Words of Wisdom

Week 4

FOLLOWING RIGHT BEHIND - AS ARMOUR BEARER

FOCUS

"Then Jonathan climbed up on his hands and feet, with his armour-bearer following after him. The Philistines fell before Jonathan, and his armour-bearer, coming after him, killed them."  [1 Samuel 14: 13.  NRSV]

FACTS

The armour-bearer is one whose service is  visible.
He carries the soldier's armour on his person.
From what all eyes see, on the armour-bearer, all know exactly what the armour of the one for whom he bears the armour, looks like.
The armour bearer never forgets that he is but the servant, chosen specifically to  bear his master's armour, not for himself, but for his master.

Jonathan is the King of Israel's son. At a time when the hearts of many in Israel are failing, because of how the enemy has raided and plundered them, leaving them defenseless and weaponless, this armour - bearer demonstrates the epitome of obedience and understanding of his role as armour-bearer.

FREEDOM

This armour-bearer obeys the WILL of his master and not his own will. The initiative to go and attack the detachment of the enemy poised and prepared to destroy the already demoralised  Israelites, is his master's, not his own.

He obeys the WALK of his master and not his own walk. He sees his master climb up using hands and feet, to get to the enemy and he follows exactly, no deviation in walk. Note! the path must have been a dangerous climb, when hands are needed to help the feet get there. Surely then, hands must be free to ensure such a climb.

He obeys the WAY of the master, that of removing the threatening enemy, as he follows the way his master gets rid of the enemies.

We who wear the Lord's armour must always be aware that the eyes of the world see the type of armour our God has, by the armour we wear. Be free to wear the Lord's armour and follow right behind Him, in His Will, His Walk and His Way.