TURNING BACK


A. "THE CHILDREN OF EPHRAIM...TURNED BACK IN THE DAY OF BATTLE" - PS. 78:9
  1. The tribe of Ephraim was the leading tribe from the appointment of Joshua to succeed Moses until Saul became King
  2. The importance of Ephraim appears:
    1. In Judges 3:27; 7:24; 8:1-2; 10:9
    2. Being armed, and carrying bows
  3. It seems that the complaint against Ephraim as indicated in our text is:
    1. Not directed against a single shortcoming
    2. As much as against the shortcoming of that tribe during the whole time of the judges
    3. See Judges 2:14; 3:8,31; 4:2; 6:1; 10:7-12
B. TURNING BACK IN THE DAY OF BATTLE
  1. Is a most serious offense:
    1. It aids the enemy and endangers the lives of other soldiers and the country one represents
    2. It is a manifestation of great weakness or cowardice; Example: the angel of the Lord curse Meroz because they cam not to the help of the Lord on the day of battle - Judges 5:23
  2. It is significant:
    1. That Ephraim, the oldest son of Joseph, was entitled to a double blessing - the birthright in Israel
    2. Yet, having lost his way in idolatry, Manasseh took hi place - Rev. 7:8
    3. This reminds us of the warning from the Lord in Revelation 3:11, "Hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown" - Rev. 3:11; Examples: Jacob took the birthright of Esau - Gen. 25:34; Heb. 12:16; Judah took the place of Reuben - Gen. 49:3-4,8; Rev. 7:5; Manasseh took the place of Dan - Rev. 7:6
  3. God must have considered the turning back by the children of Ephraim on the day of battle:
    1. A most serious offense against the rule in battle
    2. So much so that that act of unfaithfulness was recorded in the sacred annals for a warning to others
C. THE SPECIAL LESSON FOR US TODAY
  1. The Bible extols the virtues of a good soldier of Jesus Christ:
    1. The hardness of a good soldier - 2 Tim. 2:3
    2. A good soldier will not entangle himself in the affairs of life - 2 Tim. 2:4
    3. A good soldier will heed and obey the orders of his captain - Matt. 8:9; Luke 7:8
    4. They, too, have a conscience - Luke 3:14
  2. When we become believers in Jesus Christ:
    1. We enlist in the army of the Lord
    2. We inter the great conflict between Christ and Satan
    3. We put on the whole armor of God - Eph. 6:11
    4. We are guided by the battle flag of King Emmanuel - Is. 13:2; Ps. 60:4
    5. The banners of the army of God symbolize the honor and justice of the cause of truth for which we fight and give our lives
    6. For one to betray the banner on the day of battle is cowardice in the highest degree and makes one unworthy of a place in the kingdom of God
  3. What a lesson for God's remnant people:
    1. A terrible conflict is before us as a people
    2. Satan, knowing that he has but a short time is really mad at the people that keep the commandments of God and have the faith of Jesus - Rev. 12:17
    3. Are we as soldiers of Jesus Christ battle ready
    4. Do we have on the whole armor of God - Eph. 6:10-18
    5. Or are we asleep while the great struggle between the forces of light and darkness is moving into the final face of the conflict
    6. Will the angel of the Lord have to mark our conduct as turning back on the day of battle
    7. These are no idle questions - but ought to put us on our guard, lest we fail the Lord, the truth, and the people of God on the day of battle
    8. What a consolation it must have been for Paul to write the final chapter of his soldiery in the army of the Lord, "I have fought a good fight..." 2 Tim. 4:7-8


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