The Christian Family: Marriage and Household Order: Remember Lot And His Wife

Hireling VS Shepherd - Part 3 of 3

Transcript: AI Transcript

Professor: John Weaver

Subject: Family Government

Genre: Sermon

Dictation Name:

Date: 2020-03-06

Synopsis: In this concluding message of the series, Pastor John Weaver contrasts the hireling who flees from danger with the true shepherd who protects the sheep, even at the cost of his own life. He argues that shepherds must be fighters, drawing from David's example and the biblical portrayal of God as a man of war. Weaver examines the military organization of Israel in Numbers, showing that God's people were structured as a militia with family-based armies, and applies this to modern responsibilities of fathers, pastors, and congregations to be trained and ready for self-defense. He emphasizes that pastors, as under-shepherds, have a duty to lead in training and protection, and that failing to resist evil is morally wrong. The message concludes with a call to be armed and trained, both physically and spiritually, to defend families and communities.

[John Weaver] John 10 verses 11 through 15. This is part 3 on harling or shepherd Notice John 10 verse 11. Our Lord says I am the Good Shepherd The Good Shepherd giveth his life for the sheep But he that is a harling and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth, and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. The harling fleeth, because he is a harling, and careth not for the sheep. I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. As the Father knoweth me, even so I know the Father, and I lay down my life for the sheep." This brief series, which will be ending today, has been dealing with the fact that our Lord makes a clear distinction between a harling and a shepherd. The harling is someone who's just simply hired, who cares not for the sheep.

[John Weaver] And when danger arises, he flees and leaves the sheep and the sheep are usually attacked, scattered and or destroyed. So our Lord makes a clear distinction because it's the shepherd who always protects the sheep and is willing to give his life for the sheep. So it is the responsibility of the shepherd, as I pointed out in the very first message, not only to warn the sheep, but to feed the sheep. And in the second message, I pointed out how the shepherd always leads the sheep. And then I made a clear distinction between the pastors in the 17th and 18th centuries and the pastors that are today. I particularly gave a number of illustrations And the War for Independence, and then of course the Second War for Independence, commonly known as the War of Northern Aggression. Some of these pastors who were very, very active and very, very straightforward not only in their preaching and teaching the Word of God, but also standing for liberty and freedom as well. So it's not only the responsibility of the shepherd then to warn and to feed and to lead the sheep.

[John Weaver] Shepherds by nature must be fighters because there are wolves, there are bears, there are lions, and there are other animals that are quite willing and quite ready to destroy and feast upon the sheep themselves. Now I'm sure that you remember the story of David. in 1 Samuel chapter 17. Let me just read a few verses just to give you this little background and listen carefully because there will be an application of it. And David said to Saul, let no man's heart fail because of him, that is because of Goliath, thy servant will go and fight this Philistine. And Saul said to David, thou art not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him, for thou art but a youth, and he a man of war from his youth. And David said unto Saul, Thy servant kept his father's sheep, and there came a lion and a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock.

[John Weaver] And I went after him, and smote him, and delivered it out of his mouth. And when he arose against me, I caught him by his beard, and smote him, and slew him. Thy servant slew both the lion and the bear, and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them. Seeing he has defied the armies of the Living God David said moreover the Lord that delivered me out of the paw of the lion and out of the paw of the bear He will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine and Saul said to David go and the Lord be with thee Well, it's all wasn't going to be with him, but he certainly wanted the Lord to be with him now David said that The Lord delivered him out of the paw of the bear and the paw of a lion.

[John Weaver] This was a real incident that happened. Of course, David was God's anointed. He was God's man, and God certainly used him. But let me show you how Solomon, David's son, applies this. So I want you to look in your Bibles, if you would, to the book of Proverbs, chapter 28, at verses 15 and 16. Proverbs 28, verses 15 and 16. Note, if you would, what the scripture says. Proverbs chapter 28, beginning there with verse 15. The Bible says, as a roaring lion, as a ranging bear, so as a wicked rule over the poor people.

[John Weaver] The prince that wanted understanding or lack of understanding is also a great oppressor. But he that then but he that hated covetousness shall prolong his days. So notice, if you would please, in verse 15, that a tyrant, a despot, a totalitarian is likened unto a roaring lion and a ranging bear. And the Bible says those individuals are individuals who lack understanding. So consequently, because they are roaring lions and ranging bears and lack understanding, they seek to destroy the sheep and the liberty and the freedom that sheep enjoy.

[John Weaver] Now, if you would turn in your Bibles to Psalm 94 very quickly, you will see how this is confirmed by David in verses 20 and 21. Notice Psalm 94 verses 20 and 21. Psalm 94, verse 20. Here's the question that is asked. I've pointed this out previously, but look at it in light of this. Shall the throne of iniquity have fellowship with thee which frameth mischief by law? First of all, it's a throne which speaks of governmental power. Secondly, it's a throne of iniquity.

[John Weaver] It is a wicked civil government. And lastly, they make Sin legal which frameth mischief by a law Mischief is another word in the Bible for sin. So here's the question Shall a wicked civil government have fellowship with God when that wicked civil government? Makes sin legal and the answer of course is no but look in verse 21, which verifies the wickedness they gather themselves together against the soul of the righteous and and condemn the innocent blood. In other words, they don't care what God says. They don't care what God's law declares.

[John Weaver] They just simply do as they please. Now, there are many other scriptures in the Bible that makes this exceedingly clear. For instance, Proverbs 28 in verse 28, the Bible says, when the wicked rise, men hide themselves. And when they perish, the righteous increase. So when the wicked rise, men hide themselves. In other words, they understand the collective wickedness of the wicked. And it's kind of like Gideon when he was threshing wheat behind what was the wine press, I think it was. Why was he not threshing the wheat up on the mountain?

[John Weaver] Because he was hiding himself from the Midianites. And he was trying to protect what he had. And then Proverbs 29 in verse two, when the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice. But when the wicked bear the rule, the people mourn.

[John Weaver] Now, when we're talking about sheep. So many people say, well, sheep are defenseless animals. They have no defense. Well, I tell you what. Try to tell that to an attacking ram. Interestingly, I guess it's on YouTube. I saw it on the Internet. Someone was filming it, I guess, because the shepherd was standing in the middle of the road. It was a paved road, letting his sheep cross. And one of the rams along with some of the sheep had gone on across and he's standing there looking this way for the others to get on across. And I guess whoever who was waiting in the car was filming it. The ram that had already crossed turned around, saw the shepherd looking the other way, ran into him, knocked him down and then backed up and hit him again before someone stopped him. So, you know, you try to say sheep are defenseless. Well, I ran across on the internet a little something that says how to stop a charging ram.

[John Weaver] Okay, here are the rules. Number one, walk toward a ram that you see backing up and away from you.

[John Weaver] Now you know why they back up, don't you? So they can get a run and start a jump. So it says, walk toward a ram that you see backing away from you. Number two, wave a large stick at the ram when it charges. Number three, stand your ground until the ram lunges and then dodge to the side. Number four, catch the ram in the air and wrestle him to the ground.

[John Weaver] Well, since a ram's horns just by themselves can weigh 30 or more pounds, and a grown ram can weigh up to and over 300 pounds, I would add one more rule. Make sure that you're the winner, because the ram will butt very, very hard.

[John Weaver] Now, obviously, we know that sheep are not really defensive animals. I mean, defenseless animals, because they can run, they can hide, they can do a lot of different things. And the ram certainly is very formidable in and of himself. But seriously speaking, The sheep are supposed to be protected by the shepherd. It's the shepherd, according to John 10, who is supposed to be willing to lay down his life for the sheep. It is a shepherd then who guards the sheep, who guides the sheep, who feeds the sheep, who warns the sheep, who leads the sheep. And it's just something that shepherds are supposed to do. They are supposed to be real fighters and fearless.

[John Weaver] Now, I was reading recently through the book of Numbers and something hit me like a ton of bricks. And I'm going to share that with you. But just before I do, I want to share with you several of the passages. I want you to go back in your Bibles to first Samuel chapter 17. And this is the this is the passage where David is fighting Goliath. But there is a verse that I want you to see. And I want you to understand a word that is being used. So in 1st Samuel chapter 17, if you look at verse 45, look at what David says to Goliath. Then said David to the Philistine, thou comest to me with a sword and with a spear and with a shield, but I come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied. Now note, if you would, there is the name the Lord of Hosts. You will find that name used of God all throughout the Bible.

[John Weaver] Sometimes it's the Lord God of Hosts or the Lord of Hosts. But it is the Lord God of Hosts. The word host is a very unique word. The Hebrew word is Saba. And then the Septuagint, it is Sabaoth. It literally means the God of the armies. Anytime you see the word host, It refers to the armies, in fact, in verse 45, he says, I come to thee in name of the Lord of hosts, that is the Lord of the armies, the God of the armies of Israel whom thou hast defied. So the word host or a host in this instance relates to war, armies, battles, soldiers, and warfare.

[John Weaver] Now with that in mind, I want you to look in your Bibles to the book of Exodus chapter 13. Exodus chapter 13, everyone knows that God delivered the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt. When you look at Ezekiel chapter 13, there's a verse that is very revealing. Because when you think about the Exodus, you're thinking about nearly two million people leaving Egypt. Two million people. Can you imagine two million people leaving New York City at one time? Or Chicago, Illinois at one time? How in the world could two million people leave Egypt at one time? Now remember, the Lord is the Lord God of hosts. He's the God of the armies. So if you look in Exodus chapter 13 and verse 18, here's what the Bible says. But God led the people about through the way of the wilderness of the Red Sea, and the children of Israel went up harnessed out of the land of Egypt. They went up harnessed out of the land of Egypt. Now, the word harnessed is the word commotion, the Hebrew, and it means they went out in battle array.

[John Weaver] They went out in battle by fives. In other words, they did not just all walk any way they pleased. God had them in a fighting position. They went out by fives, ranks of fives in order in line. Remember he is the God of the armies. He is the God of battle if you'll remember The Bible tells you Deuteronomy chapter 4 that God delivered the children of Israel out of Egypt by war Because he fought against only Pharaoh, but all the gods of Egypt as well So if you look now in Exodus chapter 15, let me show you this Exodus 15. I Pharaoh and his army now has been drowned in the Red Sea, and so there is a song of rejoicing in Exodus 15. Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto the Lord, and spake, saying, I will sing unto the Lord, for he hath triumphed gloriously. The horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea. The Lord is my strength and song. He's become my salvation. He is my God.

[John Weaver] And I will prepare him a habitation, my father's God, and I will exalt him. Watch. The Lord is a man of war. The Lord is his name. Pharaoh's chariots and his host have been cast into the sea. His chosen captains are also drowned in the Red Sea. The depths have covered them. They sank to the bottom like a stone. Thy right hand, O Lord, is become glorious in power. Thy right hand, O Lord, hath dashed in pieces the enemy.

[John Weaver] Now go back to verse three. The Lord is a man of war. So We found out he is the Lord God of the armies. He brought Israel out in ranks of five, the hardest in battle array, because God is a man of war.

[John Weaver] Now, with that in mind, I want you to turn to Numbers chapter one, Numbers chapter one. And I want you to see something that is very clearly taught in this book. But first of all, let me just tell you that since God is a man of war, since God has armies, then what God does, He musters His armies. Did you know that the book of Numbers literally is the book of mustering? Why is it called the Book of Numbers? Because God numbers, God musters his armies in this book. So just look, if you would, at the first three verses right now of Numbers chapter 1.

[John Weaver] And the Lord spake unto Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, the tabernacle of the congregation on the first day of the second month in the second year after they were come out of the land of Egypt saying Take ye the sum of all the congregation of the children of Israel now watch after their families by the house of their fathers With the number of their names, every male by their poles, from twenty years old and upward, all that are able to go forth to war in Israel, thou and Aaron shall number them by their armies. So I want you to note the word armies happens to be plural. And if you'll go back to verse two, they're to be numbered after their families by the house of their fathers. And notice it to be every male from 20 years old and upward. Now look in verse four. And with you, there shall be a man of every tribe, Everyone the head of the house of his father's so what that means and I'll come back to this a little bit later There's always a prince over Judah a prince over Reuben a prince over dad There's a leading prince one over each

[John Weaver] of the twelve tribes. In fact, they are listed for us in the book of Numbers however What I want you to see right now is verse 44 through verse 46 of numbers chapter 1 because in this initial numbering of Here's why I said there's probably 2 million people who came out of Egypt. Notice Numbers chapter 1, verse 44. These are those that were numbered, which Moses and Aaron numbered, and the princes of Israel being 12 men.

[John Weaver] Each one was for the house of his fathers. So were all those that were numbered of the children of Israel by the house of their fathers, from 20 years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war at Israel. Even all they that were numbered were 600,000, 3,000, 550. So there were 603,550 men that were 20 years old and over that were able to go to war. Now, if you've got 6,000 men over 20, 600,000 men over 20, and each one of them happens to be married, That's a million two hundred thousand right there. And then they've got children. And then what about some of these men that are not numbered young men?

[John Weaver] The point I'm trying to make is probably there's pretty close to two million people who came out of Egypt. And God brought them out in a military order. So you have then the God of hosts, the God of the armies. God is a man of war. He brought Israel out of Egypt by an act of war. And then, of course, the Bible even speaks of the book of the wars of the Lord.

[John Weaver] Now, when you look at Numbers chapter one, there was one prince over each of the tribes. So every tribe had a prince or had a head. Each one of these princes was responsible for mustering the armies in his tribe. He was responsible to see that they were numbered. He was responsible to see that they were taught and that they were trained.

[John Weaver] Now, that does not mean that he had to do all the teaching and all the training himself. He certainly had someone under him, probably many, many men, but he was the one who was overall responsible for the training. Moreover, you're going to find that each family had a responsibility as well. Each family was responsible for training their young men to fight. Listen, the head of the house that would not train his sons to fight was training them to be victims and not victors. Okay. I'm going to show you this a little more specifically just a moment, but note, if you would. Here in Numbers chapter one, you had one man who was over each tribe. He was basically responsible for the families of that tribe. Now, when you get to Numbers chapter two, God is ordering the positions of the tribes around the tabernacle. And there's an interesting thing that comes about When you read Numbers chapter 2, it'll give the prince or the tribe, and then it will say, and his host, that is, and his army.

[John Weaver] Thus, you're going to find then that each tribe was made up of a number of little smaller armies. In other words, these family armies, so to speak, These clans, which I will show you just momentarily, would be able to fight on their own. They would be able to fight individually. But whenever they needed a larger number, then all the clans would come together. You even saw this when the children of Israel went into Canaan land, because each tribe was responsible to conquer his piece of land that had been given to them. And so Judah would say to Simeon, you come go with me and help me, and then I'll come go with you and help you. Obviously, they were able to fight individually, independently, but when a larger group was needed, they would always combine together. Now, moreover, you're going to find that each tribe not only had a head or a captain, had a prince. Each tribe was made up of smaller armies. Let me show you.

[John Weaver] Look in Numbers chapter 10, if you would. Numbers chapter 10 and look at verse 14. Numbers 10 verse 14 Watch carefully numbers 10 verse 14 and in the first place with the standard of the camp of the children of Judah according to their armies So now wait a minute. We've got one tribe the tribe of Judah and that happens to be made up of many armies, and over his host, that is, over the whole army, was Nashon, the son of Amenadab. Note, if you would, over their armies. Skip down to verse 18. And the standard of the camp of Reuben set forward, according to their armies, plural. And over his host was Elisha, the son of Shidur. Now, so note if you would, again, here's the tribe of Reuben, but note it says their armies as well. Look in verse 22. And the standard of the camp of the children of Ephraim set forward, according to their armies. And over his host was Elishema, the son of Ammihud. Note, so the point I'm trying to make is this.

[John Weaver] There were numerous armies that made up the tribal army. If you look in verse 25. And the standard of the camp of the children of Dan set forward, which was the reward of all the camps throughout their hosts, their armies. And over his host, that is the headman over the army of Children of Dan, was Ahasuer, the son of Amish Haddai. So, you're going to find that although there was a tribal head, there were family heads, there were family clans, and these were independent militias, as we would call them.

[John Weaver] Now, if you will turn to Numbers chapter 26, I think that this will be made even clearer. So let me say it again. Let me try to explain it. You had one prince who is over the tribe. But in that tribe, you had many armies because you had independent families which were independent militias. So if you look in Numbers chapter 26 and verse 2, he says, Take the sum of all the congregation of the children of Israel from 20 years old and upward throughout their father's plural house. All that are able to go to war in Israel. OK. Take the number throughout their father's house. Now, if you would, let's skip down to verse four. Watch carefully. Remember, Jacob had 12 sons, but these armies are not just for the 12 sons. It goes even farther. Note, if you would, verse four, he says, take the sum of the people from 20 years old and upward as the Lord commanded Moses and the children of Israel, which went forth out of the land of Egypt.

