• Home
  • About This Blog
  • Contact Me
  • Subscribe
  • Comment Policy

Attempts at Honesty

Reflections on the interplay of the Bible and Culture

  • Westminster Shorter Catechism Series
  • Sermon on the Mount Series
Home Bible Reflection Jonathan Gets a Clue

Jonathan Gets a Clue

Posted on December 7, 2010 Written by Mark McIntyre Leave a Comment


#2In our never-take-no-for-an-answer, pull-yourself-up-by-your-bootstraps culture, perhaps it is difficult to understand Jonathan’s actions in 1 Samuel 20:12-17. We live in a world where self-promotion is expected; encouragement to “look out for #1” is covertly or overtly stated in almost every advertisement. We often look for validation in job titles, paychecks, hit counts and followers.

Jonathan is the man who, according to normal succession rules, has the right to become king upon the death of Saul. Conventional wisdom would teach Jonathan to align himself with the people who will help him gain and keep power.

Along comes David. This is the same David that was anointed by Samuel as Saul’s replacement. Also the same David who is being blessed by God in everything that he sets his hand to do. The young shepherd boy who had the audacity to think that he could take on a giant and live to tell about it becomes acquainted with Jonathan.

Jonathan faced a choice. He could accept or reject what was becoming increasingly clear. God’s program was for David to be the next king.

Jonathan’s response shows that he believed God was behind Samuel and David and he chose to align himself with what God had revealed. Jonathan’s actions show that he understood that he would be #2 in the kingdom and he was OK with that. He wanted to be right where God placed him.

The question I have to ask myself is whether I am comfortable doing the tasks and being the person God has called me to be? Or, am I questioning my worth as a result of comparing what God has me doing with someone else who is being used in a ministry that has a large following or wide influence? Am I OK with being a #2 or 3 or 10 or 150 or not being recognized at all?

We know from 1 Corinthians 12 and Romans 12 that God so arranges the Church that every member has a role that is necessary for the health of the whole body. Some are given very prominent roles others are given roles that are hardly even noticed. Yet very role is important. The believer is to discover that role and be obedient within it. Our job is to be a faithful steward of the responsibility we have been given (1 Corinthians 4:2).

I am grateful that we have an example in Jonathan of one who was confident in God and confident in his status before God and allowed himself to be “demoted” for the benefit of the nation. As a result, Jealousy and resentment had no foothold. May it be so in our congregations.


Filed Under: Bible Reflection Tagged With: Books of Samuel, David, First Epistle to the Corinthians, God, Israel, Samuel, Saul

About Mark McIntyre

A follower of Jesus Christ who shares observations about how Scripture should impact the church and the world. Mark is the original author and editor of Attempts at Honesty.

Follow Attempts at Honesty

Honesty in your Inbox

Rest Area

The way to find rest

Jesus offers to provide rest to all who come to him. This post provides a brief look at Jesus’ offer of rest as recorded in Matthew 11:28.

A reminder from the Burning Bush

This morning I listened to the story in Exodus 3 of Moses encountering the burning bush. As I listened to it, the thought came to me that life as a Christian would be so much easier if God would appear to me and tell me what to do. Instead, I have Scripture as a guide […]

Gold Bars

Quality vs. quantity – thoughts on building the church

Churches can be so enamored with numerical growth that the focus is on quantity and quality suffers. Heed the warning of Paul in 1 Corinthians 3:10-15.

Forgetting the past

The blessing of forgetting

Perhaps forgetting is choosing to no longer let those things determine our path forward. The choice is to not let those things define us but allow God to give us a fresh start.

What church should be

I know what hurt has come from some of my own church experience. I have seen the damage done to others by inappropriate treatment within a church. Quite frankly sometimes it makes me want to find the reset button and see if we can begin again with this whole thing we call church.

Post Series

  • Westminster Shorter Catechism Series
  • Sermon on the Mount Series
May 2023
SMTWTFS
 123456
78910111213
14151617181920
21222324252627
28293031 
« Apr    

Categories

Archives

Blogger Grid
Follow me on Blogarama

Copyright © 2023 · Focus Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in