The Field of Sharp Swords

"And Joab the son of Zeruiah, and the servants of David, went out and met them by the pool of Gibeon. So they sat down, one on one side of the pool and the other on the other side of the pool. ¹⁴ Then Abner said to Joab, "Let the young men now arise and compete before us." And Joab said, "Let them arise." ¹⁵ So they arose and went over by number, twelve from Benjamin, followers of Ishbosheth the son of Saul, and twelve from the servants of David. ¹⁶ And each one grasped his opponent by the head and thrust his sword in his opponent's side; so they fell down together. Therefore that place was called the Field of Sharp Swords, which is in Gibeon." 

2 Samuel 2:13-16

This event illustrates the destruction of division.  During this season in Israel's history, the nation was divided between allegiance to David king of Judah and king Ishbosheth who reigned over the remaining tribes of Israel.  Generals Abner and Joab gathered at Gibeon, situated on opposite sides of a pool of water.  Abner suggested the men have a bit of fun.  Joab agreed.  Twelve men from each side were chosen to compete in a wrestling match of sorts.  It was not long before tempers flared, swords flashed, and twenty four men lay dead in pools of their own blood by the hands of their fellow countrymen.  What a great tragedy!  In this moment of violent passion it appears these men forgot they were brothers.

These men had lost sight of who their enemy was.  Philistines had invaded the land, yet the division between the house of David and Ishbosheth led to brother killing brother.  Divisions in the Body of Christ have led to numerous battles and infamous killing fields.  Like Abner and Joab, we can fall into the trap of setting ourselves in opposition to others divided by practice or interpretation.  Brothers and sisters in Christ, this ought not to be!  If pride begins to take root in our hearts, we are not far from a fall.  God has given us a sword to stand fast in faith and to earnestly contend for the faith, not to mercilessly attack men created in the image of God.  Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 3:2-3, "I fed you with milk and not with solid food; for until now you were not able to receive it, and even now you are still not able; ³ for you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men?"  The massacre at the Field of Sharp Swords was a result of the flesh.  Our fight is not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, rulers of darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in heavenly places.  Our battle is not against people of differing beliefs and practices within or outside the Body of Christ.  Our battle is against Satan, a foe defeated by the shed blood of Jesus Christ we by God's grace have also overcome.

For those with ears to hear, let us consider Galatians 6:1:  "Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted."  Mere men cannot fulfill this task:  we need the power of the Holy Spirit filling and anointing us to walk in such love.  Jesus says to those who cause division, "Put your sword in its sheath!"  The Word of God is sharper than a two-edged sword intended to reveal the thoughts and intents of our hearts, not for the purpose of devouring one another.  Let us be peacemakers.  Those who live by the sword also die by the sword.  We are one body in Christ.  What God has joined, let not man attempt to separate.  May we mourn all manner of division and seek restoration by God's grace.

This post is not for others to heed:  it is for you alone.  It is not ammunition to condemn others.  It is not a sharp sword to point out faults and further cause division.  It is an exhortation that we might labour to be peacemakers and those who unite instead of sowing discord.  James 3:13-18 reads, "Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. ¹⁴ But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. ¹⁵ This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. ¹⁶ For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. ¹⁷ But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. ¹⁸ Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace."