WHEN EVEN A PRIEST STUMBLES

Your people are like those who contend with the priest, so you will stumble by day, and the prophet also will stumble with you by night.  Hosea 4:4-5

In Deuteronomy 17, God told His children that in order to live well, they needed to turn to the priests for guidance.  They would receive wisdom and spiritual direction.  During Hosea’s day, because there was no knowledge of God in the land, the priests were no longer respected.  The people argued with them instead.  They shrugged their shoulders at their words of reproof.  Things were so perilous that, not only did the people trip over themselves for want of direction, the priests did also.  The priest’s spiritual condition was no better than that of the common man.

It is impossible to read the story of Hosea and the times in which he lived and not look in the mirror.  Turn the clock back a hundred years and the one who disrespected clergy was the exception in the community.  Most put on their best suit whenever they were in his presence.  A clergyman still had honor.  Not so today in most places.  It is no longer an outsider who throws stones at the pastor.  The attack comes from those within his own flock.  No wonder so many spiritual retreats exist for pastors.  They need a place to go to heal from the perilous places in which they serve.

The only remedy for pastors and their flock is sound Bible teaching with the Spirit of Christ.  Just words will not do.  The one who teaches must be under the transforming power of the Word himself in order to teach effectively.  As he is being changed, and as he trembles with the wonder of the process, he communicates the power of his interaction with the Scriptures and the hope of change begins to arise within his people.  Passion, rooted in Truth, is infectious.  It restores people to God, and people to His priests.

How can I examine myself today?  Would you have me ask myself how easily I take issue with your anointed, and with what attitude?  Don’t let me miss the lesson, Lord.  In Jesus name, Amen