![]() And yet that battle may spill over into the physical world. It takes place on a spiritual battlefield (Ephesians 6:10-13). It is not a battle of swords, or even tanks and guns. God fought alongside of Jonathan, sending an earthquake that so terrified the enemy that they began to kill each other (I Samuel 14:15, 20).Ĭhristians continue to wage war today. Do not be afraid, or panic, or tremble before them, for the LORD your God is the one who goes with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you” (Deuteronomy 20:1-4). Moses told the people, “ When you go out to battle against your enemies and see horses and chariots and people more numerous than you, do not be afraid of them for the LORD your God, who brought you up from the land of Egypt, is with you. What gave Jonathan the courage to attack an enemy garrison by boldly walking up to it? It was his faith in God. He entered the camp and slaughtered 20 armed men in a small section of ground. He invited them to come up into the camp to “tell them something.” Jonathan had already determined that this would be a sign to him from God as to where to wage the battle. A Philistine sentry spotted them, seeing them alone, decided to have some fun with these silly Hebrews. Jonathan and his armor-bearer walked boldly up to the Philistine camp. It was during this war that Jonathan and his armor-bearer approached a garrison of Philistine soldiers who had sealed a pass between Israelite and Philistine territory. The remainder of the army used sharpened farming tools. When Saul lead the Israelites in rebellion against the Philistines, only Saul and his son Jonathan had swords. Farm implements were available, but the charge for these tools was so high that few could afford the price. No Israelite was allowed to work as a blacksmith (I Samuel 13:19-22). The Philistines had tight control over the iron market. In a rash and daring move, Jonathan decided to cross the lines of battle into enemy territory. The Bible records the amazing deed of Jonathan, David’s closest friend (I Samuel 14:1-14). ![]() I have never been within the sound of gunshot or in sight of battle in my whole life that I wasn’t so scared that I had sweat in the palms of my hands.” How could such a man function with these fears? Many years later Patton wrote in his autobiography, “I learned very early in my life never to take counsel of my fears.” General Patton replied, “Sir, I am not a brave man – the truth is, I am an utter craven coward. During World War II, General George Patton was met by a military governor who praised his bravery in battle. But once the reality of war sets in, once people realize their loved ones will never return to them, once they sense that these young men and women who leave may never be seen again, then fear grips the people of the nation. Often a noble cause is found to justify a country’s participation in the battles. Time dims the memory of the horrors of war. ![]() ![]() If the struggle was bitter and carried heavy losses, the next war would be long in coming though, always before the next generation, there would be a war. If the war was glamorous and popular with the people, the next war would follow soon after. A war tends to break out once per generation. After a history class, my brother pointed out to me that wars are cyclic. ![]()
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