You have heard this before, “Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life” (Rev. 2:10b). While this is true, we must be cautious to whom/what we are being faithful. Uriah the Hittite teaches us that it is possible to be faithful unto death but still be wrong.
His story unfolds in 2 Samuel chapter eleven. David the king conceived a child with Uriah’s wife. To cover the sin, David invited Uriah in from the field of battle so that Uriah would lay with Bathsheba and “cover” the sin. However, Uriah would not go down to his home and his wife. When David inquired as to why, Uriah said, “The ark and Israel and Judah are staying in temporary shelters, and my lord Joab and the servants of my lord are camping in the open field. Shall I then go to my house to eat and to drink and to lie with my wife? By your life and the life of your soul, I will not do this thing” (2 Sam. 11:11). Uriah was more faithful to the country he served and its people than even the king in that moment. David tried to get Uriah drunk to lessen his resolve but to no avail (2 Sam. 11:13). So, David sent a message to the commander of the army, Joab, to put Uriah into battle where he would die (2 Sam. 11:14-15). It was Uriah that carried the message concerning his own death to the commander. It happened as the letter instructed, and Uriah died in battle.
It was evident from Uriah’s actions that he believed in what he was doing. He believed in the king. David would never guide him in the wrong direction. Uriah was listed among David’s mighty men (2 Sam 23:39). He was one of the thirty-seven elite in David’s army. Do people still put their trust in others that are in leadership positions instead of the King of kings? It is possible to be faithful to the wrong person.
He was faithful in his actions. He would not go down to his home and wife after having been out in the field. He was dedicated to what he was doing. He believed earnestly in his actions and the cause for which he was fighting. There are really good people who are dedicated and doing good things but are still wrong (Matt. 7:20-21). It is possible to be completely devoted to the wrong thing.
He believed in the message he carried. He faithfully performed the duty of carrying the message to whom he was commanded. He did not open it. He did not examine its content. He did what he was told. People today are doing the same. Carrying a message without examining its content. Faithfully delivering it all over the world. Yet, they do not realize that it is not a saving message. It is a message of death and their own demise. It will not save them.
Learn the lesson of Uriah. Be faithful to the right person, to the right institution and to the correct message.