Strong Support For Spiritual Leadership - Randolph Barnwell

Accessing Grace Through Strong Support for Spiritual Leadership © 2019 Randolph Barnwell.
Page 1
Copyright
Strong Support For Spiritual Leadership - Edition 2; © 2019 Randolph Barnwell. Reproduction of this material
in any form is permissible and encouraged, provided that no monetary profit is gained. Use of this material
outside of this prescription, must have written authorisation from the author.
Scriptural References:
Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture references are taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD
BIBLE (NASB); Copyright© 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1995 by the Lockman
®
Foundation. Used by permission. (www.Lockman.org). Scripture quotations taken from the Amplified Bible,
Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission."
(www.Lockman.org). Other translations and transliterations of the Scriptures employed are listed below with
their respective abbreviations as they occur in this manual:
AMP : Amplified Bible MSG : Message Bible

BBE : Bible in Basic English NIrV : New International Reader’s Version
CEV : Contemporary English Version NIV : New International Version
ERV : Easy-to-Read Version NKJV : New King James Version
ESV : English Standard Version NLT : New Living Translation
GW : God’s Word Version NRSV : New Revised Standard Version
ISV : International Standard Version TNIV : Today’s New International Version
KJV : King James Version YLT : Young’s Literal Translation
MKJV : Modern King James Version
This specific publication is in a STUDY MANUAL FORMAT:
It is produced as a resource tool/aid for teachers and preachers of God’s Word and for believers who adopt a
more serious enquiry into the Scriptures. It aims to be as thorough as possible in presenting principles on the
subject at hand as the Spirit of God has illuminated and inspired the writer. The attempt is made to present a
clear and accurate explanation of relevant passages of Scripture as the original text would suggest. For this
reason, and where necessary, actual Hebrew and Greek words are cited together with their range of
meanings to validate a principle presented and also to provide further elucidation. The actual relevant
Scriptural passages - both brief and lengthy ones - are presented and quoted in the manual as a key
component of it.
Explanations of the meaning of Hebrew and Greek words and the meaning of names and places are
presented in the following way: The word or name is listed in bold text format, followed by an ‘is equal to’
symbol (=), e.g. Delay = ‘ahar’ = to hesitate, tarry, defer, to hold back , to come too late
Accessing Grace Through Strong Support for Spiritual Leadership © 2019 Randolph Barnwell. Page 2
Contents
Chapter Page
Introduction 5
1. Our Priority - God’s Will Fulfilled 8

2. Timothy Followed and Supported Paul’s Purpose 19
3. Moses Fulfilled Promises Made to Abraham 22
4. Joshua, Aaron and Hur Supporting Moses 25
5. Seventy Elders Support Moses 30
6. Thirty Mighty Men Supported David 41
7. Prisca and Acquila Supported Paul 47
8. Luke and Others Supported Paul 51
9. Leaders and The People Supported Nehemiah 53
10. Elisha Supported Elijah 56
11. Jehoiada Supported Joash, King of Judah 59
12. Practical Ways to Support Your Leader 61
12.1. Honour Your Spiritual Leader 61
12.2. Submit To Your Spiritual Leader 61
12.3. Obey Your Spiritual Leader 65
12.4. Pray For Your Spiritual Leader 67
12.5. Encourage Your Spiritual Leader 70
- The Ziglag Incident 70
a. David’s Men Encouraged Him 71
b. Shechaniah Encouraged Ezra 72
c. An Armour Bearer Encouraged Jonathan 72
d. Jonathan Encouraged David 76
e. Paul was Encouraged 77
12.6. Develop An Accurate and Substantial Representation of Sonship 78
12.7. Closely Follow and Obey the Teaching of Your Spiritual Father 80
12.8. Understand Your Leader’s Prophetic Future and Divine Purpose 80
12.9. Provide Practical Physical Support To Your Leader 80
a. Seven Deacons Relieving the Apostles of the Need to Serve Tables 80
b. Epaphroditus Serving Paul 84
c. Joshua Serving Moses 84
d. Ruth Serving Naomi 84
e. Onesisphorus Serving Paul 85
f. Disciples ‘Stood Around’ Paul 86
g. Silas, Timothy and Others in Corinth Support Paul 86
The Mentality by Which We Function 89

12.10. Financially Support Your Spiritual Father
a. Honour Through Financial Support 90
b. Financial Honour Recognises and Esteems Grace 92
c. Jesus Has Strong Financial Support 96
d. Barnabas and others Supported the Apostles 97
e. Might of The House of Gracious Giver 97
12.11. Seek the Peace and Well-Being of Your Brother 99
a. Amasai Sought the Peace of Others 99
b. Stephanus, Fortunatus and Achaius Refreshed Paul 99
c. Households Supporting One Another in Clans and Tribes 101
d. Wide Covenantal Relationships in the Body of Christ 102
e. The Example of Gideon 104

13. John Mark Supported Paul and Peter 107
14. Jesus’ Obedience Supported His Father’s Will 120
15. Esther Supported Mordecai Through Obedience Unto Death 128
16. A Son’s Obedience Positively Affects a Father
Walking in Agreement with Your Spiritual Father 143
a. Esther’s Obedience Elevates Mordecai 146
b. Methuselah’s Symbolic Representation of Obedience Provokes Enoch to a Closer
Walk with God. 148
c. Isaac and Abraham’s Joint Obedience Positions them to Access Profound
Revelations of God’s Person and Nature 149
d. Ruth’s Obedience Redeems Naomi 152
e. David’s Obedience Brings Financial Freedom to Jesse and His Household 153
f. Joseph’s Obedience Positions Jacob To Bless Pharaoh 154
g. Increased Faith of Corinthians Enlarges Paul’s Sphere 155
17. Tracking The Ascent of Your Spiritual Leader 156
18. The Gate of Spiritual Fathering 162

Epilogue 199

Appendix: Jesus Requests Supportive Prayer From His Disciples 204

About the Author 208

Connect and Contact 209

Endnotes 210

Introduction
The Grace of God refers to the composite or constituent element that comprises God as a Spirit
being. His grace constitutes His essence or substance. It is what gives God substantive weight and
composition and is the basis upon which His glory exudes out from, a glory (representation or
reputation), which has grace and truth. When this grace is given to men who become His sons, it
has peculiar and varied effects in their lives.

1 Cor. 15:10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me did not prove
vain; but I labored even more than all of them, yet not I, but the grace of God with
me

Broadly speaking, Divine grace produces two main effects, viz.

(1) The configuration of our sonship identity in Christ (“I AM what I AM by the grace of God”)
Grace firstly affects WHO WE ARE. It develops Christ-like NATURE or CHARACTER.

(2) The empowering or enabling of the son to obey God and execute His will on the earth
(“I WORK, yet not I but grace that is with me”). Grace fuels WHAT WE DO. It energises our
efforts in fulfilling our FUNCTIONALITY in fulfilling Christ’s WILL.

We need to grow in grace to …

(1) BE ALL that we are called to be as mature sons of God in Christ, and
(2) DO ALL that we are called to do in accomplishing His purpose attendant with our lives.

Sons of God receive the initial impartation of God’s grace at their first entrance into the Kingdom
of God when they receive Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour. Then, from this point onwards, they
are to grow in grace progressively through time until they come into a fullness of grace. There are
various principles by which the son of God can facilitate his growth in grace. These are extensively
covered in my audio teaching series’ on my website1, which I encourage you to consult and study
the material for a fuller understanding. A link to the specific website is available in the endnotes2.

In short summary, here are the various ways one can grow in grace:
1. The revelation that God is Your Father

2. The revelation that you are God’s Son - Blessed in Christ
3. The revelation that the hosts of Heaven and Earth in Creation SERVE you.
4. Understanding that Every Blessing of Abraham is yours in Christ
5. Connection to Relevant and Authentic Apostolic Grace
6. Spiritual Fathering
7. Growth in the Knowledge of God
8. Loving, Studying, Hearing, Meditating on, and Obeying The Word of God
9. The Doctrine of Your Spiritual Father
10. Emulating the Conduct and Behaviour of One’s Spiritual Father
11. Supporting and Pursuing the Purpose of One’s Spiritual Father
12. Honour of Spiritual Fathers
13. Obedience to the Word
(‘Obedience Unto Death’)
14. Walking With and Tracking the Development of One’s Spiritual Father
15. Verbal Pronouncement of Blessings and Impartations
16. Humility (As opposed to Pride)
17. Submission (in a general sense)
18. Submission to Spiritual Fathering
19. Personal Purity and Practical Righteousness
20. Forgiveness: Bitter-free, No Hatred, No resentment, No Anger
21. Prayer
22. Community - Oneness - Hospitality
23. Financial Giving (First Fruits, Tithes and Offerings)
24. Activation of Spiritual Gifts in Members of the Household
25. Suffering
26. Priority of Building the House of God - local and corporate
27. Brotherly Love and Care - Take Pleasure in Zion’s stones and Favour the dust of Zion
28. Commitment to Specific Relationships
29. God-Honouring Marriages
30. Unbiased and Sincere Hospitality
31. Realisation that the ‘set-time’ is one of great and extraordinary favour - Jubilee
32. Absence of Fear
33. Unswerving and Enduring Faith
34. Faithfulness and Diligence

The present study directly focuses on and amplifies points (6) and (11) in the above list, and also
includes many other factors in the list. You could access and grow in great grace through your
placement as a spiritual son to a spiritual father, and specifically your willing and strong support
given to your spiritual father or leader. This pursuit is founded upon the priority you place upon
doing God’s will. This present writing is a brief treatment of the importance of this principle and
the various ways in which one could engage this. We will draw upon biblical case studies of various
father-son examples to illustrate the principles extracted. Most of the material in this study has
been recorded via audio when it was taught at Gate Ministries Durban Central in Durban, in
Fountain Gate Church in Nairobi, River of Life Church in Pietermaritzburg, and can be freely
downloaded. You will find the parts of this series in the ‘Audio Teachings’ section under the
‘Resources’ Tab - entitled ‘Strengthen Yourself by Strengthening Your Leader’. I encourage you to
listen to this series in conjunction with studying this manual. See endnotes for a direct link to the
relevant page3.
For those for whom the principle of spiritual fathering and spiritual sonship is new or not clarified,
I encourage you to consult the audio and PDF documents available on my website before
continuing with the present study4.

Important: Whilst the focus of the present writing is active support for one’s spiritual leader, the
material presented here is in no way intended to convey the idea of worshipping or idolising one’s
spiritual leader. Secondly, errant or unprincipled leaders who are consistently unrepentant of
violating vital biblical principles or standards, especially of a moral nature, would not form part of
the reference to fatherly leadership as presented in this writing.

Our focus is walking closely with your spiritual leader and providing strong support, because they
steward God’s purposes. Hence, it is not the person per se that we are supporting, but rather the
greater reality is that we are facilitating the execution of God’s PURPOSES, vested in and
administrated through our spiritual leaders. At the end of this process, Christ will be exalted and
His will fulfilled in the earth. To Him be glory in the Church both now and forevermore (Eph. 3:21)!

Note: The use of the term ‘spiritual father’ and ‘spiritual son’ in this document is not gender
specific.

I want to thank, acknowledge and give honour to Thamo Naidoo, my spiritual father in Christ, and
Dr Sagie Govender, under whose ministries I have spent countless hours under and learning many
of the principles in this study manual. The grace imparted to my life and ministry through these
precious and highly esteemed and humble servants of Christ cannot be quantified in any degree. I
am profoundly grateful!

I would also like to thank my wife, Rene, who functioned as the editor of the manual’s content. I
am grateful for your loving support, words of encouragement and the long hours that you have
devoted in proof-reading and editing.

My thanks also must be offered to the spiritual sons at Gate Ministries Durban Central, the local
church I give oversight to. God has blessed us with some of the most precious of people, whose
representation of sonship and commitment to executing God’s purposes attendant with us, is
always a huge encouragement to my wife and I. Thank you sons at Gate!

My prayer is that you would be encouraged, enriched, enlightened and ennobled by the present
study.

Great Grace and Peace be multiplied to you,
Randolph Barnwell
February 2019

Chapter 1
Our Priority - God’s Will Fulfilled
As God’s sons, we are to live for God’s will and purpose. This becomes our reason for living and
thus our highest objective in life. Nothing else becomes more important to us than the execution
of God’s will in the earth. Everything else is secondary and subservient to this main ideal in life.
We do not live unto ourselves. This is true in respect to … :

1. The general will of God for us humans in terms of righteous standards of living and
function.
2. The specific purposes God has for the local and broader church community to which we
belong - and this aspect of God’s will is stewarded by one’s spiritual leader/father.
3. Our individual calling in life in terms of daily preoccupation (career, calling, etc.).

JESUS’ PRIORITY IN LIFE WAS TO FULFILL HIS FATHER’S WILL

John 3:34 Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to
accomplish His work.

As food nourishes the body and is essential for life, so too, is KNOWING, DOING and FULFILLING or
FINISHING the WILL of GOD. For sons of God, doing God will is ‘food’ – it is the very thing that fuels
and empowers our existence on the earth. Beyond this, we have very little purpose in the earth.
For us, to live and not fulfill Divine purposes at various levels, is to merely exist without meaning.
We derive our greatest sense of fulfillment and contentment in life from having contributed to
God’s will and purpose. May I encourage you to set as your greatest goal in life, the willingness
and capacity to contribute significantly to the unfolding of God’s purposes in the earth. May it be
said of you and I at the end of our lives: “They played a significant role in facilitating the fulfillment
of God’s vast purposes in the earth.”

Jesus set a powerful example for all sons of God to prioritise the doing and completion of His
Father’s will.

John 6:38 For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him
who sent Me.

This priority of doing God’s will requires living selflessly unto God and His plans and purposes. In
this culture, there is no place for selfish ambition, but there must of necessity be humility that
seeks and embraces the will of another (God). This demands ‘death unto self’ and the putting
away of any self-centred desire that may be in contradiction to God’s will. God’s will is always
given pre-eminence, and not our internal lusts, cravings, appetites or desires.
1 Pet 4:1-2 Therefore, since Christ has suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same
purpose, because he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, so as to live
the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for the lusts of men, but for the will of
God.

Lusts = epithumia = To desire strongly; more frequently in a bad sense, irregular, inordinate
appetite; (e.g. fornication, adultery, covetousness, greed, love of money,
envy, jealousy, malice, self-ambition)5.

The son of God, whose singular ambition is the execution of God’s will, lives within the dimension
of seeking that reality (God’s will) which is eternal by its very nature. Anything temporary in
nature, gives way to the priority of the eternal, unending dynamic of God’s will. Hence, he who
does God’s will is eternal.

1 John 2:17 The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God
lives forever.

THE SPIRITUAL FATHER-SON PRINCIPLE

Spiritual fathering as a relevant principle for the New Testament church is discussed in separate
writings available on my website. Let me succinctly establish one important principle here.

Sonship is two-fold. We are all sons of God, our Heavenly Father - many refer to this as ‘divine
sonship’. We are also spiritual sons to an earthly human being, a spiritual father. The term
‘spiritual sonship’ is widely employed to describe this dynamic.
SON OF MAN AND SON OF GOD
The principle of ‘first the natural, then the spiritual’ is a fundamental hermeneutical tool for
decoding spiritual truth. Jesus was both ‘son of man’ and the ‘Son of God’. As son of man, He
related obediently to earthly spiritual parents in the persons of Joseph and Mary.
Luke 3:23-38

Omitting verse 24 to 37, this reads as follows …

23 When He began His ministry, Jesus Himself was about thirty years of age, being, as was
supposed, the SON OF JOSEPH,
the son of Eli,
38 the son of Enosh, the son of Seth, the son of Adam, the SON OF GOD.

Jesus is both the Son of God (divine sonship - Luke 2:38) and the son of Man, i.e. son of Joseph
(spiritual sonship – Luke 2:23). As the son of man, he related and submitted to Joseph and Mary as
His earthly spiritual fathers in the Lord. His maturity into His divine sonship was conditional upon
submission to spiritual fathers as the son of man. When he proved willing to submit to spiritual
fathers for 30 years as the son of man, the Heavenly Father publicly validated His divine sonship
by declaring “This is My beloved Son in whom I am well pleased”. Joseph acted representatively
on behalf of God, the Heavenly Father, in rearing Jesus as a man. Submission to earthly spiritual
fathering is essential to bring one into maturity in terms of one’s divine sonship.

The Galatian believers received Paul, their spiritual father, as ‘Christ’ himself; his aim was to form
Christ in them (Gal. 4:14,19). For this to be accomplished, they had to see him, not in his fleshly
dimension, but view him as Christ coming to them. The Corinthian believers, too, related to Paul
as a spiritual father (1 Cor. 4:15,16), as did many other churches (1 Thess. 2:11).

Gal. 4:14 and that which was a trial to you in my bodily condition you did not despise or
loathe, but you received me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus Himself.

Gal. 4:19 My children, with whom I am again in labor until Christ is formed in you

1 Cor.4:15 For if you were to have countless tutors in Christ, yet you would not have many
fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel.

1 Thess. 2:11 just as you know how we were exhorting and encouraging and imploring each
one of you as a father would his own children,

Paul too, fathered many leaders, e.g. Timothy, Titus, and others.

1 Cor. 4:16 Therefore I exhort you, be imitators of me. For this reason I have sent to you
Timothy, who is my beloved and faithful child in the Lord, and he will remind you of
my ways which are in Christ, just as I teach everywhere in every church.

2 Tim. 1:2a To Timothy, my beloved son …

Titus 1:4a To Titus, my true child in a common faith …

As stated above, the subject of spiritual fathering and spiritual sonship is dealt with more
comprehensively in a separate writing. In this opening chapter, I give brief coverage to establish it
as a foundation upon which principles in subsequent chapters are based. I encourage you to make
reference to an audio teaching on the subject for more detail. Refer to the link in the relevant
endnote at the back of this writing6.

THE FATHER-SON WINESKIN - THE CONDUIT THROUGH WHICH GOD FULFILLS PURPOSE

The relationship between spiritual fathers and sons, must ultimately serve to accomplish divine
purpose, both for the immediacy of that relationship on a personal level, but also to finalize global
divine issues that have far reaching effects beyond the privacy of that relationship.

What I wish to demonstrate here is that the relationship between a spiritual father and son is
designed with two purposes in mind:

(a) The father would impart divine grace to the son through doctrine (teaching) and his life’s
example, and so facilitate the maturation of the son into the fullness of the nature of
Christ.

(b) The father-son relationship can then be effectively used as a most efficient medium
through which God could transmit and execute His purposes at various levels, both
generally and strategically. These purposes may relate to a specific father and the will of
God that individuals steward relative to a specific household (church). On a much broader
level, there are Divine purposes attendant with the spiritual father who leads a clan or
tribe of households. This father may father individuals who are fathers of households. In
this case, fathers who father households must clearly understand and support the broader
purpose of God which may have some unique configuration/application to this wider
spiritual family of which they are a part.

THE NAOMI-RUTH RELATIONSHIP DEPICTS A FATHER-SON MODEL AND MEDIUM FOR FULFILLING
DIVINE PURPOSE

The last book in the Old Testament closes with a promise of the turning of the hearts of fathers
toward their sons and sons toward their fathers, so that the earth would not be struck with a
curse (Malachi 4:6). This process has been accelerated recently, redefining relationships that exist
between spiritual leaders and their congregations, from one of ‘pastors and members’ to that of
‘spiritual fathers and sons’. The book of Ruth contains many principles which give definition,
description and practical implications of spiritual fathering and sonship. It particularly stresses and
showcases how significant aspects of God’s vast global purposes find their expression and
fulfillment in and through the dynamic of the spiritual father-spiritual son framework.

There are two important roles that Ruth fulfills, viz. a SON and a WIFE. Ruth is described as a ‘son’
to Naomi.

Ruth 4:15 “May he also be to you a restorer of life and a sustainer of your old age; for you
daughter in-law (i.e. Ruth), who loves you and is better to you than seven SONS,
has given birth to him.”

This description of Ruth immediately casts her in the role of a spiritual son, and thus places Naomi
in the role of a spiritual father. The book of Ruth is not about a mother-in-law and daughter-in-
law, but about a spiritual father and spiritual son fulfilling Divine purpose on two levels:

(a) For themselves (private)
(b) For the nation of Israel (corporate)

Ruth is also a ‘wife’ to Boaz, who is a representation of Christ (Ruth 4:13).

Ruth 4:13 So Boaz took Ruth, and she became his wife, and he went in to her.

This description portrays Ruth as a picture of the church, the bride of Christ.

Ruth is both a son and a bride. Part of the goal of spiritual fathering is to bring the church, the
bride of Christ, comprised of ‘sons’, into greater intimacy with Christ, the bridegroom. This
intimacy of relationship will birth and produce specific aspects or phases of the purposes of God. It
will result in significant phases and key components of the will of God being brought to fruition.

Spiritual fathers are not the goal! Christ is. A spiritual father leads the spiritual son into intimacy
with His HEAVENLY FATHER, and into union with Christ. It is not the intimacy with Naomi and Ruth
that produced a child, Obed, but the intimacy with Ruth and Boaz. However Naomi plays a crucial
role through her counsel and instruction to Ruth to bring Ruth into that place of intimacy with
Boaz. Spiritual fathers lead their spiritual sons into intimacy with Christ. From this relationship is
borne Divine purpose, that not just blesses and benefits the spiritual son and/or father, but has
the potential to facilitate Gods broader purposes attendant with a larger corporate group (e.g.
your local church; your broader spiritual family to which you might be affiliated, your city, your
nation, the world).

Consider the Negative Conditions at the Start of the Book of Ruth:

Ruth 1:1 Now it came about in the days when the judges governed, that there was a famine
in the land. And a certain man of Bethlehem in Judah went to sojourn in the land of
Moab with his wife and his two sons.

The first verse sets forth the context and reason, which resulted in an inaccurate decision that
Elimelech made for himself and his family. It was in the days when the Judges ruled and there was
a famine in the land. The period of the Judges is characterised by defeat and failure. God raised up
twelve men, called ‘judges’, at different points in time, as ‘saviours’ to Israel, but Israel by and
large was far from the ordained will of the Lord as a nation. In this context, famine was a type of
judgement from God. An apt description of the condition of the nation under the rule of the
judges is Judges 21:25.

Judges 21:25 In those days there was no king in Israel; every man did what was right in his own
eyes.

Each man determined the rightness of his actions, without reference to God’s principles or law.
There was the absence of true spiritual fathering over the nation. In fact, this was the fundamental
reason for the inconsistency in the nation spiritually, and the ultimate famine that ensued.
Elimelech had the opportunity to restore a culture of spiritual fathering to his immediate context,
but instead chose to flee to the land of Moab, an environment in which the whole principle or
need of spiritual fathering is despised. ‘Moab’ amongst many things also means ‘what father’7.
The book of Ruth occurs after the book of Judges, and is a powerful prophetic depiction of how
God can restore spiritual fathering from the context of indiscipline, anarchy, disobedience, etc.,
that was prevalent in the time when ‘the judges governed’.

The last chapter of Ruth closes with a genealogy. In verse 17, the word ‘father’ appears twice,
symbolically alluding to the fact that ‘fathering’ and its restoration was a key objective of God
through which He would break longstanding indications of an operative curse.

Ruth 4:17 The neighbor women gave him a name, saying, “A son has been born to Naomi!”
So they named him Obed. He is the father of Jesse, the father of David.

