Apr | 02 | The Grace of Overlooking

Key Word:- BECOME

Title:- The Grace of Overlooking

1 Samuel 14:45 “Shall Jonathan die, who has accomplished this great deliverance in Israel? Certainly not! As the LORD lives, not one hair of his head shall fall to the ground, for he has worked with God this day.” So the people rescued Jonathan, and he did not die.

Nelson’s Column is the centrepiece of London. Even Trafalgar square in which it stands is a monument to his most famous of victories. One of the most repeated sayings of Lord Nelson is reputed to have first been uttered by him at the battle of Copenhagen, today in 1801. It was a furious naval action in which the British gunners are reported as ‘firing broadsides every forty seconds and thus shrouding the whole scene in gun smoke.’ It was during this battle, that Lord Nelson famously “turned a blind eye” to an order from his Commander in Chief.

Horatio Nelson was aboard HMS Elephant when a signal was clearly seen from his Commander in Chief’s ship ordering Nelson’s present action to cease! Nelson, who by now had only one arm and one eye, is reported to have put the telescope to his blind eye and said, “I really do not see the signal.” His command to his then protesting lookout was very clear “Mr.Langford,” he said, “I told you to look out on the Danish commodore and let me know when he surrendered; keep your eye fixed on him.” In other words, Nelson overlooked the signal from his commander in Chief to withdraw and continued to pummel the Danish ship into surrender. The consequent and continued close quarter’s bombardment overwhelmed the enemy of the day and of course, resulted in yet another famous victory!

Jonathan son of Saul, had by God’s hand, been right victorious and totally unaware of the command and oath of his father King Saul, that no one was to eat during the time of battle. “Cursed is the man who eats any food until evening, before I have taken vengeance on my enemies.” 1 Samuel 14:24-25. So, Jonathan not knowing of the oath and the curse, had taken and eaten a little wild honey and so seemingly sealed his unfortunate fate. Saul, like Jephthah of old, had made a death vow, and like Jephthah of old, his child Jonathan bore the brunt of it. There has to be a lesson there somewhere! However for today let us note that as far as Saul was concerned, his son Jonathan must die. It's just plain bonkers!

What went wrong here? Well, it is clear is it not that King Saul had made the wrong decision in depriving his troops of food for the fight? Jonathan knew that with the strength of such sustenance, Israel could have delivered themselves even more from the oppression of their enemies. Saul should have been humbled enough to speak clearly and honestly and just say to the people, “Oops!” Or on the other hand, like Nelson of old maybe, be wise and gracious to his conquering son and turn a blind-eye?

The Scriptures present these incidents to us that we might see the stupidity of unbending men, that we might take it to heart and make sure that we do not follow in their silly footsteps, for surely it is easier in the face of victory, to overlook both the thankful disobedience of those we might command and the rash words which we might have uttered in our own fear before the fray? If more leaders did this, then maybe then, we would all have more enjoyment in our well-fought fights?

Listen: - He who covers a transgression seeks love Prov 17:9

Pray: - Lord, help me to know, when to confront and when to cover, that I may always seek love and foster victory with accompanying joy! In Jesus name I ask it, amen.