Undivided Loyalty

I was impressed by the description of the men of Zebulun who came to David at Hebron because they were determined to make him king of over Israel.  1 Chronicles 12:33 in the NIV described them in this way:  "...men of Zebulun, experienced soldiers prepared for battle with every type of weapon, to help David with undivided loyalty--50,000."  These are the sort of men a new king would want.  While their experience and preparedness for battle using every type of weapon was a plus, it was their undivided loyalty that was their greatest asset.  Divided loyalties lead to all sorts of conflict and trouble that can weaken and destroy a kingdom from within.

The NKJV puts the passage in a different light:  "...of Zebulun there were fifty thousand who went out to battle, expert in war with all weapons of war, stouthearted men who could keep ranks."  Rather than undivided loyalty, this version refers to the character of the men as "stouthearted."  The word is also translated, "undivided heart," "one or singleness of purpose," and "completely loyal."  The fact they could keep ranks shows how they all worked together to achieve one goal, for even in their marching they were ordered in where they were going as they kept in step with one another.  They were united in heart, resolve and intention, unique people who joined together in a grand venture of faith to serve and support the LORD's anointed king.

As long as Christians have an undivided loyalty to Jesus, we can unite together joyfully in service to our Saviour and KING.  God has given every believer in the church different spiritual gifts, experiences and abilities to be used for His honour and glory.  It is a shame when we assert uniformity in style, practice or perspective are requirements for unity.  The men of Zebulun had undivided loyalty coupled with preparation for battle with every type of weapon.  Among them were men skilled with swords and shield, others with bows, spears, slings--all kinds of weapons.  It was to their advantage to have masters of every discipline among them as they prepared for battle, and their singleness of purpose showed in ability to keep ranks.  The coordinated ranks of the men of Zebulun are a good example of the stouthearted unity believers can have in the church, the body of Christ.  As a body is one but has many members, we are to unite in God's work as one under Jesus our Head.

What does undivided loyalty to Jesus look like?  It is shown in our obedience to the commands of Christ, to put into practice the many "one another" commands, like loving one another as Jesus loves us.  Our loyal love to Christ is demonstrated when we confess our sins to one another, pray for one another, and forgive one another.  Galatians 6:1-2 says, "Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. ² Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ."  It means to support one another like when Joab found himself surrounded in battle and said to Abishai in 1 Chronicles 19:12, "...If the Syrians are too strong for me, then you shall help me; but if the people of Ammon are too strong for you, then I will help you."  Undivided loyalty to Jesus is to give grace to all, and the early church showed this by providing for the needs of the Jewish and Hellenist widows alike.  We may not be experts in war, but we can be willing to keep ranks together with undivided loyalty to Jesus.