Title: Majority or Minority (1 Samuel 14:6)
Contents 1 Samuel 14:6
Saul and the Israelites were now lying on their faces under the pomegranate tree and trembling. The Israeli army, which once numbered 3,000, now has only 600 left. While waiting for death in despair, it was at this time that King Saul's son Jonathan arose.
“Then Jonathan said to the boy carrying his armor, let us go over to this army of the helpless, lest the Lord work for us.
Jonathan took a boy soldier and broke into the Philistine camp. It seemed impossible to attack because it was a fortress surrounded by large rocks. Even in difficult circumstances, they did not back down, and amidst the ridicule of the Philistines, they heard the voice of an answer saying that God was with them. As they went, a trembling arose among the Philistine camp and among the people. The people of Israel, who had been scattered, had a hundredfold of their courage and attacked the Philistines and achieved a great victory.
Today, with this text, I would like to share some grace under the title "Majority or Minority".
1) This war was a war of the few and the many.
More armies, more weapons, more gold, it is common sense to say that such a country will be the winner of the world. However, the kingdom of God has been established by a few. Elijah won the battle 850:1. Joshua and Caleb, the spies of Canaan, and Gideon's 300 warriors were all in the minority.
In order for the few to win the war of the many
Jonathan had the belief that if God was with him, he would surely win. Verse 6 says that the salvation of the Lord did not depend on the number of many or the few. Jonathan saw this war as a war of righteousness. How can humans defeat the Philistines? He had the belief that if God was with him, he would surely win.
Even when difficult things happen, God is third. I try it with my own strength, and if that doesn't work, ask someone close to me for help, and when that doesn't work, I call on God. God is third. But to God, I am number one.
No matter what happens, if you call me, they come and help. When I am in pain, he comes to me alone and comforts me. To God, I am always number one. I wish I could think of God as number one. I want to have God, who is number one in me, also number one.
(2) Jonathan had the courage not to fear his enemies.
It is said that when Roman soldiers went to war on a ship, the first thing they did was set the ship on fire. This lowers the morale of the enemy and the allies have no way to return, so it is the will to fight with the risk of death. So, we surrendered before the war. There is a difference between the courage of the worldly people and the courage of God's people. These two are essential for us who are living in the midst of a total crisis today.
(3) Jonathan had a good co-worker to win this war.
Although there was only one person, he was a co-worker with the same faith and shared the same heart and will and death. We also need co-workers. We need co-workers with the same faith, the same vision, and the same ideal. If they fall, one will catch his companion and get him up, but woe to him who falls alone and has no one to lift him up. When two lie down together, it is warm, but how can one be warm? One person will be defeated, but two will be able to overcome it. A threefold cord is not easily broken (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12).
concluding remarks
In a crisis in a country like today, who can overcome this crisis? It is not a person belonging to the majority, but a minority, but it can be overcome by the person of God. What kind of person should a church leader be?
People like Joshua and Caleb, people like David, people like Jonathan Even if the whole world opposes, the people of God will not be shaken. To King Saul, the Philistines were a mountain they could not overcome, an enemy they could not overcome. But to Jonathan, a man of faith, the Philistines were nothing but Gentiles. A God who can destroy countless enemies through just two people! Numbers don't matter. The question is, do I belong to God?