This morning (12/12/24) without a timestamp, I had a flash dream of the clean-cut stump of a tree that my children called Goliath. It was cut just inches above the ground straight across as if with a chainsaw, without any axe chopping marks. The sky showed it was daytime.
Definitions:
- Clean-cut – cut so that the surface or edge is smooth and even; : sharply defined; of wholesome appearance
- Stump – Definition: 1) the basal portion of a bodily part remaining after the rest is removed; a rudimentary or vestigial bodily part; 2) the part of a plant and especially a tree remaining attached to the root after the trunk is cut 3) a remaining part (**remnant!) : stub 4) : a place or occasion for public speaking (as for a cause or candidate) also : the circuit followed by a maker of such speeches —used especially in the phrase on the stump
- Goliath – a Philistine champion who in I Samuel 17 is killed by David; a giant.
- UNCIRCUMCISED Philistine = unrepentant, rebellious to God’s commandments, enemy of God
- He taunted and cowed King Saul and in turn the nation of Israel for 40 days.
- 6 fingers & toes = number of man / flesh.
- David REJECTED King Saul’s armour and weapons, instead choosing to fight with what he had experience with and multiple victories to build his confidence.
- David killed Goliath with a staff (symbol of power), sling and one of the 5 smooth stones – one for Goliath and his 4 brothers – taken from the RIVER.
- The phrase “David and Goliath” has taken on a more popular meaning denoting an underdog situation, a contest wherein a smaller, weaker opponent faces a much bigger, stronger adversary. (Wikipedia: Goliath)
Proverbs 26:8 KJV – As he that bindeth a stone in a sling, so is he that giveth honour to a fool.
- Chainsaw vs Axe = in a single forward motion, a chainsaw SWIFTLY cuts through a tree with minimal effort contrasted with an axe that requires multiple blows, often from both sides. A chainsaw is GAS powered vs an axe is FLESH powered. The cut was very low to the ground, not requiring much height.
As I pondered the interpretation of this dream, I was reminded of John the Baptist’s warning to the religious leaders that obviously were NOT manifesting good fruit of repentance to need the rebuke in the first place:
Matt 3:8-10 KJV – 8 Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance: 9 And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. 10 And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
Another passage that came to mind was Nebuchadnezzar’s dream of his tree being chopped down and just the stump being left. He was a KING of Babylon.
Daniel 4:10-37 KJV – 10 Thus were the visions of mine head in my bed; I saw, and behold a tree in the midst of the earth, and the height thereof was great. 11 The tree grew, and was strong, and the height thereof reached unto heaven, and the sight thereof to the end of all the earth: 12 The leaves thereof were fair, and the fruit thereof much, and in it was meat for all: the beasts of the field had shadow under it, and the fowls of the heaven dwelt in the boughs thereof, and all flesh was fed of it. 13 I saw in the visions of my head upon my bed, and, behold, a watcher and an holy one came down from heaven; 14 He cried aloud, and said thus, Hew down the tree, and cut off his branches, shake off his leaves, and scatter his fruit: let the beasts get away from under it, and the fowls from his branches: 15 Nevertheless LEAVE THE STUMP of his roots in the earth, even with a band of iron and brass, in the tender grass of the field; and let it be wet with the dew of heaven, and let his portion be with the beasts in the grass of the earth: 16 Let his heart be changed from man’s, and let a beast’s heart be given unto him; and let seven times pass over him. 17 This matter is by the decree of the watchers, and the demand by the word of the holy ones: to the intent that the living may know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest of men. 18 This dream I king Nebuchadnezzar have seen. Now thou, O Belteshazzar, declare the interpretation thereof, forasmuch as all the wise men of my kingdom are not able to make known unto me the interpretation: but thou art able; for the spirit of the holy gods is in thee. 19 Then Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, was astonied for one hour, and his thoughts troubled him. The king spake, and said, Belteshazzar, let not the dream, or the interpretation thereof, trouble thee. Belteshazzar answered and said, My lord, the dream be to them that hate thee, and the interpretation thereof to thine enemies. 