The Holy War

The Holy WarThe Holy War

Lesson 4Lesson 4

GoalsGoals• To gain a greater understanding of the To gain a greater understanding of the

spiritual warfarespiritual warfare in which we are engaged. in which we are engaged.

• To develop a greater awareness of the To develop a greater awareness of the methods employed by Satan.methods employed by Satan.

• To deepen our appreciation for the To deepen our appreciation for the grace of grace of GodGod in saving sinners. in saving sinners.

• To learn more about ourselves through To learn more about ourselves through empathizing with Mansoul empathizing with Mansoul (Mansoul = me)(Mansoul = me)

Key QuestionsKey Questions

• What primary Bible passages What primary Bible passages come to your mind as you read come to your mind as you read this assignment?this assignment?

• To what degree does the story To what degree does the story accurately depict Bible teaching?accurately depict Bible teaching?

Week 4Week 4

Shaddai’s armyShaddai’s army

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Defense of ear gate with 60 deaf menDefense of ear gate with 60 deaf men

SynopsisSynopsis

Shaddai sends his army under 4 Shaddai sends his army under 4 of His captains, and their of His captains, and their

demand for surrender and offer demand for surrender and offer of peace is rejected.of peace is rejected.

Synopsis (continued)Synopsis (continued)

•Shaddai sends his armyShaddai sends his army• Not yet under EmmanuelNot yet under Emmanuel• Under 4 captainsUnder 4 captains

• Captain Boanerges (Thunder)Captain Boanerges (Thunder)• Captain ConvictionCaptain Conviction• Captain JudgmentCaptain Judgment• Captain ExecutionCaptain Execution

• He gives the captains their commissionsHe gives the captains their commissions• They travel to MansoulThey travel to Mansoul

Synopsis (continued)Synopsis (continued)

• They camp in front of Ear-gateThey camp in front of Ear-gate

• The townspeople gaze in wonderThe townspeople gaze in wonder• Diabolus chides the townsmenDiabolus chides the townsmen• Captain Boanerges sends his trumpeterCaptain Boanerges sends his trumpeter

• 4 summons (Take-heed-what-you-hear)4 summons (Take-heed-what-you-hear)• 4 speeches (1 by each captain)4 speeches (1 by each captain)• 4 responses (Incredulity, Willbewill, Forget-Good, the 4 responses (Incredulity, Willbewill, Forget-Good, the

townsmen)townsmen)

• Ear-gate is securedEar-gate is secured• Doubly guarded, bolted, and lockedDoubly guarded, bolted, and locked• Guarded by Mr. Prejudice and 60 deaf menGuarded by Mr. Prejudice and 60 deaf men

DiscussionDiscussion


• He wants to see the “temper” of MansoulHe wants to see the “temper” of Mansoul• And “whether by them they would be won to the And “whether by them they would be won to the

obedience of their King.”obedience of their King.”

Why does Shaddai use His captains to approach the city of Why does Shaddai use His captains to approach the city of Mansoul first, rather than immediately sending His Son, Mansoul first, rather than immediately sending His Son, Emmanuel, to subdue them?Emmanuel, to subdue them?


What are some verses that relate to God sending in this What are some verses that relate to God sending in this way?way?• Matt 11:10 Matt 11:10 ”Behold, I send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare ”Behold, I send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare

your way before you.” (of John the Baptist)your way before you.” (of John the Baptist)

• Matt 23:29-32Matt 23:29-32 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you build the tombs of the prophets and adorn the monuments of the build the tombs of the prophets and adorn the monuments of the righteous, righteous, and say, 'If we had been living in the days of our fathers, we would not and say, 'If we had been living in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partners with them in shedding the blood of the prophets.‘have been partners with them in shedding the blood of the prophets.‘"So you testify against yourselves, that you are sons of those who "So you testify against yourselves, that you are sons of those who murdered the prophets. Fill up, then, the measure of the guilt of your murdered the prophets. Fill up, then, the measure of the guilt of your fathers. fathers.

