Memory – Hebrews 11.6 And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him
You know that your relationship with God is predicated on believing that Jesus has died in your place for the forgiveness of your sin. And, as we have seen, we are to live by faith not my sight. There is, however, a counterintuitive aspect to faith. That is, sometimes when all the facts are considered and a logical choice appears incontrovertibly “obvious,” there is gnawing inward compelling that leads you in the opposite direction. David’s friend Jonathan and his armor bearer are examples of this kind of faith.
Jonathan understood the unique covenant relationship between Israel and Yahweh. This is evident in his identifying the Philistines who were attacking Israel as “those uncircumcised fellows.” It is the same term of reproach used by David in his description of Goliath (1 Samuel 17.26, 36). Jonathan understood that Israel belongs to God (Exodus 19.5-6). Jonathan acted on a biblical principle that few people practice; namely, that the believer is not alone. God protects and fights for those who are his own. They are sheltered by divine providence (cp. Luke 13.34). This principle is everywhere evident in the Bible. For example, Isaiah writes: I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them (Isaiah 42.16; cp. 40.4; 45.2). I love Psalm 121 which reads in part: I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. … the Lord will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life. The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore.
To appreciate fully the significance of Jonathan’s bold attack on a Philistine outpost, one needs to be cognizant of the great military disparity between Israel and Philistia. Philistines dominated the Mediterranean coastal area between Egypt and Gaza. During the period of the Judges there had been a number of military encounters with the Israelites (e.g. Judges 15). Military and political conflict between these two groups escalated as the theocracy of the Judges drew to a close with the judgeship of Samuel. Continued incursion of Philistines into Israelite territory demanded a resolution to this conflict. Up to this point Israel’s military response to Philistia had been mixed and could hardly be assessed as successful. Samson had a victory or two (Judges 16) and Samuel had restrained the army of Philistia at Mizpah (1 Samuel 7). Yet, the Ark of the Covenant had been captured at the battle of Aphek and the shrine at Shiloh was destroyed (1 Samuel 4). That the Ark was subsequently returned to Israel had nothing to do with their military dominance (1 Samuel 6). At the time of Saul’s anointing the Philistines probably controlled Esdraelon, the coast plain, the Negeb, and much of the hill-country. Moreover, 1 Samuel 13.19-22 indicates that the Philistines controlled the distribution of iron and had prohibited the Israelites from owning weapons. The vast Israelite army mentioned in 1 Samuel 11.8-11 had dwindled to a fraction of its original size, and the 600 soldiers remaining in Saul’s depleted army was scarcely a match for a Philistine force numbering in the thousands. Keep in mind that his meager band was woefully ill equipped for battle. Only Saul and Jonathan had metal weapons.
Given the seemingly insurmountable odds against them, it is astonishing that Jonathan should conspire with his armor bearer to slip away from the camp and reconnoiter the enemy’s position. However, Jonathan was a man motivated by faith in God and loyalty to the truth of God’s covenant relationship with Israel. Jonathan had an uncommon ability to discern the right course of action. Even in the most complicated situations he maintained a clear vision of God’s sovereign design for Israel. Consequently, when relationship between his father and his friend were conflicted, Jonathan acted with honor and integrity because his primary faith in God’s covenant promise never changed. Jonathan never put his own preservation or interests ahead of his obligation to do that which was right or to serve those whom he loved. Jonathan’s ability to trust God to deliver the Philistines into his hands, even though the odds were ten to one, is an exemplary model of biblical faith. So, with unwavering faith he encouraged his servant with these words: Come, let us go over to the garrison of these uncircumcised. It may be that the Lord will work for us, for nothing can hinder the Lord from saving by many or by few.” The response of faith from his armor bearer who carried no sword was this: “Do as you wish. Behold, I am with you heart and soul” (1 Samuel 14.6-7).
It is clearly evident that such faith is commended in Scripture. Where this type of faith is not readily forthcoming God seeks to foster it in the lives of his children. Sometimes people are gifted with a faith to recognize God’s ability to deliver them or grant them success in seemingly impossible situations and they unhesitatingly act on this assumption. Such was the case for Jonathan who like his soul mate, David, taunted Goliath with the words: All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give all of you into our hands(1 Samuel 17.47). Indeed, his goad was all the more pointed (pun intended) and his faith all the greater because the Israelites had neither spears nor swords. It may be you will face situations in life where the “obvious choice” does not resonate with the counterintuitive leadings of your heart of faith; at such times pray for discernment and following the Spirit’s leading.
