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Bible Study Guides – The Life of God’s Messengers

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December 28, 2008 – January 3, 2009

Key text

“Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience.” James 5:10.

Study Help: Testimonies, vol. 5, 298–302; Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing, 32–35.

Introduction

“It is through humble, diligent, faithful toilers that the welfare of Israel is promoted.” Testimonies, vol. 7, 266.

1 What should we realize about the lives of faithful men and women throughout the ages, especially those whom God has entrusted with the gift of prophecy? II Peter 1:21; James 5:10.

Note: “In every age God’s chosen messengers have been reviled and persecuted, yet through their affliction the knowledge of God has been spread abroad. Every disciple of Christ is to step into the ranks and carry forward the same work, knowing that its foes can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth. God means that truth shall be brought to the front and become the subject of examination and discussion, even through the contempt placed upon it. The minds of the people must be agitated; every controversy, every reproach, every effort to restrict liberty of conscience, is God’s means of awakening minds that otherwise might slumber.” Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing, 33.

2 As we consider the faithfulness of God’s servants depicted above, what should we do? I Corinthians 10:33; 11:1.

Note: “[In God’s word] is open before us the history of patriarchs and prophets and other holy men of old. They were men ‘subject to like passions as we are.’ James 5:17. We see how they struggled through discouragements like our own, how they fell under temptation as we have done, and yet took heart again and conquered through the grace of God; and, beholding, we are encouraged in our striving after righteousness. As we read of the precious experiences granted them, of the light and love and blessing it was theirs to enjoy, and of the work they wrought through the grace given them, the spirit that inspired them kindles a flame of holy emulation in our hearts and a desire to be like them in character—like them to walk with God.” Steps to Christ, 87, 88.

3 How have the messengers of God and their messages been received down through the ages? John 5:43; Romans 10:16.

Note: “There is very little reverence for sacred things in some localities. The ordained instrumentalities of God are almost entirely lost sight of. God has instituted no new method of reaching the children of men. If they cut themselves off from Heaven’s appointed agencies to reprove their sins, correct their errors, and point out the path of duty, there is no way to reach them with any heavenly communication. They are left in darkness, and are ensnared and taken by the adversary.” The Review and Herald, April 7, 1885.

4 By what standard are we to test messengers and messages? Isaiah 8:20.

Note: “The man is to be regarded and honored only as God’s ambassador. To praise the man is not pleasing to God. The message he brings is to be brought to the test of the Bible. ‘To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.’ Isaiah 8:20. But the word of the Lord is not to be judged by a human standard. It will be seen that those whose minds have the mold of earthliness, those who have a limited Christian experience and know but little of the things of God, are the ones who have the least respect for God’s servants and the least reverence for the message He bids them bear. They listen to a searching discourse and go to their homes prepared to sit in judgment on it, and the impression disappears from their minds like the morning dew before the sun. If the preaching is of an emotional character, it will affect the feelings, but not the heart and conscience. Such preaching results in no lasting good, but it often wins the hearts of the people and calls out their affections for the man who pleases them.” Testimonies, vol. 5, 301.

5 What challenge comes to all faithful ministers? II Timothy 2:15. What attitude should we take toward them? Hebrews 13:17.

Note: “God always has men to whom He entrusts His message. His Spirit moves upon their hearts, and constrains them to speak. Stimulated by holy zeal, and with the divine impulse strong upon them, they enter upon the performance of their duty without coldly calculating the consequences of speaking to the people the word which the Lord has given them. But the servant of God is soon made aware that he has risked something. He finds himself and his message made the subject of criticism. His manners, his life, his property are all inspected and commented upon. His message is picked to pieces and rejected in the most illiberal and unsanctified spirit, as men in their finite judgment see fit. Has that message done the work God designed it should accomplish? No; it has signally failed, because the hearts of the hearers were unsanctified.” “Ellen G. White Comments,” The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 2, 1034.