The end of a matter - the outcome of a process - must determine how you view and study the
entire process. The final product that materialises is ultimately the intent that we must look to.
Thus, we must study and appraise everything prior to this final product in reference to the final
product, both in terms of negative factors that would prevent the realisation of the outcome, and
also positive factors that will ensure the attainment of the outcome. With this thought in mind, in
interpreting and prophetically applying the truths in the book of Ruth to the present global church,
it is important to recognise how the book starts, and how the book ends; but more especially how
it ends, since the end reveals the intent of God through the process. The end manifests the
intended outcome of God, which as already hinted at, has reference to spiritual fathering and
sonship and the potential this relationship has to be used by God to facilitate the doing of His will
in the earth.

Note the specific circumstances:
Ruth 1:1-3
1 Now it came about in the days when the judges governed, that there was a famine in the
land. And a certain man of Bethlehem in Judah went to sojourn in the land of Moab with
his wife and his two sons.
2 The name of the man was Elimelech, and the name of his wife, Naomi; and the names of
his two sons were Mahlon and Chilion, Ephrathites of Bethlehem in Judah. Now they
entered the land of Moab and remained there.
3 Then Elimelech, Naomi’s husband, died; and she was left with her two sons.
4 They took for themselves Moabite women as wives; the name of the one was Orpah and
the name of the other Ruth. And they lived there about ten years.
5 Then both Mahlon and Chilion also died, and the woman was bereft of her two children
and her husband.

Now observe the ending of the book of Ruth, which highlights God’s intended outcome or
purpose that has global or far-reaching implications.

Ruth 4:14-22
14 Then the women said to Naomi, “Blessed is the Lord who has not left you without a
redeemer today, and may his name become famous in Israel.
15 “May he (i.e. Obed) also be to you a restorer of life and a sustainer of your old age; for your
daughter-in-law, who loves you and is better to you than seven sons, has given birth to
him.”
16 Then Naomi took the child and laid him in her lap, and became his nurse.
17 The neighbor women gave him a name, saying, “A son has been born to Naomi!” So they
named him Obed. He is the father of Jesse, the father of David
18 Now these are the generations of Perez: to Perez was born Hezron,
19 and to Hezron was born Ram, and to Ram, Amminadab,
20 and to Amminadab was born Nahshon, and to Nahshon, Salmon,
21 and to Salmon was born Boaz, and to Boaz, Obed,
22 and to Obed was born Jesse, and to Jesse, David.

The beginning (Ruth 1:1-3) sets forth the initial issues afoot within an ordinary typical domestic
family unit. The ending (Ruth 4:14-22) highlights God’s global intent and will at work in that unit.
Ruth chapter 1 portrays the death of a father and two sons; Ruth chapter 4 highlights the
procreative power within father and sons that would ultimately produce the greatest SON, Jesus
Christ through David’s line. The book of Ruth is a powerful illustration of how essential the
restoration of accurate spiritual fathering and sonship is to accomplish the will of God for the
entire world. It also highlights how the father-son relationship in the microcosm or smallness of a
domestic context (local church or household of faith) can have positive, global and generational
outcomes in reference to God’s purposes being accomplished.

Fatherlessness - the Primary Reason for the Abortion of Divine Purpose

Malachi 4:5 Behold, I am going to send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great
and terrible day of the Lord. “He will restore (turn) the hearts of the fathers to
their children and the hearts of the children to their fathers, so that I will not come
and smite the land with a curse

This prophecy was written about 100 years after Israel returned to Jerusalem from Babylonian
captivity (between 450 and 425 BC). Israel had lost the enthusiasm that was attendant with the
return to their land 100 years before. They were discouraged, there was famine in the land; the
temple was completed but priests were careless in their duties. In the first three chapters of his
book, Malachi’s prophecies address many inaccuracies in the nation, e.g. the dysfunctional
priesthood, intermarrying with other nations, injustice, unrighteousness and the withholding of
tithes and offerings. In chapter four, he closes with the prophecy cited above, viz. that Elijah the
Prophet will return (i.e. the spirit of Elijah) and there will be a restoration of the father-son
relationship. The effect of this will be to prevent the land from being smitten with a curse. The
subtle hint indicated is that all of the erroneous positions addressed in Malachi’s book will be
corrected through this process of the restoration of the father-son dyad.

Curse = Herem = To be devoted or set aside for destruction.8

The literal rendering of ‘curse’ here is ‘ban of destruction’9. It also implies to be physically ‘shut
in’, for example, entrapped by ‘a net’.10 This suggests that one is marginalised and barred from
participating in God’s will to any significant degree. The Hebrew word, ‘herem’, also implies “to be
reduced or subjugated to a place of such insignificance that the memory of you is obliterated
from the earth, and that the registry of the heavens bears no record or recognition of you having
contributed substantially to the acceleration and fulfilment of God’s will”11. You will not play a
significant and central role in the execution of divine purposes globally. Eligibility for use in God’s
purposes is rooted within one’s placement within the father-son wineskin.

Our Focus in this Writing:

In this brief study, we seek to demonstrate that a spiritual son should fully understand the
mandate or purposes of God attendant with his spiritual father and seek to provide strong support
or impetus to that in both practical and spiritual ways. As a result of this, the spiritual son will be
the recipient of Divine Grace, which has a profound inward and outward effect in and through the
son. This is true, both in reference to his disposition in strongly supporting his spiritual father, as
well as enhancing and raising the levels of proficiency with which that son fulfills his unique
assignment in life.

In reference to a local spiritual household of faith, i.e. a local church, a senior elder, who is the
spiritual father, leads that household which is comprised of spiritual sons. The pre-eminent
purpose attached to his leadership would be, the impartation of grace - primarily via the medium
of teaching God’s Word (doctrine), so as to develop each spiritual son into the fullness of the
nature, stature and character of Christ Jesus within them. Thus, in turn, they could accurately
represent Christ and His purposes to the world in which they live and function.

The spiritual son must understand this dynamic and fully submit himself to all the implications of
it, e.g. regular attendance at meetings; focused listening, reading, study, meditation and
obedience to the Word declared through his spiritual father; commitment in love and honour to
other spiritual sons within that spiritual family to which he belongs, etc. The spiritual son needs to
embrace and be completely supportive of this broad purpose of God attached to his spiritual
father, who leads the household to which he belongs.

Now, beyond this, the spiritual son also needs to comprehend the broader purpose of God
attendant with the larger spiritual grouping, to which his local church is an essential part of. Here,
there are much broader and far-reaching aspects of God’s will afoot. Essentially, the specific
Divine purpose pursued within the local church bears great reference to the larger overall
purposes of the bigger context, of which the local house is a part. Most spiritual fathers are
themselves spiritual sons to another leader, to whom they are submitted and accountable. For the
majority, this leader is an Apostolic fatherly grace, who may (or not) be leading other such men,
who are providing fathering to their spiritual sons in local households.

Here, at this level of consideration, the ‘elder’ or spiritual father who leads a household will then
also ensure that his local church, which can be considered a ‘corporate son’ (among other such
corporate sons), becomes a reflection of a broader Divine purpose attached to the Apostolic
fathering grace to which he himself is submitted. This does not mean they negate or set aside the
focusing on and accomplishing of the specific Divine purposes attendant with their sons within
their local households, or anything peculiar to their ‘local’ emphasis. As a spiritual son should
endeavour to actively and whole-heartedly support the Divine purposes of God within his spiritual
father, so too should a spiritual father do exactly the same in reference to the Apostolic fathering
grace, to which he is submitted. In this way the grace of God flows efficaciously and efficiently to
all concerned. The biblical basis for such a conviction can be adequately set forth12.

When the above principles are firmly in place, a spiritual father of a local church will find himself
becoming the recipient of Divine grace in a very profound manner. This grace reception in him
would be further transmitted or imparted to the spiritual sons under his care and accomplish its
intended effects in various ways. ALL FATHER-SON RELATIONSHIPS BIBLICALLY were forged on
love, but had the fulfillment of Divine purpose, will, mandate or mission in mind. A thorough
consideration of the following ‘father-son’ or ‘leader-follower’ case studies clearly demonstrate
these principles and will be discussed in this writing:

ª Enoch and Methuselah ª Mordecai and Esther
ª Abraham and Isaac ª The Heavenly Father and Jesus
ª Jacob and Joseph ª The Apostles and the Seven Deacons
ª Abraham and Moses ª Paul and Epaphroditus
ª Moses and Joshua ª Paul and Onesiphorous
ª Moses and Aaron/Hur ª Paul and the Philippians
ª Naomi and Ruth ª Paul and Timothy
ª Jesse and David ª Paul and Titus
ª David and His Thirty Mighty Men ª Peter and John Mark
ª Elijah and Elisha ª Paul and John Mark

In every example above, significant Divine purpose was effected positively, both personally for the
individuals involved, as well as on a grander scale for God’s people beyond the immediacy of that
father-son relationship. Much of the success of God’s will playing itself out within this framework
is dependent on, among other factors, the obedience of a son to a father, and the spiritual and
practical support the son would give to the father, who is mandated to administrate or steward
God’s purposes.

Our discussion presupposes that the spiritual father is a sincere and mature individual who
understands the nature and purpose of the relationship with his spiritual son, and does not seek to
abuse it for his own misguided and carnal ends. Our discussion also presupposes intense love,
loyalty and commitment from the heart both ways, between the spiritual father and his spiritual
son13. My challenge to you is that the father-son relationship must mature and migrate beyond
the phase covenental love, i.e. only rooted in love, inward looking and being self-absorbing, to the
place where it can be used by God as a medium through which He can fulfill a wider Divine
purpose.

In this regard, all spiritual sons might not appreciate this writing, except those who are passionate
about the efficient execution of God’s will on the earth. For these sons, they will experience an
unusual and extraordinary blessing of the empowering and enabling GRACE OF GOD, that may be
employed not just for those divine purposes stewarded by the spiritual father, but also for aspects
of divine purpose unique to that son personally within his private life and sphere of function. I
pray that you are this kind of son. In any respect, no matter where you are in terms of your
understanding or commitment in reference to the spiritual father-son dyad, you, the reader, will
find the principles taught in this writing hugely encouraging and beneficial in your walk with Christ.

The grace of God flows efficiently and efficaciously from spiritual father to spiritual son. All sons of
a father are meant to experience this transmission of grace. It will hugely empower them. In
reference to sons supporting fathers in the purposes for which God has called the father to, this
grace vested in fathers and its reception by the sons, is a vital factor which enhances the swift
accomplishment of God’s purposes stewarded by that father. Here too, all sons can benefit from
the grace of God communicated through a father as they support the father in whatever capacity,
in order to execute Divine assignments. Within this group of sons though, there will emerge sons
in the calibre and calling of persons like Elisha, Joshua and Timothy to name a few. These sons
receive the primary grace or mantle their fathers carry to continue giving stewardship to key
aspects of God’s purpose. For these sons, all the protocols and principles discussed in this writing
are extremely important to observe. Not everyone can be a Timothy to Paul or an Elisha to Elijah
or a Joshua to Moses, but all sons can aspire to and seek to embody the principles each of these
spiritual sons modelled or were called to observe. I say this because there must not be any carnal
ambition or selfish motive governing one’s support of spiritual fathers in the hope of securing a
‘double portion’ of the kernel grace carried by that father to steward some key aspects of God’s
purposes. The expectation on Elisha was to “SEE” Elijah go up as he was taken into Heaven in
order for him to get double portion. Now, in this writing I teach that all sons, irrespective of your
personal assignment or vocation in the Kingdom of God, should track the spiritual ascent of their
fathers, and by this process position them to receive unusually significant quantums of grace. BUT,
only an ‘Elisha-type son’ will get to lead aspects of the mandate given to Elijah in respect of
continuing that mandate in a leadership capacity, where this son would steward aspects of God’s
grace in a specific season. Other sons, not specifically called to this inherited leadership function,
cannot aspire to this if it is not what God has for them. Nevertheless, we can still extract important
principles governing the relationship that could be applicable to all sons.

In the next and subsequent chapters, we will explore a range of case studies to demonstrate the
principles highlighted in this chapter. Let’s go!

Chapter 2 Case Study One
Timothy Followed and Supported

Paul’s Purpose
Spiritual sons must track their spiritual fathers in terms of how God speaks to them, their
expressions of obedience and faith, etc. Much of this would take place in and through the Word of
God released through the spiritual father.

2 Tim. 2:1,2 You therefore, my son, be STRONG IN THE GRACE that is in Christ Jesus. The
things which YOU HAVE HEARD FROM ME in the presence of many witnesses,
entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.

Timothy is encouraged to be STRONG IN THE GRACE that is in CHRIST JESUS. How will this take
place? Timothy is to focus on ‘THINGS HE HAS HEARD FROM PAUL’. Grace is transmitted through
the Word of God which we hear. Faith comes by hearing. Sons must be immersed in the doctrine
of their spiritual fathers so that faith for obedience can be produced. One hearing is insufficient.
The son must hear the same teaching over and over again until it is incarnated within his life
through obedience. Faith comes by HEARING, AND HEARING by the Word of God (Rom. 10:17).
The phrase 'and hearing' does not simply seek to elaborate the first 'hearing' indicated in the
sentence. The deeper symbolic truth is that the ‘second’ hearing produces faith. The second
hearing does not literally mean the second time, but the hearing sufficient enough to produce
faith, which is manifested as obedience (works).

Psalm 62:11 ONCE God has spoken; TWICE I have HEARD this: That power belongs to God.

God may speak once, but with your spirit, you must hear it twice, meaning if you fail to listen to
sermons more than once or fail to meditate on what you have heard, the principle of the ‘second’
hearing will not be produced in you.

Also, God’s speaking ‘once’ but you hearing ‘twice’ alludes to you hearing things beyond what was
originally spoken. At times you must hear something that serves as a trigger or a key, opening up a
new realm of truth to you.

Paul implied to Timothy that the only reason why is he able to pass on to others what he has
received from Paul is that he (Timothy) has HEARD them from Paul.

You must not only hear the word from your spiritual father and observe his own obedience of that
word in his person, but also seek to note the process of God’s communication with him in how
he receives that Word. Having sight of and insight into this process, is a powerful means by
which a significant quality of grace is imparted - specifically grace to accomplish significant
purpose.

Thus it becomes all the more important for spiritual sons to continuously and persistently listen
to messages from their spiritual father. This includes being present at meetings, and also
listening recurrently to recordings of those messages. I cannot overestimate the great
importance of and profound spiritual value of this process.

Apart from tracking Paul’s doctrine, Timothy also followed Paul’s conduct (behaviour), trials, and
PURPOSE IN MINISTRY AND CALLING.

2 Tim. 3:10a Now YOU FOLLOWED my TEACHING, CONDUCT, PURPOSE, faith, patience,
love, perseverance, persecutions, and sufferings, …

Note the word ‘PURPOSE’ in the text above. Timothy followed Paul’s purpose and sought to
facilitate that purpose being executed in the earth. The first three issues mentioned that Timothy
followed in Paul are:
1. Teaching
2. Conduct
3. Purpose

A son can never seek to follow and support his father’s purpose, if his father’s teaching is not
solidly imbibed within himself, and secondly if he is not convinced as to the integrity and accuracy
of his father’s conduct. May I encourage all sons to do this. When these three things are in place,
the spiritual father’s ‘faith, love, perseverance, persecutions and sufferings’ will also be followed
and embraced by the spiritual son. The imperative, though, is couched in the word FOLLOW!
Follow closely! Follow consistently! Follow ardently! Follow with your whole heart!

Timothy adopted the purpose of God vested in Paul. He became as one soul with Paul (see texts
below). He did not pursue his own ambition but only what was modeled in him in Paul’s life.

1 Cor. 4:17 For this reason I have sent to you Timothy, who is my beloved and faithful child in
the Lord, and he will remind you of my ways which are in Christ, just as I teach
everywhere in every church.

Timothy teaches ‘Paul’s ways’ - BUT only his ways WHICH ARE IN CHRIST. Thus, it is really Christ’s
ways modeled in and through Paul. Timothy cannot teach Paul’s ways if he has not ardently
followed and tracked Paul’s ways. Paul’s ‘ways’ are literally the ways of Christ.

Ways = hodos14 = - Way of thinking, feeling, acting, manner of life and conduct
- Way or method of proceeding, of doing or affecting something

In tracking and following Paul’s manner of life and closely observing his methodologies of
administration of various things, Timothy comes into imbibing the same qualities. What was in
Paul came to be in Timothy to such a degree that Paul said he has the same soul as himself.

Phil. 2:19-22 But I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you shortly, so that I also may be
encouraged when I learn of your condition. For I have no one else of kindred spirit
who will genuinely be concerned for your welfare. For they all seek after their
OWN INTERESTS, not those of Christ Jesus. But you know of his proven worth, that
he SERVED WITH ME in the furtherance of the gospel like a child SERVING HIS
FATHER.

‘KINDRED SPIRIT’ is also rendered ‘LIKE-MINDED’ in the King James Version of the Bible. In the
Greek, this means ‘equal in soul’. The term soul refers to the mind (what we think), the will (how
we decide) and the emotions (how we feel). Timothy thought like Paul, decided like Paul and felt
like Paul did on crucial biblical or spiritual matters. For a spiritual son to come to such sameness of
soul as his spiritual father, demands that he studies and knows his fathers’ ‘ways’ which ARE IN
CHRIST. A spiritual son follows a spiritual father to the degree that the father follows Christ. The
spiritual father-son relationship must be CHRIST focused.

Note, Timothy served WITH Paul by serving Paul. In serving Paul, he served the purposes of God in
Paul. Timothy is SERVING WITH him, by actually SERVING HIM. When you serve the practical
needs of your spiritual father, you are in essence serving WITH him as he executes the will of God.
When he did this, great GRACE attended Timothy because of the mandate of purpose associated
with their relationship. Wanting more grace, without positioning yourself to support the purposes
vested in your spiritual father, is futile, because grace in this context is given specifically - among
other things - to empower and enable the attainment of purpose. Prioritising, pursuing and
seeking to supportively facilitate Divine purpose stewarded by one’s spiritual father, positions one
for progressive and significant increase in the GRACE OF GOD.

PURITY OF MOTIVE IN HELPING YOUR LEADER: No selfish ambition must govern your desire to
help your spiritual leader. Paul is convinced that Timothy’s motive in helping him in ministry is not
to SEEK his OWN INTEREST but those of Christ’s, in that he has a genuine care for the Corinthians.
Spiritual sons should have no ulterior motive in providing strong support to their leader. This
commendable disposition is also exemplified in Jehoadah (discussed later on).
Chapter 3 Case Study Two
Moses Fulfilled Promises Made To Abraham

To biblically illustrate the principles discussed in the previous chapter, consider God’s purposes
and will for Moses’ life. When God calls Moses and commissions him to bring out His people from
Egypt, he consciously stresses the fact that this activity of liberating Israel from Egyptian bondage
is not some assignment which stands alone and separate from His previous historical dealings with
Israel. In His commissioning of Moses for the task, God deliberately draws the attention of Moses
to the fact that HE, God, is the God of Moses’ father, who in turn can be linked back to the fore-
fathers, viz. Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

Exodus 3:6-10
6 He said also, “I am the GOD OF YOUR FATHER, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and
the God of Jacob.” Then Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God. …
10 “Therefore, come now, and I will SEND YOU to Pharaoh, so that you may bring My people,
the sons of Israel, out of Egypt

Note: “I am God of YOUR FATHER”. God sends Moses, not because of Moses - but because of his
fathers. Moses is a fulfillment of the promise to Abraham. For Moses to be successful in what God
called him to do, he is to understand the original purpose of God given to Abraham, Isaac and
Jacob, his forefathers. What God has called him to do in his time, must bear reference to, be a
continuation of, and seek to be a fulfillment of that original mandate. The point is, every one of us
has a unique assignment of God for our individual lives, BUT, there are far greater purposes to
which we must join ourselves to, and this purpose is vested within the spiritual father God has
placed over us. This spiritual father himself, in turn, must also ensure that while he might have a
unique Divine assignment attached to his ‘house’, that he, representative of his house, needs to
align himself and his corporate house to a greater purpose vested in his Apostolic fathering grace-
a purpose of which he and the house needs to strongly understand and support.

Moses is first made aware of prophetic promises given to Abraham, before he is sent. (For your
personal study - these promises to Abraham concerning Israel’s enslavement to Egypt and their
subsequent release are recorded in Genesis 15).

Abraham had about three hundred and eighteen men following him. Moses had millions following
him. Moses had a ‘bigger crowd’, but he is also still a son. The number of people under your
influence does not validate your calling; fatherhood does. Saul had the ‘bigger crowd’, but God
spoke to Samuel. God spoke things about Saul to Samuel, his spiritual father. The poison of
individuality is plaguing the church, where sons develop arrogance and think of their individual
assignment in God independently from that given to their spiritual fathers, even though it may be
huge or has wide impact by some standard.
Consider Psalm 105.
Psalm 105:9-10; 26,27

9 The covenant which He made with Abraham, And His oath to Isaac.
10 Then He confirmed it to Jacob for a statute, To Israel as an everlasting covenant,
…
26 He sent Moses His servant, And Aaron, whom He had chosen.
27 They performed His wondrous acts among them, And miracles in the land of Ham.

In verse 9 and 10, there is no mention of Moses. But verse 26 and 27 focus on the wondrous acts
performed by the hand of Moses, with Aaron as a supportive principle in his life. The activity and
function of Moses is a reflection and expression of a covenant made to the forefathers. Moses’
assignment was to fulfill a promise locked up in ‘fathers’. When God made Moses the offer of
blotting out the Israelites and starting afresh with him - Moses rejected the offer, and he
committed to fulfilling the vision of Abraham. That is why it is said of Moses that he is the meekest
man. He refused the temptation of crafting out a legacy of his own when he could have, but rather
opted for fulfilling a previous mandate or purposes granted to a forefather.

Psalm 105:37-42
37 Then He brought them out with silver and gold, And among His tribes there was not
one who stumbled.
38 Egypt was glad when they departed, For the dread of them had fallen upon them.
39 He spread a cloud for a covering, And fire to illumine by night.
40 They asked, and He brought quail, And satisfied them with the bread of heaven.
41 He opened the rock and water flowed out; It ran in the dry places like a river.
42 For He remembered His holy word With Abraham His servant;
Important Note on verse 42: All the signs and blessing was because God remembered his
covenant with Abraham. Spiritual sons will be victorious and come into new levels of success and
productivity in Kingdom activity, when they seek to become expressions and conduits of all the
purposes of God given to their spiritual fathers. Moses is hugely blessed, anointed and graced in
what God called him personally to accomplish in the earth because he was able to enter into God’s
will for His people in the earth at that time and simply follow through in an unending contiuum of
longstanding prophetic purposes and promises intially given to others. We would be well to learn
from his example. May we in our time, by our endeavours in the earth, simply be the fulfillment of
ancient outstanding prophetic promises and purposes yet to be fulfilled. There is HUGE GRACE
waiting to be released for this purpose.
The principles outlined above can be seen in a statement of Jesus following His clearly stated
mission to do the Father’s will and that doing and COMPLETING it to be His source of nourishment
(food) for life.
John 4:34-38
34 Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to accomplish His
work.
35 Do you not say, ‘There are yet four months, and then comes the harvest’? Behold, I say to you,
lift up your eyes and look on the fields, that they are white for harvest.
36 Already he who reaps is receiving wages and is gathering fruit for life eternal; so that he who
sows and he who reaps may rejoice together.
37 For in this case the saying is true, ‘One sows and another reaps.’ I sent you to reap that for
which you have not labored; others have labored and you have entered into their labor.”

