The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my heart and mind in 1 Samuel 20:34,
"Jonathan got up from the table in fierce anger; on that second day of the feast he did not eat, because he was grieved at his father's shameful treatment of David."
Look at these two proverbs, "A wise son heeds his father's instruction..." Proverbs 13:1a; and "Listen to your father, who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old." Proverbs 32:22. Also, the fifth of the ten commandments, "Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you." Exodus 20:12.
Here we see Jonathan between a rock and a hard place. He was King Saul's son, and given the verses above, one might think he should have followed his father's wishes, his commands. Yet, Jonathan loved David as himself and found himself in the position of either honoring his father or providing safe haven for his friend David. Both could not be done as Saul purposed to take David's life, and Jonathan had to make his choice. A part of that choice included that Jonathan knew the Lord had decided to take the throne from his father Saul and give it to David, 1 Samuel 23:17.
As we read 1 Samuel, we might think Jonathan's allegiance to David was a no-brainer... however, view it from Jonathan's situation and from within the context of that situation. To provide safe haven for David, Jonathan would have to treat his father's desires and directions with contempt (well, at least subordinate them). Jonathan made his choice, and most of us would agree it was the right choice. Even though the Scriptures taught that a son is to honor his father, obey his parents, even when an adult, God's agenda took priority (and certainly Jonathan's love for David fostered his decision in a big way.)
We at times find ourselves in Jonathan's shoes. We might be told one thing in the Scriptures, and yet an alternative that appears to bear God's aggressive agenda presents itself. What to do?
While it is readily apparent that there are those who look for some "loop-hole" in the Scriptures to avoid some God-given responsibility and approach the Scriptures the way a lawyer might approach civil and criminal law (as in, can I divorce my wife? What do the Scriptures allow me to do?) There are others who legitimately encounter events that require a sifting of what it is God has said, and struggle to find what God would have them do. I'm thinking here of situations where, say, ungodly parents tell their teenager to curb their participation and interest in church, youth group, Bible study, etc.
These can often be difficult to wrestle with. I'm certain there are some good guidelines to follow when we find ourselves conflicted with differing directions in our efforts to live our lives for God. Seek godly counsel, insure we really understand what the Scriptures might be saying on more than one side of an issue, having a firm grasp on what the Lord's agenda is, his priories, etc. are all important.
God pursues his agenda (the building of his kingdom, his family) aggressively in the milieu of real life. As such, we surely need to know our God well, his Scriptures he has provided us, and learn to seek godly counsel when we are faced with a Jonathan dilemma.
We may pray along with Paul, "We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light." Colossians 1:9-12.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.
Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com
"Jonathan got up from the table in fierce anger; on that second day of the feast he did not eat, because he was grieved at his father's shameful treatment of David."
Look at these two proverbs, "A wise son heeds his father's instruction..." Proverbs 13:1a; and "Listen to your father, who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old." Proverbs 32:22. Also, the fifth of the ten commandments, "Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you." Exodus 20:12.
Here we see Jonathan between a rock and a hard place. He was King Saul's son, and given the verses above, one might think he should have followed his father's wishes, his commands. Yet, Jonathan loved David as himself and found himself in the position of either honoring his father or providing safe haven for his friend David. Both could not be done as Saul purposed to take David's life, and Jonathan had to make his choice. A part of that choice included that Jonathan knew the Lord had decided to take the throne from his father Saul and give it to David, 1 Samuel 23:17.
As we read 1 Samuel, we might think Jonathan's allegiance to David was a no-brainer... however, view it from Jonathan's situation and from within the context of that situation. To provide safe haven for David, Jonathan would have to treat his father's desires and directions with contempt (well, at least subordinate them). Jonathan made his choice, and most of us would agree it was the right choice. Even though the Scriptures taught that a son is to honor his father, obey his parents, even when an adult, God's agenda took priority (and certainly Jonathan's love for David fostered his decision in a big way.)
We at times find ourselves in Jonathan's shoes. We might be told one thing in the Scriptures, and yet an alternative that appears to bear God's aggressive agenda presents itself. What to do?
While it is readily apparent that there are those who look for some "loop-hole" in the Scriptures to avoid some God-given responsibility and approach the Scriptures the way a lawyer might approach civil and criminal law (as in, can I divorce my wife? What do the Scriptures allow me to do?) There are others who legitimately encounter events that require a sifting of what it is God has said, and struggle to find what God would have them do. I'm thinking here of situations where, say, ungodly parents tell their teenager to curb their participation and interest in church, youth group, Bible study, etc.
These can often be difficult to wrestle with. I'm certain there are some good guidelines to follow when we find ourselves conflicted with differing directions in our efforts to live our lives for God. Seek godly counsel, insure we really understand what the Scriptures might be saying on more than one side of an issue, having a firm grasp on what the Lord's agenda is, his priories, etc. are all important.
God pursues his agenda (the building of his kingdom, his family) aggressively in the milieu of real life. As such, we surely need to know our God well, his Scriptures he has provided us, and learn to seek godly counsel when we are faced with a Jonathan dilemma.
We may pray along with Paul, "We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light." Colossians 1:9-12.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.
Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com
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