Saul's Slippery Slope: Part 5

 In 1 Samuel 14, when everyone else was waiting in fear over what the Philistine army would do, Saul's son, Jonathan courageously fought against another enemy garrison, killing over twenty men. Soon after, an earthquake caused the Philistines to fall into mass confusion and they started fighting each other! As the chaos ensued, Saul slowly realized that the battle had shifted in Israel's favor and ended up leading his army once more to battle. 

How many people are like this as well? Conditions must be right before they will step out in boldness. We may demean the apostle Peter's faith for losing sight of the Savior and sinking in the sea, but at least he was willing to get out of the boat even while there was a storm brewing! 

If we only move ahead when we see see clear skies and a beautiful path, we will not go very far. I am not advocating foolhardiness in the Christian walk, but I am encouraging trust in the midst of hardships and bold faith when everything may seem hopeless. As stated before, hastiness towards holy things became one pitfall for Saul, but slothfulness towards the battlefield would prove to be another.

Though Jonathan did act courageously that day, it was ultimately the Lord who delivered Israel from the hand of the Philistines (vs. 23). Sadly, Saul's blunders did not stop with just the prior mentioned failings. As the Philistines retreated, he rashly made a vow for all Israel, declaring, “Cursed is anyone who eats food before the evening comes and before I've gotten revenge on my enemies (vs. 24 / GWT)." Yet again, he moves with haste over the wrong things. Perhaps it was because of the shock over the flight of his enemies, the thrill of battle, or the rising of his ego, but either way Saul let a vow slip that would become a major hindrance to his army.

As the Israelites chased after the Philistines, they grew weary with hunger. The woods that they traveled through carried much honey, but all anyone could do was feast with their eyes. Jonathan didn't hear his father's command, and so logically, ate some honey. One of the soldiers spoke up and told Jonathan what his father said, to which he replied, “My father has brought trouble to the country. See how my eyes lit up when I tasted a little of this honey? If only the troops had eaten some of the enemies' food, which they found today. We would have killed more Philistines (vs. 29-30 / GWT).” He knew how foolish Saul was acting by forcing no one to eat while in battle.

Jesus said in Matthew 5:36-37, “And do not take an oath by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything more than this comes from evil (ESV).” The Jews were notorious about swearing over every little promise and plan (James 5:12). How quick are we to pass brash judgments on people without the facts, or to make fancy promises without truly exercising discernment over what we say? Solomon rightly said, “Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay (Ecclesiastes 5:5 / KJV).”. Sometimes, it is when things seem to be going well that we make halfhearted, ill-defined decisions. Whether we are on the mountaintop or in the valley, we must live by faith in the light of God's sovereignty. Saul was quick to seek vengeance on Israel's enemies, but it was out of eagerness, anger, and pride. It wasn't out of a desire to glorify God. More than anything, we should be reminded to patiently live by faith, seeking only to please and magnify the Father.