“Jonathan said to his young armor bearer, “Come, let us cross over to the garrison of these uncircumcised men; it may be that the Lord will work for us. For there is nothing to prevent the Lord from saving, whether by many or by few.” And his armor bearer said to him, “Do everything that is in your heart (mind); here I am with you in whatever you think [best].” …That first slaughter which Jonathan and his armor bearer made was about twenty men within about half a [plow] furrow in a plot of land [the area of which a yoke of oxen could plow in a day]. And there was trembling in the [Philistine] camp, in the field, and among all the people; even the garrison and the raiding party trembled [in fear], and the earth quaked and it became a trembling and terror from God.”
1 Samuel 14:6-7, 14-15 AMP
Jonathan had it in his heart to come out of hiding and cross over the rocky crags to battle the Philistines garrison. When the Lord confirmed before him and his armor bearer that He was with them, Jonathan crossed over into the other side, on his hands and knees, and together they slaughtered approximately 20 men. They won the first battle which brought the fear of G-d upon the land.
I’m struck by Jonathan’s courage and his posture. While the Israelites hid themselves in caves, thickets, rocks, holes, and cisterns, and the men with his father Saul trembled in fear, he decided to cross over into enemy territory to defeat them. He threw up a fleece or sorts, a prayer of faith – asking G-d to confirm His will and His presence. Jonathan knew if G-d was with him, he would not fail. He demonstrated remarkable courage and faith.
When Jonathan saw G-d was with them, he then postured himself on his hands and his knees and crawled the rest of the way over and through the rocky crags. Crawling was likely the only way to get over the rocks physically, yet the imagery is significant.
A rocky crag is a high, steep cliff or passage way between mountains or rocks. The rocks are tall, flat, and sharp. In dreams, a high mountain or rocky crag symbolizes the fears or obstacles in our lives that prevent forward movement. Like a large boulder in our path, the obstacle or situation seems immovable and impossible. And to cross over, Jonathan had to crawl on his hands and knees – an image that means humility or worship in a dream.
The Lord spoke to my heart this morning while meditating on this passage that the way to win the battle before me is to cross over with humility, faith, and courage – crawl if I must, but just go, don’t give up, and cross over because He will be with me.
Father – You know my needs and are a great provider. Thank You for speaking to me today. Thank You for Your word that corrects and encourages. Give me strength to cross over today. You are good. Your leadership in my life is perfect and You can be trusted. Amen.
Daily Reading: I Samuel 13-14