20 THE TREE THAT THOU SAWEST, which grew, and was strong, whose height reached unto the heaven, and the sight thereof to all the earth; 21 Whose leaves were fair, and the fruit thereof much, and in it was meat for all; under which the beasts of the field dwelt, and upon whose branches the fowls of the heaven had their habitation: 22 IT IS THOU, O KING, THAT ART GROWN AND BECOME STRONG: FOR THY GREATNESS IS GROWN, AND REACHED UNTO HEAVEN, and thy dominion to the end of the earth. 23 And whereas the king saw a watcher and an holy one coming down from heaven, and saying, HEW THE TREE DOWN, AND DESTROY IT: YET LEAVE THE STUMP of the roots thereof in the earth, even with a band of iron and brass, in the tender grass of the field; and let it be wet with the dew of heaven, and let his portion be with the beasts of the field, till seven times pass over him; 24 This is the interpretation, O king, and this is the decree of the most High, which is come upon my lord the king: 25 That they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field, and they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and they shall wet thee with the dew of heaven, and SEVEN TIMES SHALL PASS OVER THEE, TILL THOU KNOW THAT THE MOST HIGH RULETH IN THE KINGDOM OF MEN, AND GIVETH IT TO WHOMSOEVER HE WILL. 26 And whereas they commanded to leave the stump of the tree roots; thy kingdom shall be sure unto thee, after that thou shalt have known that the heavens do rule. 27 Wherefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable unto thee, and BREAK OFF THY SINS BY RIGHTEOUSNESS, AND THINE INIQUITIES BY SHEWING MERCY TO THE POOR; IF IT MAY BE A LENGTHENING OF THY TRANSQUILITY. 28 All this came upon the king Nebuchadnezzar. 29 AT THE END OF TWELVE MONTHS he walked in the palace of the kingdom of Babylon. 30 The king spake, and said, Is not this great Babylon, that I HAVE BUILT for the house of the kingdom by the might of MY POWER, and for the honour of MY MAJESTY? 31 While the word was in the king’s mouth, there fell a voice from heaven, saying, O king Nebuchadnezzar, to thee it is spoken; The kingdom is departed from thee. 32 And they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field: they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and seven times shall pass over thee, until thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will. 33 The same hour was the thing fulfilled upon Nebuchadnezzar: and he was driven from men, and did eat grass as oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven, till his hairs were grown like eagles’ feathers, and his nails like birds’ claws. 34 And at the end of the days I Nebuchadnezzar lifted up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine understanding returned unto me, and I blessed the most High, and I praised and honoured him that liveth for ever, whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom is from generation to generation: 35 And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou? 36 At the same time my reason returned unto me; and for the glory of my kingdom, mine honour and brightness returned unto me; and my counsellors and my lords sought unto me; and I was established in my kingdom, and excellent majesty was added unto me. 37 Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honour the King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and his ways judgment: and THOSE THAT WALK IN PRIDE HE IS ABLE TO ABASE.
Both Daniel 4 and Matt 3 confront the SAME ISSUE = lack of the fruit of repentance that leads to judgment.
If it is lack of repentance that leads to judgment, then we need to know WHAT to repent of? We are to repent of SIN, which is transgression of the Law. When we chose to walk in rebellion to God’s laws, we have partnered with pride thinking we have the right to rebel against God. God is clearly warning in Daniel 4:37 that He is quite capable of abasing those that walk in the sin of pride.
- Abase = To make or bring low; to humble, to humiliate.
- Luke 14:11 KJV – For whosoever exalteth himself shall be ABASED; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
Another nugget that leapt out was the timer of 12 months. Daniel warned King Nebby 12 months BEFORE the judgment landed, giving him more than adequate time to search his heart and repent. God is not quick to slam the gavel of judgment. When He does, it is because the season of mercy has run out and the offer to repent was rejected so justice must land.
