“NESTLED WITHIN THE PAGES OF THE OLD TESTAMENT IS A FORGOTTEN AND UNTOLD STORY OF GREAT VALUE. I’M CALLING IT THE MULBERRY TREES FILE.”

 I’m Dennis Finnan, host and speaker on the World, the Word & You! Broadcast and in a moment we’ll talk about this story from history which is an exciting tale of human intrigue and experience…

… Many today feel the Bible is a dull and boring book! But on the contrary, its very words and content reveal differently. In the pages of the Bible, we find that God has inserted many exciting stories of history and human experience. Of course history is in fact "HIS STORY,” for God is indeed, the sovereign ruler of all time and eternity. Sovereign as He is, still God has given His created creatures, a measure of freedom and autonomy in our life's existence. Nevertheless, the Bible teaches us that nothing happens is this world, the universe or time, that does not first pass God's permissive approval. Thus, our story in point today comes from the pages of the Old Testament, and from a relatively obscure book. If you have a bible handy why not turn to the Old Testament book of I CHRONICLES, chapter 14. It is here, we shall encounter the story of the “Mulberry Trees,” where we'll take from this Biblical file, some sure and important lessons for all to learn today. But now let’s pause once again and listen to this…

… Today we turn to I Chronicles, chapter 14, to read our story and text.  Now, it would be good to understand the context of that period of time and God's dealings with mankind. The story there brings us to the ancient days of the greatest King of Israel - a man named King David. Now volumes have been written about King David, the youngest of the son of Jesse. Some of you may know much about this man's life, but for most listening, I'll quickly update you.

King David was Israel 's second king, whose reign was around 500 BC. David's reign followed Saul , Israel ’s first king, who was a man who began wrong and ended worse. Following Saul's sad reign, God anointed and chose David to be king of the nation of Israel . David was the eighth son of Jesse, the Bethlehemite. Although secular history practically ignores this historical account, King David grew to be perhaps the most prominent figure in the history of the world at that time period.

Now the Bible tells us much about him. First of all, we are told David was a true and faithful believer in the God of the Bible. The Lord Himself who speaks to us by divine revelation through Scripture, tells us that David was "a man after God's own heart." Reviewing the full scriptural report of David, the general trend of his entire life was to follow hard after God, and to honor the Lord in every way he could. But, there's the other side of his story. For as in all sinful human beings, David likewise was a member of Adam's fallen race and as such, he didn't always achieve this worthy goal and purpose for life. 

Now if you are a regular student of the Bible, you'll find that the biblical record “pulls no punches,” and never glorifies any man! Yes, David was a choice saint, but David was also a sinner! As David rose in acclaim and power he soon became sovereign, but this absolute power corrupted a number of His ways and attitudes.

For starters, David succumbed to the human sinfulness we call, "the lust of the flesh." As a mighty king, with absolute power, he could do as he pleased, and in some ways he did. For instance, David took many wives for His personal harem. Although this was the way of heathen kings, it was not to be the way for a godly King, and to do so was disobedience to God's Word. In Deut. 17:17, Moses clearly wrote God's instructions, concerning those whom God chose to rule Israel :

Deu 17:17 (NIV)  He must not take many wives, or his heart will be led astray. He must not accumulate large amounts of silver and gold.

Then we read in,

1 Chr 14:3 (NIV)  In Jerusalem David took more wives and became the father of more sons and daughters.

This of course, was God's way of telling us that David's life was sexually out of control, for God then proceeds to list at least thirteen sons born through these multiple marriages. And, if that was not enough, we all know the story of how David's lustful eyes were never satisfied. The biblical record is recorded of how in the latter years of his life, King David who had everything he wanted, greedily stole another man's wife and had him killed, along with many others in an arranged battle. Yes, King David, a man after God's own heart, a true believer, then took the woman, Bathsheba, for himself, which finally energized God's judgment and wrath against him for the rest of his life!