6 What must faithful leaders and lay people be ready to face? Luke 6:22; I Peter 4:12–14.

Note: “Jesus has not left you to be amazed at the trials and difficulties you meet. He has told you all about them, and He has told you also not to be cast down and oppressed when trials come. Look to Jesus, your Redeemer, and be cheerful and rejoice. The trials hardest to bear are those that come from our brethren, our own familiar friends; but even these trials may be borne with patience. Jesus is not lying in Joseph’s new tomb. He has risen and has ascended to heaven, there to intercede in our behalf. We have a Saviour who so loved us that He died for us, that through Him we might have hope and strength and courage, and a place with Him upon His throne. He is able and willing to help you whenever you call upon Him.” Testimonies, vol. 8, 128.

7 What does God declare of His faithful few who stand for truth and righteousness? Hebrews 11:32–38; Psalm 116:15.

Note: “True prophets will ever prefer reproach, and even death, rather than unfaithfulness to God. The Infinite Eye is upon the instruments of divine reproof, and they bear a heavy responsibility. But God regards the injury done to them through misrepresentation, falsehood, or abuse as though it were done unto Himself, and will punish accordingly.” Testimonies, vol. 4, 167.

“The season of distress before God’s people will call for a faith that will not falter. His children must make it manifest that He is the only object of their worship, and that no consideration, not even that of life itself, can induce them to make the least concession to false worship. To the loyal heart the commands of sinful, finite men will sink into insignificance beside the word of the eternal God. Truth will be obeyed though the result be imprisonment or exile or death.” Prophets and Kings, 512, 513.

8 As we study the lives of patriarchs and prophets, what assurance is given us? Hebrews 11:39, 40.

Note: “Bible history stays the fainting heart with the hope of God’s mercy. We need not despair when we see that others have struggled through discouragements like our own, have fallen into temptations even as we have done, and yet have recovered their ground and been blessed of God. The words of inspiration comfort and cheer the erring soul. Although the patriarchs and apostles were subject to human frailties, yet through faith they obtained a good report, fought their battles in the strength of the Lord, and conquered gloriously. Thus may we trust in the virtue of the atoning sacrifice and be overcomers in the name of Jesus.” Testimonies, vol. 4, 15.

9 What choice is before every human being? Luke 9:23–26.

Note: “The cross stands as a pledge that not one need be lost, that abundant help is provided for every soul. We can conquer the satanic agencies, or we can join ourselves with the powers that seek to counterwork the work of God in our world.” Selected Messages, Book 1, 96.

“The yoke and the cross are symbols representing the same thing,—the giving up of the will to God. Wearing the yoke unites finite man in companionship with the dearly beloved Son of God. Lifting the cross cuts away self from the soul, and places man where he learns how to bear Christ’s burdens. We cannot follow Christ without wearing His yoke, without lifting the cross and bearing it after Him. If our will is not in accord with the divine requirements, we are to deny our inclinations, give up our darling desires, and step in Christ’s footsteps.” “Ellen G. White Comments,” The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 5, 1090, 1091.

10 By what means can God’s faithful servants overcome? Revelation 12:10, 11; I Corinthians 15:57.

Note: “None but those who have been overcoming by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony will be found with the loyal and true, without spot or stain of sin, without guile in their mouths.” “Ellen G. White Comments,” The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 7, 911.

“All who will can be overcomers. Let us strive earnestly to reach the standard set before us. Christ knows our weakness, and to Him we can go daily for help. It is not necessary for us to gain strength a month ahead. We are to conquer from day to day.

“We become overcomers by helping others to overcome, by the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony. The keeping of the commandments of God will yield in us an obedient spirit, and the service that is the offspring of such a spirit, God can accept.” Ibid., 974.

Additional Reading

“Christ has power from His Father to give His divine grace and strength to man, making it possible for him through His name to overcome. …

“All are personally exposed to the temptations that Christ overcame, but strength is provided for them in the all-powerful name of the great Conqueror. And all must, for themselves, individually overcome.

“He knows every trial and sorrow of childhood and youth. He was once just your age. The temptations and trials which come to you came also to Him. The sorrows which come to you came to Him. But He was never overcome by temptation. His life held nothing that was not pure and noble. He is your helper, your Redeemer.

“His heart of divine love and sympathy is drawn out most of all for the one who is the most hopelessly entangled in the snares of the enemy. With His own blood He has signed the emancipation papers of the race.

