Wednesday, December 25, 2013

Jonathan's Alarm (1 Samuel 20:35-42)

6/28/2010 7:21:55 AM

SPIRITUAL DIARY

My Worship Time                                                      Focus:  Jonathan’s alarm

Bible Reading & Meditation                         Reference:  1Samuel 20:35-42

            Message of the verses:  “35 ¶  Now it came about in the morning that Jonathan went out into the field for the appointment with David, and a little lad was with him. 36  He said to his lad, "Run, find now the arrows which I am about to shoot." As the lad was running, he shot an arrow past him. 37  When the lad reached the place of the arrow which Jonathan had shot, Jonathan called after the lad and said, "Is not the arrow beyond you?" 38  And Jonathan called after the lad, "Hurry, be quick, do not stay!" And Jonathan’s lad picked up the arrow and came to his master. 39  But the lad was not aware of anything; only Jonathan and David knew about the matter. 40  Then Jonathan gave his weapons to his lad and said to him, "Go, bring them to the city." 41  When the lad was gone, David rose from the south side and fell on his face to the ground, and bowed three times. And they kissed each other and wept together, but David wept the more. 42  Jonathan said to David, "Go in safety, inasmuch as we have sworn to each other in the name of the LORD, saying, ’The LORD will be between me and you, and between my descendants and your descendants forever.’" Then he rose and departed, while Jonathan went into the city.”
            I can’t imagine how much this meeting hurt both Jonathan and David as they were such wonderful friends in the Lord.  The story is very clear and does not need a whole lot of commenting on for whatever was decided to be done in their last meeting was fulfilled in this one.  I’m sure that David was very grateful to Jonathan for telling David the truth of how Saul truly felt about David, as Jonathan was risking his very life in order to give David this news.
            As far as the kissing each other this was something that even today is done in the Middle Eastern countries and so nothing else should be read into this as some have tried to do.  In verse forty-two the statement “’The LORD will be between me and you” is not like the words that were spoken by both Laban and Jacob, for they did not like each other and the Lord would keep them apart for this very reason.  David and Jonathan loved each other in the Lord and so I believe that the “Message” catches what the true meaning of this statement is:  “42  Jonathan said, "Go in peace! The two of us have vowed friendship in GOD’s name, saying, ‘GOD will be the bond between me and you, and between my children and your children forever!’"  One more thing on this verse and that is that the word translated “between” can also mean in the midst. 

            Spiritual meaning for my life today:  As I look at this passage knowing what the future would bring for both David and Jonathan, and knowing that it would be difficult on both of them because God had chosen David to be king and the family of Saul had to be phased out or there would be much trouble for David, I realize that it was still very painful for both of these men.  I believe that they are wonderful friends as they both are in heaven at this time.  In light of this I know that there are times when it is difficult to part company and perhaps if the Lord desires us to live in Hawaii for a year I will have to go through some of those same difficulties, but as in the case with Jonathan and David the Lord will see me through it. 

My Steps of Faith for Today:

1.       Continue to trust the Lord in these very difficult times that seems will continue to be difficult in light of all that is going on in our country and in our church.



6/28/2010 7:51:36 AM 

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