However, the Bible makes clear that although David sinned wickedly against God and his loyal soldiers, David did came to his senses and fully realized the great wickedness he had done. When he did, he was broken in his heart and publicly confessed his sins, asking God for His mercy to forgive him. Now God, who alone can look on the contrition of one's heart, declared David was truly a repentant, and the Bible in Psalm 51 says, God fully forgive him, all these sins of adultery, and murder.

But, is this the end of the story? Hardly! You see friend, we must always remember the "buts" of Scripture. The sins David forged in wanton willfulness, well their consequences never departed from David's house. Thus, every one of us must ever remember that sins can be forgiven, yes, but the consequences of them, may linger for generations to come. David, although a saint, was also a full-blooded sinner too, just as every believer today is. Yet, let us not stop here as this is all preparation for understanding today's message called the MULBERRY TREES FILE.

Now remembering all these facts about David, know this also - David was a mighty man of valor, and also a fantastic warrior. Often, he revealed himself as a courageous champion of the Lord's will. For instance, in the time after King Saul died in disgrace, God raised up David to be King of Israel. At the end of Saul's' career, Israel was divided and broken. The enemies of Israel had gained great victories. It was time to fight for God's glory and reunite Israel and drive the enemy from the land. I Chronicles, is a Bible book that tells of the many exploits of David and Israel , and tells us how God gave him many victories. 

This book along with 2 Chronicles, was written for this very purpose. God wanted the entire world to know, that David's greatness was not in himself, but in the God he chose to follow all the days of his life. It was God who gave him the victories; it was God who elevated David to greatness and wealth; it was God who gave Israel as a nation great fame and respect, and likewise even today, it is God who raises up nations and leaders. Yet, we must also know the opposite is true too! For it is God who also tears down and send disobedient nations to their graves (Ps. 9:17 ).

Psa 9:17 (NIV) "The wicked return to the grave, all the nations that forget God."

Our account today is called the MULBERRY TREES FILE. You may well say, what could this be and what does it mean? Well, as we are now prepared to enter a unique portion of Scripture keep in mind this overview of King David. We find in Chapter 14 of I Chronicles, that God was now in the final stages of establishing David's rulership and reign as King, as David gets ready to reestablish the city of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel ; making it the center for all worship.

As such, it was time to bring the Ark of the Covenant of God back from hiding, and to finally build a great temple for it to reside in, and for all Israel to come and worship the one true God there. Now  King David had made friends with the King Hiram of Tyre , and contracted with this Phoenician king, to provide the building materials and exquisite skills to construct many new glorious buildings, beginning with King David's palace itself. David had recognized his place of prominence, was not his own but God's sovereign will, and he dedicated himself to making a place for the residence of the holy ark, the place God actually chose to dwell among His people. 

As David's newly found power and might, reached the Philistines, they saw this as opportunity to attack Israel . The godless Philistines mercilessly attacked Israel in the valley of Rephaim , a few miles south of Jerusalem . Yet God gave David's army victory and defeated the Philistines there. Now not content to lose in battle, the godless enemy regrouped and planned a massive attack on Israel again. It seemed as if Israel was going to lose this upcoming battle. Yet the Bible tells us that before the Israelites went out in war to conquer or defend, King David always consulted the Lord first, asking Him for His direction and will, in whether to fight or not.

As the Philistines were assembling at Rephaim, David prayed and asked God for His direction and care for the people. King David expected God's overwhelming approval of their plans for battle, but this time God said, “no” to David's planned attack. Instead, God had a special plan to defeat the Philistines. The Lord said to David, He would go before them and route the enemy. So the Lord God instructed David to set an ambush for the Philistines. He was to get behind the largest gathering of them, near a very large forest of trees. God said this to David and I quote from the Scripture,

1 Chr 14:15 “ As soon as you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the Mulberrry trees, move out to battle, because that will mean God has gone out in front of you to strike the Philistine army.”

