Christ Jesus,” (Galatians 3:28). the paw of the bear, will save me from the hand of this Philistine.” The Old Testament contains (v37) And later David says to violence that is divinely Goliath, “You come to me with sanctioned, at least according to its sword and spear and javelin; but I writers. But in the New Testament come to you in the name of the there are really only two examples Lord of hosts, the God of the when the followers of Jesus armies of Israel, whom you have wanted to use violent means for defied…” (v45). their cause — when James and John wanted to call down fire upon This idea of invoking God’s name the Samaritans because of their and “God being on our side” is the unbelief (Luke 9:51–55), and in context of the biblical authors, and the Garden of Gethsemane when especially of those writing the Jesus’ disciples tried to prevent his history of Israel in books like 1 arrest (Mark 14:47). In both and 2 Samuel. But theologically instances Jesus rebukes those who speaking, committing violence in try to show their allegiance to him the name of God and saying that through violent means. Instead, he God is on “my side” is insists that his Father in heaven troublesome today, isn’t it? This is causes his sun to shine on both the because 1) it implies that God is wicked and the righteous. He tells not on the “side” of whoever you us to love our enemies and to do are against – like those football good to those who persecute us, teams that pray for God to be on because in the end the ultimate their side in their locker room measure of our love for God is our before a game while across the love for our neighbor.”8…and yes, field in a different locker room even our enemy. That’s in the their opponent is saying the same Bible! prayer! It’s also troublesome because it implies that 2) God I feel like that is important to say actually divides people up into because I don’t want us to take the “sides” to begin with…which is story of David and Goliath and use the exact theology that the Apostle it as a means for violence or war Paul tried so hard to break down: against our enemy in the “name of “There is no longer Jew or God.” We commit acts of war and Gentile, slave or free, male and violence everyday, but putting

8 Clendenin, ibid.

4 God’s name on those acts isn’t fair But the truth is, we live in a world to God, especially now that we where we often think of God as on know the revelation of God that “our” side, or at least, partial to our God gave us in Jesus. We know a way of thinking and behaving. The side of God – an embodiment of basic human instincts reflected in God – that David and the Israelites and Goliath are didn’t know. And that makes a still within us and we struggle with difference; it keeps us from them every day even if we aren’t naming violence or war – even if slinging stones or going to battle. we think it’s just – as something We want to believe that we are that God condones. Jesus speaks right. We want to believe that “bad for God, not us, and Jesus is clear: guys” will be defeated and “good “love your enemy and pray for guys” will win. those who persecute you.” What is beautiful about David’s German pastor Martin Niemoeller strength in this story, is that it (1892–1984), who protested comes not from might, but from Hitler's anti-semitic measures in the courage God puts within person to Hitler in person, was him…the courage of faith. When eventually arrested, and then he takes off the armor of Saul, imprisoned for eight years at David refuses to be someone he is Sachsenhausen and Dachau (1937– not, and he enters this difficult 1945). He once confessed, "It took situation with confidence in who me a long time to learn that God is God has created him to be and how not the enemy of my enemies. He is God has uniquely gifted him. not even the enemy of his Trying to be someone else, trying enemies." By his nature God is to wear someone else's clothing Creator and Redeemer, not Enemy. (even protective armor) was a Another theologian, Anne Lamott, hindrance, not a help. When David says the same thing a different sticks with what he knows, when way, “When God hates all the he sticks with what God has given same people that you hate, you can him, then he is successful. We be absolutely certain that you have don’t know what would have created him in your own image.9” happened should he have kept the armor on, but he knew it wasn’t We may not agree with the use of himself, and he knew God and God’s name to condone violence. trusted that God had equipped him differently.

9 Clendenin, ibid.

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When we face something we fear, And, of course, we have our we often try to take the advice of collective “Goliaths” don’t we? others, when I wonder if, we might Especially as Christians. Our just be needing to listen to the collective “Goliath” may be advice of God. Meaning…to listen something social or political: like to how God is speaking to us and how to raise your voice in the face equipping us for whatever we are of injustice. This week, we’ve all facing. To sit before God in prayer been wondering – politicians and before we ever place ourselves religious leaders and everyday before our fears. Facing God citizens alike…how to help our sometimes takes way more country honor human dignity and courage than facing our Goliaths. welcome the immigrant and refugee while also forming And by Goliaths, I don’t mean immigration policies that provide giant Philistine military guys. safety and resources for those who There are times in our lives when are here already and those who we face “Goliaths” – and those have yet to come. It seems so “Goliaths” are often not huge, doesn’t it? Insurmountable? people…but “issues” or “decisions” or “fears” or The thing is, we can get consumed “obstacles” that seem too big for by worry and anxiety about facing us to face. You may even have a the “Goliaths” in our life – so that “Goliath” you are facing in your we freeze or retreat or give life right now. Something so big up…basically do what the and scary that it feels like you Israelites were doing before David can’t even bring yourself to face it. stepped up. But I wonder if things might change if we focused not on Your “Goliath” may be something facing our Goliaths head on, but personal: like an illness…or a rather on facing God head on first grief…or a career decision…or an before turning to our Goliaths? addiction. Looking at God, looking at Christ, and using the life and love of Jesus Your “Goliath” may be something as the inspiration and courage to interpersonal: like a relationship face whatever we need to face? struggle…or “the elephant in the The strength is not in David’s sling room” at family dinners…or a shot…it’s in his spirit…in his resentment with a colleague at faith. work…or a conflict with a neighbor where you live.

