Immanuel: Our Mighty God

Without fail, every Christmas some type of "Superhero" figure tops the list of most wanted toys--G.I. Joes, Avengers or Star Wars: Rogue One characters. Of course we grown ups love our superheros as well. Not only do we justify purchasing toys because they are "collectibles" but we put out big bucks going to superhero movies.

The Hebrew behind today's name for Immanuel--Mighty God--is "ʾēl gib·bôr". I will get to "el" in a moment, but first I want to focus on this word "gib·bôr". During much of the biblical period Israel was in what historians have called the "heroic age". This is the age that Homer wrote about. Warfare was less organized and professional, consequently, one or two mighty men could literally turn the tide of battle. The names of the warriors of this time period have been immortalized into humanity's collective memory: Gilgamesh, Achilles, Hector, Samson and Jonathan Son of Saul to name a few. Towering above them all is king David of Israel. Near the end of the book of 2 Samuel we have a summary of the exploits of David's mighty men. I don't have time to read it all, but let me read just a few verses to give you a taste of their heroics:

2 Samuel 23:8–12 ESV

These are the names of the mighty men whom David had: Josheb-basshebeth a Tahchemonite; he was chief of the three. He wielded his spear against eight hundred whom he killed at one time. And next to him among the three mighty men was Eleazar the son of Dodo, son of Ahohi. He was with David when they defied the Philistines who were gathered there for battle, and the men of Israel withdrew. He rose and struck down the Philistines until his hand was weary, and his hand clung to the sword. And the LORD brought about a great victory that day, and the men returned after him only to strip the slain. And next to him was Shammah, the son of Agee the Hararite. The Philistines gathered together at Lehi, where there was a plot of ground full of lentils, and the men fled from the Philistines. But he took his stand in the midst of the plot and defended it and struck down the Philistines, and the LORD worked a great victory.

This give you an idea of what a "gib·bôr" is. When they feel threatened people still long for a "gib·bôr". At OSU this past week it was not the leaders of "Black Lives Matter" protesters that students and faculty called, but the police. Thank God for the police officer who responded and killed the Islamic terrorist student. This police officer is being hailed as a hero or a "gib·bôr".

Last week we looked a humanity's desire of a wise ruler, but if push comes to shove, they will chose a leader who is able to protect them every time. Especially, when they feel threatened. Just listen to what Israel said when they rejected the wise and godly leadership of Samuel.

1 Samuel 8:19–20 ESV

But the people refused to obey the voice of Samuel. And they said, “No! But there shall be a king over us, that we also may be like all the nations, and that our king may judge us and go out before us and fight our battles.”

God of course was to be Israel's "ʾēl gib·bôr". The word "el" is the most common Hebrew word behind the word "God" in our English bibles, but an "el" does not refer only to God. It is a word that can refer to any powerful and exalted being. Sometimes it refers to angels (especially the highest angels who are called "sons of God"), sometimes it refers to the fallen angels whom the nations worshiped as "gods" and sometimes it is used for the kings and queens of this earth.

So the most important question before every person, every nation and every generation is, "Who is your ʾēl gib·bôr?" Listen to what God says to Samuel.

1 Samuel 8:7 ESV

And the LORD said to Samuel, “Obey the voice of the people in all that they say to you, for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected me from being king over them.

As punishment God granted Israel's request and gave them Saul as their king. Saul was typical of the rulers of this world. At first he did a good job and defended the people against their enemies, but as time went on, Saul's might and power went to his head and he became oppressive and abusive of his power. In the end he became Israel's worse enemy!

God however, was merciful on Israel, and he raised up a king after his own heart--David--who was to serve at the type of Christ pointing to Israel's and the world true "ʾēl gib·bôr". David is the Superhero of the O.T.

King David is the Superhero of the Old Testament

The most famous and iconic sculpture in the world is without question Michelangelo's David. Towering to the height of 17 feet, this marble statue masterfully captures the larger than life person of king David. Throughout the pages of the Old Testament, David is the king by which all others are judged. The Messianic hope of the Jewish people has always been that a second--greater--King David would some day come. Of the coming Immanuel, Isaiah writes:

Isaiah 9:7 ESV

Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.

Later in Isaiah 11, we find this prophecy:

Isaiah 11:1–5 ESV

There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit. And the Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD. And his delight shall be in the fear of the LORD. He shall not judge by what his eyes see, or decide disputes by what his ears hear, but with righteousness he shall judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth; and he shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips he shall kill the wicked. Righteousness shall be the belt of his waist, and faithfulness the belt of his loins.

As great as King David was, Jesus--Our Immanuel--is the Superhero we are all longing for.

Jesus, Our Immanuel, is the Superhero We Long For

In popular culture, Jesus is seen as anything but a warrior, superhero. Since the romantic period of the 19th century, most depictions of Jesus have been less than masculine. As a young boy growing up, the picture of Jesus, was no Marlboro Man. Although we sang, "Be Like Jesus," the effeminate Jesus depicted on the walls of my Sunday School was most definitely NOT the type of man I would want to grow up like!

Thankfully the biblical picture of Jesus is anything but a sissy! Jesus is a man's man. He is the Divine Warrior King who protects His people and will come back someday to bring vengeance upon his and his people's enemies.

Revelation 19:11–16 ESV

Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself. He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God. And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses. From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.

In light of the unprecedented number of Christians being killed the world over, some of you might question whether or not Jesus is doing a good job as our protector and preserver. The thing we must remember is that the real battle is being fought in the Unseen Realm. In 2 Kings 6, we have an interesting story that pulls the curtain back and gives us a glimpse into the Unseen Realm. The king of Syria has inquired as to why he keeps being defeated by the king of Israel. He is informed that Elisha the prophet reveals all his battle plans to the king of Israel. Learning that Elisha is in Dothan, the king of Syria sends a mighty army to capture Elisha. Here is what happened:

2 Kings 6:15–17 ESV

When the servant of the man of God rose early in the morning and went out, behold, an army with horses and chariots was all around the city. And the servant said, “Alas, my master! What shall we do?” He said, “Do not be afraid, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” Then Elisha prayed and said, “O LORD, please open his eyes that he may see.” So the LORD opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw, and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.

The apostle Paul reminds us of this reality when he writes:

Ephesians 6:11–12 ESV

Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.

In the story of our lives, this life is but the prelude, and a very short one at that! If you entrust your life to Jesus' protection, he will keep you safe and sound and bring you to glory!

John 10:27–30 ESV

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.”

Earlier I said, "the most important question before every person, every nation and every generation is, 'Who is your ʾēl gib·bôr?'" Have you given yourself over to the protection of Jesus like a sheep gives himself over to his shepherd for protection or are you looking to someone or something else to be your superhero? The Devil is a raging lion that will devour your soul for all eternity. All the things you fear in this life are nothing compared to this unseen danger. You are absolutely powerless before his malice and hate. You are in desperate need for a mighty warrior to come and defend you. So I ask you again, "Is Jesus your ʾēl gib·bôr?"

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