Rule in the Midst of Your Enemies

Spiritual Warfare in the Public Square

Ephesians 6:12 - For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

In biblical times, the public square (sometimes called broad place, marketplace, or city gate area) was more than just an open space in a town. It was the center of community life, both socially and legally. The public square was the central open space of a city or town where trade, legal matters, social interaction, and public messages took place. It was both the marketplace and the civic forum and often doubled as the stage where God’s word was publicly declared through prophets.

1. Meeting Place of the Community

• The Hebrew word often used is rechov (רחוב) meaning “broad place.”

• It was where people gathered daily — to trade, talk, hear news, or celebrate.

• Example: “They met them at the broad place of the city” (Genesis 19:2, regarding Lot in Sodom).

2. Marketplace (Commerce & Trade)

• Goods were bought and sold in these open spaces.

• Merchants and buyers gathered in the square, much like today’s bazaars.

• Example: Proverbs 7:12 speaks of a woman “in the streets, now in the squares, lurking at every corner” — showing its busy, public nature.

3. Judicial and Legal Center

• Court cases, judgments, and city governance often happened at the city gate or square.

• Elders, judges, and leaders sat in the open to settle disputes.

• Example: Ruth 4:1-2 — Boaz calls elders at the city gate (public square area) to legally redeem Ruth.

4. Religious & Prophetic Proclamation

• Prophets declared God’s messages in the squares, where everyone could hear.

• Example: Jeremiah 5:1 — “Go up and down the streets of Jerusalem, look around and consider, search through her squares…”

• Proverbs 1:20–21 — Wisdom “raises her voice in the squares.”

5. Cultural & Social Life

• A place for music, mourning, and celebration.

• Example: Jeremiah 48:36 describes joy and music in Moab’s open spaces.

• Zechariah 8:5 pictures children playing in the squares of Jerusalem — a vision of peace and restoration.

  
  

The Public Square: Biblical vs. Modern

1. Location of Gathering

• Biblical: A physical open space (city gate, market, broad place).

• Modern: Town halls, parliaments, campuses, and even digital spaces (social media, online forums).

The square was where voices were heard. Today, it’s not just physical but also virtual.

2. Marketplace of Goods → Marketplace of Ideas

• Biblical: People traded food, cloth, tools, and livestock in the square.

• Modern: Beyond buying/selling in malls or online markets, the “public square” has become a marketplace of ideas — media, news outlets, debates, and social media platforms.

Both are places where values and priorities are revealed.

3. Judicial / Government Role

• Biblical: Elders judged at the gates; laws were made and disputes settled in public. (Ruth 4:1–2; Proverbs 31:23).

• Modern: Government assemblies, courts, and parliamentary debates — now often livestreamed for transparency.

The public square is still about justice and governance in the open.

4. Prophetic & Moral Voice

• Biblical: Prophets proclaimed God’s Word in squares so all could hear (Jeremiah 5:1; Proverbs 1:20–21).

• Modern: Preachers, activists, writers, and even ordinary believers speak in media, rallies, and digital platforms to declare truth.

The challenge: today’s square is louder and more crowded — truth competes with noise.

5. Community & Culture

• Biblical: Squares were for music, mourning, children’s games (Zechariah 8:5).

• Modern: Parks, festivals, stadiums, concerts, and social apps function the same way.

They reflect the heartbeat of society — what people celebrate or grieve together.

Spiritual Insight

The “public square” then and now is:

• A place of influence (whoever speaks loudest can sway the crowd).

• A place of testing (truth vs. falsehood).

• A place of witness (believers are called to shine there, not hide).

Jesus used public spaces (temple courts, mountainsides, marketplaces) to teach. Paul reasoned in marketplaces and synagogues (Acts 17:17). Today, the equivalent may be Facebook, YouTube, parliaments, or local gatherings.

Summary:

The public square in a modern sense is any shared space where society gathers to exchange ideas, make decisions, celebrate, or debate — whether physical (city centers, parliaments, campuses) or digital (social media, media platforms). For believers, it’s the arena where faith meets culture and truth is witnessed publicly.

Ministry in the Public Square

Ministry in the public square started in the garden of Eden when God assigned work to Adam and asked him to cultivate the garden. There God taught Adam that work is sacred.

The first violence recorded in the public square - when Cain killed Abel over the quality of work presented – ‘first fruits.

90 % of Jesus' ministry was in the public square. He was a builder, carpenter and was a well-known carpenter when he launched his public ministry. 122 of his 132 appearances were in the public square. 45 of his parables are related to the public square.

Ministry in the public square continues to evolve - believers as witnesses / ministers,

The key - be an Ambassador (exact representation) of Christ through one’s lifestyle – “walk the talk” and be the gateway for Christ in the place of work. Use of a person’s gift + skill/ talent to function in obedience to the Word of God.

RULE IN THE MIDST OF YOUR ENEMIES – 2 Samuel 8:1-15

Psalm 110:2 - The LORD shall send the rod of Your strength out of Zion. Rule in the midst of Your enemies!

Romans 5:17 For if, because of one man's trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one-man Jesus Christ.

