THE NOBLE SOLDIER ?III
T. John Mathew
We read in 1. Sam: 18: 1?4, ?Now it came about when he had finished speaking to Saul, that the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as himself?And Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was on him and gave it to David, with his armor, including his sword and his bow and his belt.? Since these words were written under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, we have to consider them true and believe that Jonathan did love David as himself. Now the question arises: What prompted Jonathan to love David? It was pure jealousy that his father Saul felt when he found that his people had great admiration for David who had killed Goliath; but we find Jonathan ready to love as himself the one who brought salvation to his people and glory to his God. Even after his father had pointed out to him that there was the chance of his losing the throne to David, he continued loving David as himself [1. Sam: 20: 31]. There was no trace of any jealousy in his character. The New Testament believers are exhorted to make a conscious effort to put aside all malice and envy [1. Pet: 2: 1]; here we find a man, an Old Testament believer, absolutely free from these weaknesses of the flesh.
Jonathan was quite content with what God wanted him to have. He never tried to get anything that God did not want him to possess. He was willing to let David become the king of Israel if that was the will of God. We read in the New Testament that even the disciples were not free from the desire to become great [Luke 22: 24]; but Jonathan had no such desire; he was devoid of all ambition. His attitude of contentment is worthy of emulation. The fact is that we seldom come across people, who share Jonathan?s nobility of character,
Jonathan?s sense of justice is worthy of examination; his father told him that it was necessary to kill David and rid the threat to his throne. But Jonathan was totally against killing David, who was innocent and guiltless. The words he said to his father, ?Why should he be put to death? What has he done?? [1. Sam: 20: 32] are proof of his sense of justice; he did not let his conscience be influenced by the selfishness of his dear father. His love for his father did not make him blind to truth and justice. That he disagreed with his father is proof of his good conscience; it does not prove that he did not love his father enough; there is ample proof that he had great love and respect for his father. What we find in his behaviour is that his love and respect for his heavenly Father was greater. He was one who put into practice the New Testament principle of one obeying one?s parents ?in the Lord? [Eph: 6: 1]. We, Christians today, ought to behave and act with Jonathan?s sense of justice, refusing to side with those who are selfish, untruthful, jealous and wicked and always speaking aloud that which is true, righteous, and is in accordance with the word of God. If we submit ourselves to the Holy Spirit and come to have these qualities in our character we will certainly bear much more fruit in our Lord?s vineyard.
[To be continued]
PRAYER REQUESTS
- Sister Elsy Joseph, Mudikode, Thrissur has been suffering from fever and inflammation on joints for quite a few days; kindly pray for her speedy recovery.
- Please continue praying for sisters Maiakutty, Vijayamma, Mariamma Mathai and Bro. George John, whose details were published in EW. 1./ 2007
- It is reported that Government of India is planning to introduce in Parliament, a bill, which will prevent the broadcasting/telecasting of programmes describing any religion as the? only true one.? This provision in the bill is likely to obstruct the message of salvation through Jesus Christ being telecast / broadcast.