A Word In Season

…a word in due season, how good it is! (Prov. 15:23 KJV)

                         “Thy Prophets”?

“Thy prophets have seen vain and foolish things for thee:
and they have not discovered thine iniquity,
to turn away thy captivity…”
Lamentations 2:14

True ministry is primarily unto the Lord, not the people. The prophets described here focused on the people; they saw vain and foolish things because they were concerned about their acceptance and popularity. They had no concern for the actual spiritual condition of God’s house; their concern was for the attention of the people of God.

These prophets are called “thy prophets”, not God’s, for their ministry is of the people to build up a particular assembly, ministry, or organization, rather than HIS Lordship or HIS purposes in the earth. When this is so, there will never be a “discovery” of the iniquity of the people of God because true accountability is not popular. It is in the ministration of true accountability that the people of God are FREED from their captivity to self and their sins.

There is something inherent within the fallen nature of men; a need for acceptance and belonging. This need produces a reticence to declare the truth of God which is sharper than any two-edged sword, dividing asunder “soul and spirit” (Hebrews 4:12). It is here that we are freed from the “fear of man” and are brought by His grace to live our lives unto Him. 

True Ministry

True ministry ever seeks HIS freedom and liberty in God’s people. A false prophet’s or hireling’s only concern is to keep the people from scattering. Interestingly enough this was also the motive given for the building of the tower of Babel! Sadly God’s INHERITANCE is of little concern.

“And they say, “Give help, let us build for ourselves a city and tower with its head in the heavens, and make for ourselves a name, lest we be scattered over the face of all the earth.” 
Genesis 11:4

We are living in the days of the House of Eli. There was no real correction and the “ministry” of Hophni and Phinehas went unchecked until the very lamp of God went out in the tabernacle! It says of that day…

“In those days the Lord kept His word secret from men;
there was no open(ing)* vision “
1 Samuel 3:1

It is because men no longer contend for the purposes of God in this hour that we have come to such a condition. The eyes of Eli “waxed dim that he could not see” and it speaks later of the fact that he had grown fat. Is this not a true description of this hour? Apathy and neglect are seen across the land. A “seeker-friendly” atmosphere can mean that sins and iniquities are not an issue and that if a person simply “believes” that is enough. We can hold on to our sins and have God with no contradiction!

“The House of Eli”

This “House of Eli” is soon to pass away. A new priesthood is arising with a new heart; a heart that is fixed on HIM alone; a heart that desires a unified people filled with the fulness of His Life and Grace.

                                                      Ω

“The nature of Christ’s salvation is woefully misrepresented by the present-day evangelist. He announces a Saviour from Hell rather than a Saviour from sin. And that is why so many are fatally deceived, for there are multitudes who wish to escape the Lake of fire who have no desire to be delivered from their carnality and worldliness”

– Arthur W. Pink

*NOTE: Open – (Niphal Active Participle) pāraṣ: “A verb meaning to break out, to break down, to burst forth. It indicates the powerful multiplication and spreading of something in all directions” The participle denotes action, movement, and life.

Brian Troxel