Most guys love “buddy” movies. These flicks seem to really resonate with men, reminding us of our own experiences and exploits with a good friend or stirring in us a longing to have that kind of buddy with whom to share life’s ups and downs. Whether its jumping off a cliff to escape the bad guys, keeping Gotham City safe, or explaining why SpongeBob SquarePants can’t get his driver’s license, we need buddies in our lives. After all, Butch Cassidy had the Sundance Kid, Batman had Robin (at least in the television show), Laurel had Hardy, Sears had Roebuck, Dr. Frankenstein had Igor, Sacco had Vanzetti, Pomp had Circumstance, and Bait had Switch. Even where the protagonist is seemingly a one man show, there is more often than not another that is involved, if only peripherally, out of the limelight.
While recently rereading the biblical account of David’s conquest of Goliath, a line of text jumped out at me, grabbed me by what is left of my hair, kneed me in the bridge of my nose, and pushed me down a flight of stairs in an abandoned warehouse. It didn’t? A movie scene? lolz. I did take notice of something that I never saw before in what is a very familiar story. “And his shield-bearer went before him.” (1 Sam. 17:7) Wait. WHAT? All of the information preceding this sentence tells us what a badhiney (you’re welcome) Goliath was. And yet, he had a shield bearer, one that went before him into battle. I’m more intrigued by this dude than almost anyone else in the Bible. How did he get that gig? In what ways did he protect this Philistine champion in previous skirmishes? Did he also caddy for him on weekends? What did he do after Goliath was killed? Was he able to retire to the Villages of Gath, or was he told to clean out his desk and hit the bricks?
For every Dynamic Duo battling diabolical villains, there are countless other anonymous combos that encourage one another to cast out demons, go tell it on the mountain, give a cup of cold water, or to just not grow weary in well doing. It may be that you are the champion or the champion’s shield bearer in a given scenario or season. Perhaps you are both called to be shield bearers. What matters is that we be found faithful (Prov. 17:17, 18:24). But much more, that our friendships equip and strengthen us to glorify God and enjoy him in our lives.*
* Westminster Shorter Catechism
Q. 1. What is the chief end of man?
A. Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever.