2022: From Crossing OUT OF to Crossing INTO
Dogs Win 33-18 and are National Champions!
I am combining my usual prophetic word for the new year with a word on the College Football Championship game. The Georgia Bulldogs defeated the Alabama Crimson Tide 33-18 and won their first national title since 1980. Out of that game was highlighted the “Cinderella story” of Georgia’s, winning quarterback Stetson Bennett IV who was originally a non-scholarship “walk-on” quarterback. Even this year he was not the starter until an injury to the starter propelled him into the opportunity he took full advantage of, even while being doubted all year. Stetson is 5’ 11” and rather slight and schoolboy looking. He was the 104th ranked quarterback coming out of high school. Quarterbacks of this ranking almost never make it to the big programs as they have their choice of the 4 and 5 star athletes. After the game, I read an article on him as he was the offensive star of the game: “The hero was all at once easy to spot and yet impossible to see. Like he’s always been.” Stetson Bennett IV does not look like a star. Appropriately enough, during the season he had to shelter himself from the multitude of social media comments doubting he could ever win “the big one” should Georgia ever get there. He ditched his phone for a flip phone to not have to deal with all that opinion of peers and “experts” and to keep himself focused on what mattered.
The Second Crossing
I have talked much about the rescue operation from heaven—that it is “a Red Sea moment” such as the children of Israel experienced. This was the crossing led by Moses where the pursuing chariots of Pharaoh and Egypt were permanently destroyed in the Red Sea. This rescue operation has been very applicable for our present world circumstances and is still in process. However, here in 2022, the Lord wants us shifting to the second crossing that Israel had to do—the Jordan River crossing into the Promised Land. That crossing was led by Moses’ protege Joshua. Whereas the first crossing was an exit or exodus, this was now an entrance into the new. This will be the increasing focus in 2022.
From Crimson Tide to Dogs
I have also repeatedly connected the Alabama Crimson Tide victories (including last year’s national championship) with this Red Sea moment for us. Alabama has been the dominant team for these last years, and even this season, just a month ago. They defeated Georgia, winning the SEC (conference) championship. Both teams were champions but Georgia stepped into the next level of victory. Georgia’s head coach, Kirby Smart, was Alabama’s coach protege and top assistant for many years before taking that head position for Georgia (note the Joshua/Moses relationship). Kirby Smart had come in second in all previous games against his mentor Nick Saban, but it was now time to come in first. Joshua came in first when it was time for the second crossing— no longer just OUT of Egypt but now INTO the Promised Land. His key leader as many of you may remember for this mission was Caleb. The word Caleb in Hebrew means DOG. So the Dogs are the Caleb’s. The Crimson Tide (or Red Sea) of what Jesus did on the cross is forever of immense eternal value—but we are empowered beyond our salvation. His rescue of us through the Cross sends us into kingdom inheritance where “as He is so are we in this world.” This is the shift we are to make in 2022. No longer just those who have been rescued from the death and control agenda, but now the rescuers and the deliverers ourselves. As Caleb famously stated, “the giants will be bread for us.” Big enemies are still ahead of us, but we will get even stronger taking them out. The very act of taking them out is nutrition for us. The Red Sea challenge makes the Calebs more determined. We are not just leaving slavery. We are entering freedom and its many privileges.
You Win with 33
There is great significance in the winning score. Jesus was 33 both when He redeemed us on the cross (Red Sea) and when He resurrected from the dead (Jordan means dead) and gave us “all authority in heaven and earth” to disciple nations (Promised Land). Furthermore, Psalms 33, which begins with,
“It’s time to sing and shout for joy! Go ahead, ALL YOU REDEEMED ONES, do it! Praise Him with all you have, for praise looks lovely on the lips of God’s devoted lovers,”
(Passion Translation) is a Psalm just full of life for us at this time.
“He is true to His promises, His word can be trusted, and everything He does is reliable and right. The Lord loves seeing JUSTICE ON THE EARTH.” (verses 4 and 5)
Also, “With His breath He scatters the schemes of nations who oppose Him; THEY WILL NEVER SUCCEED. His destiny plan for earth stands sure, His forever plan remains in place and will never fail.”
The entire chapter is how safe it is to put our complete trust in Him.