[John Weaver] Now watch Reuben, the eldest son of Israel, the children of Reuben. So now we're in just a tribe of Reuben. You have Hanok. Of whom come of the family of the Hanukkites. Of Palu, the follow of the Polonites. Of Hezron, the family of the Hezronites. Of Carmi, the family of the Carmites. So these are all children of Reuben. And now they are all families, and they have a head, and they have their own little militia, their own little army. He says in verse 7, these are the families of the Reubenites, and they that were numbered of them were 43,730. So out of all these different families, when you combine the number of men who were able to fight, you had 43,730. Wow. Well, here's another illustration. He says in verse, uh, verse seven, uh, these are the family of Rumanites that were numbered of them at 40 and 3,700 and the sons of Paul, who Eliab and the sons of Eliab, Nimuel and Dathan and Abiram. This is that Dathan and Abiram, which were famous in congregation strove against Moses and against Aaron and the company of Korah when they strove against the Lord, et cetera, et cetera.

[John Weaver] Note, if you would though, each one of these. Families happen to be named as a part of the tribe of Reuben. So once again, you have one prince over the whole tribe, but then it is broken down as well. Israel did not have a professional army. What they had was a militia. A militia normally consists of non-professional soldiers and citizens of a nation, citizens of a state. citizens of a family, citizens of a family clan who can be called together for military service in the time of need, as opposed to a professional standing full-time army.

[John Weaver] Now, let me ask you a question. Since I've showed you this from the book of Numbers and from out the Old Testament, how does this apply to us today? I mean, how should these truths affect us? Well, historically, militias have always provided their own weaponry. They provided their own training because they were interested in self-defense, interested in defending their families, their communities, and their societies.

[John Weaver] Now, let me point something out. Biblically speaking, The Bible is for militias. Historically speaking, our nation was built upon militias. The founding fathers were very frightened of a standing army. What did they just come through? They fought the largest standing army in Europe, the army of King George. And have you ever stopped to think about this? Without a standing army, you cannot have perpetual wars.

[John Weaver] Now, let me put it to you differently. If you have militias, you cannot have perpetual wars.

[John Weaver] Now, we have a standing army in this country. Our president happens to be the commander in chief, or at least supposed to be the commander in chief. And if he tells the army, you go fight in Afghanistan, that's where they go. You go to fight in Iraq, that's where they go. You go to fight in Vietnam, that's where they go. But since militias were made up of the people, if the president says, we want to go to Afghanistan and fight over there, the militia says, whoa, wait a minute. What do we have to do with Afghanistan?

[John Weaver] What have they done to us? Are they attacking us? No. Do we have any interest over there? No. Well, until they bother us, we're not bothering them. Bye. We're not going to fight. You see the difference? So if you have a standing army, you can have perpetual warfare. If you don't have a standing army, you can have perpetual warfare.

[John Weaver] Now, here's an interesting thought. And I would really like for especially each one of you who happen to have a birth certificate to check your birth certificate. I don't know if the recent ones do this or not, but since Alice and I are over 21, I looked at our birth certificates. Did you know that each state had military districts in it? And the reason it had military districts is because of the militia. I looked at my birth certificate, and according to my birth certificate, I was born in the militia district 1529. Alice was born in a different county, and she was born in the militia district of 1537. How did our birth certificates come up with a militia district? And the answer is, because according to federal law, anyone, any male particularly, from the age of 17 to 45 is in an unorganized militia.

[John Weaver] Now, I'm going to read it to you. Here it is. Title 10, United States Code, Section 311. Militia. Composition and classes. Militia of the United States consists of all able-bodied males, at least 17 years of age, and, except as provided in Section 313 of Title 32, under 45 years of age, who are, or who have made a declaration of intention to become citizens of the United States, and of female citizens of the United States who are members of the National Guard. B, the classes of the militia are, number one, the organized militia, which consists of the National Guard and the naval militia, and two, the unorganized militia, which consists of the members of the militia who are not members of the National Guard or the naval militia. So if you were born in America and you are not in a National Guard, you're not in a naval militia, If you're from age 17 to 45 and you're a man, you're in the unorganized militia. And so that's why originally our birth certificates then had which militia district you were born in.

[John Weaver] Now, our founding fathers did not trust standing armies. They did not trust a professional army. In fact, when George Washington fought, it was a volunteer army. I want to give you six quotes. I could give you quotes as long as my arm, but I want to just give you six from George Mason, Richard Henry Lee, and John Pomeroy. George Mason, by the way, he was one of the ones who helped write the Fairfax Resolves. George Mason said, I ask, sir, what is the militia?

[John Weaver] It is the whole people, except for a few public officials. Here's another quote. He says, a well-regulated militia composed of the body of the people trained to arms is the proper, natural and safe defense of a free state. That standing armies in the time of peace should be avoided as dangerous to liberty and that in all cases, the military should be under strict subordination to and governed by civil power. Here's a third quote.

[John Weaver] When the resolution of enslaving America was formed in Great Britain, the British Parliament was advised by an artful man, Sir William Keith, who was the governor of Pennsylvania, to disarm the people. That was the best and most effective way to enslave them. But they should not do it openly, but to weaken them and let them sink gradually by totally disusing and neglecting the militia. Here's Richard Henry Lee. Whereas to preserve liberty. It is essential that the whole body of the people always possess arms and be taught alike, especially when young, how to use them.

[John Weaver] Nor does it follow from this that all promiscuously must go into actual service on every occasion. The mind that aims at a select militia or standing army must be influenced by a truly anti-Republican principle. And when we see many men disposed to practice upon it, whenever they can prevail, no wonder true Republicans are for carefully guarding against it. And then he says this. Richard Henry Lee, the malicious when properly formed are in fact the people themselves, and include all men capable of bearing arms. To preserve liberty, it is essential that the whole body of the people always possess arms and be taught alike, especially when young, how to use them. Now, one last quote.

[John Weaver] This is from John Norton Pomeroy. John Norton Pomeroy was born in 1828. He died in 1885. He was an American lawyer, a legal writer, and a constitutionalist. And he wrote this on the Second Amendment. The object of this clause, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, is to secure a well-armed militia. But a militia would be useless unless the citizens were able to exercise themselves in the use of warlike weapons. To preserve this privilege and to secure to the people the ability to oppose themselves in a military force against the usurpations of government, as well as against enemies from without, that government is forbidden by any law or proceeding to invade or destroy the right to keep and bear arms. Wow. So he said, no government has the right to violate the second amendment.

[John Weaver] Now, I want you to go back in your Bibles to number chapter one. I did not tell you all that just to fill time. I told you that because it has a great impact upon what I'm trying to share with you. Now, I want you to look at numbers one and verse 16. Verse 16 actually refers to verses 5 through 15, where the 12 princes were chosen to lead the 12 tribes. Verse 16, these were the renowned of the congregation, princes of the tribes of their fathers, heads of thousands in Israel.

[John Weaver] Now, When you and I think of the word renowned, we think differently from the biblical term. I could say that James is renowned for eating M&M's. Everybody knows he likes M&M's. He's famous for that, okay? That's how we think of the word renowned. Somebody's famous for something, you know? But that's not what this word means. The Hebrew word here is the word Kharav, and it literally means one that is called out, one that is lifted up, one that is named, one that is commissioned, one that is appointed, one that is endowed, or one that is chosen. So, he then lists the names of all of these that were chosen, lifted up, and appointed and ordained.

[John Weaver] Now, let me just point several things out in order to make a real application here. First of all, when you think of the training that is to be done in the home, the husband and the father is biblically the appointed head of the house. That means the husband has the duty and responsibility to teach and train the wife. The father has the duty and responsibility to teach and train the children.

[John Weaver] I'm not going to re-preach those two messages on the biblical doctrine of self-defense, at least not now. Now, I'm certainly not going to preach that 15 part series I did on the biblical doctrine of war, at least not now, but I'm just simply saying it is primarily the father's responsibility to teach and to train his children and the husband's responsibility to teach and train the wife. How will the wife learn if the husband will not teach? How will the children learn if the father will not teach? Now, I understand that not every father knows everything and not every husband knows everything. I understand that.

[John Weaver] And one may loyally and legitimately ask for help if he really and truly needs help. But yet the primary responsibility goes upon the father and the husband in the home.

[John Weaver] Secondly, you'd have to ask this, what about grown children? What about children that whose parents happen to be dead or parents happen to be divorced and they've never been trained. They know absolutely nothing about weaponry. They've never been taught. And by the way, let me mention this. Do you know why God left some of the enemies alive in the land of Canaan when the children of Israel went and possess it? Let me show you.

[John Weaver] Look in your Bibles to the book of Judges chapter three. After the book of Joshua, you've got the book of Judges. Judges chapter 3. Look, if you would, please, at the first three verses. Judges chapter 3, verses 1 through 3. Watch. Watch this carefully. Judges 3, verses 1 through 3.

[John Weaver] Now these are the nations which the Lord left to prove Israel by them, even as many of Israel as had not known all the wars of Canaan. So there were some children that were too young to fight. Moreover, there were children born after the conquest of Canaan who never knew anything about fighting. So he says, even as many of Israel as had not known all the wars of Canaan, only that the generations of the children of Israel might know, watch, to teach them war. At least such as before knew nothing thereof. And here's somebody left just to teach him to fight.

[John Weaver] Namely, the five lords of the Philistines and all the Canaanites and the Zidonians and the Hivites that dwell in Mount Lebanon from from Mount Baal Hermon unto the entering of Hamas. God said, I left these enemies just so your children who never experienced fighting, they might learn how to fight. Wow. That amazing. And let me tell you something else that you might find surprising. Did you know that God's people are called his battle axe and his weapons of war? You'll find that in Jeremiah chapter 51 in verse 20, where God says, thou art my battle axe and weapons of war for with thee will I break in pieces the nations and with thee will I destroy kingdoms. So God refers to his people as his battle acts and his weapons of war. Hmm.

[John Weaver] Now, let me get back to the word renowned in numbers one in verse 16. I pointed out that the word renowned meant those who are called out, those who are commissioned, those who are lifted up, those who are appointed. So these words, which I'm going to show you, not only apply to the princes that were listed in Numbers chapter one, they also apply to pastors.

[John Weaver] Now, if you have my book on the Christian civil government, You can read the seventh chapter on the pastor as a magistrate. And you will see that a pastor is a spiritual magistrate. Who is equal and actually in one sense, the word higher than a civil magistrate, but he is still a magistrate. The same word is used. So a God called an ordained and appointed pastor is one that has been endowed with gift gifts. He's been chosen. He's been commissioned by God. And he's one that has been lifted up and recognized by the congregation.

[John Weaver] So I could say it like this, why is it that we come here every week that I preach? Why is David not preaching every week? Or Steve not preaching every week? You see what I'm saying? You're saying, well, God hadn't called me to that. God hasn't chosen me to that. And we and nobody here would listen to me. Nobody would want me as a pastor. Well, I understand that. But all I'm trying to show you just momentarily is this, that a pastor, a real godly pastor is someone that has been lifted up out of the congregation. And listen carefully. He's put over the congregation.

[John Weaver] Now, let me explain something. I want you to turn in your Bibles, first of all, the first Thessalonians, chapter five. First Thessalonians chapter 5. Watch carefully because there are several words that we're going to see several times. Look in First Thessalonians chapter 5 and notice if you would please. Verse 12. First Thessalonians 5 verse 12. So Paul is writing these Thessalonican Christians and he says this. And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labor among you.

[John Weaver] So he's talking about the pastors. Know them which labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you. And esteem them very highly and love for their works sake and be at peace among yourself. Now, the apostle says, you must know them which labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you. Well, who does the admonishing? It's the pastor. It's the preacher.

[John Weaver] And he points out the fact that we are over you. Now, let me explain that. That does not mean that somehow I am an exalted individual or any pastor is an exalted individual. When it comes to what you and I would call equality. In this sense of the word, the preacher, the pastor, just like anybody else and everybody else is equally the creature of God. He is equally a sinner. He may equally be redeemed by God. But just because we have equal standing before God does not mean that we are positionally the same. OK. Husbands and wives are equal before God. But God has constituted the husband as the head of the house, so they may be equal as far as being creatures and sinners and being redeemed and have equal standing before God, but positionally they are different. It's the same way with an employer and employee. You're both creatures. You're both sinners. You may be both Christians, but the employer is positionally different than the employee. You follow that?

[John Weaver] So this is why he's saying, esteem them very highly and love for their work's sake and be at peace among yourselves by beseeching you. He said, by beseeching that you know them which labor among you and are over you and the Lord.

[John Weaver] Now, let me show it to you again. Look in your Bibles to the book of Hebrews, chapter 13. Right before the book of James, Hebrews, James, look in Hebrews chapter 13. And notice, if you would please, verse 17, Hebrews 13 in verse 17. Look what he says again. Hebrews 13, verse 17. Obey them that have the rule over you. And submit yourselves, for they watch for your souls.

[John Weaver] as they that must give an account, that they may do it with joy, not with grief, for that is unprofitable for you." Now again, he says, obey them that have the rule over you and submit yourselves. Now, what that means is this, as long as I am telling you what is right biblically and scripturally, as long as I'm telling you what God demands, God says you must submit. Why?

[John Weaver] Because I watch for your souls. And then notice he said this, as they that must give an account, that they may do it with joy, not with grief, for that is unprofitable for you. So on the judgment day, I will give an account, not only for my preaching and teaching, but I will also give an account to how people listened, how people responded. So if I have to say to the Lord, Lord, that Steve was as hard-headed as a solid rock.

[John Weaver] He wouldn't listen to me. I couldn't get him to do what's right for anything. God said that's going to be unprofitable for him. It'll be a grief for me to say that. But on the other hand, if I say, Lord, Steve was a wonderful, obedient child of God. He listened. He obeyed. He applied. I can say that with joy and that's going to be to his benefit.

[John Weaver] So this is what he's saying. Obey them that have the rule over you and submit yourselves for they watch for your souls as they must give an account that may do it with joy, not with grief, for that is unprofitable for you.

[John Weaver] Now skip down to verse 24. He says it again. Salute all them that have the rule over you and all the saints. They have Italy salute you. Salute all of them that have the rule over you. That is always be willing to speak.

[John Weaver] Now, obviously, if someone has a rule over you, he is someone that has been chosen, someone that has been lifted up, someone who's been endowed with gifts, someone who has been appointed. And he's someone who's recognized by the congregation. He is someone who's able and apt to teach. He's the under shepherd. And as the under shepherd, he's accountable and responsible to the great shepherd and the chief shepherd and the good shepherd. And therefore, he should be able not only to teach, but also to train.

[John Weaver] Let me give you another verse. In Isaiah 41 in verse 15, listen to what God said. God said, behold, I will make thee a sharp threshing instrument, having teeth. Thou shalt thresh the mountains and beat them small and shall make the hills as chaff." So the truth is that every individual should understand the doctrine of self-defense. Every family should understand the biblical doctrine of self-defense. Every community should understand the biblical doctrine of self-defense.

[John Weaver] And just because someone has a weapon and someone has a concealed carry permit does not mean that that person can use that weapon effectively, nor does it mean that he knows how to use it and when to use it, nor does it mean that he can function under pressure and under stress. I just read this week about the number of churches now that have protection teams. And the highest percentage was churches having protection teams.

[John Weaver] And then some were hiring private security guards and some were even hiring police. But by far, the higher number was those who have protection teams. And I've often said most of these protection teams can't shoot. I would hate to be in a building where there was an active shooter or an invasion. And you had somebody with weapons there who were not trained and could not shoot straight. Usually what's going to happen, a number of innocent people are going to be shot in such incidents. It cannot help, but be innocent bystanders.

[John Weaver] It's just like the shooting out in Texas. If you watch the video that's been on the internet, John Correa doing the active self-protection video, he shows the one guy who took the bad guy out, but other men were running around muzzling people with their weapon as they were running around. I'm just simply saying, you've got to understand that just because someone has a protection team does not mean that that team can actually function.

[John Weaver] So I could ask you this. Can your family function as a team? Can your church function as a team? Can your community function as a team? How in the world will a community defend itself against gangs and hoodlums and intruders if you can't function together? What about a societal collapse? Who will lead you? Who will train you? And the answer should come back It should be the pastors.

[John Weaver] That was the truth in the first war for independence. That was the truth in the second war for independence, because the pastors, the under shepherd, he's been lifted up. You say, well, as a pastor, I don't know how to shoot. I don't know how to. Well, you can learn. You learn a lot of other things. Everybody starts at the same point now. Let me give you a quote.