6 To face Goliath is to hear the threats that come at us every “The aliens shall be to you as day…that we must protect citizens, and shall also be allotted ourselves and protect our land and an inheritance.” (Ezek. 47:21-22) protect our reputations and protect our possessions and protect our “…Bring good news to the faith. poor…release to the captives…sight to the blind...let the To face God is to hear the truths of oppressed go free.” (Lk 4:16-21) the scripture as louder than the taunts and threats of our perceived “…Let us love, not in word or enemies and as louder than the speech, but in truth and action.” (I fears in our hearts: Jn 3:18)

“Blessed are those who mourn, for “Now faith is the assurance of they will be comforted.” (Matt. things hoped for, the conviction of 5:4) things not seen.” (Heb. 11:1)

“Blessed are the meek, for they "Let the little children come to me, will inherit the earth.” (Matt. 5:5) and do not stop them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as “Blessed are those who are poor, these.” (Lk 18:16) (and the persecuted) for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Lk 6:20, “God is our refuge and strength; Matt. 5:10) an ever-present help in times of trouble.” (Ps. 46:1) “Blessed are those who are hungry, for they will be filled.” “Those who hope in the Lord will (Lk 6:21) renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will “Blessed are the peacemakers, for run and not grow weary, they will they will be called children of walk and not be faint.” (Isa. 40:31) God.” (Matt. 5:9) “Be strong and courageous. Do “The Lord your God...loves the not be afraid; do not be strangers, providing them food and discouraged, for the Lord your clothing. So You shall also love God will be with you wherever you the stranger, for you were go.” (Josh. 1:9) strangers in the land of Egypt.” (Deut. 10:18-19)

7 “Do not be anxious about faith, for passion in our justice, for anything, but in every situation, by prayerfulness in our actions, and as prayer and petition, with David exemplifies, for practice and thanksgiving, present your preparation in the gifts that God requests to God.” (Philip. 4:6) has given us, so that at the right time, we are ready. You can add in your favorite Bible verse here…for God’s word I suppose a key question from this speaks to us and empowers us in story of David and Goliath for us many ways. as adults is this: Like David, do we face God first before we turn to But we have to put our face face our Goliath? Said a different (literally) in the Scriptures and way, do we seek to honor God in come to know the God of love and all we do, and to honor all of the life of Jesus to actually know God’s children, or do we just seek what it means to face God. That is, to take down our Goliaths? to see the face of Christ in the face of all people…even in our Chances are, if we glance at God “Goliaths.” first, we’ll see our Goliaths in a whole new light. Either – not as an You see, David, wasn’t always just enemy to be defeated…or yes, as practicing his sling shot out in the something that needs to be faced, fields with the sheep. He was also but not to just take it down, but playing his lyre and praying to his rather to transform it. God is in the God…writing the psalms…voicing business of redemption, not his praises and his laments. He had retaliation. And redemption is way a depth to his faith that seemed to messier and way harder than be beyond his peers. It doesn’t retaliation. mean he wasn’t susceptible to temptation…you heard him ask his And redemption also means brothers twice what the reward recognizing when we are the was for slaying Goliath (riches, a Goliath in the story. When we are daughter of Saul’s, and freedom the one that other people see as an for his family). David’s motives obstacle, or as the enemy. We weren’t all pure. But lucky for us, aren’t always David, sometimes God doesn’t have to have we are Goliath. And in that case, perfection to use us or speak what we must ask ourselves, is through us. God doesn’t need what does it mean for us to turn to perfection, nor does God ask for it. God so that we can see the people God just asks for persistence in our standing before us as ones in need

8 of hope and not hate? How do we turn to God…and not to our Goliath selves and our Goliath power and our Goliath strength and our Goliath privilege?

Whether we see ourselves as David facing up at Goliath OR as Goliath facing down David – I wonder what would happen if we first faced God? Would we then realize that the face before us – the one that we fear – is the face of Christ? And that the face others see on us is what they will know as the face of Christ?

I wonder if facing God first would help us all learn that wielding love and faith will launch us far greater distances than wielding hate or fear ever will.

Amen.

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