The Spirit of the Philistine and the Pharisee

The Spirit of the Philistine and the Pharisee

When I began to study the scriptures and would come across different characters, I’d look at the people I knew and start categorizing them according to how they acted. I would say this one acts like Saul or this one acts like Peter and so on. I knew the Bible was more than a history book but I didn’t really know what it was all about. Most people that read the Old Testament see the events just as an encouragement to be preached to the masses. Take the story of David and Goliath, it’s usually preached how the Lord blessed David to defeat this evil giant. To them it is implied that the lord will help you overcome your enemies. To this I agree but I was shocked when the Lord revealed to me that the giant lived right in me. Again take Saul and David. I always thought Saul was someone else and never believed that he lived in me also. This may come as a shock but the entire bible is about Christ and you, a man and his bride and these two becoming one. All the different characters in the bible are either born out of our flesh nature or our spirit nature. It reveals our progression. Andrew Jukes says in the preface to his Types in Genesis, “In the book of Genesis he tells us the story, how both human society and divine spring by grace or nature from the same root. There are seven distinct forms of life, owned by God, which this book of Genesis fully reveals to us; first Adam, then Abel, then Noah, then Abraham, then Isaac, then Jacob, then at last Joseph. These seven are the various shades of the true light of life, as it appears when refracted through body, soul, and spirit, the triangular prism of human nature.” In Adam we have the old man, next comes Abel and we learn about the flesh and spirit, next comes Noah or regeneration, then comes Abraham or faith and this begets Isaac or sonship, next comes Jacob or sonship service which leads to suffering but ends in Joseph or glory. The Flesh or Adam dwells in us along with the Holy Spirit. Since these two are contrary to one another, they always strive against each other. We know the end result is Christ. Jesus is the head and we are the body. Gal 5:17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.

KJV 1Co 15:22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.

AMP 1Co 15:23 But each in his own rank and turn: Christ (the Messiah) [is] the firstfruits, then those who are Christ's [own will be resurrected] at His coming. 1Co 15:24 After that comes the end (the completion), when He delivers over the kingdom to God the Father after rendering inoperative and abolishing every [other] rule and every authority and power. 1Co 15:25 For [Christ] must be King and reign until He has put all [His] enemies under His feet. [Ps. 110:1.] 1Co 15:26 The last enemy to be subdued and abolished is death. 1Co 15:27 For He [the Father] has put all things in subjection under His [Christ's] feet. But when it says, All things are put in subjection [under Him], it is evident that He [Himself] is excepted Who does the subjecting of all things to Him. [Ps. 8:6.] 1Co 15:28 However, when everything is subjected to Him, then the Son Himself will also subject Himself to [the Father] Who put all things under Him, so that God may be all in all [be everything to everyone, supreme, the indwelling and controlling factor of life].

Eph 4:13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ.

Let’s start with the Philistines. We need to see where they come from and who their parents are to see why they caused Israel so much trouble. The word is first found in Gen 10:14 and is Philistim. H6430 p^elishtı̂y pel-ish-tee' Partial from H6429; a Pelishtite or inhabitant of Pelesheth: - Philistine. It comes from the root word H6428ׁ pâlash paw-lash' A primitive root; to roll (in dust): - roll (wallow) self. From this definition remember what was said in Gen 3:14 And the LORD God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life. I hope you are beginning to get a picture of who the Philistines are.

According to Smith’s Bible Dictionary the name means immigrant. They occupied the southern coast of Canaan and Gaza. Biblical scholars often trace the word to the Semitic root p-l-sh (Hebrew: פלש‎) which means to divide, go through, to roll in, cover or invade, with a possible sense in this name as "migrant" or "invader. The Philistines occupied the five cities of Gaza, Ashkelon, Ashdod, Ekron, and Gath, along the coastal strip of southwestern Canaan, that belonged to Egypt up to the closing days of the Nineteenth Dynasty (ended 1185 BC). The biblical stories of Samson, Samuel, Saul and David include accounts of Philistine-Israelite conflicts. The Philistines long held a monopoly on iron smithing, a skill they possibly acquired during conquests in Anatolia. According to the Bible, the Philistines made frequent incursions against the Israelites. There was almost perpetual war between the two peoples. The Philistine pentapolis were ruled by seranim (סְרָנִים, "lords"), who acted together for the common good, though to what extent they had a sense of a "nation" is not clear without literary sources. After their defeat by the Hebrew king David, who originally for a time worked as a mercenary for Achish of Gath, kings replaced the seranim, governing from various cities. Some of these kings were called Abimelech, which was initially a name and later a dynastic title.

We see in Genesis that Philistim came from Ham. Gen 10:6 And the sons of Ham; Cush, and Mizraim, and Phut, and Canaan. Gen 10:7 And the sons of Cush; Seba, and Havilah, and Sabtah, and Raamah, and Sabtecha: and the sons of Raamah; Sheba, and Dedan. Gen 10:8 And Cush begat Nimrod: he began to be a mighty one in the earth. Gen 10:9 He was a mighty hunter before the LORD: wherefore it is said, Even as Nimrod the mighty hunter before the LORD. Gen 10:10 And the beginning of his kingdom was Babel, and Erech, and Accad, and Calneh, in the land of Shinar. Gen 10:11 Out of that land went forth Asshur, and builded Nineveh, and the city Rehoboth, and Calah, Gen 10:12 And Resen between Nineveh and Calah: the same is a great city. Gen 10:13 And Mizraim begat Ludim, and Anamim, and Lehabim, and Naphtuhim, Gen 10:14 And Pathrusim, and Casluhim, (out of whom came Philistim,) and Caphtorim.

