From “Feast of Tabernacles,” Chapter 11- Tabernacles – The Feast of Rest, continued
JONATHAN’S HONEY SHOWER
There was a time during the reign of Saul, when the Philistines were massed in great strength against Israel, that Jonathan, Saul’s son, was impressed to make a single-handed raid against the enemy. So he and his armour-bearer went over to the Philistines’ garrison, climbed up the sharp rocks which were in the passes, and contacted the enemy. He did not tell his father anything about it, because he knew what would happen. Just imagine what a stupid idea he had! He and his armour-bearer going over to fight a whole garrison of the Philistines–when the whole army of Israel was in utter fear, having scarcely a weapon in the whole nation because of the terrible servitude to which they had been subjected. But Jonathan knew what faith could do. “It may be that the Lord will work for us,” he said. “For there is no restraint to the Lord to save by many or by few.” (1 Sam. 14:6). And so Saul tarried at home under the pomegranate tree, and Ichabod’s nephew was wearing the ephod. He was Saul’s priest. What a picture of a powerless, defeated Church, resting at ease and self-complacency, with a priesthood that is devoid of the glory, and their people in complete bondage and servitude to the enemy. They even had to go down to the Philistines to get their axe or sickle sharpened, for there was no smith in Israel. Complete dependence upon the world and its systems!
But Jonathan’s faith led him into a great place of victory and fruitfulness. All he did was to start chasing the enemy, and his armour-bearer followed. One by one the enemy fell before Jonathan, and the armour-bearer did the slaying. Thank God for the Holy Spirit who stands by our side, confirming every Word of God with the sharp Sword of His mouth. Then a great fear gripped the Philistines, and there was a trembling in the host and amongst all the people, and the earth quaked. And Saul looked on in amazement, for the Philistines were melting away. There seemed to be no reason for all this: so he numbered the host to see if any were missing. Sure enough, Jonathan and his armour-bearer were not there.
First of all, of course, Saul had to know whether this thing was of God or not. If it wasn’t then he would not have anything to do with it. So he called forth the ark of God and Ichabod’s nephew to see if they could help him. While they argued, the Philistines continued to melt away in utter confusion, even beating down one another. Finally he could stand it no longer, and he ordered the priest to withdraw his hand. He saw that he was going to miss out on the victory if he did not get into the battle at once. So he mustered his men and started the pursuit. There was the shout of victory; the Philistines were in utter confusion; and every man’s sword was against his fellow’s. Whenever there is a shout of victory there are a lot of people who will join the battle. They may not know what is going on, and how the move of the Spirit started, and the purpose of it all–but there is a shout of victory, and that is about all that matters. And so Saul wanted everything God had for him, and joined the battle. It was a great victory; and of course Saul was king, so it was his victory. He was right there in the thick of battle. GHW
This is a beautiful picture of how intercessory prayer by a few can assure victory for many. In the natural, Jonathan and the armor bearer were sorely outnumbered and out weaponed. There was no way they could have a chance at routing the enemy. But at God’s leading, Jonathan moved out in faith and brought confusion to the enemy camp to the point that they faltered at every turn.
Prayer warriors who take on assignments at God’s leading are the Jonathans needed for a lackadaisical church and leaders sitting under the pomegranate trees of defeatism and complacency. Of course, they seldom get the credit due, but that is not important to them. Defeating the enemy and gaining spiritual territory is what they cry out for and the whole body of Christ reaps the benefits.
Who are the prayer warriors in your life? Let them know how important they are to you.
Late Harvest Wesleyan Ministries 