I Samuel 14: 4 And between the passages, by which Jonathan sought to go over unto the Philistines’ garrison, there was a sharp rock on the one side, and a sharp rock on the other side: and the name of the one was Bozez, and the name of the other Seneh.5 The forefront of the one was situate northward over against Michmash, and the other southward over against Gibeah. 6 And Jonathan said to the young man that bare his armour, Come, and let us go over unto the garrison of these uncircumcised: it may be that the Lord will work for us: for there is no restraint to the Lord to save by many or by few. 7 And his armourbearer said unto him, Do all that is in thine heart: turn thee; behold, I am with thee according to thy heart. 8 Then said Jonathan, Behold, we will pass over unto these men, and we will discover ourselves unto them.
A few chapters after this David went to face Goliath. Israel’s army wouldn’t do it but a young boy who tended sheep decided he would. He was willing to meet Goliath and told him that the Lord would give him into his hands. He was fearless. Maybe what Jonathan did here in this chapter inspired David. It should be an inspiration to all of us.
The Philistines were a large people; Goliath was close to 10 feet tall. Jonathan was a little fellow as most Jews are. It doesn’t matter how short we are or feel. It’s not our size; it’s the faith we have in our God. It’s not about us getting high and mighty; it’s about giving God glory. Jonathan said they needed to go down. Why? It may be that the Lord will work for us. There’s not a one of us that doesn’t need God to work for us. We’d be dead if not for his help. The Philistines of this world want to invade our space and wound us. They don’t care if it’s physical or just to discourage us. The forces of wickedness are strong upon us to destroy us. There’s nothing God can’t do for us if we stick together….and….it may be the Lord will work for us.
The Philistines weren’t dumb. They were strategists. Bordering the sea they had things Israel’s army didn’t. They were good at weapon making. Chapter 13 verse 19 says there was no smith in Israel. They had no way to make weapons. All they had were farm tools. Saul said to sharpen them. You may feel the enemy has weapons to destroy you and all you have is a Bible and prayer. That which God has given works. He’ll help us rise with what will help us and others. Sharpen the hoes and get ready.
Jonathan had a sword as did Saul. However, Saul was sitting under the tree doing nothing. God has given us tools to face the enemy. He can work through us and for us. It’s not how many swords and knives and daggers we have. God gave us tools to use. Hasn’t he helped you fell that old “tree” in your life! Jonathan saw the stalemate. The Philistines were on one side; Israel the other. There was a rock and it was enough. Stand on the Rock of Ages and move for the Lord. Jonathan got tired of waiting on his dad to do something. He got his armor bearer and said they’d go down.
Don’t wait on someone else to do something. Don’t give up on the Lord working. We’ll never get rid of the devil and be trouble free as long as we’re in this world. The Lord will take care of the enemy one day for good. Until then, be like Jonathan. He didn’t wait for the Philistines to come to him; he went to them. Face it. Put faith in the Lord. Whatever your little bit is, take hold of it. Jesus said we can move mountains if we have faith the size of a grain of mustard seed.
Verse 13 says Jonathan climbed up upon his hands and upon his feet, and his armourbearer after him: and they fell before Jonathan; and his armourbearer slew after him. They didn’t hide from the Philistines. When they saw them they sort of made fun of them. Sometimes the climb is rough and we don’t see how we’ll get over. Keep climbing. Jonathan told his armor bearer in verses 8-10 Behold, we will pass over unto these men, and we will discover ourselves unto them. If they say thus unto us, Tarry until we come to you; then we will stand still in our place, and will not go up unto them. But if they say thus, Come up unto us; then we will go up: for the Lord hath delivered them into our hand: and this shall be a sign unto us. Being smaller they could move quickly compared to the big men of the Philistines. Sure enough when the Philistines saw them they said Come up to us, and we will shew you a thing. Jonathan knew the Lord had given the Philistines to them. They killed the first slaughter in a space about the size of this church. The Lord worked. The rest of them trembled. The Philistines got confused and started beating each other up.
The wicked flaunt their wickedness in our face. Let’s believe, wade in, and meet the challenges of our day. What better weapon than the Word of God? Wade in with fearlessness. God doesn’t want us to use our fists; use his. The enemy will turn tail and run. The battle is not ours. It is the Lord’s! Face it. It may be that the Lord will work. We need victory now. We have to stand firm for the Lord. Put the battles into his hands completely. Go in the name of the Lord and see how the Lord works.
Adwolfe Freewill Baptist Church 