One lesson that God taught quite early to the children of Israel was the need to take care of the widows, orphans, and strangers; because they constituted the vulnerable group in the camp. Any society that leaves its vulnerable members uncared for is playing with a time bomb. It is often said that a chain is as strong as its weakest link. This aphorism applies to group dynamics. One critical thing about group dynamics is the fact that the vulnerability of one is the vulnerability of all. It does not matter whether we speak of group in terms of family, church, or a nation. In our text, an Egyptian was abandoned by his master because he was sick. Leaving him behind was going to cost the entire army dearly.

In case someone told you that you have outlived your usefulness, be reminded that you are just what someone else needs for recovery and fulfillment of destiny…You remain an accessory to someone’s destiny!

There is also a note of encouragement for those who have been abandoned or dismissed. The Egyptian may have been left because his master taught he had outlived his usefulness. Incidentally, it was the same man that David and his men picked up, dusted, and fed before he became their guide. In case someone told you that you have outlived your usefulness, be reminded that you are just what someone else needs for recovery and fulfillment of destiny. A close associate of mine who had worked with a Japanese company said that they hardly throw away anyone as unfit. They just keep changing roles for the employee until something clicks. You remain an accessory to someone’s destiny!