Love And Justice

Then Saul prayed, “O LORD, God of Israel, please show us who is guilty and who is innocent.” Then they cast sacred lots, and Jonathan and Saul were chosen as the guilty ones, and the people were declared innocent. Then Saul said, “Now cast lots again and choose between me and Jonathan.” And Jonathan was shown to be the guilty one. [1 Samuel 14.41-42]

Back in 2014 I wrote I Don't Get It. What we might conclude from this passage is that making an oath is a pretty big deal and that Saul wasn't too bright.

Like seems to be the case most of the time, the indiscretions of a father often affect his son. By this time, Saul had already been rejected by God as king of Israel (as per Samuel). His decisions had already proven that he was incompetent as king.

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Sometimes circumstances can be difficult. Because humans are God's and because they are fallen but God still loves them makes for some less-than-ideal situations.

God is perfect. In His perfection, He is both Holy and loving. He created man who sinned and complicated the love part of God because of His holiness and its associated justice. In a way, Saul, in spite of his rebellious state, depicts the dilemma God was faced with every day with mankind. He loves man, but man just keeps on sinning which requires justice.

Saul's very words, "even if is my own son, he must die," were clearly prophetic of Jesus, God's beloved Son, and the harsh reality of justice.

God's justice was irrevocable. He told man, "if you sin, you must die." While Jonathan represents Jesus dying for mankind's sin, he also represents mankind in his violation of the oath (albeit ignorantly). Jesus was God and man.

Although it may require some poetic license to see this in today's reading about Saul and Jonathan, God's dilemma regarding his love and justice can easily be understood. The oath represents God's justice and the father-son relationship of Saul and Jonathan represents God's love.

Father, help me to see in Jesus Your solution to loving man while remaining completely holy and just. May I be able to appreciate the gravity of both love and justice coexisting in You.