IMITATE THEIR FAITH I/JONATHAN

 Picture a solitary m to

ilitary outpost overlooking an arrid and craggy landscape. The Philistine soldiers posted there have found something of interest in the monotonous view: Two men, Israelites, are standing in plain sight across the ravine. The soldiers are amused - they see no threat there. The Philistines have long dominated the Israelites, who cannot even get their metal farm implements sharpened without going to their Philistine enemies for help. Israelites soldiers are thus poorly armed. Furthermore, these are only two men! Even if they were two armed warriors, what rm could they possibly do? Sneering, the Philistines call out,: " Come up to us and we will teach you a lesson - 1 Samuel 13:19-23; 14:11, 12.

In fact, a lesson was in the making, but those Philistines would find themselves on the receiving end of it. The two Israelites ran down the ravine, crossed it, and began climbing up the near side. It was so steep that they had to use their hands and feet, but they kept coming, scrambling over the rocks, heading straight toward the outpost!  (1 Samuel 14:13) The Philistines could now see that the man taking the lead was armed;his armor-bearor followed. But was actually leadinga telwp-man attack on an entire garrison? Was the man mad?

He was not mad, he was a man of great faith. His name was Jonathan, and his story is alive with lessons for true Christians today. Though we do not engage in physical warfare, we can learn a great deal from Jonathan about courage, loyalty, and selflessness that we need in order to build genuine faiith. - ISAIAH 2: 4; MATTHEW 26:51, 52.

Next time: Loyal Son and Brave Soldier

From the jw.org publications