AS YOU HAVE SPOKEN– March 2019
BACKGROUND REFERENCES: Numbers 13:1-3, 21, 30, 31
TODAY’S REFERENCES: Numbers 14:1-3,28; Exodus 16:3; Ezekiel 37: 1-14
Numbers 14: 1-3 (NKJV)
So all the congregation lifted up their voices and cried, and the people wept that night. 2 And all the children of Israel complained against Moses and Aaron, and the whole congregation said to them, “If only we had died in the land of Egypt! Or if only we had died in this wilderness! 3 Why has the Lord brought us to this land to fall by the sword, that our wives and children should become victims? Would it not be better for us to return to Egypt?”….
Numbers 14;28 Say to them, ‘As I live,’ says the Lord, ‘just as you have spoken in My hearing, so I will do to you:
Exodus 16: 3
And the children of Israel said to them, “Oh, that we had died by the hand of the Lord in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the pots of meat and when we ate bread to the full! For you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger.”
Ezekiel 37: 1-14
The hand of the Lord came upon me and brought me out in the Spirit of the Lord, and set me down in the midst of the valley; and it was full of bones. 2 Then He caused me to pass by them all around, and behold, there were very many in the open valley; and indeed they were very dry. 3 And He said to me, “Son of man, can these bones live?” So I answered, “O Lord God, You know.” 4 Again He said to me, “Prophesy to these bones, and say to them, ‘O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord! 5 Thus says the Lord God to these bones: “Surely I will cause breath to enter into you, and you shall live. 6 I will put sinews on you and bring flesh upon you, cover you with skin and put breath in you; and you shall live. Then you shall know that I am the Lord.”’7 So I prophesied as I was commanded; and as I prophesied, there was a noise, and suddenly a rattling; and the bones came together, bone to bone. 8 Indeed, as I looked, the sinews and the flesh came upon them, and the skin covered them over; but there was no breath in them.9 Also He said to me, “Prophesy to the breath, prophesy, son of man, and say to the breath, ‘Thus says the Lord God: “Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe on these slain, that they may live.” ’ ” 10 So I prophesied as He commanded me, and breath came into them, and they lived, and stood upon their feet, an exceedingly great army.11 Then He said to me, “Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel. They indeed say, ‘Our bones are dry, our hope is lost, and we ourselves are cut off!’ 12 Therefore prophesy and say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord God: “Behold, O My people, I will open your graves and cause you to come up from your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel. 13 Then you shall know that I am the Lord, when I have opened your graves, O My people, and brought you up from your graves. 14 I will put My Spirit in you, and you shall live, and I will place you in your own land. Then you shall know that I, the Lord, have spoken it and performed it,” says the Lord.’ ”
As we focus on watching our words, we are reminded of an Arabian proverb which says, “Four things come not back: the spoken word, the sped arrow, the past life, and the neglected opportunity.”
Too often, we speak thoughtlessly, disregarding the consequences that we may reap. Frequently we quote Proverbs 18: 21 because we have memorized it and it seems befitting to our situation. We eat the fruit of our tongue. In Numbers chapters 13 and 14, the Israelites spoke in anger, every time they were mad at Moses, God’s servant. They did not realize that their complaint was not against Moses, but it was against God, who had instructed Moses.
As we reflect on Moses’ reluctance to obey God, we are assured that Moses would not have readily chosen to do what he was commanded. The task was great, but he made himself available, not only to God, but also, to the people. His destiny was sealed way back when, Jochebed, his mother, hid him and said he was a “goodly child” (Exodus 2:2). The Holy Spirit had to have shown her that he was special. How many parents declare those words over their children at 3 months or 3 years old?
Moses’ journey started out dangerously, at the alligator-filled River Nile, yet the positive declaration that was made, landed him in a palace with: private tutors; king’s food; servants; royal privileges and access to the king. Without a doubt, God’s purpose for Moses became evident to him, when he was given the task to confront Pharaoh and lead the Israelites.
