What kind of faith do you have? (1 Sam 14:1-15)

For a while, I worked with a young woman who was a professing Christian and attended church faithfully. She prayed, she talked of God, but every time I saw her, I wondered about the reality of her faith. I chided myself for raising that question, even to myself; after all, who was I to doubt her relationship with the Lord? Yet, I could not quite shake the feeling that something was missing. At the end of the day, only the Lord knows. It is important, however, to engage with the question of what our faith looks like not so that we could judge others, but to face honestly what is in our own hearts. We return today to the story of Saul and continue to think about his faith as well as what went wrong with his kingship. Such reflection teaches us about the quality of faith that is needed to live for God no matter what role He calls us to. God’s verdict on Saul’s attitude was negative in the last chapter (see my post here) and the details are filled in further in the unfolding events.

In today’s episode, Scripture creates a strong contrast between Jonathan and Saul to highlight what is lacking in the latter’s faith. Although previously it seemed so urgent for Saul to offer sacrifices and get on with the battle, he now does nothing. As before, it is Jonathan who takes the initiative with just his armour bearer, while his father passively waits with his 600 men (1 Sam 14:1-2 cf. 13:2-3). We discover that Saul has a priest with him wearing an ephod (1 Sam 14:3), a kind of vest with a pouch for stones (the Urim and Thummim) that was used for inquiring of God’s will through yes-no questions. Yet, no inquiry for God’s will is made. It is also disconcerting that the priest is a grandson of Phinehas, one of Eli’s good-for-nothing sons who abused his priestly power and whose family was condemned (1 Sam 2:12-17; read my post on this here). In fact, there are echoes here of the earlier narrative when Israel brought the ark into the camp (carried by Eli’s sons) to ensure victory against the Philistines (1 Sam 4:3).[1] In this way, they tried to manipulate God and work His presence to their advantage (see my post here). Similarly, Saul’s camp has the outward signs or form of godliness but there is no substance or power to it (2 Tim 3:5).

The contrast with Jonathan could not be greater. His speech reveals a man whose dynamic faith grows out of a heart orientated towards God (1 Sam 14:6). His is a courageous faith that dares take the initiative in a disheartening situation. It is a faith that looks to the Lord for help, but does not presume control over God’s power. Rather, it recognises His sovereignty to act or not as He wills (‘perhaps’). It depends on God’s power, not on the human odds knowing that He can save by many or by few. Finally, it is a faith that seeks God’s guidance and responds to His will with obedience (1 Sam 14:8-10, 12).

Jonathan’s example holds up a mirror to us. What does our faith look like? Is there real substance to our faith, rooted in a genuine relationship with the Lord? If not, then this may be the time to turn to the Lord, confess our sins and seek His forgiveness. He is able to give us new life because He died for our sins and made a way for our hearts to be renewed. If we know the Lord, then it is a matter of growing our faith. How? By nurturing our relationship with Him. The more we spend time with and get to know Him through Bible reading, prayer and within a church fellowship, the clearer His will will become and, as we obey, the stronger our bond with Him will grow. Our encouragement is that no matter where we stand, there is a way to remedy our lack. We have a God who wants us to know and trust Him and who provided the means to grow in that relationship with Him.

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[1] Stephen B. Chapman, 1 Samuel as Christian Scripture (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2016), 130.

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