Jonathan understood the unique covenant relationship between Israel and Yahweh. This is evident in his identifying the Philistines who were attacking Israel as “those uncircumcised fellows.” It is the same term of reproach used by David in his description of Goliath (1 Samuel 17.26, 36). Jonathan understood that Israel belongs to God (Exodus 19.5-6). Jonathan acted on a biblical principle that few people practice; namely, that the believer is not alone. God protects and fights for those who are his own. They are sheltered by divine providence (cp. Luke 13.34). This principle is everywhere evident in the Bible. For example, Isaiah writes: I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them (Isaiah 42.16; cp. 40.4; 45.2). I love Psalm 121 which reads in part: I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. … the Lord will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life. The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore.
To appreciate fully the significance of Jonathan’s bold attack on a Philistine outpost, one needs to be cognizant of the great military disparity between Israel and Philistia. Philistines dominated the Mediterranean coastal area between Egypt and Gaza. During the period of the Judges there had been a number of military encounters with the Israelites (e.g. Judges 15). Military and political conflict between these two groups escalated as the theocracy of the Judges drew to a close with the judgeship of Samuel. Continued incursion of Philistines into Israelite territory demanded a resolution to this conflict. Up to this point Israel’s military response to Philistia had been mixed and could hardly be assessed as successful. Samson had a victory or two (Judges 16) and Samuel had restrained the army of Philistia at Mizpah (1 Samuel 7). Yet, the Ark of the Covenant had been captured at the battle of Aphek and the shrine at Shiloh was destroyed (1 Samuel 4). That the Ark was subsequently returned to Israel had nothing to do with their military dominance (1 Samuel 6). At the time of Saul’s anointing the Philistines probably controlled Esdraelon, the coast plain, the Negeb, and much of the hill-country. Moreover, 1 Samuel 13.19-22 indicates that the Philistines controlled the distribution of iron and had prohibited the Israelites from owning weapons. The vast Israelite army mentioned in 1 Samuel 11.8-11 had dwindled to a fraction of its original size, and the 600 soldiers remaining in Saul’s depleted army was scarcely a match for a Philistine force numbering in the thousands. Keep in mind that his meager band was woefully ill equipped for battle. Only Saul and Jonathan had metal weapons.
Given the seemingly insurmountable odds against them, it is astonishing that Jonathan should conspire with his armor bearer to slip away from the camp and reconnoiter the enemy’s position. However, Jonathan was a man motivated by faith in God and loyalty to the truth of God’s covenant relationship with Israel. Jonathan had an uncommon ability to discern the right course of action. Even in the most complicated situations he maintained a clear vision of God’s sovereign design for Israel. Consequently, when relationship between his father and his friend were conflicted, Jonathan acted with honor and integrity because his primary faith in God’s covenant promise never changed. Jonathan never put his own preservation or interests ahead of his obligation to do that which was right or to serve those whom he loved. Jonathan’s ability to trust God to deliver the Philistines into his hands, even though the odds were ten to one, is an exemplary model of biblical faith. So, with unwavering faith he encouraged his servant with these words: Come, let us go over to the garrison of these uncircumcised. It may be that the Lord will work for us, for nothing can hinder the Lord from saving by many or by few.” The response of faith from his armor bearer who carried no sword was this: “Do as you wish. Behold, I am with you heart and soul” (1 Samuel 14.6-7).
It is clearly evident that such faith is commended in Scripture. Where this type of faith is not readily forthcoming God seeks to foster it in the lives of his children. Sometimes people are gifted with a faith to recognize God’s ability to deliver them or grant them success in seemingly impossible situations and they unhesitatingly act on this assumption. Such was the case for Jonathan who like his soul mate, David, taunted Goliath with the words: All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give all of you into our hands(1 Samuel 17.47). Indeed, his goad was all the more pointed (pun intended) and his faith all the greater because the Israelites had neither spears nor swords. It may be you will face situations in life where the “obvious choice” does not resonate with the counterintuitive leadings of your heart of faith; at such times pray for discernment and following the Spirit’s leading.
RSS Feed