Patterns of Force
The Lord has always raised up leaders in Israel – to deliver His people from their enemies when all around seems dire. Not just in Old Testament times, but even closer at hand. Indeed, it was with great interest that I watched the film “Young Winston”, about the early life of Winston Churchill, who was beyond all doubt, a man raised up by God.
In the film – and aged in his 20’s, he escapes from prison after being captured during the Boer War. He was helped by a British miner, who hid him in the mines, apparently for 3 days and 3 nights – while his captors searched everywhere for him.
A while ago I wrote about the legends of King Arthur, and how I felt they were reminiscent of various events and times in ancient Israel. This, I stated, was not to dismiss Arthur as a fable, but to note that throughout our Israelite history, certain people and happenings actually replay or pre-play aspects of Almighty God’s Plan.
This is because everything in God’s creation follows the out-flowing pattern of this Plan. His signature is in everything. If you’ve ever read any of Bonnie Gaunt’s books on the Gematria (or Bible’s Number Code), you will see how everything is measured and timed by God – to perfection).
So, having previously considered King Arthur, and recently watching an old Robin Hood film, I had a similar feeling that here again we see God’s Israel story being played out.
King Richard the ‘Lionheart’ is away fighting in the Holy Land, and in his absence his brother, Prince John plots to steal his throne, and is aided and abetted by greedy sheriffs and knights who put money and power before truth and justice (much like today….).
Robin is outlawed, and with a band of other outcasts, they dwell in Sherwood Forest, not as ordinary robbers and bandits, but to stand up for righteousness, and remaining loyal to King Richard.
Amongst Robin’s men, we have Little John, who is actually a big strong man – putting us in mind of Samson. There is also the rotund Friar Tuck, who supplies spiritual food, much as the old kings of Israel who had their priests and prophets. And of course there is Maid Marion – a childhood friend of Robin, and a ward of King Richard.
Going back to Arthur, we remember he receives the sword Excalibur from the hand of the Lady of the Lake, and at the end of the story, when he has been mortally wounded, he gives the sword to his trusty knight Sir Bedivere, to return back to the lake.
I see Excalibur as the mantle placed upon Arthur, which as with Elijah, is cast off when the job is done, or handed over. And with Robin, considered the greatest archer in England, it seems fitting that he is given a golden arrow in an archery contest. Symbolic of his mantle, containing the spirit of England, and so when at the end of his story, he becomes fatally ill, it is natural to expect an arrow coming into play. And it does, as Robin asks faithful Little John to help him fire his last arrow out through the window, and wherever it lands is where Robin is to be buried. The mantle returned…..
Interestingly, both tales of Arthur, and Robin end with the promise that when the country has need they will return!
King Richard’s return speaks of the return of Our Lord. ‘Lionheart’ symbolises the Lion of Judah, and whilst the Crusades were in the Holy Land, and for the freedom of Jerusalem, we think of the New Jerusalem, and the Kingdom of God. And let’s not forget Maid Marion, the ward of the King – this speaks of Israel – the Bride of Christ – truly the ward of God Almighty – always destined to be rescued by her Lord, Jesus Christ.
Robin, Arthur. King Alfred, and many others have over the years of British and Irish history been raised up by the Lord just as they were in previous times – the Spirit of the Lord came upon them and used them for purposes chosen by God – before the dawn of time. These people are not perfect, for like the rest of us, they are only human. But the Lord chooses them for His own purposes.
And to bring you bang up to date, with my feelings on the hand of the Lord operating in our Israelite lands now, let me tell you that 2024 seems to be a momentous year, with echoes of 2016. The two players from then, are back on the stage now. They are Nigel Farage and Donald Trump, and they, like Britain and America are undoubtedly linked.
2016 saw the Hand of God deliver a magnificent result in the UK’s referendum to leave the EU, and it also saw Donald Trump beat all the odds and become President of the US.
Now here in the UK we have just had an unexpectedly early general election. The date was 4th July – an important date in the US. Meanwhile, the Presidential election in the US is to be on 5th November – an important date here in the UK. A co-incidence indeed!
After the election here was announced, Nigel Farage initially was not going to stand. But for some reason was compelled to change his mind. There were only 4 weeks to go, and so his campaign and that of his party Reform, began in earnest.
Well, five of the Reform candidates have actually been elected into Parliament – and whilst that doesn’t sound a lot, be aware that in many constituencies they came a strong 2nd or 3rd, meaning their share of the vote was tremendous, and anyway, it’s not numbers that count, the Lord can do much with just one person!
The Five Just Men, as we shall call them, will be a voice of sanity in our crazy Parliament, and I believe firmly that they are there because God has personally chosen them for His own purposes. I am pleased to say that Nigel Farage is one of them!
2024 is a dangerous year as we have the threat of a World War if we are not very, very careful. And there may also be a threat to our Brexit with the Labour Party now in control. Both Britain and America (and other Israelite countries) are also being threatened by floods of illegal immigrants – in little boats to the UK, and overland to the US. [Ed. Ezekiel 38:10-13 perhaps]
Will Donald Trump replace Joe Biden as President in November? If the Lord wills it, then he will. Nigel Farage was all set to help Donald in his Presidential campaign, but it seems he was needed here, and I have to say Nigel’s campaign had a certain Trump element to it.
Whatever happens in the very near future, remember that despite our sins – and they are very, very many – we are still the Lord’s! And He is jealous for His people, and whilst He will punish us of course, nevertheless, He will also deliver us from our enemies. And there will always be someone on the scene – filled with His Holy Spirit – to do His bidding. “….. but they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk and not faint. ”Isaiah 40: 27-31”
Amen.
