Calling All Valiant Warriors

Seven times in today’s Bible reading,* we encounter the term “valiant warriors” (CSB), “mighty warriors” (ESV, LEB, NLT), “mighty men” (KJV), “fighting men” (NIV), “warriors” (MSG). The word translated as warriors/men refers not only to their fighting occupation but to their strong/noble character.

One Hebrew lexicon says, “Although [the book of Chronicles] generally uses the term to express “warrior” or “soldier,” there are indications that originally this was a technical term for men of a certain social class, “nobles” who had the privilege of bearing arms for their king (cf. Ruth 2:1; I Sam 9:1; II Kgs 15:20, etc. where “warrior” is too narrow a translation).”[1]

The word translated as valiant/mighty describes the men’s strength or power. The same word also is used to describe a virtuous woman. (Ruth 3:11; Proverbs 31:10)

So we have two words that are often paired in the Bible to describe both the men’s fighting capability and their character in slightly different ways. Perhaps there’s a message for us here.

Application

In Western culture in the Twenty-First Century, we have a shortage of valiant warriors. I’m not talking about men and women in uniform who defend our country in battle. I’m talking about men and women who live with strong character and conviction. People who actually have a spine and know how to stand their ground for the sake of the truth.

It seems that every time I check the news media, an anchor, reporter, or commentator is waffling in their character, presenting a narrative that differs from the truth. It seems that every time I hear a politician (with no reference to which political party), he/she often compromises on his/her positions. A wise man once told me that sometimes you have to do things you don’t want to do in order to do things you do want to do. Compromise is often good, but not always. And oftentimes, compromise can be dangerous.

But right now, we need mighty warriors — men and women — to stand up and say, “This. Is. Enough.” We need men and women to stand for the truth, regardless of what boat they may rock. We need men and women to stand for the truth, regardless of whether or not it’s a popular position.

I’m not calling for physical violence. But I am talking about Christians wielding the powerful, mighty weapons at our disposal for the glory of God.

We need more mighty warriors.

[1] Oswalt, John N. “310 גָּבַר.” Ed. R. Laird Harris, Gleason L. Archer Jr., and Bruce K. Waltke. Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament 1999 : 148. Print.

* Chapters covered in today’s reading:
1 Chronicles 7
1 Chronicles 8
1 Chronicles 9