ARE YOU A MINISTER AT GIBEON OR AT THE TABERNACLE OF DAVID?

           ARE YOU A MINISTER AT GIBEON OR AT THE TABERNACLE OF DAVID?

“So he left there before the ark of the covenant of the LORD Asaph and his brethren, to minister before the ark continually, as every day's work required: And Obededom with their brethren, threescore and eight; Obededom also the son of Jeduthun and Hosah to be porters: And Zadok the priest, and his brethren the priests, before the tabernacle of the LORD in the high place that was at Gibeon, To offer burnt offerings unto the LORD upon the altar of the burnt offering continually morning and evening, and to do according to all that is written in the law of the LORD, which he commanded Israel” 1 Chron. 16:37-40 

The Tabernacle in the Wilderness that Moses built was certainly God's order for a season. It was still functioning in the days of David, it was not in ruins. At that particular time it was "in the high place that was at Gibeon" [1 Chron. 16:39]. Burnt offerings and sacrifices were still being offered upon the brazen altar, and the priests of the LORD were still attending to its various functions.  After David brought back the Ark to the tabernacle of David on Mount Zion, the Ark of the Covenant was not restored to the Holy of Holies of the Old Tabernacle in Gibeon but now in David’s Tabernacle on Mount Zion. Are you a minisiter at Gibeon or the tabernacle of David?

Some ministers are ministering even today under the Old Tabernacle where the Glory of God has departed while others are ministering in the New Order where the Ark of Glory now reside. This latter-day kings and PRIESTS are examples of the temple or habitation of God in the spirit; It is the stronghold of joy, encampment of holiness, perfection of spiritual beauty, placement of the power and glory of God. It is the place of priestly ministry and kingly authority from which God's Word and His Glory might shine forth.

“And the Levites that are gone away far from me, when Israel went astray, which went astray away from me after their idols; they shall even bear their iniquity. Yet they shall be ministers in my sanctuary, having charge at the gates of the house, and ministering to the house: they shall slay the burnt offering and the sacrifice for the people, and they shall stand before them to minister unto them. Because they ministered unto them before their idols, and caused the house of Israel to fall into iniquity; therefore have I lifted up mine hand against them, saith the Lord GOD, and they shall bear their iniquity. And they SHALL NOT COME NEAR UNTO ME, to do the office of a priest unto me, nor to come near to any of my holy things, in the most holy place: but they shall bear their shame, and their abominations which they have committed. But I will make them keepers of the charge of the house, for all the service thereof, and for all that shall be done therein” Ezekiel 44:10-14 

It is true that we are in a restoration mode according to the plans of God. If we are going to be spared from the frustration of trying to restore something that has served its purpose and that belong to a dying order, we must recognize that God has new things in mind. And that He moves onward, forward and upward, enlightening the path of the just with the Light of a new day. A light "that shineth more and more unto the perfect day". He would bring us back to the old pathway, true, but that pathway leads on and on to new things in God. He wants to bring us back to our "first love," because many have drifted away from the right and true course.

God is not in the least interested in renewing some old religious structure whose use has faded away. God has an entirely new order for His people. Thank God for crossing the Red Sea but before us now is the River Jordan overflowing with the Spirit and we will as New Testament Priests carry the ARK on our shoulders so as to come into the Promised Land where manna ceases and we shall eat the good of the Land.

“And say to the rebellious one, to the family of Israel, Thus saith the Lord Jehovah, Let it be sufficient for you, of all your abominations, O house of Israel. In that ye brought in foreigners, uncircumcised in heart and uncircumcised in flesh, to be in my sanctuary, to desecrate it, my house, when ye offered my food, fat and blood, and so they broke my covenant to all your abominations. And so ye did not keep the charge of my holy things, but made them keepers of my charge for you in my sanctuary” Ezekiel 44:6-8

How can we that were given custodian of the Holy Vessel and House of Honor now pollute the very holy and sanctified house of God by desecrating it both physically and spiritually? How can we bring stark unbelievers into conferences of the HOUSE OF God to come and minister on the “Get rich quick schemes” or estate management? How can we bring unconsecrated and polluted comedians into the HOUSE OF JEHOVAH to open their mouth and make jokes about our God and we sit there laughing? How can we pollute the HOUSE OF GOD by sleeping with Jezebelic daughters of hell in the Church office like Hophni and Phinehas and yet declaring Word of God from a polluted vessel behind the pulpit? How can we mock God by being a Mother Theresa in the Church and being a trash mouthed, quarreling, nagging wife and gossiper on our jobs? I hear God saying loud and clear because you are neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth!

