THOSE FEW SHEEP

"Now Eliab his oldest brother heard when he spoke to the men; and Eliab's anger was aroused against David, and he said, ‘Why did you come down here? And with whom have you left those few sheep in the wilderness?'" (1 Samuel 17:28)

The times were treacherous. Israel was being confronted by the Philistines. King Saul and the men of Israel were encamped in the valley of Elah. On one mountain stood the Philistines, and on the other stood Israel, both arrayed for battle. Every morning and every evening for forty days Israel had heard the taunting challenge of Goliath, the Philistine giant. Finally Jesse, David's father, had sent some supplies with him for his brothers, who were part of the army. He also asked him to bring back assurance of their well being. Upon his arrival. David heard the challenge Goliath. Incensed at the defiance of this heathen, David asked what would be done for the man who killed this Philistine. David's older brother Eliab heard the discussion, and "his anger was kindled against David." In his indignation he said to David, "Why have you come down here? And with whom did you leave those few sheep in the desert? I know how conceited you are and how wicked your heart is; you came down only to watch the battle."NIV He must have been embarrassed by the fact that the whole army had been intimidated by Goliath, and for forty days and done nothing but tremble. In his chiding of young David, he asked "with whom did you leave those FEW SHEEP in the desert." His words were intended to demean David in the eyes of the other soldiers, as though they were responsible for much greater things. He suggested David was too proud for the lowly task of caring for sheep, and so he had come down to watch the battle and pretend he was a warrior. How wrong Eliab was! First, David had left his sheep "with a keeper," faithful to his responsibility (1 Sam 17:20). Second, he was on a mission from his father, as an obedient son. Third, he has been a faithful keeper of his father's sheep, even killing a lion and a bear that had come against them (1 Sam 17:34-36). Because of this, God was going to use him to eliminate antagonistic Goliath (v 17). Those "few sheep"  were his training ground for greater works.

It is never degrading to faithfully tend to a "few things" in anticipation of being called to greater responsibilities. Those of us who are in such a circumstance must not allow carnal men to intimidate us. Let us see to it that we faithfully care for what we have been given to do. Our God will call us to more noble works when the need arises, and we are better suited for greater responsibilities. Those who take the lower seat WILL be called higher (Luke 14:10).