SA 14The Word of God abounds with instances of the display of God's sovereign mercy. The Old and the New Testaments both illustrate the fact, " He delighteth in mercy." God has His own time to bless; and He chooses that in which most blessing is needed. What lessons do we learn from Israel's history! But, alas! notwithstanding we have all through Scripture our way-marks—our guide-posts—our warnings: we seldom learn till we do so by experience. It matters not that we see examples of God's way of teaching; we must taste the bitter cup ere we thoroughly take heed to our ways.
But it is here we learn, too, the unfailing grace of our God; the grace which unweariedly attends us even in our wanderings, and restores to us the joys of God's salvation.
The period in Israel's history when the mercy of God was shown, which we now purpose giving a few thoughts upon, was that in which the people were proving the value of their course in choosing a king. How certain is that word, " Whatsoever a man soweth that shall he also reap!" We cannot alter this rule-God's rule. In the change that Israel had effected when they made choice of Saul, doubtless many things, apparently, had been in their favor. They had rid themselves of much that had, in their low state, become irksome and painful; they were in a better position to meet the Philistines, having a visible head and leader; but all they had gained was more than counterbalanced by what they had lost. How poor and feeble were they really, as seen in the thirteenth chapter. The branch that is severed from the tree does not all at once show the signs of death. For a while the leaves retain their verdure; but they soon wither, and the branch soon dies. The splendor of Saul's first days had already become subdued, and the reality of poverty was taking its place. This was an opportunity to let Israel feel their sin, and know its bitterness in reaping the harvest they had sown; but God, who is rich in mercy, can prevent our full overthrow. When Jonah had fled from the presence of the Lord, and had been proved to be the cause of trouble to the ship's crew; and, in consequence, was thrown overboard, God prepared a great fish to swallow up Jonah. There are depths, deeper still, that God saves us from; and well would it be for us if one lesson of experience would suffice. " They soon forgat his works;" "He knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust."
In the history before us we see how God's grace will find a channel. If Saul had failed, God could use Jonathan. This He ever does. He is at no loss to make a way for His mercy. In the strait into which Israel had run, and when, to all appearance, help had failed, God uses one who had not been looked up to, and from whom no help had been expected. " Now it came to pass upon a day, that Jonathan, the son of Saul, said unto the young man that bare his armor, Come, and let us go over to the Philistines' garrison that is on the other side. But he told not his father" (ver. 1). This is one of the happy instances of individual faith accomplishing great things for Israel. David, the man after God's own heart, was not yet in the field. But when is the time in which God cannot bless? All around was withered and dead; but here, in this man, we find that which met Israel's need-a heart not to be held in by circumstances-a heart set upon Israel's good—a heart that could prove God. The danger was great-the courage that was needed great too; but there it was. Impatient under the calamity, Jonathan waited not till others moved; and, unrestrained by the fear of Saul, he acts for God. He brings God into the scene, and he is made bold thereby. His faith was but: " It may be that the Lord will work for us, for there is no restraint to the Lord to save by many or by few." Still it was the faith of God. It cleared away the clouds, and brought in God. We want more of this: we want to lay hold on God. Such a faith must have results. It was given to be used; and, being used, it found blessing: "The honey from the rock; the finest of the wheat."
His armor-bearer said unto him, " Do all that is in thine heart: turn thee, behold I am with thee according to thy heart" (ver. 7). Now, I am sure we here find one who, though not possessing the faith of Jonathan-not the faith which makes the start-nevertheless, made a good second to Jonathan. There was the willingness, the courage, the self-denial, to back up the service of the man who had the faith; no despicable qualities. Though he had not originated the work, his heart failed not. How many such are to be found willing to go up to the Philistines' garrison, free to serve God according to their strength. " Two are better than one." Communion in service has much value. Jonathan could now say, "Behold we will now pass over unto these men; and we will discover ourselves unto them." " In the day when every man's work shall be tried, every man will have his reward, according as his work shall be:" Jonathan his; his armor-bearer his, too. Jonathan represents the few; his armor-bearer, the many. The result was victory, still in the same order, for " they fell before Jonathan; and his armor-bearer slew after him" (ver. 13).
" Behold, I have set before thee an open door; and no man can shut it." When we work with God, or rather. when God uses us, " the little one becomes a thousand; the small one a strong nation." The " sling and the stone " in the hands of David are better than Saul and his men of war. This was the brilliant day of Jonathan's life. We read in his history of no other like it. Afterward, linked with Saul, though acknowledging David's claims, he fell with Saul too. A bright beginning does not insure a lasting brightness; alas for us I Still, God will not forget " the climbing up upon hands and feet" to face the enemy when every man's heart failed him. Jonathan had fought on God's side; and it stands on record. To have been used to carry the bread of life to the hungry soul, to have refreshed the thirsty, is recorded in the book of life. It is well when we can say, now as well as then; and to realize that even now, though feeble, we are on the same errand as heretofore, is a great mercy. The hands often wax feeble, and the heart grows weary; nevertheless, God keeps in recollection the by-gone labors of his people. " That first slaughter which Jonathan and his armor-bearer made, was about twenty men, within as it were a half-acre of land, which a yoke of oxen might plow " (ver. 14). But He who had begun to bless would not stop here. " There was trembling in the host, in the field, and among all the people: the garrison, and the spoilers, they also trembled, and the earth quaked: so it was a very great trembling" (ver. 15).