“Jesus does not desire those who have been purchased at such a cost to become the sport of the enemy’s temptations. He does not desire us to be overcome and perish. He who curbed the lions in their den and walked with His faithful witnesses amid the fiery flames is just as ready to work in our behalf, to subdue every evil in our nature. Today He is standing at the altar of mercy, presenting before God the prayers of those who desire His help. He turns no weeping, contrite one away … The souls that turn to Him for refuge, Jesus lifts above the accusing and the strife of tongues. No man or evil angel can impeach these souls. Christ unites them to His own divine-human nature. …

“There is nothing that can keep you away from God but a rebellious will.

“The will is the governing power in the nature of man. If the will is set right, all the rest of the being will come under its sway. The will is not the taste or the inclination, but it is the choice, the deciding power, the kingly power, which works in the children of men unto obedience to God or to disobedience.

“You will be in constant peril until you understand the true force of the will. You may believe and promise all things, but your promises and your faith are of no account until you put your will on the right side. If you will fight the fight of faith with your will power, there is no doubt that you will conquer.

“Your part is to put your will on the side of Christ. When you yield your will to His, He immediately takes possession of you, and works in you to will and to do of His good pleasure. Your nature is brought under the control of His Spirit. Even your thoughts are subject to Him. If you cannot control your impulses, your emotions, as you may desire, you can control the will, and thus an entire change will be wrought in your life.” My Life Today, 317, 318.

©2005 Reformation Herald Publishing Association, Roanoke, Virginia. Reprinted by permission.

Jehu

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A time came when the Lord spoke to Elijah and said, “Then the LORD said to him: Go, return on your way to the Wilderness of Damascus; and when you arrive, anoint Hazael as king over Syria. Also you shall anoint Jehu the son of Nimshi as king over Israel. And Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel Meholah you shall anoint as prophet in your place. It shall be that whoever escapes the sword of Hazael, Jehu will kill; and whoever escapes the sword of Jehu, Elisha will kill.” 1 Kings 19:15–17.

“And Elisha the prophet called one of the sons of the prophets, and said to him, Get yourself ready, take this flask of oil in your hand, and go to Ramoth Gilead. Now when you arrive at that place, look there for Jehu the son of Jehoshaphat, the son of Nimshi, and go in and make him rise up from among his associates, and take him to an inner room. Then take the flask of oil, and pour it on his head, and say Thus says the Lord, I have anointed you king over Israel. Then open the door and flee, and do not delay.” “And when he arrived, there were the captains of the army sitting.” Jehu was the head over all the armies of Israel at this time. “I have a message for you, O commander. And Jehu said, For which one of us? And he said, For you, Commander. Then he arose and went into the house. And he poured the oil on his head, and said to him, Thus says the Lord God of Israel: I have anointed you king over the people of the Lord, over Israel. You shall strike down the house of Ahab your master, that I may avenge the blood of My servants the prophets, and the blood of all the servants of the Lord at the hand of Jezebel. For the whole house of Ahab shall perish; and I will cut off from Ahab all the males in Israel, both bond and free.

“So I will make the house of Ahab like the house of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, and like the house of Baasha the son of Ahijah. The dogs shall eat Jezebel in the vicinity of Jezreel, and there shall be none to bury her. And he opened the door and fled.” 2 Kings 9:1–3, 5–10

Anytime Jehu was involved, things happened really fast. “Then Jehu came out to the servants of his master, and one said to him, Is all well? Why did this madman come to you? And he said to them, You know the man and his babble. And they said, A lie! Tell us now. So he said, Thus and thus he spoke to me, saying, Thus says the Lord: I have anointed you king over Israel. Then each man hastened to take his garment and put it under him on the top of the steps; and they blew trumpets, saying, Jehu is king!” 2 Kings 9:11–13

Jehu set out to fulfill the commission that the Lord had given him. He killed the king of Israel, and then Ahaziah of Judah was killed. Jehu then went on to Jezreel and had Jezebel put to death. The Lord had told him that he was to kill all of the house of Ahab because of their wickedness, “So Jehu killed all who remained of the house of Ahab in Jezreel, and all his great men and his close acquaintances and his priests, until he left him none remaining.” 2 Kings 10:11

Lost Doing A Good Work

Because Jehu did a work that God commissioned him to do, the Lord rewarded him. (See 2 Kings 10:30.) However, as I study the life of Jehu, I find nothing that assures us that Jehu will be in the kingdom of heaven. The Bible states that “Jehu took no heed to walk in the law of the Lord.” Verse 31. There is no promise of salvation to people who do not walk in the law of the Lord.