• Matt 23:34Matt 23:34 Therefore, behold, I am sending you prophets and wise men Therefore, behold, I am sending you prophets and wise men and scribes; some of them you will kill and crucify, and some of them you and scribes; some of them you will kill and crucify, and some of them you will scourge in your synagogues, and persecute from city to city, will scourge in your synagogues, and persecute from city to city,

• Matt 23:37Matt 23:37 Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, the way a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were the way a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were unwilling. unwilling.


• 40,000 “all true men” and “those of his own choosing”40,000 “all true men” and “those of his own choosing”• ““Very stout and rough-hewn men”Very stout and rough-hewn men”• ““Fit to break the ice”Fit to break the ice”• ““and to make their way by dint of sword”and to make their way by dint of sword”

Describe the Describe the generalgeneral characteristics of the captains and characteristics of the captains and the army of Shaddai.the army of Shaddai.

Yet as “they marched through the regions of many Yet as “they marched through the regions of many people” . . .people” . . .• They went “not hurting or abusing any”They went “not hurting or abusing any”• But “blessing wherever they came”But “blessing wherever they came”• And “lived upon the King’s cost in all the way they went”And “lived upon the King’s cost in all the way they went”

And when they “came within sight of Mansoul” . . .And when they “came within sight of Mansoul” . . .• They could “for their hearts do no less than for a while They could “for their hearts do no less than for a while

bewail the condition of the town”bewail the condition of the town”

Discussion: The 4 CaptainsDiscussion: The 4 Captains

CaptainCaptain ColorColor ScutcheoScutcheonn

SignificanceSignificance PlacePlace

BoanergesBoanerges BlackBlack FirstFirst

ConvictionConviction PalePale MiddlMiddlee

JudgmentJudgment RedRed MiddlMiddlee

ExecutionExecution RedRed LastLast

Deuteronomy 33:2Deuteronomy 33:2And he said, The LORD came from Sinai, and rose up from Seir unto them; he And he said, The LORD came from Sinai, and rose up from Seir unto them; he shined forth from mount Paran, and he came with ten thousands of saints: shined forth from mount Paran, and he came with ten thousands of saints: from his right hand went a from his right hand went a fiery lawfiery law for them. for them.

Mark 3:17Mark 3:17James, the son of Zebedee, and John the brother of James (to them He gave James, the son of Zebedee, and John the brother of James (to them He gave the name Boanerges, which means, "Sons of Thunder"); the name Boanerges, which means, "Sons of Thunder");

Matthew 13:41-42Matthew 13:41-42The Son of Man will send forth His angels, and they will gather out of His The Son of Man will send forth His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all stumbling blocks, and those who commit lawlessness, and will kingdom all stumbling blocks, and those who commit lawlessness, and will throw them into the throw them into the furnace of firefurnace of fire; in that place there will be weeping and ; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. gnashing of teeth.

Matthew 3:10Matthew 3:10The axe is already laid at the root of the trees; therefore every tree that does The axe is already laid at the root of the trees; therefore every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.

Awakened preaching of the Awakened preaching of the Word Word

Stark exposure to offenses Stark exposure to offenses againstagainstthe Law of Godthe Law of God

Terror produced in an informed Terror produced in an informed conscienceconscience

Finality of the penalty of Finality of the penalty of rejectionrejection

Each captain represents not a separate messenger from Each captain represents not a separate messenger from God, but a separate component of the Gospel messageGod, but a separate component of the Gospel message


• ““Offer them first conditions of peace” (Matt 10:11; Luke Offer them first conditions of peace” (Matt 10:11; Luke 10:5)10:5)

• Command that they cast off Diabolus and return to meCommand that they cast off Diabolus and return to me• Command that they cleanse themselves from all Command that they cleanse themselves from all

association with Diabolusassociation with Diabolus• If they will submit:If they will submit:

• Set up a garrison in the town for ShaddaiSet up a garrison in the town for Shaddai• ““Nor do thou hurt the least native”Nor do thou hurt the least native”• ““Treat . . . such as if they were thy friend or brother”Treat . . . such as if they were thy friend or brother”• ““Tell them that I will take a time to come unto them”Tell them that I will take a time to come unto them”• ““Let them know that I am merciful”Let them know that I am merciful”

• If they will not submit:If they will not submit:• ““Make use of all they cunning, power, might, and force, to bring Make use of all they cunning, power, might, and force, to bring

them under by strength of hand.”them under by strength of hand.”