It is possible to reap from the labours of other men who have sown in times past. But you only
reap from others who have sown previously, if you link or join your present priorities and current
efforts to their prior sowing.
Chapter 4 Case Study Three
Joshua, Aaron and Hur Supported Moses
Exodus 17:8-16
8 Then Amalek came and fought against Israel at Rephidim.
9 So Moses said to Joshua, "Choose men for us and go out, fight against Amalek. Tomorrow I
will station myself on the top of the hill with the staff of God in my hand."
10 Joshua did as Moses told him, and fought against Amalek; and Moses, Aaron, and Hur went
up to the top of the hill.
11 So it came about when Moses held his hand up, that Israel prevailed, and when he let his
hand down, Amalek prevailed.
12 But Moses' hands were heavy. Then they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it;
and Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side and one on the other. Thus his
hands were steady until the sun set.
13 So Joshua overwhelmed Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword.
14 Then the LORD said to Moses, "Write this in a book as a memorial and recite it to Joshua, that
I will utterly blot out the memory of Amalek from under heaven."
15 Moses built an altar and named it The LORD is My Banner;
16 and he said, "The LORD has sworn; the LORD will have war against Amalek from generation to
generation."

In this passage, we observe Joshua, Aaron and Hur as spiritual sons to Moses, supporting him in
the vision or purposes of God for his life and ministry. Everything these individuals do, bear direct
reference to God’s mandate stewarded by Moses, and seek to facilitate its efficient execution.
They also deliberately deal with potential hindrances or negative opposing factors that could
detract away from Moses’ effectivenes in what God has called him to. Please bear in mind too,
that these three individuals, in doing what they are called to do privately, are really partnering
with GOD’S PURPOSES originally given to Abraham concerning Israel’s release from Egyptian
slavery and their journey back to the ‘promised land’. Now Israel is journeying back to Canaan, and
the Amalekites pose a threat to this outcome. When you and I provide strong support to spiritual
leadership, we are in essence not supporting them per se, but God’s purpose they are meant to
steward, a purpose which will benefit them for the good. We are actually propelling our own
corporate movement toward finalisation of specific aspects of God’s will for our lives.

Joshua, Aaron and Moses - these three supportive persons - are activated to function supportively
of Moses, but really they are facilitating God’s purposes stewarded by Moses. In providing strong
support to an authentic spiritual leader, you are in essence supporting God Himself.

Note the meaning of the followng terms:

Rephidim = (1) ‘Rests’15
(2) Props; supports; joiners; solderers. Shrinking of hands16.

Amalek = A people that lick up or exhaust; people of lapping; a strangler of the people, (a
type of the flesh = Exodus 17:8, 13, 16). Warlike; A dweller in the valley17.

Stone = Eben18; the root is ‘BEN’ = son = builder of the family name19

The ensuing discussion below is gleaned from the meanings of the names above.

THE NATURE AND INTENT OF AN AMALEK ATTACK

The attack happens at Rephidim. This is an attack on the state of ‘REST’ in God’s people and its
leaders. Its intent is to bring about ‘UNREST’ or anxiety, and force God’s people and leaders into a
framework and mindset of excessive ‘works’, not borne out from GRACE and REST. The subtly of
this attack is to foster ‘work’, but in one’s own strength, and not driven by nor dependent upon
the grace of God. Hence the aim of this attack is to EXHAUST God’s leaders and God’s people. This
could manifest itself variously, e.g. being distracted by engaging in battles not ordained by God for
us to engage in, being driven by carnal ambition and hence pursuing some activity or project not in
God’s will for us, being engrossed in practical and physical concerns related to our ministries to the
neglect of focusing on the WORD and PRAYER, … and the list is endless. This attack can happen
very subtly and requires discernment to recognise and deal with it.

Rephidim also means ‘PROPS and SUPPORT’, and hence the attack is levelled against the principle
of supportive leadership that spiritual sons should provide to spiritual fathers. The spirit of Amalek
is a ‘war-like’ spirit that seeks to ‘exhaust’ God’s people and breed disappointment and
depression within them (‘valley’). This results in loss of desire or will to provide spiritual and
practical support to one’s spiritual leader. Spiritual sons must be cautious of disappointment,
discouragement, despair, dejection and depression that has the ultimate effect of them
withdrawing their robust support toward their spiritual leadership. The ‘hands’ in Scripture
symbolise the willingness and capacity to practically execute purpose or an assignment. Rephidim
also means ‘shrinking the hands’, thus indicating a withering or withdrawal of support designed to
fasttrack and actually carry out God’s purposes. This is the core focus and intent of the Amalek
attack.

The God-response to this Amalekite attack is strong supportive leadership personnel that brings to
the leader rest by their support in various ways and therefore, as a consequence of this, brings
rest and encouragement to the people themselves.

[I refer the reader to my citing, later in subsequent chapters of this writing, of how Titus (2 Cor.
7:5,6), Philemon (Philem. 1:20,21), Onesiphorous (2 Tim. 1:16-18) and Epaphroditus (Phil. 2:25-
30) - all brought rest to Paul and therefore to all people whom Paul would lead.]

The Strength of a Spiritual Father Directly and Positively Impacts a Spiritual Son:

• Joshua’s Part : Moses stations himself on top of a mountain before the Lord in a symbolic
position of intercession with his staff in his hand. Joshua supports Moses by fighting the
Amalekites in the Valley under his direct instruction. So long as Moses’ hands are raised, Joshua
prevails against the Amalekites. When Moses grows weary and his hands fall, the Amalekites
prevail against Joshua. Joshua’s success or failure is directly connected to the position,
disposition, strength, well-being and spiritual posture of Moses before the Lord. It is therefore
in Joshua’s best interest to have a strong Moses on the mount with his hands raised. It is
ultimately in the best interest of a spiritual son to obediently co-operate with and provide
practical and spiritual support to your spiritual leader, because this is ONE of the primary
means by which the grace of God is accessible and flows to the son. Thus, a spiritual son should
always endeavour to ‘lighten’ the burden of his spiritual father to enable him to focus solely on
engaging God in the Heavens and to be an undistracted conduit of the flow of grace by the
Word of God to the son.

• Aaron and Hur’s Part : Aaron and Hur position themselves closely to Moses to ensure his well-
being and strength. They do three things.

(1) They made him sit down.
(2) They placed a stone under him.
(3) They held up his hands on either side.

The Significance of the Above Three Actions:

(1) Sitting indicates both a posture of REST and RULERSHIP (governance or judgement)

They realised his need for rest and did not unduly demand that he stand. Rest is the ideal
position from which one can assess and respond to a crisis. From ‘rest’, we can ‘rule’.
Spiritual sons must recognise the need for practical REST, which their spiritual leader
requires when the need arises. These are seasons of replenishment and refocus for the
leader that will in the long-term positively benefit all those he leads. Even Jesus insisted
that He and his apostles rest.

Mark 6:30-32 The apostles gathered together with Jesus; and they reported to Him all that
they had done and taught. And He said to them, “Come away by yourselves
to a secluded place and REST A WHILE.” (For there were many people
coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat.) They went away
in the boat to a secluded place by themselves.

(2) The stone placed under him represents SONSHIP, as explained above in the meaning of
‘stone’. This for us today implies that the great support we can give to a spiritual father is
the degree of our sonship representation. Firstly, as a divine son of God and all that it
entails. Secondly, in respect to expressions of our spiritual sonship in terms of obedience
to God’s Word and the doctrine released through our spiritual fathers. Thirdly, in the many
ways in which we provide practical and spiritual support reflective of our honour given to
them in Christ and ultimately honour to the Christ in them.

(3) Hands in Scripture are symbolic of one’s capacity to execute function or a task. The
hands are that part of our bodies which carry out the intentions of the mind or will. The
Bible says that “the right hand of the Lord DOES valiantly”. Hence, Aaron and Hur are
focused on aiding Moses in fulfilling the tasks that are unique to him as a spiritual father. If
a spiritual father ever becomes weary because of an attack by the spirit of Amalek,
spiritual sons should do everything within their power to ensure that they provide strong
support to neutralise this spirit. How this can be done is addressed later in this study.

• From Aaron and Hur’s Examples, What Characteristics in a Spiritual Son Provide Strong
Support to a Spiritual Father?

Note the meaning of their names:

Hur = Cavern (root = a hole; a cavern, with the idea of hollowing or boring).
Noble; splendor. White20.

Aaron = Light; a shining light; a mountain of strength; enlightened; very high;
to be high. Teaching; to shine. Chaldean: To be high.21

Both names allude to purity and those who function by revelation or illumination (‘white’ and
‘light’). Purity in sons is critically important if they are to be ‘vessels of honour fit for use’ by the
Lord.

2 Tim. 2:20-22 Now in a large house there are not only gold and silver vessels, but also
vessels of wood and of earthenware, and some to honor and some to
dishonor. Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from these things, he will
be a vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, prepared for every
good work. Now flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith,
love and peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.

Often, purity of the heart will determine the perception of the eyes. Revelation, the capacity to
see hidden realities, truth and what one’s spiritual leader represents, flows effortlessly from the
heart of purity. It is my view that LOT, could not recognise by revelation what Abram represented
because he harboured carnality and impurity within his heart (I deal with this more thoroughly in
chapter 18 of this manual). Sons must pursue and maintain purity, clean living and practical
righteousness. This will hugely accentuate and greatly enhance their efforts of support for their
leader.

The name ‘Hur’ implies being elevated (‘high’), suggestive that they have an above normal
perception and understanding of their identity and function - they understand what it means to
‘be seated with Christ in Heavenly places’ (Eph. 2:6) and to ‘set their minds on things above, where
Christ is seated at the right hand of God’ (Col. 3:1).

The name ‘Hur’ further is symbolic of one who has the capacity to ‘hollow’ or ‘bore’ or create a
‘cavern’, i.e. he is able to penetrate and creates holes in the strength of the enemy, thus
eradicating their stronghold.

‘Hur’ implies ‘nobility’. He thinks as a noble. He is kingly and governmental. So, too must
supportive sons be. The idea of ‘nobility’ is also reflected in the calibre of the Jews at Berea, who
were ‘more noble-minded’ than other Jews, in that they (a) received the Word with readiness of
mind and (b) searched the Scriptures daily.

Acts 17:11 Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received
the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether
these things were so.

Such must be the disposition of those who intend to provide strong support to their leaders. A
person who seeks to provide practical support, must first and foremost receive, enquire of, study,
meditate on and obey the Word or doctrine of their spiritual leader. This brings NOBILITY to the
son. ‘Nobles’, even when they engage in the mundane practical expression of support, transform
simple things to kingly ones, and bring to it a governmental weight and authority.

‘Aaron’, alludes to ‘teaching’, i.e. he is one that not only is able to teach, but more importantly, he
has become the word made flesh that is able to teach others by his lifestyle. Having these types of
sons in a spiritual household represents a major expression of support to leaders. These sons
become TEACHING centres, for example, by educating and upgrading newer sons in the house by
their capacity to explain certain doctrinal positions, and more importantly by how they live out
those doctrines practically in their lives.

Aaron’s name also means ‘MOUNTAIN OF STRENGTH’ – which is self-explanatory. He is not a
‘valley of depression’. He has mastered what it is means to be strong. He brings this strength to
support his leader (See chapter where this principle is discussed).
Chapter 5 Case Study Four
Seventy Elders Support Moses

Acknowledgement: The kernel thoughts in this chapter were ignited from a teaching entitled,
‘Moses - a Case Study’, released by Thamo Naidoo22, an Apostle of Christ, at an Apostolic School of
Ministry hosted by him in 2002.

All sons of God must understand the specific and unique nature and thrust of the local house in
which they function. Each church, although subscribing to common Biblical and spiritual standards,
principles, and Divine purpose, develops distinctiveness unique to that group. The anointing or
specific grace on the spiritual leader will regulate and configure the entire church and cause those
that are committed members / sons aligned to that church, to function under this grace. The grace
on the spiritual father or leader is infectious and must filter through the entire household. The
spiritual leader’s grace will configure and regulate the whole operation and activity of the
congregation. Leaders and believers must learn how to align and posture themselves correctly so
that they consciously engage and draw from the grace resident within the set man. As this takes
place, every resource necessary to live successfully and to accomplish the will of the Father is
released to them. Leaders must learn to engage the spiritual anointing of their spiritual leader.
Some people live sub-standard lives in reference to God’s determination for them, simply because
they refuse to completely engage the anointing or grace configuration of their spiritual leader and
of the household to which they belong. Worse still, is when some operate contrary to the
prevailing culture and direction of the house as they fail to enter completely into partnership with
the spiritual leader and the vision of the house.

The ‘set man’ is the leader over a congregation who receives and carries the vision or mandate
of God for that particular work. The term ‘set man’ is derived from the NKJV’s usage of it at the
occasion of Joshua’s appointment to leadership. This term is used today to designate the spiritual
leader God has elected to lead His people.

Num.27:15-17 Then Moses spoke to the Lord, saying: “Let the Lord, the God of the spirits
of all flesh, set a man over the congregation, who may go out before them
and go in before them, who may lead them out and bring them in, that the
congregation of the Lord may not be like sheep which have no shepherd.”

Many leaders have abused the ‘set man’ principle. It has been used in some circles to inaccurately
justify dictatorial and manipulative leadership styles. This is not a biblical expression of the nature
and activity of the ‘set man’. The ‘set man’, or spiritual leader, is the one who has received the
engrafted Word or vision into his spirit, has conceived and nurtured that seed within his spirit,
and now provides wise oversight and guidance for its growth and maturity within the context of
others who feel joined to that which was birthed within his heart. Those who are aligned to a
specific church, in particular to the grace that the set man carries, must learn to engage and
interact with the grace or anointing within the set man. Engaging the principal anointing of the
set man involves the activity of ‘releasing’ or imparting the kernel of the Word and even the
configuration of the set man’s spirit, over the corporate congregation and atmosphere of the
Church, bringing upon the congregation a mantle that will give direction, impetus, force, drive and
power to the unfolding plans of God for that specific church and even divine intentions for the
earth.

God always calls a man, puts a Word or vision in that man and then distributes that Word to a
company of people, who would run with this vision. Moses provides an excellent example of
these principles. In essence, he was the set man over Israel and God raised up a team of men
around him to support him in leadership and take his vision into every facet of the culture of the
‘House’. Read Numbers 11 and 27:15-22.

Numbers 11:1-25
1 Now the people became like those who complain of adversity in the hearing of the Lord; and
when the Lord heard it, His anger was kindled, and the fire of the Lord burned among them
and consumed some of the outskirts of the camp.
2 The people therefore cried out to Moses, and Moses prayed to the Lord and the fire died out.
3 So the name of that place was called Taberah, because the fire of the Lord burned among
them.
4 The rabble who were among them had greedy desires; and also the sons of Israel wept again
and said, “Who will give us meat to eat?
5 “We remember the fish which we used to eat free in Egypt, the cucumbers and the melons
and the leeks and the onions and the garlic,
6 but now our appetite is gone. There is nothing at all to look at except this manna.”
7 Now the manna was like coriander seed, and its appearance like that of dellium.
8 The people would go about and gather it and grind it between two millstones or beat it in the
mortar, and boil it in the pot and make cakes with it; and its taste was as the taste of cakes
baked with oil.
9 When the dew fell on the camp at night, the manna would fall with it.
10 Now Moses heard the people weeping throughout their families, each man at the doorway
of his tent; and the anger of the Lord was kindled greatly, and Moses was displeased.
11 So Moses said to the Lord, “Why have You been so hard on Your servant? And why have I not
found favor in Your sight, that You have laid the burden of all this people on me?
12 “Was it I who conceived all this people? Was it I who brought them forth, that You should say
to me, ‘Carry them in your bosom as a nurse carries a nursing infant, to the land which You
swore to their fathers’?
13 “Where am I to get meat to give to all this people? For they weep before me, saying, ‘Give us
meat that we may eat!’
14 “I alone am not able to carry all this people, because it is too burdensome for me.
15 “So if You are going to deal thus with me, please kill me at once, if I have found favor in Your
sight, and do not let me see my wretchedness.”
16 The Lord therefore said to Moses, “Gather for Me seventy men from the elders of Israel,
whom you know to be the elders of the people and their officers and bring them to the tent
of meeting, and let them take their stand there with you.
17 “Then I will come down and speak with you there, and I will take of the Spirit who is upon
you, and will put Him upon them; and they shall bear the burden of the people with you, so
that you will not bear it all alone.
18 “Say to the people, ‘Consecrate yourselves for tomorrow, and you shall eat meat; for you have
wept in the ears of the Lord, saying, “Oh that someone would give us meat to eat! For we
were well-off in Egypt.” Therefore the Lord will give you meat and you shall eat.
19 ‘You shall eat, not one day, nor two days, nor five days, nor ten days, nor twenty days,
20 but a whole month, until it comes out of your nostrils and becomes loathsome to you;
because you have rejected the Lord who is among you and have wept before Him, saying,
“Why did we ever leave Egypt?”
21 But Moses said, “The people, among whom I am, are 600,000 on foot; yet You have said, ‘I will
give them meat, so that they may eat for a whole month.’
22 “Should flocks and herds be slaughtered for them, to be sufficient for them? Or should all the
fish of the sea be gathered together for them, to be sufficient for them?”
23 The Lord said to Moses, “Is the Lord’s power limited? Now you shall see whether My word will
come true for you or not.”
24 So Moses went out and told the people the words of the Lord. Also, he gathered seventy men
of the elders of the people, and stationed them around the tent.
25 Then the Lord came down in the cloud and spoke to him; and He took of the Spirit who was
upon him and placed Him upon the seventy elders. And when the Spirit rested upon them,
they prophesied. But they did not do it again.

• TEAM LEADERSHIP MUST PASSIONATELY AND AFFECTIONATELY CARRY PEOPLE IN THEIR
BOSOM TOWARD THEIR PROPHETIC DESTINY

The burden of leadership weighed so heavily upon Moses that he came to the realisation that he
was not sufficiently qualified to address the needs of the people and to provide adequate
leadership. In verse 14 he says, “I alone am not able to carry all this people, because it is too
burdensome for me.” This emphasises the plural and team culture in leadership that God desires.
Team Leadership does not negate the ‘set man’ principle. A set man, being a member of his team,
will always provide not just leadership, but headship as well, yet functioning with those that the
Lord has placed alongside him. The set man will always have a team of leaders around him that
share his heart and mandate. God instructed Moses to appoint seventy elders to assist him in the
task of leadership. Specifically, they are to “BEAR the burden of the people with you, so that you
will not bear it all alone” (Num. 11:17).

Bear = Nasa = To bear up, to lift up, to support, sustain to aid, to assist, to bear
continuously23.

Moses’ cry, “I alone am not able to carry …” implies a strong cry within him for
SUBSTITUTIONARY REPRESENTATION24. This term highlights the point that if a second-tier leader
desires to substitute for the principal leader, he must of necessity exactly represent the principal
leader. There can be no effective ‘substitution’ without ‘exact representation’. In this context the
term ‘substitution’ does not refer to ‘displacement of’. All truly appointed spiritual leaders realise
their need for substitutionary representation TO ELEVATE AND SUPPORT God’s people
CONTINUALLY.

In this regard, as explained in chapter two, Paul had an accurate representation of himself in the
person of Timothy, who could then substitute for and thus support Paul in caring for churches,
when Paul himself was restricted in some respect to do so.

encouraged when I learn of your condition. For I have no one else of kindred spirit
who will genuinely be concerned for your welfare. For they all seek after their
own interests, not those of Christ Jesus.

The Hebrew word, nasa, carries with it the sense of deep responsibility to carry people into their
prophetic promise – such was the deep groaning of Moses. Hear his heart for the people when he
says, “Was it I who conceived all this people? Was it I who brought them forth, that You should say
to me, ‘Carry them in your bosom as a nurse carries a nursing infant, to the land which You
swore to their fathers’? (Num. 11:12)

Bearing people does not just imply ‘carrying’ them as in being there for them in times of difficulty.
It includes this, but more importantly it involves literally carrying from one position to the next.
Note that Moses alludes to a specific destination, viz. ‘the land’. The ‘land’ for us is firstly, the
‘fullness of the measure of the stature of Christ’ (Eph. 4:13) – we are leading people towards
maturity in Christ in all things. Secondly, leaders must have a very clear understanding of what is
the corporate destiny of the people they are leading and what is the unique prophetic destiny of
each individual they lead.

Note also that Moses carries them in his ‘bosom’.

Bosom = khake = ‘to inclose’25

Scripturally, anything ‘carried’ in the bosom deeply moves and affects the person carrying it.
Prov. 6:27 says, ‘Can a man carry fire in his bosom and his clothes do not get burned’. Leadership
must issue forth from the very bosom of the leader. If you cannot embrace from deep within your
being, the people you lead and ‘carry’, you really have no business leading them. Such also should
be the disposition of supportive leaders around their ‘set man’.

Isaiah 40:11 Like a shepherd He will tend His flock, In His arm He will gather the lambs.
And carry them in His bosom; He will gently lead the nursing ewes.

Note how deeply Paul felt about the Philippian Church:

Phil. 1: 6-8 For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will
perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. For it is only right for me to feel this way
about you all, because I have you in my heart, since both in my imprisonment and
in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers of grace with
me. For God is my witness, how I long for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus.

Those who come alongside the set man must also exhibit this quality in leadership. Our leadership
team must be gripped by a strong ‘bosomed’ burden to facilitate the process toward perfection in
lifestyle of our people, and accelerate the rate of momentum toward ‘the finish’ of their personal
destinies, our local Church mandate, and the assignment on the global church.

• LEADERS CARRYING THE SHARED BURDEN OF THE SET MAN WILL NOT PRODUCE AN
INFERIOR STANDARD COMPARED TO THE DIVINE EXPECTATION

Num. 11: 15 “So if You are going to deal thus with me, please kill me at once, if I have found
favor in Your sight, and do not let me see my wretchedness.”

Moses uses the word ‘wretchedness’ to highlight the difficulty of his task and reveals a fear within
himself.

Wretchedness = ‘ra’ = Bad, evil, ‘worse than’26.
To come up to standard; to see oneself as producing an inferior
quality27.

This highlights a fear within most leaders, viz. the fear of not being able to measure up to the
Divine standard. Moses’ cry to God, paraphrased in contemporary terms, is …

“I cannot do this job alone, and if You do not help me in some way, then rather kill me
because I do not want to see the end of this process of my leading alone,
the result of which will be an inferior standard and quality to that which You expect.”

This is what he meant by using the term ‘wretchedness’. Moses realised that he could not carry,
bear, support and elevate Israel toward their prophetic promise (Canaan) all by himself. He
needed other leaders with the same heart and spirit as himself to assist him in this, otherwise he
knew that the objective for his leadership would not be accomplished. Likewise, we today, if we
do not work within the context of shared responsibility and team leadership, we will produce a
result that is sub-standard and of inferior quality to the divine expectation. This inferior standard
and outcome will be our ‘wretchedness’ to which we must not come. Leaders must overcome the
fear of not being able to deliver on the call and mandate of God on their lives as set men.
Leadership that is not shared and distributed among other leaders, is destined for ‘wretchedness’.
The task of leadership cannot rest upon one man – the responsibility must rest on a company of
leaders, some of whom may function as ‘elders’, who become co-partners with the set man,
operating with the same ethos and spirit of the set man.

• THE PROCESS OF SHARED OR TRANSFERRED RESPONSIBILITY

Num. 11:16-17
16 The Lord therefore said to Moses, “Gather for Me seventy men from the elders of Israel,
whom you know to be the elders of the people and their officers and bring them to the
tent of meeting, and let them take their stand there with you.
17 “Then I will come down and speak with you there, and I will take of the Spirit who is upon
you, and will put Him upon them; and they shall bear the burden of the people with you,
so that you will not bear it all alone.

The response of God to Moses unveils God’s heart and desire for ‘shared or transferred’
responsibility. Moses is instructed to ‘gather’ seventy elders and to bring them to the Tabernacle
(the tent of meeting) that they might stand there with him, observe how God speaks to him and
receive the Spirit that rests on him.