Ham is the son of Noah. Note that he was born before the flood. Gen 5:32 And Noah was five hundred years old: and Noah begat Shem, Ham, and Japheth. Sons grow to become men. In the bible these represent certain minds or thoughts and daughters are the affections springing from them. These 3 sons are certain minds that he kept with him through the flood or regeneration. The word mind means the part of a human being that governs thought, perception, feeling, will, memory, and imagination, direction of an individual’s thoughts or attention, point of view or opinion, desire, purpose, or intelligence. To regenerate means to reform morally or spiritually or to replace or restore. As quoted from Andrew Jukes, “Noah is the spiritual mind brought forth from the ground of the old man into a purer world. His sons represent those forms of life produced by the spiritual mind in us before regeneration.” In Gen 9:1 And God blessed Noah and his sons, and said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth. Here we see a blessing given to Noah and his sons. In Gen 9:18 And the sons of Noah, that went forth of the ark, were Shem, and Ham, and Japheth: and Ham is the father of Canaan. Gen 9:19 These are the three sons of Noah: and of them was the whole earth overspread. Everything in the bible from here on out comes from these three sons. That is every character and event listed in the bible has to do with what comes out of regeneration. It is not us against the world as some like to say. As a matter of fact the so called world or should I really say the unbelievers have never been a problem for the church. A quick study of scriptures can easily prove this point. The Romans never had a problem with Jesus. A roman centurion came to him for him to heal his servant. Mat 8:5 And when Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there came unto him a centurion, beseeching him, Mat 8:6 And saying, Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy, grievously tormented. Mat 8:7 And Jesus saith unto him, I will come and heal him. Mat 8:8 The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed. Notice he even called him Lord.

Mat 27:24 When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it. Pilate here calls Jesus a just person. Luk 23:4 Then said Pilate to the chief priests and to the people, I find no fault in this man. Here he finds no fault in Jesus. Mat 27:20 But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask Barabbas, and destroy Jesus. It’s always been religion that has caused the wars. The people are always arguing over doctrine and practice and just about everything else. Rev 11:8 And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified. He was crucified in Jerusalem on Golgotha’s hill but here Jerusalem is spiritually called Sodom and Egypt. It’s because there has never been any room in religion for Christ. When he was born there was no room for him in the inn so he was born in a manger. Luk 2:7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

In Gen 9:20 And Noah began to be an husbandman, and he planted a vineyard:

Gen 9:21 And he drank of the wine, and was drunken; and he was uncovered within his tent. Gen 9:22 And Ham, the father of Canaan, saw the nakedness of his father, and told his two brethren without. Gen 9:23 And Shem and Japheth took a garment, and laid it upon both their shoulders, and went backward, and covered the nakedness of their father; and their faces were backward, and they saw not their father's nakedness. Gen 9:24 And Noah awoke from his wine, and knew what his younger son had done unto him. Gen 9:25 And he said, Cursed be Canaan; a servant of servants shall he be unto his brethren. Gen 9:26 And he said, Blessed be the LORD God of Shem; and Canaan shall be his servant. Gen 9:27 God shall enlarge Japheth, and he shall dwell in the tents of Shem; and Canaan shall be his servant. Grace has brought Noah through the judgment of the first creation into another dimension. Noah is the spiritual mind brought forth from the ground of the old man or Adam. His sons are those forms of life, which produced by the spiritual mind in us before regeneration called Shem, Ham, and Japhet, that were born before the flood, develop themselves in us after we have known the judgment of the first creation. For regeneration bears in us more than one mind or form of life. In Adam’s sons we saw different forms of life which grew out of him. In Noah we see the forms of life which the regenerate mind may produce in each of us. Now these forms of life are as different as Shem, Ham, and Japhet, for man is composed of body, soul, and spirit, and of each a germ or seed buds out, produced in Noah as his three sons, before regeneration, which after the flood or judgment show what they are, and their respective natures, whether they are of the body, soul, or the spirit. Whether Ham, Japhet, or Shem, whose very names tell what they are. These are the fruits of regeneration. There is first the highest life which delights in the unseen, in love and holiness. Then there is the active life, which is good and does well, but deals more with external things. Then there is the doctrinal life, it is a mind that is occupied with truth without the power of it, a form of life, which, although growing out of the regenerate mind, is close to evil and must be subdued and fought against. This is the mind without love or charity. Shem is the first of these, Japhet is the second, and Ham is the third. Ham is the Father of Canaan whom Israel had to overcome. Shem’s name means name and represents that mind which knows the Name that is above every name. Japhet’s name means enlargement and represents the freedom which is the portion of the regenerate soul. To spread abroad on the face of the earth the blessing the God has given it. Ham’s name means burnt or black and represents the mind that is seared as with a hot iron. 1Ti 4:1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; 1Ti 4:2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; 1Ti 4:3 Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. 1Ti 4:4 For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving. They know the truth but don’t live in the truth and thereby produce Canaan or the cursed form of life. This is a live without charity or communion. These things may be seen by some when we look at the evil without, but let’s not forget that the germ of it all is within our own heart. This is what we have to overcome.

