Rēad to Read …Again
Daily Reading: I Kings 6-7
I Kings 6:16
And he built twenty cubits on the sides of the house, both the floor and the walls with boards of cedar: he even built them for it within, even for the oracle, even for the most holy place.
Nine times in today’s two chapters the word “oracle” is used. In today’s verse (the one recorded above) the definition of the word is given. It is the most holy place. Some would call it the Holy of Holies. It was the place where the word of God was communicated. First in the Tabernacle, then in the Temple, now, today, in the heart of God’s children through the Holy Spirit.
In the Old Testament the word “oracle” is speaking of the place, except for II Samuel 16:23 wherein it refers to the Word of God. The counsel of Ahithophel was so revered that it was likened to the Word of God. In the New Testament the word is always pluralized (oracles) and refers to the Word of God. Today, according to I Peter 4:11 we are commanded, If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth; that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
Today, preachers and teachers for the Lord are to speak as the oracles of God. In other words, they are not to speak of their opinion, their understanding, or their wisdom, but rather the Word of God. Consider baptism. Years ago, I heard the pastor of a very large Baptist church give a testimony of a question about baptism. This pastor was in a Q&A session in a Bible conference, and someone asked about his method of baptism. The wise man of God said that his method was that a candidate for baptism ought to be faithful to every church service for about six months, prove that they would financially support their church with tithes and offerings, and show forth a life of true repentance of all known sin. He said that some of the preachers nodded their heads in approval of his answer. Then, after a pause, he said, “That is my method, but according to the New Testament, that is not God’s method.” Then he quoted Acts 2:41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized; and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
Every pastor has a decision to make. Will they minister to the needs of others according to their method, the method that the “others” probably want, or, will they minister to the needs of others based upon that which the Word of God commands? It is that simple. The oracles of God, the Words of God as found in the Bible are sacrosanct, or should be. Solomon made sure that in the Temple, according to the plan given him by God, that the oracle was paramount. In relation to the size of the Temple (about 150 x 75) the oracle was a very small part (about 25 x 25). But it was the most important part of the Temple.
Today’s temple is the body of every believer and like the Tabernacle and Solomon’s Temple, there is a holy of holies. That place where the Holy Ghost lives, teaches, leads, brings to remembrance, and yes, at times chastises. He is that still small voice that lives in the consciousness and subconsciousness of a child of God. He is the oracle of God. The Word of God in the soul. Never does His leadership disagree with the written Word of God. He is better than the advice of Ahithophel for He is God in us. What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? I Corinthians 6:19
Dr. William T. Howe
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