Jonathan's faith was honored. " There is no restraint to the Lord to save by many or by few." Let the heart trust in God-bring in God, and who can tell the result? Have we not lost sight of this? What, " Though the fig-tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labor of the olive shall fail, the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stall: yet will I rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation." May the Lord reanimate those who once did run well! Many strong men have fallen; and it may be that their first strokes of faith were their last. Be it so; " God is not unrighteous to forget their work and labor of love"; but it is much better to be able to say, " Though faint, yet pursuing."
Hitherto the victory had been known only to those who were the valiant men that had fought for it; but soon " Saul and all the people that were with him assembled themselves, and they came to the battle; and, behold, every man's sword was against his fellow, and there was a very great discomfiture" (ver. 20).
It is important to see, how first one, and then another, felt the value of this day of faith and blessing; and none would be more happy to watch its extended results than those who had gone out almost single-handed and braved the storm. This characterizes true faith, " The elder brother" might be angry, and refuse to go in where grace was shining forth in its full glory; still the Father could say, " It was meet that we should make merry and be glad." It did not redound to the credit of Saul and his men to come up at the time when the battle was well nigh over; still they were welcome to the spoil.
"Moreover the Hebrews that were with the Philistines before that time, which went up with them into the camp from the country round about, even they also turned to be with the Israelites that were with Saul and Jonathan" (ver. 21).
There is nothing like a day of blessing for making crooked things straight, and rough places plain. When the sun shines in its strength the plant opens, and the flower spreads itself to catch the rays; but when the chill evening blast comes on, they shrink before it. When the heyday of blessing is on, there is no time for Satan; it is when that is passed that he seeks to renew his hold. In this day of faith, the Hebrews that were with the Philistines before that time could be recovered. Testimony against evil is a cold thing, and often a very powerless thing, for recovery; but grace-one day of grace-will bring back many a wandering sheep. A famine in the land of Israel drove away Naomi; but when she had heard that the Lord had visited His people in giving them bread, she arose that she might return from the country of Moab. Blessing is God's power of attraction.
Again, " Likewise all the men of Israel which had hid themselves in mount Ephraim, when they had heard that the Philistines fled, even they also followed hard after them in the battle."
This was a wondrous day; a day of strange things. It brought together the scattered sheep of Israel; and even those that had hid themselves could, in that day, follow hard after the Philistines in the battle.
Jonah was exceedingly glad of the gourd, because, while under its shadow, he might see what would become of Nineveh. But when it was taken away, and the sun beat upon his head he fainted, and wished, in himself, to die; and said, "It is better for me to die than to live."
" Lord, what is man that thou art mindful of him!"
We have seen the happy results of Jonathan's faith, in not only his own case but in that of many; and may the Lord renew His former mercies, and give us to taste yet much of His love: glad for ourselves, and glad for all who are brought thereby to know His love; and, like Jonathan, with unselfish hearts may we rejoice with them that are honored. Many of us may find here what has been our lot in the day of God's blessing. Some have climbed on hands and feet to face the garrison of the Philistines; and the victory was the reward of their faith. No small victory either; for God was reached-truth recovered-and spoil taken. Others, like Saul and his men, late in the field, from a state of inaction, nevertheless have found a share in it all. Others, from among the Philistines, have gathered to the fight, and have had their portion in God's salvation. And, last of all, those who aforetime had hid themselves, have known a fresh start, and have shown courage to follow hard after the Philistines in the battle. When God redeemed Israel out of the hands of Pharaoh " There was not a feeble person in their tribes." Not so much as a dog moved his tongue against them.
We come now to a painful part of the narrative, and to see how different a thing it is to hold fast that which we have. God's mercies bring with them fresh responsibilities; and it is here that we almost always prove our failure. " That which is born of the flesh is flesh."
" The men of Israel were distressed that day; for Saul had adjured the people, saying, Cursed be the man that eateth any food until evening, that I may be avenged on mine enemies. So none of Israel tasted any food" (ver. 24).
Saul had been chosen king, and he had undertaken to be the shepherd of Israel; but alas! how constantly do we find him hindering blessing. He saw in this day a day to avenge himself of his enemies. God saw in it a day of salvation for Israel. His heart, alienated from God, could have no fellowship with His thoughts. I take it that the real apostasy of Christendom consists in this, that it has perverted the right ways of the Lord, and that it has marred the gospel of God's grace-spoiled the remedy so far as in it lies. It is true, that in every way, practically, there is a departure from God; for `worldliness, pride, unholiness in all forms, dwell in the great house. But the worst feature of all is, that God having sent His only begotten Son into the world, and made him to be sin for us who knew no sin;-that this great love should have been by man supplanted-and that the forms and rites and sacraments; etc., of human appointment should have been made to supply its place. It is the contrariety of man's heart to God's love to man, and an apostate Christianity that has set itself to hide God and His grace. " The men of Israel were distressed that day."
