What Savvy taught on tonight... If you missed out!! (CRY)

Lesson taught by Savannah, notes taken by derk

1 Samuel 14

The Bravery of Jonathan

Last week or at.. The end of chapter 13 we learned the the Hebrews did not have proper weapons (this is good to know starting this chapter)

In the first few lines... It seems that Jonathan does not really have a plan with what is going on

Saul had 600 men and an ephod wearer (a priest was with them) and Jonathan is 'missing'

Jonathan has faith in God and is ready for God to work in this situation - we can see that his faith was great because of the armor bearer's trust in Jonathan.

Did the 'plan' work? (YES) <it is interesting to see the non-fear of the Philistines but yet two men take out twenty!

What does this show you about Jonathan?

A great faith in God
A go getter
A very brave man

The Philistine army is now terrified due to God putting it on them and then at this time that Saul and the rest of the men realize that they are missing Johnathan and his armorbearer.

Amazingly the Philistines are struck by confusion and begin the fight one another

Saul then addresses his priest - and decides to NOT consult God and to just run into battle! (it seems like because the battle 'looks' like it is an easy win he decides to skip making sure that God is ready for them to actually move forward)

The Isrealites win the battle

We have seen over and over again that Saul is impatient... Making an offering that is not his to make.. Running to fight without consultation of God

Remember that Saul has made an oath that causes the army to not to be able to eat, but expects them to fight... His oath is all about the selfish desires that he (saul) has... Where is that reassuring 'we' or the GOD
that they need to win anyway

Jonathan does not know about the oath and eats, but actually is rejuvenated because of this. Everyone is now concerned that the oath is now broken and what will happen to Jonathan!

Jonathon does not see a problem with what he has done and asks if they all would have eaten then the battle would be easier because they would be stronger and healthier!

The men were so hungry that they ate meat with the blood in it... Therefore sinning

Much of this could have been prevented with consultation of God at the beginning...

Saul is sure to fix the problem of how the men were eating the meat, but this really does not 'fix' his initial mistake

Now Saul decides to go and destroy the Philistines, but the priest asks to consult God and others tell him to do what he wants

God does not answer... Why not?

Saul vows that the one at fault should die, even if it is Jonathan!

Jonathan is the one shown to be the oath breaker and is ready to accept his death so that the nation's connection to God can be healed!

The people decide that Jonathan should not die because he is a hero...

Saul does not keep his word... And as we saw above the people are ok with it... The problem here is that no one is keeping Saul accountable!

With Saul as the King his rein is filled with 'bitter war' and he looks for mighty and brave men to fill his ranks... But not really those that are spiritual

His strength surrounding him is more physical and not spiritual

John 17:1-5

Even Christ dies not point to himself, but to His father!

Do you ever rush in just because it looks like an 'easy win'?

Have you ever had faith like Jonathan and won a great victory like him?

Why or why not?

Do you make oaths that you later break?

If so, what happened?

Do you accept consequences for the wrong things you have done, or do you blame others and hope no one holds you accountable?

How much better can things be if you do them in God's timing?