1 Samuel 13:3-4 (KJV)
And Jonathan smote the garrison of the Philistines that was in Geba, and the Philistines heard of it. And Saul blew the trumpet throughout all the land, saying, Let the Hebrews hear.And all Israel heard say that Saul had smitten a garrison of the Philistines, and that Israel also was had in abomination with the Philistines. And the people were called together after Saul to Gilgal.
And Jonathan smote the garrison of the Philistines that was in Geba, and the Philistines heard of it. And Saul blew the trumpet throughout all the land, saying, Let the Hebrews hear.And all Israel heard say that Saul had smitten a garrison of the Philistines, and that Israel also was had in abomination with the Philistines. And the people were called together after Saul to Gilgal.
We in the United States live under such blessing! In Ancient Greek society every man was a soldier. It was how you protected your land. It was how you advanced your community. It wasn’t optional. It wasn’t a draft or lottery; if you were healthy and male you were expected to be a soldier and you expected there would be battles.
Ancient Israel, though not technically a warlike culture like Greece, was still very similar. There were enemies and there was no choice but to fight them. Jonathan had smitten some Philistines and Saul spread the word. They could expect reprisals.
- Wives and girlfriends might weep but no one begged any man to stay home.
- Mothers would fret for their sons but would never have, could never have asked them to stay away from the battlefield.
- A dad might have feared for his life and wondered who would care for his family if he died.
- A young man may have wondered what might have been if he were not about to be slain in the field of blood but none of them sought amnesty in another country
there was no safe place to flee. Age was no excuse. Position wealth and influence would no remove the obligation. It was die, or die fighting.
In our current situation with a military made up of volunteers who fight and sacrifice and often die in our place, may we be thankful.
1 Samuel 13:3-4 (KJV) Thank a Soldier
Please consider helping our church’s teen department by signing up for cash back shopping at Bible Baptist Church Fundraiser. This program has three levels of participation, the first being completely free. Email me for a free one month VIP membership.
No comments:
Post a Comment