The Armour-Bearer

Revelations Fab shared at prayer meeting on Saturday morning - my paraphrase

1 Samuel 14: 6-7 & 13 "Jonathan said to his young armour-bearer, 'Come, let’s go over to the outpost of the Philistines. Perhaps the LORD will act in our behalf. Nothing can hinder the LORD from saving, whether by many or by few.' 'Do all that you have in mind,' his armour-bearer said. 'Go ahead; I am with you heart and soul.' Jonathan climbed up, using his hands and feet, with his armour-bearer right behind him. The Philistines fell before Jonathan, and his armour-bearer followed and killed behind him." (To read this within context, refer here)

Although unnamed, Jonathan's armour-bearer played a significant role in the battle with the Philistines. We can learn the following from this passage:

• An armour-bearer needs to be someone the leader can trust. Jonathan's armour-bearer was committed to supporting "heart and soul", despite the apparent odds and him being young, and perhaps less experienced in warfare.
• If the leader cannot trust his armour-bearer to stay behind him to shield unforeseen attacks, the leader will not be able to focus fully on what is ahead as there will be a tendency to look over the shoulder to check for attacks from the back.
• If the armour-bearer does not trust his leader and turns on him, the leader may fall and the main battle will be lost.
• This relates to leadership within the Church. If the people begin to accuse, judge and question a leader who seeks to do what God has called them to, the leader will be drained from having to address these 'attacks' and cannot be effective with the task at hand. 
• If the armour-bearer does not train and equip himself, and consequently leans on the leader during a battle instead of defending from behind, the leader will need to expend more effort supporting his amour-bearer and cannot fight as effectively.
• If the relationship between the leader and the armour-bearer is as intended, the leader is able to focus on what is more important - advancing - as opposed to having to deal with more minor issues.
• In the Church context, when leaders are able to entrust administrative matters to a team of willing, godly and wise people, they are released to focus on what God has called them to be responsible for, such as studying, teaching and imparting the Word (written and revelatory)well. (Refer to Acts 6: 2-4 for an example on delegation to facilitate ministry)
• It is important to note the significance of both parties. Each has their own role to play in order for the partnership to be effective. The outcome is to the benefit of both. At some point, the armour-bearer may rise up to lead others and so the 'pattern' continues for the advancement of God's kingdom.