Definition of a scarecrow –

 

• An object, usually a figure of a person in old clothes, set up to frighten crows or other birds away from crops. 
• Anything frightening but not really dangerous.
• A person in ragged clothes.
• An extremely thin person.  

To understand the "scarecrow," one must look at its natural purposes and qualities, as stated in the definitions and their use.

• It is built and owned by a person.
• It is placed in their field to scare off the birds and other predators of the crops planted.
• It is made to appear alive, though having no life.
• A scarecrow is “a sign of ownership,” over that field, with each one bearing the marks of the one who made it.
• It is not moved or shifted, even when work is being done in the fields, with people working around it but never moving it.
• It is believed to have had some magical powers by many.
• It is a form of a crucifix, as a good omen and blessing for crops.
• It is the root from which we get the word, “bogeyman,” and “bogeywife.”
• It is most often burned at the end of its usefulness, when the crops are all in and their field’s stubble is being burned.

A look at this over 3,000 year old “field watchman,” will reveal that is has a spiritual root from its inception, with many believing that it has magical powers to ward off evil and to pronounce blessings – a kind of “scarecrow intercessor,” if you will. 

• It was a silent sentinel that stood guard over the fields (the field is the world) during the seedtime, (planting of the Word of God) growing time (the watering and weeding season in which the seed grows to maturity) and harvest time (the ingathering of the mature crop into the barn).

This is a picture in type of revival harvest.

 

Matt 9:36-38 - But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the laborers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth laborers into his harvest.

 

As I said, it was man-made, in the same way the idols God despised were crafted. 

• People placed a lot of confidence in the scarecrow and its powers to “ward off evil.”
• It is made of garments, often stuffed with straw, sometimes hanging limp, and hung upon a cross-like pole in the garden.
• Though it has a body with arms, legs torso and head in tact with eyes, nose and mouth, it cannot move, speak, hear, see or act on any level, for any reason.
• It has no heart or mind and like an idol, it has no power.

Jeremiah 10:5

They are upright as the palm tree, but speak not: they must needs be borne, because they cannot go. Be not afraid of them; for they cannot do evil, neither also is it in them to do good.

 

Spurgeon - "Jeremiah and Isaiah were very specific on what constitutes idolatry.  The idols were like dead, 'lifeless scarecrows," (Jeremiah10:5) who can do nothing.  In contrast, the "true God" is living, active and can respond to our request."

 

[They are upright ...] Rather, "They are like a palm tree of turned work.  Some translate thus: "They are like pillar's in a garden of cucumbers, i. e." like the blocks set up to frighten away the birds.

(From Barnes' Notes)

 

Jeremiah 10:5

They (Idols) are upright as the palm tree.  [They] (the idols) [are like a post] (like a scarecrow) [in a garden of cucumbers].

(From Wycliffe Commentary)

 

Jeremiah 10:5

When the images were finished, they were fastened in their places with hammer and nails…(From Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament)

 

They are always associated with the field in the battle to "protect the crop," (though they are really powerless to do anything to stop anything or anyone from bringing harm to the seed or plants.

• Even though it looks scary at first to the birds, eventually they will even light on the scarecrow, once they learn it has no power to hurt them. 

Listen to this quote:

 

"The scarecrows stood with their arms spread, their faces turned to the south, dressed in funny rags, in threadbare clothes. I observed that neither the crows, nor the countless other birds or even wild boars felt any respect for the scarecrows. Perhaps they had got used to them, learnt about their real helplessness."

• In other words, the birds have the brains, the power, and the ability to outwit the scarecrow.

Here is the spiritual typology of "bird," for if you have a scarecrow it is because there are birds there to eat the seed:

• Bird - Spirit:  Holy Spirit, John 1:32; demon, Rev. 18:2; man, gossip, message, Ecc. 10:20. 

Spiritually, let's look at this.  In the first glance it would appear that the scarecrow would be a positive force to help protect the harvest seed.  This would represent a person who is involved in intercession and warfare on some level concerning the harvest field of a certain area.

 

• The Scarecrow represents a person, possibly a new believer who lacks wisdom and training or someone who desires to be used of God, but has yet to recognize the cost of the inward work the Holy Spirit in their life.
• They want to work in the harvest field, protect, do the warfare, but they lack the inside power of God in their life to make a real difference.

