2 Samuel 23:11-12(NLT)
V. 11 Next in rank was Shammah, son of Ager from Harar.
One time, the Philistines gathered at Lehi and attacked the Israelites in a field full of Lentils.
The Israelites army fled.
V. 12 But Shammah held his ground in the middle of the field and beat back the Philistines.
So the LORD brought about a great victory.
Shammah became one of King David’s mighty men.
When the Israelites army fled because of the Philistines, Shammah stood his ground.
Why would a person stand and risk their life for a field of Lentils, a field of beans.
Significance of Lentils
Abundance In Italian and Hungarian traditions Lentils are eaten on New Years Eve to attract wealth and prosperity because they resemble coins.
Cycle of Life In Jewish culture, the round shape of Lentils symbolizes the cyclical nature of life and is often served during mourning ceremonies.
Good Fortune In Mexican traditions, Lentils are eaten on New Years Day or given as gifts to symbolize good fortune and abundance in the coming year.
Biblical Significance
Lentils are associated with Jacob’s pottage and Esau’s birthright, highlighting their role in everyday life and spiritual lessons. Symbolism
Lentils are believed to ward off evil spirits or negative energy. Shammah’s Case
In Shammah’s case, he was just defending his family and his people’s future.
Nutritional Value and Consumption
The Lentils were a source of sustenance and had essential nutrients, fiber, and lentils were eaten by the rich as well as poor.
Jesus Defending God’s House
Matthew 21:12-13((NLT)
V. 12 Jesus entered the Temple and began to drive out all the people buying and selling animals for sacrifice.
He knocked over tables of money changers and the chairs of those selling doves.
V. 13 He said to them, “The scriptures declare, My Temple will be called a house of prayer, but you have made it into a den of thieves.”
Jesus defended his Temple, his father’s Temple. He did not just stand by and let those things be done without doing something.
Some of us are disappointed in some of the manipulation and control we see God’s people are dealing with, let’s be the change we want to see.
Lessons learned from Shammah:
Lesson 1: He held his ground
Although all of the Israelite army fled, Shammah held his ground, the odds seemed against him, but God was with him.
Lesson 2: He valued his possessions
That field belonged to him and his family, and he was not gonna just stand by and let the Philistines take or destroy it.
Can you imagine the work they had put into that field, the Years of labor.
He was not gonna just let it be destroyed.
Lesson 3: He had courage
So many become acquiescent to their opposition and just let them come and take what’s theirs.
But like God was with Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joshua, David, Ruth,
was with Shammah.
Shammah did not just look and complain. He did something.
Lesson 4: God Received The Glory
God received the glory
Shammah realized that only through God did he have the courage, strength, and determination to defeat such an enemy.
So to some, they may have just been Lentils or beans, but what may be a small thing to some was a huge thing to Shammah.
Loss of Rights and the Importance of Freedom
We have had so many rights and liberties taken from us as minorities, low income people, senior citizens, disabled people.
We enjoy a lot of freedoms in the United States, but if we’re not careful, that can change.
That’s not even a political statement, as far as one side or the other, I’m just talking about standing up for what’s right. Defending Rights and Helping Others
But we must stand up and defend what’s ours, but not just stand up for our rights but for the rights of others.
Great line in the movie a “A Few Good Men”,
We must fight for those who can not fight for themselves.
So let’s find our place, we may never have to physically do anything like Shammah or turn over tables like Jesus; but we do have a voice, we can take a stand.
Defending What’s Ours, it’s not just the right thing to do. It’s the God thing to do.
So whether we’re defending our families, defending our possessions, standing up for injustices, racism, discrimination, religious rights, whatever the issue is.
Nehemiah 4:14b(NLT)
Remember the LORD, who is great and glorious, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes.
We must do our best to defend what’s ours, I’m not talking about physical defending only, but that’s may be necessary in some cases.
But our ultimate weapon is prayer.
2 Corinthians 10:4a(NLT)
We use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons.
So whether it is with our voice, or actions, and mainly our prayers, we must defend what is ours, that’s not only the right thing, but the Godly thing.
The I AM Principle 