What can we learn from this? Note the following:

(a) He is to gather Seventy ELDERS that he knows.

Elders = zaquen = ‘aged’28 implying ancient wise men of capable leadership abilities and
influence in the congregation of Israel. ‘Aged’ here does not necessarily imply chronological
age, but primarily refers to those who are familiar with the ancient principles and
landmarks of the patriarchal fathers. These seventy men that Moses chooses must be
familiar with the ways and dealings of the Lord with His people. They must be wise men that
are able to influence people concerning the ways and will of the Lord. This implies that
leadership today must possess a significant degree of maturity and express a degree of
wisdom that is borne out of an intimate knowledge of the WAYS, WILL and WORD of God.

John writes to three categories of people in his first epistle, viz. ‘fathers’, ‘young men’ and
‘children’, all denoting various stages in spiritual maturity. John indicates that both children
and fathers know the Father, but not in the same way. Fathers are the most mature because
they have “known HIM, who has been FROM THE BEGINNING”, i.e. fathers know God as He
exists from timelessness. Fathers should be familiar with the ancient principles relative to
God, His person, His purposes, and His people.

1 John 2:12-14
12 I am writing to you, little children, because your sins have been forgiven you for His
name’s sake.
13 I am writing to you, fathers, because you know Him who has been from the
beginning. I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil
one. I have written to you, children, because you know the Father.
14 I have written to you, fathers, because you know Him who has been from the
beginning. I have written to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word
of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one.

(b) He is to GATHER seventy elders that he knows.

Gather = asaph = to assemble, to collect29.

This word has the idea of consciously gathering people together. This is a deliberate
process and is not left to chance. The purpose of the set man is to transfer the spirit of the
set man to the other leaders. Many call this, ‘impartation by association’, i.e. through our
close and intimate interactions, a transfer and impartation takes place. Through this
process of gathering, the impartation of skill and leadership ability takes place. Thus,
supportive leaders need to meet with their spiritual leader on a constant and regular basis.

In fact, the Hebrew word translated ‘gather’ (asaph), cited above, also implies ‘TO TAKE
AWAY, or to HARVEST’30. Spiritual leaders or set men spending regular ‘times away’ with
key supportive leaders in order to ‘harvest’ their fullest potential in leadership, is essential.
Crops are harvested only when their fruit is mature. Similarly, the set man must choose or
harvest those who he feels have come to a place of maturity in the things of the Lord.

(c) He is to gather SEVENTY elders that he knows.

The number seventy is significant. It has the following symbolic significance:

§ Global Mentality: There are approximately seventy ethnic groups in the world
today. Leaders must understand the global or macro-plan of God and provide
leadership to a specific local sphere in relation to this global plan. They must always
keep in mind the global or broad purposes of the Lord. They must not function in
isolation to the macro-plan of God. Also, leaders must not deal with local problems
in the church without concern for its impact upon our corporate culture and
corporate plan of the Lord. Joseph easily forgave his brothers (micro-issue) because
he pitched into the global intention of God in saving a whole nation (macro-plan).
§ National Representation: This point relates to the previous one above. Seventy
nations are set forth with particularity when the people of the earth are referenced
in Genesis 1031. Seventy Israelites came down to Egypt with Jacob, thus representing
the kernel or nucleus of the entire nation of Israel (comprised of twelve tribes) to be
fully formed later on - see Gen. 46:27.

§ Potential for Growth : A total of seventy Israelites started a nation (Egypt) WITHIN
another nation that would grow to more than two million by the Exodus. Supportive
leaders must not just exhibit maturity and capacity to function within the principal
grace configuration of their leader, but they too must possess the strong conviction
that what they model as examples to others, will eventually impact others so that
many more people are raised to maturity. Leaders are catalysts and activators - by
their example, they incite positively the people they lead.

§ Apostolic Mentality embracing the …

(i) ‘Sent’ Dynamic
(ii) In Oneness and Agreement
(iii) Operative in the Spirit and Power and

Luke 10:1 Now after this the Lord appointed seventy others, and SENT THEM in
pairs ahead of Him to every city and place where He Himself was
going to come.

Luke 10:17 The seventy returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are
subject to us in Your name.”

Seventy disciples were sent out by Jesus, thus were commissioned apostolically.
These therefore had an apostolic view or perception and a strong desire to bring
every expression of the church in belief and behaviour back to the original intent
of God. They were also sent out two by two, thus had to function in the principle of
oneness or agreement (See Amos 3:3). They had attendant with their ministry clear
demonstrations of the power of the Spirit. These leaders knew how to function in
the power of the Spirit when the occasion demanded it.

(d) He is to gather seventy elders THAT HE KNOWS.

Note that the seventy individuals are selected, not by God, but by Moses, who must ensure
he is functioning by and under God’s leadership in his choice of them. The people he
selects are to be people that He ‘knows’ to be elders (i.e. those who fulfill the
requirements to function as elders).

Knows = yada = to learn, to perceive, to discern, to experience, to know people
relationally32,

This word refers to sensual perception in that human conclusions are based upon observed
evidence. The prerogative to choose is Moses’. The key feature of his choice is this: choose
those that you know relationally. Take time to thoroughly know the people you position
into leadership functions. Do not act prematurely or hastily. Supportive leaders should
have a close and endearing relationship with their spiritual leader.

(e) ‘Bring them to the Tent of Meeting and let them STAND there with you’ (v.16,17)

These seventy men must have the capacity to ‘STAND’ before the Lord, just as Moses could.
Up to this point, only Moses engaged God at this level AT THE TENT OF MEETING, where
God chose to meet with him. Now there is an expectation placed on others to engage God
to the same degree as which Moses did. Leaders must have the capacity to interact with
God at deeper and deeper levels. They must be as prepared, as focused, as diligent, as faith-
filled, as anointed as the set man.

Stand = Yasab33 = To stand, to confront, to take one’s stand
To station oneself, to take a firm stand (1 Sam. 3:10)
It has the sense of presenting oneself at a location (Deut. 31:14)
Or to take a firm position on something (2 Sam. 18:13)
It is used of putting oneself in a place of honour (Prov. 22:29)
Of a soldier taking his place in the armed forces (Jer. 46:4)
Or a person placing himself among the people of Israel in assembly
(Judg. 20:2).

If the seventy are to stand where Moses stands, they must follow him closely. In the
process of their observation of how God speaks to Moses, the Spirit on Moses is
transferred to them. If they cannot keenly note the impartational flow from God to Moses,
they would not receive an impartational flow from Moses to themselves.

Herein are important lessons for spiritual sons:

(a) Spiritually, always strive to ‘stand’ where your spiritual father ‘stands’ - follow closely.

(b) By keenly listening to his preaching and teaching, you must note not just the content of
his delivery, but also gain insight into the manner of God’s speaking to him.

(F) “Bring them to the Tent of Meeting and let them stand there WITH YOU”.

The process of functioning to the same degree as the set man in terms of anointing,
wisdom, etc., does not negate nor set aside the set man principle. Equalisation does not
set aside rank and headship functioning. Note the process by which the transference to
the seventy takes place. God says to Moses that he would talk with Moses: “I will come
down and SPEAK WITH YOU THERE, and I will take of the Spirit who is upon you, and will
put Him upon them; and they shall bear the burden of the people with you, so that you
will not bear it all alone.

Speak = dabar / dhavar = Communicate, exhort, instruct, empower, equip, promise,
pronounce, utter, converse34.

Literally interpreted, this word means to ‘ARRANGE’ 35 . God is demonstrating to the
seventy how He interacts and talks with Moses. God wants to show the seventy how to
access prophetic revelation and receive empowering grace by a visible manifestation of
how it is done in Moses. In this process, the Spirit on Moses is then transferred to the
seventy and they then function with the same degree of success and skill that Moses
functioned. They’ve seen how Moses is empowered through prophetic revelation from
God. What God speaks, in and to Moses, is now spoken in and through the seventy elders.

Spirit = ruach = Breath, wind, mind, air36

This word has reference to the creative Word of the Lord. It relates to the air that is put in
motion by divine breathe. ‘I will talk with you’ implies that God places a Word in Moses,
and then takes the Spirit on Moses and places it on the seventy. It is not just the Spirit that
has been imparted but the Word in the set man as well. Jesus said, “the Words I speak,
they are spirit and life”. The Word and Spirit in the set man is now transferred on a
corporate bunch of people. The Word in the set man has a dynamic influence and impact
upon the entire environment.

The ‘Spirit’ of God’s Word and prophetic communication sets the air of the supernatural
in motion. The Spirit and Word released in and through Moses becomes infectious. The
principal anointing of a set man is the resident Word within him. This may be the core
Word or emphasis of teaching He carries, yet this may change from time to time. This
Word has the capacity to change the internal configuration and direction of the
congregation. The set man influences the ‘atmosphere’ of his house. He possesses a God-
given infectious anointing upon his environment. The primary anointing of God in a church
is usually centred in the Word of GOD in and through the set man - that comes out as
‘ruach’ - Spirit and Life - which affects and conditions the entire context in which that Word
and Spirit is released.

Leaders must engage this level of operation in the set man that they support and serve.
Openness to this realm will determine to a significant degree the success of the other
leaders individually as they appropriate the word released. This lays an expectation on
leaders to interact and respond far more intimately and obediently with the Words
released through the set man than what is required by the average believer.
Any leader that does not embody the spirit and ethos of the set man should not really be
serving alongside him. Any activity or mentality that is not completely aligned to that
which the set man will allow must be terminated.

Aside: With reference to the above discussion, I encourage you to study my teaching on
‘HAVING SIGHT OF AND TRACKING YOUR SPIRITUAL FATHER’, available on my
website37.

Many leaders and believers enjoy success because of their participation in the grace resident
within a specific individual - usually the set man of the local house. Verse 25 indicates that the
seventy prophesied on the same frequency as Moses did, although they did not do so again after
this. No reasons are provided in scripture. I guess that there was no continual interaction and
engagement from themselves with the grace resident within Moses.

Herein is a word of caution: Learn to recognise that a measure of your proficiency in the things of
the Lord is directly a result of your partnership, support and active responses to the Word and
spirit in the set man that you feel drawn and submitted to. To think that you can disengage and
yet still function to the same degree is deception. Leaders must ‘honour’ their set man and hold
them in high esteem, as this engenders more swifter and substantial transmission of spiritual
resource.

A Final Challenge: Leaders of churches themselves relate to a spiritual father over their personal
lives and ministries. These leaders, too, function as spiritual fathers to spiritual sons entrusted to
their care and oversight in their churches. Whatever disposition this leader sows upward to his
spiritual father, he will reap the same from the spiritual sons he leads. Every leader desires a
strong supportive team of second-tier leaders around him and will reap this when those he leads
observe how he supports the spiritual father over him. More than anything practical, the greatest
support any person can provide his leader at any level, is to carry the same spirit as his leader. This
comes, as is explained in this chapter, by closely observing not just WHAT God speaks through
him, but HOW God speaks through him. This must be an enduring disposition, not a momentary or
fleeting one. From this strong platform, leaders then will BEAR THE BURDEN of shared
responsibility in a range of expressions both spiritual and practical, and together with the principal
leader, they can successfully fulfill the purposes of God attendant with the people they lead.

An Aside: You are encouraged to study Exodus chapter 18 where, upon the advice of his father-in-
law, Jethro, Moses selects leaders of varying leadership capacities and grants them oversight over
specific numbers of God’s people in Israel, based on this capacity.
Chapter 6 Case Study Five
Thirty Mighty Men Supported David

David would not have enjoyed the kind of success that he did, if he did not have STRONG SUPPORT
from his ‘THIRTY MIGHTY MEN’.

• THEY KNEW HIS PROPHETIC FUTURE

The four hundred men who gathered unto David at the Adullam Cave joined to him before he was
recognised as king either by Judah or by Israel (1 Sam. 22). When they eventually regarded his
Kingship at Hebron, they confessed that even while Saul was king, it was he, David, who led them
out and in.

2 Sam. 5:1-3 Then all the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron and said, “Behold, we
are your bone and your flesh. Previously, when Saul was king over us, YOUR
WERE THE ONE who led Israel out and in. And the Lord said to you, ‘You will
SHEPHERD My people Israel, and you will be a ruler over Israel.’” So all the
elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron, and King David made a covenant
with them before the Lord at Hebron; then they anointed David king over
Israel.

In other words, all the while, even before Saul’s kingly reign would end through his death, they
had been studying David, tracking him, observing his patterns of movements, behaviour,
influence and leadership over Israel. Before they joined David, they studied his history and had
awareness of his prophetic future. It is always wise before you commit your heart, soul, material
and non-material support to a spiritual leader, that you study their past and know their prophetic
future.

Many of these would become David’s mighty men. Through their association with and support of
David, the grace of God on David’s life would be imparted to them such that they would do
extraordinary things. But the process of this is underpinned by a keen observation these men had
of David. They knew exactly that his position and function as king was God initiated and that it
was established by God, therefore destined to be fruitful. Every spiritual son must be convinced
that the leader he is following has a very clear call from God, that the role, position and function of
his spiritual father is God-determined. This is extremely beneficial to the son and to the father, in
that it facilitates consistent support of the son to his father when he is fully convinced that his
father is placed by God and is fulfilling God’s will. Thus, in supporting his father, he is really
supporting God’s purposes. Therefore, the spiritual father per se, is not the ultimate focus of
support, but God’s purposes vested in and stewarded by him. These principles are clearly
demonstrated further by David’s men in the Scriptures highlighted below.
• They HELPED David by giving him STRONG SUPPORT THAT WAS VARIED AND ALL-
ENCOMPASSING

Note the emphasis of the following verses, which highlight how men came to David to help him at
Hebron – they gave him STRONG SUPPORT.

1 Chron. 11:10 Now these are the heads of the mighty men whom David had, who gave
him STRONG SUPPORT in his kingdom, together with all Israel, to make him
king, ACCORDING TO THE WORD of the LORD concerning Israel.
Support = chazaq = to be strong, to strengthen, to be courageous, to overpower38.

David had great support from many people. He had a great army of men comprised of thousands.
But amongst this group there were THIRTY Mighty men39 (there were really thirty-seven of them,
but they generally are referred to as the ‘thirty’ in Scripture). David had ‘men’, but then he had the
‘MIGHTY’ men. This group exemplifies the higher order of spiritual son every spiritual father
needs. While the general army of men gave David support, these mighty men gave him STRONG
SUPPORT and the effects or rewards of grace in their personal lives and callings because of their
disposition was all the more greatly enhanced and evidenced in their lives - this is illustrated later
below.

Their strong support of David is further described as ‘HELP’.

1 Chron. 12:1 Now these are the ones who came to David at Ziklag, while he was still
restricted because of Saul the son of Kish; and they were among the mighty
men WHO HELPED HIM in war.

Help = azar = To surround, to protect40, to support, to give material or non-material
encouragement to a person41.

Note the meaning of the Hebrew word for ‘help’. It is all-encompassing, including material and
non-material expressions of support or help, encouragement to your leader, and the idea of
surrounding to protect them (e.g. from false accusation, etc.).

• THEY were GIVEN to their LEADER

1 Chron. 12: 17,18
17 David went out to meet them, and said to them, “If you come peacefully to me to
help me, my HEART SHALL BE UNITED with you; but if to betray me to my adversaries,
since there is no wrong in my hands, may the God of our fathers look on it and decide.”
18 Then the Spirit came upon Amasai, who was the chief of the thirty, and he
said, “WE ARE YOURS, O David, And WITH YOU, O son of Jesse! Peace, peace to you, And
peace to him who helps you; Indeed, your God helps you!” Then David received them and
made them captains of the band.

The chief of the ‘thirty’ was Amasai, who makes a covenantal commitment to David as a
spokesperson on behalf of the others. He says to David, “WE ARE YOURS”, i.e. they were
completely given in their hearts to David as their leader. Their hearts were TURNED towards David
(verse 18) because David turned his heart toward them (verse 17) when he said, “MY HEART
SHALL BE UNITED WITH YOU”. According to Malachi 4:5,6, in the sequential order of things, it is
FIRST the hearts of fathers that turn to sons, and in reciprocal response, the hearts of sons turn to
fathers. If you have a spiritual father, who has clearly demonstrated his turned heart towards you,
it should be your joy and response for your heart to turn toward him and offer him the necessary
support he would need.

The Macedonian believers too were also GIVEN, not just to the Lord, but also to Paul, their leader
as well:

2 Cor. 8:5b They first gave themselves to the Lord and to us by the will of God.

If your heart is not completely given to your spiritual leader, then neither will your hands be in
offering any kind of strong support. Lydia, in the New Testament, was part of the first group in
Macedonia who believed. She offered her house to Paul to use as a base of operation for his
ministry in Philippi, which is a city in the province of Macedonia. The Bible clearly indicates that
the LORD first opened her heart to receive the Word that Paul preached. Thereafter she offered
her house.

Acts 16:14,15 A woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple fabrics, a
worshiper of God, was listening; and the Lord opened her heart to respond to the
things spoken by Paul. And when she and her household had been baptized, she
urged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my
house and stay.” And she prevailed upon us.

Acts 16:40 They went out of the prison and entered the house of Lydia, and when they saw the
brethren, they encouraged them and departed.

If her heart was not opened, neither would her house be. The offer of Lydia’s house to Paul
represents strong support of him. Her house represented herself, all her comforts and resources
made available at Paul’s disposal to facilitate ministry in a city. Note also that Lydia’s commitment
and offer did not alter in the face of persecution and hardship. After Paul’s imprisonment and
miraculous release from prison, she still welcomes him into her home, a risk she was willing to
take. Spiritual sons do not retract support from fathers when their father faces trials and
sufferings of various kinds. Timothy was encouraged not to be ashamed of Paul’s chains and
associated sufferings.

Lydia’s name has a significant meaning:

Lydia = Bending; brought forth. To firebrand; travailing.42

May God ‘BRING FORTH’ spiritual sons who ‘BEND’ or incline towards His purpose stewarded by
spiritual fathers. May they be ‘firebrands’ - fully aflame and passionate, and may their ‘travail’ and
desire only be the efficient execution of God’s will, even in the face of personal suffering. (The
Shunammite woman did something very similar toward Elisha - See 2 Kings 4)

• THEY BORE THE BURDEN OF LEADERSHIP AND RESPONSIBILITY OF DOING GOD’S WILL
TOGETHER WITH DAVID

The calibre of spiritual son exemplified by David’s Mighty Men is vastly different from what
traditionally is the norm. Traditionally, sons seek to be blessed and receive from their fathers and
this is proper and biblical for the role of a father. But having said that, there is the spiritual son,
who over time, has become so built up and matured through reception of the grace of God
through the Word of God released and taught by his spiritual father, that he now positions himself
for productive use and support towards his father, who carries significant weight attendant with
Divine purpose.

In this respect, of interest, is the meaning of Amasai’s name:

Amasai = Burden of the LORD; burdensome. My burdens43.

Amasai represents one who is able to bear the burden of the Lord, a burden he sees carried by his
leader, and comes alongside him to support it. He is also one who is an influential son, and
positively or infectiously leads other sons into the same burden that he carries. The example and
character of Amasai toward David is very close to Jehoiada’s towards King Joash (referenced later
in this study).

David’s men helped him because they perceived God was with him (see verse 17). Help your
leader in practical and spiritual ways when you have perceived that God is actually with him and
GOD HIMSELF is helping him. You want to help what God is helping. You want to support what
God is supporting. You do not want to forgo the sheer privilege and inherent blessings associated
with supporting what God is supporting. Worse still, is to oppose or rebel against what God is
supporting.

1 Chron. 12:21-22
21 THEY HELPED DAVID against the band of raiders, for they were all mighty men of valor,
and were captains in the army.
22 For day by day MEN CAME TO DAVID to HELP HIM, UNTIL there was A GREAT ARMY
LIKE THE ARMY OF GOD.

• THEY Strengthened Themselves by Strengthening David

1 Chron. 11:10 quoted above says that David’s men gave him ‘STRONG SUPPORT’.

The word for support here is chazaq = to be strong, to strengthen, to be courageous, to
overpower 44 . The literal meaning of this word is ‘TO FASTEN UPON’. David’s men literally
‘fastened’ or attached themselves to him. The King James Version renders this verse as follows:

These also are the chief of the mighty men whom David had,
WHO STRENGTHENED THEMSELVES WITH HIM in his kingdom,
and with all Israel, to make him king, according to the word of the LORD concerning Israel.
1 Chron. 11:10 (KJV)

Where the NASB simply says they gave him strong support, the KJV says they strengthened
themselves with him. Herein is a powerful principle: Holding fast to and supporting your spiritual
leader will be beneficial for both of you. In fastening yourself in submission and support to him,
you are in actual fact, strengthening yourself in the process.

The opposite is also true: if you rebel and withhold your support, you will be spiritually
impoverished and weakened. AS A SPIRITUAL SON, IT IS ULTIMATELY IN YOUR BEST INTEREST
THAT YOUR SPIRITUAL FATHER IS STRONG AND HAS YOUR STRONG SUPPORT. YOU ACTUALLY
STRENGTHEN YOURSELF BY STRENGTHENING HIM.

Note the word, ‘UNTIL’ in the text below:

1 Chron. 12:22 For day by day MEN CAME TO DAVID to HELP HIM, UNTIL there was A
GREAT ARMY LIKE THE ARMY OF GOD.

The strong support offered to David by his men was UNTIL the army was thoroughly
representative of the heavenly angelic army of God itself. Help must be strongly offered to your
spiritual leader at every phase of the forward movement of the journey into God’s perfect will,
until all aspects of the purposes of God are completely reflective of God’s will in the Heaven.

• Grace is Multiplied in Sons who Support Their Leader

David’s mighty men exhibited skill sets and successes in their military exploits that superceded
anything that David had achieved in his own life. Recall the principle: in strengthening your
spiritual leader, you are strengthening yourself. So the mighty men strengthened themselves by
supporting David. This occurred to such a degree that the resident grace capacity within David was
not only imparted to them, but was amplified many times over. This is akin to what is commonly
called ‘double portion’ – a blessing Elisha requested from his spiritual father, Elijah.

For example, here are some of the exploits of David’s mighty men:

ü Josheb-basshebeth killed 800 men in one battle with a spear (2 Sam. 23:8).

ü Eleazar, who stayed on the battlefield when other warriors fled, killed Philistines until his
hand was stuck clenched around his sword (2 Sam. 23:9-10)

ü Abishai, the leader of the mighty men, killed 300 men with a spear (2 Sam. 23:18).

ü Benaiah was known for going into a pit on a snowy day and killing a lion, and for killing a
powerful Egyptian man with the man’s own spear (2 Sam. 23:20-21). He also served as
leader of David’s bodyguards ( 2 Sam. 23:23).

ü Shammah single-handedly defended a plot of lentils from a troop of Philistines (2 Sam
23:11).

All of these men listed above were ony able to be so successful to the high degree that they were,
because of their support of David. In supporting David, they were supporting God’s pruposes in
David. God’s grace flowed into their lives and hugely accentuated their abiity and capacity in what
they had to do, because what they were doing bore direct reference to the will of God stewarded
by David as King.

Chapter 7 Case Study Six
Prisca and Acquila Supported Paul

Rom. 16:3-5a Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, who for my life risked
their own necks, to whom not only do I give thanks, but also all the churches of
the Gentiles; also greet the church that is in their house.

Risked = hupotíthēmi 45
From hupó, ‘under’ and títhēmi, ‘to place’.
To set or put under, lay under, support.
In the context of Rom. 16:3, it means to lay down one's neck - meaning under the
sword or axe of the executioner, to hazard one's life.46

Prisca and Acquila, a married couple, laid down their lives in their execution of God’s assignment
on their lives, and specifically in their efforts to support Paul’s apostolic ministry to the Gentile
world. This couple risked their lives in their support of Paul’s apostolic ministry. The Greek word
suggests they deliberately did not consider the peril to themselves in doing this. They lived in the
spirit of martyrdom, as Paul did, not considering their lives dear unto themselves in the process of
fulfilling God’s will.

