Big Idea for 2/18: We live in the conflict between earthly wisdom and Godly wisdom.

Big Idea for 2/18: We live in the conflict between earthly wisdom and Godly wisdom.

Sunday, February 18, Evident Grace Fellowship looked at 1 Samuel 14:16-30:

1 Samuel 14:16 And the watchmen of Saul in Gibeah of Benjamin looked, and behold, the multitude was dispersing here and there. 17 Then Saul said to the people who were with him, “Count and see who has gone from us.” And when they had counted, behold, Jonathan and his armor-bearer were not there. 18 So Saul said to Ahijah, “Bring the ark of God here.” For the ark of God went at that time with the people of Israel. 19 Now while Saul was talking to the priest, the tumult in the camp of the Philistines increased more and more. So Saul said to the priest, “Withdraw your hand.” 20 Then Saul and all the people who were with him rallied and went into the battle. And behold, every Philistine’s sword was against his fellow, and there was very great confusion. 21 Now the Hebrews who had been with the Philistines before that time and who had gone up with them into the camp, even they also turned to be with the Israelites who were with Saul and Jonathan. 22 Likewise, when all the men of Israel who had hidden themselves in the hill country of Ephraim heard that the Philistines were fleeing, they too followed hard after them in the battle. 23 So the Lord saved Israel that day. And the battle passed beyond Beth-aven.

24 And the men of Israel had been hard pressed that day, so Saul had laid an oath on the people, saying, “Cursed be the man who eats food until it is evening and I am avenged on my enemies.” So none of the people had tasted food. 25 Now when all the people came to the forest, behold, there was honey on the ground. 26 And when the people entered the forest, behold, the honey was dropping, but no one put his hand to his mouth, for the people feared the oath.

27 But Jonathan had not heard his father charge the people with the oath, so he put out the tip of the staff that was in his hand and dipped it in the honeycomb and put his hand to his mouth, and his eyes became bright. 28 Then one of the people said, “Your father strictly charged the people with an oath, saying, ‘Cursed be the man who eats food this day.’” And the people were faint. 29 Then Jonathan said, “My father has troubled the land. See how my eyes have become bright because I tasted a little of this honey. 30 How much better if the people had eaten freely today of the spoil of their enemies that they found. For now the defeat among the Philistines has not been great.”

And we attempted to understand this Big Idea from those verses:

We live in the conflict of Godly vs earthly wisdom. 

We explored these 3 thoughts about our Bid Idea:

  • God reigns amid both Godly and earthly wisdom.
  • Earthly wisdom sometimes causes unnecessary pain
  • Godly wisdom speaks the truth in love.

God reigns amid both Godly and earthly wisdom.

1 Samuel 14:16 And the watchmen of Saul in Gibeah of Benjamin looked, and behold, the multitude was dispersing here and there. 17 Then Saul said to the people who were with him, “Count and see who has gone from us.” And when they had counted, behold, Jonathan and his armor-bearer were not there. 18 So Saul said to Ahijah, “Bring the ark of God here.” For the ark of God went at that time with the people of Israel. 19 Now while Saul was talking to the priest, the tumult in the camp of the Philistines increased more and more. So Saul said to the priest, “Withdraw your hand.” 20 Then Saul and all the people who were with him rallied and went into the battle. And behold, every Philistine’s sword was against his fellow, and there was very great confusion. 21 Now the Hebrews who had been with the Philistines before that time and who had gone up with them into the camp, even they also turned to be with the Israelites who were with Saul and Jonathan. 22 Likewise, when all the men of Israel who had hidden themselves in the hill country of Ephraim heard that the Philistines were fleeing, they too followed hard after them in the battle. 23 So the Lord saved Israel that day. And the battle passed beyond Beth-aven.

Sometimes, it is just hard to understand why God does what He does.  Saul, full of earthly wisdom, brings the ark out to the battlefield.  He then sends it away.  The people of God rally, and the Israelites when the battle.  The first thing we must recognize is that God reigns amid earthly and Godly wisdom.  God’s first purpose is His own glory, and our call is to trust Him and seek His glory in all things.

Earthly wisdom causes unnecessary pain

1 Samuel 14:24 And the men of Israel had been hard pressed that day, so Saul had laid an oath on the people, saying, “Cursed be the man who eats food until it is evening and I am avenged on my enemies.” So none of the people had tasted food. 25 Now when all the people came to the forest, behold, there was honey on the ground. 26 And when the people entered the forest, behold, the honey was dropping, but no one put his hand to his mouth, for the people feared the oath.

Not all earthly wisdom causes unnecessary pain, but sometimes it does.  It makes no sense that Saul demands that no one eat until they win the battle.  Additionally, he isn’t fighting for God or the people.  He wants personal revenge.  And perhaps threatening to kill anyone who eats is a bit much.  This is a sad example of earthly wisdom that is untampered by the wisdom of God.

Godly wisdom speaks the truth in love.

1 Samuel 14:27 But Jonathan had not heard his father charge the people with the oath, so he put out the tip of the staff that was in his hand and dipped it in the honeycomb and put his hand to his mouth, and his eyes became bright. 28 Then one of the people said, “Your father strictly charged the people with an oath, saying, ‘Cursed be the man who eats food this day.’” And the people were faint. 29 Then Jonathan said, “My father has troubled the land. See how my eyes have become bright because I tasted a little of this honey. 30 How much better if the people had eaten freely today of the spoil of their enemies that they found. For now the defeat among the Philistines has not been great.”

Jonathan was unaware of Saul’s vow, so he eats and is immediately refreshed.  When informed of Saul’s vow, he declares that Saul is hurting the country by making rash vows.

Jonathan is a picture of how the Christian, who is gifted with the Spirit of God and the mind of God, should speak.  Read 1 Corinthians 2 to explain how this applies to Christians today.

1 Corinthians 2:11For who knows a person’s thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. 12 Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God. 13 And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual.  14 The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. 15 The spiritual person judges all things, but is himself to be judged by no one. 16 “For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ.

Big Idea:  We live in the conflict of Godly vs earthly wisdom. 

Truth:  God reigns in a world where earthly wisdom inflicts pain instead of love and grace.

Application:  Live knowing that you have a constant and abundant supply of Godly wisdom to guide you in discerning how to speak and act in this world.

Action:  Commit yourself to studying, understanding, and applying Godly wisdom in your personal and professional life. 

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