The season of judgment would be for a full 7 years. The GOOD NEWS is that those who have already BEEN IN a season of judgment for an extended period know that those who have sold themselves as slaves to sin are often released from that judgment after 7 years and their slave master MUST send them away with provision as per Kingdom Law.
Deut 15:1-2, 7-10, 12-14 KJV – At the end of every seven years thou shalt make a release. 2 And this is the manner of the release: Every creditor that lendeth ought unto his neighbour shall release it; he shall not exact it of his neighbour, or of his brother; because it is called the Lord’s release. … 7 If there be among you a poor man of one of thy brethren within any of thy gates in thy land which the Lord thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not harden thine heart, nor shut thine hand from thy poor brother: 8 But thou shalt open thine hand wide unto him, and shalt surely lend him sufficient for his need, in that which he wanteth. 9 Beware that there be not a thought in thy wicked heart, saying, The seventh year, the year of release, is at hand; and thine eye be evil against thy poor brother, and thou givest him nought; and he cry unto the Lord against thee, and it be sin unto thee. 10 Thou shalt surely give him, and thine heart shall not be grieved when thou givest unto him: because that for this thing the Lord thy God shall bless thee in all thy works, and in all that thou puttest thine hand unto. … 12 And if thy brother, an Hebrew man, or an Hebrew woman, be sold unto thee, and serve thee six years; then in the seventh year thou shalt let him go free from thee. 13 And when thou sendest him out free from thee, thou shalt not let him go away empty: 14 Thou shalt furnish him liberally out of thy flock, and out of thy floor, and out of thy winepress: of that wherewith the Lord thy God hath blessed thee thou shalt give unto him.
IF we KNOW God’s laws, we can put a demand upon our lawful covenantal rights to that bounty due us on the 7th year. However, if you WANT to stay as a slave, you become a slave for LIFE evidenced by PIERCING YOUR EAR with a metal tool. Now think about how our great-grandparents and grandparents generation were horrified by our parents’ and our own ignorant generations who thought piercing their ears was modern and classy beautification and the older wiser generation were just “old fashioned & stuffy.” They had grown up knowing God’s laws and understanding that ear piercing throughout history has been a sign of slavery. Now does it make sense why homosexuals of that generation were known for flaunting their single pierced ear??? A child born to a slave is still a slave = generational slavery.
Deut 15:16-17 KJV – 16 And it shall be, if he say unto thee, I will not go away from thee; because he loveth thee and thine house, because he is well with thee; 17 Then thou shalt take an aul, and thrust it through his ear unto the door, and he shall be thy servant for ever. And also unto thy maidservant thou shalt do likewise. We experienced this ourselves years ago when we disobeyed God’s instruction to sell our house early 2008 in preparation to move, thinking that we would obey my earthly father’s instruction to keep real estate as a rental for part of our retirement portfolio due to the USUAL increase in housing equity. That disobedience was rebellion out of pride, thinking we and my father knew better since he was quite a seasoned real estate investor. However, God knew that area would experience an uncharacteristic, chronic decline in land / house equity and was trying to position us to prosper ahead of the 2008 market crash. The Holy Spirit knew what the flesh did not. Severely humbled, we finally sold the property the end of 2013 for much less than we could have received in 2008, and finally got free from our upside-down mortgage debt by April 2014 = a complete cycle of 7 years of severe devouring from the time of the original instruction. We ended that cycle with a surprising $16,000 tax return from CRA. I call this the shemitah release principle.
Therein lies the HOPE of this warning dream. For those who were too proud to repent during their season of opportunity, know that the judgment won’t last forever. Yes, you will have to submit to your season of chastening for 7 years, but it will go much smoother if you surrender and learn from it instead of kicking against the pricks for the duration of your discipline. Joseph showed us that what the devil meant for evil, God CAN turn around for His good IF you let Him by giving Him your humble, submissive heart
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