1 Samuel 14:6-7 and 34-35 - Jonathan said to his young armor-bearer,
"Come, let's go over to the outpost of those uncircumcised
fellows. Perhaps the LORD will act in our behalf. Nothing can
hinder the LORD from saving, whether by many or by few." "Do all that you
have in mind," his armor-bearer said. "Go ahead; I am with you heart
and soul."
Then he said,
"Go out among the men and tell them, 'Each of you bring me your cattle and
sheep, and slaughter them here and eat them. Do not sin against the LORD by
eating meat with blood still in it.' " So everyone brought
his ox that night and slaughtered it there. Then Saul built an altar to the
LORD; it was the first time he had done this.
As Saul sat in confusion and doubt…his Son Jonathan rose
with his armor bearer and crept quietly out of camp. He acted on the knowledge that God was still
with him…and he was powerful enough to conquer the enemy before them. He knew
that God could deliver the Philistine army into his hand….even if he went
alone. And that is exactly what happened…
Jonathan killed the first twenty or so…then God confused the Philistines so
much that they killed each other.
The scene rallied the entire army back to its feet…as the
Israelite soldiers started coming out of their hiding places to join in the
slaughter. The fought with renewed hope
and zeal…they found new courage to complete the task before them through the
confidence of Jonathan. Verse 23 sums it
up best…. “ So the LORD rescued Israel that day, and the
battle moved on beyond Beth Aven.” Saul
even built his first altar that day… to cook the animals of the plunder…and
prevent the men from sinning and eating undrained meat.
This story paints for us the two existing viewpoints of God
that we all seem to have. Jonathan…full
of confidence and strength in a God he takes with him before battle… and Saul
who builds him an altar as an afterthought.
Jonathan holds in his heart the knowledge of all the mighty miracles God
has done before his lifetime….expecting God to do the same for him. Saul waits in misery and confusion ….going
through the motions of asking God for help…but then doing what he thinks will
be best. Jonathan….full of courage and faith.
Saul…clinging to just the pieces of God that he wants…using God as some
lucky charm in his life.
If I am honest with myself…I must admit that I act more like
Saul than I do Jonathan. I ask God for help…but don’t always wait on his
timing. I have always desired to be more like Jonathan…but satan somehow tricks
me into never fully grasping God’s complete power in my life. And as I read Matthew Henry’s commentary on
the chapter…I was reminded of 2 Timothy3:5
which says…. “having a form of godliness
but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.” It hits home as I read that verse…that if I
don’t begin to be more like Jonathan…people are being told to have nothing to
do with me.
Father…I thank you for this story that helps me see that I
am not truly what you want me to be. Help me to shake off the feelings of
insecurity and doubt that I share with Saul…and put on the courage and attitude
of Jonathan. Show me how to sidestep the tricks of satan…that prevent me from
seeking your full power in my life. Show me how to step out with new expectations
of the power you can give me to complete what you need me to do. Amen.
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