Acts 20:24 But I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself, so that I may finish
my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly
of the gospel of the grace of God.

Paul stayed with them when he came to Corinth (Acts 18:1-3) and suffered great persecution in
the city. Not much detail is given of what exactly this couple did. We know they housed Paul, who
was the focus of much attack in Corinth. Matthew Henry, a well-respected Biblical commentator,
offers the following explanation:

They were originally of Rome, but were banished thence by the edict of Claudius (Act 18:2).
At Corinth, Paul became acquainted with them, wrought with them at the trade of tent-
making; after some time, when the edge of that edict was rebated, they returned to Rome,
and thither he now sends commendations to them. ...

Nay, they did not only do much, but they ventured much, for Paul: “They have for my life laid
down their own necks”. They exposed themselves to secure Paul, hazarded their own
lives for the preservation of his, considering how much better they might be spared
than he. Paul was in a great deal of danger at Corinth, while he sojourned with them; but
they sheltered him, though they thereby made themselves obnoxious to the enraged
multitudes, Act 18:12, Act 18:17. It was a good while ago that they had done Paul this
kindness; and yet he speaks as feelingly of it as if it had been but yesterday. To whom (says
he) not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles; who were all beholden to
these good people for helping to save the life of him that was the apostle of the Gentiles. Paul
mentions this, to engage the Christians at Rome to be the more kind to Aquila and Priscilla.
He sends likewise greeting to the church in their house, Rom 16:5.

Prisca and Acquila were not ashamed of Paul’s sufferings. In housing him, and not abandoning him
during his Corinthian persecution, they fully identified with him, his cause and calling as an Apostle
of Christ. When the heat was turned up, they did not turn their backs on the apostle, even risking
their own well-being and very lives in the process. Spiritual sons are exhorted not to vacate their
disposition and position of strong support toward their spiritual leader in times in which that
leader has to suffer much for the sake of their calling or for the Gospel.

Prisca and Acquila were tent-makers, hence people who were income earners. They maintained a
house-church at Ephesus and at Rome. When Paul went to Ephesus, Aquila and Priscilla went with
him and remained there to do pioneer work while he visited Jerusalem. Thus, Aquila and Priscilla
did much of the initial work in Ephesus. During this time, Apollos came to Ephesus and was
instructed by them in the Scriptures (Acts 18:26).

Another way in which Prisca and Acquila supported Paul was through their exact representation of
him, in that they were also able to teach accurately what Paul taught. This is seen in how they
were able to take Apollos aside after hearing him speak ‘accurately’ only up until his knowledge of
the doctrine of John the Baptist, and explain to him the way of the Lord ‘more accurately’.

Acts 18:24-28
24 Now a Jew named Apollos, an Alexandrian by birth, an eloquent man, came to Ephesus;
and he was mighty in the Scriptures.
25 This man had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he was
speaking and teaching accurately the things concerning Jesus, being acquainted only with
the baptism of John;
26 and he began to speak out boldly in the synagogue. But when Priscilla and Aquila heard
him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately.
27 And when he wanted to go across to Achaia, the brethren encouraged him and wrote to
the disciples to welcome him; and when he had arrived, he greatly helped those who had
believed through grace,
28 for he powerfully refuted the Jews in public, demonstrating by the Scriptures that Jesus
was the Christ.

The effect of this couple on Apollos was profound. They were able to upgrade him in the most
accurate and current speaking of God. Apollos would emerge to become a significant apostle,
closely associated with Paul as a co-labourer, who would build upon the foundational work of Paul
in Corinth, adding to it significantly.

Every leader needs people who would assist in the growth of other people within the sphere of
that leader. This might not be for everyone to do, but this becomes an extremely powerful
expression of practical support a spiritual son can give to his spiritual father. It makes the overall
task of a spiritual father much easier, when new and relatively less mature people become part of
his/her household of faith, for the more mature sons to assist in the spiritual growth of these
newer sons. This process is achieved and facilitated in two ways, viz. by explanation and by
example. More mature sons can spend time with these newer people in fellowship and discussion,
with the objective of fast tracking their understanding of key doctrinal matters or issues of the
specific culture, ethos, values and/or protocols, which that specific household of faith subscribes.
The growth and learning of newer sons can also be greatly facilitated by the example of obedience
to core principles modelled before them by older or more mature sons. It is amazing how much
new people can learn by their observation of the obedient lifestyles of the more mature.

By the time of the writing of the Roman epistle, Prisca and Acquila returned to Rome. Many
believe that Paul would have sent them ahead of himself to prepare the way for his coming there.
Note Paul references ‘the church that is in their house’. So, they too, led a spiritual household of
faith and were responsible for the souls of those spiritual sons placed under their oversight. Paul’s
mention of them at the close of this epistle could well be to subtly encourage the Roman
believers, those in their household of faith as well others in Rome, to show kindness and honour
to this powerful and commendable couple. No one who serves apostolic initiatives in spiritual
leaders well with total devotion and sacrifice, will ever go unrewarded by the Lord, both in this life
and the next.

Hence, Paul offers his thanks, but also references the gratitude of all the Gentile churches. Thus
the impact of this couple on the Gentile world, in their support of Paul, was profound and
widespread. You never know or realise the scale and scope of the impact your expression of active
practical, emotional, financial and spiritual support to your spiritual leader has. Often we do not
see it. Only eternity will reveal how many people were positively affected through your strong
support offered to your leader.

Paul also instructed that the church in the house of Prisca and Acquila be greeted. This is not
simply a well-wish from the apostle. The Greek word employed here, aspázomai, translated as
‘greet’, means ‘to embrace, to salute, and is equivalent to saying ‘PEACE BE TO YOU’ and also
implied ‘to be treated with affection’47. Thus, this household was the recipient of an apostolic
blessing and impartation of grace. Grace, blessing and peace flows to leaders of households and
their households, when those leaders play an active role in strongly supporting apostolic purposes
stewarded by authentic apostles.

Later it seems that Prisca and Acquila returned to Ephesus as Timothy, who was based there, was
instructed to ‘salute’ or greet them along with Onesiphorus.

2 Tim. 4:19 Salute Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus.

Consider this also: It seems that the only initial reason Paul stayed with Prisca and Acquila, was
because they were tent-makers, and there would be some advantage brought to them all by living
in the same house.

Acts 18:1-3 After these things he left Athens and went to Corinth. And he found a Jew named
Aquila, a native of Pontus, having recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla,
because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to leave Rome. He came to them,
and because he was of the same trade, he stayed with them and they were
working, for by trade they were tent-makers.

Often, things held in common by a spiritual leader and his followers can initially serve to form
bonds between them, and may or may not further instill connections on a much deeper spiritual
level. Prisca and Acquila did not allow familiarity with Paul to affect the esteem they had for him
as an Apostle of God and a spiritual guide to them both. Familiarity breeds contempt. Spiritual
sons must guard against being so ‘common’ or ‘familiar’ with their spiritual leaders, that they
begin to disesteem dishonour them.

Chapter 8 Case Study Seven
Luke and Others Supported Paul

Any vision of any spiritual leader needs STRONG SUPPORT by those he leads. Paul saw a vision of
a man from Macedonia, saying, “COME and HELP us”. He SAW the vision, but the response to GO
to Macedonia was CORPORATE, for Luke says, “WE SOUGHT TO GO”48.

Acts 16:6-11
They passed through the Phrygian and Galatian region, having been forbidden by the
Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia; and after they came to Mysia, they were trying to
go into Bithynia, and the Spirit of Jesus did not permit them; and passing by Mysia,
they came down to Troas. A vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia
was standing and appealing to him, and saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help
us.” When HE had seen the vision, immediately WE sought to go into Macedonia,
concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them. So putting out to sea
from Troas, we ran a straight course to Samothrace, and on the day following to
Neapolis; and from there to Philippi, which is a leading city of the district of
Macedonia, a Roman colony; and we were staying in this city for some days.

Essentially Luke is saying, “We, corporately as a collective, will GO to bring fulfillment to Divine
purpose which our leader, Paul, has SEEN and ENVISIONED”. May I encourage you, PUT YOUR
HANDS to SERVE the Purposes and Mandates of God given to your spiritual leader/father. The
leader SEES, but WE GO! Let’s have a ‘mind to work’.

An Aside: APOLLOS HELPED BELIEVERS SPIRITUALLY THROUGH TEACHING THE WORD

Read this verse slowly and thoughtfully:

Acts 18:27 And when he wanted to go across to Achaia, the brethren encouraged him and
wrote to the disciples to welcome him; and when he had arrived, he GREATLY
HELPED those who HAD BELIEVED through GRACE, for he powerfully refuted the
Jews in public, demonstrating BY THE SCRIPTURES that Jesus was the Christ.

Apollos HELPED those who believed through grace. He helped the believers as Barnabas did at
Antioch (See Acts 11:23,24). Apollos demonstrated to them from the Scriptures that Jesus was the
Christ. His basis and foundation was the WORD OF GOD. If we cannot primarily help believers from
and by the WORD OF GOD, all other help is temporal in nature. He demonstrated that JESUS, the
man, was the Christ, the fullness of deity. Today, we do the same as we help believers become
anchored in their faith and proceed toward maturity in Christ. We demonstrate to them from the
Scriptures not just how a man, Jesus, could in his earthly human body, fully represent the entirety
of the Godhead, but we also demonstrate how we as sons of God could successfully represent
CHRIST completely in our humanity.

Apollos GREATLY HELPED those who believed. WE must HELP the church of God globally who
believe, and facilitate their rapid movement to MATURITY. Paul saw the vision from the
Macedonian man “COME and HELP us”, and Paul’s entire SUPPORTIVE team of sons around him
responded to the call. Let US ALL ARISE and position ourselves to HELP the nations of the earth
through the dissemination, distribution, publication and broadcasting of DIVINE TRUTH and
revelation to all the peoples of the earth.

The primary way we do this is by first LIVING OUT the truth we proclaim. Recall that the emphasis
in the so-called ‘Great Commission’ is not ‘teach’ nations the content of God’s truth per se, but
rather to ‘teach them to OBEY or OBSERVE’ it (See Matt. 28:20). This will include the transmission
of content or information, but the imperative is to have the ability to translate this into lifestyle
practice. This starts by us ‘becoming word’ by our obedience thereto, before we proclaim it. Start
by mastering your own obedience to the message we preach, and then seek to broadcast it with
aggressive diligence by your example of obedience, as well as by proclaiming in various
expressions and through a variety of formats or platforms.

Psalm 68:11 The Lord gave the word; GREAT was the COMPANY of those who
PROCLAIMED it. (NKJV)

May we be a GREAT COMPANY who PROCLAIMS and PUBLISHES the WORD! This is a very
significant expression of strong support that any spiritual son can offer his spiritual leader.
Chapter 9 Case Study Eight
Leaders and People Supported Nehemiah

Nehemiah’s divine purpose had to do with rebuilding the fallen walls of Jerusalem. He could not
do it alone. He needed strong support, which men of Israel gave to him.

• He Recruited Support of Second-Tier Leaders First, then the support of the People as a
result.

The first wave of support was from the RULERS, PRIESTS AND NOBLES, i.e. REPRESENTATIVE OF
LEADERSHIP at some level. The second wave of support was from the people, those who actually
did most of the work.

Neh. 2:16-18 And the RULERS knew not whither I went, or what I did; neither had I as yet told it
to the Jews, nor to the PRIESTS, nor to the NOBLES, nor to the RULERS, nor to the
rest that did the work. Then said I unto them, Ye see the distress that we are in,
how Jerusalem lieth waste, and the gates thereof are burned with fire: come, and
let us build up -- the wall of Jerusalem, that we be no more a reproach. Then I told
them of -- the hand of my God, which was good upon me; as also the king’s words
that he had spoken unto me. And they said, Let us rise up and build. So THEY
STRENGTHENED THEIR HANDS for this GOOD WORK.

Second-tier leaders have a significant role to play by serving as catalysts to, by their own example
of support, activate support in the people toward the spiritual leader and what God has called him
to.

• Nehemiah conveyed the gravity of the problem to be corrected and convinced those he led as
to the authenticity of his calling by God to correct it.

Nehemiah did Two Things:

v Firstly, he highlights the problem, i.e. the severity of the poor spiritual state of Jerusalem as
indicated by its broken walls and gates.

v Secondly, he demonstrated his own calling by God to restore Jerusalem’s walls and gates and
provided evidence to them of some indication of God’s favour on him for the task.

These two factors convinced those under him to support him in the rebuilding process. The people
STRENGTHENED THEIR HANDS TO WORK because in their estimation, it was a GOOD WORK - and a
‘GOD WORK’ I might add. Spiritual sons who are convinced as to the gravity of the problems in the
church, the world and in humanity generally, the need to bring God’s restoration grace to it, and
simultaneously are convinced as to the calling of their spiritual leader and his efforts relative to
aspects of the problem, should strengthen themselves so that they can be strong supporters of
their leader as they build God’s purposes together. Every spiritual son must be convinced that
what his leader is doing is a GOOD WORK, and then have a MIND to WORK in active support to
fulfill the purpose of God vested in him.

As the men who came to David in strong support were convinced that God HELPS HIM, and
therefore they helped him, so too, did the people do the same in reference of their disposition
toward Nehemiah. You want to support who and what God is supporting, for when you do, you
are strengthened with great grace in the process.

Neh. 2:18 I told them how God was supporting me and how the king was backing me up.
They said, "We're with you. Let's get started." They rolled up their sleeves, ready
for the good work. (Message Bible)

• The Leaders and People Strengthened Themselves and Had a Mind to Work

Note, the people STRENGTHENED THEMSELVES for the task of actively supporting Nehemiah in
the rebuilding process. Such is the calibre of supportive leadership needed today, i.e. those who
like Jehoiada did (refer to chapter 10), who would mature to such a degree, that they are able to
strengthen themselves, not so much only in reference to their own private concerns or sphere, but
also simply to be strong in order to provide strong support to a leader who is facilitating the
execution of some major aspects of God’s will in the earth/church. This disposition in such sons
will manifest itself, in them not just having a strong MIND, but a strong MIND TO WORK!

Having a ‘MIND TO WORK’ in providing your spiritual leader with STRONG SUPPORT, must be such
a solid position within you, that no amount of discouragement in life will cause you to retract your
support from your leader.
Nehemiah 4:1-6
Now it came about that when Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall, he
became furious and very angry and mocked the Jews. He spoke in the presence of his
brothers and the wealthy men of Samaria and said, “What are these feeble Jews doing?
Are they going to restore it for themselves? Can they offer sacrifices? Can they finish in a
day? Can they revive the stones from the dusty rubble even the burned ones?” Now
Tobiah the Ammonite was near him and he said, “Even what they are building - if a fox
should jump on it, he would break their stone wall down!” …. So WE BUILT THE WALL
and the whole wall was joined together to half its height, for the PEOPLE had a MIND TO
WORK.

The only reason why the people who supported Nehemiah in rebuilding Jerusalem’s walls did not
get discouraged by significant attempts of their enemies to disillusion them, is described in a single
phrase: ‘THE PEOPLE HAD A MIND TO WORK.’

The two Scriptures cited below must be viewed together to arrive at the principle which follows:

Neh. 4:6 So WE BUILT THE WALL and the whole wall was joined together to half its
height, for the PEOPLE had a MIND TO WORK.

Neh. 6:15-16 So the WALL WAS COMPLETED on the twenty-fifth of the month Elul, in fifty-
two days. When all our ENEMIES heard of it, and all the nations surrounding us
SAW IT, they lost their confidence; for they recognized that this work had been
accomplished with the HELP of our God.

When people have a MIND TO WORK, in executing and fulfilling the purposes of God led by their
spiritual leader, significant HELP FROM GOD becomes accessible and available to the people, such
that enemies of God and His purposes lose confidence in their intent to continue to oppose the
work. Cause the enemies of God to lose their confidence by the kind of support you provide to
your spiritual leader. Simultaneously, in this process, you will access HELP from God both for the
corporate purpose you are supporting, as well as for your personal needs/life. Help is accessible
within the context of strong support provided to a spiritual leader who is focused on the building
agenda in God’s Kingdom.

You want HELP? Have a MIND TO WORK. Support your spiritual leader.
Chapter 10 Case Study Nine
Elisha Supported Elijah

Elisha was Elijah’s spiritual son. Because of the accurate and high estimation that Elisha had of
what the person, Elijah, represented in his life, he positioned himself to minister in very practical
ways to the physical and personal needs of Elijah. He supported and helped his spiritual leader.

There are two references in this regard, with one passage highlighting the strong commitment and
devotion with which Elisha followed Elijah. Note the following …

1. 1 Kings 19:21 (b) Then he arose and followed Elijah and ministered to him.

ministered = sarat = To minister, to serve; to attend to ; figuratively to contribute.
This Hebrew word is utilised in a generic sense to describe various activities,
including that of a domestic servant serving a ranking official.49

Elisha recognises rank in Elijah and submits to him - because he understands that this is God’s
divinely determined way in which His purposes will be worked in the earth. He becomes Elijah’s
personal assistant, taking care of all his needs. Just as natural fathers exist for the benefit of their
natural sons - in taking care of their needs; in the spirit, spiritual fathers largely provide for the
spiritual needs of their sons. It is biblical for sons to respond appropriately to take care of the
practical and material needs of their spiritual fathers (See also Gal. 6:6 : “The one who is taught
the word is to share all good things with the one who teaches him”). By this process, the grace
resident within the father is released.

2. 2 Kings 3:11 But Jehoshaphat said, “Is there not a prophet of the Lord here , that we may
inquire of the Lord by him?” And one of the king of Israel’s servants
answered and said, “Elisha the son of Shaphat is here, who used to pour
water on the hands of Elijah.”

Elisha’s greatest validating factor making him eligible to minister prophetically, giving direction to
a king, was not so much his miracles, nor accurate prophetic record up to that point, but the way
in which he positioned himself in reference to Elijah - by pouring water on his hands, an image
which refers to the readiness to execute divine purpose.

Elisha FOLLOWED Elijah closely and faithfully for about 15 years.

You help your spiritual leader by following his lifestyle and teaching (doctrine) closely.

2 Kings 2:9-14
When they had crossed over, Elijah said to Elisha, “Ask what I shall do for you before I
am from you.” And Elisha said, “Please, let a double portion of your spirit be upon
me.” He said, “You have asked a hard thing. Nevertheless, if you see me when I am
taken from you, it shall be so for you; but if not, it shall not be so.” As they were
going along and talking, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire and horses of fire
which separated the two of them. And Elijah went up by a whirlwind to heaven.
Elisha saw it and cried out, “My father, my father, the chariots of Israel and its
horsemen!” And he saw Elijah no more. Then he took hold of his own clothes and
tore them in two pieces. He also took up the mantle of Elijah that fell from him and
returned and stood by the bank of the Jordan. He took the mantle of Elijah that fell
from him and struck the waters and said, “Where is the Lord, the God of Elijah?” And
when he also had struck the waters, they were divided here and there; and Elisha
crossed over.

King Joash, King of Israel, does not receive double portion of Elisha’s spirit even though he called
him “My Father, My Father”.

2 Kings 13:14-21
When Elisha became sick with the illness of which he was to die, Joash the king of
Israel came down to him and wept over him and said, “My father, my father, the
chariots of Israel and its horsemen!” Elisha said to him, “Take a bow and arrows.” So
he took a bow and arrows. Then he said to the king of Israel, “Put your hand on the
bow.” And he put his hand on it, then Elisha laid his hands on the king’s hands. He
said, “Open the window toward the east,” and he opened it. Then Elisha said,
“Shoot!” And he shot. And he said, “The Lord’s arrow of victory, even the arrow of
victory over Aram; for you will defeat the Arameans at Aphek until you have
destroyed them.” Then he said, “Take the arrows,” and he took them. And he said to
the king of Israel, “Strike the ground,” and he struck it three times and stopped. So
the man of God was angry with him and said, “You should have struck five or six
times, then you would have struck Aram until you would have destroyed it. But now
you shall strike Aram only three times.”

Elisha died, and they buried him. Now the bands of the Moabites would invade the land in the
spring of the year. As they were burying a man, behold, they saw a marauding band; and they cast
the man into the grave of Elisha. And when the man touched the bones of Elisha, he revived and
stood up on his feet.

Both Elisha and King Joash had the privilege of having a spiritual father. Elisha was fathered by
Elijah and King Joash was fathered by Elisha himself. Both men quoted the phrase ‘MY FATHER, MY
FATHER” to their respective spiritual fathers. So both Elisha and King Joash were ‘spiritual sons’ to
a ‘spiritual father’, but only Elisha walked in DOUBLE PORTION of the anointing that rested on his
father. WHY? There are at least FOUR reasons.

Four Reasons Why Elisha Received Double Portion from His Spiritual Father and King Joash of
Israel did not.

1. Only Elisha ‘MINISTERED UNTO’ Elijah and washed his hands, denoting a position of strong
support and practical service. Joash never did this to Elisha.

2. Only Elisha followed Elijah faithfully for at least fifteen years. There is no record of Joash
following Elisha to any significant degree.

3. Elisha faithfully and fully obeyed Elijah. Joash exhibited half-hearted obedience to Elisha
when he only struck the ground three times with arrows at the command of Elisha, when in
fact he should have struck the ground several times.

4. Elisha SAW Elijah ASCEND UPWARDS and received ‘double portion’ of Elijah’. Joash never
observed the UPWARD growth and development of Elisha.

So my encouragement to you in your quest for an above ordinary GRACE and ANOINTING on your
life, is …

1. Practically, physically and financially support your spiritual leader.

2. Follow their doctrine, lifestyle and purpose closely and consistently.

3. Whole-heartedly obey their biblically rooted INSTRUCTION and TEACHING.

4. Track their upward growth spiritually as they themselves ascend to new spiritual positions
in God.

Chapter 11 Case Study Ten
Jehoiada Supports King Joash

It is imperative to first read the details of this case study as recorded in 2 Chronicle 23 and 24
before proceeding. The kernel thoughts shared here in this section are extracted from an excellent
decoding of these chapters by Dr SY Govender, an Apostle of Christ, in a study titled, ’SECOND
MAN PRINCIPLES’. I encourage you to consult his website and to study this document 50. Dr
Govender does a more comprehensive treatment, whereas I focus on a few principles relevant to
our present focus.

Jehoiada served as an extremely strong, supportive ‘second-man’ to Joash all his life. His support
did not have goals of promotion in view. He was not governed by self-interest nor personal
ambition, but purely by a sincere desire to preserve the purposes of God, relative to keeping intact
the Davidic dynasty, from which the promised Messiah, Jesus Christ would emerge. He
courageously resisted wicked Athalliah’s attempts to kill off any remaining royal seed, and risked
his life by hiding the young Joash, who was next in line to become king. He successfully
orchestrated her death, mustered up strong support in other leaders and eventually in the people,
to rally around and install Joash as the legitimate king and rightful heir to the throne.

• He strengthened himself.

2 Chron. 23:1 “Now in the seventh year Jehoiada strengthened himself …”

• He strengthened the leaders.

2 Chron. 23:1,2 Now in the seventh year Jehoiada strengthened himself, and took captains
of hundreds: … and they entered into a covenant with him. They went
throughout Judah and gathered the Levites from all the cities of Judah, and
the heads of the fathers’ households of Israel, and they came to Jerusalem.

