PROPHETIC MINISTRY
[p. 254] PROPHETIC MINISTRY
1 Corinthians 14: 37; 1 Samuel 3:19 - 21; 1 Samuel 7: 3 - 12
The thought of prophesying has become an important feature among the Lord’s people, and this chapter in 1 Corinthians illustrates what such ministry may effect. We read in verse 22 that prophecy is not for them that believe not, but for them that believe, and in verse 24, “But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all: And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth”. A very important effect of ministry is that it presents the Lord to our hearts; in a sense the Lord is present in it.
The idea began early; for instance, in Enoch, who, though not called a prophet, is spoken of as prophesying. He prophesied concerning the wickedness prevalent in his day, and of the Lord coming with His holy myriads to execute judgment.
According to Psalm 105, God took special account of these ministers in the early days, of those spoken of in Genesis: “Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm”. They were but a few, and despised, but they were God’s prophets and God protected them. “My prophets”, He called them, and they were not to be molested. They went from one kingdom to another, but they were under His eye, when men generally had elected to dismiss God from their minds. In His wonderful grace in those days He provided prophets to bring Him in, in spite of man’s efforts to keep Him out. So today the enemy has succeeded in keeping nominal christians away from God. The opposition is a skilled matter, and it is aimed at keeping God out, whereas the prophet is intended to bring God in.
[p. 255] The idea of the prophet runs throughout the Scriptures, beginning in Genesis with Abraham and others. In Exodus God delivers His people by a prophet — “And by a prophet the Lord brought Israel out of Egypt, and by a prophet was he preserved”, Hosea 12: 13. This shows that the effect of prophetic ministry is to deliver God’s people from the world and to preserve them for His pleasure. This gift should be cultivated, not despised, for the apostle Paul says, “Despise not prophesyings”, 1 Thessalonians 5:20. Some might say, What is the use of his speaking, he is only a young christian; but Paul would have us not despise it, but make the most of it. It is an important matter; in meetings of this character we are not to despise what there is, for the Spirit of God says we are to make the most of it; whatever there may be is divine provision. On the other hand, those who have ability in this way should get to God about it and be ready to give out what they have. God will never fail us as we see the need for ministry. Covet the gift, make the most of it, enhance it, for the Lord provides all these things for us.
It is a striking thing that the first great female minister was Miriam and, as her name is mentioned in Scripture, she is called a prophetess. She is seen with her two brothers leading Israel out of Egypt. Her name is given and she is called a prophetess, showing the part that sisters may have in bringing in the mind of God — it may be in following up ministry in the way of conversation. Sisters have an immense place in the service of God. Miriam sings, and the women of Israel sing, and Miriam answers them. The women followed her, she had influence. One of the most important things in these days is sisterly influence for God. Sisters must take it to heart if the assembly is to move forward intelligently and feelingly. Four young women in the New Testament are spoken of as prophesying; they brought in [p. 256] God in what they had to say. The assembly should have the door open for God, and if I have it on my heart there will be an open door.
In this chapter the thought of the new covenant is preserved, and then the way of surpassing excellence, which is mentioned first in chapter 13. “Love never fails”. How can you prophesy without love? It is the way of surpassing excellence; hence, that being mentioned, the next thing is, “desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy”, 1 Corinthians 14: 1.
The next thing is to see how the prophet is controlled, and how he is known. He is to be recognised, as the apostle says, “let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord”, 1 Corinthians 14: 37. He is not a free-lance, not a man to go here and there preaching as he wishes, but he is under control. This epistle is for assembly government and order, and so, if a man is spiritual or a prophet, he is to be tested by the things brought out. Paul is known in this way, and what he says has first place. He is spiritual, and what he says is recognised. The things that I write, Paul says, it is the commandment of the Lord. That is the test. There are many who assume to be prophets — really they are false prophets — but there is the test by which we may know who are really prophets of God, those who bring God in. The things that the apostle wrote to the Corinthians were the Lord’s commandments. What a great thought that is — conveying the authority of the Lord in these great matters! Then he says, “But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant”, 1 Corinthians 14: 38. If I do not see, it is my blindness. If God is working in my heart I do see it. The secret of my heart is manifested, and I fall down and acknowledge God, that He is there, not simply in heaven, but that He is amongst the saints.
Now Samuel represents all this because he is a representative prophet. In this chapter, 1 Samuel 3,
[p. 257] the idea is that a man develops normally. We are to grow here, not afterwards. We grow here to the measure of the stature of the fulness of the Christ. A man assumed to be a prophet is marked by this — he goes on. Paul says, “Who has stopped you?” He did not stop, he went on; spiritually he sees more today than yesterday. Heaven looks for this growth, and we are to look for it in one another, and in our own selves. Of course no man can add to his stature, but he must see to it that he is learning, and by self-judgment.
So I draw attention to the fact that Samuel grew, and the Lord was with him. That is a very fine example for us. A man whom God is supporting is growing, and he will be conscious of it. What a great thought it is, that God is with a man! He said to Joshua that He would be with him wherever he went. It was the same thing with David and Daniel, and here Samuel brings God in, and then it says, “the Lord was with him, and did let none of his words fall to the ground. And all Israel from Dan even to Beer-sheba knew that Samuel was established to be a prophet of the Lord”, 1 Samuel 3: 19, 20. It is an immense thing in these days to have someone with the mind of God; an immense thing in any meeting or district, the more the better. The Lord gives them a place in the affections of the saints; they are prayed for, and are ready to give help whenever opportunity offers.
