In Part Three, we have discussed the rebuilding processes in the cave of Adullam. In this last part, we will look at the covenant relationships and missional endeavours out of the cave.
1 Samuel 23:5, 13-18
So David and his men went to Keilah and fought with the Philistines; and he led away their livestock and struck them with a great slaughter. Thus David delivered the inhabitants of Keilah… Then David and his men, about six hundred, arose and departed from Keilah, and they went wherever they could go. When it was told Saul that David had escaped from Keilah, he gave up the pursuit. David stayed in the wilderness in the strongholds, and remained in the hill country in the wilderness of Ziph. And Saul sought him every day, but God did not deliver him into his hand. Now David became aware that Saul had come out to seek his life while David was in the wilderness of Ziph at Horesh. And Jonathan, Saul’s son, arose and went to David at Horesh, and encouraged him in God. Thus he said to him, “Do not be afraid, because the hand of Saul my father will not find you, and you will be king over Israel and I will be next to you; and Saul my father knows that also.” So the two of them made a covenant before the LORD; and David stayed at Horesh while Jonathan went to his house.
Besides being a cave of building processes, the cave of Adullam was a cave of covenant relationships and missional endeavours. David and his 400 men were of one heart and soul; they were in one mind with David, who was the captain over them; they had all things in common; they moved together, fought together, and delivered other cities together, despite the risks to their personal security. After having counted all things as loss, they had nothing to fear, not even for their own lives, in pursuit of God’s purpose and mission through David. Even Jonathan, the faithful from the enemy’s camp, came and made a covenant with David and his 600 men (having increased from 400).
Because of these covenanted, faithful, and missional relationships that were forged on the prophetic purpose of God through David, God protected them from their enemies. Even their enemies recognised that they could not thwart the purposes of God through David and his mighty men.
Thus, a cave of the downcast in soul, poor in spirit, and afflicted in life had become a cave of definitive hope, power, unity, and glory of a kingdom.
Therefore, the building processes, covenant relationships, and missional lifestyles birthed and forged in the “cave of Adullam” will have definitive Kingdom impact in cities and nations, being the ekklesia (or set-apart people) that Jesus is raising, against which no gates of hell can prevail, and no abomination of desolation can destroy.
So, the cave of Adullam is a foreshadow of the church in Jerusalem and the school of Tyrannus in Ephesus.
Acts 2:42-47
They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles. And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common; and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need. Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.
Acts 4:32-35
And the congregation of those who believed were of one heart and soul; and not one of them claimed that anything belonging to him was his own, but all things were common property to them. And with great power the apostles were giving testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and abundant grace was upon them all. For there was not a needy person among them, for all who were owners of land or houses would sell them and bring the proceeds of the sales and lay them at the apostles’ feet, and they would be distributed to each as any had need.
Acts 19:9-10, 20
But when some were becoming hardened and disobedient, speaking evil of the Way before the people, he withdrew from them and took away the disciples, reasoning daily in the school of Tyrannus. This took place for two years, so that all who lived in Asia heard the word of the Lord, both Jews and Greeks… So the word of the Lord was growing mightily and prevailing.
The churches in the book of Acts had similar characteristics as the cave of Adullam. There were building / rebuilding processes led by elders and overseers, who were given strong support by the people. There were covenant relationships where everyone were of one mind, heart, and soul; where everyone was sincere and authentic; where everyone had all things in common, and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need. There were great power, abundant grace, divine favour, and missional living amongst all the peoples in the cities, such that the Kingdom of God was growing mightily and prevailing over its enemies in the nations.
God is in the cave; He has a covenanted people forged from the cave; He has building processes established through the cave; and He has a prophetic mission and Kingdom purpose commissioned out of the cave.
This cave is the house of God, temple of Christ’s body, and dwelling of the Holy Spirit. No gates of hell can prevail against this cave.
Is this the kind of “cave” that we are seeking as our hope and future for the fulfilment of our individual and corporate destiny?
Is this the kind of Kingdom that we envision when we pray, “Your Kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”?
Whether we find ourselves driven or attracted to the cave, let us build our lives and churches, like the cave of Adullam, as an administration suitable to the fullness of the times, that is, the summing up of all things in Christ, things in the heavens and things on the earth, when all His enemies at the gates of hell are subjected under our feet, to the praise of the glory of His grace. Amen.
Please go to Part Three to understand the rebuilding processes in the cave.
Please go to Part One if you would like to read from the beginning of the “From Palace To Cave” series.
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