For the most part, Moses did what The Lord told him. However, he, pre-paved his path by what he spoke (Exodus 6: 30; Numbers 11:14-15; Numbers 14: 17-28). We may suggest that Moses’ behavior could have been excused since he was human. Yet, our humanity must surrender to God’s perfect plan. It may be difficult for us to do so, but in insisting on our resolve we will be hurt when God breaks our stubbornness. If we make ourselves pliable, flexible, like a green stem, we can easily be trained to go in the direction of the Husbandman.
The Israelites voiced that Moses was leading them to their death. As they had spoken, it happened. All those who were twenty years or younger, were spared and they entered the Promised Land. The older ones died in the wilderness.
Regardless of the bumps, inconveniences, mountains of doubt, fear, despair that we may face along the journey, we must acknowledge our Guide. Does He have good plans for us? Can He make All things work together for our good? Will He shift the enemy’s thoughts for evil and use them for our good? Yes, yes, and yes!
God directs our way. He speaks to us through His word, servants, and circumstances. If we busily focus on the situation at hand, our ears will not hear, nor our mind interpret what He is saying and yes, we hinder His hand, by speaking negatively about what happens to us. We are all guilty as charged, but Jesus’ blood removes the condemnation and frees us. If we acknowledge our weakness, it is a perfect setting for God’s strength to be manifested (2 Corinthians 12: 9).
Take inventory. What have we spoken over our life? What world have we created? Is it death or life? Are we killing some things that God desires to do OR are we declaring life even to things that seem decomposed? Israel said that, their bones were dried, their hope was lost, and they were cut off. (Ezekiel 37:11) So God showed Ezekiel that He needed to intervene and prophecy life and hope for them.
Ezekiel saw the bones in the valley. Psalm 23: 4 encourages us not to fear, even in the valley. The fact that he saw bones, means that their life-giving flow had ceased. There was no flesh. All hope seemed useless. There was no reasonable expectation. The scene was dismal. The logical thing to do then was to rely on the Coroner and ask the grave workers to do their job. Wait! Can those dry bones live? The answer is dependent upon the one who is asking the question and of whom it is being asked.
Likewise, the outcome of seemingly lifeless situations lies in the Good Shepard, who is the Resurrection and Life. Ezekiel transcended to a spiritual realm. Therefore, he did not consider, neither the location, nor the condition of the bones. They were in plain view. Amidst everyone’s hearing and sight, we can prophecy to what seems lifeless/hopeless, if we function according to God’s omniscience. Our limited knowledge causes us to decipher and conclude that it impossible for bones to be viable. But, if the Lord says so, I can believe and repeat His sayings. You see, Israel needed to be restored and God showed Ezekiel that there is power in His words, if he obeyed what he was commanded.
Nothing happened before Ezekiel obeyed and spoke, but while he was yet speaking the word of the Lord, he not only heard, but also, saw the manifestation. The miracle began, though at first it was incomplete. There was no breath. For us, it would have been a perfect time to interject, “Did God really say…?” When God speaks, the gavel is pounded, and the verdict is passed beyond a reasonable doubt.
As Ezekiel continued to obey and speak to the very nature, the forms gained strength and organized against the forces that had held them captive. Their own declaration held Israel captive (Ezekiel 37:11). Through the vision, God showed Ezekiel that He, the God of Restoration, performs His word. (Jeremiah 1: 12).
Do we consider our challenges beyond God’s concern or ability? Sometimes we behave as if we have all the answers because God is on a journey out of town or He has too many other matters that consume his attention. Really?
God wants to liberate us from everything that we cling to, when we linger in the graveyard of defeat, discouragement, disappointment, fear, and regret. We can prophecy to our mind and invite the Holy Spirit to revive us so we can be assured, convinced, persuaded, know, that life is in our tongue and we will eat the fruits of our lips. Is it burdensome to say what God says? Absolutely not! How can we say what we do not know? We must therefore search the Scriptures.
Moses, at God’s word, led the Israelites out of Egypt because Canaan was their God-given inheritance. Has God promised us anything? Haven’t we seen some of them yet? Declare, “It is well!” Call the things that do not exist as though they are already manifested. Prophesying requires the use of the tongue, so speak to your challenges and do God’s principles, and it shall be as you have spoken.
Dr. O. A. James
REFLECTION
Discuss Job 23:10 “ But He knows the way that I take; When He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold.” What does that mean to you?