The next thing is that this prophet is to be kept fresh himself. “And the Lord appeared again in Shiloh: for the Lord revealed himself to Samuel in Shiloh by the word of the Lord”. The ark had not yet been taken and God was still with His people according to the position of Shiloh, and those who are in the place are kept fresh by appearings. God would have it in that way. If we are able to serve in any way, let us get to the Lord, and He does not fail [p. 258] to disclose Himself in some way. It may be that we cry out at night in prayer. We have some little inkling that the Lord is showing Himself; we are maintained in freshness, and the next time we speak it will come out, and others recognise it. Furthermore, this revelation is “by the word of the Lord”.
The word alludes to the intelligence of a person, not simply for his affections, but to act upon his mind. In fact, the truth is that christians have the mind of Christ, the faculty that God works upon. The prophet receives the word and knows how to give out what he knows, not everything, but what he should be giving out in power, for it is the word of the Lord.
In chapter 7 we see how it is worked out. Samuel spoke unto the whole house of Israel. From chapter 4 we do not see Samuel again until we come to this chapter. The Lord was working out something else in relation to the ark. Now the time comes that Samuel speaks to all the house of Israel; he has the ears of the house of Israel. God never fails to give that to the servant who lays himself out for it. Samuel said, “If ye do return unto the Lord with all your hearts, then put away the strange gods and Ashtaroth from among you, and prepare your hearts unto the Lord, and serve him only: and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines. Then the children of Israel did put away Baalim and Ashtaroth, and served the Lord only”, 1 Samuel 7: 3, 4. This is one of the most striking results of prophetic ministry, and it is universal. Where things are not right amongst us, the effect is to shut God out by man’s mind, as at Corinth. The prophet insists upon God coming in and having His place. If God is coming in you must deal with these abominations, whatever they may be, and there are many amongst us — such as links with the world, and sharing things in common with the world.
The effect is to be immediate, and then he says,
[p. 259] now that self-judgment has taken place: “Gather all Israel to Mizpeh”. He would not have them gather until they had judged themselves, and the evil associations had been dealt with. Now they can come together to Mizpeh. “And I will pray for you unto the Lord” (verse 5). He prayed as well as prophesied; these things go together. “And they gathered together to Mizpeh, and drew water, and poured it out before the Lord, and fasted on that day, and said there, We have sinned against the Lord”. They went further than putting away idols; they poured water on the ground, poured it out before the Lord; not, as the wise woman said, never to be gathered up again; it is to be gathered up here, and Samuel came in at that point to prophesy.
“Samuel judged the children of Israel in Mizpeh”; the word is not condemnatory, but for adjustment. Samuel was one of the judges in fact. It is a great matter to have this service carried on amongst us when matters come up for judgment, and the saints are put right by it. The things that would hinder are thus settled to the satisfaction of all, the conscience brought into it. He judged Israel in Bethel, Gilgal, Mizpeh, and Ramah all the days of his life. God honoured him from Dan to Beer-sheba, but here the point is that they were gathered together in self-judgment and acknowledged their utter weakness. Sin has been dealt with, differences are smoothed out, and the brethren are happily together, for they were all judging themselves. Samuel says, If you are judging yourselves, I will help you; I will settle that for you. Differences between this person and that person are straightened out, so that they are together happily and move on in the truth of the assembly.
Then it comes out that the Philistines attack under such conditions. God is working out His great thought for the assembly, and the enemy will attack that. So we find that the lords of the Philistines [p. 260] went up against Israel. We have experienced something of that — great attacks made upon us by the big men of christendom. They do not like the saints coming together happily. Satan does not like it, and he attacks at once. “And the children of Israel said to Samuel, Cease not to cry unto the Lord our God for us”. They knew that this man would be heard; they knew by experience that God heard Samuel. “And Samuel took a sucking lamb, and offered it for a burnt-offering” — a most intelligent way of approaching God, for there was no instruction as to a sucking lamb before. There is intelligence entering into all this, the right thing being done, a wonderful picture of the effect of ministry. The sucking lamb is offered up, and it says, “Samuel cried unto the Lord for Israel; and the Lord heard him. And as Samuel was offering up the burnt-offering, the Philistines drew near to battle against Israel: but the Lord thundered with a great thunder on that day upon the Philistines, and discomfited them; and they were smitten before Israel”, 1 Samuel 7: 9, 10.
The revival of interest in these meetings for ministry will surely be attacked, as also the public position generally; but if things are carried on in heavenly fashion, in the sense of the acceptance of Christ before God, God will defend that, for it is precious to Him. Israel was not saved by human instrumentality but by the thundering of God.
It is when the Philistines are attacking that the men of Israel come to light. They are no longer children, or babes, but formed persons. “And the men of Israel went out of Mizpeh, and pursued the Philistines”. That is a point reached; it is full growth. They are no longer babes, but men spiritually, and available to God for conflict and victory. So they reach a landmark, which is always so when God has His place, the servants have their place, and [p. 261] prophesying has its place. Important landmarks are reached and we can look back and be encouraged by them. “Hitherto hath the Lord helped us”. He has done it in the past and will do it in the future.