Interposed

The Doctrine of Interposition

1 Samuel 23:1–13 ESV

Now they told David, “Behold, the Philistines are fighting against Keilah and are robbing the threshing floors.” Therefore David inquired of the Lord, “Shall I go and attack these Philistines?” And the Lord said to David, “Go and attack the Philistines and save Keilah.” But David’s men said to him, “Behold, we are afraid here in Judah; how much more then if we go to Keilah against the armies of the Philistines?” Then David inquired of the Lord again. And the Lord answered him, “Arise, go down to Keilah, for I will give the Philistines into your hand.” And David and his men went to Keilah and fought with the Philistines and brought away their livestock and struck them with a great blow. So David saved the inhabitants of Keilah. When Abiathar the son of Ahimelech had fled to David to Keilah, he had come down with an ephod in his hand. Now it was told Saul that David had come to Keilah. And Saul said, “God has given him into my hand, for he has shut himself in by entering a town that has gates and bars.” And Saul summoned all the people to war, to go down to Keilah, to besiege David and his men. David knew that Saul was plotting harm against him. And he said to Abiathar the priest, “Bring the ephod here.” Then David said, “O Lord, the God of Israel, your servant has surely heard that Saul seeks to come to Keilah, to destroy the city on my account. Will the men of Keilah surrender me into his hand? Will Saul come down, as your servant has heard? O Lord, the God of Israel, please tell your servant.” And the Lord said, “He will come down.” Then David said, “Will the men of Keilah surrender me and my men into the hand of Saul?” And the Lord said, “They will surrender you.” Then David and his men, who were about six hundred, arose and departed from Keilah, and they went wherever they could go. When Saul was told that David had escaped from Keilah, he gave up the expedition.

David protects Keilah from the Phillistines

but the men of Keilah won’t return the favor.

they don’t have what it takes, they don’t have the courage.

they don’t have the faith.

The doctrine of interposition

when one, like Christ, interposes themselves.

to position oneself between - standing in the gap.

a mother out hiking with kids - interposes herself between kids and a bear

man and a robber.

pastors should interpose themselves between the saints and tyrants.

fathers interpose

civil rulers should interpose themselves between their constituents and anything evil that’d move against them.

David interposes - as a civil magistrate - under their authority - to defend them.

but the men don’t return the favor.

Rahab interposes herself for the sake of the spies

Jael interposes w/ a tent spike

Jonathan interposes between Saul and David

Jereboam interposed against hte son of Soloman

Soloman’s son became a tyrant, began to “beat w/ scorpions”

Jereboam took ten of the tribes and interposed himself against the tyrant to protect his people

Obadiah stashed away prophets - hiding them from Jezebel the tyrant who was trying to kill all the Christians

City of Libnah - kings of Judah became so evil that the town became independent - God blessed and they became a city of refuge.

Archer Pallow - Pastor in Canada - when the state attempted to forcibly close his church - he cast them out, drove them out shouting NAZIs NAZIz.

He’s Polish. And the Polish people remember the Nazis well.

he was arrested - charged - and he recently won his case in court. Innocent.

The Huguenots. - Civil rulers interposing themselves to protect them.

Our own nation - made up of free men militia who interposed themselves against tyranny.

Corrie Ten Boom - Father Ten Boom - interposed on behalf of the Jewish people.

William Wilberforce - interposed on behalf of slaves, fighting for abolishment.

But Today -> The doctrine of interposition is lost today.

In fact some believe that it’s innappropriate to be taught in church.

but there are Christians all over the world being slaughtered. And if we had this doctrine… if they had this doctrine...

And honestly - many in our region know exactly how to do this

it’s just the church that’s forgotten.

it’s not “will we interpose” it’s “for whom...”

right now in our state - in NOLA - the city is interposing itself against state laws that now exist against abortion.

They’re still allowing it, and publicly vowing to not prosecute, arrest, or charge anyone.

all over the country local authorities are interposing themselves against federal laws against marijuana.

Let’s ask a question - Why was RvW the law of the land for 50 years?

which, btw, it was never a law.

lots of reasons - but one big one - the pastors didn’t preach it.

that’s on us.

because we didn’t believe in the doctrine of interposition.

and in our text - the sons of Keilah - they won’t interpose

they don’t have the courage - they don’t have the conviction

they don’t want to lose their jobs, their position in society, their influence…

sound familiar?

they were cowards - in other words.

Men without chests, as CS Lewis puts it.

John 18:35–36 ESV

Pilate answered, “Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered you over to me. What have you done?” Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.”

“my kingdom is not of this world”

because if it was my men would be fighting.

IN OTHER WORDS - Jesus knows his lane - he’s not a civil magistrate. In his earthly ministry.

but if he was - his folks would be fighting against the injustice.

That’s a statement of condemnation… in other words.

for all of us that are… or aspire to be…

you better hear this. Don’t go for those jobs unless you’re ready to stand up and fight. To interpose.

AND MAY WE RAISE UP KIDS LIKE THIS.

Kids Who aren’t just chasing the American dream and willing to lay down their lives/beliefs/values to achieve it.

But rather - Like CS LEWIS says - kids who have chests.

Let me talk directly to our kids for just a moment

Listen to me - there is a lot riding on you.

your parents, most of us, we’re first gen believers.

that means we’re behind.

and we’re working as hard as we can to catch up.

but we’re also working as hard as we can to give you the ground to stand on that we didn’t have. - don’t waste it.

Go to school, learn the Bible, work hard, repent always, Love Jesus, obey your parents, and be brave. … don’t waste it.

Imagine: a generation coming up - Who are brave. Who can fight. And who are willing to, like Christ, interpose.

I can’t wait to see it. In your lives.

May we all, Christ Church, may we all know in the depths of our hearts, how to interpose. and may we, by God’s grace, be wiling to do it. Now and forevermore.

Let’s get to work.