People Follow Courage
It is one of cinema’s great quotes. From William Wallace played by Mel Gibson to the rightful albeit hesitant king Robert the Bruce of Scotland. While contemplating his next move for strategic political maneuvers, Robert is challenged by William with the following words, “Men do not follow titles, they follow courage.”
The quote proves to be a game changer for Robert the Bruce and Scotland after the death of William Wallace according to the fictional recounting of the movie Braveheart. It is nonetheless true in the scriptures and true today. We are meant to be courageous but everything within and without us seeks to stop it.
In 1 Samuel 14, while Saul is watching his army dwindle down to next to nothing, Jonathan poses a question to his armor bearer that brings about a sea-change for the nation of Israel. Instead of hiding and whimpering in the caves with the rest of the nation, Jonathan does what we all need to learn how to do. He challenges the status quo, he steps out from the shadows, he sees what “could be” instead of what “is.” He is a model for us all.
1 Samuel 14:6–7 (ESV) Jonathan said to the young man who carried his armor, “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.” 7 And his armor-bearer said to him, “Do all that is in your heart. Do as you wish. Behold, I am with you heart and soul.”
Then Jonathan decides to let the Philistine’s response be his “sign” for whether or not God will bless his endeavor. If Israel’s enemies call him and the armor bearer up, that’s the sign to move forward, if not, they won’t move. We need not make a lot out of this “sign” proposition. This is Jonathan allowing God to set the direction. He wants to act but submits to the Lord’s ultimate will concerning this move. Note also the sign he asks for is the one which demands he go on the offense from the low ground! The option he wants God to give as a sign to move out is the more challenging of the two.
In the end, Jonathan’s faith wins the day. The “tumult” of the scuffle grows so intense that Saul sees it from his hideout and rallies himself and the troops. Suddenly, hearts start changing all over the place. First in Saul but also in the Israelites who defected to the Philistines:
1 Samuel 14:21–22 (ESV) Now the Hebrews who had been with the Philistines before that time and who had gone up with them into the camp, even they also turned to be with the Israelites who were with Saul and Jonathan. 22 Likewise, when all the men of Israel who had hidden themselves in the hill country of Ephraim heard that the Philistines were fleeing, they too followed hard after them in the battle.
Men follow courage. There is no greater need in the body of Christ today than those of an entrepreneurial spirit and risk-taking in all areas of life (short of sin). We need these kinds of Christians in all areas of society - education, business, the arts, politics. The move Jonathan makes here is not to preach or speak or lead a Bible study. He is off to war - something Israel should have kept doing before the Judges period when they decided to start playing it safe and get comfortable.
In the end, Jonathan rallies the troops Saul was losing! He grows the army instead of shrinking it. He attacks instead of withdrawing. And God blesses him for all of it. Jonathan will create an opportunity Saul will soon tear down in his insecurity and rage. But Jonathan shadows the coming of David and ultimately the coming of Christ - for through David and Christ - the Lord saves many through the few!
Amen.
The quote proves to be a game changer for Robert the Bruce and Scotland after the death of William Wallace according to the fictional recounting of the movie Braveheart. It is nonetheless true in the scriptures and true today. We are meant to be courageous but everything within and without us seeks to stop it.
In 1 Samuel 14, while Saul is watching his army dwindle down to next to nothing, Jonathan poses a question to his armor bearer that brings about a sea-change for the nation of Israel. Instead of hiding and whimpering in the caves with the rest of the nation, Jonathan does what we all need to learn how to do. He challenges the status quo, he steps out from the shadows, he sees what “could be” instead of what “is.” He is a model for us all.
1 Samuel 14:6–7 (ESV) Jonathan said to the young man who carried his armor, “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.” 7 And his armor-bearer said to him, “Do all that is in your heart. Do as you wish. Behold, I am with you heart and soul.”
Then Jonathan decides to let the Philistine’s response be his “sign” for whether or not God will bless his endeavor. If Israel’s enemies call him and the armor bearer up, that’s the sign to move forward, if not, they won’t move. We need not make a lot out of this “sign” proposition. This is Jonathan allowing God to set the direction. He wants to act but submits to the Lord’s ultimate will concerning this move. Note also the sign he asks for is the one which demands he go on the offense from the low ground! The option he wants God to give as a sign to move out is the more challenging of the two.
In the end, Jonathan’s faith wins the day. The “tumult” of the scuffle grows so intense that Saul sees it from his hideout and rallies himself and the troops. Suddenly, hearts start changing all over the place. First in Saul but also in the Israelites who defected to the Philistines:
1 Samuel 14:21–22 (ESV) Now the Hebrews who had been with the Philistines before that time and who had gone up with them into the camp, even they also turned to be with the Israelites who were with Saul and Jonathan. 22 Likewise, when all the men of Israel who had hidden themselves in the hill country of Ephraim heard that the Philistines were fleeing, they too followed hard after them in the battle.
Men follow courage. There is no greater need in the body of Christ today than those of an entrepreneurial spirit and risk-taking in all areas of life (short of sin). We need these kinds of Christians in all areas of society - education, business, the arts, politics. The move Jonathan makes here is not to preach or speak or lead a Bible study. He is off to war - something Israel should have kept doing before the Judges period when they decided to start playing it safe and get comfortable.
In the end, Jonathan rallies the troops Saul was losing! He grows the army instead of shrinking it. He attacks instead of withdrawing. And God blesses him for all of it. Jonathan will create an opportunity Saul will soon tear down in his insecurity and rage. But Jonathan shadows the coming of David and ultimately the coming of Christ - for through David and Christ - the Lord saves many through the few!
Amen.
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