Rev 2:7 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God. Rev 2:11 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.

Rev 2:17 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it. Rev 2:26 And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:

Rev 3:5 He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.

Rev 3:12 Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.

Rev 3:21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.

Rev 21:7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. All these over comings had to do with things in the churches.

Looking back at the events in Genesis 9 we can see the actions of these sons. Remember that Noah’s sons represent one class of the regenerate man. Shem are those who love the inner life, Japhet are men of action, and Ham are men of doctrine only, and Canaan are those unhappy souls, from being hearers only of the word and not doers, self deceived and become deceivers also. I mention Canaan because his name is mention. These four represent the four distinguishing classes into which the church may be divided. Remember the sower sowed seeds that fell on four different types of soil. Matt 13. There is true inward and true outward religion. These are Shem and Japhet. Then there is false inward and outward religion. These are Ham and Canaan. Every form of Christian life is the development of one or the other of these classes. Noah began to be a husbandman and planted a vineyard. Christ is the true vine. Noah drank of the wine and became drunk. How often have we seen someone drunk and felt sorry for them. We see how they stagger when they walk and how loud and abusive they can be. I have learned this, when the Lord places someone in your life that really draws your attention, the first thing you should do is look inward. Be as David stated in Psa 139:23 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: Psa 139:24 And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. We can become drunk on doctrine and become unbalanced and stagger. We can be loud and abusive to others while we are trying to make them see it our way. This is why Paul tells us to be sober. To be sober means to be discreet or prudent and wise in avoiding errors, cautious.

Noah’s failure was the abuse of his gift. Noah’s care of the cleansed earth was the vine. Ham not only sees the shame but tells it to others. He doesn’t attempt to cover him. Shem and Japhet will not look on his nakedness, but place a garment on their shoulders and go in backwards – a path not taught by nature – and cover their father’s nakedness. The garment on their shoulders is mentioned in Isa 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Isa 9:7 Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this. The government of the Lord is to cover or atone for sin, not go and tell everyone how bad someone is. Col 1:18 And he (Christ) is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. We can see that, from Ham and his children, what kind of nature or character this child will have. A nature that is very religious and focused on so called worship but lacking in charity. Charity is the Greek word G26 ἀγάπη agapē ag-ah'-pay From G25; love, that is, affection or benevolence; specifically (plural) a love feast: - (feast of) charity ([-ably]), dear, love. This is the highest form of love. The word charity is translated as both charity and love. We only use one word in the English for love but in the Greek there are a few different translations. Take for example in Joh 21:15 So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. Here are two examples of the different meanings of the word love. Jesus ask Peter if he lovest or agape him more than these. Peter answered with a different word for love. The word he uses is G5368 φιλέω phileō fil-eh'-o From G5384; to be a friend to (fond of [an individual or an object]), that is, have affection for (denoting personal attachment, as a matter of sentiment or feeling; while G25 is wider, embracing especially the judgment and the deliberate assent of the will as a matter of principle, duty and propriety: the two thus stand related very much as G2309 and G1014, or as G2372 and G3563 respectively; the former being chiefly of the heart and the latter of the head); specifically to kiss (as a mark of tenderness): - kiss, love. From this word we get our word Philadelphia which means brotherly love. Another words we love them because we have something in common.

We are to have more than brotherly love. In Mat 5:44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; Mat 5:45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. Mat 5:46 For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? Mat 5:47 And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so? We are to have love, agape, or charity towards all men. 1Pe 4:8 And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins. The word fervent used here is G1618 ἐκτενής ektenēs ek-ten-ace' From G1614; intent: - without ceasing, fervent. That word comes from the word G1614 ἐκτείνω ekteinō ek-ti'-no From G1537 and τείνω teinō (to stretch); to extend: - cast, put forth, stretch forth (out). How often do we say that we love everyone because we are supposed to but never extend and hand to our enemies? This is the religious mind of the Philistine. He is zealous for religion and tradition but lacking in charity.

In Genesis chapter 20 we see another trail for Abraham involving the Philistines. Our Father is always testing and chastening us to draw out the dross and bring us into perfection. Terah, Abraham’s father or the old man, is dead, Sodom has been judged or the naturals senses and self love, Lot is gone or the outward man. Abraham comes into the land of the Philistines and through fear for his life he denies his wife or the new covenant. He says she is my sister and Abimelech, king of Gerar took her. But our Father, by his grace, intervenes and makes known to the Philistines that she belongs to another and he may not touch her. Sarah is restored to Abraham and the king gives several gifts unto him. In Egypt Abraham had already taken Hagar to raise up an heir and here again he denies Sarah the new covenant. We see later that Isaac, Abraham’s son, also denied his wife to the Philistines. This failure of the elect is recorded twice. Remember that these things were written for our learning and for examples to us. In the Book of Genesis every man or woman came from Adam, which are figures of some mind or affection, which by nature or grace springs out of human nature. Abraham is the spirit of faith, Sarah is the new covenant. Abimelech was a Philistine. Going back to Genesis, chapter 10, we see the development of the seeds which multiplied on resurrection ground. We see that the Philistines were the children of Mizraim or Egypt. Egypt is sense, outwardly, those who live the life of sense, or in seen things, it is bondage. Rom 8:15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. Heb 2:15 And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. Exo 1:13 And the Egyptians made the children of Israel to serve with rigour: Exo 1:14 And they made their lives bitter with hard bondage, in morter, and in brick, and in all manner of service in the field: all their service, wherein they made them serve, was with rigour. Exo 6:5 And I have also heard the groaning of the children of Israel, whom the Egyptians keep in bondage; and I have remembered my covenant. Exo 6:6 Wherefore say unto the children of Israel, I am the LORD, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will rid you out of their bondage, and I will redeem you with a stretched out arm, and with great judgments.