The proper state of a soul now under God's grace is peace with God; joy in God; the spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father! "It is a day of good tidings. -Man has made it, under the name of Christianity, the very opposite. A true Israelite's heart, in the times of refreshment such as this, and other deliverances, was infinitely happier than the heart of man now under the blighting effect of a false gospel.-Saul has stepped in to stop the joy.
There was one, however, who, away in service to God, was out of the reach of this interference. There was one who could and did put forth his hand and dip his rod into the honeycomb. It was Jonathan. True simple service to God in faith has its blessing in many ways. It carries a man off from the bondage of human systems; and his heart is free while others may be bound. He has his own personal joys, as well as those resulting from being used of God in making others happy. I am sure that he who is found laying himself out to do good to others will lack no good thing. The Lord, under the gospel, does not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. " It is more blessed to give than to receive." Alas for Saul, that he should thus have marred the happiness of that day! Jonathan could say-" How much more if haply the people had eaten freely to-day of the spoil of their enemies which they found? for had there not been now a much greater slaughter among the Philistines? And they smote the Philistines that day from Michmash to Aijalon, and the people were very faint" (ver. 30, 31).
There is a solemn responsibility to: retain the blessing when given; and to follow it out to its full results. Few, perhaps, have attained to this. " They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength." I have often dreaded the position of Saul, as seen in this chapter, lest one should by any means obstruct the channel of mercy to others, and cut short a day of good things. " These sheep, what have they done?"
Confusion was the result. " The people flew upon the spoil, and took sheep and oxen and calves, and slew them upon the ground, and the people did eat them with the blood" (ver. 32).
The faith and courage of heart in Jonathan were equal to the war with the Philistines; and were equal to the bringing of Israel together to join in the victory and to share the spoil; but all this could be marred and spoiled by the act of Saul, who had no fellowship with God. A hard unbroken heart is often stricter in its forms, less irregular, more apparently straightforward, and even consistent, than the man of faith, who knows not what human restraint means, but who, like Jona- than, walks in happy ignorance of bonds that enslave others.
Saul inquires of God-but He answers him not that day. There is a cause somewhere. He applies himself to seek it out. No burden weighed on his own conscience; no sense of his own failure. There is a cause, but, alas! he saw not where the evil lay. So Ahab, when he met Elijah, said, "Art thou he that troubleth Israel?" His own hand had wrought the evil.
This you find constantly in Saul. He is the last to say, "I am the man." But, indeed, it is the failure of human nature; and who is free from it? Grace does, indeed, overrule it, and the surest proof of God's work upon the heart is found in true open confession of our sins. After Jonathan was taken by lot, " Saul said to Jonathan; What halt thou done? And he said, I did but taste a little honey with the end of the rod that was in mine hand, and lo I must die. And Saul answered, God do so and more also, for thou shalt surely die, Jonathan" (ver. 43, 44).
I think we have here an important principle. I am at a loss to express my thoughts; apparently, Saul was in the right. He had adjured the people, and the curse was upon the head of Jonathan. Consistency required his death. If you stand where Saul stands, you can only see that Jonathan must die. But remove your ground. Look from the point where Jonathan's faith had carried him. See him climbing upon his hands and his feet in the exercise of that faith which "waxes valiant in fight and puts to flight the armies of the aliens," and then ask whether or not, in the hour of such blessing, Saul's adjuring of the people chimed in with the glory of that day? Spiritual discernment would have kept him from such an act at such a time; and nothing could be more inappropriate than that the one who, early in the morning, had fought on the side of God, should fall a victim to Saul's oath. Still, Saul did not, see it. He would have put to death the man that had wrought with God that day. The Lord deliver us from that cold-hearted systematic adjustment of right and wrong, which would thus make the tasting of a little honey, at such a time, an unpardonable sin!-On the other hand, may he save us from calling evil good-from a carelessness which would make light of the practical precepts of God's word!
"And the people said unto Saul, Shall Jonathan die, who hath wrought this great salvation in Israel? God forbid; as the Lord liveth, there shall not one hair of his head fall to the ground, for he hath wrought with God this day" (ver. 45).
Such an outburst of true-heartedness to Jonathan speaks well for the people. But Saul was out of communion with God; and consequently every act was perverse. The people had been brought to know and own God and his servant. This is beyond all precept. I have before remarked, as to the fact of this being the brilliant day of Jonathan's life. The influence of Saul upon him, necessarily strong, seems to have paralyzed him. If he loved David, he must do it in disguise, and he must hide it from Saul. The cold grasp of Saul could chill the heart of the one who flinched not before a garrison of Philistines. Samson, who could rend a lion as he would have rent a kid-who could burst the cords that were upon his arms as though they had been flax burnt with fire-under the enticings of Delilah, became as another man. We need to be preserved on every hand; we need the same grace, the same heart of love, that could say to Peter, " I have prayed for thee that thy faith fail not."
M.