Four years ago I wrote this post about the men of Zebulun – https://martinwickens.com/2018/10/of-zebulun/
This morning I find myself meditating on this group of men, and the category of mighty men among whom they stood out.
Mighty Men
We read throughout 1 Chronicles of David’s mighty men. In chapters 5-13 especially we have a description of a variety of David’s mighty men. Great changes were happening in the kingdom of Israel. For 7 years David had reigned over Benjamin and Judah from Hebron. The other ten tribes had followed the son of Saul, Ishbosheth. When Ishbosheth died the elders of the tribes sent a delegation to David and recognized him as king.
In the book order of the Bible David’s mighty men are first mentioned in 2 Samuel 10:7. The first mention of mighty men, however, is in Genesis 6:4. The first description of mighty men in the Bible is of wicked men, men of great wickedness.
In 1 Samuel 17:51, we read of Goliath, the champion of the Philistines. The word champion is translated from the same word elsewhere as mighty men.
In 1 Chronicles 5:24, we read that some of David’s men were not just mighty, they were mighty men of valor. The addition of valor adds an element of virtue. The phrase is used many times (5:24; 7:7, 9, 11, 40; 8:40; 12:21, 25). The same word, valor, is also used in Proverbs 31, the virtuous woman, a woman of valor.
What made these men of Zebulun mighty men of valor?
Such as Went Forth to Battle
These men were experienced in war, seasoned warriors. They were not novices, inexperienced in battle. They had fought battles and survived to tell the tales.
We need to value the spiritually experienced warriors we know. They will not be perfect men, but they are worthy of our honor and respect.
We should not only look up to those ahead of us but also to those who follow us. Our young men will not become seasoned warriors if they are not given the opportunity to join the ranks in spiritual battles. If we wait for them to become ready they will never be ready. We should not put them in positions of leadership too soon, but it is also possible for us to wait until it is too late.
Respect our elders, but also give opportunities to the youth.
Expert in War
These men were experts, prepared, and trained to use the weapons of war. They had survived to become seasoned warriors because they had been trained. They were not sent out as cannon fodder. They were trained, they fought, won, and survived to become experienced.
If our young people are to become seasoned then they need to be able to fight, survive, and endure. We must give them the right tools with which to wage the warfare before them.
Answer their questions patiently. Give them room to push against traditional boundaries and find out for themselves why they are there. Train them well.
Could Keep Rank
Those who could rank were those who were disciplined. Fear may have swelled up in their hearts but they held their place. In warfare, if you cannot trust the men around you then you will lose the battle. If you cannot fight your enemy with focus because you have to keep glancing to the side to make sure others are doing their part then everyone will suffer. Be aware of those around you, but in order to support not because of distrust.
Temperance, self-control, is vital for the soldier and for the Christian soldier especially. We must make sure we exercise discipline ourselves and teach others to do the same.
Many of the petty fights in real life and on social media would be avoided if we could hold our tongues and scroll on rather than dig in and type angry words.
Not of a Double Heart
Finally, these men were loyal to their king, his cause, but most importantly to God. They, look Paul could declare years later, were of a single mind.
The soldiers could trust one another and their king could trust them.
Conclusion
Thousands of years after the host of men of Zebulun have passed into glory, we remember them as mighty men of valor. May God find us faithful so that we can make a difference in our generation as mighty men and women of valor.
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