Egypt is referred to as the world and in the new testament the word world in this sense is G2889 κόσμος kosmos kos'-mos Probably from the base of G2865; orderly arrangement, that is, decoration; by implication the world. It is not the place we walk around on but the orderly arrangement of things. This is why we are so prone to habits and usually bad ones. Taking the bible literally, men have developed many traditions which make void the word of God and have kept men in bondage, which is Egypt. The Philistine is the same spirit in a rather different aspect and at a different stage. Egypt figures worldly wisdom or knowledge through the natural senses, which cannot know God, 1Co 2:9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. 1Co 2:10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. The Philistine represents the further attainments of the same. He would stretch out towards the land of Canaan, but he would enter that land without circumcision, without passing through the wilderness, and without crossing the river Jordan or the Red Sea. This is the Philistine, knowledge derived from sense, which seeks to enter into heavenly places without death and resurrection. They are a race of people famed as giants, but with all there might they cannot possess the Promised Land. We see in Abraham, the spirit of faith, that knowledge which aims at heavenly things is a snare. 1Co 8:1 Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth. An attempt is made by knowledge to take the things of faith. When faith fails to hold its proper truth, knowledge attempts to lay hold on that which exclusively belongs to faith. The new covenant or Sarah belongs only to the spirit of faith or Abraham. The Philistine is those in whom the spirit of worldly knowledge is ruling their life. In the presence of such, through the fear of man, the believer is often tempted to deny Sarah, by giving people of the world or Egypt reason to think that by mere knowledge, without faith, the new covenant or Sarah can belong to them. The result is that the Philistines, knowing no better, think that the new covenant is something they may know carnally or through the natural senses. For this the elect are to blame.

In Genesis chapter 26 we see the same events happen again only this time with Abraham’s son, Isaac. The difference is that in Abraham we see the trial as it meets us at the faith stage of our spiritual life. Here in Isaac is the trial again when instead of faith the spirit of sonship and understanding is come and rules. Now the Philistine, as we have already seen, represents that spirit which seeks by carnal knowledge or sense knowledge to enter into heavenly places. The Philistine is unknown before the flood, but such a mind surely grows out of the evil nature which still lives in us after regeneration. This mind is left in is to prove us or test us. Exo 16:4 Then said the LORD unto Moses, Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you; and the people shall go out and gather a certain rate every day, that I may prove them, whether they will walk in my law, or no. Amp Gal 6:4 But let every person carefully scrutinize and examine and test his own conduct and his own work. He can then have the personal satisfaction and joy of doing something commendable [in itself alone] without [resorting to] boastful comparison with his neighbor. When the pressure comes, and the springs fail and the fields whither, the temptation is strong to leave the ground of promise and return to Egypt or the land of the Philistines. Gen 26:15 Now all the wells which his father's servants had dug in the days of Abraham his father, the Philistines had closed and filled with earth. Isaac dwells in Gerar. Gerar is H1642 g^erâr gher-awr' Probably from H1641; a rolling country; Gerar, a Philistine city: - Gerar. It’s root word is H1641 and means to chew the cud. Isaac’s blessings are endangered by the Philistines and he is pushed from place to place until he returns to Beersheba or the well of the oath, where the Lord appears to him saying fear not, for I am with thee. On this ground the Philistine takes his proper place, submitting to the elect’s superiority, after which Isaac finds fresh wells of water or revelation and understanding and he dwells in peace.

The Philistine’s of today wish to keep the people in bondage with their statements of faith or rules of decorum. The wells of revelation have been filled with the earth of men’s varying viewpoints of scriptures. In the New Testament we see a good example of how the Philistines can fill your wells with earth. Luk 10:38 Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. Luk 10:39 And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word. Luk 10:40 But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. Luk 10:41 And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: Luk 10:42 But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.

The word for wells used in Genesis is H875 b^e'êr be-ayr' From H874; a pit; especially a well: - pit, well. It comes from the word H874 bâ'ar baw-ar' A primitive root; to dig; by analogy to engrave; figuratively to explain: - declare, (make) plain (-ly). Our wells become full of earth when we become troubled about many things and seem, through the senses, not to have an answer. The wells become full of selfish desires. Such are the trails of faith. The Philistines are continually mentioned as uncircumcised or lacking charity. In Jos 5:9 And the LORD said unto Joshua, This day have I rolled away the reproach of Egypt from off you. Wherefore the name of the place is called Gilgal unto this day. There were five Lord’s of the Philistine’s, Jos 13:3, Jud 3:3, and I Sam 6:4, 16, and 18. Five in this usage is referred to as being connected with the senses, seeing, hearing, tasting, touching, and smell. So are the Philistine’s in you and me.