Let us take a further look at the old order, Moses tabernacle was at Gibeon but the most vital part of the tabernacle which is the ARK OF THE COVENANT was conspicuously missing! Empty vessels just making empty declarations!

I AM NOT THERE ANYMORE” saith God!

The seat of mercy was not in it! The two tablets representing the word of God was not in it anymore! The guarding Cherubim were long gone! The word of God was scarce, there was no more open visions and revelation knowledge of the heart of God was no more! The saints were being fed with stale bread and developing spiritual diarrhea! Aaron rod that budded depicting fruitfulness and awesome display of the POWER of God has disappeared, all that is left is stage managed healing and lying wonders! Booming speakers, display of lightning, talented musicians [not inspires minstrels], colorful backdrops, ungodly goose bumps, and emotional hypes which cannot replace the authentic descend of the GLORY of God in our midst when even the priests step aside for God to take over the service! Men of God has now left the real deal and serving tables! We prefer the Martha ministry than seat again with the Word of Jehovah like Mary! When nursing mother take in contaminated food and a have diarrhea, so also will the nursing baby have diarrhea!

“And the Levites that are gone away far from me, when Israel went astray, which went astray away from me after their idols; they shall even bear their iniquity” Ezek. 44:10

“Her priests have violated my law, and have profaned mine holy things: they have put no difference between the holy and profane, neither have they showed difference between the unclean and the clean, and have hid their eyes from my Sabbaths, and I am profaned among them” Ezek. 22:26

Many today in the Church are empty! Ichabod… the glory of God is long gone! Only ceremonial and routine works left that is void of the Spirit! I hear God saying “RETURN TO ME” ye backsliders, come out of your allegiance with darkness, let me lead and guide you again to the shores of Living Waters so that TIME OF REFRESHING can come to you from the Presence of Jehovah God. Apostasy and corruption has eaten into this priesthood order and men are not seeking incorruptibility anymore! Covetousness,  lust of the eyes, lust of the flesh, pride of life, inordinate passion to have what the Jones have not minding the process and ungodly ways to get them has eaten away their spirituality like cancer. 

They “went astray from Me after their idols” saith God. Men have even now replaced worshipping the creator with things that He created. We have gone astray! Many things that are earthly, sensual and demonic has taken the place of God in our hearts and we no longer serve him with all our hearts and in an acceptable manner! He that think he stand, take heed! Satan, the enemy of your soul is always strategizing to fall you down from your exalted position on Mount Zion… Beware!

“But the priests the Levites, the sons of Zadok, that kept the charge of my sanctuary when the children of Israel went astray from me, they shall come near to me to minister unto me, and they shall stand before me to offer unto me the fat and the blood, saith the Lord GOD: They shall enter into my sanctuary, and they shall come near to my table, to minister unto me, and they shall keep my charge. And it shall come to pass, that when they enter in at the gates of the inner court, they shall be clothed with linen garments; and no wool shall come upon them, whiles they minister in the gates of the inner court, and within” Ezekiel 44:15-17 

The “Zadok” priesthood indicated a race of faithful and devoted servants of God. A priesthood serving God in newness of spirit, not in the oldness of the letter. They hear God constantly, follow His bidding, and do those things that are pleasing in His sight. They easily bend in servitude and humility in order to please the Master! The people whom they represented have also become true spiritual Israelites, the Priests themselves a royal priesthood offering up spiritual sacrifices to the Lord. Their priestly linen garments is symbolic of purity and the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus.

These righteous SERVANTS of God are a type of Christ, having washed their linen clean in the blood of the Lamb and they are blameless, holy, sanctified and gloriously consecrated … FIT for the Master’s use! They are God’s spiritual servants who imitate Christ, follow His pattern of doing the Father’s bidding; and they walk in the Spirit. Such saints are alive in the Church today and they offer up themselves, body, soul and spirit serving the Lord with all their all and offer continually their spiritual sacrifices of prayer, worship and praise, unto God through Christ. Their meat is to do the will of Him that sent them faithfully.

Are you a Zadok Priest?

