Cut Off?

And Judah went up; and the LORD delivered the Canaanites and the Perizzites into their hand: and they slew of them in Bezek ten thousand men. And they found Adonibezek in Bezek: and they fought against him, and they slew the Canaanites and the Perizzites. But Adonibezek fled; and they pursued after him, and caught him, and cut off his thumbs and his great toes. And Adonibezek said, Threescore and ten kings, having their thumbs and their great toes cut off, gathered their meat under my table: as I have done, so God hath requited me. And they brought him to Jerusalem, and there he died.

Judges 1:4-7

I read a news article today that reminded me about one of the events recorded in the Book of Judges, the defeat of Adonibezek.  This king was notorious for capturing his victims and maiming them.  Specifically, he would cut off the big thumbs and toes of those he captured in battle.  From there, the kings were chained under his table.  Imagine going into a royal court and seeing 70 kings chained like animals and eating the scraps falling from the table.  A sight such at that might engender great fear!  This is exactly what Adonibezek did to those kings whose armies he had defeated in battle.  The good news is that the children of Israel, led by Judah, conquered this evil king and brought his own folly upon his head.

So what article made me think of this?
Trial Begins for Christians Arrested for Reading Bible Outside California DMV | Christian News Network

It seems that Adonibezek is still at work in many ways.  Not the one whose demise is found in Judges, but the one whom he shadows.  You see, Adonibezek's name is directly translated into English as "Lord Lightning".  Lord Lightning is still attempting to cut off the great thumbs and toes of mankind as well as chain his victims under the table.  This ex-anointed cherub, also know as the prince of the power of the air as stated in Ephesians 2:2, wants desperately to do just that--cut humanity off from the Word of God and destroy their ability to walk with God.  The fact that the historic man in this scripture tried to attack Israel reminds us that society's adversary the devil will also come against believers and try the same thing.

So what is the big deal about cutting off some one's thumbs?  Believe me, it had a very practical purpose.  Look at the picture above.  What do you suppose would happen if that opposable digit we call a thumb were not there?  You could not hold a sword of course.  That would mean that your enemy would always have an advantage over you.  Doesn't the Bible say that the gospel is hid to those who are lost by the working of Satan?  Of course!  He is effectively hiding the word from the lost so that the gospel will not reach them.  That is the very reason that a man reading a Bible would ever be arrested.    Yet, what about a believer?  There are so many Bible illiterate Christians today that many are not able to hold forth the promises of the Almighty against the enemy.  Rather than boldly wielding the power of the Sword of the Spirit, they give the devil their opinions or the opinions of others.  Take time daily to sharpen the sword.  Should the Bible ever become illegal, and it already is in many places, would you have enough memorized to effectively engage the enemy?

As the thumb assists in holding, the toe assists in balance.  It is near impossible to maintain a balanced walk without your big toe.  Those that Adonibezek maimed were unable to stand, walk, or run into battle; therefore, the removal of their toe also had practical applications as well.  Because most believers do not spend enough time in the Word of God, their walk with the LORD is catywampus.  They swerve from one extreme to another never able to correct their balanced walk with Christ nor are they adequately able to stand in opposition against the devil and his devices.  Maybe that is why Paul noted in Ephesians to have the preparation of the gospel as sandals on our feet?

The end result is sad.  Men and women chained under the liar's table and groveling over tiny morsels.  Christian, that is not you allotment.  You have been called to dine at the table of the Great King, the Lion of Judah.  You are a child of the Most High who needs not grasp for scraps.  Get yourself in the WORD and eat the good things of GOD.  Eat the sweet and the bitter--it is all important.

There are many ways that folks end up chained.  No study or Bible reading, a lack of devotion, confusion brought by contradictory ideas, always something else more important to do (like frivolously wasting time watching the latest TV show while the world around you dies and goes to Hell), or a whole host of other reasons.  Be sure and know that the enemy of your soul has not stopped his attempt to cut you off from the Word.  One of his biggest tricks today is to get believers arguing about the finest of details so that many hearing or seeing these arguments are confused and discouraged (like the myriads of negative comments "Bible experts" always seem to post on Facebook when any scripture is given.  They feel the need to argue about everything.  That is more about pride than truth!) .  In this battle,  "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth" (2 Timothy 2:15).

God news!  Jesus wins!  He, Star of the tribe of Judah, already went up first and spoiled Lord Lightening at Mount Calvary!  Be of good cheer, He has over come the enemy and He also is Soon2Come!

And he (Jesus) said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven. Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.

Luke 10:18-20