Keeping these things in mind, let’s look at one more incident involving the Philistine’s and the Ark of the Covenant in 1^st Samuel. I will quote Lee Warren from his 1995 PLIM Report. “Now the Israelites warred against the Philistines, but were overcome by them resulting in 4,000 Israelites being killed (I Sam. 4:2). The Israelites sent for the Ark of the Covenant which was at Shiloah. When the Ark entered the camp of the Israelites, there was a great shout that made the Philistines afraid. Nevertheless, the Philistines defeated the Israelites, killed 30,000, and captured the Ark (I Sam. 4:10-11). The glory of Yahweh departed from Israel for the sins of the priests (I Sam. 2:12-17, 27-36; 4:12-22) that typified the Holy Spirit departing from a man's consciousness.

The Philistines set the Ark of the Covenant in the temple of Dagon before his image or idol, which was in the city of Ashdod. Not knowing how to worship Yahweh, they soon discovered His power. The following morning after placing the Ark of the Covenant before Dagon, the Philistines found Dagon face down before the Ark. The Philistines set Dagon back up and the following morning when the priests returned to the temple, they found Dagon cast down again with his head and hands cut off. Yahweh also began to plague the city with emerods (hemorrhoids).

To escape the plague the Philistine priests sent the Ark of the Covenant to other Philistine cities of Gath and Erkon which were also plagued. The Philistines finally sent the Ark with sacrifices to the city of Beth-shemesh. Yahweh killed some 50,000 people because they looked upon the Ark of the Covenant. The Ark was with the Philistines for seven months.

What is the fulfillment of the Ark being taken captive?

The capture of the Ark of the Covenant has great spiritual significance in understanding the purpose of Yahweh. First of all, it was a symbolic prophecy of what was to happen to the Messiah when He came into the earth plane. Second, it pointed to man’s mind being taken captive by erroneous doctrine and negative thoughts. Unless the student of divine metaphysics understands the reality of the Bible, then one is in jeopardy of being deceived.

Now everything in the Old Testament testifies to the Messiah, for He said: “Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me (Jn. 5:39).” This implies that the Ark of the Covenant testifies of the Messiah for He is the Son of Yahweh and the head of Israel. So the Philistine’s capture of the Ark typifies the capture of the Messiah by the high priests, the elders of Israel, and Pontius Pilate, who found Him guilty and sentenced Him to death (see the “Did U Know ...” section, “What happened to those who tried the Messiah?” p. 13 of the January/February 1994 issue of the “PLIM REPORT”). Those who participated in the Messiah’s death were just as much Gentiles spiritually (Rom. 2:28-29) as the Philistines were, whose name means, “he who deviates from the true course.”

What is the spiritual reality of the Ark being taken captive?

Yahweh allowed the Ark of the Covenant to be seized so its powers could be made manifest to the Philistines, a Gentile nation, and to Israel. In other words, the Ark being subject to Philistine captivity typifies mankind’s souls being subject to evil spirits’ negativity. The overcoming of this subjection magnifies the power of Elohim within our souls. Israel was also made subject to Pharaoh for this same reason (Rom 9:17).

It should be noted that being in subjection doesn’t necessarily mean that one is completely deceived. For example, Daniel was made subject unto the King of Babylon, but refused to obey any Laws that conflicted with his worship of Yahweh as were laid down in the Torah.

This explains why we are made subject unto so many crisis’s and negative principles, such as hate, malice and strife, in our lives. Without trials and tribulations we would not know or understand the power of Yahshua Messiah’s resurrection. Jacob Needleman confirms this in his explanation of the principle of force in his book A Sense of the Cosmos (E. F. Dutton; p. 95) “... A force must necessarily develop amid obstacles-or rather amid what acts at one level as an obstacle. indeed, this idea that force requires resistance may be one meaning of the myth of Satan who resisted the will of God, but whose very resistance was then utilized by the Creator for the fulfillment of the universal order on a large scale.” Thus, the Philistines were the obstacle or resistance necessary to manifest the powers of the Ark of the Covenant.

The Apostle Paul explained it this way: “And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us (Rom 5:3-5). He further described this principle as follows. “For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of Elohim (God, Rom 8:20-21).”

Likewise, the Messiah, who was Elohim in a body, allowed himself to be ridiculed and put to death to show the power of His resurrection over these negative forces. The Apostle Paul understood this principle when he wrote: “Who, being in the form of Elohim (God), ... made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore Elohim (God) also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Yahshua (Jesus) every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth (Phil 2:6-10).”

What is the spiritual significance of the plagues Yahweh placed on the Gentiles for capturing the Ark?

The Ark of the Covenant plagued the Philistines because they did not know how to worship Yahweh. They only knew how to worship their stone idols by bowing down and sacrificing to them. This violated the Law of Yahweh written on tables of stone within the Ark, which strictly forbade the worshipping of idols (Ex. 20:1-5). In other words, when the Philistines took the Ark of the Covenant, they were not aware that they had also brought the symbolical representation of the Law of the Spirit of Life into their presence which required absolute obedience (Deut. 28:15-63). Many physical deaths and plagues occurred as the result of their ignorance of the Law of Moses, which was really the Law of Yahweh.

