by Dutch Sheets
After Joshua and the army of Israel defeated the five Canaanite armies in defense of the Gibeonites, the kings of these armies fled to hide in a cave.
Upon discovering them, Joshua ordered the kings to be brought to him and made them lie down on the ground. He was about to enact a very familiar custom, which was to place his foot on their necks or heads to display his conquest. Oftentimes the defeated army, or armies in this case, would then be paraded before the conquering king or general, observing him as he "displayed" his conquest. This is what Colossians 2:15 is referring to when it says of Christ, "When He had disarmed the rulers and authorities, He made a public display of them, having triumphed over them through Him."
Joshua, however, is about to do something very different and very prophetic. Rather than place his foot on the necks of these kings, as was the typical custom, Joshua summoned some of his soldiers and had them do it. No more literal picture of Christ and the Church, His army, could have been given to us. In fulfillment of this prophetic picture, when Jesus defeated Satan and his principalities and powers, the rulers of the darkness of this world, He, too, called His army to Him and said, "You put your feet on the necks of these enemies."
When Ephesians 2:6 says that He "raised us up with Him," Christ is saying, "It's not only My victory, but it's also yours."
He is also saying, "What I have done, you must enforce. I have put them under My feet legally-under My authoritybut you must exercise that authority in individual situations, causing the literal fulfillment of it."
That is why Romans 16 says, "And the God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet" (v. 20, emphasis added). And Luke 10:19 tells us, "Behold, I have given you authority to tread upon serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall injure you" (emphasis added). This is what happened when we helped Mike: an enforcing and a treading.
Sometimes a "laying on" requires a "treading upon"!
Psalm 110, a futuristic Messianic psalm relating to Christ, also pictures our partnership with Him. It foretells that Christ would, after His resurrection, ascend to the right hand of the Father. According to the New Testament, at the time of His ascension and enthronement, He had already placed all other authorities under His feet:
And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church (Eph. 1:22).
For He has put all things in subjection under His feet. But when He says, "All things are put in subjection," it is evident that He is excepted who put all things in subjection to Him (1 Cor. 15:27).
But Psalm 110 informs us that He would still be waiting for them to become His footstool: "Sit at My right hand, until I make Thine enemies a footstool for Thy feet" (Ps. 110:1, emphasis added).
Wait a minute. Do we have a contradiction between this Messianic prophecy and the New Testament verses that say after He ascended to the Father's right hand they were already under His feet? No. Then why the seeming inconsistency? Are they under His feet or will they be placed there? The answer is YES! They are legally through the Cross. They will be literally as we do "our part." Verses 2 and 3 of Psalm 110 describe our part:
The Lord will stretch forth Thy strong scepter from Zion, saying, "Rule in the midst of Thine enemies." Thy people will volunteer freely in the day of Thy power; in holy array, from the womb of the dawn, Thy youth are to Thee as the dew.
The word "power" in this passage, chayil, is also translated "army."7 Christ is looking for a volunteer army that will stretch forth His strong scepter of authority, ruling in the midst of their enemies, enforcing His great victory. So, once again, did He place all other authorities under foot or do we? YES! He did; we enforce. He conquered Satan and his kingdom; we enforce the victory.
As we stated, sometimes a "laying on" results in a "treading upon."
In other words, at times when Christ lays a prayer mission or burden on us (gaga) that we might bear it away (nasa, bastazo), the task involves warfare. No serious Bible student could study the word "intercession" (paga) and separate it from the concept of warfare. This will be obvious as we focus more directly on spiritual warfare in upcoming chapters.
Both the Hebrew and Greek words used for "tread," darak (Hebrew)' and pateo (Greek),' involve the concept of violence or war. The Hebrew word darak actually came to be used for "bending the bow"" when about to shoot an arrow and is still used today in Israel for the command, "Load your weapons." Both words are used for treading or trampling in a wine press, a fittingly used symbolism of Christ overcoming His enemies in Isaiah 63:3 and Revelation 19:15.
The verse in Revelation says, "And from His mouth comes a sharp sword, so that with it He may smite the nations; and He will rule them with a rod of iron; and He treads the wine press of the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty." We in America even have a verse from the famous hymn "The Battle Hymn of the Republic" taken from these two verses of Scripture: "He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored, He has loosed the fateful lightning of His terrible swift sword.""
It's amazing to me that these same two words are used to describe not only Christ at war, but also our warfare. Let me give you one such reference. In Joshua 1:3, the Lord said to Joshua, "Every place on which the sole of your foot treads, I have given it to you, just as I spoke to Moses." The word "tread," of course, is darak. God wasn't telling Israel that everywhere they walked or stepped was theirs. He had already marked off the perimeters of the inheritance. He was saying symbolically, "Every place that you are willing to load your weapons and take, I'm going to give to you."
So, one more time, was God giving or were they taking? YES! And just to prove my point, remember that the previous generation under Moses was afraid and wouldn't darak (load their weapons and fight) and God wouldn't give.
