THE LORD SPOKE (May 27)

Daily Reflections from Scripture:

Old Testament: II Kings 3-4

"The Prophet's Chamber" (II Kings 4:10)

The Shunamite woman appears in the Elisha narratives only here in II Kings 4 but it is clear that the prophet had repeated contact with this family (vs. 8 - "whenever he came by, he stopped there to eat"). So much so, that the couple prepared a special room for him to stay whenever he passed through (vs. 10). This practice has led to what is frequently called a "prophet's chamber" which people set apart in their homes for traveling men of God (missionaries, evangelists, others in full-time Christian service). What are the essential elements?

Bed - a place to crash, a comfortable rest stop, a quiet spot to be refreshed and restore your energy for the road ahead

Table - a breakfast nook, a simple provision for a bite to eat and not another restaurant meal - OR - a workspace to catch up on desk work that has been neglected while traveling

Chair - for vertical comfort after horizontal rest on the bed, a place to read and pray (pay attention to what kind of chair you place in the prophet's chamber!)

Lamp - an opportunity to keep working in the evening or in the early morning hours, illumination to read God's Word during quiet times in the schedule

Notice what's not there. There's no mention of a TV, though that and a bowl of popcorn might be fun on occasion. There's no mention of an all-hours interview room, though I'm sure they talked often. Instead, the picture you get is of simple comforts, seclusion, and some time for solitude. That's what the traveling prophet needs. Okay, maybe you don't have a separate room to dedicate to this, but can you do something to provide a get-away for a man (or woman) of God you know?


New Testament: I Corinthians 14

If this chapter were obeyed, there would be no modern charismatic movement. Paul gives eight rules for the exercise of tongues in the Corinthian church.

1. The purpose must be for “the strengthening of the church” (I Cor. 14:26b). In the beginning of the chapter he talks about his private use of tongues (I Cor. 14:13-19).
2. Not more than two or three should speak in a service (I Cor. 14:27a).
3. Only one should speak at a time (I Cor. 14:27b,30). That’s a far cry from the universal babel heard in charismatic services.
4. There must always be an interpreter (I Cor. 14:27b-28).
5. “Others should weigh carefully what is said” (I Cor. 14:29). If they really believed it was a word from God, no effort should be spared to record it in writing, publish it widely, and compile it along with all other such messages, so that nothing will be lost.
6. Each should “prophesy in turn so that everyone may be instructed” (I Cor. 14:31). There ought to be some order and clear organization to the presentation for God is not the author of confusion (c.f. I Cor. 14:40).
7. The speaker (and other leaders must be in control of themselves and what is being said at all times (I Cor. 14:32).
8. Women are not to speak publicly in the church - in tongues or otherwise (I Cor. 14:34-35).

But someone may say, “Keep reading to the end of the chapter. It clearly says, ‘Do not forbid speaking in tongues’ (I Cor. 14:39).” True, it said that in the first century when tongues were still a biblical sign gift. But the last chapter (I Cor. 13:8) has already told us that “tongues will cease” and it told us when; “when that which is perfect has come”.

This is not a reference to Christ though He is, of course, absolute perfection. The context of I Corinthians 12-14 is spiritual gifts and the immediate context here are the sign gifts which are imperfect or incomplete in what they can tell us (see I Cor. 13:10-12). “That which is perfect” in I Corinthians 13:10 is the completed Scriptures. Once the canon of God’s Word was complete by the end of the first century, there was no longer any purpose for tongues, so they ceased. The same is said about the gift of prophecy and the gift of knowledge. All three had the purpose of giving new revelation from God but once He’d completed His written revelation to us, all three revelatory gifts ceased.

No, tongues are not for today. If you want a word from the Lord or what to know what He has to say on any given subject, get your Bible out and start reading!