A reading of Joshua 10:1-28 would give a helpful background to this post. A quick view, however, is how the five kings that aligned against Joshua after the conquering of Ai each are a shadow for different influences we are to recognize and defeat as believers.
It is no coincidence that Adonizedek, king of Jerusalem, first called on Hoham, king of Hebron, to be an ally against Israel—Hebron means “league” or “confederacy,” and Hoham means “whom Yahweh impales.” I see in this allegiance the lord of justice who defends himself (Adonizedek, more on that below) aligning first with the one who is used by “Jehovah” to pierce their enemies. But to have the blessings and power of Jehovah, one must serve Him; thus, it was Hoham who was impaled and not Israel.
In applying this shadow, today’s “Hohams” are 1) those who don’t serve the Lord but want to be known as a great power of Him; 2) those who serve the Lord but are influenced to misuse His power and authority.
Simon, the sorcerer, epitomizes the first by making himself great in people’s eyes. They would then say, “This man is a great power of God” (cf. Acts 8:10). James and John are a picture of believers who can be wrongly influenced to misuse His power and authority: “And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did? But he turned, rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of” (Luke 9:54-55 KJV).
Thus, recognize in the spirit of meekness (cf. Galatians 6:1) those whose lives don’t reflect our Lord nor display the fruit of His Spirit; yet, they still use His Name to draw disciples after themselves. Pray for them and those seduced who follow so they may see the truth and leave the lie. Also, pray for those believers who lose sight of Christ’s mission (salvation) and are influenced to tear down rather than build up. Pray Luke 9:56 KJV: “For the Son of man is not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them.”
Adonizedek means “lord of justice.” In the Scripture, Adonizedek would do “justly” and defend himself from the Israelite “invaders.” What is it to be wary of today as seen in this shadow? An aggressive personal defense that gathers people around for personal protection.
We must focus this thought on defending ourselves. I am not speaking about being in the military during wartime or protecting and safeguarding your home and family from an aggressor; instead, I am talking directly about the Christian who seeks to defend himself in a personal situation when verbally attacked or railed upon.
It is also essential to know that there are times when you must offer a defense in a situation cited above, as did the Apostle Paul in his appeal to Rome, but the Spirit of God must initiate those times.
It is essential not to allow “Adonizedek” to influence us unduly; remember that “the LORD is my defense, and my God is the rock of my refuge” (Psalms 94:22 KJV). When we are reviled, not to revile again, “But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also” (Matthew 5:39 ESV). Wesley penned, “The Greek word translated resist signifies standing in battle array, striving for victory. If a man smite thee on the right cheek – Return not evil for evil: yea, turn to him the other – Rather than revenge thyself.”
What is my point here? Before being bold as a lion, we must know how to be a sacrificed lamb.
That was Jesus’ prerequisite: “And one of the elders said to me, “Weep no more; behold, the Lion (emphasis mine) of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals.” And between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders I saw a Lamb (emphasis mine) standing, as though it had been slain, with seven horns and with seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth” (Revelation 5:5-6 ESV). And it needs to be our prerequisite as well.
Pray today for the grace to be a lamb…and the discernment in when to be a lion. Empower that prayer with Romans 12:21: “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
