Now the men of Israel were in distress that day, because Saul had bound people under an oath, saying, "Cursed be any man who eats food before evening comes, before I have avenged myself on my enemies!" So none of the troops tasted food.
1 Samuel 13:24 NIV
Here we read that as the Lord is working through Jonathan and his armor-bearer to confuse and defeat the Philistines, Saul commands a fast before his enemies are avenged. We continue to read that Jonathan eats honey in violation of the fast and "his eyes brightened." Saul hears about Jonathan's fast violation and his desire for death is thwarted only by the men's rescue.
In our reading today, Jonathan speculates that a greater slaughter of Philistines would have resulted if there was no fast ordered. Saul foolishly deprived his troops in battle from needed nourishment for no good reason. The reason for the fast is in the above verse, "before I have avenged myself on my enemies."
A proper, Godly, true fast should, from Isaiah 58-NIV, loose the chains of injustice, set the oppressed free, break every yoke, allow you to share your food with the hungry, to clothe the naked, and to not turn away from your own flesh and blood. In short, if a fast is Godly, one should be able to see fruits of the Spirit as a result. Today we read of this fast commanded by Saul to look good, bringing the men to being faint and very faint, These are not fruits of the Spirit! Other sins, like eating meat with the blood still in it were also committed, OUCH!
Thoughts:
What are your thoughts about Saul's leadership?
Who was getting the glory? (hint I )
Do you have any different thoughts about your leadership roles?
Pray for the Spirit to lead us, so that our humble service brings glory to God.
In Christ,
David P
Pray for your actions to be done in humble service to bring glory to God.
No comments:
Post a Comment