In ‘Jonathan and his Times’, W.W. Fereday examines the life and times of Jonathan, son of King Saul. Although a man of faith, who loved David as his own soul and performed many daring exploits in the name of Jehovah, he was a man of mixed principles, a double-minded man who never lived up to his spiritual potential. 

 

Jonathan’s weakness is clearly shown: he was not prepared to follow David in his rejection. Fereday explains, “The Spirit records the weaknesses and shortcomings of those who have trodden the path of faith before us, for our present instruction and blessing.” 

 

We are here exhorted to review our Christian path. “What have we really surrendered for the One we profess to love? What cherished idols have we abandoned for Him? To what extent have we shared His rejection? 

Jonathan parted with David in the time of crisis; do we find it difficult to give the Lord Jesus Christ the place of absolute supremacy in our hearts and lives?” 

 

A word about the author: William Woldridge Fereday (1863 - 1959) was born in England. He was saved at the age of 16 and almost immediately started to preach and he spent the whole of his life in the study and exposition of the Scriptures, travelled extensively and spent a considerable time in Scotland and the continent of Europe.

His written ministry is well known for being brief and succinct as well as precise and accurate and always scripturally sound and Christ-centred. He has written many articles and booklets which include a very profitable series of Scripture Character studies.

 

This book is part of the Brethren Writers Library series. These books go forth with the purpose of introducing the listener to the writings of men who were gifted of God as teachers ‘for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ’. Many of their writings are freely available online at Stem publishing.com.

 

Words by the Wayside, 2015.