Modern men today are in the same dilemma as the Philistines who took the Ark of the Covenant with the Law therein. Men are not aware that their bodies are the temple of Elohim (I Cor. 6:19-20) and the Law of the Spirit with its requirement of obedience dwells within them.

As in the natural realm, ignorance of the law is no excuse. Mankind is being plagued spiritually and psychologically because of their ignorance of the divine law within them and the many stony idols they have set up in their minds, such as self-worship, racism, greed, lust, pride, etc.

Since the New Covenant began at Pentecost, all mankind is required to worship Elohim in Spirit and truth (Jn. 4:24). The Messiah, during His ministry, told Israel how He wanted to be worshipped. “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls (Mt. 11:28-29).”

By not coming to the Messiah, “the higher power” (Rm. 13:1-4), psychological unbalances manifest them selves in our physical bodies as psychosomatic illnesses, such as heart attacks, high blood pressure, strokes, migraine headaches, insomnia, etc. (see As A Man Thinketh, So Is He, "The Negative Effect of Fear on the Mind (Part 2)," p. 21-23, 33-34, 38 in the November/December 1993 "PLIM REPORT"). The stresses, worries, anxieties, etc., of life have caused mental illnesses to increase. Mankind can’t find rest within.

Yahweh Elohim told Israel that they would be blessed if they were obedient to His voice and they would be cursed if they were disobedient (Deut. 28 and Lev. 26th Chapters). Thus, both man’s physical and psychological illnesses are plagues for his ignorance of, and disobedience to, the Law within his mind.

The knocking down or destruction of the idol Dagon in the Philistine's temple is a reflection of mankind’s thoughts, ideas, theories and concepts being torn down and their minds being brought into captivity to the obedience of the voice of Yahweh (II Cor. 10:3-5). The idea that we are masters of our destiny and don’t need any divine guidance must be torn down. This is a bitter pill for man to accept. But the chief purpose for us being on earth is that we come to a profound understanding of the Messiah within (Matt. 6:33). In short, man’s mind has the Law of the Spirit imbued within that plagues him for not paying reverence and being obedient to it. “End quote.

Now moving on, let’s look at the Pharisee’s. From the Wikipedia we read The Pharisees were a major Jewish sect from the 2d century BC to the 2d century AD. The seeds of Pharisaism were planted during the Babylonian Captivity (587 - 536 BC), and a clearly defined party emerged during the revolt of the Maccabees (167 - 165 BC) against the Seleucid rulers of Syria - Palestine. The origin of the name Pharisees is uncertain; one suggestion renders it as "those separated," meaning separation from impurity and defilement. The name first appeared during the reign of John Hyrcanus (135 - 105 BC), whom the Pharisees opposed because of his assumption of both the royal and high - priestly titles and because of the general secularism of the court. The Pharisees' chief rival sect was the Sadducees. Whereas the Sadducees were drawn mainly from the conservative and aristocratic priestly class, the Pharisees tended to be middle class and open to religious innovation. In the interpretation of the law the Pharisees differed from the Sadducees in their use of oral legal tradition to supplement the Torah, although their interpretations, once given, were scrupulously adhered to. Pharisaic emphasis on divine providence led to a marked fatalism, and they adopted a belief in resurrection and an elaborate angelology, all of which was rejected by the Sadducees. In the New Testament the Pharisees appear as Jesus' most vocal critics. Their insistence on ritual observance of the letter rather than the spirit of the law evoked strong denunciation by Jesus; he called them "white washed tombs" (Matt. 23:27) and self - righteous lovers of display (Matt. 6:1 - 6, 16 - 18). The Pharisees are portrayed as plotting to destroy Jesus (Matt. 12:14), although they do not figure in the accounts of his arrest and trial. Despite Jesus' attacks on the Pharisees - which were possibly on unrepresentative members of the sect - he shared many beliefs with them, including the resurrection of the dead. The Pharisees were strongly committed to the daily application and observance of the law. This means they accepted the traditional elaborations of the law which made daily application possible. They believed, moreover, in the existence of spirits and angels, the resurrection, and the coming of a Messiah. They also maintained that the human will enjoyed a limited freedom within the sovereign plan of God. Yet there is little evidence to suggest that these were distinctively Pharisaic beliefs. To the best of our knowledge these beliefs were the common heritage of most Jews. To some scholars this fact is proof that the Pharisees were the dominant religious force in Judaism; to others it is only another indication that the Pharisees' distinguishing mark was nothing but the scrupulous observance of purity and tithing laws. The Pharisees were separatists (Heb. persahin, from parash, "to separate"). They were probably the successors of the Assideans (i.e., the "pious"), a party that originated in the time of Antiochus Epiphanes in revolt against his heathenizing policy. The first mention of them is in a description by Josephus of the three sects or schools into which the Jews were divided (B.C. 145). The other two sects were the Essenes and the Sadducees. In the time of our Lord they were the popular party (John 7:48). They were extremely accurate and minute in all matters appertaining to the law of Moses (Matt. 9:14; 23:15; Luke 11:39; 18:12). Paul, when brought before the council of Jerusalem, professed himself a Pharisee (Acts 23:6-8; 26:4, 5). There was much that was sound in their creed, yet their system of religion was a form and nothing more. Theirs was a very lax morality (Matt. 5:20; 15:4, 8; 23:3, 14, 23, 25; John 8:7). On the first notice of them in the New Testament (Matt. 3:7), they are ranked by our Lord with the Sadducees as a "generation of vipers." They were noted for their self-righteousness and their pride (Matt. 9:11; Luke 7: 39; 18: 11, 12). They were frequently rebuked by our Lord (Matt. 12:39; 16:1-4). From the very beginning of his ministry the Pharisees showed themselves bitter and persistent enemies of our Lord. They could not bear his doctrines, and they sought by every means to destroy his influence among the people.

The Pharisee is that part of us that wants to be religious. Sometimes we seem to remind God how much that we have given up for him. Listen to Peter, Mat 19:27 Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore? We like to compare ourselves with others according to what we have done and what they have not. Take Peter for example. After he had been questioned by Jesus concerning his love, and instructed to feed his lambs and sheep, and told what was going to happen to him, it still wasn’t enough. He sees John and wonders about him. Joh 21:20 Then Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following; which also leaned on his breast at supper, and said, Lord, which is he that betrayeth thee? Joh 21:21 Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do? Joh 21:22 Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me. Let me put it to you simple, mind your own business. He tells us to be ready to give an answer if they ask.

Pe 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear. Jesus called the Pharisee’s a generation of vipers. He also called Peter, Satan. Mat 16:23 But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.

The Pharisee in us will want the people around us to see things just like we do. This is why there are so many different denominations, because the people are so religious. As soon as you start to attend one of the different denominations, they will start telling you what they believe and if you don’t see it their way, then you are free to go. They all have their Articles of Faith or Constitution that they adhere too. It is so easy to fall into this trap and there are many that are there now. Jesus has shown us a life of love and mercy towards one another. If you have to persuade someone to see it your way then that is all it is, a persuasion of man. 1Jn 2:27 But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him. Now this does not mean that we don’t need teachers. In 1Jn 2:20 But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things. It says we know all things, and in 1Co 2:16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ. Here it says that we have the mind of Christ. In Rev 1:3 Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand. The word readeth used here is G314 ἀναγινώσκω anaginōskō an-ag-in-oce'-ko From G303 and G1097; to know again, that is, (by extension) to read: - read. You see everything that we will ever need is already inside of us and that is Christ. He said in Mat 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Mat 28:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. He is always with us. Heb 13:5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. The reason for the teachers is just to remind you of what is already there and to confirm it. No one has to tell you when something is right. You know it on the inside already.

In Php 2:13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. Php 2:14 Do all things without murmurings and disputing. The word for worketh here is G1754 ἐνεργέω energeō en-erg-eh'-o From G1756; to be active, efficient: - do, (be) effectual (fervent), be mighty in, shew forth self, work (effectually in). From this we get our word energy. How many do you see drinking energy drinks because they can’t make it through the day? This should tell us what our source is and who it should be. These same to scriptures in the Amplified give us a clearer picture. Php 2:13 [Not in your own strength] for it is God Who is all the while effectually at work in you [energizing and creating in you the power and desire], both to will and to work for His good pleasure and satisfaction and delight. Php 2:14 Do all things without grumbling and faultfinding and complaining [against God] and questioning and doubting [among yourselves]. We have the energy of God in us to perform his will or desire or delight and just as soon as we fill it moving in us, the old Pharisee raises up in us and says, Mat 21:10 And when he was come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, Who is this? When we feel the unction of the spirit in our hearts or New Jerusalem we say who is this? Now we know that he is already come for in 1Jn 5:20 And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life. He has been there knocking but we didn’t know him. Then the Pharisee in us seeks to destroy him. Mat 12:14 Then the Pharisees went out, and held a council against him, how they might destroy him. This is when we start murmuring and grumbling within our self and disputing and questioning saying, is that really you Lord. Then we start asking for proof that this is what he wants us to do. We say, this just doesn’t seem right because we are the true church and I have separated myself from all the other heathens and false doctrines and he wants me to go to them. I need more proof. Mat 12:38 Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see a sign from thee. Mat 12:39 But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it…

We say, these things I feel in my heart are against the churches constitution. We have never done anything that way before. We can’t accept their baptism because we didn’t perform it. We can’t allow her to speak because she is a woman. We can’t have fellowship with them because they believe different than we do. We can’t let them take communion because they are not a member. The list goes on and on. This is just the Philistine and the Pharisee in us standing up and faultfinding and complaining and questioning and doubting.