[John Weaver] I want you to listen to this. I want you to think very seriously on this quote. This was by Dr. Norman Geisler. He was in a life and death debate, debating the moral issues of our time. And here's what he said. To permit murder when one could have prevented it is morally wrong. To allow rape when one could have hindered it is an evil. To watch an act of cruelty to children without trying to intervene is morally inexcusable. In brief, not resisting evil is an evil of omission, and an evil of omission can be just as evil as an evil of commission. Any man who refuses to protect his wife and children against a violent intruder fails them morally. Well, if you have a duty to protect, and you do, you also have a duty to train to protect. You also have a duty to make sure that you're able to defend your family. If it's morally and biblically wrong to allow murder, rape, and physical harm, one must be ready and able to hinder and prevent it.

[John Weaver] And the only way to do so is love your neighbor as yourself if you're not willing to protect him, if you're not willing to fight for him. It's the good shepherd who gives his life for the sheep. And if an earthly shepherd is a good shepherd, he will train to defend the sheep that God has entrusted to him. He will also train the sheep to defend themselves. A hireling will flee. A hireling is not really interested in protecting the sheep. He's not interested in laying down his life. He's not interested in anything but the money. But you have seen from scripture, a shepherd like David is someone who not only knows how to fight, he's prepared to fight and is willing to fight. And like David, a real shepherd believes in obedience, in faith and in fighting.

[John Weaver] Let me just give you very quickly another thought or two. And I must hasten to remind you that what you were able to do 20 and 40 years ago does not apply today. Times change, people change, weaponry changes, and above all, our understanding should change, but it should change for the better as we age. We cannot depend upon what we used to do. I wish I had kept a number of how many men that told me, but pastor, I shot expert when I was in the army. Yeah, you did. 40 years ago. May I remind you, you cannot now do what you used to do. We must soberly and seriously assess ourselves and our abilities and our training. You cannot move as you did then.

[John Weaver] Your eyesight is not as good as it was back then. Your mind has forgotten many principles. Your reflexes are much slower. Let's be honest. If you fail to train, there is no way in the world today at 60 or 70, you're going to defend your family. You're just not going to do it. I want you to listen to what Teddy Roosevelt said. The great body of our citizens shoot less as time goes on.

[John Weaver] We should encourage rifle practice among schoolboys and indeed among all classes, as well as in the military services, by every means in our power. Thus, and not otherwise, may we be able to assist in preserving peace in the world. The first step in the direction of preparation to avert war, if possible, and to be fit for war, if it should come, is to teach men how to shoot."

[John Weaver] One other quote, Thomas Jefferson. He said, a strong body makes a strong mind. As to the species of exercise I advise a gun. While this gives moderate exercise to the body, it gives boldness, enterprise, and independence to the mind. Now listen to this. Games played with a ball and others of that nature are too violent for the body and stamp no character on the mind. Let your gun, therefore, be the constant companion to your walks. Isn't that amazing? Isn't that amazing?

[John Weaver] We're living in a dangerous time. We're living in a time when our land is being invaded on every hand by people who think it's their duty to kill us. I have a friend who put something in his bulletin just about every Sunday, and I want to read to you what he puts in his church bulletin. Think about this. He puts in the bulletin Murder is illegal. Attempting murder is illegal. A felon owning a gun is illegal. Shooting people indiscriminately is illegal. Using firearms in a criminal manner is illegal. Criminals do not go through background checks when purchasing illegal guns. Explain how criminals will follow new laws. Explain how new laws will make us safer. Explain how restricting law abiding citizens even more will make us safer. Oh, you can't.

[John Weaver] Then your argument is invalid. And then he ends with this. Were you armed in church this Sunday? You have to remember something. It is your duty first and foremost to protect yourself and your family and your neighbor. If you love him as yourself. I would fight for Effie just as quickly as I would fight for my wife. But James is responsible for Effie now. You see. I would fight for Sharon. But Ron is responsible for Sharon. You follow that? How in the world are we going to defend ourselves and our family? So here it is. How can you overcome a stronger, more powerful and more numerous enemy without being armed and without being trained? This is why.

[John Weaver] When Sam Adams and John Hancock asked Pastor Jonas Clark, would his men fight? And he answered, they will fight. For this very hour, I trained them. They will fight and they will die if need be. And the next day he had to perform eight funerals for the men who died in the shadow of the church on Lexington Green. A shepherd will make sure The cheap are safe because he's concerned for their lives and he wants them to be protected. Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, we bow to thee this day.

[John Weaver] We thank you for your word. We thank you for your truth. We ask Lord that you would help us, lead us, guide us, and direct us. May your will be accomplished in our lives. In the name of Jesus Christ, we ask and pray. Amen. the the the you

Hireling VS Shepherd - Part 3 of 3

John Weaver | YouTube

Lecture Metadata	Details
Speaker	John Weaver
Source	YouTube
Media ID	mDOSkuKKYro
Subject	Family Government
Course	The Christian Family: Marriage and Household Order: Remember Lot And His Wife
Genre	Sermon
Date	2020-03-06
Dictation Name
Book	Book 030: Hireling or Shepherd — Chapter 3
Source Timed Segments	85

Formatted Transcript

Introduction: The Hireling vs. The Shepherd

Weaver recaps the series, emphasizing that the hireling flees when danger comes, while the shepherd protects and is willing to give his life for the sheep. The shepherd's duties include warning, feeding, and leading.

John 10 verses 11 through 15. This is part 3 on hireling or shepherd. Notice John 10 verse 11. Our Lord says,

Scripture Reading — John 10:11-15

"I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep. I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. As the Father knoweth me, even so I know the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep."

This brief series, which will be ending today, has been dealing with the fact that our Lord makes a clear distinction between a hireling and a shepherd. The hireling is someone who's just simply hired, who cares not for the sheep.

And when danger arises, he flees and leaves the sheep, and the sheep are usually attacked, scattered, and or destroyed. So our Lord makes a clear distinction because it's the shepherd who always protects the sheep and is willing to give his life for the sheep. So it is the responsibility of the shepherd, as I pointed out in the very first message, not only to warn the sheep, but to feed the sheep. And in the second message, I pointed out how the shepherd always leads the sheep. And then I made a clear distinction between the pastors in the 17th and 18th centuries and the pastors that are today. I particularly gave a number of illustrations from the War for Independence, and then of course the Second War for Independence, commonly known as the War of Northern Aggression. Some of these pastors who were very, very active and very, very straightforward not only in their preaching and teaching the Word of God, but also standing for liberty and freedom as well. So it's not only the responsibility of the shepherd then to warn and to feed and to lead the sheep.

Shepherds Must Be Fighters

Using David's example of fighting the lion and bear, Weaver establishes that shepherds must be willing to fight to protect the sheep. He connects this to the biblical imagery of wicked rulers as roaring lions and ranging bears.

Shepherds by nature must be fighters because there are wolves, there are bears, there are lions, and there are other animals that are quite willing and quite ready to destroy and feast upon the sheep themselves. Now I'm sure that you remember the story of David in 1 Samuel chapter 17. Let me just read a few verses just to give you this little background, and listen carefully because there will be an application of it. And David said to Saul, "Let no man's heart fail because of him;" that is because of Goliath, "thy servant will go and fight this Philistine." And Saul said to David, "Thou art not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him: for thou art but a youth, and he a man of war from his youth." And David said unto Saul, "Thy servant kept his father's sheep, and there came a lion and a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock."

"And I went after him, and smote him, and delivered it out of his mouth: and when he arose against me, I caught him by his beard, and smote him, and slew him. Thy servant slew both the lion and the bear: and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, seeing he hath defied the armies of the living God." David said moreover, "The Lord that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine." And Saul said to David, "Go, and the Lord be with thee." Well, Saul wasn't going to be with him, but he certainly wanted the Lord to be with him. Now David said that the Lord delivered him out of the paw of the bear and the paw of a lion.

This was a real incident that happened. Of course, David was God's anointed. He was God's man, and God certainly used him. But let me show you how Solomon, David's son, applies this. So I want you to look in your Bibles, if you would, to the book of Proverbs, chapter 28, at verses 15 and 16. Proverbs 28, verses 15 and 16. Note, if you would, what the scripture says. Proverbs chapter 28, beginning there with verse 15. The Bible says, "As a roaring lion, and a ranging bear; so is a wicked ruler over the poor people."

"The prince that wanteth understanding" or lack of understanding "is also a great oppressor: but he that hateth covetousness shall prolong his days." So notice, if you would please, in verse 15, that a tyrant, a despot, a totalitarian is likened unto a roaring lion and a ranging bear. And the Bible says those individuals are individuals who lack understanding. So consequently, because they are roaring lions and ranging bears and lack understanding, they seek to destroy the sheep and the liberty and the freedom that sheep enjoy. Now, if you would turn in your Bibles to Psalm 94 very quickly, you will see how this is confirmed by David in verses 20 and 21. Notice Psalm 94 verses 20 and 21. Psalm 94, verse 20. Here's the question that is asked. I've pointed this out previously, but look at it in light of this. "Shall the throne of iniquity have fellowship with thee, which frameth mischief by a law?" First of all, it's a throne which speaks of governmental power. Secondly, it's a throne of iniquity.

God as a Man of War and the Mustering of Israel

Weaver shows that God is the Lord of hosts (armies) and a man of war. He examines Exodus and Numbers to demonstrate that Israel was organized as a military force, with men numbered for war and arranged in battle array.

Now with that in mind, I want you to look in your Bibles to the book of Exodus chapter 13. Exodus chapter 13, everyone knows that God delivered the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt. When you look at Exodus chapter 13, there's a verse that is very revealing. Because when you think about the Exodus, you're thinking about nearly two million people leaving Egypt. Two million people. Can you imagine two million people leaving New York City at one time? Or Chicago, Illinois at one time? How in the world could two million people leave Egypt at one time? Now remember, the Lord is the Lord God of hosts. He's the God of the armies. So if you look in Exodus chapter 13 and verse 18, here's what the Bible says. "But God led the people about, through the way of the wilderness of the Red sea: and the children of Israel went up harnessed out of the land of Egypt." They went up harnessed out of the land of Egypt. Now, the word harnessed is the word chamush, the Hebrew, and it means they went out in battle array.

They went out in battle by fives. In other words, they did not just all walk any way they pleased. God had them in a fighting position. They went out by fives, ranks of fives in order in line. Remember he is the God of the armies. He is the God of battle. If you'll remember, the Bible tells you Deuteronomy chapter 4 that God delivered the children of Israel out of Egypt by war, because He fought against not only Pharaoh, but all the gods of Egypt as well. So if you look now in Exodus chapter 15, let me show you this. Exodus 15. Pharaoh and his army now has been drowned in the Red Sea, and so there is a song of rejoicing in Exodus 15. "Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto the Lord, and spake, saying, I will sing unto the Lord, for he hath triumphed gloriously: the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea. The Lord is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation: he is my God."

"And I will prepare him an habitation; my father's God, and I will exalt him." Watch. "The Lord is a man of war: the Lord is his name. Pharaoh's chariots and his host hath he cast into the sea: his chosen captains also are drowned in the Red sea. The depths have covered them: they sank into the bottom as a stone. Thy right hand, O Lord, is become glorious in power: thy right hand, O Lord, hath dashed in pieces the enemy."

Now go back to verse three. "The Lord is a man of war." So we found out he is the Lord God of the armies. He brought Israel out in ranks of five, harnessed in battle array, because God is a man of war. Now, with that in mind, I want you to turn to Numbers chapter 1, Numbers chapter 1. And I want you to see something that is very clearly taught in this book. But first of all, let me just tell you that since God is a man of war, since God has armies, then what God does, He musters His armies. Did you know that the book of Numbers literally is the book of mustering? Why is it called the Book of Numbers? Because God numbers, God musters his armies in this book. So just look, if you would, at the first three verses right now of Numbers chapter 1.

"And the Lord spake unto Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, in the tabernacle of the congregation, on the first day of the second month, in the second year after they were come out of the land of Egypt, saying, Take ye the sum of all the congregation of the children of Israel," now watch, "after their families, by the house of their fathers, with the number of their names, every male by their polls; From twenty years old and upward, all that are able to go forth to war in Israel: thou and Aaron shall number them by their armies." So I want you to note the word armies happens to be plural. And if you'll go back to verse two, they're to be numbered after their families by the house of their fathers. And notice it to be every male from 20 years old and upward. Now look in verse four. "And with you there shall be a man of every tribe; every one head of the house of his fathers." So what that means, and I'll come back to this a little bit later, there's always a prince over Judah, a prince over Reuben, a prince over Dan. There's a leading prince, one over each

The Tribal and Family Militia Structure

From Numbers 1, 2, 10, and 26, Weaver explains that each tribe had a prince, but within tribes were family-based armies or militias. This decentralized structure meant Israel did not have a professional standing army but a militia of citizens.

Now, that does not mean that he had to do all the teaching and all the training himself. He certainly had someone under him, probably many, many men, but he was the one who was overall responsible for the training. Moreover, you're going to find that each family had a responsibility as well. Each family was responsible for training their young men to fight. Listen, the head of the house that would not train his sons to fight was training them to be victims and not victors. Okay. I'm going to show you this a little more specifically just a moment, but note, if you would. Here in Numbers chapter 1, you had one man who was over each tribe. He was basically responsible for the families of that tribe. Now, when you get to Numbers chapter 2, God is ordering the positions of the tribes around the tabernacle. And there's an interesting thing that comes about. When you read Numbers chapter 2, it'll give the prince or the tribe, and then it will say, "and his host," that is, and his army.

Thus, you're going to find then that each tribe was made up of a number of little smaller armies. In other words, these family armies, so to speak, these clans, which I will show you just momentarily, would be able to fight on their own. They would be able to fight individually. But whenever they needed a larger number, then all the clans would come together. You even saw this when the children of Israel went into Canaan land, because each tribe was responsible to conquer his piece of land that had been given to them. And so Judah would say to Simeon, you come go with me and help me, and then I'll come go with you and help you. Obviously, they were able to fight individually, independently, but when a larger group was needed, they would always combine together. Now, moreover, you're going to find that each tribe not only had a head or a captain, had a prince. Each tribe was made up of smaller armies. Let me show you.

Look in Numbers chapter 10, if you would. Numbers chapter 10 and look at verse 14. Numbers 10 verse 14. Watch carefully. Numbers 10 verse 14:

Scripture Reading — Numbers 10:14-25

"In the first place went the standard of the camp of the children of Judah according to their armies."

So now wait a minute. We've got one tribe, the tribe of Judah, and that happens to be made up of many armies, "and over his host," that is, over the whole army, "was Nahshon the son of Amminadab." Note, if you would, "over their armies." Skip down to verse 18. "And the standard of the camp of Reuben set forward according to their armies," plural.

Scripture Reading — Numbers 10:14-25

"And over his host was Elizur the son of Shedeur."

Now, so note if you would, again, here's the tribe of Reuben, but note it says "their armies" as well. Look in verse 22. "And the standard of the camp of the children of Ephraim set forward according to their armies. And over his host was Elishama the son of Ammihud." Note, so the point I'm trying to make is this. There were numerous armies that made up the tribal army. If you look in verse 25: "And the standard of the camp of the children of Dan set forward, which was the rereward of all the camps throughout their hosts," their armies. "And over his host,

Scripture Reading — Numbers 10:14-25

" that is the headman over the army of the children of Dan, "

was Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai." So, you're going to find that although there was a tribal head, there were family heads, there were family clans, and these were independent militias, as we would call them. Now, if you will turn to Numbers chapter 26, I think that this will be made even clearer. So let me say it again. Let me try to explain it. You had one prince who is over the tribe. But in that tribe, you had many armies because you had independent families which were independent militias. So if you look in Numbers chapter 26 and verse 2, he says, "Take the sum of all the congregation of the children of Israel, from twenty years old and upward, throughout their fathers' house," plural, "all that are able to go to war in Israel." OK. Take the number throughout their fathers' house. Now, if you would, let's skip down to verse 4. Watch carefully. Remember, Jacob had 12 sons, but these armies are not just for the 12 sons. It goes even farther. Note, if you would, verse 4, he says, "Take the sum of the people, from twenty years old and upward; as the Lord commanded Moses and the children of Israel, which went forth out of the land of Egypt."