“It shall be for the priests that are sanctified of the sons of Zadok; which have kept my charge, which went not astray when the children of Israel went astray, as the Levites went astray. And this oblation of the land that is offered shall be unto them a thing most holy by the border of the Levites” Ezekiel 48:11-12 

If you will be a king and priest that serves God in a acceptable manner, though you may not get the earthly virtues that others get but God will be yours and in you. His glory will attain to help you fulfill kingdom mandate, abundant grace and divine blessings will encamp all around you and you will see the goodness of God in the land of the Living.You will wield authority and power and revelation knowledge will be fresh in your mouth daily. Wisdom will attest to the work of God in your hand and you will have favor with God and with men.

Arise and do meaningful spiritual work! For the Lord your God is with you!

Joses Hizkiah

www.joseshizkiah.com

FAITHFUL SERVANT

FAITHFUL SERVANT

“And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there: And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage. And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus said unto him, They have no wine. Jesus said unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? My hour is not yet come. His mother said unto the servants, WHATSOEVER HE SAID UNTO YOU, DO IT. And there were set there six water pots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece. Jesus said unto them, Fill the water pots with water. And they filled them up to the brim. And he said unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare it. When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was: (but the servants which drew the water knew;) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom, And said unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now” John 2:1-10 [emphasis mine]

Oxford dictionary described servant as a person who performs duties for others, especially one employed in a house to carry out domestic duties or as a personal attendant. Also as a devoted and helpful follower or supporter.

Spiritually speaking, all Christians are servants of the Lord Jesus Christ who has been given ruler-ship position or master over the Church of God by the Father. We have been admonished by the Lord Jesus Himself to obey and serve in the kingdom which is our sure way to prosper and have the pleasure that God supplies to His faithful attendants or servants [Job 36:11].

“My servant Moses is not so, who is FAITHFUL in all mine house. With him will I speak mouth to mouth, even apparently, and not in dark speeches; and the similitude of the LORD shall he behold: wherefore then were ye not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?” Numbers 12:7-8 [emphasis mine] 

We are specially ordained as servants to serve in the preparatory mode of consummating the wedding feast of the Master and the body of Christ. Whatever capacity that we have been called to serve either in the five-fold or supportive ministry, we must be diligent and willing to do the Master’s bidding at all times. Those who are proud and act like Masters forgetting that whosoever they become or whatever grace or gifts given to them are for them to effectively see that sons and daughters are prepared to meet the Master in holiness and righteousness. 

We have been appointed like Hege [the King’s chamberlain] that prepared Esther to be fully consumed with doing the Masters bidding in preparing His bride having the consecration of an Eunuch like Daniel who has been castrated from pleasing the world or having cares of the world but serving God with all our heart, body, soul and spirit.

Pivotal to the consecration of such servants is that they are non-conformist to the world system but transformed by the knowledge and doing of the truth so that they become like the Master Jesus who is truth personified. The excellence of service in the Kingdom of God is when one has been sustained and transformed by the truth and stand in disseminating the truth to others so that they too can be transformed to become like Christ. Christian servants who are custodian of the truth [word of life – John 17:17] are not to permit any error at all around them; in keeping them there is great reward].

The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward” Psalms 19:7-11 

The Word of God is the spiritual food of servants; they must read, study, meditate and do them day and night. Servants must be in the place ordained by God for their kingdom service at all times like Elijah did for the truth to bear root downwards and bear shoot upward and the will of God established on the earth. Servants like Moses, Jeremiah or Nehemiah do not have any hidden agenda or personal interest but focus on doing the master’s bidding at all times; meaning they are completely sold out to the Master’s cause.

Like in the case of the six clay water pots, they hear instructions from the mouth of the Master and follow through to do as He says not minding if such has been done before or if it were humanly possible knowing that what is impossible with men is possible with God. Even in their weakest state like clay, they know that God who formed man out of the clay can still form things from the invisible and breathe the Holy Ghost in all things such that the miraculous can be done to prove the Lordship of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Our own is to do whatever He tells us to do whether it is humanly feasible or not and we will surely see the manifestation if or when we do it according to heaven’s specification. There can be no wine when we fail to do according to heaven’s specification. Servants do not give up nor do they believe in impossibility since the Lord Himself is involved in it. They involve God in all they do and seek counsel at His mouth; they create a platform for Him to show Himself strong and perform great miracles and wonders. The servant that wait upon and serve his master shall be honored. The hallmark of faithful servant is doing whatever the Master tell him to do, doing it how the Master want and at His timing.

“Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season? Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods” Mat 24:45-47 

Like Jesus Christ our meat must be to do the will of the father and we shall be abundantly rewarded if He find us faithful. We do not only speak the truth but we live it out so that unbelievers can see us as living epistle read by all men.

“But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children; To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them. The LORD hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom rule over all .Bless the LORD, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word. Bless ye the LORD, all ye his hosts; ye ministers of his, that do his pleasure” Psalms 103:17-21

Servants are ministers of God just like the angels who does the Lord’s bidding day and night, keep His commandment and covenant. We shall be infused with mercy; and like the angels we shall be blessed and excel in strength. 

“O Lord GOD, thou hast begun to SHOW thy servant thy greatness, and thy mighty hand…” Deut. 3:24 [emphasis mine] [Check Psalms 89:20]

Servants are imparted with wisdom and revelations by God and there are infusion of great anointing, power and glory for kingdom exploits.

“Let them shout for joy, and be glad, that favor my righteous cause: yea, let them say continually, Let the LORD be magnified, which hath pleasure in the prosperity of his servant” Psalms 35:27 

God usually releases divine favor to His servants and He always promote them like David who was promoted from a shepherd to a king

“He chose David also his servant, and took him from the sheepfolds: From following the ewes great with young he brought him to feed Jacob his people, and Israel his inheritance. So he fed them according to the integrity of his heart; and guided them by the skillfulness of his hands” Psalms 78:70-72 

God will establish His word to you if you fear to walk according to it or devoted to the fear of the Lord [Psalms 119:38]. If you are a true servant of the Lord, there will be release of the word to you for the kingdom work through dreams, visions, meditation or prophecies upon which God will cause your hope to be anchored upon [Psalms 119:49]. Know for sure that God who promised you is well able to deliver according to His precious promises which cannot fail.

Be a faithful servant!

WALKING WITH GOD

WALKING WITH GOD

“And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him… By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God” Gen 5:24, Heb.11:5 

Walking with God denotes doing what is pleasing in His sight always and setting God always before us knowing He literally sees what we do, how we do it, when we do it, where we do it and with whom we do it at all times. Nothing done under the earth is hidden from this righteous judge for His eyes goes to and fro over all the earth.

It is to make God's word our rule and his glory our end in all our actions knowing that good things come to those that are doers of His word and the glory of God is revealed in those that walk uprightly and do nothing to offend him. It is to comply with His will, to concur with his strategies and schemes, and to be workers together with him. It is to be followers of him as dear children doing the will of God from our heart.

“If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sit on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: For which things' sake the wrath of God come on the children of disobedience: In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them. But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him” Col 3:1-10 

The people that walk with God must be entirely dead to this world, and did not only walk after God, as all good men do, but he walked with God, knowing that his eternal bliss is dependent on that factor. Like Elijah and John the beloved, they are on the earth realm but constantly perusing in the heavenly realm where they see how the angels walk, reverence and follow the dictates of God and they do likewise, seeking only those things that are above and the ways things are done in the heavens, obeying the ordinance that God’s will be done on earth as it has been done in heaven.

Enoch walked with God for it is the life of a good man to walk with God. It was the occupational thrust of Enoch's life, and his constant care and work to thus walk; while others lived to themselves and the world, he lived to God. It was the joy and support of his life. Communion and sitting [dwelling] with God in the heavenly was to him better than life itself. Enoch did not start true walking with God until he was sixty five years old but after that, he held on tenaciously to outright devotion and following God with all his body, soul, and spirit. Corruption was far from Enoch and he persevered to the very end walking as one who want to walk forever [even after his earthly sojourn] with God and God translated him. He walk worthy of God.

God himself will put an honor upon those that by faith, walk with him so as to please him. He will own them now, and witness for them before angels and men at the great day. Those that have not this testimony before the translation, yet shall have it afterwards. Those whose conversation in the world is truly holy and sanctified shall find their removal out of it truly pleasing. Enoch's translation was not only an evidence to faith of the reality of a future state, and of the possibility of the body's existing in glory in that state; but it was an encouragement to the hope of all that walk with God that they shall be forever with God. We must know that godly piety shall be crowned with godly honors.

