"And you Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, you are not in any way least or insignificant among the *chief cities of Judah; for from you shall come a Ruler (*Leader) Who will govern and *shepherd My people Israel." -The Greatest Love Story Ever Told
God has designed us to make cities significant with our presence and influence.
Cities are exalted because of our right standing (decisions), leadership, pattern and example; yet, we have sadly designated cities as harvest for evangelism only. We have stopped asking for them. Perhaps because we feel that is not our calling or vocation.
But cities are a part of the inheritance we leave for children. When the Israelites invaded Jericho, God gave them cities and told them to root out the enemy and take territories by tribes:
"For if you diligently keep all this commandment which I command you to do, to love the Lord your God, to walk in all His ways, and to cleave to Him--Then the Lord will drive out all these nations before you, and you shall dispossess nations greater and mightier than you. Every place upon which the sole of your foot shall tread shall be yours: from the wilderness to Lebanon, and from the River, the river Euphrates, to the western sea [the Mediterranean] your territory shall be. THERE shall no man be able to stand before you; the Lord your God shall lay the fear and the dread of you upon all the land that you shall tread, as He has said to you." (Duet 11:22-25)
God has promised you land and cities.
WHEN THE ISRAELITES WERE TOLD THEY WOULD DRIVE OUT NATIONS, STRONGER AND MIGHTIER THAN THEM, THERE WERE NO SOULS CONNECTED TO THE MISSION OR CONQUEST.
God gave them the cities because He loved them; so they (HIS PEOPLE) would be a city on a hill, exalted high above all nations in a particular region, territory and city, not just domicile. So, when we refuse to gain or take cities, we are denying an inheritance of our influence, favor, authority or dominion to the next generation and considered worse than an infidel.
Vines Expository Dictionary defines the verb form of "cities" as "banah" which means, "to build, establish, construct, rebuild." Vines adds:
"In its basic meaning, "banah" appears in Ge 8:20, where Noah is said to have "constructed" an ark. In Ge 4:17, "banah" means not only that Enoch built a city, but that he "founded" or "established" it. This verb can also mean "to manufacture," as in Eze 27:5: "They have made all thy ship boards of fir trees...." Somewhat in the same sense, we read that God "made" or "fashioned" Eve out of Adam's rib (Ge 2:22-the first biblical occurrence). In like manner, Asa began with the cities of Geba and Mizpah and "fortified" them or made them stronger or greater (1Ki 15:22). In each case, the verb suggests adding to existing material to fashion a new object. Metaphorically or figuratively, the verb "banah" is used to mean "building one's house"-i.e., having children. Sarai said to Abram, "I pray thee, go in unto my maid; it may be that I may obtain children by her" (Ge 16:2). It was the duty of the nearest male relative to conceive a child with the wife of a man who had died childless (Dt 25:9); he thus helped "to build up the house" of his deceased relative. Used figuratively, "to build a house" may also mean "to found a dynasty." (2Sa 7:27)."
You were designed to create a dynasty.
To build up a house is to build a city. To fortify an existing industry, company or department you work in is to build a city. It is to build something habitable and influential; a place where people could live, work, learn, worship and gain food or nourishment for survival.
Are you an employee or employee-preneur of influence?
Only one road leads to the role of an entrepreneur.
Examples of individuals who built cities:
King Rehoboam
"Rehoboam dwelt in Jerusalem and built over 15 cities for defense in Judah. He fortified the strongholds and put captains in them, with stores of food, oil, and vintage fruits. And in each city he put shields and spears, and made them very strong (2 Chr 11:5-12.)
The Israelites
"So they set over [the Israelites] taskmasters to afflict and oppress them with [increased] burdens. And [the Israelites] built Pithom and Rameses as store cities for Pharaoh. But the more [the Egyptians] oppressed them, the more they multiplied and expanded, so that [the Egyptians] were vexed and alarmed because of the Israelites." (Ex 1:10-12)
King Solomon
"AT THE end of twenty years, in which Solomon had built the house of the Lord and his own house, The cities which Huram had given to [him] Solomon rebuilt and fortified, and caused the Israelites to dwell there." (2 Chr. 8:1-3)
King Asa
"Also Asa took out of all the cities of Judah the idolatrous high places and the incense altars. And the kingdom had rest under his reign. And he built fortified cities in Judah, for the land had rest. He had no war in those years, for the Lord gave him peace. Therefore he said to Judah, Let us build these cities and surround them with walls, towers, gates, and bars. The land is still ours, because we sought the Lord our God; we have sought Him [yearning for Him with all our desire] and He has given us rest and peace on every side. So they built and prospered. (2 Chr. 14:5-7)
King Jehoshaphat
"And Jehoshaphat became very great. He built in Judah fortresses and store cities, and he had many works in the cities of Judah, and soldiers, mighty men of courage, in Jerusalem." (2 Chr. 17:11-13)
King Uzziah
"He set himself to seek God in the days of Zechariah, who instructed him in the things of God; and as long as he sought (inquired of, yearned for) the Lord, God made him prosper. He went out against the Philistines and broke down the walls of Gath, of Jabneh, and of Ashdod, and built cities near Ashdod and elsewhere among the Philistines. And God helped him against the Philistines..." (2 Chr. 26:5-7)
King of the Universe
"[I am the Lord] Who confirms the word of His servant and performs the counsel of His messengers, Who says of Jerusalem, She shall [again] be inhabited, and of the cities of Judah, They shall [again] be built, and I will raise up their ruins..." (Isaiah 44:25-27)
By the Spirit of God, you can build cities, not just live in them. You can build companies, not merely work in them - BUT YOU MAKE THE DECISION.
Today, how big is YOUR city?
What are you building in it right now?
Are you prospering in it?
One of the great Hebrew words for prosperity in the OT is: "tsaleach or tsalach" which means: to press through with great pressure, to break out, to advance, to be well, righteous, overcome great odds, be profitable, cause to make one prosper, make progress or succeed.
Your life and leadership must embody that in 2011.
Please TELL US what YOUR FAVORITE Champion BYTE was in 2010 and how Champions Unleashed has impacted your life.
SOMEONE SICK IN YOUR LIFE?: I have prepared a Psalms 23 Prayer for those of you who are waging warfare against a sickness in your life or with someone you love. CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD.