Now watch: "Reuben, the eldest son of Israel: the children of Reuben;" so now we're in just the tribe of Reuben. "Hanoch, of whom cometh the family of the Hanochites: of Pallu, the family of the Palluites: of Hezron, the family of the Hezronites: of Carmi, the family of the Carmites." So these are all children of Reuben. And now they are all families, and they have a head, and they have their own little militia, their own little army. He says in verse 7, "These are the families of the Reubenites: and they that were numbered of them were forty and three thousand and seven hundred and thirty." So out of all these different families, when you combine the number of men who were able to fight, you had 43,730. Wow. Well, here's another illustration. He says in verse 7, "These are the families of the Reubenites: and they that were numbered of them were forty and three thousand and seven hundred and thirty. And the sons of Pallu; Eliab. And the sons of Eliab; Nemuel, and Dathan, and Abiram. This is that Dathan and Abiram, which were famous in the congregation, who strove against Moses and against Aaron in the company of Korah, when they strove against the Lord," et cetera, et cetera.

Application: Militias vs. Standing Armies

Weaver argues that biblically and historically, militias are preferable to standing armies because they prevent perpetual wars. He cites the founding fathers' fear of standing armies and quotes George Mason, Richard Henry Lee, and John Norton Pomeroy on the importance of an armed populace.

Now, let me ask you a question. Since I've showed you this from the book of Numbers and from out the Old Testament, how does this apply to us today? I mean, how should these truths affect us? Well, historically, militias have always provided their own weaponry. They provided their own training because they were interested in self-defense, interested in defending their families, their communities, and their societies.

Now, let me point something out. Biblically speaking, the Bible is for militias. Historically speaking, our nation was built upon militias. The founding fathers were very frightened of a standing army. What did they just come through? They fought the largest standing army in Europe, the army of King George. And have you ever stopped to think about this? Without a standing army, you cannot have perpetual wars.

Now, let me put it to you differently. If you have militias, you cannot have perpetual wars. Now, we have a standing army in this country. Our president happens to be the commander in chief, or at least supposed to be the commander in chief. And if he tells the army, you go fight in Afghanistan, that's where they go. You go to fight in Iraq, that's where they go. You go to fight in Vietnam, that's where they go. But since militias were made up of the people, if the president says, we want to go to Afghanistan and fight over there, the militia says, whoa, wait a minute. What do we have to do with Afghanistan?

What have they done to us? Are they attacking us? No. Do we have any interest over there? No. Well, until they bother us, we're not bothering them. Bye. We're not going to fight. You see the difference? So if you have a standing army, you can have perpetual warfare. If you don't have a standing army, you cannot have perpetual warfare.

Now, here's an interesting thought. And I would really like for especially each one of you who happen to have a birth certificate to check your birth certificate. I don't know if the recent ones do this or not, but since Alice and I are over 21, I looked at our birth certificates. Did you know that each state had military districts in it? And the reason it had military districts is because of the militia. I looked at my birth certificate, and according to my birth certificate, I was born in the militia district 1529. Alice was born in a different county, and she was born in the militia district of 1537. How did our birth certificates come up with a militia district? And the answer is, because according to federal law, anyone, any male particularly, from the age of 17 to 45 is in an unorganized militia.

Now, I'm going to read it to you. Here it is. Title 10, United States Code, Section 311. Militia: composition and classes. (a) The militia of the United States consists of all able-bodied males at least 17 years of age and, except as provided in section 313 of title 32, under 45 years of age who are, or who have made a declaration of intention to become, citizens of the United States and of female citizens of the United States who are members of the National Guard. (b) The classes of the militia are— (1) the organized militia, which consists of the National Guard and the Naval Militia; and (2) the unorganized militia, which consists of the members of the militia who are not members of the National Guard or the Naval Militia. So if you were born in America and you are not in a National Guard, you're not in a naval militia, if you're from age 17 to 45 and you're a man, you're in the unorganized militia. And so that's why originally our birth certificates then had which militia district you were born in.

Now, our founding fathers did not trust standing armies. They did not trust a professional army. In fact, when George Washington fought, it was a volunteer army. I want to give you six quotes. I could give you quotes as long as my arm, but I want to just give you six from George Mason, Richard Henry Lee, and John Pomeroy. George Mason, by the way, he was one of the ones who helped write the Fairfax Resolves. George Mason said, "I ask, sir, what is the militia?"

"It is the whole people, except for a few public officials." Here's another quote. He says, "A well-regulated militia, composed of the body of the people, trained to arms, is the proper, natural, and safe defense of a free state; that standing armies, in time of peace, should be avoided as dangerous to liberty; and that in all cases the military should be under strict subordination to, and governed by, the civil power." Here's a third quote. "When the resolution of enslaving America was formed in Great Britain, the British Parliament was advised by an artful man, Sir William Keith, who was the governor of Pennsylvania, to disarm the people; that it was the best and most effectual way to enslave them; but that they should not do it openly, but weaken them, and let them sink gradually, by totally disusing and neglecting the militia." Here's Richard Henry Lee. "Whereas, to preserve liberty, it is essential that the whole body of the people always possess arms, and be taught alike, especially when young, how to use them."

"Nor does it follow from this that all promiscuously must go into actual service on every occasion. The mind that aims at a select militia, or standing army, must be influenced by a truly anti-republican principle; and when we see many men disposed to practice upon it, whenever they can prevail, no wonder true republicans are for carefully guarding against it." And then he says this. Richard Henry Lee, "The militia, when properly formed, are in fact the people themselves, and include all men capable of bearing arms. To preserve liberty, it is essential that the whole body of the people always possess arms, and be taught alike, especially when young, how to use them." Now, one last quote. This is from John Norton Pomeroy. John Norton Pomeroy was born in 1828. He died in 1885. He was an American lawyer, a legal writer, and a constitutionalist. And he wrote this on the Second Amendment. "The object of this clause," the right of the people to keep and bear arms, "is to secure a well-armed militia. But a militia would be useless unless the citizens were able to exercise themselves in the use of warlike weapons. To preserve this privilege, and to secure to the people the ability to oppose themselves in a military force against the usurpations of government, as well as against enemies from without, that government is forbidden by any law or proceeding to invade or destroy the right to keep and bear arms." Wow. So he said, no government has the right to violate the second amendment.

The Role of Fathers and Pastors as Leaders

Weaver teaches that fathers are responsible for training their families in self-defense, and pastors, as those 'over' the congregation, are called to lead and train the flock. He references 1 Thessalonians 5:12 and Hebrews 13:17 to show pastoral authority and accountability.

I'm not going to re-preach those two messages on the biblical doctrine of self-defense, at least not now. Now, I'm certainly not going to preach that 15-part series I did on the biblical doctrine of war, at least not now, but I'm just simply saying it is primarily the father's responsibility to teach and to train his children and the husband's responsibility to teach and train the wife. How will the wife learn if the husband will not teach? How will the children learn if the father will not teach? Now, I understand that not every father knows everything and not every husband knows everything. I understand that. And one may loyally and legitimately ask for help if he really and truly needs help. But yet the primary responsibility goes upon the father and the husband in the home.

Secondly, you'd have to ask this, what about grown children? What about children that whose parents happen to be dead or parents happen to be divorced and they've never been trained. They know absolutely nothing about weaponry. They've never been taught. And by the way, let me mention this. Do you know why God left some of the enemies alive in the land of Canaan when the children of Israel went and possess it? Let me show you.

Look in your Bibles to the book of Judges chapter 3. After the book of Joshua, you've got the book of Judges. Judges chapter 3. Look, if you would, please, at the first three verses. Judges chapter 3, verses 1 through 3. Watch. Watch this carefully. Judges 3, verses 1 through 3.

"Now these are the nations which the Lord left, to prove Israel by them, even as many of Israel as had not known all the wars of Canaan;" so there were some children that were too young to fight. Moreover, there were children born after the conquest of Canaan who never knew anything about fighting. So he says, "even as many of Israel as had not known all the wars of Canaan; Only that the generations of the children of Israel might know, to teach them war, at the least such as before knew nothing thereof;" and here's somebody left just to teach him to fight. "Namely, five lords of the Philistines, and all the Canaanites, and the Sidonians, and the Hivites that dwelt in mount Lebanon, from mount Baalhermon unto the entering in of Hamath." God said, I left these enemies just so your children who never experienced fighting, they might learn how to fight. Wow. That's amazing. And let me tell you something else that you might find surprising. Did you know that God's people are called his battle axe and his weapons of war? You'll find that in Jeremiah chapter 51 in verse 20, where God says, "Thou art my battle axe and weapons of war: for with thee will I break in pieces the nations, and with thee will I destroy kingdoms." So God refers to his people as his battle axe and his weapons of war. Hmm.

Now, let me get back to the word renowned in Numbers 1 in verse 16. I pointed out that the word renowned meant those who are called out, those who are commissioned, those who are lifted up, those who are appointed. So these words, which I'm going to show you, not only apply to the princes that were listed in Numbers chapter 1, they also apply to pastors. Now, if you have my book on the Christian civil government, you can read the seventh chapter on the pastor as a magistrate. And you will see that a pastor is a spiritual magistrate, who is equal and actually in one sense, the word higher than a civil magistrate, but he is still a magistrate. The same word is used. So a God-called and ordained and appointed pastor is one that has been endowed with gifts. He's been chosen. He's been commissioned by God. And he's one that has been lifted up and recognized by the congregation.

So I could say it like this, why is it that we come here every week that I preach? Why is David not preaching every week? Or Steve not preaching every week? You see what I'm saying? You're saying, well, God hadn't called me to that. God hasn't chosen me to that. And nobody here would listen to me. Nobody would want me as a pastor. Well, I understand that. But all I'm trying to show you just momentarily is this, that a pastor, a real godly pastor is someone that has been lifted up out of the congregation. And listen carefully. He's put over the congregation.

Now, let me explain something. I want you to turn in your Bibles, first of all, to 1 Thessalonians, chapter 5. 1 Thessalonians chapter 5. Watch carefully because there are several words that we're going to see several times. Look in 1 Thessalonians chapter 5 and notice if you would please, verse 12. 1 Thessalonians 5 verse 12. So Paul is writing these Thessalonian Christians and he says this. "And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you."

So he's talking about the pastors. "Know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be at peace among yourselves." Now, the apostle says, you must know them which labour among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you. Well, who does the admonishing? It's the pastor. It's the preacher. And he points out the fact that we are over you. Now, let me explain that. That does not mean that somehow I am an exalted individual or any pastor is an exalted individual. When it comes to what you and I would call equality, in this sense of the word, the preacher, the pastor, just like anybody else and everybody else is equally the creature of God. He is equally a sinner. He may equally be redeemed by God. But just because we have equal standing before God does not mean that we are positionally the same. OK. Husbands and wives are equal before God. But God has constituted the husband as the head of the house, so they may be equal as far as being creatures and sinners and being redeemed and have equal standing before God, but positionally they are different. It's the same way with an employer and employee. You're both creatures. You're both sinners. You may be both Christians, but the employer is positionally different than the employee. You follow that?

So this is why he's saying, esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake and be at peace among yourselves. By beseeching you, he said, by beseeching that you know them which labour among you and are over you in the Lord. Now, let me show it to you again. Look in your Bibles to the book of Hebrews, chapter 13. Right before the book of James, Hebrews, James, look in Hebrews chapter 13. And notice, if you would please, verse 17. Hebrews 13 in verse 17. Look what he says again. Hebrews 13, verse 17. "Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls."

"as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you." Now again, he says, obey them that have the rule over you and submit yourselves. Now, what that means is this, as long as I am telling you what is right biblically and scripturally, as long as I'm telling you what God demands, God says you must submit. Why? Because I watch for your souls. And then notice he said this, "as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you." So on the judgment day, I will give an account, not only for my preaching and teaching, but I will also give an account to how people listened, how people responded. So if I have to say to the Lord, "Lord, that Steve was as hard-headed as a solid rock."

"He wouldn't listen to me. I couldn't get him to do what's right for anything." God said that's going to be unprofitable for him. It'll be a grief for me to say that. But on the other hand, if I say, "Lord, Steve was a wonderful, obedient child of God. He listened. He obeyed. He applied." I can say that with joy and that's going to be to his benefit.

So this is what he's saying. Obey them that have the rule over you and submit yourselves, for they watch for your souls as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, not with grief, for that is unprofitable for you. Now skip down to verse 24. He says it again. "Salute all them that have the rule over you, and all the saints. They of Italy salute you." Salute all of them that have the rule over you. That is always be willing to speak.

Now, obviously, if someone has the rule over you, he is someone that has been chosen, someone that has been lifted up, someone who's been endowed with gifts, someone who has been appointed. And he's someone who's recognized by the congregation. He is someone who's able and apt to teach. He's the under shepherd. And as the under shepherd, he's accountable and responsible to the great shepherd and the chief shepherd and the good shepherd. And therefore, he should be able not only to teach, but also to train. Let me give you another verse. In Isaiah 41 in verse 15, listen to what God said. God said,

Scripture Reading — Isaiah 41:15

"Behold, I will make thee a new sharp threshing instrument having teeth: thou shalt thresh the mountains, and beat them small, and shalt make the hills as chaff."

So the truth is that every individual should understand the doctrine of self-defense. Every family should understand the biblical doctrine of self-defense. Every community should understand the biblical doctrine of self-defense.

The Necessity of Training and Readiness

Weaver stresses that simply owning a weapon is insufficient; training is essential. He warns that aging affects ability and that churches and families must function as teams. He quotes Norman Geisler on the moral duty to protect and Teddy Roosevelt and Thomas Jefferson on the value of marksmanship.

And just because someone has a weapon and someone has a concealed carry permit does not mean that that person can use that weapon effectively, nor does it mean that he knows how to use it and when to use it, nor does it mean that he can function under pressure and under stress. I just read this week about the number of churches now that have protection teams. And the highest percentage was churches having protection teams. And then some were hiring private security guards and some were even hiring police. But by far, the higher number was those who have protection teams. And I've often said most of these protection teams can't shoot. I would hate to be in a building where there was an active shooter or an invasion. And you had somebody with weapons there who were not trained and could not shoot straight. Usually what's going to happen, a number of innocent people are going to be shot in such incidents. It cannot help but be innocent bystanders.

It's just like the shooting out in Texas. If you watch the video that's been on the internet, John Correa doing the active self-protection video, he shows the one guy who took the bad guy out, but other men were running around muzzling people with their weapon as they were running around. I'm just simply saying, you've got to understand that just because someone has a protection team does not mean that that team can actually function. So I could ask you this. Can your family function as a team? Can your church function as a team? Can your community function as a team? How in the world will a community defend itself against gangs and hoodlums and intruders if you can't function together? What about a societal collapse? Who will lead you? Who will train you? And the answer should come back: It should be the pastors.

That was the truth in the first war for independence. That was the truth in the second war for independence, because the pastors, the under shepherd, he's been lifted up. You say, well, as a pastor, I don't know how to shoot. I don't know how to. Well, you can learn. You learn a lot of other things. Everybody starts at the same point. Now let me give you a quote.

I want you to listen to this. I want you to think very seriously on this quote. This was by Dr. Norman Geisler. He was in a life and death debate, debating the moral issues of our time. And here's what he said. "To permit murder when one could have prevented it is morally wrong. To allow rape when one could have hindered it is an evil. To watch an act of cruelty to children without trying to intervene is morally inexcusable. In brief, not resisting evil is an evil of omission, and an evil of omission can be just as evil as an evil of commission. Any man who refuses to protect his wife and children against a violent intruder fails them morally." Well, if you have a duty to protect, and you do, you also have a duty to train to protect. You also have a duty to make sure that you're able to defend your family. If it's morally and biblically wrong to allow murder, rape, and physical harm, one must be ready and able to hinder and prevent it.

And the only way to do so is love your neighbor as yourself. If you're not willing to protect him, if you're not willing to fight for him, it's the good shepherd who gives his life for the sheep. And if an earthly shepherd is a good shepherd, he will train to defend the sheep that God has entrusted to him. He will also train the sheep to defend themselves. A hireling will flee. A hireling is not really interested in protecting the sheep. He's not interested in laying down his life. He's not interested in anything but the money. But you have seen from scripture, a shepherd like David is someone who not only knows how to fight, he's prepared to fight and is willing to fight. And like David, a real shepherd believes in obedience, in faith, and in fighting.

Let me just give you very quickly another thought or two. And I must hasten to remind you that what you were able to do 20 and 40 years ago does not apply today. Times change, people change, weaponry changes, and above all, our understanding should change, but it should change for the better as we age. We cannot depend upon what we used to do. I wish I had kept a number of how many men that told me, "But pastor, I shot expert when I was in the army." Yeah, you did. 40 years ago. May I remind you, you cannot now do what you used to do. We must soberly and seriously assess ourselves and our abilities and our training. You cannot move as you did then.

Your eyesight is not as good as it was back then. Your mind has forgotten many principles. Your reflexes are much slower. Let's be honest. If you fail to train, there is no way in the world today at 60 or 70, you're going to defend your family. You're just not going to do it. I want you to listen to what Teddy Roosevelt said. "The great body of our citizens shoot less as time goes on."

