1 Samuel 14:11-24
The Philistines might call the pe ple of God “Hebrews” as Saul had done, but Jonathan said to his armor-bearer, “Come up after me: for the Lord hath delivered them into the hand of Israel.” To him they were “Israel,” the name grace had given to them. Indeed Jonathan did not say, The Lord hath delivered them into our hands, but he counts himself and his helper as but instruments in the Lord’s hand on behalf of His people. When we think of the sad condition of the people of God at this time, we can surely say that this was the language of faith.
The first encounter was not an easy one, for after climbing up the rocks on their hands and feet they met about twenty men—ten against one—but the Lord was with them, and pressing forward they slew the whole twenty. When we undertake to do something for the Lord, He often allows us to feel the difficulties before He comes in. Do not be discouraged by this, dear young Christian, for the Lord wants us to be cast upon Him, lest we should boast of what we have done. He must have all the glory, and surely He is worthy.
After this first encounter, fear fell upon the whole host of the Philistines, as well as upon all the people and even the spoilers who had gone out to spoil the land of Israel. The very earth trembled, and the Philistines began to beat one another down. The Lord had given the victory by the hands of two men having only one sword of their own. Truly “Salvation is of the Lord.” Jonah 2: 9.
When the watchmen of Saul saw the multitude of their enemies melting away, they came to Saul under the pomegranate tree and told him. Saul did not know who had gone out against them, so he numbered the people and found that Jonathan and his armor-bearer were missing. Even then he did not act in the energy of faith and go out at once to the battle, but delayed to find out who had gone out first. We ought not to be concerned about whom the Lord is using, but rather be content that He is working. How easily we, like Saul here, become occupied with the instrument instead of with the Lord, who alone can bless. Then Saul called for the ark of God, pretending to want the Lord’s mind about what he should do. In the previous chapter he had acted without waiting, but here he waited when he ought to have acted. That the Lord was working there could be no doubt, for the evidence of it was before his eyes. It was now a time to go foard, but poor Saul did not have faith, and the flesh never knows what to do or when to act in the things of God. As the noise of the battle increased, Saul said to the priest, “Withdraw thine hand.” He then went out with all the rest of the people, while those who had previously been hiding also came out to the battle, pressing hard after the Philistines, and the Lord saved His people that day.
But again we see the foolishness of unbelief and how it only spoils a work of God whenever it mixes itself up with it. Saul had been afraid of the Philistines when he should have been acting, and then he had caused a delay when the Lord was using Jonathan against them. He had pretended to be seeking the Lord’s mind when Jonathan knew it and was acting accordingly; now he puts a curse upon all those whc eat any food that day until he is enged of his enemies. How foolish is the “prudence” and religiousness of unbelief!
ML 08/01/1954