David, not fully understanding this plan from God, was none the less obedient, and he purposed to do as he was told. David commanded his forces to hide in the forest of trees, and quietly wait. As they did, the huge Philistine army marched by them without noticing them, and walked right into Israel 's territory. They were armed for battle and were looking to destroy the armies of God. But then,all of a sudden, a host of unseen angels violently shook the many massive mulberry trees in the forest where Israel 's armies were hiding, it created a great sound, such as the marching of a million men, and it lodged in the ears of every soldier of the Philistine army. Now, 2 Kings 7:6 gives us a vivid picture of what happened. We read,

2 Kings 7:6 " for the Lord had caused the [invading] army to hear a [distinct] sound of chariots and a sound of horses, even the sound of a great [marching] army, so that they said to one another 'Behold the king of Israel has hired against us the king of the Hittites and the king of Egypt, to come upon us.' Therefore in great fear and trembling, they arose in retreat, and fled for their lives."

Imagine that, God said to David when you hear the sound of rushing in the Mulberry trees, then go out to battle. God kept His word, for the sound occurred at the right moment, and the Philistine army now terrified, fled in a paralyzing frightful retreat. But their flight was right into the hands of David's waiting army. In tremendous chaos, fear and disarray, the Philistines were defeated that day, and David's fame went far and wide.

Yes, God had given Israel victory, a great victory at that! Now, why did God do this? Was it for David's own glory? Was it for personal or national acclaim? The answer is "no." The reason was for David and God’s people Israel , to have ample time, unrestricted by war or enemy interference, to peacefully and carefully build up Jerusalem and the nation, for the glory of God. You see friend, we can all take some practical illustrations from this working of God among men more than 2,500 years ago. The MULBERRY TREES, although a unique intervention of God in the affairs of men, is also an example to every believer in Christ. The sound of the Mulberry Trees tells us that, many times God does give clear signals to His people to take certain steps at certain times. And when God signals, it is the duty of God's people to step forth in positive measures of faith to do God's will. For instance, God spoke to Noah by a revelation in a dream that a great deluge would destroy the earth (Heb. 11:7).

Heb 11:7 (NIV) "By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that comes by faith."

This revelation moved Noah to fear, and we are told he built an ark to the saving of his house. Yes, Noah was commanded to stir himself up to do something for the Lord.

When God's sent two angels to the wicked city of Sodom and found Lot the believer and his family living there where they shouldn't have, they warned them to flee the fire storm that would inundate the cities of the Plain by morning. Lot was told to flee for his life. Yes, all sacred history affirms that God at times, signals His people to step out in faith to obey God's Word and to carry out His will, in positive terms!

Now, if you're a child of God listening today, know this, there will be clear times when God sends forth His specific signals and signs for you to know of God's special intervention in your life. God does this, so each believer hears what I would classify in a figure of speech as the "sound of the mulberries", for when we hear this, then, we too are to step out by faith and accomplish great things for God!

Perhaps, God will send his signal for the express purpose of improving your personal walk with Him? Perhaps, it's to engage in a clear ministry of serving Christ? Or perhaps, it's to flee from a judgment to come upon some present disobedience and failure in your life that has deafened you to hear God's warnings for sin?

I believe that today more than ever, the "Mulberry trees" are rustling in this nation of ours. God is giving clear warning signs that we are running aground, that the blessings on this nation may be coming to an end, unless, we hear and act upon the "sound of the Mulberries"!

Yes, I believe it is time for true believers to begin to seek revival in their lives, and to break up what the Bible calls "fallow ground."  Through such a process, we must allow God to renew a heart of love in us and dedicate ourselves to serve Him first and before all else. Moreover, perhaps the sound of the Mulberry trees, is a call to lost sinners, that God is warning you He may no longer strive with you in your unrepentance and sin. Be forewarned the Bible says,

Prov 29:1 (NIV)  "A man who remains stiff-necked after many rebukes will suddenly be destroyed—without remedy."