• He influenced other leaders and the people to covenant with and support Joash – as
determined and directed by the Word of God.

2 Chron.23:3 Then all the assembly made a covenant with the king in the house of God. And
Jehoiada said to them, “Behold, the king’s son shall reign, as the Lord has spoken
concerning the sons of David.

• He strengthened Joash - gave him the testimony (the Word of God)

2 Chron. 23:11 Then they brought out the king’s son and put the crown on him, and gave
him the testimony and made him king. And Jehoiada and his sons anointed
him and said, “Long live the king!”

2 Chron. 24:2 Joash did what was right in the sight of the Lord all the days of Jehoiada the
priest.

• He obeys Joash’s instructions to repair the house of the Lord - Read 2 Chron. 24: 8-14

He helped to install Joash as king and was able to listen to him when he gave orders. He did not
regard the huge and consistent support given to Joash over many years, especially when Joash was
most vulnerable, as a reason not to accept correction from him, or to disobey him. He did not, as
many do today, falsely reason and assume that because he offered sacrificial support to his leader
over many years, that now he is above being corrected by that leader. Strong support given to
your spiritual leader does not make you immune to error or the need to be chastised when it is
warranted.

• He was buried with kings - God regarded him as king even though he was not

2 Chron. 24:16 They buried him in the city of David among the kings, because he had done
well in Israel and to God and His house.

Kings in this context would be those primary leaders in whom is vested the purposes of God for
the nation and who have a responsibility to execute it. Jehoiada, as secondary leader, strongly
supported his king. His example of support was so forceful, impactful and exemplary, that God
commanded he be buried with KINGS. This is powerful and contains a powerful lesson for us all.
God reckoned Kingship to Jehoiada. In God’s eyes, he was king, even when on the earth he was
not. Secondary supportive leadership is not a ‘lesser’ role than the one occupied by your spiritual
leader. Ranking in God’s Kingdom is not for qualitative superiority of one over another, but
purely for functional effectiveness.

The name Jehoiada means “GOD KNOWS” 51. Supportive leadership should serve the purposes
faithfully only with a motive to serve God and please Him. Even if you do not receive recognition
or applause from men on the earth for your commitment to be a supportive son to a leader, God
KNOWS and will reward you in ways only HE can both in this life and the next.

Chapter 12
Practical Ways to Support Your Leader

Some practical ways of providing strong support to your leader and so access profound grace
attendant with this process and the associated Divine purpose are listed below. Some of these
have already been hinted at in this study. These will simply be listed whilst others, not directly
addressed, will be explained briefly.

1. HONOUR YOUR SPIRITUAL LEADER

Honour is a vast topic which cannot be adequately addressed here. Suffice it to say that it relates
to the esteem and regard in the mind that one has of another, such that it positively influences
your actions and behaviour in reference to them. Honour starts with a thought, attitude, or
opinion in your mind of another. It comes by Divine revelation of the worth or value you attach to
the person, because your perception of them has been profoundly enlightened as to what they
represent as a son of God generally, and the purpose to which they have been called.

Your honour of your spiritual father is the means by which you greatly support your spiritual
father. Any expression of support is rooted in a strong disposition of honour. Where there is no
honour, there can be no support. All other expressions of practical support becomes expressions
of honour.

Biblically, honour is expressed variously. In reference to spiritual fathering or leaders, your honour
of them will be proven by the positive viewpoint and estimate you have of them by Divine
revelation and perception, by the degree to which you OBEY the Word or doctrine they preach
and by practical and financial expression of support.

2. SUBMIT TO YOUR SPIRITUAL LEADER

Submission is a product and outcome of honour and an indication and expression of humility, the
pathway to access greater grace. Submission is an extremely vast subject, and has been
extensively addressed in a previous teaching in both audio and pdf document formats. I encourage
you to review this. See endnotes for direct links to the relevant page on my website52.

I once heard a preacher say that the word, SUBMISSION, can be broken up into two parts which
comprise it, viz. ‘SUB’ and ‘MISSION’. The prefix, ‘SUB’ means ‘under’ or ‘below’. The word
‘MISSION’ can refer to an important assignment given to a person. Hence, in this context,
submission may refer to someone, like a spiritual son, coming ‘under’ the assignment or mandate
stewarded by another, his spiritual father or leader.

In this study, I have demonstrated how Timothy submitted to Paul’s apostolic fatherly oversight,
not just in general terms, but specifically also followed Paul’s PURPOSE and supported it. In fact,
Timothy followed Paul completely in total submission, following him in reference to his … :

ü Teaching (Doctrine) ü Patience
ü Conduct (Behaviour) ü Love
ü Purpose (Apostolic Mandate) ü Persecutions
ü Faith ü Sufferings
[See 2 Tim 3:10]

An essential part of Timothy submission to Paul included him not departing from Paul’s core
doctrine. Paul encouraged him many time not to “TEACH ANY OTHER DOCTRINE”.

• HOLDING FAST TO THE WORDS OF GOD RELEASED THROUGH YOUR SPIRITUAL FATHER

It is critically important that one consistently and repetitively exposes oneself to the Word of
the Lord as released through authentic, apostolic spiritual fathers, who are connected to a
relevant proceeding Word of God.

Note the instructions of Paul (spiritual father) to Timothy (spiritual son):

2 Tim. 1:13 Retain the standard of sound words which you have heard from me, in the faith
and love which are in Christ Jesus. (NASB)

2 Tim. 1:13 Hold the pattern of sound words which thou hast heard from me, in faith and
love which is in Christ Jesus. (KJV)

Standard/Pattern = hupotupōsis = A sketch (figuratively) for imitation - form, pattern.
an outline, sketch, brief and summary exposition
an example, pattern53

Timothy is to retain or hold fast to the outline or sketch of sound doctrine that he has received
from Paul, his spiritual father.

‘Sound’ = hugiainō = to be uncorrupt ; ‘free from the mixture of error’54

Retain/Hold = echō = to hold to oneself; to have possession of the mind; to have, i.e. own,
possess; to adhere or cling to; to be closely joined to a person or a thing55

Similarly, the content of Timothy’s teachings was nothing more than that which was
communicated to him by his spiritual father. The content of Timothy’s speaking was relative to
everything pertaining to the ways of his spiritual father, Paul. He did not speak beyond this.
Paul’s life example was the basis for Timothy’s own speaking. This became the operative
framework within which Timothy spoke and functioned. Sons have the same doctrine as their
fathers.

1 Cor. 4:17 For this reason I have sent to you Timothy, who is my beloved and faithful child
in the Lord, and he will remind you of my ways which are in Christ, just as I teach
everywhere in every church.

Note Paul’s instructions to Timothy in the following verses:

1 Timothy 1:1-3(KJV)
1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus according to the commandment of God our Saviour, and
Christ Jesus our hope;
2 unto Timothy, my true child in faith: Grace, mercy, peace, from God the Father and Christ
Jesus our Lord.
3 As I exhorted thee to tarry at Ephesus, when I was going into Macedonia, that thou
mightest charge certain men not to teach a different doctrine,

1 Tim.4:11: These things command and teach. (KJV)

2 Tim. 2:1-2 : You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. The things
which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these
to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.

The things that Timothy was to teach to ‘faithful men’, was to be the same things that Paul
taught him. He could not teach anything else that would equate to a serious departure from the
spirit and content he received from Paul. That which he heard from Paul determined his
doctrine. Spiritual sons receive and then transmit to others the things they have learned from
their spiritual fathers, who are accurately following Christ and the principles of the Word.

2 Tim. 3:10-16
10 Now you followed my teaching, conduct, purpose, faith, patience, love, perseverance,
11 persecutions, and sufferings, such as happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium and at Lystra;
what persecutions I endured, and out of them all the Lord rescued me!
12 Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.
13 But evil men and impostors will proceed from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.
14 You, however, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing
from whom you have learned them,
15 and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the
wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
16 All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for
training in righteousness;

Within the context of growing evil, of worsening of the state of mankind and increasing power
of deception, a spiritual son (Timothy) is called upon to ‘CONTINUE’ in the ‘TEACHING’ he had
received from his spiritual father (Paul).

In verses 10 to 16, Paul cites reasons for Timothy’s continuance in the things he had learned and
had been convinced of:

1. Evil men are proceeding from bad to worse in a culture of mounting deception (v.13).
2. He has ‘LEARNED’ and become ‘CONVINCED’ of certain teachings (v.14).
3. The person from whom he learnt these things is highly credible and is his father in the Lord.
4. He has witnessed the teachings modelled before him in the life of his teacher (v.10 and 11).
5. What he has learned is in keeping with the general sacredness of Scripture which he has
known from his childhood – and this knowledge leads to wisdom to access salvation. (v.15).
6. The entirety of Scripture is INSPIRED - ‘God-breathed’ (v.16).
7. Continuance in the doctrine/scripture that he has heard has immediate powerful benefits,
viz. they are profitable for :
(a) teaching,
(b) reproof,
(c) correction,
(d) training in righteousness …. (v.16).

NOTE THE FOLLOWING VERSES:

1 Cor. 11:1 Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ.

1 Cor. 11:2 Now I praise you because you remember me in everything and hold firmly to the
traditions, just as I delivered them to you.

2 Thess. 2:15 So then, brethren, stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught,
whether by word of mouth or by letter from us.

2 Thess. 3:6 Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you
keep away from every brother who leads an unruly life and not according to the
tradition which you received from us.

Paul was thankful for the fact that the Romans became OBEDIENT to that specific form of
teaching that HE, Paul, delivered to them. We, too, must remain faithful to the form or pattern
of doctrine which we receive from valid spiritual fathers, who speak present truth in the spirit of
the Scriptures, as they hear the Heavenly Father speak.

Rom 6:17 But thanks be to God that though you were slaves of sin, you became OBEDIENT
from the heart to THAT FORM OF TEACHING to which you were committed, and
having been freed from sin, you became slaves of righteousness.

John 12:49 “For I did not speak on My own initiative, but the Father Himself who sent Me
has given Me a commandment as to what to say and what to speak.

In every father-son example in the Scripture, it is clearly obvious that the son submitted to the
father’s Divine role in leadership and this submission was expressed by obedience to the
father’s instruction.

3. OBEY YOUR SPIRITUAL LEADER

Complete obedience to the Word of God is in my estimate, the greatest manifestation of
support a son can give to a spiritual father. As indicated above, obedience to the word of God
brought to you by your father in Christ, is reflective of honour in your heart and is the primary
expression of support to your spiritual father.

3 John 1:4 I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth.

Do not seek to consume large volumes of counseling time for matters for which you could have
simply obeyed the teaching of your spiritual father that he shares, within a few seconds or
minutes of hearing the Word he teaches.

The issue of ‘obedience’, specifically ‘obedience unto death’, an expression of deep humility, is
dealt with fairly extensively in a separate teaching available on my website - see endnotes for
direct links56.

Jesus Christ epitomised complete obedience as an expression of active support to His Father, in
His bid to accomplish His Father’s will. He humbled Himself and became ‘obedient unto death,
even the death on the cross’ (Phil. 2:8). Humility is prerequisite to courageous obedience to the
will of any father, be it natural, spiritual or Heavenly. Pride prevents obedience. The obedience
of Jesus, reflective of His humility, and empowered by the GRACE of God, is given brief
treatment in chapter 13 of this document. The follow on chapter, chapter 14, explores the same
disposition of ‘obedience unto death’ by Esther as an expression of sacrificial support to the
purposes of God stewarded by Moredcai, her spiritual father.

A disobedient and wayward son can be a source of great anguish to the spirit of a spiritual
father. Obedience on the other hand, is a source of great encouragement, joy and refreshment
to a spiritual father. There are many examples of obedient and disobedient sons to a father in
the Bible. I will make one reference here to obedience:

Philemon refreshed Paul

Phil. 1:20,21 Yes, brother, let me benefit from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in Christ.
Having confidence in your obedience, I write to you, since I know that you will
do even more than what I say.

The obedience of Philemon to Paul BENEFITS Paul and REFRESHES his heart (see v.20).

Benefit = onínēmi = To be of use, to profit, gratify.
Profit by or obtain profit from someone57

Refreshed = anapaúō = To give rest, quiet, recreate 58

Paul was confident that Philemon would go even beyond what Paul required of him to do in an
expression of his desire to fully obey Paul. The obedience of a son to a father is a source of
refreshment to the father, particularly when the obedience of that son goes beyond the letter
of the commandment to the spirit of the commandment. This implies that the son’s heart is
fully inclined to obey the father as an expression of love and honour to him. Many do not obey
‘from the heart’ but simply obey to be outwardly compliant to an external command, without
embracing that commandment and the obedience thereto as an arena to exhibit total love,
loyalty and honour. There are some immature sons who simply obey to avoid the negative
consequences of disobedience, and there are those who are on the path to progressive
maturity, who obey commands from the heart as indicative of their internal disposition of
honour of God and His representation within their spiritual leaders.

Jacob requested Joseph to go seek out his brothers in Shechem and feed them - see Gen. 37:12-
17. When he arrived there, he discovered that they had gone on to Dothan. At this point, he
could have returned to his father because the ‘letter’ of his fathers command was to go to
Shechem. But the spirit of his father’s command was to go to feed his brothers in Shechem. He
proceeds to Dothan to find them there. When commandments are given, people tend to
selectively hear the convenient part that suits them and not the essential part that will cost
them. Given half the chance, many will opt out of obedience for failure to pay the true sacrificial
costs associated with serious obedience.

4. PRAY FOR YOUR SPIRITUAL LEADER

Praying for your spiritual leader is extremely important. Remember, the pre-eminent focus in
prayer is to see the WILL OF GOD done. Jesus, in His teaching on prayer, when He said pray,
“Thy will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven”, clearly indicates prayer is a most vital medium for
God’s will to be done in the earth. So, in praying for your leader, you are in essence concerned
that God’s will be done. In this respect, praying for your leader is the very least thing one can
do, but yet probably the most important.

PRAYER ACTIVATES THE CALLING AND PREPARATION OF LEADERS - THE ‘GROAN’.

One of the factors, among four59, that activated God’s will in releasing Israel from 430 years of
Egyptian slavery, was the growing intensity of the groan or cry of God’s people. Because of this,
GOD ACTIVATED MOSES.

Exod. 2:24 - 3:2a So God heard their groaning; and God remembered His covenant with
Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. God saw the sons of Israel, and God took
notice of them. Now Moses was pasturing the flock of Jethro his father-
in-law, the priest of Midian; and he led the flock to the west side of the
wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. The angel of the
Lord appeared to him.

The groaning of Israel for liberty from Egyptian bondage is a symbol of prayer, a cry for greater
spiritual liberty, for spiritual accuracy, for spiritual migration out from a place, which was no
longer relevant and beneficial, to one that was more preferred. It is interesting to note that
immediately after referencing this groan, that God activates the call and preparation of Moses
as leader, who would eventually lead them out of Egypt, and thus symbolises an answer to their
prayer. Prayer power activated the preparation of a leader, Moses. God, in His sovereign design,
uses people to lead people. People need human leadership who are representative of God, both
in character and purpose. God’s will and purpose will be accomplished in and through a leader,
whose calling in Christ will bring positive benefit to those he leads. Prayer and strong desire in a
people to mature, to come into a more preferred and more accurate place in God, will itself
activate God - in fast tracking the call and preparation of a leader that HE would use as a
powerful instrument, through which His will for those individuals will be accomplished.

Then, the imperative in a people, who have a leader whom God has placed over them, should
be to pray for this leader consistently. This is very important. Leaders pray for their people
often. It is an expression of gratitude toward God, as well as honour toward your leader, to pray
for him/her.

JESUS, A LEADERS REQUESTED PRAYER

In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus, before venturing forward to face being tried in courts and
then cruficied, positioned himself in fervent prayer and requested His disciples to support Him
in prayer. This request prefaced His movement toward the Cross, which represented climaxing
the WILL of God for His life. And for this, Jesus ASKED for PRAYER SUPPORT from His disciples,
particulary the three closest to him, viz. Peter, James and John. I encourage you to study the
details of this scene of prayer as recorded in all synoptic Gospels (Refer to Appendix 1 at the end
of this study for ease of reference). In the phase just prior to fulfilling some major aspect of
God’s will attendant with their ministry and calling, leaders are usually faced with serious attack
in one form or another. At these times, strong prayerful support by spiritual sons of this leader
will greatly assist the leader in enduring the rigours associated with the warfare, and hugely
spur them on to go through with executing the Father’s will, no matter what personal cost may
be involved.

PRAYER IS ESSENTIAL FOR THE SUCCESSFUL EXECUTION OF GOD’S WILL IN AND THROUGH HIS
LEADERS.

1 Thess. 5:25 Brethren, PRAY FOR US.

As spiritually strong that Paul and other Apostles were, they requested prayer for themselves
and for the purposes of God attendant with them. If they did not know the value and
importance of supportive prayer, they would not have requested it. Successful ministry of any
form, especially apostolic ministry, is dependent upon strong prayer.

What to Pray For?

a. The Maintenance of a Good Conscience and Honourable/Honest Conduct

Heb. 13:18,19 Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a good conscience, desiring to
conduct ourselves honorably in all things. And I urge you all the more to do
this, so that I may be restored to you the sooner.

b. Protection on Apostolic Missions to the Nations.

1 Cor. 15:32(a) If from human motives I fought with wild beasts at Ephesus, what does it
profit me?

(Also Read Acts 27)

c. Boldness to Speak Accurately in the Face of Opposition.

Eph. 6:18,19 With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view,
be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints, and pray on
my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to
make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an
ambassador in chains; that in proclaiming it I may speak boldly, as I ought to
speak.

Acts 4:29-31 And now, Lord, take note of their threats, and grant that Your bond-servants may
speak Your word with all confidence, while You extend Your hand to heal, and
signs and wonders take place through the name of Your holy servant Jesus.” And
when they had prayed, the place where they had gathered together was shaken,
and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak the word of God
with boldness.

d. The Word will Spread and be Glorified Through Them.

2 Thess. 3:1 Finally, brethren, pray for us that the word of the Lord will spread rapidly and be
glorified, just as it did also with you.

e. Open Doors for the Advancement of the Word.

1 Cor. 16:9 for a wide door for effective service has opened to me, and there are many
adversaries.

Acts 14:27 When they had arrived and gathered the church together, they began to report
all things that God had done with them and how He had opened a door of faith
to the Gentiles.

2 Cor. 2:12 Now when I came to Troas for the gospel of Christ and when a door was opened
for me in the Lord.

f. Help Against Many Potential Adversaries.

2 Thess. 3:1-2 Finally, brethren, pray for us that … we will be rescued from perverse and evil
men; for not all have faith.

1 Cor. 16:9 for a wide door for effective service has opened to me, and there are many
adversaries.

g. Strategic Connections and Relationships

Examples:

- Lydia with Paul (Acts 16)
- The Shunammite woman with Elisha (2 Kings 4)

5. ENCOURAGE YOUR SPIRITUAL LEADER

At one time, before David’s Mighty men were ‘mighty men’, they were discontented, in debt
and distressed. Through their association with the grace of God in David, they were
progressively transformed into mighty men. Along this journey of transformation, their
relationship with David was tried and tested. At one time, whilst David was at war, being
supported by his men, their women and children were taken captive at Ziglag. The men got
discouraged, questioned and doubted David’s leadership and had intentions to kill him. Within
this scenario, David himself grew discouraged, but mustered up his strength and “encouraged
himself in the Lord his God.” Strong leaders know how to, as David did, encourage themselves in
the Lord.

1 Sam. 30:6 And David was greatly distressed; for the people spoke of stoning him, because
the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his
daughters: but David encouraged himself in the Lord his God.

This verse is often referenced positively as a great verse of scripture, for it instructs leaders to
have the capacity to be able to encourage themselves in the Lord when encouragement from
people is absent. On the other hand, when viewed from a different perspective, it is one of the
saddest verses in the Bible because the men closest to David wanted to kill him. Those who
should have been the greatest support to David became the greatest threat to him. Whilst your
leader should have the ability to encourage himself in Christ, let it not be because you have
withheld your strong support of him. Consider the contrast in that Aaron and Hur used A STONE
to support Moses in the mount, whereas, David’s men at Ziklag had intentions to use STONES to
kill him. Recall that ‘stone’ is symbolic of sonship. May we never use our sonship to destroy our
leaders, but rather to encourage and support them. Encourage your leader today.

David made a serious error in his leadership by leaving the town of Ziglag unguarded or
unmanned. All the women and children were vulnerable to enemy attack. His men were
probably justified in their anger against him. All true and godly leaders are not perfect and may,
on occasion, make serious, though not willful, leadership blunders, that negatively affect the
well-being or welfare of their followers. In the case of David’s men, they had momentarily
forgotten all that David had represented to them, and all the good he had done for them up to
that point. The grace of God in David had profoundly and positively impacted the lives of these
men. It is noteworthy that a leader’s momentary indiscretion or lack of wisdom, which may
incur costly negative effects on people, can cause amnesia in the people, who might have
benefited hugely from the grace of God flowing through this leader in times past. Part of the
strong support we can offer such leaders is to be understanding of their fragility/frailty and
prone-ness to make mistakes. Obviously, such leaders must have proven to be sincere, God-
honouring and people-loving individuals, functioning as true shepherds of God’s sheep. This
discussion does not include nor condone the deliberate and unrepentant carnal and selfish
actions of leaders, particularly in respect to moral failure.

Transition from the mentality that seeks to only be edified by your leader, to one that edifies
your leader. This is a disposition of mature sons. If you have been the recipient of consistent
grace and encouragement from your spiritual leaders over time, then from time to time, when
led by the Holy Spirit, offer to them a Word of encouragement. You have no idea what this
means to them. Many people falsely assume that their spiritual leaders are always strong
spiritually and in other areas of their lives. Even a brief encouraging word or verse of scripture
can hugely encourage your spiritual leader in a deep and profound manner. They have
encouraged you during some of your most trying circumstances. Reciprocate by intentionally
and actively encouraging them. Why not give them an encouraging telephone call, send them a
brief, edifying text message, voice note or email.

Some Biblical Examples:

(a) DAVID’S MEN ENCOURAGED HIM

David’s men gave him strong support as was explained earlier in this writing. They ‘helped’ him
in war.

1 Chron. 12:1 Now these are the ones who came to David at Ziklag, while he was still
restricted because of Saul the son of Kish; and they were among the
mighty men WHO HELPED HIM in war.

Help = azar = To surround, to protect60, to support, to give material or non-material
encouragement to a person61.

As indicated in the meaning of the Hebrew word, ‘azar’, translated as ‘help’, these men gave
him material and non-material encouragement. Encouragement is meant to spur someone on,
usually to accomplish some important task, feat or assignment. Spiritual leaders need
encouragement as well. David’s men gave him material (i.e. non-verbal, but practical assistance)
and non-material (verbal) encouragement. What you do and what you say can hugely
encourage your spiritual leader.

(b) SHECANIAH’S SUPPORT AND ENCOURAGEMENT OF EZRA

Ezra 10:1-4
Now while Ezra was praying and making confession, weeping and prostrating himself
before the house of God, a very large assembly, men, women and children, gathered to
him from Israel; for the people wept bitterly. SHECANIAH the son of Jehiel, one of the
sons of Elam, said to Ezra, “ We have been unfaithful to our God and have married
foreign women from the peoples of the land; yet now there is hope for Israel in spite of
this. So now let us make a covenant with our God to put away all the wives and their
children, according to the counsel of my lord and of those who tremble at the
commandment of our God; and let it be done according to the law. ARISE! FOR THIS
MATTER IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY, BUT WE WILL BE WITH YOU; BE COURAGEOUS AND
ACT.