All of these stories in the Bible are given for us to learn lessons. The story of Jehu is a very interesting one. How is it that a man could be anointed by Elisha, do what he was supposed to do, have the Lord tell him, “I am going to reward you because you did what you were supposed to do,” and yet be lost?

Jehu had a number of problems in his life. One of those problems was that he was self-confident. Many people think that if you are self-confident, you are going to accomplish a great deal; but in the Christian life, self-confidence is one of the most dangerous elements that we encounter because a Christian’s confidence is to be only in the Lord.

Determined to Be Someone

What was Jehu’s second problem? He was determined that he was going to do something to really distinguish himself above other people. Do you remember that Jehu said to a companion, “I am zealous for the Lord. Come up with me and see it?” (See 2 Kings 10:16.) Jehu had a type of zeal but without knowledge. Writing of this type of error, Ellen White wrote that those who “cast aside all that has been said in regard to unity of sentiment and feeling, and trample upon the prayer of Christ as though the unity for which He prayed was unessential, that there is no necessity for His followers to be one, even as He is one with the Father. They go off on a tangent, and Jehu-like, call to their brethren to follow their example of zeal for the Lord.” Review and Herald, September 12, 1893. What is this tangent? “Men are to be condemned who start out with a proclamation of wonderful light and yet draw away from the agents whom God is leading.” Ibid.

So a person says, “Oh, I have this wonderful new truth.” They tell you the wonderful new truth and then start condemning all of the other people whom God has been using and say, “They do not know about this yet. They are not up to this yet.” This, she says, is the way that Jehu was. He wanted to lead others to follow his own example of haste and zeal which was not according to knowledge.

Another problem that Jehu had was that his religion was all activity. Remember the Bible talked about driving furiously like Jehu? Ellen White writes about this also. She says, “There are many whose religion consists in activities. They want to be engaged in and have the credit of doing some great work while the little graces that go to make up a lovely Christian character are entirely overlooked. The busy, bustling service which gives the impression that one is doing some wonderful work, is not acceptable to God. It is a Jehu spirit which says, ‘Come, see my zeal for the Lord.’ It is gratifying to self; it feeds a self-complacent feeling, but all the while the soul may be defiled with a plague spot of unsubdued, uncontrolled selfishness.” Signs of the Times, November 20, 1884. What was wrong? His religion consisted all in activity, but his heart was not changed. He was not developing the graces of a Christian character, a Christ-like spirit.

I referred to the fact that Jehu had a number of problems. He also had a problem of dissecting other people’s characters. Ellen White wrote to some people in the Battle Creek church who had this very same problem.

“You are not a converted people. The love of Jesus does not dwell in your hearts, and you are just as ready to fasten upon some other one to dissect his character, to become like Jehu in zeal to ferret out everything you can of a nature to condemn him, as you have been in the case of Bro. Bell. The spirit is there. The root of bitterness has not been dug out, but will spring into life and flourish wonderfully if it has a chance. The same suspicion, the same jealousies, the same spirit of insubordination, the same disrespect for men whom God has acknowledged as His servants, the same riding over authority that caused your present trouble, is not dead,—it is only quelled to arouse again in greater force, if a favorable occasion should offer. This spirit has never been expelled.” Special Testimony to the Battle Creek Church, 18

When you begin trying to determine everything that is wrong in the character of others, it has a reaction upon yourself.

Those who are like Jehu also tend to behave rashly. Do you know what it means to be rash? It is the tendency to make big, important decisions without carefully thinking the situation through. Of course, people who have this problem tend to think that everybody else is slow. Speaking of this problem, Ellen White wrote, “Many indulge a zeal like that of Jehu and rashly venture to make decisions in matters of grave importance while they themselves have no connection with God. They should humbly and earnestly seek wisdom from the One who has placed them in their position and should be very modest in assuming responsibilities. They should also lay the matter before the president of their conference and counsel with him. At some appointed time the subject should be patiently considered in the fear of God with much humility and sorrow for the erring who are the purchase of the blood of Christ with earnest, humble prayer. The proper officer should deal with the offenders.

