The Voice of Eliab

Dear saints,
I know I'm not the only one that "Eliab" has tried to destroy. Oh I could write a book on this.
My wife and I visited a dear sister and brother for a day and a night. They encouraged us so. What God spoke into my heart while there, was a clear message in my spirit, but I had difficulty in putting it into words. Since February, God has been telling me things, then directly sending someone to me with a message of confirmation and then confirming it also in His Word.
Some of our greatest discouragement to try and keep us from obeying God, comes from right in our own church family. It's sad....but you know it's true. Let God give you a vision, and how many will try to steal if from you by pointing out all the obstacles that you (in the flesh) cannot overcome. So? What is that to our God. Read this message God sent to me. It comes from a dear friend who knows little about what I have faced in the valley of giants, yet God used him to speak to my heart and soul and encourage me. I hope there is some reader here, who will be encouraged and blessed also as you read......"The voice of Eliab"......


Does it seem that in the midst of your determination to obey the voice of God - - that you face some of the toughest oppostion - - from what should be the most unlikeliest sources? If that is or has been you, this is a MUST READ!


“Now the Philistines gathered their forces for war...A champion named Goliath...came out of the Philistine camp. He was over nine feet tall.” 1 Samuel 17:1,4

The quotation above is taken from the very familiar Old Testament account of the young David being sent by his father Jesse to see how his three older brothers were doing. They had joined King Saul in the Valley of Elah to face the armies of the Philistines and their “giant” champion, Goliath.

Most everyone knows this story quite well: how this young shepherd boy went and faced these incredible odds and with merely a sling and a stone defeated the giant Goliath who had defied the armies of God.

Now most have probably heard this message preached more times than they can count: How we all face giants and that if we will just face those things that seem “too big” for us to conquer on our own, that with the Lord’s help we can be victorious.

Now THAT is a good message and a very TRUE one at that, but in prayer over the past few weeks the Lord has given me a new insight and revelation on this subject matter that I want to share with you.
Many of the toughest battles that we face as believers are against those who seem “harmless” to us. Giants, Mardi Gras partiers, drug dealers, gang members, atheists, and demoniacs are easy to identify as adversarial.

I have never minded having “rookies” attend our annual outreach to New Orleans during Mardi Gras because there are clear cut distinctions between the “good guys” and the “bad guys.”

1 Sam 17:3 “The Philistines occupied one hill and the Israelites another, with the valley between them.”
But what about the times when the battle lines appear to be blurred? What about when your greatest challenge and challengers are those who are “on your side of the valley?”

Jesus said in Matthew 13:57 after those in His “hometown” came against Him that, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own country and in his own house.”

****Don’t let someone else’s Discouragement derail your Destiny!****

This is what young David faced here in 1 Samuel 17. Sure, there was a battle that at least was appearing to be waged— but in reality there was no real fighting going on. Sure, there was a very big Giant threatening anyone who would come out to oppose him— but God had already given the promise in Deuteronomy 2 that any who would face the giants (Anakim) would be victorious!

So where did David’s primary opposition come from that day at the Valley of Elah?

1 Sam 17:28 “When Eliab, David's oldest brother, heard him speaking with the men, he burned with anger at him and asked, Why have you come down here? And with whom did you leave those few sheep in the desert? I know how conceited you are and how wicked your heart is; you came down only to watch the battle."

David’s primary opposition came from his very own brother: Eliab!

Sometimes your greatest source of discouragement, opposition, conflict, and misunderstanding will originate with those who normally should be your nearest allies.

When God begins to bring promotion, blessing or vision into your life— many times your greatest obstacle will be in overcoming the challenge of being misunderstood or even despised by other believers who may resent what God is doing in your life at a particular time.

Remember: It was after Joseph (Gen 37) shared the vision that God had given him with his brothers that they threw him in the pit and later sold him into slavery! Get ready—for every promise there is also a pit that would hope to keep you from seeing the fulfillment of God’s plan for you.