In the Amplified it says in Mar 7:1 NOW THERE gathered together to [Jesus] the Pharisees and some of the scribes who had come from Jerusalem, Mar 7:2 For they had seen that some of His disciples ate with common hands, that is, unwashed [with hands defiled and unhallowed, because they had not given them a ceremonial washing]-- Mar 7:3 For the Pharisees and all of the Jews do not eat unless [merely for ceremonial reasons] they wash their hands [diligently up to the elbow] with clenched fist, adhering [carefully and faithfully] to the tradition of [practices and customs handed down to them by] their forefathers [to be observed]. Mar 7:4 And [when they come] from the marketplace, they do not eat unless they purify themselves; and there are many other traditions [oral, man-made laws handed down to them, which they observe faithfully and diligently, such as], the washing of cups and wooden pitchers and widemouthed jugs and utensils of copper and beds-- Mar 7:5 And the Pharisees and scribes kept asking [Jesus], Why do Your disciples not order their way of living according to the tradition handed down by the forefathers [to be observed], but eat with hands unwashed and ceremonially not purified? Mar 7:6 But He said to them, Excellently and truly [so that there will be no room for blame] did Isaiah prophesy of you, the pretenders and hypocrites, as it stands written: These people [constantly] honor Me with their lips, but their hearts hold off and are far distant from Me. Mar 7:7 In vain (fruitlessly and without profit) do they worship Me, ordering and teaching [to be obeyed] as doctrines the commandments and precepts of men. [Isa. 29:13.] Mar 7:8 You disregard and give up and ask to depart from you the commandment of God and cling to the tradition of men [keeping it carefully and faithfully]. Mar 7:9 And He said to them, You have a fine way of rejecting [thus thwarting and nullifying and doing away with] the commandment of God in order to keep your tradition (your own human regulations)! Mar 7:10 For Moses said, Honor (revere with tenderness of feeling and deference) your father and your mother, and, He who curses or reviles or speaks evil of or abuses or treats improperly his father or mother, let him surely die. [Exod. 20:12; 21:17; Lev. 20:9; Deut. 5:16.] Mar 7:11 But [as for you] you say, A man is exempt if he tells [his] father or [his] mother, What you would otherwise have gained from me [everything I have that would have been of use to you] is Corban, that is, is a gift [already given as an offering to God], Mar 7:12 Then you no longer are permitting him to do anything for [his] father or mother [but are letting him off from helping them]. Mar 7:13 Thus you are nullifying and making void and of no effect [the authority of] the Word of God through your tradition, which you [in turn] hand on. And many things of this kind you are doing.

This is what the Philistine and the Pharisee in us want to do. The things we have gained we use to separate from others. We show love or charity to those we are in fellowship with but turn from the rest. This is not love or charity at all. It is easy to see others that act this way and the Philistine and Pharisee in us will always stand up in us and say Luk 18:11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. Luk 18:12 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. When you see people that are this way first ask the Lord if that is you. Don’t condemn. I have found that the people the Lord places around me are for my learning and instruction. I used to think that they were there so that I could teach them. That was just the Pharisee in me. Remember that whatever is in you will come out; all it takes is a little pressure. Pro 23:7 For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he.

I will close this writing for now with what is lacking in the Philistine and the Pharisee, and that is charity. From the Amplified:

1Co 13:1 IF I [can] speak in the tongues of men and [even] of angels, but have not love (that reasoning, intentional, spiritual devotion such as is inspired by God's love for and in us), I am only a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.

1Co 13:2 And if I have prophetic powers (the gift of interpreting the divine will and purpose), and understand all the secret truths and mysteries and possess all knowledge, and if I have [sufficient] faith so that I can remove mountains, but have not love (God's love in me) I am nothing (a useless nobody).

1Co 13:3 Even if I dole out all that I have [to the poor in providing] food, and if I surrender my body to be burned or in order that I may glory, but have not love (God's love in me), I gain nothing.

1Co 13:4 Love endures long and is patient and kind; love never is envious nor boils over with jealousy, is not boastful or vainglorious, does not display itself haughtily.

1Co 13:5 It is not conceited (arrogant and inflated with pride); it is not rude (unmannerly) and does not act unbecomingly. Love (God's love in us) does not insist on its own rights or its own way, for it is not self-seeking; it is not touchy or fretful or resentful; it takes no account of the evil done to it [it pays no attention to a suffered wrong].

1Co 13:6 It does not rejoice at injustice and unrighteousness, but rejoices when right and truth prevail.

1Co 13:7 Love bears up under anything and everything that comes, is ever ready to believe the best of every person, its hopes are fadeless under all circumstances, and it endures everything [without weakening].

1Co 13:8 Love never fails [never fades out or becomes obsolete or comes to an end]. As for prophecy (the gift of interpreting the divine will and purpose), it will be fulfilled and pass away; as for tongues, they will be destroyed and cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away [it will lose its value and be superseded by truth].

1Co 13:9 For our knowledge is fragmentary (incomplete and imperfect), and our prophecy (our teaching) is fragmentary (incomplete and imperfect).

1Co 13:10 But when the complete and perfect (total) comes, the incomplete and imperfect will vanish away (become antiquated, void, and superseded).

1Co 13:11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child; now that I have become a man, I am done with childish ways and have put them aside.

1Co 13:12 For now we are looking in a mirror that gives only a dim (blurred) reflection [of reality as in a riddle or enigma], but then [when perfection comes] we shall see in reality and face to face! Now I know in part (imperfectly), but then I shall know and understand fully and clearly, even in the same manner as I have been fully and clearly known and understood [by God].

1Co 13:13 And so faith, hope, love abide [faith--conviction and belief respecting man's relation to God and divine things; hope--joyful and confident expectation of eternal salvation; love--true affection for God and man, growing out of God's love for and in us], these three; but the greatest of these is love.

AMEN,

Jim Moore 02/10/2011

From http://cantheseboneslive.org/