In that ye ministered to the saints.
"God," says the writer of the Epistle to the Hebrews, "is not unrighteous to forget" such ministry. It is a strong expression, and seems to imply that God would be unrighteous if he did forget. Here in the story of Ebed-Melech, we have an instance of God's rewarding ministry to his saints. For what Ebed-Melech did, cf. Jeremiah 38:7, etc. For his recompense, see these verses (15-18). Consider—
I. THESE RECOMPENSES. They are:
1. A fact. How many instances there are!—the widow of Sarepta; the Shunammite woman; Dorcas; Paul's friends, Onesiphorns, etc.; Jonathan; Mary of Bethany; Cyrus and the Persian nation, for their goodness to Israel; the people of Malta (Acts 28:1-31.); our own country, for offering asylum to persecuted Hollanders and Huguenots. And, besides such instances, there are repeated declarations to the same effect: "I will bless them that bless thee;" "They shall prosper that love thee." The cup of cold water given in the name of a disciple "shall in no wise lose its reward." "Whoso shall receive one such little child in my Name receiveth me."
2. Very great. (Cf. illustrations given.) How comparatively slight was the ministry! how cup of cold water like! yet how great the reward! How much this country owes, in her commerce, her character, her fame, to her ministry to God's saints! Many people denounce Cromwell for most things he did, but all applaud his interference with the bloody papists on behalf of the persecuted Waldenses. Milton's grand lines, "Avenge, O Lord, thy slaughtered saints," etc; have immortalized that deed as it deserved. No, indeed; "God is not unrighteous to forget," rather is he most gracious to remember, all such ministries.
3. Varied. Sometimes the recompense is given at the time, in tangible, material blessing. Sometimes such recompense is delayed, but comes afterwards in full measure. Sometimes it comes not here at all in outward recompense, but in spiritual joy and peace—sunshine in the soul, approval of conscience, gladness of heart, confirmation in good. But for all, and most of all, in eternity. "That is the great harvest-season of holy and benignant deeds." "They shall be recompensed at the resurrection of the just." But:
4. Ever sure. They shall be recompensed. None of that good seed shall fall on other than good ground, or yield other than bountiful and beneficent fruit. The little gift "shall by no means," saith our Saviour, "lose its reward." And his many present recompenses all confirm our faith in the truth of that blessed Word.
II. THEIR REASONS. Some of them are probably such as these:
1. For the Lord's own sake. Such ministries demonstrate the presence in the heart of that which he most of all prizes—love. They show "some good thing toward the Lord God." They delight the Father's heart, and his smile cannot be concealed nor his hand held back from blessing.
2. For the sake of those who thus minister, as Ebed-Melech did. God recompenses them because they have thus committed themselves on the side of righteousness, and he would encourage them.
3. For the sake of those ministered to. God blessing their friends tends to raise up friends for them, as they often need. "We will go with you, for we see that the Lord is with you."
4. For the sake of truth and righteousness generally. God, by such recompenses, makes it evident on which side he is. Thus he cheers his people, dismays his adversaries, decides the waverer, and so advances the good cause in the world.
III. THEIR ADMONITION. Follow the Lord's example; do not you forget those who have stood up for truth and right. Sympathize with, applaud, defend such. Be such yourselves. Would you have done as Ebed-Melech did? Do you when the Christian lad or girl is jeered at by godless comrades, in the school, the counting house, the shop, the kitchen? "Stand up, stand up, for Jesus!"—C.