The reproach (Part 2)

There are a number of other verses in the Bible that give us still more insight into the nature of the reproach that is upon the people of God, as well as what our response to this reproach should be. One such passage is found in the story of David and Goliath. Shortly after David first arrived at the camp of the armies of Israel, he heard Goliath taunting Israel with the same challenge he had made for 40 days. Upon hearing this challenge, David turned and asked those around him, “What will be done for the man who kills this Philistine and takes away the reproach from Israel? For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should taunt the armies of the living God?” (1 Samuel 17:26)

In this verse David makes it clear that the unchallenged taunts of Goliath had brought a reproach on the people of Israel. God had already told His people on many occasions that he would be with them when they fought against their enemies, and that no enemy would stand against them. And yet in this situation, Goliath stood and openly defied the army of Israel, and we are told that, “When all the men of Israel saw the man, they fled from him and were greatly afraid.” (1 Samuel 17:24)

Not only was Goliath able to “stand against” Israel, he was actually taunting them, making the reproach even greater. What made the reproach worse still was that the army of Israel was not just any army it was “The army of the living God.” The moment David heard Goliath’s challenge, he felt the reproach upon God’s people, and it was more than he could stand. David’s first thought was of removing the reproach, and it was that desire that ultimately led to his victory over Goliath. Then, as a direct result of David’s victory over Goliath, the army of Israel went out and triumphed over the entire philistine army, and the reproach was lifted off the people of God on an even greater scale.

Another powerful example of the reproach is found in the Book of Nehemiah. In the first chapter Nehemiah, who was serving as a cupbearer to the King of Persia, talks with some of his brothers who had just returned from a trip back to Jerusalem. Nehemiah asks them about the state of things back in Jerusalem, and they reply saying, “The remnant there… are in great distress and reproach, and the wall is broken down and its gates are burned with fire.” Nehemiah was so distraught upon hearing the news of the reproach upon God’s people that he wept, mourned, fasted and prayed for days.

Then, after several months of prayer, Nehemiah was given leave of his duties in Persia and returned at once to Jerusalem. Once there, he called together the priests, nobles and officials who were living there and said, “You see the bad situation we are in, that Jerusalem is desolate and its gates burned by fire. Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem so that we will no longer be a reproach.” (Nehemiah 2:17) Some time later, Nehemiah instructed the leaders among the people to “walk in the fear of our God because of the reproach of… our enemies” (Nehemiah 5:9)

The reason that the armies of Israel being taunted by Goliath, and the remnant living in Jerusalem were both described as being in a state of reproach is because in both instances the people of God were experiencing a level of fruitfulness and victory over their enemies that was far below where God desired and designed for them to live. Like a woman who bears no children, this state of unfruitfulness was a disgrace to the people of God and gave their enemies a great opportunity to reproach them. Furthermore, their unfruitfulness also reflected poorly upon the “vinedresser,” God Himself with the result that, through them, His name was dishonored.

Unfortunately, as I said before, this same thing is true of the people of God today. To the extent that the church is not bringing forth “the fruit of the kingdom” we are living under a reproach and we become subject to the taunting, mocking and ridicule of the enemy. Worse yet, through our unfruitfulness, we dishonor the name of our vinedresser as well. (See 1 Timothy 6:1) I hope that as you’ve read this article, the same passion has arisen inside of you that arose in David and Nehemiah and that, like them, you are inspired to rise up and fulfill your destiny as a son of God, and remove the reproach that we have brought upon the name of Christ!