1 Samuel 14:6-7, “Jonathan said to the young man who carried his armor, “Come, let us go over to the garrison of these uncircumcised. It may be that the Lord will work for us, for nothing can hinder the Lord from saving by many or by few.” And his armor-bearer said to him, “Do all that is in your heart. Do as you wish. Behold I am with you heart and soul.”
How do you react when you feel like everything is against you? When you feel surrounded, perhaps by an enemy, or feel a lack of support in a situation, and feel outnumbered. You know those times when you are in over your head? Do you believe and trust in God’s intervention despite the odds or restrictions? Or is that just something for Sundays at church? The odds were humanly and heavily against Jonathan, the son of King Saul, in attacking the Philistine army that had dominated the countryside. However, he believed the Lord could bring victory, regardless of what seemed impossible. Everyone else feared the massive Philistine army except Jonathan and this young armor-bearer, who trusted God, despite the size of the enemy army. The armor-bearer’s name is not given. It only mentions the interaction between these two men. However, the young man who carried Jonathan’s armor encouraged Jonathan to follow his faith and trust in the Lord and assured him of his support. We all need someone to be used by the Holy Spirit in our lives, as Jonathan had in this young man’s support of Jonathan’s trust and faith in God to do the impossible.
This portion of Scripture in 1 Samuel 14 is a teaching tool for us in that the Lord gave Jonathan wisdom and protection as Jonathan saw a strategic position through a narrow path with large and sharp rocks on either side of the Philistines camp. It was the perfect spot where a large army of men was not needed to fight against the large army of the Philistines, but just a few men could easily fight and win at this strategic place. “God guided Jonathan as he boldly trusted God and acted on that bold trust.” Blue Letter Bible Commentary, David Guzik.
Are you willing to let God use you despite feeling you are outnumbered? “Jonathan knew God wanted to work with someone. Jonathan could have just prayed that God would rain down fire from heaven on the Philistines. But Jonathan knew that God uses the bold action and fighting spirit of His people. It was not Jonathan that was to work with some help from God; it was the Lord that was to work by Jonathan.” W.G. Blaikie
When you see a great need, ask God to use you to be of benefit, as he did Jonathan. Matthew 19:26 states, “Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
Jonathan had stated to his armor-bearer that “nothing can hinder the Lord from saving by many or by few” in verse six. The LSB version uses the words not restrained. “For Yahweh is not restrained to save by many or by few.” I find that an interesting concept of God’s mathematics. Jonathan waited for the Lord to open the door of opportunity to attack the Philistines in an offensive position with his armor-bearer. They ended up wiping out about twenty of the Philistines army men, in their first attack, who became confused, panicked, and disorientated, and then the Lord caused an earthquake. This is a full picture of divine intervention by God, aiding Jonathan and his armor-bearer.
Jonathan didn’t have a lot of faith in himself. No, but he had great faith in God. He believed God could grant a great victory even through him. God may use others to support and help you in person or through prayer support. They are just as crucial in getting God’s will and work done as the person God uses. “Every believer ought to be involved in something so big that, unless God is in it, it’s doomed to fail. Go in over your head. Do something that is so much bigger than you are, that unless God is in it, it can’t work. Jonathan models this mindset . . . He stood on the edge. He was at the door. He wasn’t going to force it, but he was in place to storm through it.” Jon Courson’s Application Commentary. Old Testament, page 854, 855. Trust in God. Focus on the deliverer, Jesus Christ. When you can’t, He can and is not hindered.
Listen to Aware Worship – Trust In God (Featuring Mark Gutierrez).