(Note 4 Part 3 – continued from same day) (Pt 1, Pt 2; Navigation backward to part 2 and forward to part 4 at bottom of screen)
Division, Apathy, Complacency, Fear, Selfish Ambition (Selfishness), and Idolatry must be Overcome:
We see that old offenses, unforgiveness, bitterness, enmity, and strife keep groups from working together in order to unite as they ought to against their common enemy who plans to destroy them.
On more than one occasion we see instances of the temptation to refrain from getting involved in order to help others who are in danger. (Bringing to remembrance the message that the principle of reaping what we sow applies to sins of omission as well as commission – what we fail to do for others, we will fail to receive.
Tauriel realizes the enemy is growing bolder. She tells Thranduil that she’s trying to clear the land of the threat, but more of the giant spiders (spirits of deception) keep coming. She’s concerned that if she follows his advice, they will only infest other lands as well. He replies, “other lands are not our concern.”
Later she goes out to help others when she learns that one’s life is in danger. When Legolas finds her, he insists she is betraying Thranduil (his father) and tells her she must go back with him. She says that if she did so, she would never forgive herself. Like his father, Legolas urges her, “it’s not our fight.” Tauriel responds, “It is our fight. It will not end here; with every victory this evil will grow. If your father has his way, we will do nothing. We will hide within our walls, live our lives away from the light and let darkness descend. Are we not part of this world? Tell me, when did we let evil become stronger than us?”
In other scenes we see spiritual significance to the vast wealth that lies within the mountain. There is vast treasure to be gained by taking the mountain (which can represent the “7 mountains of influence” as well as the “homeland”/nation. If you’re not familiar with the “7 mountains” revelation, it’s worth researching). But though there is great treasure, there is also great danger. The dragon is lying within, so concealed that some even wrongly presume he’s dead (spiritual symbolism of how some view the enemy). Yet he’s still alive and still retains power ~ though his power has been weakened and his defeat will ultimately be fully manifested. The dragon will awaken to attempt to destroy them when they enter the mountain to possess their land.
Thorin must overcome selfish ambition and greed. The wealth and riches that led to the destruction of their ancestors also begin to taint his heart and corrupt him. Balin speaks some confrontational words and warnings to Thorin, attempting to bring him back to his senses.
Here we see spiritual representation of the “abomination that causes desolation.” The material blessings of the mountain (nation) had eventually corrupted and turned the hearts of the people (away from the Lord) to idolatry. This drew the dragon who brought desolation to their land. Not being super familiar with the books (forgive me Jason), I went into this thinking the desolation of Smaug referred to desolation brought TO the dragon. Obviously, it became apparent that, instead, it referred to desolation brought FROM the dragon. Due to the things the Lord’s been speaking about “idols” that we set up in His temple (our hearts/lives) being an “abomination that causes desolation” (see the Preparations for the Promised Land notes), I then realized there was even a powerful confirmation of this principle seen in the events of the film and even in the use of the term “desolation” in its title.
Trust and Teamwork Turn the Enemy’s own Weapons Against him:
~ On more than one occasion the heroes have to learn to trust someone who’s leading them a way they aren’t certain about.
~ In one scene, as they’re escaping in the river (water – symbol of Word and Spirit), their enemies are attacking them. Yet as they fight the enemies and overcome them, they plunder their weapons and begin to slay the enemy with their own weapons. (brings to mind David and Goliath – how David slayed Goliath with his own sword – an allusion to how the Lord promises that no matter what the enemy brings against us, He is able to take what was meant for our harm and turn it around for our good if we continue to trust and follow Him.)
In addition, we see in this scene how vital their teamwork is. Over and over different ones would have been killed as they were fighting an enemy, because another enemy came upon them in their blind spot. But just in time, others who could see what was happening from their vantage point, would throw a weapon, taking out the enemy who was about to ambush their friend (representing what we are called to do for our brothers and sisters in Christ – speaking the truth in love as watchmen on the wall to expose and take out the enemy who has come upon them in their “blind spot” to deceive and destroy them).
~ Also later, in the mountain, they determined they will not meet their death cowering in fear, but that if they’re going to die, they will go down trying to kill the dragon. This is the spirit of our founding fathers which must be revived in this nation. Through working together in teams they’re able to distract the enemy and elude death. They’re also able to bait the dragon, using his own anger and ego against him in order to accomplish their goals.
We Can’t Give Up Now
The company reaches the mountain with the key and their best interpretation of the instructions they’ve been given in the map (representing the Word of God) and search for the key hole. When this is failing and time is running out (they think), they frantically attempt to break the door down to no avail ~ “it can’t be opened by force.” As the sunlight disappears, Thorin stands clutching the map (the Word), reading the instructions again to make sure he had read them correctly, “That’s what it says! What have we missed? What have we missed?“
Balin states, “We’ve lost the light; there’s no more to be done; we had but one chance; it’s over.” But Bilbo begs, “Wait a minute..We can’t give up now! We can’t give up now!” As the rest walk away, accepting defeat, he begins to go back over everything again by himself, thoroughly and repeatedly, carefully thinking about the words and their meaning (representing reading and meditating on the Word of God). This leads to the revelation of the true meaning of what was written and the way into the mountain is then illuminated.
He cries after the others to come back ~ that he knows the proper interpretation and has found the way. Thorin puts the key in the door and is able to easily push open what was previously impenetrable. Through this I was “hearing” recent words the Lord has given about:
~ seeking and crying out with all our hearts for the wisdom, understanding, and knowledge necessary to fulfill our assignments,
~ receiving the vital “keys” of revelation we need from His Word and Spirit,
~ His prophecies of open doors,
~ and our pastor often saying, “LITTLE KEYS OPEN BIG DOORS!“
We must receive the keys, and the proper “light” to use them (by accurately interpreting/understanding the map of His Word), to open the doors to the solutions we need for our lives and nation. We can’t solve spiritual problems with natural solutions. He holds the key. He is the Key. (Proverbs 2-4, Matthew 16:18-19, Revelation 3:7, Isaiah 22:22; 33:6)
He will be the sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the Lord is the key to this treasure. Isaiah 33:6
to be continued… (part 4 here) (Navigation backward to part 2 and forward to part 4 also at bottom of screen)