Consider what Eliab had to say to David when he showed up that day.

“Why did you come down here...and who did you leave those few sheep with?”

Note that Eliab first tried to call into question David’s responsibility by making it seem as though he had abandoned his duty elsewhere. But, he made sure to use the word few in regards to this duty so that it would appear that his younger brother would never have been trusted with too much responsibility.

When God is moving you from one place to another or from one ministry responsibility to another, a common tactic is for “Eliab” to put the guilt trip on you about the duty you are forsaking.

This guilt trip can come from those who have grown dependant upon you in your current position. It can come from those unwilling to step up personally who do not want you to pass them by or it can even come from the flesh making excuses for not wanting to take on the added responsibility.

Then Eliab said:

“I know how conceited you are…”

After attacking David’s sense of responsibility he then immediately went after his character by implying that he was only motivated by “pride.”

Why is it when one dares to believe God that many become offended at it? Anytime that you dare stand firm in the faith and believe that you can do “all things through Christ Jesus” there will always be an “Eliab” around.

He will try and remind you of your deficiencies or claim that you are just being “prideful” in believing that God could use YOU to do great exploits for His glory.

Note: It was “Eliab” in the previous chapter (16) that the Prophet Samuel rejected as Israel’s next king in favor of his youngest brother David!

Psalms 75 tells us that promotion comes from God. Your destiny, calling or giftings are given to you by God who “knows the thoughts and intents of a man’s heart” or in other words– He knows your character.

Eliab then added:

“I know...how wicked your heart is…”

If “Eliab” is unsuccessful at dissuading you through attacking your sense of responsibility or character, he will usually move on to challenging your very relationship with the Lord.

The “Eliab-spirit” will always feel more qualified than you are to hear from God for you! He will often feel obligated to prophesy or proph-a-lie your error in following the will of God.

But know this:

John 10:27 says, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.”

While there is “wisdom in a multitude of counselors” and it is important get wisdom and walk in accountability– at the end of the day it is your responsibility to seek God and to hear from the Holy Spirit for your life.

And finally Eliab said”

“I know...you came only to watch the battle.”

After attacking your responsibility, character, and relationship with the Lord, “Eliab’s” last ditch effort is to question your motivation.

“Eliab” will try to make your decision to follow and believe the will of God to be for selfish reasons.

The voice of Eliab will try to cause you to question your reasoning in doing the things that the Lord Jesus has directed you in or to at least keep you vacillating in your decisions.

If you listen to “Eliab” in this, you will constantly find yourself being moved by circumstances and situations rather than the clear and concise directives of the Holy Spirit.

The bottom line saints? If you are serious about advancing in your walk with God and seeing the fulfillment of the things that He has called you to do— then get ready for those closest to you to offer some of the stiffest resistance.

Don’t let the “familiar” talk you out of that miracle healing that God has for you.

Don’t let “Eliab” talk you out of believing God for that financial breakthrough.

Don’t yield to the voice that would derail your destiny in Christ Jesus to be a mover and shaker and a history maker for His kingdom.

Do like David did— he said, “Is there not a cause?” And turned to someone else and brought up the same manner.

Seek and obey the “Voice of God” and recognize the accusing and self-seeking voice of “Eliab” and reject it.

“Eliab” is always focused on your limitations, but you must focus on God’s enabling power.

“Eliab” will keep you in bondage to your past, but God is concerned with your future.

If you will trust and obey Christ Jesus and stand committed in faith to the finished work of the Cross— then you will find that “Eliab”, armies, or even Giants will be small challenges on your way to God’s destiny in your life.

Remember, Eliab speaks through– hard times, disappointments, your past, well intentioned friends, trials, our emotions and fear— but get in God’s Word and listen to His voice in prayer— you will then be able to recognize and distinguish between the Voice of Eliab and the Voice of Truth.

Blessings, Pastor Troy D. Bohn
Raven@BigGrace.com