TEXT: 1 SAMUEL 20:28-42
And Jonathan answered Saul, David earnestly asked leave of me to go to Bethlehem: And he said, Let me go, I pray thee; for our family hath a sacrifice in the city; and my brother, he hath commanded me to be there: and now, if I have found favour in thine eyes, let me get away, I pray thee, and see my brethren. Therefore he cometh not unto the king's table.
Then Saul's anger was kindled against Jonathan, and he said unto him, Thou son of the perverse rebellious woman, do not I know that thou hast chosen the son of Jesse to thine own confusion, and unto the confusion of thy mother's nakedness?
For as long as the son of Jesse liveth upon the ground, thou shalt not be established, nor thy kingdom. Wherefore now send and fetch him unto me, for he shall surely die.
And Jonathan answered Saul his father, and said unto him, Wherefore shall he be slain? what hath he done?
And Saul cast a javelin at him to smite him: whereby Jonathan knew that it was determined of his father to slay David.
So Jonathan arose from the table in fierce anger, and did eat no meat the second day of the month: for he was grieved for David, because his father had done him shame.
And it came to pass in the morning, that Jonathan went out into the field at the time appointed with David, and a little lad with him.
And he said unto his lad, Run, find out now the arrows which I shoot. And as the lad ran, he shot an arrow beyond him.
And when the lad was come to the place of the arrow which Jonathan had shot, Jonathan cried after the lad, and said, Is not the arrow beyond thee?
And Jonathan cried after the lad, Make speed, haste, stay not. And Jonathan's lad gathered up the arrows, and came to his master.
But the lad knew not any thing: only Jonathan and David knew the matter.
And Jonathan gave his artillery unto his lad, and said unto him, Go, carry them to the city.
And as soon as the lad was gone, David arose out of a place toward the south, and fell on his face to the ground, and bowed himself three times: and they kissed one another, and wept one with another, until David exceeded.
And Jonathan said to David, Go in peace, forasmuch as we have sworn both of us in the name of the LORD, saying, The LORD be between me and thee, and between my seed and thy seed for ever. And he arose and departed: and Jonathan went into the city.
Source
Today, we will be rounding off our series on "Building Healthy Relationships" with the above text.
From our text, Saul was an example of a father who embittered his son (Jonathan). He insulted and threw a spare at him in anger. He was an example of a father who did not rule his household in love, he disobeyed God's commands on several occasions and was not a good example to his chilren. Despite all these Jonathan and his brothers stood by him till the end and even died in battle with him.
Even today, some of us have ignored the Lords command, as heads of homes we have used human standards and our own wisdom to lead our households. As a'result, our children have become disobedient, ungodly, and have rebelled against us. Sometimes we wonder what we have done wrong. But if we search ourselves we will realse that we did not follow tenaciously the commands of the Lord hence the negative outcomes.
But today the Lord is telling all heads of homes to not give up, it's not late to start leading your home in love. For love covers all things and it heals. Also, children should not use the excuse of their father's weakness to rebel and sin against the Lord. Like Jonathan, we have a duty to honour our parents (Ephesians 6:13). Children honour your parents but have confidence in God
2 TIMOTHY 3:1-5
But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!
Unhealthy relationships are as a result of allowing ourselves to be used by the enemy and having attitudes (as described in our text) that do not befit the followers of Christ. The enemy has come to steal, kill and destroy and he is using the home as an entry point.
Brethren let us be wise in our dealings for the days are evil, and we are knowingly or unknowingly subscribing to this evil. We are leaving God's standard for man‘s standard by pushing aside the light burden of love and peace to take up the heavy burden of hate and chaos. In God's standard, there is a wife submitting to her husband as to the Lord, there is a husband ruling his home in love and service to his wife and there are children honoring their parents in all things. Ultimately in that standard, there is unconditional love.
It is never too late to make things right. Every day is a gift and serves as an opportunity to live better no matter how long we have been in the wrong. Let's take back what is ours, let's take back our blessings, let's take back our joy and prosperity by making our homes more blissful. Being a part of or having a family is a blessing given to us by God which must be cherished and every effort be made to keep it healthy and this is achievable because we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us.