1 Chronicles 11:26-41: a reflection

26The mighty men of the armies also include Asahel the brother of Joab, Elhanan the son of Dodo of Bethlehem, 27Shammoth the Harorite, Helez the Pelonite, 28Ira the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite, Abiezer the Anathothite, 29Sibbecai the Hushathite, Ilai the Ahohite, 30Maharai the Netophathite, Heled the son of Baanah the Netophathite, 31Ithai the son of Ribai of Gibeah of the children of Benjamin, Benaiah the Pirathonite, 32Hurai of the brooks of Gaash, Abiel the Arbathite, 33Azmaveth the Baharumite, Eliahba the Shaalbonite, 34the sons of Hashem the Gizonite, Jonathan the son of Shagee the Hararite, 35Ahiam the son of Sacar the Hararite, Eliphal the son of Ur, 36Hepher the Mecherathite, Ahijah the Pelonite, 37Hezro the Carmelite, Naarai the son of Ezbai, 38Joel the brother of Nathan, Mibhar the son of Hagri, 39Zelek the Ammonite, Naharai the Berothite (the armor bearer of Joab the son of Zeruiah), 40Ira the Ithrite, Gareb the Ithrite, 41Uriah the Hittite, Zabad the son of Ahlai,

This passage lists the mighty men of David, his valiant warriors, named one by one for their faithful service. And among them, near the end, is a name worth noting: Uriah the Hittite. A foreigner, not an Israelite by birth, Uriah is nonetheless numbered among David's honored warriors, his faithful service recorded and honored alongside the rest. The roll of honor included even the outsider, the foreigner, whose faithful service earned him a place among David's valiant men.

Notice who is included in this roll of honor: the faithful, named and honored for their service, including even a foreigner like Uriah. Uriah was a Hittite, an outsider by birth; and yet his faithful service earned him a place among David's honored warriors, his name recorded alongside the rest. Faithful service was honored, regardless of origin; the outsider who served faithfully was numbered among the honored, his faithfulness recorded and remembered like that of the native-born.

That is worth taking to heart, for it shows that faithful service is honored regardless of origin or standing. We can imagine that honor and remembrance belong only to insiders, to those of the right background or standing; but Uriah the foreigner was numbered among David's honored men for his faithful service. Faithful service, not origin or background, is what earns honor before God; the outsider who serves faithfully is honored alongside the insider. Do not think that faithful service goes unhonored because of your background or standing, or that only insiders are remembered; Uriah the foreigner was numbered among the honored for his faithful service. And do not honor only those of the right background, overlooking the faithful service of outsiders; faithful service is honored regardless of origin. Serve faithfully, whatever your background, trusting that faithful service, not origin, earns honor before God, who numbered even Uriah the foreigner among David's honored men for his faithfulness.

Lord, this passage lists the valiant warriors of David, named one by one for their faithful service; and among them is Uriah the Hittite, a foreigner, not an Israelite by birth, yet numbered among David's honored men, his faithful service recorded and honored alongside the rest. Show me who is included in this roll of honor: the faithful, named and honored for their service, including even a foreigner like Uriah. Faithful service was honored, regardless of origin; the outsider who served faithfully was numbered among the honored. Take that to my heart, for it shows that faithful service is honored regardless of origin or standing. I can imagine that honor and remembrance belong only to insiders, to those of the right background; but Uriah the foreigner was numbered among David's honored men for his faithful service. Faithful service, not origin or background, is what earns honor before you; the outsider who serves faithfully is honored alongside the insider. Keep me from thinking that faithful service goes unhonored because of my background or standing, or that only insiders are remembered. And keep me from honoring only those of the right background, overlooking the faithful service of outsiders; faithful service is honored regardless of origin. Help me serve faithfully, whatever my background, Lord, trusting that faithful service, not origin, earns honor before you, who numbered even Uriah the foreigner among David's honored men. Thank you that you honor faithful service, whoever renders it.