God says: You ain't all that!

[Pastor Michael Samuels]

The bible reminds us not to think of ourselves more highly than we should. It also reminds us to humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God. It is sad, very sad... that men and women who have been called to carry, to treasure, to declare the most awesome thing on earth, the word of God, have somehow exalted themselves above the word, above those who they are called to serve and sometimes above God.

It saddens me when I travel and see men and women of God with their crew...LOL, entourage of 10, 15, 20 or more men and women following them and worshipping them as if they were God. I understand the need for a few, 2-4 people maybe around you and being attentive to your needs, but sometimes it is ridiculous. Yes, there are security concerns sometimes, yes there are some needs that the woman or man of God might need immediate attention, I understand that..but!

We must take a note from presidents and world leaders. Unless they are in immediate or potential danger, you very rarely realize that secret and service agents are around , but you better believe if you blow your nose wrong, the presence of these security teams would be on you like white on rice.

I love the spirit of Bishop Gary Hawkins. The man has a ministry of perhaps, 15-20k membership in 3 churches but he is so down to earth, a true people person. He still drives to the old neighborhood chicken shack, not to busy unless he has some important meeting or task to do after a service to stop and talk to you, pray with you, or just laugh with you. When did we become so important that we are untouchable? Yes, we must use some wisdom but not at the expense of lifting ourselves higher than we should.

We are called to be servants but to many church leaders do not serve but want to be served. We must remember that the least, the servant, the last will be exalted. God is talking about our heart condition and real service done to his glory from a true heart.

What do you think?

[A.W. Bowman]

As to the use of 1 Cor 16:22, I have to agree with luis de jesus when he noted that this vers has been missed applied.

Reference all of1 Chronicles 16, with emphases on Verse 22
‘Touch not Mine anointed ones, and do My prophets no harm.’

What we have here is a description of what God accomplished during the forty years of wilderness travels by the Hebrew nation. This period is also notable by it lack of kings. Which begs the question, just who were God’s “anointed ones” referred to in this passage? The only record of any group of people being “anointed” for God’s service were Aaron and his sons, as priests of God. Also see all of Leviticus and Numbers for the anointing of all appointed priests. No king was added to or included in an anointing until after the time of Judges.

-------------

To touch not:
Hebrrew: naw-gah', H5060 touch, reach, strike; 1 Chronicles 16:22 (Qal, 3) Touch=harm, B.D.B Gesenius Hebrew-English Lexicon, pg 619a.

The scripture that came to be referenced is used inappropriately here. For the instructions were those given to the kings of the nations through whose nation the Israel traveled, not to the people of God. Now, there were times that no one could touch a priest – when they were serving God in the Tabernacle of the Assembly (Congregation), but this passage do not apply to that situation.

With all respect, please consider this alternative meaning of God’s instructions (which I will not dispute):

Another possible explanation, and quite straight forward, is that God was actually testing you. Will you obey me or not? Last night you mingled with the people, tonight you will not. Last night people touched you with their words and caressed you with their hands, tonight you shall not entertain such attention. From the witness you received, it would seem that you passed that test.

Of all the events recounted during this time, and the one that I found to be the most troubling, however, was the statement, “They also thought it was comical that I told them don’t let laity come to the altar after I had ministered the Word.”

The saints of God having been personally invited by God to come before the throne of Grace, and are free to enter into the Holy of Holies opened up by Jesus, i.e., to be in the very presence of God (even with having God dwelling within), are yet to be denied being in “a perceived close physical proximity” of one of God’s servants (at a church alter)? There is something terribly wrong with this picture. It says God has become “a respecter of persons”. Is there now a new religious hierarchy of priests and priestess who are to over shadow God’s established royal priesthood of believers, of whom Jesus Christ is the High Priest?

This strikes a very harsh chord in my spirit.

[luis de jesus]

Yes and we should always interpret scripture in context. Biblical Hermeneutics is a wonderful thing.

[Pastor Michael Samuels]

Just a note...I enjoy the responses. They make me study and talk to God more. One thing that we must relaize is that there is the logo and there is the rhema word. It is dangerous to just quote scripture (and this is to all who teach and share, including myself) without seeking God's face or confirmation about what God is really saying in particular passages of His word, HIS WORD....

[luis de jesus]

Sister Mary can you please give me scriptural reference for what you say God told you?

What does the Bible mean when it says not to touch God’s anointed? It’s not my opinion or yours that matters; but what God’s Word have to say about this that really counts? I certainly wish the people that repeat this phrase would read it in its context, 'the Lord's anointed', is a reference to the kings of the nation of Israel (1Sam. 12:3,5; 24:6,10; 26:9,11, 16,23; 2 Sam. 1:14,16; 19:21; Psalm 20:6; Lam. 4:20). The mention of prophets, is a reference to the patriarchs (Psalm 105:8-15; 1Chron. 16:15-22). It is used exclusively in the Old Testament.
Ps 105:11-15 Saying, “To you I will give the land of Canaan as the allotment of your inheritance,” When they were few in number, indeed very few, and strangers in it. When they went from one nation to another, from one kingdom to another people, “He permitted no one to do them wrong; yes, He rebuked kings for their sakes, Saying, “Do not touch My anointed ones, and do My prophets no harm.” Notice in this Scripture that God protected His anointed (who was Israel) and His prophets from the enemies of Israel to bring physical harm.

