In Churchhouse studio alone this week, Keith shares similarities in the Old Testament use of “wake,” and more use of how the New Testament handles the word. In either case, it doesn’t mean what you think it does. Especially if you apply the definition that social justice warriors apply to it.
It’s most common uses are:
- Wielded (as a spear)
- Stirred up (as an enemy)
One example can be found in David’s mighty men.
2 Samuel 23 (NASB)
18 Now Abishai, the brother of Joab, the son of Zeruiah, was chief of the thirty. And he wielded his spear against three hundred men and killed them and won a name beside the three.
An example of stirring up an enemy:
1 Chronicle 5 (NASB)
26 So the God of Israel stirred up the spirit of Pul king of Assyria, the spirit of Tiglath-pileser king of Assyria, and he took them into exile, namely, the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh, and brought them to Halah, Habor, Hara, and the river Gozan, to this day.
More examples of mighty men.
1 Chronicle 11 (NASB)
11 This is an account of David’s mighty men: Jashobeam, a Hachmonite, was chief of the three. He wielded his spear against 300 whom he killed at one time.
20 Now Abishai, the brother of Joab, was chief of the thirty. And he wielded his spear against 300 men and killed them and won a name beside the three.
More examples of stirring up enemies:
2 Chronicles 21 (NASB)
16 And the LORD stirred up against Jehoram the anger of the Philistines and of the Arabians who are near the Ethiopians.
2 Chronicles 36
22 Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, so that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom and also put it in writing:
Did you notice the other observances in Old Testament uses?
- The thing or person being “woke” needs an outside factor to mobilize it.
- The Old Testament idea of being wakened is the action itself. It’s Not a concept pointing to some other activity.)
- The object could not otherwise move, be wakened, or stirred up under its power or authority.
A spear (an inanimate object) is harmless until lifted, stirred, wielded by a warrior. Its devastation to an enemy is more in the skill of the warrior than the spear. An enemy king may have the power to devastate, but until God stirs him up, he has no authority to attack God’s people.
But once God’s people turn their backs and prove they need a reprimand, woe to them for making God unleash enemies on them.
Turning to the New Testament uses of the word to be awake we find non-violent uses.
In these cases, the word watch is to be awake, as if from sleep. In particular, Jesus requests that his disciples stay awake with him in an hour of great need.
Matthew 26 (NASB)
38 Then he said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with me.”
40 And he came to the disciples and found them sleeping. And he said to Peter, “So, could you not watch with me for one hour?
41 Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
Purpose:
- Not the activity of lifting a spear.
- Not the stirring of enemies to attack and plunder.
It’s the simple, passive state of remaining conscious. Staying awake to hold a vigil of prayer.
Pray:
- If there are enemies to fight, let God turn their hearts away from sin and towards him.
- If there are personal battles to fight, let God handle the aggression, and protect his own.
- If there are sacrifices to make, pray for the comfort needed before the ordeal.
- If the sacrifice is unavoidable, pray for the courage to go through it.
In any case to be “woke” is to be the spear, the vessel, and let God wield us, wake us, as he sees fit. To his glory and in his skillful hand.
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NASB.
Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.”
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“Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®,
Copyright © 1960,1962,1963,1968,1971,1972,1973,1975,1977,1995
by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.”
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