"We should encourage rifle practice among schoolboys, and indeed among all classes, as well as in the military services, by every means in our power. Thus, and not otherwise, may we be able to assist in preserving peace in the world. The first step in the direction of preparation to avert war, if possible, and to be fit for war, if it should come, is to teach men how to shoot." One other quote, Thomas Jefferson. He said, "A strong body makes a strong mind. As to the species of exercise I advise the gun. While this gives moderate exercise to the body, it gives boldness, enterprise, and independence to the mind. Now listen to this. Games played with a ball and others of that nature are too violent for the body and stamp no character on the mind. Let your gun, therefore, be the constant companion to your walks." Isn't that amazing? Isn't that amazing?

Conclusion: The Shepherd's Duty to Protect

Weaver concludes with the example of Pastor Jonas Clark, who trained his men to fight at Lexington. He calls on pastors and congregants to be armed and trained, fulfilling the duty to protect themselves, their families, and their neighbors.

We're living in a dangerous time. We're living in a time when our land is being invaded on every hand by people who think it's their duty to kill us. I have a friend who put something in his bulletin just about every Sunday, and I want to read to you what he puts in his church bulletin. Think about this. He puts in the bulletin: "Murder is illegal. Attempting murder is illegal. A felon owning a gun is illegal. Shooting people indiscriminately is illegal. Using firearms in a criminal manner is illegal. Criminals do not go through background checks when purchasing illegal guns. Explain how criminals will follow new laws. Explain how new laws will make us safer. Explain how restricting law abiding citizens even more will make us safer. Oh, you can't."

"Then your argument is invalid." And then he ends with this: "Were you armed in church this Sunday?" You have to remember something. It is your duty first and foremost to protect yourself and your family and your neighbor, if you love him as yourself. I would fight for Effie just as quickly as I would fight for my wife. But James is responsible for Effie now. You see. I would fight for Sharon. But Ron is responsible for Sharon. You follow that? How in the world are we going to defend ourselves and our family? So here it is. How can you overcome a stronger, more powerful and more numerous enemy without being armed and without being trained? This is why.

When Sam Adams and John Hancock asked Pastor Jonas Clark, "Would his men fight?" And he answered, "They will fight. For this very hour, I trained them. They will fight and they will die if need be." And the next day he had to perform eight funerals for the men who died in the shadow of the church on Lexington Green. A shepherd will make sure the sheep are safe because he's concerned for their lives and he wants them to be protected. Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, we bow to thee this day. We thank you for your word. We thank you for your truth. We ask Lord that you would help us, lead us, guide us, and direct us. May your will be accomplished in our lives. In the name of Jesus Christ, we ask and pray. Amen.

Study Guide

Major Themes

The Shepherd as Protector and Fighter

Summary: A true shepherd, unlike a hireling, is willing to fight and even die to protect the sheep. This is modeled by David and ultimately by Christ, the Good Shepherd.

Evidence: Weaver states, 'Shepherds by nature must be fighters because there are wolves, there are bears, there are lions...' and references David's fight with the lion and bear (1 Samuel 17).

God as a Man of War

Summary: God is portrayed as a warrior who leads His people in battle array. The exodus and the organization of Israel in Numbers reveal God's martial character.

Evidence: Weaver cites Exodus 15:3, 'The Lord is a man of war,' and explains that Israel went out 'harnessed' (in battle array) from Egypt.

Biblical Militia vs. Standing Army

Summary: The Bible presents a model of decentralized, family-based militias rather than a professional standing army. This structure is seen as a safeguard against tyranny and perpetual war.

Evidence: Weaver explains from Numbers that each tribe had multiple armies (family militias) and argues, 'If you have militias, you cannot have perpetual wars.'

Fathers as Primary Trainers

Summary: Fathers have the God-given responsibility to teach and train their families, including in matters of self-defense. Failure to do so is a moral failure.

Evidence: Weaver says, 'The husband and the father is biblically the appointed head of the house... it is primarily the father's responsibility to teach and to train his children.'

Pastoral Authority and Accountability

Summary: Pastors are called by God, set over the congregation, and will give an account for their leadership. They are to be obeyed and esteemed as they watch for souls.

Evidence: Weaver references 1 Thessalonians 5:12 and Hebrews 13:17, emphasizing that pastors 'have the rule over you' and must give account.

Moral Duty to Protect and Train

Summary: It is morally wrong to fail to prevent evil when one has the ability to do so. This duty requires training and readiness, not just good intentions.

Evidence: Weaver quotes Norman Geisler: 'To permit murder when one could have prevented it is morally wrong... Any man who refuses to protect his wife and children against a violent intruder fails them morally.'

The Necessity of Ongoing Training

Summary: Skills and physical abilities degrade over time. Believers must continually train and reassess their capabilities to effectively defend their families and communities.

Evidence: Weaver warns, 'You cannot now do what you used to do... If you fail to train, there is no way in the world today at 60 or 70, you're going to defend your family.'

Key Arguments

The hireling-shepherd distinction demands a fighting shepherd.

Summary: Because the hireling flees and the shepherd protects, a true shepherd must be prepared to fight physically, as David did, not just spiritually.

Evidence: Weaver says, 'Shepherds by nature must be fighters... It's the shepherd who always protects the sheep and is willing to give his life for the sheep.'

Israel's military organization was a militia, not a standing army.

Summary: The numbering and arrangement of Israel in Numbers shows a decentralized, family-based military structure, which is the biblical pattern for defense.

Evidence: Weaver points out that each tribe had 'many armies' made up of family clans, and that 'Israel did not have a professional army. What they had was a militia.'

Militias prevent perpetual wars and tyranny.

Summary: A standing army can be sent anywhere by a ruler, but a militia of citizens will only fight when directly threatened, thus limiting unjust wars.

Evidence: Weaver argues, 'If you have a standing army, you can have perpetual warfare. If you don't have a standing army, you cannot have perpetual warfare.'

The Second Amendment secures the militia and the right of self-defense against tyranny.

Summary: The founding fathers and constitutional scholars saw the right to keep and bear arms as essential for a well-regulated militia and as a check on government usurpation.

Evidence: Weaver quotes John Norton Pomeroy: 'To preserve this privilege, and to secure to the people the ability to oppose themselves in a military force against the usurpations of government... that government is forbidden... to invade or destroy the right to keep and bear arms.'

Fathers are biblically mandated to train their households in self-defense.

Summary: As heads of the home, fathers must teach their wives and children to defend themselves; failure to do so is a dereliction of duty.

Evidence: Weaver states, 'The husband and the father is biblically the appointed head of the house... it is primarily the father's responsibility to teach and to train his children.'

Pastors have a God-given authority to lead and train the congregation, including in physical defense.

Summary: Pastors are 'over' the flock and will give account; therefore, they should lead in training for protection, just as Pastor Jonas Clark did at Lexington.

Evidence: Weaver cites Hebrews 13:17 and says, 'Obey them that have the rule over you... How in the world will a community defend itself... Who will lead you? Who will train you? And the answer should come back: It should be the pastors.'

Moral obligation requires practical training and readiness.

Summary: It is not enough to own a weapon; one must be trained to use it effectively under stress. Churches and families must function as trained teams.

Evidence: Weaver says, 'Just because someone has a weapon... does not mean that that person can use that weapon effectively... Can your family function as a team? Can your church function as a team?'

Aging and changing circumstances demand continual reassessment and training.

Summary: Physical abilities decline with age; past proficiency does not guarantee current capability. Believers must honestly evaluate and maintain their defensive skills.

Evidence: Weaver warns, 'You cannot now do what you used to do... Your eyesight is not as good... Your reflexes are much slower... If you fail to train, there is no way... you're going to defend your family.'

Scripture References

John 10:11-15

Context: Weaver reads the passage as the foundational text for the series, contrasting the good shepherd who gives his life with the hireling who flees.

1 Samuel 17:34-37

Context: David recounts killing a lion and a bear to protect his sheep, demonstrating that a shepherd must be a fighter.

Proverbs 28:15-16

Context: A wicked ruler is compared to a roaring lion and a ranging bear, connecting tyrannical government to the predators a shepherd must fight.

Psalm 94:20-21

Context: The psalmist questions whether a throne of iniquity that frames mischief by law can have fellowship with God, illustrating governmental wickedness.

Proverbs 28:28

Context: When the wicked rise, men hide themselves, showing the effect of wicked rulers on the righteous.

Proverbs 29:2

Context: When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; when the wicked rule, the people mourn.

1 Samuel 17:45

Context: David confronts Goliath in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, introducing the theme of God as a warrior.

Exodus 13:18

Context: Israel went up 'harnessed' (in battle array) out of Egypt, showing God's military organization of His people.

Exodus 15:1-6

Context: The song of Moses declares the Lord is a man of war, who dashed the enemy in pieces.

Numbers 1:1-4

Context: God commands Moses to number all males able to go to war by their armies, establishing the militia structure.

Numbers 1:44-46

Context: The total number of fighting men was 603,550, indicating a large, organized force.

Numbers 2

Context: The tribes are arranged around the tabernacle with their hosts (armies), showing the order of the camp.

Numbers 10:14-25

Context: The tribes set forward according to their armies, with each tribe having multiple armies under a head.

Numbers 26:2-7

Context: The second census lists families within tribes, showing the clan-based militia structure.

Numbers 1:16

Context: The princes were 'renowned' (called out, appointed) of the congregation, heads of thousands in Israel.

Judges 3:1-3

Context: God left nations in Canaan to teach the generations of Israel war, showing the necessity of training for combat.

Jeremiah 51:20

Context: God calls His people His battle axe and weapons of war, indicating their role in spiritual and physical conflict.

1 Thessalonians 5:12-13

Context: Believers are to know and esteem those who labor among them and are over them in the Lord, referring to pastoral authority.

Hebrews 13:17, 24

Context: Obey those who rule over you, for they watch for your souls and will give account; salute all who have the rule over you.

Isaiah 41:15

Context: God will make His people a sharp threshing instrument to thresh mountains, symbolizing empowerment for battle.

Historical References

War for Independence (American Revolution)

Context: Weaver mentions that in the first message he gave illustrations from the War for Independence, showing pastors who were active in standing for liberty.

Second War for Independence (War of 1812 / 'War of Northern Aggression')

Context: Weaver refers to the Second War for Independence, commonly known as the War of Northern Aggression (likely meaning the Civil War), and pastors who were straightforward in preaching and standing for liberty.

George Mason

Context: Founding Father who helped write the Fairfax Resolves; quoted on the militia being the whole people and the danger of standing armies.

Richard Henry Lee

Context: Founding Father who emphasized that to preserve liberty, the whole body of the people must possess arms and be taught to use them.

John Norton Pomeroy

Context: 19th-century American lawyer and constitutionalist who wrote on the Second Amendment, stating the right to keep and bear arms secures a well-armed militia against government usurpation.

Sir William Keith

Context: Governor of Pennsylvania who advised the British Parliament to disarm the American people gradually to enslave them, as quoted by George Mason.

Pastor Jonas Clark

Context: Pastor at Lexington who trained his men to fight; when asked if they would fight, he replied, 'They will fight. For this very hour, I trained them.' Eight of his men died the next day on Lexington Green.

Teddy Roosevelt

Context: Quoted on the importance of encouraging rifle practice among all classes to preserve peace and be fit for war.

Thomas Jefferson

Context: Quoted on the value of the gun for exercise and character, advising it as a constant companion on walks.

Dr. Norman Geisler

Context: Contemporary theologian quoted on the moral obligation to prevent murder, rape, and cruelty, and the failure to protect one's family being a moral failure.

Important Quotes

Shepherds by nature must be fighters because there are wolves, there are bears, there are lions, and there are other animals that are quite willing and quite ready to destroy and feast upon the sheep themselves.

Significance: Establishes the core argument that a true shepherd must be physically prepared to fight to protect the flock.

The Lord is a man of war: the Lord is his name.

Significance: Directly quotes Exodus 15:3 to show that God Himself is a warrior, setting the pattern for His people.

Israel did not have a professional army. What they had was a militia.

Significance: Summarizes the biblical model of defense as a citizen militia rather than a standing army.

If you have a standing army, you can have perpetual warfare. If you don't have a standing army, you cannot have perpetual warfare.

Significance: Argues that the structure of military force directly affects the likelihood of endless wars.

To permit murder when one could have prevented it is morally wrong. To allow rape when one could have hindered it is an evil. To watch an act of cruelty to children without trying to intervene is morally inexcusable.

Significance: Quotes Norman Geisler to establish the moral imperative for self-defense and protection of others.

Any man who refuses to protect his wife and children against a violent intruder fails them morally.

Significance: Applies the moral duty specifically to the head of the household.

They will fight. For this very hour, I trained them. They will fight and they will die if need be.

Significance: Historical example of Pastor Jonas Clark embodying the shepherd who trains and leads his flock in defense.

A strong body makes a strong mind. As to the species of exercise I advise the gun. While this gives moderate exercise to the body, it gives boldness, enterprise, and independence to the mind.

Significance: Thomas Jefferson's endorsement of firearms training for character development.

Discussion Questions

How does the distinction between a hireling and a shepherd in John 10 apply to modern pastoral ministry and church leadership?

Context: Weaver emphasizes that a shepherd protects and fights for the sheep, while a hireling flees. This raises questions about the responsibilities of pastors today.

In what ways does the biblical portrayal of God as a 'man of war' challenge or affirm your view of self-defense and the use of force?

Context: Weaver cites Exodus 15:3 and the military organization of Israel to show that God is a warrior.

What are the practical implications of the militia model in Numbers for how families and churches should organize for protection today?

Context: Weaver explains the family-based militia structure of Israel and argues it is the biblical pattern.

How do you reconcile the command to 'obey them that have the rule over you' (Hebrews 13:17) with the responsibility to personally ensure your family's safety?

Context: Weaver teaches that pastors have authority and should lead in training for defense.

What steps can fathers take to fulfill their biblical duty to train their families in self-defense, especially if they lack experience?

Context: Weaver states that fathers are primarily responsible for teaching and training their households.

How should churches balance trust in God's protection with the practical need for security teams and armed members?

Context: Weaver discusses the rise of church protection teams and the need for proper training.

In light of Norman Geisler's quote, how do we determine when intervention is morally required versus when it might be unwise or unlawful?

Context: Weaver quotes Geisler on the moral evil of failing to prevent harm when possible.

What does the example of Pastor Jonas Clark training his congregation for battle teach us about the role of the church in times of societal crisis?

Context: Weaver concludes with the story of Lexington and Clark's preparation of his men.

Applications

Fathers must train their families in self-defense.

Summary: Fathers are biblically responsible to teach their wives and children how to protect themselves, including the use of firearms and defensive tactics.

Evidence: Weaver says, 'The husband and the father is biblically the appointed head of the house... it is primarily the father's responsibility to teach and to train his children.'

Pastors should lead in training the congregation for protection.

Summary: As under-shepherds who watch for souls, pastors should ensure their flocks are trained to defend themselves and function as a team.

Evidence: Weaver asks, 'How in the world will a community defend itself... Who will lead you? Who will train you? And the answer should come back: It should be the pastors.'

Believers must be armed and trained, not just armed.

Summary: Owning a weapon is insufficient; regular training is necessary to use it effectively under stress and to avoid harming innocents.

Evidence: Weaver states, 'Just because someone has a weapon... does not mean that that person can use that weapon effectively... Can your family function as a team?'

Churches should establish trained protection teams.

Summary: Given the reality of threats, churches should have teams that are properly trained to respond to active shooters or invasions.

Evidence: Weaver notes the high percentage of churches with protection teams and warns that untrained teams may cause more harm.

Continually reassess and maintain defensive skills.

Summary: Aging and changing circumstances require honest evaluation of one's abilities and ongoing training to remain effective.

Evidence: Weaver warns, 'You cannot now do what you used to do... If you fail to train, there is no way... you're going to defend your family.'

Recognize the moral duty to protect others.

Summary: Failing to prevent harm when able is morally equivalent to committing the harm; love for neighbor demands readiness to intervene.

Evidence: Weaver quotes Geisler: 'To permit murder when one could have prevented it is morally wrong... Any man who refuses to protect his wife and children... fails them morally.'

Support the Second Amendment and oppose disarmament.

Summary: The right to keep and bear arms is essential for a free state and a check against tyranny; believers should resist laws that infringe on this right.

Evidence: Weaver quotes Pomeroy: '...that government is forbidden by any law or proceeding to invade or destroy the right to keep and bear arms.'

Prepare the next generation for spiritual and physical warfare.