Blessedness of walking with God has not only to do with being translated to heavenly places but includes living on earth as if one is put back into the Garden of Eden where all things has been prepared for us to enjoy.

“He chose David also his servant, and took him from the sheepfolds: From following the ewes great with young he brought him to feed Jacob his people, and Israel his inheritance. So he fed them according to the integrity of his heart; and guided them by the skillfulness of his hands” Psalms 78:70-72 

David was a man that walked with God despite his obvious sin in the issue of Bathsheba and Uriah because he genuinely repented of his sins [Psalms 51] and afterwards did what was right in the sight of God. His walking with God was described as uprightness or purity of heart, moral rectitude, integrity, truthfulness or reliability, and the skillfulness, divine competence and ability of his work. The latter being the ability to combine hard work with godly wisdom to get godly and good result.

That is why David was promoted from shepherding the sheep of his father Jesse to shepherding the people of God the Israelite. He pleased God with the best of his abilities and willingly submitted to all the ordinances, statutes and judgments of God. That was why God revealed this secret to Solomon before he manned the throne as king so that he can get same godly result that David got.

“The LORD appeared to Solomon the second time, as he had appeared unto him at Gibeon. And the LORD said unto him, I have heard thy prayer and thy supplication, that thou hast made before me: I have hallowed this house, which thou hast built, to put my name there for ever; and mine eyes and mine heart shall be there perpetually. And if thou wilt walk before me, as David thy father walked, in integrity of heart, and in uprightness, to do according to all that I have commanded thee, and wilt keep my statutes and my judgments: Then I will establish the throne of thy kingdom upon Israel for ever, as I promised to David thy father, saying, There shall not fail thee a man upon the throne of Israel” 1 Kings 9:2-5

Solomon did serve God but not with a perfect heart like David for he allowed his wives to lure him to serve other gods and did not walk like his father. He took his father’s love for women to an outrageous level and they caused him to err from the path of godly lifestyle. He dotted on strange women and did not apply the wisdom that his mother taught him [Prov. 31:3]. The love of women cast down his head from place of glory [Prov. 7:26]. Unrestrained lust will be uncontrolled, and the loosened hind will wander endlessly!

“For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other gods: and his heart was not perfect with the LORD his God, as was the heart of David his father … And it shall be, if thou wilt hearken unto all that I command thee, and wilt walk in my ways, and do that is right in my sight, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as David my servant did; that I will be with thee, and build thee a sure house, as I built for David, and will give Israel unto thee” 1 Kings 11:4, 38

Length of days and good life are promised to those that walk with the Lord and do what is right in His sight.

“Ye shall walk in all the ways which the LORD your God hath commanded you, that ye may live, and that it may be well with you, and that ye may prolong your days in the land which ye shall possess” Deut. 5:33

“And now, Israel, what doth the LORD thy God require of thee, but to fear the LORD thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the LORD thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul” Deut. 10:12 

The activities and affections of our souls and in the actions of our lives, our moralities and our performs should be to fear and love God, serve Him in an acceptable manner [Job 36:11], and obey God’s commandment. These are basic requirements for walking in the footstep of the Lord Jesus Christ.

“But take diligent heed to do the commandment and the law, which Moses the servant of the LORD charged you, to love the LORD your God, and to walk in all his ways, and to keep his commandments, and to cleave unto him, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul” Josh. 22:5 

We must fear the Lord our God by abstaining from evil, adore his majesty, acknowledge his authority, cleave to Him, stand in awe of his power, and dread his wrath. This is our gospel duty [Rev. 14:6]. Walking with God entails conforming to His holy will, desire that we will walk according to His heartbeat, and delight in the meditation with and communion with God so that we can do what is right in His sight.

Such ardent Christians must devote themselves to his honor, put themselves under his government, and lay out themselves to advance all the interests of his kingdom among men. And we must be wholehearted pleasing Him and passionate in his service. We must engross and employ our inward man in God’s work, and what we do for him we must do cheerfully and with a good will.

“But he's already made it plain how to live, what to do, what GOD is looking for in men and women. It's quite simple: Do what is fair and just to your neighbor, be compassionate and loyal in your love, And don't take yourself too seriously-- take God seriously” Micah 6:8 MSSG