Feckless in Judah
As he was talking to them, Goliath, the Philistine champion from Gath, stepped out from his lines and shouted his usual defiance, and David heard it. When the Israelites saw the man, they all ran from him in great fear.
1 Samuel 17:23-24 [NIV]
Goliath was an awesome opponent. Over nine feet tall, he struck fear into the heart of Saul (who was himself "a head taller" than his people) and the Israelites. In spite of 40 days of repeating his challenge, none of the Israelites was prepared to volunteer to come face to face with him in battle. Nobody, that is, except for David. The story is well known - a shepherd boy, armed only with a sling and 5 smooth stones, kills Goliath with one shot.
When the Philistines saw that their hero was dead, they turned and ran. 1 Samuel 17:51b [NIV]
Without the figurehead of Goliath the Philistines were as feckless as the Israelites! Only David and Goliath were prepared to stand up and be tested in battle.
How feckless are men today? The emasculated husband and father figure is familiar in fiction (film, books and TV comedies) and in real life. When the going gets tough its time to switch on the TV and lie on the sofa in imitation of my favourite anti-hero Homer Simpson. Barely able to stand up for anything, the popular media image of modern man is depressingly spineless. Yet, with God's help, no matter how physically weak we may appear – great things can be achieved, and giants can be toppled. Let us all try to have a little more of that rare quality, "feck".
As Saul said to David: "Go, and the Lord be with you" Amen.
Dave MacLellan
(previously published in 2004)
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