03.13. Blood Does Not Do the Work of the Sword.
6. Blood does not do the work of the sword. By blood Israel had been delivered from the Destroyer in Egypt, but this did not give victory over Amalek in the desert. It required the hill-top intercession of their Leader and their own sharp swords. In the desert they had experienced the continual virtue of blood, water, oil, and the fire of discipline; but this did not give them victory over Sihon and Og:victory demanded their own swords. They went through Jordan, typifying for us escape by the cross of Christ from the weary effort to suppress the flesh, the “old man” and his corruptions; this did not give them possession of their noble inheritance:possession had to be won at the sword’s point.
Israel in Egypt is the chosen people of God in bondage to the world; Israel in the desert pictures her harassed and often defeated by defilements of the flesh (as fornication and idolatry), and of spirit (as distrust and self-pleasing):Israel fighting giants on the hilltops of Canaan represents our warfare with wicked spirits in the heavenly places. This ceaseless battle must be waged in our own hearts, watching against evil thoughts, feelings, desires:it must be pressed in home, school, business, church, pulpit, perhaps in prison for Christ’s sake.
Hast thou sheltered under the precious blood of Christ, then thou art secure from eternal damnation; but take not thou for granted that all the privileges and advantages of the new life in Christ, in time and eternity, are certain to become thine. Not so, not so! Thou must put on the whole armour of God, and use the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God (Ephesians 6:1-24).
Therefore challenge thy heart with the question, Am I fighting the good fight of faith? “Am I a soldier of the cross? “ Thy new birth grants thy title to inherit in Christ; the atoning blood has removed the legal obstacle to thy inheriting, even thy sin; but possession will only be secured by thy sword. Therefore, my brother, say resolutely to thy soul “Since I must fight if I would reign Increase my courage, Lord, I’ll bear the toil, endure the pain Supported by Thy word.”
What the blood does has been opened up in the former part of this exposition. The God of all grace be praised for the rich and establishing truth there set forth. Yet it is very necessary that the Christian should understand what the blood does not do, in order that he may feel his need of water and oil, may set himself to the life of detail obedience to the will of God declared in His Word, may thus enjoy the communion of the Holy Spirit and “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and unto the day of eternity.
Amen.” (2 Peter 3:18).