The first thing one should notice is that the word touch actually means physical harm. What it does not mean is saying something about another person publicly that is true. How do we know this? Because that's exactly what David did about Saul. It was David who said he would not harm God’s anointed, who was King Saul at the time but He spoke out publicly about him.

Not only David, but Samuel “touched God's anointed,” as he spoke out against the kings disobedience. God told Saul to “Smite Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have, and spare them not...” (1 Sam. 15:3). But instead, he spoke a half truth and “spared the best of the sheep and of the oxen, to sacrifice unto the Lord...” (v.15). Samuel said it was rebellion like witchcraft and idolatry (v.24). Because he did not obey the Word of the Lord he would be removed being king. Saul admitted he feared the people and obeyed their voice. What a crucial thing to learn of Saul who was God's anointed.

In1 Sam.16:13-16 we find David who was shepherd boy was anointed before God took away Saul’s position. David refused to touch Saul physically but it didn’t stop him from telling everyone the truth about him publicly.

David not raising his hand to touch (harm physically) God’s anointed is used in 1 Sam.26:9,11,23. Look at 1 Sam.26:11: tells us that David would not stretch his hand out to touch him (harm him); instead he sneaked up and took Saul’s spear and water jug. In verse 15 David rebukes Abner for not guarding Saul and says he deserved to die. Saul hears the commotion and comes out, and David rebukes Saul before all his troops, asking why he is pursuing David’s life since he is innocent -- that the king has come out to seek a flea. Saul then repented for his rash behavior and called himself a fool. David returned Saul’s possessions and said, “For the Lord delivered you into my hand but I would not stretch out my hand against the Lord’s anointed.” Notice what this means, not to bring physical harm.

1 Samuel 24:10 “Look, this day your eyes have seen that the LORD delivered you today into my hand in the cave, and someone urged me to kill you. But my eye spared you, and I said, ‘I will not stretch out my hand against my lord, for he is the Lord's anointed.” “And David said to Abishai, “Do not destroy him; for who can stretch out his hand against the Lord's anointed, and be guiltless?”(1 Sam. 26:9)

Saul was anointed as King over Israel he had a position of rulership that was soon to be over. Knowing he was next in line David refused to physically touch the king as God’s anointed and remove him from his position prematurely. It was God, not David who would remove Saul from his position (26:8-10).

[A.W. Bowman]

Okay kids - you can get back to the real discussion - - - -

[A.W. Bowman]

Thank you Brother Luckett - the confusion being at my end is the better place for it! LOLOL

[A.W. Bowman]

Sorry – but I had to make a couple of editorial changes on this post too! LOLOL

Brother Lukett - there must be some misunderstanding - I would never say what you have suggested. If you cannot preach the same gospel of Jesus Christ anywhere in the word, there would have be something wrong with your message. Further, a lack of funds and material possessions is not a curse, it is a common state of human existence, and those who are wealthy are warned about allowing their wealth to become their god, less they fall into temptation and otherwise shipwreck their faith.

In your statement concerning the preacher who would not be touched, surely Jesus would have wept for two reasons. (1) because of the high-mindedness of the preacher, and (2) because the lady who looked to touch the preacher rather than Jesus. And, this event also illustrates how one sin can feed upon another.

Therefore, whatever I posted that caused this misunderstanding of my thoughts, I apologize to you, and any others, for my lack of care in expressing myself.

[luis de jesus]

LOL @ Sista Yolanda.

[Prophetess Yolanda O. Irons]

Amen @ Rev Luckett ... that was the ONLY time that Jesus didn't allow anyone to touch Him . Come on now why have security for the Man of God ? The Kingdom is not the mafia . Some folks needs to get a grip and get real about the role of servanthood !

[Prophetess Yolanda O. Irons]

Oh boy Pastor Samuels ... you have come up with a LIVE one ... I have to jump on this because I have been to events when the guest preacher would have 15 people deep surrounding them and you are not allowed to shake their hand ! I am a people person , and I like to fellowship with the saints . Iam very transparent . Like Prophet Williams stated , we all are servants of the Lord . Somehow , some of our fellow clergy has forgotten this and have become puffed up in PRIDE . Look here , we havent arrived and you are right about " we ain't all that " . God is yet doing some work in us , to be more transparent and real for the body . I am soooooooo tired of people putting their Man or Woman of God on a dern pedestral and idolizing them . That's real crazy to me . As much as I love my Pastor , I don"t put him on a pedestral because I know that he 's human , and that He's not God . OOOOOOOOOOOOh .. shouldn"t have not got me started , obviously this is a good topic that needs to be shared as a message to others that "they ain't all that " across this network . This has been a reality check . Thank you Pastor .