HEARING

Israel was up against the Philistines under Saul’s leadership. While preparing for battle, he had flouted a rule; he offered sacrifices to God – something Samuel should have done. Samuel subsequently rebuked him and said so many negative words due to his (Saul) disobedience.

I started the story from there to let you understand Saul’s mental state prior to the battle – he was confused and quite helpless. Jonathan his son, on the other hand was just free minded and enthused as youthful as he was.

The Initial Fight

Jonathan, with his amour bearer had troubled the Philistines by killing 20 of their men. Saul wasn’t aware of this. This sparked the battle between Saul’s army and the Philistines. God had mercy on Israel so they won that day. But series of events had occurred behind Jonathan. Saul had placed a curse on any man who eats prior to their next battle. Jonathan didn’t hear this.

Honey Dip

"But Jonathan had not heard that his father had bound the people with the oath, so he reached out the end of the staff that was in his hand and dipped it into the honeycomb. He raised his hand to his mouth, and his eyes brightened."- 1 Samuel 14:27

On their way to battle, Jonathan dipped some honey and ate. His countenance was elevated. The army revealed the oath Saul had placed on them. Jonathan began to complain of the mistake his father has done by placing such an oath on the army. To him, eating the honey could have helped the army energy-wise, to easily win the battle. 

You see, Jonathan was able to eat the honey because he didn’t know about the oath. He wouldn’t have eaten if he knew, for fear of the oath. Faith comes by hearing (1 Corinthians 10:17a). The army feared the oath because they heard it. Jonathan did not fear because he did not hear.

What you hear affects how you act, think and judge. Thus, the contents of the things you listen to affects your decisions and your responses to the environment. If you hear that your friend is a witch, just by hearing it will definitely affect for a moment, your thoughts and actions towards your friend. That’s what happened to Saul’s army. 

The Abominable

Then someone said to Saul, “Look, the men are sinning against the Lord by eating meat that has blood in it.”“You have broken faith,” he said. “Roll a large stone over here at once.” - 1 Samuel 14:33

When the battle was over, the army was really exhausted. They now had the right to eat something because Saul’s oath was over. As I said, the oath was not God given so there was no divine direction for the aftermath. The army ate the animals they had plundered together with their blood. That is a serious sin against the Lord according the Law of Moses (Leviticus 7:26).

So now, an oath that weakened the army apart from one (who did not hear it) has now resulted to sin. Sometimes what you don’t hear helps you; sometimes what you don’t hear does not affect you.

If you don’t hear it, you don’t believe it, if you don’t believe it you don’t act on it.

Spirit of the Law

Same thing applies to most Laws of the Old Testament. As good as it is, did not make the Israelites perfect. ‘Do not cross this line’ triggers in me the desire to cross it to know why I should not cross. Has it ever occurred to you that you really wanted to look back because you were told not to? That’s what hearing does to you. It makes you want to think or act on what you hear. As much as possible, try not to listen to negativity. A little bit of extension; try also not to be affected by what you see, especially in these challenging times. It has the potential to negate your thoughts and actions. So the next time you hear something, please test and approve of it before you believe it or act on it .

The word of God gives you a formula for what you can think about, believe, or act upon when you hear. Please make sure that they are in line with Philippians 4:8;

"Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things"

MAY THE LORD MEND OUR NETS!