JESUS Rocks!

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

1 Sam 14:24-52 tells us that Jonathan did great things but he is not a perfect man. He took honey when his father commanded no one shall eat at that time. He did it not knowing the command but does this mean he did not disobey? This reminds me that under the legal terms, ignorance of the law is not an excuse or defence to breaking the law which means that even if you do not know it is a law not to do something, the fact that you have done it, you have broken the law and you will be penalised accordingly. It seems to be the case that God sees it the same way as in verses 38-43 God revealed that Jonathan has sinned. Thinking of it, isn't it the same with our sins? Even if we do not know it's a sin to lie or we do not acknowledge lying as a sin (due to our culture, education, background, etc), if we lie, we have sinned against God whether we know or acknowledge it or not. So let's be sure to know what are sins that we may not commit them as Psalm 119:11 says - let us hide God's word in our hearts that we might not sin against the Lord.

As the men told Jonathan of Saul's command, Jonathan expressed dissatisfaction with his father which is inappropriate. We know in the bible, God tells us to respect our parents & authorities even though they are sinners just like us but we are to respect, submit & honour them. Instead of showing the full submission, respect & obedience that his armor bearer had shown towards him, he brought Saul, being his father, leader & king, down before men.

Saul, though, has destined to step down in his leadership, he is not a all-bad king. When he sees his soldiers sinning against God by eating meat with blood in it (it was within Mosaic law that men are not to eat meat with blood in it), he led people to obey God's command. He inquire of the Lord with his pursuit of the Philistines. Neither is he a father who is heartless & ruthless. Jonathan was meant to be punished for the sin he has committed but Saul spared him but surely that has costed him something. Saul gave his word that may God deal with hiim ever so severely if Jonathan does not die. It turns out that God has deserted him as the king & instead, chosen David as the king.

penned at 12:58 AM