 Simon was a new believer who saw the power and thought he could get it by buying it. 

 

• People today believe that they can pay the price to go to a conference, get someone to lay their hands on them and impart these power gifts in a moment's time. 
• They often leave with the idea that they are "going to be elevated to a place of great power and authority." 

 They may mean well, but are not prepared for what they are undertaking. 

 

• Like the scarecrow, they enter into a field with the ability to "scare the crows (demons)" at which time these spirit realize that this empty garment has no power. 
• They lack the spiritual substance to stand up against the onslaught of the "crows," even though they wanted to guard the harvest field. 

Look at the following report from a person who was researching scarecrows.  (This is a good picture and typology of "spiritual warfare" over the harvest field.  Notice this person use of the phrases, “watchtower,” and “fruit of the labor.”)

 

"I saw watch towers and scarecrows.  The scarecrows were placed in different parts of the fields to scare away birds that would come to devour the fruits of the labor.  On the watch towers the watchmen could see the part of the field that they were accountable for and make sure it was safe and secure.  I saw eagles dogging the steps of some of the field workers and trying to pursue them, instead of soaring, and capturing prey, they were attacking the tenants of the fields, or they were attacking one another in the air."

 

I will call these people "SCARECROW WARRIORS"

 

Look at the following 2 scriptures:

 

Acts 8:17-23
17 Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.
18 And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money,
19 Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.
20 But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.
21 Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God.
22 Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.
23 For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity.

Acts 19:13-16
13 Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth.
14 And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the priests, which did so.
15 And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye?
16 And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.

 

The straw/stubble they are stuffed with represents the works, motives, ignorance, presumption, pride, self-life from which they draw their inspiration and strength. 

 

• They appear to see, hear and know but they are really unable to discern properly the field they are in.
• They have been placed by another's hand, i.e., received some prophecy, impartation, teaching or something that has left them with the impression that they are "called to the battle."
• They have been filled with techniques, methods, ideas and other popular ideas about what they are doing, but they are not filled with the Spirit of God in their belly.
• Within their field of labor, they have nothing from the well of their spirit from which to draw so they draw from their own personal resources, which is the straw in their belly.

1 Cor 3:11-13

11        For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

12        Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;

13        Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.

  

"The Scarecrow Warriors"

 

This one believes they are a warrior, scaring away the demonic forces with their presence, but the contents of their life makes them harmless to the demonic realm.

 

Their life is filled with straw and stubble rather than the Word of God.  Wood, Hay and Stubble represents our works out of wrong motives or ignorance.  The wisdom and the knowledge of the Lord is lacking in what they do. 

• Often, they are like the “scarecrow” in the Wizard of Oz, seeking “their brain,” meaning knowledge, from a source that is not the Holy Spirit.

Many intercessors are actually acessing familiar spirits and do not even realize they have opened themselves up to these spirits in their quest for more knowledge and power. 

 

The realm of the spirit is replete with danger if one is not filled with the Word of God and the Fear of God. 

 

Here's another take on the "Scarecrow Warrior." 

 

If you go into a large shopping mall, you will see many security cameras installed everywhere to help capture "shoplifters" (ravens/crows), those people who come into a store (field) and steal the merchandise (crop) of the stores.  The interesting thing is this…

 

• Some cameras are called "scarecrows," because they neither record nor are monitored.
• They are just set to "look as if they are working," hence the name, "scarecrows."

Here's another take on the 'Scarecrow Warrior."

 

Have you heard the saying, "They are so skinny and unkempt," that "They look like a scarecrow?"  This is indicative of a condition in which the "Christian" is not built up in their faith and in the Holy Ghost. 

 

• These "Scarecrow Warriors" need to get into the Word of God, get their lives cleaned up and get filled with the Spirit of God. 
• They need to understand the need for anyone entering into any kind of warfare to take care of their personal condition before God. 
• They need to be fully armored up.

Eph 6:13-18

13        Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

14        Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;

15        And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

16        Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

17        And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

18        Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

God Bless the Faithful Watchman on the Wall of the Church!