One Friday, before taking our grandchildren to the zoo in Chicago, we stopped at a fast-food restaurant for lunch. The facility was experiencing its normal crowded, noon-hour rush. Leaving my wife and grandchildren seated at a table, I went to order. After what seemed a rather long wait, I finally got the food and went back to our table there to be greeted by my wife’s strangely sober expression.
She explained that while I was at the busy counter, our 4-year-old granddaughter had suddenly jumped up without asking permission and run to me through the crowd. Because she was keeping our little grandson occupied, my wife had no opportunity to stop her or bring her back. She did carefully watch our granddaughter as she stood next to me there. Then, assuming that I was aware of her presence, she turned her attention for just a moment to our grandson. When my wife again looked back to the counter, our granddaughter was gone, and I was still standing there—completely unaware of my granddaughter’s visit.
At that moment, an elderly man conspicuous because of his suit, tie and hat approached my wife and quietly said, “Your little girl went in there.” He pointed to a hallway that led to the employee entrance and public rest rooms. Managing a hurried but sincere “thank you for telling me,” my wife took our grandson and quickly went after her.
Going to the ladies’ room first, she opened the door and, not seeing anyone, called her name. There was no answer. Feeling a rising concern, she went back to the elderly gentleman and asked if he would look in the men’s room to see if she possibly was in there. He came back saying, “There’s no one in there.”
Quite frightened by now, my wife decided to look once more in the ladies’ room before opening the “employees only” door. To her great relief and thankfulness, she saw two familiar little shoes dangling just below the bottom of the stall door.
After realizing what had taken place during those few moments and considering what might have happened, I heartily thanked God for His tender mercies. Then both my wife and I turned again to thank our elderly friend, but he too was gone.
It is very doubtful that we will ever see him again, at least in this world. However, his watchful concern for our granddaughter gave us a fresh insight into the vital role our elderly brethren often play as “watchers,” preserving the local gathering.
A Striking Parallel
This experience reminded me not only of the awful violence directed against little children in this world, but also of the awful violence that Satan directs against the assembly. The assembly spiritually and our children physically need loving, careful protection in the same spirit of vigilant care that our elderly, unknown friend had shown for our granddaughter.
Paul whose daily burden was “the care of all the churches” when speaking of Timothy told the Philippians, “I have no man likeminded, who will naturally care for your state” (Phil. 2:2020For I have no man likeminded, who will naturally care for your state. (Philippians 2:20)).
In a “day of small things” the testimony to God’s assembly is carried on in much feebleness “faint, yet pursuing” (Judg. 8:44And Gideon came to Jordan, and passed over, he, and the three hundred men that were with him, faint, yet pursuing them. (Judges 8:4)). In some cases, for instance, only elderly brethren attend local midweek assembly meetings. What would happen to these meetings if they ceased to come?
Then, too, who can rightly value the priceless example that such steady, unswerving devotion provides for younger brethren? “Fix your eyes on those walking thus as you have us for a model” (Phil. 3:1717Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample. (Philippians 3:17) JND). “Whose faith follow” (Heb. 13:77Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation. (Hebrews 13:7)). In not a few cases, it is this very watchful care and steady walk of our older brethren that God is pleased to use in preserving the local gathering. How thankful we should be for such loving care and service!
Principles From the Life of Barzillai
We think of the elderly Old Testament saint, Barzillai. He too lived in very dark, violent times times of great unrest in Israel (2 Sam. 17). David, the rightful king, “a man after [God’s] own heart,” fled from Jerusalem due to the rebellion of his own son Absalom. In the wilderness, when David was “come to Mahanaim,” Shobi, Machir and Barzillai met and cared for him and his followers.
In this account we find valuable principles provided for all who have the care and preservation of the assembly on their heart.
The Principle of Fellowship
We will first notice that Barzillai did not act alone. He was in fellowship with others in his desire to succor David. What a “pleasant” thing for brethren to “dwell together in unity” (Psa. 133:11<<A Song of degrees of David.>> Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! (Psalm 133:1)), to walk together with a common object before them the glory of Christ. The Apostle writes to believers in 1 John 1 so “that ye also may have fellowship with us.” How blessed is the assembly where brethren earnestly seek its care in oneness of mind. How vital is such fellowship! “Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Eph. 4:33Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. (Ephesians 4:3)).
The Principle of Humility
Barzillai was evidently the oldest of the three who came to David at Mahanaim. He was a “very great man” (2 Sam. 19:3232Now Barzillai was a very aged man, even fourscore years old: and he had provided the king of sustenance while he lay at Mahanaim; for he was a very great man. (2 Samuel 19:32)), and he is identified as the one who “had maintained the king while he abode at Mahanaim” (JND). Yet he takes the low place. When first mentioned in 2 Samuel 17:2727And it came to pass, when David was come to Mahanaim, that Shobi the son of Nahash of Rabbah of the children of Ammon, and Machir the son of Ammiel of Lo-debar, and Barzillai the Gileadite of Rogelim, (2 Samuel 17:27), his name is placed last. What Barzillai so beautifully portrays, the Lord Jesus teaches in Luke 22:2626But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve. (Luke 22:26): “He that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve.” How happy the assembly where the principle of humility is thus practiced by each one. “Let each esteem other better than themselves” (Phil. 2:33Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. (Philippians 2:3)).
The Principle of Selflessness
David does not forget Barzillai’s loving care. When he returns to Jerusalem, he tells Barzillai, “Come thou over with me, and I will feed thee with me in Jerusalem” (2 Sam. 19:3333And the king said unto Barzillai, Come thou over with me, and I will feed thee with me in Jerusalem. (2 Samuel 19:33)). This was an honor rightly deserved, we may say, by this dear, elderly saint.
Barzillai’s gracious response gives us another principle. He does not seek to please himself, but he thinks of the younger, in view of their blessing. “Let every one of us please his neighbor for his good” (Rom. 15:22Let every one of us please his neighbor for his good to edification. (Romans 15:2)). Thus it is that Chimham becomes the beneficiary of David’s kindness. “Behold thy servant Chimham; let him go over with my lord the king.”
Does this not touchingly remind us of the untold number of ways our beloved elderly brethren quietly and without notice serve the assembly that it might be preserved to those of us who are younger? What a heritage these dear brethren leave by such selfless, loving care for those who are younger!
The Principle of Inheritance
Shortly before David dies, he gives final instructions to his son Solomon in order that the kingdom would be preserved. It is sweet to see that Barzillai’s care and service are still bearing their seasonable fruit. “But show kindness unto the sons of Barzillai the Gileadite, and let them be of those that eat at thy table: for so they came to me when I fled because of Absalom thy brother” (1 Kings 2:77But show kindness unto the sons of Barzillai the Gileadite, and let them be of those that eat at thy table: for so they came to me when I fled because of Absalom thy brother. (1 Kings 2:7)).
Let us thank God for our elderly brethren and seek to be more vigilant for ourselves that what is so precious to the heart of Christ and so under attack of Satan be preserved “till He come.”
Ed.