From a military point of view, what Jonathan does in this episode from the Bible is probably the worst strategy ever! He has a brilliant idea to take on a garrison (military base) of Philistines with the help of his armor-bearer. Now, two people against a garrison is a ridiculous plan by any standards. At least he could have let his father, King Saul, know, so he could send more men with him. Moreover, his thought of going out to attack is dependent on "maybe God will work".
“Maybe God will work” does not give me enough confidence to jump into warfare of any kind. However, when you continue reading 1 Samuel 14:6, Jonathan adds something further, which is so profound. “For there is nothing to prevent the Lord from saving by many or by few.” His claim to victory was not based on his own strength but on God’s Omnipotence! His plan of action clearly defines this confidence in God. He did not consider that they were just two people, nor plan a stealth-attack but the two men stood in broad daylight where the enemies could see them. Yes, this kind of unadulterated faith attracts divine intervention.
“So they climbed up using both hands and feet, and the Philistines fell before Jonathan, and his armor bearer killed those who came behind them. They killed some twenty men in all, and their bodies were scattered over about half an acre.” I Samuel 14:13-14 [AMP]
Many times in our lives, we have forfeited or surrendered battles we could have won, just because we were focusing on our own strengths, rather than on the invincible nature of God - the LORD mighty in battle! We’ve been going at it on our own, when all we have to do is show up with our full armor at the battlefield!
Let us not allow the enemy to gain any more territory and “Put on God’s whole armor [the armor of a heavy-armed soldier which God supplies], that you may be able successfully to stand up against [all] the strategies and the deceits of the devil.” Ephesians 6:11 [AMP]
Written by Karuna Barla