Summarize the commissions that Shaddai gave to each of Summarize the commissions that Shaddai gave to each of His captains:His captains:

Discussion: 4 SummonsDiscussion: 4 Summons

• Summons 1: Summons 1: No answerNo answer

• Summons 2: Summons 2: No answerNo answer• Council of war – determined to give Mansoul one more chanceCouncil of war – determined to give Mansoul one more chance

• Summons 3: Summons 3: • Very loud summons with severe warning of compulsion by forceVery loud summons with severe warning of compulsion by force• Lord Willbewill appears and says he will give message to Diabolus and to the townLord Willbewill appears and says he will give message to Diabolus and to the town• Captains patiently await a replyCaptains patiently await a reply• Trumpets to “readiness” sound and further set the townsmen’s resolveTrumpets to “readiness” sound and further set the townsmen’s resolve

• Summons 4:Summons 4:• The townsmen appear on top of the wall, but make Ear-gate as secure as they The townsmen appear on top of the wall, but make Ear-gate as secure as they

cancan• Diabolus challenges Captain BoanergesDiabolus challenges Captain Boanerges• Speeches are delivered and responded toSpeeches are delivered and responded to

Captain Boanerges’ faithful trumpeter, Take-head-what-you-hear, is Captain Boanerges’ faithful trumpeter, Take-head-what-you-hear, is the first to approach Ear-gate. By the time this section of the story the first to approach Ear-gate. By the time this section of the story concludes, he has pealed four summons on his trumpet. Describe concludes, he has pealed four summons on his trumpet. Describe these four summons and any corresponding responses.these four summons and any corresponding responses.

Discussion: 4 SpeechesDiscussion: 4 Speeches

Speech 1: Captain BoanergesSpeech 1: Captain BoanergesSpeech 2: Captain ConvictionSpeech 2: Captain ConvictionSpeech 3: Captain JudgmentSpeech 3: Captain JudgmentSpeech 4: Captain ExecutionSpeech 4: Captain Execution

• Laments the absence of Mayor Laments the absence of Mayor UnderstandingUnderstanding

• Ignores DiabolusIgnores Diabolus

• Tells his commission and shows his Tells his commission and shows his credentials (seal)credentials (seal)

• Reiterates offer of peace, yet . . .Reiterates offer of peace, yet . . .

• Threatens use of forceThreatens use of force

Speech 1: Captain BoanergesSpeech 1: Captain Boanerges

• Reminds them of their past and present conditionReminds them of their past and present condition

• Stresses that submission to Shaddai is in their best Stresses that submission to Shaddai is in their best interestinterest

• Mentions the power of Shaddai’s angerMentions the power of Shaddai’s anger

• Recounts their acts as proof of their rebellionRecounts their acts as proof of their rebellion

• Stresses the need to act quicklyStresses the need to act quickly

• Warns them against being deceived by Diabolus Warns them against being deceived by Diabolus into thinking that the Captains seek their own profitinto thinking that the Captains seek their own profit

• Highlights Shaddai’s amazing grace and mercyHighlights Shaddai’s amazing grace and mercy

Speech 2: Captain ConvictionSpeech 2: Captain Conviction(Romans 3:10-19, 23)(Romans 3:10-19, 23)

• Opens by highlighting the length of their rebellionOpens by highlighting the length of their rebellion• Reinforces that the message and mission is from Shaddai (not Reinforces that the message and mission is from Shaddai (not

their own)their own)• Warns them against being deceived by Diabolus into thinking Warns them against being deceived by Diabolus into thinking

that Shaddai is not able to subdue themthat Shaddai is not able to subdue them• Warns them that He will not be merciful forever and that their Warns them that He will not be merciful forever and that their

judgment is very nearjudgment is very near• Severely warns them against provoking Shaddai until the Severely warns them against provoking Shaddai until the

opportunity for mercy is gone foreveropportunity for mercy is gone forever• Stresses repeatedly their utter helplessness in the day of Stresses repeatedly their utter helplessness in the day of

judgmentjudgment• Diabolus trembles during Captain Judgment’s speechDiabolus trembles during Captain Judgment’s speech

