The Voice in the Wilderness

48: 06 – 2023



The Oracles of GOD



Text: 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 (1 Peter 4:11).



Although the word “oracle” as used in modern times refers to a person through whom mediums or spirits speak, the older definition is however different. As used in the Bible by some Bible translators, the oracles of GOD are the words of GOD. The first part of 1 Peter 4:11 (the quoted text above), in the New International Version of the Bible states as follows, "If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. Please note the use of words “who speaks the words of GOD" in NIV and “let him speak as the oracles of GOD” in KJV. Let us look at another Scripture. Acts 7:38 (KJV) "This is he, that was in the church in the wilderness with the angel which spake to him in the mount Sina, and with our fathers: who received the lively oracles to give unto us." Its NIV counterpart states thus, "He was in the assembly in the wilderness, with the angel who spoke to him on Mount Sinai, and with our ancestors; and he received living words to pass on to us." Note the use of "received living words" in NIV, instead of "received the lively oracles" used in KJV. The life-giving nature of GOD's Word is clearly stated in this passage of scriptures.



Also, the oracle in some passages of the Old Testament refers to the most holy place or the inner sanctuary of the temple or tabernacle. I Kings 6:5, 19 "And against the wall of the house he built chambers round about, against the walls of the house round about, both of the temple and of the oracle: and he made chambers round about: And the oracle he prepared in the house within, to set there the ark of the covenant of the Lord" (KJV). This same passage in NKJV reads thus, "Against the wall of the temple he built chambers all around, against the walls of the temple, all around the sanctuary and the inner sanctuary. Thus he made side chambers all around it. And he prepared the inner sanctuary inside the temple, to set the ark of the covenant of the Lord there." Please note the use of the word, "inner sanctuary" in NKJV, instead of "oracle" used in KJV.



Every believer who has been called into the ministry by GOD has been given grace to effectively function in that ministry (Ephesians 4:7). Ministers are therefore expected to serve one another faithfully and be extremely careful with the usage of these gifts. 1 Peter 4:10 "As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God." As pastors and teachers of the Word, our words should be chosen carefully because as 1 Peter 4:11 puts it, they are the words of GOD. The words of GOD are words of eternal life (John 6:68). As we quote and expound the Scriptures, we must bear in mind that these are the words of GOD that must be taught in truth. Doctrines must be built within the context of Biblical texts, while comparing Scriptures with Scriptures. We cannot add or remove from the Word of GOD. Ministers are warned against this in Proverbs 30:5-6 "Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar." Revelation 22:18-19 "For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book." Brethren, you will agree with me that these warnings, particularly Revelation 22:18-19 are very terrifying! But these are true, because they are GOD's words: He says what He means, and He means what He says. Blessed is he who takes heed to GOD’s words (Proverbs 16:20; Luke 11:28; Luke 8:21).



As ministers, we must avoid and run away from the path of sin, adultery and covetous practices. A path trod by Balaam the son of Beor, a man described in 2 Peter 2:15 as one "who loved the wages of unrighteousness", is a no-go area for a true minister of JESUS CHRIST. We must not through our teachings and practices encourage people to live sinful lifestyles. The Word of GOD must be used for what GOD has ordained it for: teaching, rebuking, correcting and instructing into doing the right things (2 Timothy 3:16). These are necessary for a believer's spiritual growth and wellbeing (2 Timothy 3:17). We must preach and teach the truth and not cunningly devised fables that are bound to perish. Paul told his Corinth brethren in 1 Corinthians 2:1-5 “And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. 2 For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. 3 And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. 4 And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: 5 That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.” Brethren, the true gospel is the message of the cross. It is about JESUS, the One Who was crucified. This was the gospel preached by the early apostles.



The early disciples were not persecuted because they performed miracles, healed the sick, raised the dead etc. It was this gospel message of JESUS Who was crucified that made the Jewish religious leaders of their time to hate and persecute them. Acts 4:15-18 “But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves, 16 Saying, What shall we do to these men? for that indeed a notable miracle hath been done by them is manifest to all them that dwell in Jerusalem; and we cannot deny it. 17 But that it spread no further among the people, let us straitly threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this name. 18 And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.” But the early apostles never listened to such an ungodly admonition by their religious leaders. They responded as follows in verse 19-20, “But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. 20 For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.



The preaching of the cross has always been and will always remain an offence unto them that perish, but unto us who are saved it is the power of GOD (1 Corinthians 1:18). We must therefore resolve, the stands of the modern world and carnally-minded Christians notwithstanding, preach the gospel of JESUS CHRIST, the One Who was crucified.



Let us always have it at the back of our minds that, when we follow GOD's divine order in proclaiming the gospel message, “GOD is glorified through JESUS CHRIST, to Whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.”



Happy Sunday!



GOD bless you all.



Bro Michael E. Dike @ The Dayspring Ministries on 4th June 2023.