Daily Notes
Friday 16 May 2008
Bible in a Year: 2 Samuel 23,24; 1 Corinthians 10
From compliance to complaint
Prepare
When, if ever, is it right to stand against poor or foolish Christian leadership? ‘Lord, teach me your wisdom today.’
But the soldiers said to Saul, ‘Must Jonathan die? Never! He is responsible for saving Israel today! As surely as the LORD lives, not even a hair of his head will fall to the ground! Today Jonathan fought against the Philistines with God’s help!’ So the army saved Jonathan, and he did not die.
1 Samuel 14:45 (NCV)
Explore
When Saul receives no guidance from God he assumes (rightly on this occasion, though there can be many other reasons for unanswered prayer) that the blockage is due to sin. But whose? Is it among the leaders or the led? Is it with Jonathan or Saul? The casting of the Urim and Thummin (stones kept in the priest’s breastpiece; see Exodus 28:30 and Leviticus 8:8) points to Jonathan. Saul is still overlooking his own guilt and verses 39 and 44 reveal just how callous and closed his heart is now becoming.
Saul’s men, who have put up with a good deal of maltreatment from him, now take a stand for Jonathan and for justice. Their complaint in verse 45 is in contrast to their earlier compliant attitude in verses 36, 39 and 40. Their commonsense conclusion is that if Jonathan has acted with God’s help, how can his actions be sinful? Saul’s outward show of spirituality can no longer disguise his lack of common sense or genuine spiritual wisdom. Loyal up to now, Saul’s men express open defiance.
Sadly, the whole sorry incident means that Israel’s enemies escape to fight another day. Saul’s sin and high-handedness – not Jonathan’s innocent mistake – is the real problem. And he just won’t see it.
Respond
Pray for those who exercise leadership over you and reflect on how you can respond to their leadership in the most God-honouring way.