This verse is in the story of Saul’s first battle as King. He led Israel to victory over the Ammonites who had in the past overcome the tribes on the east side of the Jordan, marking them by gouging out the right eye of every man they got hold of. The removal of that eye was done as a disgrace to Israel. The enemy didn’t want to only rout Israel, but to disgrace the nation as well.
Mind you, these people were actually cousins of the Israelites, being descended from Lot, Abraham’s nephew. That didn’t matter. They held a hatred for the children of God that was horrendous.
It’s pretty amazing what God did here, decimating Ammon the way He did, leaving no two soldiers together. I think there are implications we can take from this — two big ones in particular. As soldiers and as the vindicated. Let’s look.
As the Vindicated:
When God defeats our enemy, He will do the same for us, this scattering of the army. Here’s what that means. An army that is connected can communicate and move as a large unit, coming into battle with more than one weapon. Separated soldiers can’t do much of anything other than work to figure out a way to get back to the larger unit. Two can plan and work together to outwit the opponent. They can watch each other’s backs as well as attack. One alone is at a distinct disadvantage. A single soldier can’t make plans to attack — despite what we see in action movies. They need more people to create a flank to outmaneuver the opponent to win.
What’s more, two together can cheer one another on and encourage one another, to snap each other from the fear of failure and the reverie of inaction. One alone can only lift himself so far from the things that drag him down, and only so many times.
One alone has no one to talk to, to talk through ideas, to alleviate loneliness. Feeling connected is an important factor in psychological well-being. This is why so many who are alone find a pet, even a volleyball (a’la Castaway).
The same God who scattered
the Ammonites
fights for you, Believer.
Trust Him to take care of you
while destroying the Destroyer.
As the Soldier:
We who are believers are soldiers in the Lord’s army and He watches over us and takes care of us. The enemy of our souls tries to mock God by acting ‘like’ Him. This enemy will try to scatter us and get us alone, knowing the same things I talked about above.
As followers of Jesus, we are a threat to the Deceiver whose days are numbered. He works hard to make us believe that we don’t need to gather with other believers or that we don’t need others in our lives. We’re just fine all on our own. He’s lying.
I am an introvert. Being among people draws energy from my internal battery and I need alone time to recharge. What I’ve seen in recent past is more and more people deciding that they don’t need others in their lives because they are introverts. This is a lie from the enemy. Even in those times when I’m feeling drained, when a battle pops up, God gives renewed strength to get in there alongside my spiritual siblings to wield my sword.
Just because our energy drains some by being around others is no reason to avoid being around others. No. That is what our enemy wants. He wants us alone, unprepared and discouraged. He wants God’s army scattered and ineffective. He wants to destroy us one by one, and He can do that when we’re out there all alone.
It is crucial that we don’t
give the enemy of our souls an inch.
Yes, take your time to recharge—
rest is important— but then, reconnect.
Make plans. Become prepared.
Join in.
Refuse to be defeated by being connected.
Let’s choose today to be both the Vindicated and the Soldier. Let’s armor up, lift up our swords and enter the fray alongside other believers instead of shrinking back and becoming targets for the enemy’s devouring. It’s time to become alive in the Truth and kick the Liar in the teeth!
Coffee, Bible, Journal.