Speech 3: Captain JudgmentSpeech 3: Captain Judgment(Malachi 4:1; 2 Peter 2:3; Job 36:17-19; Psalm 9:7; Isaiah 46:12-13; (Malachi 4:1; 2 Peter 2:3; Job 36:17-19; Psalm 9:7; Isaiah 46:12-13; Ezekiel 32:14)Ezekiel 32:14)

• Highlights their fruitlessness (once famous, Highlights their fruitlessness (once famous, now fruitless) and need to be hewn downnow fruitless) and need to be hewn down

• Stresses that they are between warning Stresses that they are between warning and execution, and that this is all the time and execution, and that this is all the time they have to repentthey have to repent

• Warns that they will not survive the “axe”Warns that they will not survive the “axe”

• Warns of the danger of making light of Warns of the danger of making light of Shaddai’s wordsShaddai’s words

Speech 4: Captain ExecutionSpeech 4: Captain Execution(Matthew 3:7-10; Luke 3:9)(Matthew 3:7-10; Luke 3:9)

Discussion: 4 ResponsesDiscussion: 4 Responses

• Response 1:Response 1: Incredulity (Unbelief)Incredulity (Unbelief)• We do not believe your origin, purpose, authorityWe do not believe your origin, purpose, authority• We do not regard your persons, message, and KingWe do not regard your persons, message, and King• We do not fear Shaddai’s power, greatness, or vengeanceWe do not fear Shaddai’s power, greatness, or vengeance• We will not yield. Be gone or we will attack you!We will not yield. Be gone or we will attack you!

• Response 2:Response 2: Lord WillbewillLord Willbewill• Ditto (shorter version)Ditto (shorter version)

• Response 3:Response 3: Forget-GoodForget-Good• We have answered your harsh speeches with gentle wordsWe have answered your harsh speeches with gentle words• We mercifully allow you to leave without our having used forceWe mercifully allow you to leave without our having used force

• Response 4:Response 4: The townsmenThe townsmen• Shouted for joyShouted for joy• Rang the bellsRang the bells• Made merryMade merry• Danced upon the wallsDanced upon the walls


As bravely as the men of Mansoul talked, and threatened As bravely as the men of Mansoul talked, and threatened violence to Shaddai’s army, they go to great lengths to violence to Shaddai’s army, they go to great lengths to further secure the doors at Ear-gate.further secure the doors at Ear-gate.

What is the significance of placing Mr. Prejudice and his What is the significance of placing Mr. Prejudice and his retinue of 60 deaf soldiers to guard Ear-gate?retinue of 60 deaf soldiers to guard Ear-gate?

Diabolus places the character with the greatest prejudice Diabolus places the character with the greatest prejudice against the Gospel to lead the underling soldiers, and their against the Gospel to lead the underling soldiers, and their deafness (purposeful stopping of the ears) meant that deafness (purposeful stopping of the ears) meant that Shaddai’s words would have no point of entrance to them.Shaddai’s words would have no point of entrance to them.

WitnessingWitnessing

The dialogue between the military delegation from The dialogue between the military delegation from Shaddai and the town of Mansoul gives a heightened Shaddai and the town of Mansoul gives a heightened understanding of the way the Gospel can be brought to understanding of the way the Gospel can be brought to bear on sinful men. bear on sinful men.

Close attention to the messages of Shaddai’s four captains Close attention to the messages of Shaddai’s four captains can be a useful guide for one desirous of bringing the can be a useful guide for one desirous of bringing the Word convincingly home to the hearts of the Word convincingly home to the hearts of the unregenerate.unregenerate.

What can we learn about witnessing from the speeches of What can we learn about witnessing from the speeches of the captains?the captains?

The Holy WarThe Holy War

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The Holy War