Ezra was faced with the daunting and overwhelming responsibility of administrating a mass
‘divorce’ ceremony of thousands of leaders who had married inaccurately. It is an extremely
difficult thing to do as a leader. SHECANIAH encouraged Ezra, his leader, to go through with it
and further to this, pledged his total support of Ezra. Every leader, faced with a hugely difficult
responsibility given by God, needs men like Shecaniah who would encourage them to, “GO FOR
IT; WE ARE WITH YOU!”. Implied in Shecaniah’s word to Ezra to be “COURAGEOUS and ACT”, is
also his own commitment to stand with Ezra and bear any repercussions of his actions.

The name Shecaniah means “inhabited of the LORD; habitation of the LORD; i.e., one of the
LORD's people with whom He is pleased to dwell.62” Spiritual sons who encourage their leaders
to boldly and courageously fulfill their God-given mandate recruit the pleasure of God in a very
powerful way. God is ‘pleased to dwell’ with such individuals. Where the habitation of God is
and HE is simultaneously PLEASED to dwell there, is activated the grace and favour of God in
that individual.

Ezra is a great reformer. He is setting about correcting a brazen corporate error or departure
away from God’s stipulation for Israel not to inter-marry with foreigners. Whilst all leaders
deserve active encouragement from those they lead, especially from their immediate second-
tier support leaders, leaders who have reformational assignments in God to bring about
correction and order to the church on serious matters of belief or behaviour deserve all the
more support and encouragement. Often these assignments attendant with these leaders come
with great opposition and spiritual warfare.

(c) AN ARMOUR BEARER ENCOURAGED JONATHAN, WHO FULFILLED THE ASSIGNMENT OF
HIS FATHER

In 1 Samuel chapter 13, King Saul and his son Jonathan, supported by an army of 3000 Israelites,
waged war with the Philistines. Of the men in the army, 2000 were with Saul in Michmash and
in the hill country of Bethel, while 1,000 were with Jonathan at Gibeah of Benjamin.

1 Sam. 13:3,4 Jonathan smote the garrison of the Philistines that was in Geba, and the
Philistines heard of it. Then Saul blew the trumpet throughout the land,
saying, “Let the Hebrews hear.” All Israel heard the news that Saul had
smitten the garrison of the Philistines, and also that Israel had become
odious to the Philistines. The people were then summoned to Saul at
Gilgal.

Note verse 3 indicates that it was not Saul, but Jonathan who smote the garrison of the
Philistines, but verse 4 states that Saul smote them. The principle is that what the son does is
attributable to the father, for the grace in the son for success in the execution of Divine
assignments, is directly received from the father. This is similar to the occasion in which David
slew Goliath. Saul sent a servant to him asking not who he was but who his father was. Jonathan
displays marvelous support for his father in warfare, and is humble in not seeking to claim any
glory for a victory he personally was instrumental in securing. Mature spiritual sons, in their
strong support of spiritual fathers, risk a great deal personally, but have no problems in glory
being attributed to their spiritual fathers, for conquests and successes they played a key role in.
Remember the management of Divine mandates is the preserve of fathers. Sons support and
execute the plans together with the spiritual father. The successes of sons within this dynamic
of executing purposes administrated by their fathers, are in part because of the overall plan of
God’s corporate purpose and commitment for these to be fulfilled. So ultimately, no man takes
the glory, but God.

Because of Jonathan’s great success, the Israelites became an abomination to Philistines, who
utterly despised them. The Philistines arrayed themselves against King Saul at Michmash in a
display of never before seen military strength (3000 chariots and 6000 horsemen). Israel,
naturally speaking, were outmatched and many of them scattered away to hide in caves,
bushes, cellars and pits. King Saul disobeys the Lord by offering sacrifices to the Lord, something
only the prophet Samuel was eligible to do. Saul acted impatiently since Samuel took long to
arrive. Samuel informs Saul that the Kingdom would be stripped from him because of his
disobedience. Only 600 of the 3000 men were left supporting Saul and Jonathan, and worse still,
no one had any spear or sword (except Jonathan and Saul), because there was no blacksmith in
Israel.

Against the backdrop of this dismal and discouraging scenario, Jonathan elects to act
strategically to get the purposes of God done, purposes which vested with his father Saul, who
was now compromised because of his own personal disobedience. True sons do not reveal their
father’s nakedness, but seek to cover it in the noble quest of not permitting even a particular
weakness in their father to compromise the fulfillment of God’s will. Jonathan secretly plans a
daring attack on the might of an unparalleled Philistine military force and power. His plan is
absurd, outrageous and suicidal. He wants to singularly attack the Philistines and he requests his
armour bearer to support him.

1 Sam. 14:6a Then Jonathan said to the young man who was carrying his armor, “Come and let
US cross over to the garrison of these uncircumcised …

Jonathan is a skilled and experienced warrior and knows the odds are stacked hugely against
him. He knows this cannot be done without God’s direct help. He is to be commended. He knew
the entire Israelite army, now only 600, was powerless to fight. But God’s purpose vested with
his people Israel and their welfare ranked highly important to him and he instinctively acts to
preserve these. When we as spiritual sons, even with limited resources, make decisions and act
to facilitate the purpose of God and the preservation of His people, we access grace
empowerment from God, a grace that accentuates our limited capacity into the limitless and
boundless power and possibilities in God.

In requesting his young armour bearer to go with him, Jonathan realises his own need for
practical support, even though God is with him. As Jonathan is to be commended for his active
support of Saul as a father on this occasion and in this context, so too must his armour bearer
be commended for supporting him.

1 Sam. 14:6,7 Then Jonathan said to the young man who was carrying his armor, “Come
and let US cross over to the garrison of these uncircumcised; perhaps the
Lord will work for us, for the Lord is not restrained to save by many or by
few.” His armor bearer said to him, “Do all that is in your heart; turn
yourself, and HERE I AM WITH YOU according to YOUR DESIRE.

The armour-bearer encouraged Jonathan and unreservedly pledges his wholehearted, personal
commitment, support and involvement.

1 Sam. 14:7 So his armorbearer said to him, “Do all that is in your heart. Go then; here I am
with you, according to your heart.” (NKJV)

1 Sam. 14:7 “Do all that you have in mind,” his armor-bearer said. “Go ahead; I am with you
heart and soul.” (NIV)

The Lord gave Jonathan success that day, WITH his ARMOUR BEARER RIGHT BEHIND HIM!

1 Sam. 14:13 Then Jonathan climbed up on his hands and feet, with HIS AMOUR BEARER
BEHIND HIM; and they fell before Jonathan, and his armor bearer put some to
death after him.

Every spiritual leader needs supportive men RIGHT BEHIND HIM, as they engage in strategic
assignments in God’s purposes. Note here also, that the armour bearer is not just fulfilling his
role of bearing Jonathan’s armour or weaponry, but he himself becomes actively engaged in the
battle, slaying Philistines ‘after’ Jonathan. This means he either killed them or killed those
attacking Jonathan from behind as the NLT version suggests:

1 Sam. 14:13b “ … his armor bearer killed those who came behind them.”

Proverbially, the armour bearer ‘had Jonathan’s back’.

Because of his active support of Jonathan, the grace of God in the young armour bearer
transitions him beyond the confines, restraints, limitations, and related skills of his job
description, which was simply be to bear and carry Jonathan’s arsenal of armour and weaponry.
He is now a skilled warrior in warfare against an enemy that most of Israel feared.

What Jonathan sowed in respect of active support of Saul, he reaps in terms of an armour
bearer willing to selflessly and fearlessly support him. When we are focused on supporting
spiritual fathers in a willing, unambitious and self-sacrificing manner, we too become recipients
of people whom God will raise up to support us in the sometimes difficult and demanding tasks
associated with our specific calling/assignment.

“But they only slew TWENTY Philistines. Not that impressive”, you might be thinking. It is not
how many they killed, but how and what effect this had on the entirety of the Philistine army.
Firstly, they killed them in a half a furrow in an acre of land - so conditions were not entirely
ideal. More importantly, the effect of their feat was far-reaching …

1 Sam. 14:15 And there was a trembling in the CAMP, in the FIELD, and AMONG ALL THE
PEOPLE. Even the garrison and the raiders trembled, and the EARTH QUAKED so
that it became A GREAT TREMBLING.

The singular obedience of Jonathan in support of his father, aided and encouraged by his
armour bearer, caused a shaking and destabilisation of the enemy from the camp, to the field,
to their people in their garrisons and raiders, such that all the earth quaked. This brought fear
and confusion to the Philistines, who turned on each other (verse 20), and Lord the delivered
Israel that day. The principle to note here is that we must never underestimate the significance
and power of a singular and seemingly miniscule act of supportive obedience aimed at
facilitating God’s purposes stewarded by spiritual fathers. Your personal expressions of costly
and daring support might, in yours and others’ perception, be not that great by any measure,
but, when performed from the right heart, can be greatly enhanced by God to have GROUND-
BREAKING positive effects for the advancement of God’s purposes and His Kingdom.

Jonathan, supported by his armour bearer, functioned jointly but not selfishly or with vain
ambition. Their singular actions brought results that equated to a massive army. This was so
because they prioritised and thus embodied the corporate welfare of the entire nation in their
persons. When you function with a strong degree of corporate representation, your private
actions reap results attendant with the degree of your representation.

(d) JONATHAN’S ENCOURAGEMENT OF DAVID

1 Sam 23:16,17 And Jonathan, Saul’s son, arose and went to David at Horesh, and
encouraged him in God. Thus he said to him, “Do not be afraid, because
the hand of Saul my father will not find you, and you will be king over
Israel and I will be next to you; and Saul my father knows that also.”

The NKJV expresses Jonathan’s encouragement as strengthening his hands.

1 Sam. 23:16 Then Jonathan, Saul’s son, arose and went to David in the woods and
strengthened his hand in God.

The ultimate effect of encouragement to one’s spiritual leader would be to strengthen their
hands for the execution of the purposes of the Lord, which they administrate. The Hebrew
word, chazaq, describing the strong support that David’s men gave to him as explained in
chapter 6 of this writing, is also translated as ‘encouragement’ or ‘strengthened’ here in 1 Sam.
23:16.

The encouragement or strength that Jonathan provided David with included shielding him from
the wicked attempts of Saul, his father, to kill him. Jonathan reassures David, “Do not fear David
- so long as I am around, MY FATHER WILL NOT FIND YOU” (my paraphrase). Credible leaders
carrying significant Divine purpose, are usually the subject of great satanic attacks through
people. Part of the encouragement and assurance we can afford to such genuine leaders is this -
that part of our commitment to them includes shielding them from satanic darts/accusations
leveled against them. This will incorporate not being privy to or supportive of any carnal or
satanic process that is designed to malign or discredit them.

Obviously, one is not expected to support nor encourage a leader who is blatantly disregarding
of God’s principles or selfishly exploitive of God’s people, in a consistently unrepentant manner.
King Saul was such a leader. Unfortunately for Jonathan, he did not transition timeously from
Saul to David. He left it for too late and was embroiled in a battle led by his father, a battle,
which was not part of God’s plan for his life. In this battle he would lose his life prematurely and
so abort his spiritual destiny. By his own conviction and admission, he was to be ‘NEXT’ to David
as indicated in 1 Sam.23:17 cited above. This word ‘next’ is ‘mishneh’ in the Hebrew, meaning
‘double, a copy, a repetition; second, next in position or rank’63. Jonathan was David’s double,
copy or repetition, i.e. he functioned in the same nature and spirit as David. Further to this, he
was ‘next in position’, i.e. he was to function as a kind of deputy or strong support to David
when David would ultimately come into his kingship position. Jonathan aborted this by allowing
sentimental ties to his biological father to defer his decision to migrate towards fully supporting
David, whom he was convinced would be the next king. There are many believers like Jonathan
today, who through a lack of discernment or being unduly sentimentally joined to a particular
person, fail to take key strategic decisions not to support someone on whom God has
withdrawn His favour, and rather to support someone on whom the favour of God resides for
leadership in a particular respect.

There were many people defecting from the house of Saul to the house of David during David’s
days as a fugitive from Saul. This continued even after the death of Saul. David’s house grew
stronger, whilst Saul’s house grew progressively weaker.

2 Sam. 3:1 Now there was a long war between the house of Saul and the house of David;
and David grew steadily stronger, but the house of Saul grew weaker continually.

It takes great discernment and decisiveness to encourage and support what God is
strengthening, and to retract one’s support or encouragement from what God is obviously not
condoning or backing.

(e) PAUL WAS ENCOURAGED BY THOSE HE INFLUENCED SPIRITUALLY.

The Apostle Paul received encouragement and refreshment from those who were beneficiaries
of his ministry.

Col. 4:7-11 As to all my affairs, Tychicus, our beloved brother and faithful servant and
fellow bond-servant in the Lord, will bring you information. For I have
sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know about our
circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts; and with him
Onesimus, our faithful and beloved brother, who is one of your number.
They will inform you about the whole situation here. Aristarchus, my
fellow prisoner, sends you his greetings; and also Barnabas’s cousin Mark
(about whom you received instructions; if he comes to you, welcome
him); and also Jesus who is called Justus; these are the only fellow
workers for the kingdom of God who are from the circumcision, and THEY
PROVED TO BE AN ENCOURAGEMENT TO ME.

Encouragement = parēgoría = Consolation, comfort, solace64.
This Greek word for encouragement, paregoria, is only found once in the New Testament, and
used here in Col. 4:11. The English, "paregoric," a soothing medication, is derived from this
Greek word paregoria. ‘Paregoria’ has strong reference to the employment of WORDS65 to
comfort and grant solace, but also includes non-verbal expressions of encouragement. May we
consistently offer encouragement to our spiritual leaders, the effect of which will be SOOTHING
and MEDICATIVE.

6. DEVELOP AN ACCURATE AND SUBSTANTIAL REPRESENTATION OF SONSHIP

An extremely powerful way of strongly supporting your leader is to simply model mature Divine
sonship in a profoundly substantial and accurate way. Paul often used some of his sons as
models for others to copy and emulate, e.g. Timothy and Titus. These sons became points of
reference used by Paul to which he could refer others to learn from. It is said that at times,
people do not need a bible study, but a case study. Mature sonship becomes a powerful
medium of grace impartation that could be used by a spiritual father to fast-track the
development of others or other spheres he seeks to impact.

Examples:

• Paul used the Macedonians as a standard of generous financial giving to provoke the
Corinthians to accurate financial behaviour.

2 Cor. 8:1 Now, brethren, we wish to make known to you the grace of God, which
has been given in the churches of Macedonia

• Paul commended those at Thessalonica for having become accurate imitators of himself
and others and of the Lord, for in so doing they became EXAMPLES to all in Macedonia and
Achaia. Their example was so strong that Paul did not need to write letters to these regions,
because the example of the Thessalonians SOUNDED forth to them.

1 Thess. 1:6-8 You also became imitators of us and of the Lord, having received the word
in much tribulation with the joy of the Holy Spirit, so that you became an
example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia. For the word of
the Lord has sounded forth from you, not only in Macedonia and Achaia,
but also in every place your faith toward God has gone forth, so that we
have no need to say anything.

Example = Tupos = To strike, smite with repeated strokes.
A type, i.e., something caused by strokes or blows.
Figuratively an example, pattern to be imitated, followed66

• Paul insisted he never used his apostolic authority to exploit the Corinthians for financial
gain, and confidently argued that Titus, whom he sent to them, emulated his position
exactly and so modeled before them a standard of behaviour visiting ministers to them
should hold to.

2 Cor. 12:14-18
14 Here for this third time I am ready to come to you, and I will not be a burden to
you; for I do not seek what is yours, but you; for children are not responsible to
save up for their parents, but parents for their children.
15 I will most gladly spend and be expended for your souls. If I love you more, am I
to be loved less?
16 But be that as it may, I did not burden you myself; nevertheless, crafty fellow that
I am, I took you in by deceit.
17 Certainly I have not taken advantage of you through any of those whom I have
sent to you, have I?
18 I urged Titus to go, and I sent the brother with him. Titus did not take any
advantage of you, did he? Did we not conduct ourselves in the same spirit and
walk in the same steps?

Note that Titus had the same spirit as Paul and hence walked in the same steps as Paul. A
spiritual son will only walk in the same steps as his spiritual father, if he first seeks to
function by the same internal disposition or spirit of his father. Having different
standards, persuasions or priorities to one’s spiritual father will manifest itself in walking
a different path to him/her.

Functioning with same spirit and hence walking in the same steps as one’s spiritual
leadership is vital for all areas of function, but more so in the matters relating to
finances. From my observation, this matter is greatly transgressed. There is vast
misrepresentation in financial integrity today. Financial inaccuracy in representing one’s
spiritual leader’s standards of financial integrity, not only is no reflection of strong
support to them, but also disqualifies you to function representatively of them in a
ministerial function. Such was the case with Gehazi, who fraudulently extracted funds
from Namaan, when Elisha, his spiritual leader/father refused to take any money from
Namaan after he was healed of leprosy (see 2 Kings 5). For this gross misrepresentation
of Elisha’s nature, disposition and intent, Gehazi himself was struck with leprosy and
forever barred from any ministerial role afterwards. Gehazi means ‘valley of vision,
valley of sight or denier’. His name, and thus his person, is indicative of one who has
poor spiritual perception (valley of sight). He has no complete or accurate spiritual
perception as to who and what Elisha represents as a spiritual father and leader, and
hence the ease with which he can coldly misrepresent him. If your perception of your
leader is true and strong, your sense of honour of them will be high and thus your
representation of them exact.

One of the greatest expressions of practically supporting one’s spiritual leadership is to
be an accurate reflection of all they teach and represent.

7. CLOSELY FOLLOW AND OBEY THE TEACHING OF YOUR SPIRITUAL LEADER

Refer to the case studies of Timothy following Paul, and Elisha following Elijah, discussed in
chapters 2 and 9 respectively.

8. UNDERSTAND YOUR LEADERS PROPHETIC FUTURE AND DIVINE PURPOSE

Refer to the case study of David and his mighty men in chapter five.

9. PROVIDE PRACTICAL AND PHYSICAL SUPPORT OF VARIOUS KINDS SO AS TO ALLOW YOUR
LEADER TO FOCUS ON THE WORD AND PRAYER WITHOUT UNNECESSARY DISTRACTION

You should seek, as much as it lies within your power, availability, opportunity and means to
offer physical and practical support to your spiritual leader. Most leaders I know are humble
men and women of God, who have no problem doing the most menial of practical things in
reference to their ministries. But, as spiritual sons to these leaders, you should seek to help
them in this regard. The ideal would be that they become totally uninvolved in these things, so
that they can give themselves undividedly and undistractedly to prayer and the study and
ministry of the Word of God.

• SEVEN MEN TOOK CARE OF PRACTICAL MATTERS SO THAT THE APOSTLES COULD FOCUS
ON THE WORD AND PRAYER

Acts 6:1-7
1 Now at this time while the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint arose
on the part of the Hellenistic Jews against the native Hebrews, because their
widows were being overlooked in the daily serving of food.
2 So the twelve summoned the congregation of the disciples and said, “It is not
desirable for us to neglect the word of God in order to serve tables.
3 Therefore, brethren, select from among you seven men of good reputation, full of
the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may put in charge of this task.
4 But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”
5 The statement found approval with the whole congregation; and they chose
Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor,
Timon, Parmenas and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch.
6 And these they brought before the apostles; and after praying, they laid their hands
on them.
7 The word of God kept on spreading; and the number of the disciples continued to
increase greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were becoming
obedient to the faith.

As the early church grew numerically, certain practical and administrative problems arose,
e.g. certain widows were neglected in being assisted practically. This matter was brought to
the attention of the apostles. The early apostles did not allow growing practical and
administrative needs to seduce and side-track them away from their primary calling, i.e.
prayer and the word of God. Instead, they carefully selected seven men, viz. Stephen,
Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas and Nicolas to positions of responsibility to
manage these matters.

These seven men represent three things:

(a) A corporate company with the mentality of the ‘seven man’ principle - explained below.
(b) Personnel that essentially manages practical and/or administrative issues within an
apostolic environment.
(c) Active support for the apostles and apostolic work.

These seven men represent a mentality within a corporate people. The number seven,
spiritually or symbolically, denotes perfection and rest. When the principle they represent is in
place, it brings perfection or completeness to God’s will within a specific context, and
secondly, it also brings rest, an authoritative position from which the work of God could be
effected effortlessly enabled by HIS grace.

Essentially, these seven men gave active and practical support to the apostles, who in this
context, are a representation of the leadership of the church. The meanings of their names is
interesting and highlights the quality of spiritual sons necessary to provide strong support to
spiritual fathers, so that these fathers can focus solely on the WORD and PRAYER.

Here is what their names mean67:

Stephen = Wreath; crown.
Philip = Lover of horses; warrior.
Prochorus = He that presides over the choir; leading in a chorus or dance; leader of singers.
Nicanor = Conqueror; victorious; I conquer. Untimely victory.
Timon = Honorable; deemed worthy.
Parmenas = Standing firm; faithful; I abide.
Nicolas = Conqueror of the people (as a whole)

Here is what their names imply:

I am indebted to Ralph Ellaya, an Apostle of Christ, for his insights to the implications of these
names. The section here below is gleaned from his study, ‘THE SEVEN MEN COMPANY’,
available on his website - refer to endnotes68.

We, as a corporate house, will enter into greater PERFECTION and REST, with the accompanying
VICTORY in the purposes for which God has called us to, when we …

Stephen = Stay in your lane
(Athletes are crowned if they compete according to the rules - See 2 Tim 2:5)

Philip = Get battle-ready like a horse for war
(Horses are used as an imagery of warfare and battle – see Job 39:19-35; Prov.
21:31, etc.)

Prochorus = Come into oneness
(‘Chorus’ suggest a company sing a song in harmonious oneness)

Nicanor = Have a conquering mentality
(Conqueror denotes one who gains decisive victories – see Romans 8:37-39)

Timon = Show honour
(Those who show honour to others are themselves honourable)

Parmenas = Faithfully abide as sons in the house
(This denotes unswerving faithfulness as a son and in support for one’s father –
see John 8:35)

Nicolas = Lead people in victorious and overcoming living
(He is not conqueror over, but OF the people, i.e. activating their victory)

The above qualities represent the character traits that should be present within sons that seek
to relieve their spiritual fathers from responsibilities they do not have to carry, so that their
fathers can be singularly devoted to the pre-eminent activity of dispensing Grace through the
preaching and teaching of the Word, and also be devoted to strong prayer.

Note that in the context encountered in our text above, is a problem that arose because of the
numerical growth of the number of disciples (verse 1). Growth will naturally present its own set
of difficulties and challenges that must be overcome. With growth comes the need for wiser
practical management and more efficient administration. The danger that growth which is not
properly managed presents, is that those leaders or spiritual fathers whose primary calling is to
the study and speaking/teaching of the Word of God and prayer, will find themselves getting
side-tracked and embroiled in areas of function, which may be important, but not within the
scope of their calling. Note that the apostles refused to ‘NEGLECT’ the Word of God to serve
widows at tables. Serving widows at tables was an essential and necessary task, but it was not
their task to fulfill. One must always be careful to discern that someone else’s valid need, may
not necessarily be our call. Leaders, spiritual fathers and those called to preach and teach the
Word God must stay singularly committed to this function and not become locked into any
other activity, no matter how legitimate. Instead, not to detract also from the importance of
serving at tables, the apostles set in motion a solution that would adequately take care of that
function.