Summary: Just as God left enemies to teach Israel war, parents must ensure their children are trained to face both spiritual and physical threats.

Evidence: Weaver cites Judges 3:1-3, where God left nations 'to teach them war, at the least such as before knew nothing thereof.'

deepseek | deepseek-v4-pro | clean_readable_transcript | 2026-06-06T00:45:06Z

deepseek | deepseek-v4-pro | weaver_study | 2026-06-06T15:06:24Z

Clean Transcript

Hireling VS Shepherd - Part 3 of 3

Clean readable transcript. This view follows the Commentary.net cleaned segment text while preserving timestamps for audio follow-along.

John 10 verses 11 through 15. This is part 3 on hireling or shepherd. Notice John 10 verse 11. Our Lord says, "I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep. I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. As the Father knoweth me, even so I know the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep." This brief series, which will be ending today, has been dealing with the fact that our Lord makes a clear distinction between a hireling and a shepherd. The hireling is someone who's just simply hired, who cares not for the sheep.
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And when danger arises, he flees and leaves the sheep, and the sheep are usually attacked, scattered, and or destroyed. So our Lord makes a clear distinction because it's the shepherd who always protects the sheep and is willing to give his life for the sheep. So it is the responsibility of the shepherd, as I pointed out in the very first message, not only to warn the sheep, but to feed the sheep. And in the second message, I pointed out how the shepherd always leads the sheep. And then I made a clear distinction between the pastors in the 17th and 18th centuries and the pastors that are today. I particularly gave a number of illustrations from the War for Independence, and then of course the Second War for Independence, commonly known as the War of Northern Aggression. Some of these pastors who were very, very active and very, very straightforward not only in their preaching and teaching the Word of God, but also standing for liberty and freedom as well. So it's not only the responsibility of the shepherd then to warn and to feed and to lead the sheep.
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Shepherds by nature must be fighters because there are wolves, there are bears, there are lions, and there are other animals that are quite willing and quite ready to destroy and feast upon the sheep themselves. Now I'm sure that you remember the story of David in 1 Samuel chapter 17. Let me just read a few verses just to give you this little background, and listen carefully because there will be an application of it. And David said to Saul, "Let no man's heart fail because of him;" that is because of Goliath, "thy servant will go and fight this Philistine." And Saul said to David, "Thou art not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him: for thou art but a youth, and he a man of war from his youth." And David said unto Saul, "Thy servant kept his father's sheep, and there came a lion and a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock."
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"And I went after him, and smote him, and delivered it out of his mouth: and when he arose against me, I caught him by his beard, and smote him, and slew him. Thy servant slew both the lion and the bear: and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, seeing he hath defied the armies of the living God." David said moreover, "The Lord that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine." And Saul said to David, "Go, and the Lord be with thee." Well, Saul wasn't going to be with him, but he certainly wanted the Lord to be with him. Now David said that the Lord delivered him out of the paw of the bear and the paw of a lion.
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This was a real incident that happened. Of course, David was God's anointed. He was God's man, and God certainly used him. But let me show you how Solomon, David's son, applies this. So I want you to look in your Bibles, if you would, to the book of Proverbs, chapter 28, at verses 15 and 16. Proverbs 28, verses 15 and 16. Note, if you would, what the scripture says. Proverbs chapter 28, beginning there with verse 15. The Bible says, "As a roaring lion, and a ranging bear; so is a wicked ruler over the poor people."
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"The prince that wanteth understanding" or lack of understanding "is also a great oppressor: but he that hateth covetousness shall prolong his days." So notice, if you would please, in verse 15, that a tyrant, a despot, a totalitarian is likened unto a roaring lion and a ranging bear. And the Bible says those individuals are individuals who lack understanding. So consequently, because they are roaring lions and ranging bears and lack understanding, they seek to destroy the sheep and the liberty and the freedom that sheep enjoy.
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Now, if you would turn in your Bibles to Psalm 94 very quickly, you will see how this is confirmed by David in verses 20 and 21. Notice Psalm 94 verses 20 and 21. Psalm 94, verse 20. Here's the question that is asked. I've pointed this out previously, but look at it in light of this. "Shall the throne of iniquity have fellowship with thee, which frameth mischief by a law?" First of all, it's a throne which speaks of governmental power. Secondly, it's a throne of iniquity.
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It is a wicked civil government. And lastly, they make sin legal, "which frameth mischief by a law." Mischief is another word in the Bible for sin. So here's the question: Shall a wicked civil government have fellowship with God when that wicked civil government makes sin legal? And the answer of course is no. But look in verse 21, which verifies the wickedness: "They gather themselves together against the soul of the righteous, and condemn the innocent blood." In other words, they don't care what God says. They don't care what God's law declares.
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They just simply do as they please. Now, there are many other scriptures in the Bible that make this exceedingly clear. For instance, Proverbs 28 in verse 28, the Bible says, "When the wicked rise, men hide themselves: but when they perish, the righteous increase." So when the wicked rise, men hide themselves. In other words, they understand the collective wickedness of the wicked. And it's kind of like Gideon when he was threshing wheat behind what was the wine press, I think it was. Why was he not threshing the wheat up on the mountain?
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Because he was hiding himself from the Midianites. And he was trying to protect what he had. And then Proverbs 29 in verse 2, "When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn."
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Now, when we're talking about sheep, so many people say, well, sheep are defenseless animals. They have no defense. Well, I tell you what. Try to tell that to an attacking ram. Interestingly, I guess it's on YouTube. I saw it on the Internet. Someone was filming it, I guess, because the shepherd was standing in the middle of the road. It was a paved road, letting his sheep cross. And one of the rams along with some of the sheep had gone on across and he's standing there looking this way for the others to get on across. And I guess whoever who was waiting in the car was filming it. The ram that had already crossed turned around, saw the shepherd looking the other way, ran into him, knocked him down and then backed up and hit him again before someone stopped him. So, you know, you try to say sheep are defenseless. Well, I ran across on the internet a little something that says how to stop a charging ram.
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Okay, here are the rules. Number one, walk toward a ram that you see backing up and away from you.
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Now you know why they back up, don't you? So they can get a run and start a jump. So it says, walk toward a ram that you see backing away from you. Number two, wave a large stick at the ram when it charges. Number three, stand your ground until the ram lunges and then dodge to the side. Number four, catch the ram in the air and wrestle him to the ground.
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Well, since a ram's horns just by themselves can weigh 30 or more pounds, and a grown ram can weigh up to and over 300 pounds, I would add one more rule. Make sure that you're the winner, because the ram will butt very, very hard.
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Now, obviously, we know that sheep are not really defensive animals. I mean, defenseless animals, because they can run, they can hide, they can do a lot of different things. And the ram certainly is very formidable in and of himself. But seriously speaking, the sheep are supposed to be protected by the shepherd. It's the shepherd, according to John 10, who is supposed to be willing to lay down his life for the sheep. It is a shepherd then who guards the sheep, who guides the sheep, who feeds the sheep, who warns the sheep, who leads the sheep. And it's just something that shepherds are supposed to do. They are supposed to be real fighters and fearless.
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Now, I was reading recently through the book of Numbers and something hit me like a ton of bricks. And I'm going to share that with you. But just before I do, I want to share with you several of the passages. I want you to go back in your Bibles to 1 Samuel chapter 17. And this is the passage where David is fighting Goliath. But there is a verse that I want you to see. And I want you to understand a word that is being used. So in 1 Samuel chapter 17, if you look at verse 45, look at what David says to Goliath. "Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied." Now note, if you would, there is the name the Lord of Hosts. You will find that name used of God all throughout the Bible.
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Sometimes it's the Lord God of Hosts or the Lord of Hosts. But it is the Lord God of Hosts. The word host is a very unique word. The Hebrew word is Saba. And then the Septuagint, it is Sabaoth. It literally means the God of the armies. Anytime you see the word host, it refers to the armies. In fact, in verse 45, he says, "I come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts," that is the Lord of the armies, "the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied." So the word host or a host in this instance relates to war, armies, battles, soldiers, and warfare.
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Now with that in mind, I want you to look in your Bibles to the book of Exodus chapter 13. Exodus chapter 13, everyone knows that God delivered the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt. When you look at Exodus chapter 13, there's a verse that is very revealing. Because when you think about the Exodus, you're thinking about nearly two million people leaving Egypt. Two million people. Can you imagine two million people leaving New York City at one time? Or Chicago, Illinois at one time? How in the world could two million people leave Egypt at one time? Now remember, the Lord is the Lord God of hosts. He's the God of the armies. So if you look in Exodus chapter 13 and verse 18, here's what the Bible says. "But God led the people about, through the way of the wilderness of the Red sea: and the children of Israel went up harnessed out of the land of Egypt." They went up harnessed out of the land of Egypt. Now, the word harnessed is the word chamush, the Hebrew, and it means they went out in battle array.
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They went out in battle by fives. In other words, they did not just all walk any way they pleased. God had them in a fighting position. They went out by fives, ranks of fives in order in line. Remember he is the God of the armies. He is the God of battle. If you'll remember, the Bible tells you Deuteronomy chapter 4 that God delivered the children of Israel out of Egypt by war, because He fought against not only Pharaoh, but all the gods of Egypt as well. So if you look now in Exodus chapter 15, let me show you this. Exodus 15. Pharaoh and his army now has been drowned in the Red Sea, and so there is a song of rejoicing in Exodus 15. "Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto the Lord, and spake, saying, I will sing unto the Lord, for he hath triumphed gloriously: the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea. The Lord is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation: he is my God."
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"And I will prepare him an habitation; my father's God, and I will exalt him." Watch. "The Lord is a man of war: the Lord is his name. Pharaoh's chariots and his host hath he cast into the sea: his chosen captains also are drowned in the Red sea. The depths have covered them: they sank into the bottom as a stone. Thy right hand, O Lord, is become glorious in power: thy right hand, O Lord, hath dashed in pieces the enemy."
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Now go back to verse three. "The Lord is a man of war." So we found out he is the Lord God of the armies. He brought Israel out in ranks of five, harnessed in battle array, because God is a man of war.
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Now, with that in mind, I want you to turn to Numbers chapter 1, Numbers chapter 1. And I want you to see something that is very clearly taught in this book. But first of all, let me just tell you that since God is a man of war, since God has armies, then what God does, He musters His armies. Did you know that the book of Numbers literally is the book of mustering? Why is it called the Book of Numbers? Because God numbers, God musters his armies in this book. So just look, if you would, at the first three verses right now of Numbers chapter 1.
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"And the Lord spake unto Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, in the tabernacle of the congregation, on the first day of the second month, in the second year after they were come out of the land of Egypt, saying, Take ye the sum of all the congregation of the children of Israel," now watch, "after their families, by the house of their fathers, with the number of their names, every male by their polls; From twenty years old and upward, all that are able to go forth to war in Israel: thou and Aaron shall number them by their armies." So I want you to note the word armies happens to be plural. And if you'll go back to verse two, they're to be numbered after their families by the house of their fathers. And notice it to be every male from 20 years old and upward. Now look in verse four. "And with you there shall be a man of every tribe; every one head of the house of his fathers." So what that means, and I'll come back to this a little bit later, there's always a prince over Judah, a prince over Reuben, a prince over Dan. There's a leading prince, one over each
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of the twelve tribes. In fact, they are listed for us in the book of Numbers. However, what I want you to see right now is verse 44 through verse 46 of Numbers chapter 1, because in this initial numbering—here's why I said there's probably 2 million people who came out of Egypt. Notice Numbers chapter 1, verse 44. "These are those that were numbered, which Moses and Aaron numbered, and the princes of Israel, being twelve men."
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"Each one was for the house of his fathers. So were all those that were numbered of the children of Israel by the house of their fathers, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war in Israel; Even all they that were numbered were six hundred thousand and three thousand and five hundred and fifty." So there were 603,550 men that were 20 years old and over that were able to go to war. Now, if you've got 600,000 men over 20, and each one of them happens to be married, that's a million two hundred thousand right there. And then they've got children. And then what about some of these men that are not numbered, young men?
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The point I'm trying to make is probably there's pretty close to two million people who came out of Egypt. And God brought them out in a military order. So you have then the God of hosts, the God of the armies. God is a man of war. He brought Israel out of Egypt by an act of war. And then, of course, the Bible even speaks of the book of the wars of the Lord.
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Now, when you look at Numbers chapter 1, there was one prince over each of the tribes. So every tribe had a prince or had a head. Each one of these princes was responsible for mustering the armies in his tribe. He was responsible to see that they were numbered. He was responsible to see that they were taught and that they were trained.
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Now, that does not mean that he had to do all the teaching and all the training himself. He certainly had someone under him, probably many, many men, but he was the one who was overall responsible for the training. Moreover, you're going to find that each family had a responsibility as well. Each family was responsible for training their young men to fight. Listen, the head of the house that would not train his sons to fight was training them to be victims and not victors. Okay. I'm going to show you this a little more specifically just a moment, but note, if you would. Here in Numbers chapter 1, you had one man who was over each tribe. He was basically responsible for the families of that tribe. Now, when you get to Numbers chapter 2, God is ordering the positions of the tribes around the tabernacle. And there's an interesting thing that comes about. When you read Numbers chapter 2, it'll give the prince or the tribe, and then it will say, "and his host," that is, and his army.
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Thus, you're going to find then that each tribe was made up of a number of little smaller armies. In other words, these family armies, so to speak, these clans, which I will show you just momentarily, would be able to fight on their own. They would be able to fight individually. But whenever they needed a larger number, then all the clans would come together. You even saw this when the children of Israel went into Canaan land, because each tribe was responsible to conquer his piece of land that had been given to them. And so Judah would say to Simeon, you come go with me and help me, and then I'll come go with you and help you. Obviously, they were able to fight individually, independently, but when a larger group was needed, they would always combine together. Now, moreover, you're going to find that each tribe not only had a head or a captain, had a prince. Each tribe was made up of smaller armies. Let me show you.
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Look in Numbers chapter 10, if you would. Numbers chapter 10 and look at verse 14. Numbers 10 verse 14. Watch carefully. Numbers 10 verse 14: "In the first place went the standard of the camp of the children of Judah according to their armies." So now wait a minute. We've got one tribe, the tribe of Judah, and that happens to be made up of many armies, "and over his host," that is, over the whole army, "was Nahshon the son of Amminadab." Note, if you would, "over their armies." Skip down to verse 18. "And the standard of the camp of Reuben set forward according to their armies," plural. "And over his host was Elizur the son of Shedeur." Now, so note if you would, again, here's the tribe of Reuben, but note it says "their armies" as well. Look in verse 22. "And the standard of the camp of the children of Ephraim set forward according to their armies. And over his host was Elishama the son of Ammihud." Note, so the point I'm trying to make is this.
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There were numerous armies that made up the tribal army. If you look in verse 25: "And the standard of the camp of the children of Dan set forward, which was the rereward of all the camps throughout their hosts," their armies. "And over his host," that is the headman over the army of the children of Dan, "was Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai." So, you're going to find that although there was a tribal head, there were family heads, there were family clans, and these were independent militias, as we would call them.
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Now, if you will turn to Numbers chapter 26, I think that this will be made even clearer. So let me say it again. Let me try to explain it. You had one prince who is over the tribe. But in that tribe, you had many armies because you had independent families which were independent militias. So if you look in Numbers chapter 26 and verse 2, he says, "Take the sum of all the congregation of the children of Israel, from twenty years old and upward, throughout their fathers' house," plural, "all that are able to go to war in Israel." OK. Take the number throughout their fathers' house. Now, if you would, let's skip down to verse 4. Watch carefully. Remember, Jacob had 12 sons, but these armies are not just for the 12 sons. It goes even farther. Note, if you would, verse 4, he says, "Take the sum of the people, from twenty years old and upward; as the Lord commanded Moses and the children of Israel, which went forth out of the land of Egypt."
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Now watch: "Reuben, the eldest son of Israel: the children of Reuben;" so now we're in just the tribe of Reuben. "Hanoch, of whom cometh the family of the Hanochites: of Pallu, the family of the Palluites: of Hezron, the family of the Hezronites: of Carmi, the family of the Carmites." So these are all children of Reuben. And now they are all families, and they have a head, and they have their own little militia, their own little army. He says in verse 7, "These are the families of the Reubenites: and they that were numbered of them were forty and three thousand and seven hundred and thirty." So out of all these different families, when you combine the number of men who were able to fight, you had 43,730. Wow. Well, here's another illustration. He says in verse 7, "These are the families of the Reubenites: and they that were numbered of them were forty and three thousand and seven hundred and thirty. And the sons of Pallu; Eliab. And the sons of Eliab; Nemuel, and Dathan, and Abiram. This is that Dathan and Abiram, which were famous in the congregation, who strove against Moses and against Aaron in the company of Korah, when they strove against the Lord," et cetera, et cetera.
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Note, if you would though, each one of these families happen to be named as a part of the tribe of Reuben. So once again, you have one prince over the whole tribe, but then it is broken down as well. Israel did not have a professional army. What they had was a militia. A militia normally consists of non-professional soldiers and citizens of a nation, citizens of a state, citizens of a family, citizens of a family clan who can be called together for military service in the time of need, as opposed to a professional standing full-time army.
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Now, let me ask you a question. Since I've showed you this from the book of Numbers and from out the Old Testament, how does this apply to us today? I mean, how should these truths affect us? Well, historically, militias have always provided their own weaponry. They provided their own training because they were interested in self-defense, interested in defending their families, their communities, and their societies.
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Now, let me point something out. Biblically speaking, the Bible is for militias. Historically speaking, our nation was built upon militias. The founding fathers were very frightened of a standing army. What did they just come through? They fought the largest standing army in Europe, the army of King George. And have you ever stopped to think about this? Without a standing army, you cannot have perpetual wars.
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Now, let me put it to you differently. If you have militias, you cannot have perpetual wars.
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Now, we have a standing army in this country. Our president happens to be the commander in chief, or at least supposed to be the commander in chief. And if he tells the army, you go fight in Afghanistan, that's where they go. You go to fight in Iraq, that's where they go. You go to fight in Vietnam, that's where they go. But since militias were made up of the people, if the president says, we want to go to Afghanistan and fight over there, the militia says, whoa, wait a minute. What do we have to do with Afghanistan?
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What have they done to us? Are they attacking us? No. Do we have any interest over there? No. Well, until they bother us, we're not bothering them. Bye. We're not going to fight. You see the difference? So if you have a standing army, you can have perpetual warfare. If you don't have a standing army, you cannot have perpetual warfare.
