What A Mess

One day Jonathan said to his armor bearer, “Come on, let’s go over to where the Philistines have their outpost.” But Jonathan did not tell his father what he was doing. [1 Samuel 14.1] 

The story that follows this decision by Jonathan is an interesting one. While on one hand, there is great victory, on the other, there is confusion that put Saul and all Israel in a position of compromise.

Of course, in today's society, Jonathan's decision to launch out on a campaign of his own seems noble enough. And, the initial outcome would give "modern thought" confirmation that Jonathan's decision was indeed a good one. But, was it?

First, the fact that it was recorded that Jonathan did not tell his father what he was doing should alert the careful reader that something about this was unusual. In fact, it was unusual because for Jonathan to operate outside the realm of his father's blessing would have been considered rebellion. Furthermore, for any subject of the king to launch an offensive without the direction of the king would have been equally unacceptable.

What followed Jonathan's decision was indeed initially a victory. However, what followed was perhaps some of the earliest examples of situational ethics in the Bible. In other words, Jonathan's disobedience was justified by the favorable outcome. Then, Jonathan's eating honey against Saul's command, was justified. And then, even Saul fell victim to situational ethics in the following passage:

“Tell me what you have done,” Saul demanded of Jonathan. “I tasted a little honey,” Jonathan admitted. “It was only a little bit on the end of my stick. Does that deserve death?” “Yes, Jonathan,” Saul said, “you must die! May God strike me and even kill me if you do not die for this.” But the people broke in and said to Saul, “Jonathan has won this great victory for Israel. Should he die? Far from it! As surely as the LORD lives, not one hair on his head will be touched, for God helped him do a great deed today.” So the people rescued Jonathan, and he was not put to death. [1 Samuel 14.43-45]

Unfortunately, this situational ethics mindset is only beginning to take hold in Saul, as future One Year Chronological Bible readings will reveal. It gets worse and more confusing.

The point that should be considered today is that God has a will and order for everything. Even though we may realize some degree of success in our disobedience to God's will and order never justifies our actions.

Where this is seen more than anywhere else today is in modern Christians' definition of faith. God's demonstrated will regarding our faith is not up for situational interpretation. The only real options Jesus gave us regarding our faith is that He didn't name the mountains that would move. In other words, He did not define "mountain" but said emphatically that the mountain would move. Modern situational ethics among believers has allowed them to conclude that if the mountain doesn't move physically, it must be because something is happening spiritually that could not be seen. While this all sounds good, it is simply not what Jesus demonstrated as God's will! And yet, Christians' widespread justification of this abstract rendering of faith holds them in contempt of God and everything Jesus taught and demonstrated. Is it any wonder that God's power is not more evident among believers today (I speak mostly for the Western world)?

Jesus was not vague about the believer's responsibility in the earth today:

Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” [Matthew 18.20]

Jesus' teaching and demonstration was nothing if it was not about faith that moves mountains. How many times did He scold his followers for their lack of faith? The singular command that represents all Jesus taught and demonstrated before His followers was, "Have faith..."

So, no matter what we "justify" as devotion to God today, it must originate and remain anchored in God's will and order for faith or the outcome will only become a confusing mess as is seen in Saul and the circumstances in which he found himself.

Father, help Your people today to focus on Your will and order for faith. Help us to see Jesus as the sum total of what this looks like - including (but not limited to) His demonstrated faith on the "mountain" of His cross. So be it.