#DailyDevotion Your Pastor’s Mouth Doesn’t Belong To Him
Lent day 31 Wednesday
Read Ex 4:1–18
Exo 4:11-15 Then the LORD said to him, “Who has made man’s mouth? Who makes him mute, or deaf, or seeing, or blind? Is it not I, the LORD? (12) Now therefore go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall speak.” (13) But he said, “Oh, my Lord, please send someone else.” (14) Then the anger of the LORD was kindled against Moses and he said, “Is there not Aaron, your brother, the Levite? I know that he can speak well. Behold, he is coming out to meet you, and when he sees you, he will be glad in his heart. (15) You shall speak to him and put the words in his mouth, and I will be with your mouth and with his mouth and will teach you both what to do.
In American society we don’t think much of the pastoral office. While few ever would put their hand to the plow they think any old Tom, Dick and Harry can do it. Perhaps they are right to a certain extent. God can and does all sorts of men to be brought into the office of the Holy Ministry. But my point this day is not so much the man whom God has called to be a pastor but who does he represent and who does he speak for? Indeed, who is speaking in and through him?
In today’s lesson we see God choosing Moses to be his mouthpiece and instrument to deliver the Israelites. He doesn’t want to do it. Few men called into the ministry do. But we’re face up against God who gives us the word he gives to Moses, , “Who has made man’s mouth? Who makes him mute, or deaf, or seeing, or blind? Is it not I, the LORD?” Scientist often wonder what is the cause of man’s speech. Well it is God. God gives all of us the gift of speech. But now the Lord gives a special Word which will encourage Moses and Aaron, “Now therefore go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall speak.”
Today’s ministers have the same promise from Jesus. “Mar 13:11 And when they bring you to trial and deliver you over, do not be anxious beforehand what you are to say, but say whatever is given you in that hour, for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit.” When the minister of God speaks he speaks the very words of God. Or at least he should. Prophets have control over what they say even if it is inspired by the Holy Spirit, 1Co 14:32 “and the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets.” We preach the Word of God.
1Th 2:13 “And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers.”
Unless you can prove the minister’s Word is not the Word of God then you should accept it as such and believe, trust and obey it as such. They speak as those who are accountable for your souls. God puts into their mouths what to say if only for the sake of the office which He created.
O Holy Spirit, put the Word of God on the mouths of your pastors that they may feed us with the very Word of God, Jesus Christ our Lord so we may be edified they themselves gloried and rewarded for their work when Jesus returns for all those who put their trust in His Word. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.