You Win with 33 and 34
For Georgia to get to the national championship they had to play the Michigan Wolverines, who they defeated 34-11. So in their final two big wins they scored 34 and then 33. Deuteronomy has 34 chapters and then the book of Joshua begins. In Deuteronomy 33, Moses gives a pre-entry to the Promised Land blessing to all 12 of the tribes. In Deuteronomy 34, Moses passes on at age 120 leaving Joshua for the Promised Land assignment. The numbers 33 and 34 are big for what they represent. Don’t get freaked out about them being big numbers with the illuminati and the secret societies. The devil is an eternal thief and doesn’t even have the originality or confidence to create his own special colors or numbers. He steals 3’s and 5’s and 7’s (and more) and he steals and distorts colors. For example, the color red is huge with the illuminati. He is just a thief though. The key colors and the key numbers are all God’s and therefore ours. Never forget it. Counterfeit hundred dollar bills don’t invalidate real hundred dollar bills.
So Deuteronomy 33 and 34 are the transition chapters into the Promised Land conquest led by Joshua. Psalms 33 and 34 are also both huge and applicable. I covered some of Psalm 33 but make sure to dig in and be encouraged by Psalm 34.
“Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them ALL.” (v. 19)
“The face of the Lord is against those who do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.” (v. 16)
“He delivered me from ALL my fears.” (v. 4)
You say, ah that is all coincidence on the 33 and 34 and Georgia winning with 33 and 34? Well both chapters have 22 verses and this is 2022. Maybe a God-incidence. For an additional 34 insights read Ezekiel 34. Remember Georgia scored 34 to defeat “wolverines.” This chapter is all about the exposure of the false shepherds and about the Lord Himself finding “rich pasture on the mountains” (v. 14) for His sheep. This is going to be a big deal in 2022 and worth an entire write up itself.
Time for the Stetson’s to Arise
I want to circle back to winning quarterback, Stetson Bennett IV. The antihero-hero. In that key Psalms 33 it says,
“Even if the best warrior went to battle, he could not be saved simply by his strength alone. Human strength and the weapons of man are false hopes for victory; they seem mighty, but they will always disappoint.” (v.16, 17)
Now do you remember the winning score? 33-18. Well, the very next verse is Psalms 33:18 and it says, “The eyes of the Lord are upon EVEN THE WEAKEST worshipers who love him— those who wait in hope and expectation for the strong, steady love of God.” It goes on to say they will be delivered from death and famine.
Stetsons are a famous brand of wide-brimmed hats, but the word itself means “the child of one who is crowned.” Is that not amazing?! WHO you are because of WHOSE you are! Stetson’s last name is Bennett. Bennett literally means “little blessed one.” See the words “child”, “little”, “even the weakest” all mentioned here? The "Caleb dogs" are strengthened in the right identity and the right narrative. We are not abandoned orphans but children of “One who is crowned.” We are not being delivered over to the Hittites and other “ites” of the Promised Land, nor to the already drowned Pharaoh. Yes, as Israel of that day, for the first time in 400 years (because even though they were slaves they weren’t taking on the actual giants) we are facing truly big, existential-threat enemies. Promised Land is obtained only after dealing with enemies who can theoretically wipe you out. It purifies and strengthens faith and trust in God.
Adonai Scores the Winning Touchdown
Stetson Bennett’s winning touchdown pass, right after he had made a big costly fumble, was to a receiver named Adonai Mitchell. Do you see that? ADONAI scores the winning touchdown. It is a co- laboring between “a little blessed child of one who is crowned” and Adonai (the Lord God). Stetson Bennett’s number is 13. The 1 Corinthians 13 "love that never fails" is our “number.” Adonai Mitchell’s number is 5. 5 is the number of grace. We win with 13/love and 5/grace teaming up. Does this game seem a bit orchestrated by heaven? Just as an add on, Georgia’s star defensive player of the whole year, considered unmovable on defense, is 6’ 6”, 350 lbs. JORDAN Davis. We have the Dogs (the Calebs), led by a Stetson (a crowned one), defended by a Jordan (the second crossing), who win when an Adonai (Our God) secures the ball for the winning score. The best is yet to come. And Trump still has a major role.
-Johnny Enlow