Please don't think for a moment that it's any different for us today. These things happened to Israel as types or shadows for us (see 1 Cor. 10:6,11). That which our Joshua Jesus has and is giving to us won't automatically come to us either, just because we belong to Him. We, too, must take "the weapons of our warfare" (2 Cor. 10:4) and darak!
This is intercession, as it was through Christ and is through us. Oftentimes it is to be done for our brothers and sisters as we, like Christ, climb into their attics of despair, place our cheeks next to theirs and carry away the burdens or weaknesses.
• May Christ live through you!
• May that which is lacking in Christ's afflictions-our part-be lacking no more!
• May the scepter be extended from us as we rule in the midst of our enemies, making them His footstool!
• May the terrifying roar of the Lion of Judah resound from the Church!
• May the covenant of the Lord be administered in the earth!
I read the following father-and-son story which serves as a fitting end to this chapter:
In spite of repeated warnings, a small boy continued coming home late after school. One morning his parents informed him that there was no more grace-he must arrive on time that evening. He was late again.
At dinner that night the young man discovered his punishment. On his plate was only a piece of bread. The boy was shocked and dismayed. After waiting a few moments for the full impact to do its work, the father took the boy's plate and gave him his fill of meat and potatoes.
When the boy was grown to manhood he said, "All my life I've known what God is like by what my father did that night.""
To be like Christ will cost us. Our cause is costly. The work of intercession has a price. Let's pay it. Let's push back from our bountiful table once in a while and show someone what God is like.
Questions for Reflection
1. Explain the two types of bearing in the Scriptures. How do they pertain to intercession? What does paga have to do with bearing?
2. Can you explain how the scapegoat is a picture of intercession?
3. How does the account of Joshua and the Israelites in Joshua 10:22-27 picture the partnership between Christ an
d the Church?
4. In what way does Psalm 110 picture the relationship between Jesus and the Church?
5. Have you told Jesus yet today that you love Him?
C H A P T E R S I X
NO TRESPASSING
Protective Boundaries
"No dumping allowed. Trespassers will be violated."
I used to laugh every time I drove by the sign. This wasn't a homemade sign. It was a professionally made metal sign posted by a city in Oklahoma (I won't tell you which one). It was even the fancy kind with fluorescent letters that could be easily seen at night. But those who made it were confused and instead of saying "Trespassers (or Violators) will be prosecuted," they worded it "Trespassers will be violated."
I hope they were merely confused. Perhaps they weren't. Maybe in that town the law violated lawbreakers instead of prosecuting them. I decided I didn't want to find out.
There is an aspect of intercession that relates to protection: protective boundaries-posting signs in the spirit, if you please: "No dumping allowed, Satan. Trespassers will be violated."
In the nineteenth chapter ofJoshua, the word paga (intercession) is used several times. The passage is describing the dimensions or boundaries of each of the tribes of Israel. It is translated several ways in different translations, including "reached to," "touched," "bordered," "boundary." The Spirit-Filled Bible says paga, when used in this context, is the extent to which a boundary reaches.'
Does it surprise you that the word used for "intercession," paga, is also translated "boundary"? It really shouldn't. It only seems logical to me that perimeters of protection be linked to prayer. I want to state emphatically: We CAN build boundaries of protection' around ourselves and others through intercession. What a comfort to know that this truth is inherent in the very meaning of the word.
Many Christians believe that protection from accidents, destruction, satanic traps and assaults, etc., is automatic for the Christian-that we do nothing to cause it-that it is based on the sovereignty of God alone. In other words, when God wants to protect us from these things, He does; when He chooses not to, He allows them to happen.
This belief simply means that whether or not we are delivered from destructive things is based entirely on God, not us. Those who adhere to this teaching usually believe nothing can happen to a Christian that is not allowed by God. Others go so far as to say this is true for everyone, not just Christians. They believe God is in control of everything that happens on Earth.
That God is not directly in control of everything that takes place on Earth can be seen in the simple facts:
• He would never decide a person should be raped or abused.
• He would never desire that the innocent suffer.
• He would never will murder, pillage, racial genocide and a thousand other things.
Governing Principles
Whether or not God directly controls every event in the life of a Christian can be answered by stating that the basic laws of sowing and reaping, cause and effect, individual responsibility and the free will aren't negated when we come to Christ. All promises from God are attached to conditions-governing principles. Most, if not all, of these conditions involve responsibility on our part. Protection is no exception.
Most of us don't like that. It threatens us and somehow weakens God in our minds to imply He's not in total control of everything. And the majority are greatly offended if anything is taught implying that a failure to receive protection, provision, healing, an answer to prayer, or anything else from God could be our fault.
I can understand how it might threaten us-I'm threatened by me-but I don't understand why it offends. Are any of us claiming perfection? Aren't all of us going to fail once in a while? Then why are we offended when a teaching suggests that these imperfections and failures might hinder us?
Why are we offended and opposed to a teaching that says our unbelief kept us from receiving something when so often the Bible says if we believe and do not doubt or waver we'll receive (see Matt. 17:20; 21:2 1; Mark 11:22-24; Jas. 1:6-7)?
Why are we offended when it is implied that our inability to persevere created lack when the Bible says that we "through faith and patience inherit the promises" (Heb. 6:12, emphasis added)?
Why are we confused or angry when it is suggested that our not doing something caused failure when the Bible says if we're "willing and obedient" we'll eat the good of the land (Isa. 1:19, KJV, emphasis added)?
As many as 80 percent of those who consider themselves born again don't tithe, thereby opening themselves to a curse. Yet they are offended when someone implies that their lack of provision might be their own fault (see Mal. 3:8-12).
We don't forgive and still have the gall to think God will hear and answer our prayers (see Mark 11:25-26).
Often, we eat poorly, don't exercise and abuse our bodies in other ways. Then we blame our sicknesses on God's will.
We don't properly train our children, yet we're offended with the suggestion that their rebellion might be our fault (see Deut. 6:7; Prov. 22:6).
We don't abide in Christ and His Word. Still we blame it on "God's will" when we "ask what we will" and it isn't done (John 15:7).
We know faith comes through hearing and meditating on God's Word (see Rom. 10:17), and most of us do very little of that. But let someone imply that we didn't receive a promise because of unbelief and we're irate.
The Scriptures teach that "He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High" (KJV) receives the protective promises of the remainder of Psalm 91 . . . that I have an armor I must wear and carry, including the shield of faith, to ward off Satan's fiery darts (see Eph. 6:13-18) . . . that Satan goes about like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour and that I am to resist him (see 1 Pet. 5:8; Jas. 4:7) . . . and yet, let someone suggest that my lack of protection from some destructive happening could be my own fault and I'm offended. How about you?
I'm certainly not implying that God never allows us to walk through difficulties, that all our problems are because of disobedience or that all unanswered prayer is because of unbelief. I'm simply saying that many of our failures and difficulties are our fault, not "God's will"; we have a part to play in the securing of protection and other heavenly provisions.
Let's try to lay down our fears, insecurities and tendencies toward offense. Let's accept the fact that the Scriptures are filled with principles that put responsibility on us, which must be met to receive God's promises. Let's realize this doesn't cancel grace and promote salvation by works. Grace does not imply "no responsibility" on our part. Let's realize the love of God is unconditional, but His favor and blessing are not.
Let's cast off all laziness, complacency and apathy. Let's realize we will fall short at times and not feel condemned when we do. Let's!
Building Boundaries Through Prayer
If you're still willing to finish this book after such a dissertation-back to protection. You've probably guessed by now that I don't believe it is automatically ours just because we are Christians. We must do things to secure it, one of which is building boundaries (paga) of protection through prayer.
I heard a minister in Fort Worth, Texas, tell the story of another pastor who years ago received divine protection as a result of prayer-building walls or boundaries of protection (paga). This pastor had developed the discipline of beginning every day with an hour of prayer.
One particular day, however, he felt a strong leading of the Holy Spirit to pray longer, so he continued for a second hour. After two hours he still felt the need to keep on praying, so he persevered for a third hour, asking for God's protection and blessing on his day, as well as for other things. He then felt released from the need to pray longer, so he stopped.
That evening as he was mowing his lawn, he felt something repeatedly brush up against his leg. He looked down and saw a coiled rattlesnake trying to strike him, but it just couldn't hit him. Instead, it kept brushing either side of his leg.
Why had the man felt
the need to pray longer that morning? What was he doing? Among other things he was building "boundaries" of protection through prayer gaga.
Some would say, of course, that God doesn't need three hours of prayer to protect one from a rattlesnake. I would agree. He didn't "need" seven days of marching around Jericho to tear it down either, but He chose to do it that way. He doesn't "need" to spit in a person's eye to heal them, but He did once. Why He requires things to be done certain ways, we don't always know, but we do know that for us obedience is the key. If He says "three hours" then three hours is exactly what it will take.
Dwelling in the Secret Place
Consistency is also a key when it comes to prayer for protection. We must "dwell" in the secret place to "abide" under the Almighty's protective shadow: "He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty" (Ps. 91:1, KJV). Jesus equated the "secret" place to the prayer closet in Matthew 6:6. The word "dwell" in Psalm 91:1 is yashab, which means "to remain or abide; to dwell in or inhabit."' The point is that it must be a lifestyle, not a once in a while activity. We must make the secret place our habitation or "dwelling" place. Many believers' prayer lives are too sporadic to build solid walls of protection.
The word "abide" in this same verse is luwn, which means, among other things, "to spend the night."4 Let's read it with that meaning: "He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High, shall spend the night under the shadow of the Almighty." In other words, prayer is like the Word of God-we don't read enough today for the entire week. We must have "daily bread" or manna. Likewise, we must go to the secret place daily and when we do we can "spend the night" there. Tomorrow, however, we must go again. Consistency is a key.