 
DO MY PROPHETS NO HARM Through David, Jehovah said, “Touch not my anointed ones, and do my prophets no harm” (I Chron. 16:22). From earliest of times God’s prophets have been subjected to all kinds of abuse and persecution by the wicked. Not only the wicked of the world, but a worldly element in His kingdom hate and attack God’s spokesmen, thus joining hands with Satan in his effort to destroy them.This ancient word of warning is applicable today. Faithful gospel preachers fill a role similar to that of the prophets of old. Predicting the future was but a small part of the prophet’s work. He was first of all a preacher of righteousness. He spoke words of edification, exhortation and consolation, (I Cor. 14:3). So do preachers today. While the ancient prophet was inspired to teach, we must study the written revelation to know God’s will. Today, God still says, “Do my prophets no harm.” When we hurt God’s teachers we hurt God’s cause. It was God’s good pleasure through the foolishness of the preaching to save them that believe (I Cor. 1:21). When a preacher is attacked and driven from his work, the Lord’s cause suffers. When we destroy a preacher we hurt not only him and his family; we rob hundreds, even thousands of lost souls of their chance for salvation. There are insufficient preachers to tell all the world of Jesus, as it is. When a good man is brought down, there will be no one to take his place. Multitudes will languish in hell because of the damage done. Gospel preachers fill an important and vital role in God’s kingdom. Faithful, capable preachers make strong growing churches. Look around at congregations without the services of a good preacher. The value of a preacher’s work is evident. Do we want a congregation without a preacher? When we reject the instruction and correction of a teacher who is correctly telling us God’s will, and then try to “run him off,” we are, in reality, rejecting God and fighting against Him. To reject the sayings of Christ is to reject Christ (John 12:48). To receive Christ’s messenger is to receive the Son and the Father. Similarly, to reject those same messengers is to reject Christ and his Father (John 13:20). The very truth we rejected will judge us in the last day.
God will punish a people that persecute his prophets. Our Lord said, “Ye serpents, ye offspring of vipers, how shall ye escape the judgment of hell? Therefore, behold I send unto prophets...and some of them shall ye kill and crucify, and some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute from city to city; that upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of Abel the righteous...” (Matt. 23:33-35). When we attack or in any way hurt God’s faithful prophets, his preachers, we join the ranks of that unholy throng that began with murderous Cain. Our punishment will be the same as theirs. How shall such escape the judgment of hell? Why do church members hate and despise the preacher that they have employed to teach them God’s Word? This is a strange and paradoxical situation: people wanting a preacher, then turning on him as an enemy. Some dislike a preacher because he preached against their sins. Rather than repent, pride leads them to get rid of the meddlesome preacher. Perhaps the preacher perceived their hidden motives or ambitions and they seek to remove him before they are exposed. The preacher may have dislodged them from an unlawful seat of power in the church. Or maybe he refused to back their pet plan or personal desire. It could have been that he would not be apart of their clique, choosing rather to serve and cooperate with all the brethren. All of these reasons are commonly seen when carnal brethren turn on a faithful preacher. Could it be the same childish spirit that makes some school children hate and despise their teachers who are trying to do them good, motivates some carnal minded Christians to have hostile feelings towards preachers. With such a sinful attitude, brethren can never be acceptable to God (Rom 8:6-8). A preacher is no more effective than his reputation in the community. A man’s reputation is a fragile thing, easily marred and broken. Satan, understanding this, looks for willing helpers to discredit and destroy God’s men. It seems he has little trouble finding ready volunteers even inside the Lord’s camp.
No wonder so few young men are willing to devote their lives to full-time work for God. They have seen the abuse that faithful servants of God have suffered from evil brethren and they do not want to subject themselves and their families to it. Likewise, many good men have given up their wok for God because of such undeserved abuse. Put yourself in their shoes. Can you blame them? How Can We Help In This Matter? - Know them that labor among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; and ... esteem them exceedingly highly in love for their work’s sake” (I
- Thess. 5:12-13). These words, spoken first of elders, surely apply to preachers was well. Love and respect God’s teachers who serve faithfully.
- Teach your children love and respect for the ministers of the gospel
- Never discuss the faults and failures of preaching brethren before your youngsters, or before sinners of the world
- Open your home to God’s servants, get to know them personally, let them help you and yours with their knowledge and godly lives.
- Do not allow yourself to fall into the habit of criticizing every sermon and every move preachers and their families make
- Be a friend and supporter of good preachers when others disparage or attack them. Preachers need a friends too. Remember the golden rule (Matt. 7:12)
- Remember that a preacher who is not “run out” can be “starved out.” He may be unable to meet his financial responsibilities and this will make him vulnerable to his enemies. See that your preacher is well supported financiall
- When a sermon cuts and burns you, do not strike out at the preacher. “Try your own selves, whether ye are in the faith; prove your own selves” (II Cor.
- 13:5). Be like those on Pentecost, ask what you need to do to be right with God?
- Sure, some preachers, are bad, deceive and take advantage of brethren. But do not let the occasional rascal poison you against all preachers.
I do not argue for “ministerial immunity” for preachers. I do plead for fairness and equity, for consideration and kindness; that we treat preachers as we want to be treated (Matt. 7:12). Is this too much to ask? Let us love the brotherhood, including God’s preaching servants, and may we never do them harm.
JHW |
