In Charge of the Donkeys

Posted on by Jennifer Arimborgo

 

“Obil the Ishmaelite was in charge of the camels. Jehdeiah the Meronothite was in charge of the donkeys” (1 Chron. 27:30, NIV). 

I bet, if anyone asked you who Obil and Jehdeiah were, and what they did, you wouldn’t have been able to come up with the answer. I wouldn’t have either except that Holy Spirit pointed them out to me the other day in my quiet time.

Obil was the camel guy, and Jehdeiah was the donkey guy. Their full time jobs were to care for these animals belonging to King David, nothing more, and nothing less. They are not in the list of his mighty men. We don’t read of any particular exploits that they did. Camels and donkeys were their entire claim to fame. 

And yet, God saw fit to put their names into Holy Scripture, for you and me to read about. I’m pretty sure there’s a reason for that. He wanted us to know that their jobs were incredibly important to Him. Only incredibly important things made it into Scripture.

What is your job? Whatever it is, you are doing it for a King too. And it is incredibly important. The cannon of Scripture is closed at this point, so you won’t have a mention in there. But of your life of service, every single minute of every single day is getting written into God’s book of remembrance, when you live it as unto Him. “And whatever you do, do it as unto the Lord and not unto men” (Col 3:23).

Whatever you do. Whether that’s camel or donkey care, or delivering the mail, or serving people  at Walmart, or managing a business… whatever you do, do it unto Him. When we live our lives unto Him, He receives it as beautiful worship. 

Jesus made His value system quite clear when He stated unequivocally, “The greatest in the Kingdom is the servant.” (Matt. 20:26, Luke 22:26). Obil and Jehdeiah were among the very greatest in David’s kingdom. Oftentimes, that which will earn the greatest eternal reward goes with the least amount of notice here on earth. Quiet, unlauded service makes you among the very most important in the Kingdom where the King of Kings rules.  Continue reading In Charge of the Donkeys