Reign in life (Gr.bas-il-yoo'-o)- to rule (literally or figuratively): --king, reign

1) to be king, to exercise kingly power, to reign

1a) of the governor of a province

1b) of the rule of the Messiah

1c) of the reign of Christians in the millennium

UNDERSTANDING GOD'S PROMISES OF PROTECTION

Psalm 4:8 - I will both lie down in peace, and sleep; for You alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.

2 Corinthians 1:20 - For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us.

ENEMIES YOU MUST SUBDUE TO RULE – 2 SAMUEL 8:1-15

There will be no rule unless you defeat the enemies of David. David, a foreshadow of Jesus Christ.  God is restoring the tabernacle of David. We face the same enemies. We are king priests made to rule. The righteous must inherit the earth.

THE PHILISTINES - WALLOWING

The Philistine is a picture of selfish indulgence/carnal indulgence. Your greatest enemy is within you. What are you rolling in: food, entertainment, laziness, self-pity. The enemy in you must be conquered first. If you don’t deal with your lustfulness, you will sell your birthright for a morsel of bread.

MOABITES - MOAB MEANS "WHAT FATHER"

Lack of accountability.  Wants independence from the father. The prodigal wanted a future without a father.  There is a mentality that desires independence from any form of spiritual accountability.

Proverbs 18:1 A man who isolates himself seeks his own desire; he rages against all wise judgment.

Moab was born after Lot disconnected from Abraham. Moab sacrificed his son to save himself. II Kings 3:26-27

This generation is fathered by entertainment. An INDEPENDENT SPIRIT that despises leadership.

Where there is no father son relationship - the curse (the truth is the curse is removed through Jesus’ death and resurrection. Yet, believers suffer consequences of past actions, and knowingly/unknowingly through opening doors to the enemy) is active – Malachi 4:5,6.

HADADEZER - NOISY HELPER

This is a picture of strife. Strife erodes relationships-it breaks the mortar – the building collapses. It is an undercurrent – stay away from undercurrents. Main causes are tale-bearing and fault-finding.

SYRIANS - LOFTY ONES

Syria was a living symbol of pride.  Some characteristics of pride: - Personal Ambition; Reliance on Self; Inflated Self-Esteem; Delusions, Entitlement

Pride Says	The Word Says
I am better.	Esteem others as better.
I am rich.	What do you have that you have not received.
I can save myself.	Salvation is by grace.
I will exalt myself.	Humble yourself.
I will be master.	To be great you must be a servant.

God resists the proud but gives grace the humble.

TOI - MEANS "MY WANDERING"

This is a lack of commitment to a local church.

Proverbs 27:8 Like a bird that wanders from its nest is a man who wanders from his place.

Proverbs 21:16 A man who wanders from the way of understanding will rest in the assembly of the dead.

Jude 1:13 raging waves of the sea, foaming up their own shame; wandering stars for whom is reserved the blackness of darkness forever.

Church is built with stable people. Not loose stones. Some people change church every 6 months. This is adultery. You cannot get blessings of marriage without marriage.

RUTH - NAOMI COVENANT IS PICTURE OF EVERY BELIEVER IN CHRIST. COVENANT RELATIONSHIP FIRST WITH CHRIST AND THEN WITH ONE ANOTHER.

Every believer must come to Hebron, where he enters a bone of bone and flesh of flesh covenant with a local church – 2 Samuel 5:3

AMMONITES - TRIBAL

One must migrate from biological family concept to a kingdom family concept to rule.

·       SENTIMENTAL TIES MUST BE LEFT AT THE ALTAR.

·       LEAVE ABEL MEHOLAH (ELISHA)– KISS YOUR MOTHER AND FATHER GOODBYE.

·       LEAVE ISHMAEL IN THE WILDERNESS.

Speaking of the cost of discipleship, Jesus said, “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. Luke 14:26-27

 AMALEKITES - PEOPLE OF LAPPING/ DWELLER IN A VALLEY

Valley is a symbol of depression and hopelessness. If you want to rule, you must know how to strengthen yourself in times of crisis and hopelessness. This is defeating the Amalekite in your life.

Gideon, Elijah, Job and David went through some kind of depressive thinking. Depression is not only a medical term and condition, but any kind of wrong thinking that takes away from the mind of Christ. Yet, they all overcame in the end; a sign of greatness (in the above context). You must do the same thing that great people do – come out of it. We are mindful of specific medical cases that need medical intervention from time to time. Please do not rule out medical assistance as needed.

EDOMITES - RED

            Edom (from Esau) is a symbol of anger/offense.

            Cain killed Abel out of offense.

The older brother did not come to the party because he was offended.

            Esau married a pagan woman because of offense.

EDOM IS ALSO A SYMBOL OF ANTAGONISM TO GOD'S WORD.

Red due to sunburn. Unable to absorb light. Reflects the light. Cannot internalize the Word.

If you want to rule, you must love God's Word.

·       Abraham ruled.

·       Isaac ruled. He had a hundred-fold harvest in Philistine territory.

·       Daniel ruled.

·       The 3 Hebrew boys ruled in Babylon.

·       Joseph ruled.

·       You are seated with Christ in heavenly places – you must rule.