Fight With Faith AND Wisdom

Let’s go across to the outpost of those pagans,” Jonathan said to his armor bearer. “Perhaps the Lord (Yahweh) will help us, for nothing can hinder the Lord (Yahweh). He can win a battle whether he has many warriors or only a few! [1 Samuel 14.6]

You know, God might help us. But He might not!

What does it take to make a statement like Jonathan made? Faith? Foolishness? What?

One thing for sure, Jonathan's statement required resolve. I suppose it could be argued that Jonathan put a "fleece" out there as did Gideon at an earlier time. Jonathan said they would not proceed if the Philistines told them to stop, but would proceed and fight if the Philistines told them to come on. There were at least 20 Philistines at this particular outpost and only Jonathan and his armor bearer to fight them.

The thing is, Jonathan went to see. He 'tested the water' so to speak and devised the conditions beforehand in which they would either attack or retreat.

How did Jonathan decide what the conditions should be for them to advance or retreat? I don't know, but it really didn't matter as he was terribly outnumbered for hand-to-hand combat! Regardless, I think it is interesting that Jonathan let the Philistines ultimately make the decision as to their own fate (even thought they did not realize it)! Those Philistines "welcomed" their own demise.

Here's the deal. This story is as much about the Philistines' bad decision as it is about Jonathan's good decision! As an 'outpost' or garrison, these 20 Philistines were to be on lookout and alert the rest of the army - that's what outposts do - they defend, they guard, they man their post and hold their ground. The KJV words the condition Jonathan put out there as, if they say, "tarry until we come to you..." or, in other words, if the Philistines break military protocol and leave their post then God will give us victory over them.

This puts a new light on Jonathan's decision as to how to proceed. Jonathan looked for a sign of weakness in the Philistines and not only found it, but attacked it! Jonathan displayed both faith and wisdom. Interesting!

Father, help me to approach my 'enemy' with both faith and wisdom!