“How different has been the course when, with self-assumed authority and a hard, unfeeling spirit, accusations have been made and souls have been thrust out of the church of Christ.” Manuscript Releases, vol. 12, 113

Have you ever met people who, if somebody commits a grievous error, their immediate response is, “Well, let’s just get them out. Let’s just disfellowship them.” That is the way that Jehu was.

One of Our Great Problems

Jehu went about to establish his own authority; and, friends, this has always been one of the greatest problems among the people of God. This has happened time and again. “During the night season has been presented before me the unfaithfulness of men who have occupied positions of responsibility at the great heart of the work. The counsels of this great center if kept pure and uncorrupted, would have been as the voice of God. But men have worked upon principles that are condemned by the Word of God and they have not heard nor obeyed the voice of God. Like Jehu they have driven furiously in a course to uproot the confidence of God’s people in men who are true to the Master’s cause. They have sought to establish their own authority while betraying the cause of God. While making decisions and devising and planning, they have tried to make their oppressive human orders as the voice of God to the people.” Manuscript Releases, vol. 17, 209. What were they doing? They were saying, “I am on the Lord’s side; but those people over there, they are not.” That was the way that Jehu was. He cast discredit on people whom God had been using.

Jehu assumed burdens that he was not able to carry. Ellen White, speaking about the leaders of the work, said, “Like Jehu, they have been driving furiously forward, to assume burdens which they cannot carry. It is because men know so little of true godliness, because they have so little genuine experience in the building up, little by little, of the work and cause of God, that they make long strides without God to lead the way.” 1888 Materials, 1630. While we do not want to go too slowly, there is such a thing as going too fast; and that is what Jehu did. He went too fast; he did things that were rash and not well thought through and assumed burdens that he was not competent to carry. He took long strides; he wanted to get the work done quickly.

I was interested in what Ellen White told our workers. She said, “Do not try to make everything go as fast as Jehu’s chariot wheels.” She wrote, “Men are slow to learn the lesson that the spirit manifested by Jehu will never bind hearts together. It is not safe for us to bind our interests with a Jehu religion. For this will result in bringing sadness of heart upon God’s true workers. God has not given to any of His servants the work of punishing those who will not heed His warnings and reproofs.” Review and Herald, April 10, 1900

Jehu had a spirit that, if you did not go along with his way of doing it, he would punish you.

Jehu was not gentle. Do you remember that Jesus said, “Come to Me all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart”? Matthew 11:28, 29. Jehu was not that way. Ellen White wrote about this character trait to our writers and editors. “The truth should be presented with divine tact, gentleness, and tenderness. It should come from a heart that has been softened and made sympathetic. We need to have close communion with God lest self rise up as it did in Jehu and we pour forth a torrent of words that are unbefitting, that are not as dew or as the still showers that revive the withering plants. Let our words be gentle as we seek to win souls.” Publishing Ministry, 307. Oh, friend, has your heart been made soft and sympathetic by the love of Jesus? When that has taken place, your religion is going to have a much greater effect on other people.

Jehu did what God wanted to have done, but he did not have the right spirit. Are we going to learn what Jehu apparently never learned? If we have Jesus inside our hearts, we will always see some way to reach the minds and hearts of others because we will be unselfish and thoughtful. Kindness opens the door to people’s hearts.

Greater Power Than Jehu

We are told that, “If we would enter into the joy of our Lord, we must be co-laborers with Him. With the love of Jesus warm in our hearts, we shall always see some way to reach the minds and hearts of others. It will make us unselfish, thoughtful, and kind; and kindness opens the door of hearts; gentleness is mightier far than a Jehu spirit.” Review and Herald, February 10, 1885. Would you like to have something that is more powerful than the Jehu spirit? Would you like to have power in your life? power to influence your children? power to influence other people? When you have the gentleness of Jesus and you speak to other people with tenderness and courtesy, that has greater power than all of the force that Jehu was able to muster. God wants to give you a superior wisdom, a superior power that will be able to go beyond the Jehu spirit and reach people’s hearts. Do you want it? Ask the Lord to give you a Christ-like, gentle spirit. Remember, it is far more powerful than the spirit of Jehu. It will give you access to people’s hearts. If you will ask the Lord for it, He will give it to you.

The End