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Now, here's an interesting thought. And I would really like for especially each one of you who happen to have a birth certificate to check your birth certificate. I don't know if the recent ones do this or not, but since Alice and I are over 21, I looked at our birth certificates. Did you know that each state had military districts in it? And the reason it had military districts is because of the militia. I looked at my birth certificate, and according to my birth certificate, I was born in the militia district 1529. Alice was born in a different county, and she was born in the militia district of 1537. How did our birth certificates come up with a militia district? And the answer is, because according to federal law, anyone, any male particularly, from the age of 17 to 45 is in an unorganized militia.
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Now, I'm going to read it to you. Here it is. Title 10, United States Code, Section 311. Militia: composition and classes. (a) The militia of the United States consists of all able-bodied males at least 17 years of age and, except as provided in section 313 of title 32, under 45 years of age who are, or who have made a declaration of intention to become, citizens of the United States and of female citizens of the United States who are members of the National Guard. (b) The classes of the militia are— (1) the organized militia, which consists of the National Guard and the Naval Militia; and (2) the unorganized militia, which consists of the members of the militia who are not members of the National Guard or the Naval Militia. So if you were born in America and you are not in a National Guard, you're not in a naval militia, if you're from age 17 to 45 and you're a man, you're in the unorganized militia. And so that's why originally our birth certificates then had which militia district you were born in.
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Now, our founding fathers did not trust standing armies. They did not trust a professional army. In fact, when George Washington fought, it was a volunteer army. I want to give you six quotes. I could give you quotes as long as my arm, but I want to just give you six from George Mason, Richard Henry Lee, and John Pomeroy. George Mason, by the way, he was one of the ones who helped write the Fairfax Resolves. George Mason said, "I ask, sir, what is the militia?"
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"It is the whole people, except for a few public officials." Here's another quote. He says, "A well-regulated militia, composed of the body of the people, trained to arms, is the proper, natural, and safe defense of a free state; that standing armies, in time of peace, should be avoided as dangerous to liberty; and that in all cases the military should be under strict subordination to, and governed by, the civil power." Here's a third quote.
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"When the resolution of enslaving America was formed in Great Britain, the British Parliament was advised by an artful man, Sir William Keith, who was the governor of Pennsylvania, to disarm the people; that it was the best and most effectual way to enslave them; but that they should not do it openly, but weaken them, and let them sink gradually, by totally disusing and neglecting the militia." Here's Richard Henry Lee. "Whereas, to preserve liberty, it is essential that the whole body of the people always possess arms, and be taught alike, especially when young, how to use them."
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"Nor does it follow from this that all promiscuously must go into actual service on every occasion. The mind that aims at a select militia, or standing army, must be influenced by a truly anti-republican principle; and when we see many men disposed to practice upon it, whenever they can prevail, no wonder true republicans are for carefully guarding against it." And then he says this. Richard Henry Lee, "The militia, when properly formed, are in fact the people themselves, and include all men capable of bearing arms. To preserve liberty, it is essential that the whole body of the people always possess arms, and be taught alike, especially when young, how to use them." Now, one last quote.
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This is from John Norton Pomeroy. John Norton Pomeroy was born in 1828. He died in 1885. He was an American lawyer, a legal writer, and a constitutionalist. And he wrote this on the Second Amendment. "The object of this clause," the right of the people to keep and bear arms, "is to secure a well-armed militia. But a militia would be useless unless the citizens were able to exercise themselves in the use of warlike weapons. To preserve this privilege, and to secure to the people the ability to oppose themselves in a military force against the usurpations of government, as well as against enemies from without, that government is forbidden by any law or proceeding to invade or destroy the right to keep and bear arms." Wow. So he said, no government has the right to violate the second amendment.
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Now, I want you to go back in your Bibles to Numbers chapter 1. I did not tell you all that just to fill time. I told you that because it has a great impact upon what I'm trying to share with you. Now, I want you to look at Numbers 1 and verse 16. Verse 16 actually refers to verses 5 through 15, where the 12 princes were chosen to lead the 12 tribes. Verse 16, "These were the renowned of the congregation, princes of the tribes of their fathers, heads of thousands in Israel."
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Now, when you and I think of the word renowned, we think differently from the biblical term. I could say that James is renowned for eating M&M's. Everybody knows he likes M&M's. He's famous for that, okay? That's how we think of the word renowned. Somebody's famous for something, you know? But that's not what this word means. The Hebrew word here is the word qara', and it literally means one that is called out, one that is lifted up, one that is named, one that is commissioned, one that is appointed, one that is endowed, or one that is chosen. So, he then lists the names of all of these that were chosen, lifted up, and appointed and ordained.
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Now, let me just point several things out in order to make a real application here. First of all, when you think of the training that is to be done in the home, the husband and the father is biblically the appointed head of the house. That means the husband has the duty and responsibility to teach and train the wife. The father has the duty and responsibility to teach and train the children.
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I'm not going to re-preach those two messages on the biblical doctrine of self-defense, at least not now. Now, I'm certainly not going to preach that 15-part series I did on the biblical doctrine of war, at least not now, but I'm just simply saying it is primarily the father's responsibility to teach and to train his children and the husband's responsibility to teach and train the wife. How will the wife learn if the husband will not teach? How will the children learn if the father will not teach? Now, I understand that not every father knows everything and not every husband knows everything. I understand that.
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And one may loyally and legitimately ask for help if he really and truly needs help. But yet the primary responsibility goes upon the father and the husband in the home.
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Secondly, you'd have to ask this, what about grown children? What about children that whose parents happen to be dead or parents happen to be divorced and they've never been trained. They know absolutely nothing about weaponry. They've never been taught. And by the way, let me mention this. Do you know why God left some of the enemies alive in the land of Canaan when the children of Israel went and possess it? Let me show you.
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Look in your Bibles to the book of Judges chapter 3. After the book of Joshua, you've got the book of Judges. Judges chapter 3. Look, if you would, please, at the first three verses. Judges chapter 3, verses 1 through 3. Watch. Watch this carefully. Judges 3, verses 1 through 3.
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"Now these are the nations which the Lord left, to prove Israel by them, even as many of Israel as had not known all the wars of Canaan;" so there were some children that were too young to fight. Moreover, there were children born after the conquest of Canaan who never knew anything about fighting. So he says, "even as many of Israel as had not known all the wars of Canaan; Only that the generations of the children of Israel might know, to teach them war, at the least such as before knew nothing thereof;" and here's somebody left just to teach him to fight.
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"Namely, five lords of the Philistines, and all the Canaanites, and the Sidonians, and the Hivites that dwelt in mount Lebanon, from mount Baalhermon unto the entering in of Hamath." God said, I left these enemies just so your children who never experienced fighting, they might learn how to fight. Wow. That's amazing. And let me tell you something else that you might find surprising. Did you know that God's people are called his battle axe and his weapons of war? You'll find that in Jeremiah chapter 51 in verse 20, where God says, "Thou art my battle axe and weapons of war: for with thee will I break in pieces the nations, and with thee will I destroy kingdoms." So God refers to his people as his battle axe and his weapons of war. Hmm.
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Now, let me get back to the word renowned in Numbers 1 in verse 16. I pointed out that the word renowned meant those who are called out, those who are commissioned, those who are lifted up, those who are appointed. So these words, which I'm going to show you, not only apply to the princes that were listed in Numbers chapter 1, they also apply to pastors.
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Now, if you have my book on the Christian civil government, you can read the seventh chapter on the pastor as a magistrate. And you will see that a pastor is a spiritual magistrate, who is equal and actually in one sense, the word higher than a civil magistrate, but he is still a magistrate. The same word is used. So a God-called and ordained and appointed pastor is one that has been endowed with gifts. He's been chosen. He's been commissioned by God. And he's one that has been lifted up and recognized by the congregation.
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So I could say it like this, why is it that we come here every week that I preach? Why is David not preaching every week? Or Steve not preaching every week? You see what I'm saying? You're saying, well, God hadn't called me to that. God hasn't chosen me to that. And nobody here would listen to me. Nobody would want me as a pastor. Well, I understand that. But all I'm trying to show you just momentarily is this, that a pastor, a real godly pastor is someone that has been lifted up out of the congregation. And listen carefully. He's put over the congregation.
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Now, let me explain something. I want you to turn in your Bibles, first of all, to 1 Thessalonians, chapter 5. 1 Thessalonians chapter 5. Watch carefully because there are several words that we're going to see several times. Look in 1 Thessalonians chapter 5 and notice if you would please, verse 12. 1 Thessalonians 5 verse 12. So Paul is writing these Thessalonian Christians and he says this. "And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you."
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So he's talking about the pastors. "Know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be at peace among yourselves." Now, the apostle says, you must know them which labour among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you. Well, who does the admonishing? It's the pastor. It's the preacher.
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And he points out the fact that we are over you. Now, let me explain that. That does not mean that somehow I am an exalted individual or any pastor is an exalted individual. When it comes to what you and I would call equality, in this sense of the word, the preacher, the pastor, just like anybody else and everybody else is equally the creature of God. He is equally a sinner. He may equally be redeemed by God. But just because we have equal standing before God does not mean that we are positionally the same. OK. Husbands and wives are equal before God. But God has constituted the husband as the head of the house, so they may be equal as far as being creatures and sinners and being redeemed and have equal standing before God, but positionally they are different. It's the same way with an employer and employee. You're both creatures. You're both sinners. You may be both Christians, but the employer is positionally different than the employee. You follow that?
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So this is why he's saying, esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake and be at peace among yourselves. By beseeching you, he said, by beseeching that you know them which labour among you and are over you in the Lord.
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Now, let me show it to you again. Look in your Bibles to the book of Hebrews, chapter 13. Right before the book of James, Hebrews, James, look in Hebrews chapter 13. And notice, if you would please, verse 17. Hebrews 13 in verse 17. Look what he says again. Hebrews 13, verse 17. "Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls."
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"as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you." Now again, he says, obey them that have the rule over you and submit yourselves. Now, what that means is this, as long as I am telling you what is right biblically and scripturally, as long as I'm telling you what God demands, God says you must submit. Why?
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Because I watch for your souls. And then notice he said this, "as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you." So on the judgment day, I will give an account, not only for my preaching and teaching, but I will also give an account to how people listened, how people responded. So if I have to say to the Lord, "Lord, that Steve was as hard-headed as a solid rock."
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"He wouldn't listen to me. I couldn't get him to do what's right for anything." God said that's going to be unprofitable for him. It'll be a grief for me to say that. But on the other hand, if I say, "Lord, Steve was a wonderful, obedient child of God. He listened. He obeyed. He applied." I can say that with joy and that's going to be to his benefit.
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So this is what he's saying. Obey them that have the rule over you and submit yourselves, for they watch for your souls as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, not with grief, for that is unprofitable for you.
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Now skip down to verse 24. He says it again. "Salute all them that have the rule over you, and all the saints. They of Italy salute you." Salute all of them that have the rule over you. That is always be willing to speak.
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Now, obviously, if someone has the rule over you, he is someone that has been chosen, someone that has been lifted up, someone who's been endowed with gifts, someone who has been appointed. And he's someone who's recognized by the congregation. He is someone who's able and apt to teach. He's the under shepherd. And as the under shepherd, he's accountable and responsible to the great shepherd and the chief shepherd and the good shepherd. And therefore, he should be able not only to teach, but also to train.
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Let me give you another verse. In Isaiah 41 in verse 15, listen to what God said. God said, "Behold, I will make thee a new sharp threshing instrument having teeth: thou shalt thresh the mountains, and beat them small, and shalt make the hills as chaff." So the truth is that every individual should understand the doctrine of self-defense. Every family should understand the biblical doctrine of self-defense. Every community should understand the biblical doctrine of self-defense.
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And just because someone has a weapon and someone has a concealed carry permit does not mean that that person can use that weapon effectively, nor does it mean that he knows how to use it and when to use it, nor does it mean that he can function under pressure and under stress. I just read this week about the number of churches now that have protection teams. And the highest percentage was churches having protection teams.
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And then some were hiring private security guards and some were even hiring police. But by far, the higher number was those who have protection teams. And I've often said most of these protection teams can't shoot. I would hate to be in a building where there was an active shooter or an invasion. And you had somebody with weapons there who were not trained and could not shoot straight. Usually what's going to happen, a number of innocent people are going to be shot in such incidents. It cannot help but be innocent bystanders.
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It's just like the shooting out in Texas. If you watch the video that's been on the internet, John Correa doing the active self-protection video, he shows the one guy who took the bad guy out, but other men were running around muzzling people with their weapon as they were running around. I'm just simply saying, you've got to understand that just because someone has a protection team does not mean that that team can actually function.
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So I could ask you this. Can your family function as a team? Can your church function as a team? Can your community function as a team? How in the world will a community defend itself against gangs and hoodlums and intruders if you can't function together? What about a societal collapse? Who will lead you? Who will train you? And the answer should come back: It should be the pastors.
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That was the truth in the first war for independence. That was the truth in the second war for independence, because the pastors, the under shepherd, he's been lifted up. You say, well, as a pastor, I don't know how to shoot. I don't know how to. Well, you can learn. You learn a lot of other things. Everybody starts at the same point. Now let me give you a quote.
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I want you to listen to this. I want you to think very seriously on this quote. This was by Dr. Norman Geisler. He was in a life and death debate, debating the moral issues of our time. And here's what he said. "To permit murder when one could have prevented it is morally wrong. To allow rape when one could have hindered it is an evil. To watch an act of cruelty to children without trying to intervene is morally inexcusable. In brief, not resisting evil is an evil of omission, and an evil of omission can be just as evil as an evil of commission. Any man who refuses to protect his wife and children against a violent intruder fails them morally." Well, if you have a duty to protect, and you do, you also have a duty to train to protect. You also have a duty to make sure that you're able to defend your family. If it's morally and biblically wrong to allow murder, rape, and physical harm, one must be ready and able to hinder and prevent it.
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And the only way to do so is love your neighbor as yourself. If you're not willing to protect him, if you're not willing to fight for him, it's the good shepherd who gives his life for the sheep. And if an earthly shepherd is a good shepherd, he will train to defend the sheep that God has entrusted to him. He will also train the sheep to defend themselves. A hireling will flee. A hireling is not really interested in protecting the sheep. He's not interested in laying down his life. He's not interested in anything but the money. But you have seen from scripture, a shepherd like David is someone who not only knows how to fight, he's prepared to fight and is willing to fight. And like David, a real shepherd believes in obedience, in faith, and in fighting.
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Let me just give you very quickly another thought or two. And I must hasten to remind you that what you were able to do 20 and 40 years ago does not apply today. Times change, people change, weaponry changes, and above all, our understanding should change, but it should change for the better as we age. We cannot depend upon what we used to do. I wish I had kept a number of how many men that told me, "But pastor, I shot expert when I was in the army." Yeah, you did. 40 years ago. May I remind you, you cannot now do what you used to do. We must soberly and seriously assess ourselves and our abilities and our training. You cannot move as you did then.
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Your eyesight is not as good as it was back then. Your mind has forgotten many principles. Your reflexes are much slower. Let's be honest. If you fail to train, there is no way in the world today at 60 or 70, you're going to defend your family. You're just not going to do it. I want you to listen to what Teddy Roosevelt said. "The great body of our citizens shoot less as time goes on."
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"We should encourage rifle practice among schoolboys, and indeed among all classes, as well as in the military services, by every means in our power. Thus, and not otherwise, may we be able to assist in preserving peace in the world. The first step in the direction of preparation to avert war, if possible, and to be fit for war, if it should come, is to teach men how to shoot."
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One other quote, Thomas Jefferson. He said, "A strong body makes a strong mind. As to the species of exercise I advise the gun. While this gives moderate exercise to the body, it gives boldness, enterprise, and independence to the mind. Now listen to this. Games played with a ball and others of that nature are too violent for the body and stamp no character on the mind. Let your gun, therefore, be the constant companion to your walks." Isn't that amazing? Isn't that amazing?
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We're living in a dangerous time. We're living in a time when our land is being invaded on every hand by people who think it's their duty to kill us. I have a friend who put something in his bulletin just about every Sunday, and I want to read to you what he puts in his church bulletin. Think about this. He puts in the bulletin: "Murder is illegal. Attempting murder is illegal. A felon owning a gun is illegal. Shooting people indiscriminately is illegal. Using firearms in a criminal manner is illegal. Criminals do not go through background checks when purchasing illegal guns. Explain how criminals will follow new laws. Explain how new laws will make us safer. Explain how restricting law abiding citizens even more will make us safer. Oh, you can't."
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"Then your argument is invalid." And then he ends with this: "Were you armed in church this Sunday?" You have to remember something. It is your duty first and foremost to protect yourself and your family and your neighbor, if you love him as yourself. I would fight for Effie just as quickly as I would fight for my wife. But James is responsible for Effie now. You see. I would fight for Sharon. But Ron is responsible for Sharon. You follow that? How in the world are we going to defend ourselves and our family? So here it is. How can you overcome a stronger, more powerful and more numerous enemy without being armed and without being trained? This is why.
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When Sam Adams and John Hancock asked Pastor Jonas Clark, "Would his men fight?" And he answered, "They will fight. For this very hour, I trained them. They will fight and they will die if need be." And the next day he had to perform eight funerals for the men who died in the shadow of the church on Lexington Green. A shepherd will make sure the sheep are safe because he's concerned for their lives and he wants them to be protected. Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, we bow to thee this day.
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We thank you for your word. We thank you for your truth. We ask Lord that you would help us, lead us, guide us, and direct us. May your will be accomplished in our lives. In the name of Jesus Christ, we ask and pray. Amen.
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deepseek | deepseek-v4-pro | clean_readable_transcript | 2026-06-06T00:45:06Z

