DIVINE THOUGHTS SACRIFICIALLY TREASURED
A. Martin
I have an impression, beloved, as to Urijah as one who had divine thoughts in his affections.
This is a dark setting in the history of Israel, and certainly in the history of David, who had fallen from the divine standard and was now engaged in trying to cover up evil. But here is a man who has “the ark, and Israel, and Judah” in his heart—it appeals to me that this may refer in our time to Christ, and the assembly, and the service of God.
We know that Urijah had much that would rightly appeal to him naturally, and he was being encouraged to pursue what would appeal to him on a natural line; but his instincts were to consider, typically, for Christ, and the assembly, and the service of God—“The ark, and Israel, and Judah abide in booths”. He was a man whose instincts were right, a man who did not go wrong even when put in a situation that would cause many to go astray, because he had “the ark, and Israel, and Judah” in his affections.
It cost him much; we know what it cost him eventually it cost him his life. But we know, too, the place he has in Scripture. He is numbered amongst David’s mighty men—what an honour that was—but, also, his name is found in the genealogy of Christ, in the royal line (see Matthew 1: 6). But what has impressed me, beloved, is that he had divine thoughts in his heart; he considered for God. In that way he was priestly—“The ark, and Israel, and Judah abide in booths”.
Beloved, may we consider for divine thoughts for Christ, and the assembly, and the service of God. It was once said by some that if you made much of the assembly then you belittled Christ, but that is not so. Paul says, “I speak as to Christ, and as to the assembly” (Ephesians 5: 32), and if you make much of the assembly it glorifies Him who is “head over all things to the assembly”, Ephesians 1: 22. May we know what it is to have these thoughts in our hearts more, as to Christ, and the assembly, and the service of God, whatever it may cost us in the pathway. We are not promised an easy pathway, and Urijah certainly paid the price for his faithfulness; but he considered for God, and in his heart he had what suggests Christ, and the assembly, and the service of God. May it be so with us, for His name’s sake.
Word in meeting for ministry, Helston
21 June 1977