I wonder has God been calling out to you lately? Have you felt the “hot breath of the hounds of heaven,” calling you to come to Christ? This may well be your "mulberry trees" sounding, and unless you answer and step out, judgment is all that awaits your disobedient heart.

Oh today, as I look around the nation, I see the Church of Jesus Christ desperately needs revival. Our evangelical and fundamental bible believing churches are often filled with cold, callous, and yes, dead or phony saints. Our churches are often watered with dry dusty sermons that anesthetize the parched hearers, because many of us are not about the Lord' business, rather our own selfish ways. Listen hard now, the "Mulberry trees," I believe, are beginning to rustle, and I firmly believe it's time for us all to deeply seek the Lord, Christian and non-Christians, for we all need a fresh touch from God, to renew our hearts, to revive our hearts, to give us a heart to seek and serve the Lord always.

So I say to you today, will you open your heart right now, by looking unto Jesus as the author and finisher of your faith? Why, this message and broadcast may be the only "sound of the Mulberries" someone listening may ever here before, like the Philistines, you will meet God in judgment. Yes, without a doubt the voice and divine influences of our holy God and His loving Spirit together are calling all to seek Him anew and afresh.

Remember that when King David obeyed God, He gave them a tremendous victory. I wonder if God's people today can hear this sound too? Are your ears open unto God's signals? Are your hearts attuned to God's loving call? Yes friend try not to forget …

" AND IT SHALL BE WHEN HEAR A SOUND GOING IN THE TOPS OF THE MULBERRY TRESS THAT YOU MUST GO OUT TO BATTLE ."

Let the time of trial, the time of leanness, the time of defeat, the time of sorrow, the time of happiness and blessing; let today, and every moment of it be your time to obey God's will in all things. Yes, it is my prayer that at least one soul listening today, will go out and meet the Lord and taste the joys of either revival or salvation. For when revival comes to the backslidden believer, it will burst the bonds of formalism, it will purge our churches of their worldliness, and will revolutionize the ministries of God's preachers. But most of all, it will restore and save souls for whom Christ died. 

Well, the “Mulberry Trees file” is before you and now is read. Thank God it is still open, but only God knows, it may be closing for us all right now. I believe that as we move along in the years of this new century, America is deeply on the brink of moral and spiritual disaster. As our nation thumbs its nose in the face of God, rejecting His laws of morality and promoting evil and filthy things and lifestyles, we can't continue to do so without God one day stepping in, as He has consistently done in centuries past with every nation of this world!

One day soon, maybe, we will hear the sound of the "Mulberry Trees," but the question is on which side will we be as a nation hearing it? On the side of God's people who heard it as the signal for victory? Or will we as a nation hear it on the side of those who will receive judgment?

I plead with you, don't be passive to God any longer, respond to Him now, call upon the Lord Jesus, right now where ever you are, and ask Him specifically to save you, to revive you, to forgive you and to cleanse you. Without a doubt, for those who call, God promises, "You shall be saved!" May God save many, and may you my listening friend, be among those who are rescued…

… Well nigh for over 2000 years, the trumpet of the Lord has been sounding for millions to get right with God by coming to Jesus Christ and calling upon Him alone to save them from their sins. Have you done that my friend? If not, the" mulberry trees" and their rustling will not be for your victory, but rather for your defeat as it was some 2500 years ago for the ancient godless Philistines. It is my prayer that the stirring call of your inner heart has been warmed to receive Christ as your Savior and Lord. The Bible says, "Now is the day of salvation, now is the accepted time." Friends, there are many things in the lives of those who are even true believers that need cleansing too. For instance, is there a stumbling block of prayerlessness in your heart and life? Is there a stumbling block of loving the world system of life that rejects God? Is there a stumbling block of doubt, anger, envy, or bitterness, vexing and troubling you? Whatever it is, the MULBERRY TREES FILE is God's message for you. Don't delay, or put it off another moment. Go out and meet the Lord and enter His loving victory.

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