“3 Strands”

And if one can overpower him who is alone, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not quickly torn apart. (Ecclesiastes 4:12)

3 Ministries

Israel had three offices pertaining to the people’s divine worship: the king, the priests, and the prophets.  When they operated in unity with God and one another, victory and shalom was assured.

It was not enough to have a functioning priesthood.  The prophetic was necessary.  It was not enough to have a functioning priesthood and an effective prophetic ministry.  The kings had to fear and rely upon God, as well.

When the kings were evil the priesthood expedited idolatry; prophets were reduced to soothsaying and flattery.  The monarchy was the key to everything functioning well.  Reciprocally, the monarchy couldn’t function with God’s blessing apart from their maintaining the priesthood and hearing the prophets.

The king provided governance. Whether in peace or war, the Lord’s anointed was called to provide stability and direction.  The priests assisted the people, offering sacrifices, reconciling them to God, instructing them in His ways.  The more privileged priests drew near to God, ministering to Him, interceding for the people, beholding His glory.  The prophets were uniquely called by God, hearing His voice, ministering to Him in worship, prayer and releasing His word to both kings and the rest of the nation.

3 Strands in Action

Here are two Biblical illustrations. The three dynamics of a) the genuine prophetic, b) which is received by governance, who c) release the burden to the priestly ministry, are seen in these examples.

First, let’s look at a miraculous deliverance. The armies of several nations threatened to overwhelm the Kingdom of Judah.  King Jehoshaphat called the nation to fast and cry out to God for salvation. In the middle of this, the Spirit of the LORD came upon Jahaziel who prophesied direction to the nation.  Jehoshaphat discerned the Voice of the LORD in the prophetic word, exhorted the people to believe the prophetic word and assigned the Levitical priests to worship the Lord upon the basis of the coming promise.  The enemies of Judah self-destructed.  (2 Chronicles 20)

Another illustration of this pattern can be seen in the initiation of the Davidic Covenant.  A court prophet, Nathan, was sent to David to tell him some great news: the Messiah was going to be David’s descendent.  David took this word from Nathan, received it and prayed it through.  Then the king, David, released this word into the faith and spiritual life of the Southern Kingdom (Judah).  Through the psalms sung by Levites and the prayers in the synagogues, the Messiah’s coming was brought before the Throne of God day and night.  These prayers helped prepare the way for the ‘fullness of times.’  (2 Samuel 7)

A means through which God determined to send Jesus was the faithful prayers and expectations of the people of God. (Luke 2:25-38) In the light of Jesus’ promise, “Yes, I am coming quickly” we still pray for the answer with this prayer: “Amen. Come Lord Jesus!”  (Revelation 22:20)

We are called to stand, to “… be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that (our) toil is not in vain in the Lord.”  (1 Corinthians 15:58) The giftings necessary to carry forward a successful spiritual warfare are similar to the three offices God sanctioned in the history of Israel.

To see the victory we desire, there must be a governmentally discerned prophetic voice that informs the direction of the prayer life of the church.  There must be a priesthood who brings these requests before the Lord as they worship the Lord.

We began to practice this before we understood it. Since seeing it in Scripture we have used this pattern for praying in the midst of emergencies and for the long-term purposes of God. We seek the Lord, share with our leaders what we believe He is saying, and pray in unity until the breakthrough. It is part of the culture of Restoration Fellowship.