Hireling VS Shepherd - Part 3 of 3

John Weaver | Freedom Ministries

In this concluding message of the series, Pastor John Weaver contrasts the hireling who flees from danger with the true shepherd who protects the sheep, even at the cost of his own life. He argues that shepherds must be fighters, drawing from David's example and the biblical portrayal of God as a man of war. Weaver examines the military organization of Israel in Numbers, showing that God's people were structured as a militia with family-based armies, and applies this to modern responsibilities of fathers, pastors, and congregations to be trained and ready for self-defense. He emphasizes that pastors, as under-shepherds, have a duty to lead in training and protection, and that failing to resist evil is morally wrong. The message concludes with a call to be armed and trained, both physically and spiritually, to defend families and communities.

Introduction: The Hireling vs. The Shepherd

John 10 verses 11 through 15. This is part 3 on hireling or shepherd. Notice John 10 verse 11. Our Lord says,

Scripture Reading — John 10:11-15

"I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep. I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. As the Father knoweth me, even so I know the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep."

Shepherds Must Be Fighters

God as a Man of War and the Mustering of Israel

The Tribal and Family Militia Structure

Look in Numbers chapter 10, if you would. Numbers chapter 10 and look at verse 14. Numbers 10 verse 14. Watch carefully. Numbers 10 verse 14:

Scripture Reading — Numbers 10:14-25

"In the first place went the standard of the camp of the children of Judah according to their armies."

Scripture Reading — Numbers 10:14-25

"And over his host was Elizur the son of Shedeur."

Scripture Reading — Numbers 10:14-25

" that is the headman over the army of the children of Dan, "

Application: Militias vs. Standing Armies

The Role of Fathers and Pastors as Leaders

Scripture Reading — Isaiah 41:15

"Behold, I will make thee a new sharp threshing instrument having teeth: thou shalt thresh the mountains, and beat them small, and shalt make the hills as chaff."

The Necessity of Training and Readiness

Conclusion: The Shepherd's Duty to Protect

Hireling VS Shepherd - Part 3 of 3

John Weaver | YouTube

Lecture Metadata	Details
Speaker	John Weaver
Source	YouTube
Media ID	mDOSkuKKYro
Subject	Family Government
Course	The Christian Family: Marriage and Household Order: Remember Lot And His Wife
Genre	Sermon
Date	2020-03-06
Dictation Name
Book	Book 030: Hireling or Shepherd — Chapter 3
Source Timed Segments	85

Lecture Guide

Outline

Introduction: The Hireling vs. The Shepherd: Weaver recaps the series, emphasizing that the hireling flees when danger comes, while the shepherd protects and is willing to give his life for the sheep. The shepherd's duties include warning, feeding, and leading.
Shepherds Must Be Fighters: Using David's example of fighting the lion and bear, Weaver establishes that shepherds must be willing to fight to protect the sheep. He connects this to the biblical imagery of wicked rulers as roaring lions and ranging bears.
God as a Man of War and the Mustering of Israel: Weaver shows that God is the Lord of hosts (armies) and a man of war. He examines Exodus and Numbers to demonstrate that Israel was organized as a military force, with men numbered for war and arranged in battle array.
The Tribal and Family Militia Structure: From Numbers 1, 2, 10, and 26, Weaver explains that each tribe had a prince, but within tribes were family-based armies or militias. This decentralized structure meant Israel did not have a professional standing army but a militia of citizens.
Application: Militias vs. Standing Armies: Weaver argues that biblically and historically, militias are preferable to standing armies because they prevent perpetual wars. He cites the founding fathers' fear of standing armies and quotes George Mason, Richard Henry Lee, and John Norton Pomeroy on the importance of an armed populace.
The Role of Fathers and Pastors as Leaders: Weaver teaches that fathers are responsible for training their families in self-defense, and pastors, as those 'over' the congregation, are called to lead and train the flock. He references 1 Thessalonians 5:12 and Hebrews 13:17 to show pastoral authority and accountability.
The Necessity of Training and Readiness: Weaver stresses that simply owning a weapon is insufficient; training is essential. He warns that aging affects ability and that churches and families must function as teams. He quotes Norman Geisler on the moral duty to protect and Teddy Roosevelt and Thomas Jefferson on the value of marksmanship.
Conclusion: The Shepherd's Duty to Protect: Weaver concludes with the example of Pastor Jonas Clark, who trained his men to fight at Lexington. He calls on pastors and congregants to be armed and trained, fulfilling the duty to protect themselves, their families, and their neighbors.

Major Themes

Key Arguments

The hireling-shepherd distinction demands a fighting shepherd.

Because the hireling flees and the shepherd protects, a true shepherd must be prepared to fight physically, as David did, not just spiritually.

Weaver says, 'Shepherds by nature must be fighters... It's the shepherd who always protects the sheep and is willing to give his life for the sheep.'

Israel's military organization was a militia, not a standing army.

The numbering and arrangement of Israel in Numbers shows a decentralized, family-based military structure, which is the biblical pattern for defense.

Weaver points out that each tribe had 'many armies' made up of family clans, and that 'Israel did not have a professional army. What they had was a militia.'

Militias prevent perpetual wars and tyranny.

A standing army can be sent anywhere by a ruler, but a militia of citizens will only fight when directly threatened, thus limiting unjust wars.

Weaver argues, 'If you have a standing army, you can have perpetual warfare. If you don't have a standing army, you cannot have perpetual warfare.'

The Second Amendment secures the militia and the right of self-defense against tyranny.

The founding fathers and constitutional scholars saw the right to keep and bear arms as essential for a well-regulated militia and as a check on government usurpation.

Weaver quotes John Norton Pomeroy: 'To preserve this privilege, and to secure to the people the ability to oppose themselves in a military force against the usurpations of government... that government is forbidden... to invade or destroy the right to keep and bear arms.'

Fathers are biblically mandated to train their households in self-defense.

As heads of the home, fathers must teach their wives and children to defend themselves; failure to do so is a dereliction of duty.

Weaver states, 'The husband and the father is biblically the appointed head of the house... it is primarily the father's responsibility to teach and to train his children.'

Pastors have a God-given authority to lead and train the congregation, including in physical defense.

Pastors are 'over' the flock and will give account; therefore, they should lead in training for protection, just as Pastor Jonas Clark did at Lexington.

Weaver cites Hebrews 13:17 and says, 'Obey them that have the rule over you... How in the world will a community defend itself... Who will lead you? Who will train you? And the answer should come back: It should be the pastors.'

Moral obligation requires practical training and readiness.

It is not enough to own a weapon; one must be trained to use it effectively under stress. Churches and families must function as trained teams.

Weaver says, 'Just because someone has a weapon... does not mean that that person can use that weapon effectively... Can your family function as a team? Can your church function as a team?'

Aging and changing circumstances demand continual reassessment and training.

Physical abilities decline with age; past proficiency does not guarantee current capability. Believers must honestly evaluate and maintain their defensive skills.

Weaver warns, 'You cannot now do what you used to do... Your eyesight is not as good... Your reflexes are much slower... If you fail to train, there is no way... you're going to defend your family.'

Scripture References

John 10:11-15: Weaver reads the passage as the foundational text for the series, contrasting the good shepherd who gives his life with the hireling who flees.
1 Samuel 17:34-37: David recounts killing a lion and a bear to protect his sheep, demonstrating that a shepherd must be a fighter.
Proverbs 28:15-16: A wicked ruler is compared to a roaring lion and a ranging bear, connecting tyrannical government to the predators a shepherd must fight.
Psalm 94:20-21: The psalmist questions whether a throne of iniquity that frames mischief by law can have fellowship with God, illustrating governmental wickedness.
Proverbs 28:28: When the wicked rise, men hide themselves, showing the effect of wicked rulers on the righteous.
Proverbs 29:2: When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; when the wicked rule, the people mourn.
1 Samuel 17:45: David confronts Goliath in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, introducing the theme of God as a warrior.
Exodus 13:18: Israel went up 'harnessed' (in battle array) out of Egypt, showing God's military organization of His people.
Exodus 15:1-6: The song of Moses declares the Lord is a man of war, who dashed the enemy in pieces.
Numbers 1:1-4: God commands Moses to number all males able to go to war by their armies, establishing the militia structure.
Numbers 1:44-46: The total number of fighting men was 603,550, indicating a large, organized force.
Numbers 2: The tribes are arranged around the tabernacle with their hosts (armies), showing the order of the camp.
Numbers 10:14-25: The tribes set forward according to their armies, with each tribe having multiple armies under a head.
Numbers 26:2-7: The second census lists families within tribes, showing the clan-based militia structure.
Numbers 1:16: The princes were 'renowned' (called out, appointed) of the congregation, heads of thousands in Israel.
Judges 3:1-3: God left nations in Canaan to teach the generations of Israel war, showing the necessity of training for combat.
Jeremiah 51:20: God calls His people His battle axe and weapons of war, indicating their role in spiritual and physical conflict.
1 Thessalonians 5:12-13: Believers are to know and esteem those who labor among them and are over them in the Lord, referring to pastoral authority.
Hebrews 13:17, 24: Obey those who rule over you, for they watch for your souls and will give account; salute all who have the rule over you.
Isaiah 41:15: God will make His people a sharp threshing instrument to thresh mountains, symbolizing empowerment for battle.

Historical References

War for Independence (American Revolution): Weaver mentions that in the first message he gave illustrations from the War for Independence, showing pastors who were active in standing for liberty.
Second War for Independence (War of 1812 / 'War of Northern Aggression'): Weaver refers to the Second War for Independence, commonly known as the War of Northern Aggression (likely meaning the Civil War), and pastors who were straightforward in preaching and standing for liberty.
George Mason: Founding Father who helped write the Fairfax Resolves; quoted on the militia being the whole people and the danger of standing armies.
Richard Henry Lee: Founding Father who emphasized that to preserve liberty, the whole body of the people must possess arms and be taught to use them.
John Norton Pomeroy: 19th-century American lawyer and constitutionalist who wrote on the Second Amendment, stating the right to keep and bear arms secures a well-armed militia against government usurpation.
Sir William Keith: Governor of Pennsylvania who advised the British Parliament to disarm the American people gradually to enslave them, as quoted by George Mason.
Pastor Jonas Clark: Pastor at Lexington who trained his men to fight; when asked if they would fight, he replied, 'They will fight. For this very hour, I trained them.' Eight of his men died the next day on Lexington Green.
Teddy Roosevelt: Quoted on the importance of encouraging rifle practice among all classes to preserve peace and be fit for war.
Thomas Jefferson: Quoted on the value of the gun for exercise and character, advising it as a constant companion on walks.
Dr. Norman Geisler: Contemporary theologian quoted on the moral obligation to prevent murder, rape, and cruelty, and the failure to protect one's family being a moral failure.

Important Quotes

Shepherds by nature must be fighters because there are wolves, there are bears, there are lions, and there are other animals that are quite willing and quite ready to destroy and feast upon the sheep themselves.

Establishes the core argument that a true shepherd must be physically prepared to fight to protect the flock.

The Lord is a man of war: the Lord is his name.

Directly quotes Exodus 15:3 to show that God Himself is a warrior, setting the pattern for His people.

Israel did not have a professional army. What they had was a militia.

Summarizes the biblical model of defense as a citizen militia rather than a standing army.

If you have a standing army, you can have perpetual warfare. If you don't have a standing army, you cannot have perpetual warfare.

Argues that the structure of military force directly affects the likelihood of endless wars.

To permit murder when one could have prevented it is morally wrong. To allow rape when one could have hindered it is an evil. To watch an act of cruelty to children without trying to intervene is morally inexcusable.

Quotes Norman Geisler to establish the moral imperative for self-defense and protection of others.

Any man who refuses to protect his wife and children against a violent intruder fails them morally.

Applies the moral duty specifically to the head of the household.

They will fight. For this very hour, I trained them. They will fight and they will die if need be.

Historical example of Pastor Jonas Clark embodying the shepherd who trains and leads his flock in defense.

A strong body makes a strong mind. As to the species of exercise I advise the gun. While this gives moderate exercise to the body, it gives boldness, enterprise, and independence to the mind.

Thomas Jefferson's endorsement of firearms training for character development.

Discussion Questions

[Question]

How does the distinction between a hireling and a shepherd in John 10 apply to modern pastoral ministry and church leadership?

[Context]

Weaver emphasizes that a shepherd protects and fights for the sheep, while a hireling flees. This raises questions about the responsibilities of pastors today.

[Question]

In what ways does the biblical portrayal of God as a 'man of war' challenge or affirm your view of self-defense and the use of force?

[Context]

Weaver cites Exodus 15:3 and the military organization of Israel to show that God is a warrior.

[Question]

What are the practical implications of the militia model in Numbers for how families and churches should organize for protection today?

[Context]

Weaver explains the family-based militia structure of Israel and argues it is the biblical pattern.

[Question]

How do you reconcile the command to 'obey them that have the rule over you' (Hebrews 13:17) with the responsibility to personally ensure your family's safety?

[Context]

Weaver teaches that pastors have authority and should lead in training for defense.

[Question]

What steps can fathers take to fulfill their biblical duty to train their families in self-defense, especially if they lack experience?

[Context]

Weaver states that fathers are primarily responsible for teaching and training their households.

[Question]

How should churches balance trust in God's protection with the practical need for security teams and armed members?

[Context]

Weaver discusses the rise of church protection teams and the need for proper training.

[Question]

In light of Norman Geisler's quote, how do we determine when intervention is morally required versus when it might be unwise or unlawful?

[Context]

Weaver quotes Geisler on the moral evil of failing to prevent harm when possible.

[Question]

What does the example of Pastor Jonas Clark training his congregation for battle teach us about the role of the church in times of societal crisis?

[Context]

Weaver concludes with the story of Lexington and Clark's preparation of his men.

Applications

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