⬇ EPUB

THE MAINTENANCE OF PRIESTLY SERVICE

P. Schubert

These scriptures give us examples of that which our brother has just spoken about. The circumstances in which these four young men lived were anything but congenial. There was, however, in them something that led their hearts to do what was right. The public position was one of breakdown. There remained no priest and no temple service. Yet what was lacking lived on in the hearts of these youths. In them there were the results of instruction which had been theirs since childhood. Now had come the occasion for bringing into expression what they had learned.

It is a question for each of us as to how much we value what we have received and—when the opportunity comes—are we able to put it into use? As recorded in John 14 Jesus said, “He that has my commandments and keeps them; he it is that loves me”. Love comes into expression in keeping the commandments and not just knowing them. These young persons had to maintain themselves at a place far from where God had blessed His people. They suffered in their hearts and considered for the rights of God which had never been given up.

So they had not ceased to be God’s people even in a foreign land.

The ruler over these young men, the foreign king, had given them commands which they could not carry out. They thought, however, of the Ruler who had authority over their earthly master. In type they said—as the apostles later expressed it —“God must be obeyed rather than men”, Acts 5: 29. They certainly fulfilled their obligations, but the pleasure of God had for them the pre-eminence. There was indeed plenty in Babylon that could have influenced the hearts of the youths. They had, however, a link with God Himself, the living God, and that determined their actions.

The king’s delicate food was prescribed for them. They knew, however, of another food. That is the important point. We become like that which we feed upon. In the book of Revelation the food of the overcomer is the tree of life and the hidden manna. It is for each of us a personal question as to what nourishes us. In the midst of a time of public breakdown the remnant comes to light and to them belong the promises and the secret provision of divine grace so as to maintain what is for God’s pleasure.

How these young men were recompensed for remaining faithful! God gave them knowledge and understanding in all learning and wisdom. Then as the difficulties became greater, as we read in the next chapter, they gathered together to pray. How great was the power that opposed them! It was the world-power of the nations which was characterized by absolute rule. But how did they meet this power? In their prayers they called upon the power of God.

And God answered. In 2 Corinthians 4 the apostle writes, “But we have this treasure in earthen vessels ... seeing no apparent issue, but our way not entirely shut up”. In these last few days we have been able to enjoy the blessing and happiness of fellowship. It is a great comfort that this has been maintained, and what help lies therein! It is a divine protection, beloved, this fellowship together. These youths brought their concerns in prayer to God, and He confirmed their position.

Later on in this interesting book we read how much they still had to combat, how their faithfulness was proved even to death. They were exposed to the strongest elements, to fire and to the lions. But they stood, and God gave them insight in all things. For example, how fully Daniel was initiated into the ways of God with men. He received understanding in all matters. He was even shown the place that the Lord will take as Messiah. God hides from His friends nothing of what He wills to do. That characterized their behaviour and their ways.

Before the face of these powers there appeared such a witness that ultimately the living God was acknowledged. Thus we see what faithfulness can bring about and how God acknowledges it and is able to recompense it in His ways.

Beloved, there is amongst us much light as to God’s thoughts and that this is so shows His wonderful grace. But this has always been connected with conflict and exercise so that God could give light. The young men had become such that He could recognize them as a holy priesthood. The official position was no more. Yet they exercised real priestliness. Peter speaks of a holy priesthood, and that has to do with communion with God. Scripture also speaks of a royal priesthood which is connected with suffering and this too is seen here. We have heard during recent days about the calling and we should think about it, that God never changes His calling. In whatever circumstances we may be found, each one is to be a real priest who fills his place in God’s service and in His testimony in this world.

I have read the passage in Timothy where we again find four persons. Paul is a prisoner but he has persons who stand by him and they are signs to us of characteristics which will go on to the

end. There was a sad matter. Demas had forsaken him, having loved the present age. He had thus shown that his inner links with Christ were not right. Christ’s death separates us from the present course of things. We cannot go on with the brethren just outwardly. We must have a secret history with God in which our relations with Him are cherished and increasingly developed. Outwardly there is nothing attractive in this. Paul, a prisoner, at one time stood alone in responsibility, but there gathered to him such as cherished what God had brought to light—the truth of the assembly which had been made known by Paul in his ministry. In these persons we see that they took part in tribulation with Paul and that they thus gave expression to their inner affection as abiding with him. There was Mark who had forsaken him once and for whom the service had perhaps been too demanding. He went back to Jerusalem; he had not quite lost his links with that system. Paul, however, can now say to Timothy, “Take Mark, and bring him with thyself”. How delightful it would have been to observe these persons, how they involved themselves with what concerned “the way” and what is still at the present time “the way”.

We all know what departure means to us. Yet where departure is known there is opportunity to return. The apostle says, “He is serviceable to me for ministry”. It is a feature of the last time—a time of shame and difficulty—that we are able to return to what Paul has set up.

Paul’s time, and our own, fall within the period of the fourth empire as made known to Daniel, the Roman power which raised its head here so as to bring to naught what was for God. But what is of God remains, and will remain. When we hold to it grace will be vouchsafed to us to endure and to reach the goal. We see the character of evil which stands athwart the testimony and we should

not be surprised because Satan seeks to hinder what God wills to reach. But let us hold to what the word reveals to us so as to go on together on this way toward the glorious moment when the Lord will come to take from this scene that which is His own, for judgment will then hasten. The times of the nations approach their end and God will complete His ways, which are fixed in His purpose and counsel. In the midst of present circumstances and difficulties He will bring His own through and cause them to know His personal support. This is the most precious thing there is.

Word in meeting for ministry, Cologne
21 June 1983

(From ‘ Neues und Altes’)

← Previous 2 of 6 Next →