Every leader needs people that would take care of basic practical matters, but these people
need to be men and women of the highest character/pedigree. Note in the account under
consideration, the seven men chosen had to full of the Holy Spirit, wise and of a good
reputation. It is not simply about filling a gap to relieve one’s spiritual leader or to ensure
efficiency. Even in the most mundane of tasks within the Kingdom of God, those who serve at
any level should have purity of heart and motive. Serving widows at tables fulfilled a valid need,
which left unattended, could have caused division and tensions relationally between the people.
So responsible actions by those who serve equate to creating the most ideal structure or
context, in which the grace of God released through the Word of God by those called to preach,
could have its most powerful and efficient expression.

Verse 7 of Acts 16 indicates that the Word of God kept spreading and the number of disciples
kept increasing. These two results could have been totally aborted had the Apostles succumbed
to the need to serve at tables and neglect the Word. Ultimately, what caused the number of
disciples to increase was the preaching of the Word of God, but also this took place in an
environment in which seven men rose up to support the apostles in fulfilling a practical need
that had the effect of ensuring harmonious relationships within the early church. These two
dynamics of strong practical support and focused preaching of the Word of God are a powerful
duo that ensures God’s purposes prevail.

Consider Paul’s Intense Devotion to the Word of God.

Acts 18:5 But when Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia, Paul began devoting
himself completely to the word, solemnly testifying to the Jews that Jesus was
the Christ. (Nasb)

Acts 18:5 And after Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia, Paul spent all his time
preaching the word (NLT)

• THE EXAMPLE OF EPAPHRODITUS SERVING PAUL

Philippians 2:25-30
25 But I thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother and fellow
worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger and minister to my need;
26 because he was longing for you all and was distressed because you had heard
that he was sick.
27 For indeed he was sick to the point of death, but God had mercy on him, and not
on him only but also on me, so that I would not have sorrow upon sorrow.
28 Therefore I have sent him all the more eagerly so that when you see him again
you may rejoice and I may be less concerned about you.
29 Receive him then in the Lord with all joy, and hold men like him in high regard;
30 because he came close to death for the work of Christ, risking his life to complete
what was deficient in your service to me.

Epaphroditus was Paul’s spiritual son. Amongst the many descriptions accorded to him in Phil
2:25, he is also referred to as ‘a minister to Paul’s need’. He risked ‘life and limb’ in his
commitment to minister to the practical needs of Paul.

Epaphroditus = Lovely; handsome; charming.69

He was not into preservation of self and image such that his good looks would prevent him from
serious sacrifice in reference to ministering to Paul’s needs at great personal cost.

• JOSHUA SERVING MOSES

Ex. 24:13 So Moses arose with Joshua his servant, and Moses went up to the
mountain of God.

Ex. 33:11 Thus the LORD used to speak to Moses face to face, just as a man speaks
to his friend. When Moses returned to the camp, his servant Joshua, the
son of Nun, a young man, would not depart from the tent.

Deut. 34:9 Now Joshua the son of Nun was filled with the spirit of wisdom, for Moses
had laid his hands on him; and the sons of Israel listened to him and did as
the Lord had commanded Moses.

• RUTH SERVING NAOMI

In the book of Ruth, Ruth symbolically represents perfected spiritual sonship. She is
described as “better than seven sons” to Naomi (Ruth 4:15). The number seven denotes
perfection and rest. This automatically casts Naomi in the symbolic role of a spiritual father.
Ruth’s (the spiritual son) rapid movement into complete redemption by Boaz (who
symbolically represents Christ), was amongst other things, because of the manner in which
she consistently ministered to the material and practical needs of Naomi (her spiritual
father).

Ruth 2:11 Boaz replied to her, "All that you have done for your mother-in-law after
the death of your husband has been fully reported to me,
Ruth 3:17 She said, "These six measures of barley he gave to me, for he said, 'Do not
go to your mother-in-law empty-handed.'"

• ONESIPHORUS SERVING PAUL

2 Timothy 1:16-18
16 The Lord grant mercy to the house of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me
and was not ashamed of my chains;
17 but when he was in Rome, he eagerly searched for me and found me -
18 the Lord grant to him to find mercy from the Lord on that day - and you know
very well what services he rendered at Ephesus.

Onesiphorus too was Paul’s spiritual son. He lived in Ephesus, and while Paul was there, he
ministered in practical ways to him – see v.18.

‘Services’ = diakoneo = To be an attendant, that is wait upon (menially or as a host,
friend) 70 ; to minister, to attend to anything, that may serve
another’s interests71
To minister a thing to one, to serve one or by supplying
anything72

During Paul’s Roman imprisonment, Onesiphorus left Ephesus, making a long journey to
‘eagerly search’ for Paul to bring him refreshment (v.16). The name ‘Onesiphorus’ means
‘bringing advantage’ or ‘profit bringing’.73 Spiritual sons bring advantage and profit to their
spiritual fathers by refreshing them through various practical ways.

Refreshed = anapsucho = To bring relief, to cool off, to recover from the effects of heat,
to take air, to revive.74
Describes refrigerating or refreshing with cool air as the body
when overheated,75
Figuratively, ‘to relieve when under distress’.76

In a time when everyone in Asia deserted Paul (2 Tim 1:15), Onesiphorus sought him out,
identified with his trial, refreshed him and relieved him of his distress by ministering to him
practically. It would seem that he acts representatively of the church to which he gave
oversight, for Paul prays that not only he, but HIS ENTIRE HOUSEHOLD find mercy from the
Lord. The HOUSEHOLD of Onesiphorus also received special greetings from Paul (2 Tim
4:19). By ministering practically and financially to their apostolic fathering source, leaders of
churches may confer special spiritual blessing and privilege upon the churches they lead.

• DISCIPLES ‘STOOD AROUND’ PAUL

You can stand up because there are others standing around you! At Lystra, Paul was stoned,
dragged out of the city and left for dead.

Acts 14:19,20 But Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, and having won over the
crowds, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing him
to be dead. But while the disciples STOOD AROUND HIM, he GOT UP and
entered the city. The next day he went away with Barnabas to Derbe

Paul revived from his ordeal, as other disciples STOOD AROUND HIM. Them standing
around is a picture of support and protection. There are times when we are able to GET UP
simply because of who STANDS AROUND us. Where Paul was left for dead, he bounced
back to life, because supportive brothers stood around him.

In this context Paul revives and continues his work of ministry with Barnabas in the city of
Derbe, and thereafter returning to Lystra and other cities, strengthening the souls of the
disciples and encouraging them to continue in the faith amidst tribulation.

Acts 14: 21-22 After they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many
disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch,
strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in
the faith, and saying, “Through many tribulations we must enter the
kingdom of God.”

Disciples STOOD AROUND Paul and so he revived and continued in ministry to a host of
other disciples in other cities. The support we give the spiritual leaders allows and enables
them to continue their work and bless a whole lot of people in regions beyond us. I
encourage you to see the bigger picture when you provide any measure of active support to
your spiritual leader. What you do in your microcosm will have far reaching and widespread
positive benefits.

• SILAS, TIMOTHY, AND OTHERS IN CORINTH SUPPORT PAUL

Acts 18:5-11 But when Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia, Paul began
devoting himself completely to the word, solemnly testifying to the Jews
that Jesus was the Christ. But when they resisted and blasphemed, he
shook out his garments and said to them, “Your blood be on your own
heads! I am clean. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.” Then he left
there and went to the house of a man named Titius Justus, a worshiper of
God, whose house was next to the synagogue. Crispus, the leader of the
synagogue, believed in the Lord with all his household, and many of the
Corinthians when they heard were believing and being baptized. And
the Lord said to Paul in the night by a vision, “DO NOT BE AFRAID any
longer, but GO ON SPEAKING and DO NOT BE SILENT; for I am with you,
and no man will attack you in order to harm you, for I HAVE MANY
PEOPLE IN THIS CITY.” And he settled there a year and six months,
TEACHING the WORD of God among them.

When Paul came to Corinth, living with Prisca and Aquila and working as a tent-maker with
them, he only spoke to Jews and Greeks in the synagogue once a week. Silas and Timothy
came there to support Paul. From that point, onwards Paul started to DEVOTE HIMSELF to
the WORD of the LORD and the preaching thereof more intensely. This greater and
undistracted focus on the Word was the effect of Timothy and Silas’ coming to Paul.

An Aside Note : TO BE PRESSED IN SPIRIT IS TO BE ENGROSSED WITH THE WORD OF GOD

Different renderings of Acts 18:5b makes for interesting study. The context is the start of
Paul’s ministry at Corinth, which lasted for a year and a half. Consider: Acts 18:5b:

NKJV … Paul was compelled by the Spirit …
KJV … Paul was pressed in the spirit …
NASB … Paul began devoting himself completely to the word …
ESV … Paul was occupied with the word …
AMP … Paul was completely engrossed with preaching …
NIV … Paul devoted himself exclusively to preaching …

There is no contradiction in these different versions. The NKJV’s ‘compelled by the
Spirit’ (i.e. Holy Spirit) and the KJV’s ‘pressed in spirit’ (i.e. human spirit) are
understandable when you accept that ‘he who is joined (i.e. glued) to the Lord is ONE
spirit with Him’ (1 Cor. 6:17).

The rest of the versions cited above have no reference to ‘spirit’ or ‘Spirit’, but to
devotion to, preoccupation with the WORD OF GOD and specifically the declaration or
preaching thereof. Thus a spirit, at one with the Holy Spirit, is one which is engrossed
with and by the Word of God, and it declaration. Paul’s spirit intensity was evidenced by
his devotion to the Word of God. He taught God’s Word at Corinth for a year and a half.

Acts 18:11 And he settled there a year and six months, teaching the word of God
among them.

In Paul’s reference to this in his first letter to the Corinthians, he asserts the following …

1 Cor. 2:3-5 I was with you in weakness and in fear and in much trembling, and my
message and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but
in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith would not
rest on the wisdom men, but on the power of God.

Contextually, with scripture explaining scripture, the ‘demonstration of the Spirit and
power’ at Corinth was the intense devotion to the Word of God and it’s preaching. This
may well include signs, miracles and wonders (which we wholeheartedly believe in and
embrace) but these are not specifically mentioned. Also, the demonstration of signs and
wonders by the Spirit is always built upon the basis of a strong culture of devotion to the
Word of God. We need both the WORD and also the manifestation of the Spirit. The
Spirit’s work is built on the Word.

Matt 22:29 But Jesus answered them, “You are wrong, because you know neither the
Scriptures nor the power of God.

Luke 5:17 One day He was teaching; and there were some Pharisees and teachers
of the law sitting there, who had come from every village of Galilee and
Judea and from Jerusalem; and the power of the Lord was present for
Him to perform healing

1 Thess 1:5 for our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power and in
the Holy Spirit and with full conviction; just as you know what kind of
men we proved to be among you for your sake

After some resistance and persecution, Paul went to another part of the city to live with
Titius Justus, who is to be commended for his accommodating of Paul in his house. This
was Titius’ expression of support for the apostle and his ministry in Corinth. Paul now
determined to focus his ministry efforts towards the Gentiles, which was central to
God’s calling of him as an Apostle (See Acts 9:15,16).

See how Timothy, Silas and Titius’ support of Paul, has the ultimate effect of not just
broadening Paul’s sphere of ministry, but actually facilitating the fine-tuning of the focus
of Paul’s ministry to the Gentiles, a sphere which was to be the main focus of his
apostolic call and from which much fruit would be borne. Strong support of authentic
leaders can have the same effect in our day too! The strong support for your spiritual
leader in the many ways discussed in this writing, can enhance and enlarge the scope of
influence his/her ministry has. Refer also to 2 Cor. 10:14-16, alluded to in this writing,
where the increasing faith of the Corinthians would have the effect of enlarging the
ministry ‘metron’ of the Apostle Paul (See chapter 16; point ‘g’).

NOTE GOD’S ENCOURAGEMENT TO PAUL:

Acts 18:9b,10 “DO NOT BE AFRAID any longer, but GO ON SPEAKING and DO NOT BE
SILENT; for I am with you, and no man will attack you in order to harm
you, for I HAVE MANY PEOPLE IN THIS CITY.”

Lest Paul succumbs to the fear of the intense levels of resistance and persecution he faced
in Corinth, GOD Himself appears to him in a vision at night, and exhorts him not to fear,
that He will be with him, and that no man will harm him. WHY and through WHAT MEANS
will God do this? God answers this by saying ‘I HAVE MANY PEOPLE IN THIS CITY’. There
were many of God’s people already in the city of Corinth who would not only be ready and
prepared to receive the preaching of Paul and so be upgraded into a place of greater
spiritual relevance, but also that these would prove to be a source of great support and
protection for Paul too. Again here we see how God’s support of His servants is expressed
practically through the active support of people.

Note also that if the Apostle Paul succumbed to the threat of the persecution, that an entire
group of people in the city of Corinth would have missed the grace impartation from him.
God alerts Paul to the reality that ‘I HAVE MANY PEOPLE IN THIS CITY’. There are people
waiting for the grace impartation from God’s Word given to leaders called by God. Leaders
must discern this and not in any way fall prey to levels of resistance toward their ministry or
personal lives, such that they give up on what God has called them to do. In the cities in
which we minister, God has ‘many people in each city!

THE MENTALITY BY WHICH WE FUNCTION:

1 Pet. 4:9-11 Be hospitable to one another without complaint. As each one has received a
special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold
grace of God. Whoever speaks, is to do so as one who is speaking the utterances
of God; whoever serves is to do so as one who is serving by the strength, which
God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to
whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Any expression of support provided to one’s spiritual leadership must be sincere and
honourable in its motive. It must also be done selflessly, without complaint or murmur, and
flow from the grace content within us. As our support is focused on the facilitation of God’s
purposes, Christ will ultimately receive praise and glory.

Phil. 2:14 Do everything without complaining and arguing

We are most satisfied when God’s will is most completely and efficiently executed. Whatever
we do in WORD or DEED, even our practical support for leaders, we do IN THE NAME OF the
LORD JESUS, i.e. in keeping with and reflective of His NATURE, CHARACTER AND WILL.

Col. 3:17 Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving
thanks through Him to God the Father.

10. FINANCIALLY SUPPORT YOUR SPIRITUAL LEADER

A more complete Biblical perspective of finances in the Kingdom of God is covered in a series of
audio teachings and also in PDF documents available on my website77. Here I seek to highlight
and briefly demonstrate the point that financial honour to one’s spiritual leader is not just a
powerful, practical means of support, but simultaneously is a powerful means of participating in
and accessing the unique configuration of the grace of God given to your spiritual leader.
Accessing this grace is also essential in order for the son to provide strong support to his
spiritual father, since that unique grace configuration within the father is tailored to fulfill the
purposes of God stewarded by that father. Also, this grace accessed in this manner will also
hugely benefit the spiritual son in his walk in Christ. Of note in this regard is the example of the
Philippian Church, whose financial support did not waver throughout the entire course of Paul’s
ministry.

HONOUR THROUGH FINANCIAL GIFTS

The expression of honour through giving of finances is biblical. One of the practical ways in
which we express honour to our spiritual fathers in the Lord is to give financially to them.

Those who sow into your life spiritually should reap from you materially. This is a very well
established Biblical principle.
1 Cor. 9:11
If we sowed spiritual things in you, is it too much if we reap material things from you?

Galatians 6:6
The one who is taught the word is to share all good things with the one who teaches him.

Share = koinōnéō = to communicate, distribute, impart 78
Good = agathos = something useful and profitable, beneficial79

In this verse, the one who is taught the Word through consistent and systematic teaching, is
called upon to ‘share’ or ‘distribute' ‘GOOD’ things (which is anything useful, profitable or
beneficial) to the one who has taught him. Elders who consistently WORK HARD at preaching
and teaching should be given DOUBLE HONOUR, which Paul in the next verse defines in financial
terms (1 Tim. 5:17-18).

1 Tim. 5:17,18
17 Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who
labour in the word and doctrine.
18 For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And,
The labourer is worthy of his reward.

1 Tim. 5:17,18 (NLT)
17 Elders who do their work well should be respected and paid well, especially those who
work hard at both preaching and teaching.
18 For the Scripture says, "You must not muzzle an ox to keep it from eating as it treads out
the grain." And in another place, "Those who work deserve their pay!"

1 Thessalonians 5;12,13
12 But we request of you, brethren, that you appreciate those who diligently labor among
you, and have charge over you in the Lord and give you instruction,
13 and that you esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Live in peace with
one another.

Romans 15:26-28
26 For Macedonia and Achaia have been pleased to make a contribution for the poor
among the saints in Jerusalem.
27 Yes, they were pleased to do so, and they are indebted to them. For if the Gentiles have
shared in their spiritual things, they are indebted to minister to them also in material
things.
28 Therefore, when I have finished this, and have put my seal on this fruit of theirs, I will go
on by way of you to Spain.

The believers in Macedonia and Achaia prepared material goods to be given to those saints who
were poor in Jerusalem. It pleased these Gentile Christians to help those at Jerusalem, and
besides, they were under obligation to them, for the church at Jerusalem was the centre from
which the gospel had been spread abroad. Paul argues that believers in Macedonia and Achaia
had an obligation to do this since Jerusalem represented them well, the source of spiritual
nourishment from which they drank. The Greek word translated ‘indebted’ essentially means to
owe someone - and alludes to a moral obligation to fulfill this.

Paul therefore makes it plain and thus establishes an important principle: The source from
which you derive spiritual nourishment and grace, should be the source to which you must seek
to minister materially or practically. There was no coercion brought to bear upon these Gentile
Christians to do this to the Jews at Jerusalem. It was spontaneous, natural and reflexive. The
Scripture says that they were ‘PLEASED’ to do this.

Pleased = eudokeo = To be well-pleased, to think it good.
It means to think well of something by understanding not only what is
right and good, as in ‘dokéō’, but stressing the willingness and freedom of
an intention or resolve regarding what is good.80

Note also that this contribution to the Jews is described as a ‘ministry unto them’. Giving
financially and otherwise must not be seen as some act, which is not spiritual in nature.

Those who labour with sincere diligence, not being slothful in the execution of their Divine
assignment as preachers and teachers of the Word, are deserving of double honour and high
esteem manifested or expressed in financial or material terms. They labour with the eternal
riches of Christ and prepare people for eternity. This is a high calling.

FINANCIAL HONOURING ESTEEMS AND RECOGNISES ‘GRACE’

It is important to understand that ‘labouring in doctrine’ – working hard at it – and so dispensing
grace to spiritual sons, is not a work of the flesh based upon human potential or toil. Paul
argued that he worked really hard in the gospel, even harder than other apostles, yet he
qualified this by saying that it was really the grace of God working in him and thus his ‘hard
‘work was nothing short than an expression of the grace of God in him.

1 Corinthians 15:10
But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me did not prove vain;
but I LABOURED even more than all of them, yet not I, but the GRACE OF GOD with me.

So then, when we acknowledge and give honour to our set men and other elders who labour
diligently in preaching and teaching (doctrine), we are actually acknowledging and esteeming
the GRACE OF GOD in them that is being manifested through them. It goes way beyond just
esteeming the person who is giving you instruction; it is actually a greater acknowledgement of
the spiritual resource, the divine deposit of gifting and grace given by God in the person. Thus,
when you minister financially or practically to the needs of this individual, you are actually
honouring Christ in him or her, and specifically, the GRACE of Christ which empowers them to
function.

The issue of financial offerings being reflective of honour for one’s spiritual father has got to, of
necessity, begin in the heart of the spiritual son. If there is no heart-felt gratitude, respect and
sincere honour, then this would naturally not proceed to manifest itself outwardly in terms of
financial giving.

HONOUR THROUGH FINANCIAL GIFTS IS A BIBLICALLY VALID WAY OF ACCESSING THE GRACE
OF GOD ENTRUSTED TO ONE’S SPIRITUAL OVERSIGHT

In honouring the grace of God in the person by sowing financially into his life, you become the
beneficiary or recipient of God’s grace given to that person to steward. Let us examine how this
principle was expressed through the Philippian church.

The Example of the Philippian Church :
Philippians 1:7
For it is only right for me to feel this way about you all, because I have you in my heart, since
both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are
PARTAKERS of GRACE with me.

How did they become partakers of the grace of God in Paul? By sowing financially into his life
and ministry.
Philippians 4:15-16
15 You yourselves also know, Philippians, that at the first preaching of the gospel, after I left
Macedonia, no church SHARED with me in the matter of giving and receiving but you
alone;
16 for even in Thessalonica you sent a gift more than once for my needs.

Note the word ‘partakers’ in Phil. 1:7 and the word ‘shared’ in Phil.4:15:

Partakers = sugkoinōnós = a partaker together with others, a fellow or joint partaker, a
sharer with81

Shared = koinōnéō = to communicate, distribute, impart.82

Both these Greek words are built up from the noun, ‘koinōnós’ (a companion, partner).83

In essence, Paul is saying that this church shared in God’s grace given to him - they partook of
this grace, not just in the sense that they were blessed or built up by his ministry, but that this
grace was imparted to them - i.e. the abilities and enablement which God had endowed to him
was now given also to them – so that they could function on the same level or frequency as he
did. How did they access this level of impartation? By connecting with and giving to him
financially.

We give in acknowledgment of the grace of God in our spiritual leader. By this we then become
partakers of divine grace given to them. We become recipients of the grace of God in them.

Note the following verses:
Phil. 4:17-18
17 Not that I seek the gift itself, but I seek for the profit which increases to your account.
18 But I have received everything in full and have an abundance; I am amply supplied,
having received from Epaphroditus what you have sent, a fragrant aroma, an acceptable
sacrifice, well-pleasing to God.
19 And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

In thanking them for consistently giving to him (note v.16 ‘more than once’), Paul explains his
motive. He says that he is not seeking (in the Greek it means to ‘crave, search for, seek
diligently’84) the gift but rather he is seeking or craving for profit that would increase to their
account. He says that he is doing so not to extract further gifts from them so that his future
needs will be met, but he is truly seeking for ‘profit’ or FRUIT that will be credited to their
account.

The Greek word (karpos) for ‘profit’ here means ‘fruit’. Metaphorically, it refers to deeds,
works or conduct85 (see Matt. 3:8; 7:16, 20; 21:43). Fruit is the external, outward evidence
produced as a result of invisible processes at work within a tree. Paul, by using this idea, is
saying that the financial and materials gifts of the Philippian Church will cause the invisible,
unseen processes of God at work within them to be manifested outwardly in terms of specific
obedient deeds, works, conduct and operations of life. This is a powerful thought. There is a
level of fruitfulness in our deeds, works and conduct that will only be accessed through our
financial giving.

Also, he says that this fruit will INCREASE TO THEIR ACCOUNT. The acts of gracious giving of the
Philippian church resulting in further fruitful works and conduct, will INCREASE. They gave
liberally from a context of poverty, but their giving did not in any way further impoverish them.
It actually set them up for increase. Their acts of giving are registered in heaven’s account as a
credit entry, not a debit entry.

The Greek word for ‘increase’ here is ‘pleanazo’, which means ‘to have or cause to have much,
or more than enough86, to super-abound87.

Note that Paul describes their financial giving as a fragrant aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well-
pleasing to God. We are a priesthood unto God and are required to offer up spiritual sacrifices.
If we were priests under the Old Covenant, we would have offered up animal sacrifices. But now
under the New Covenant, we are to offer up SPIRITUAL sacrifices:

1 Peter 2:5 you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy
priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through
Jesus Christ.

Here is a brief list of some acceptable spiritual sacrifices identified in the Scripture:
1. Joy Psalm 27:6
2. Thanks Hebrews 13:15
3. Praise Hebrews 13:15
4. Our Lives / Bodies Romans 12:1,2
5. Doing Good Hebrews 13:16
6. Fellowship Hebrews 13:15
7. Material and Financial Assistance to Ministers Philippians 4:18
In Philippians 4:18, Paul regards financial giving to spiritual leaders as an acceptable New
Covenant sacrificial offering unto the Lord. God always responds to the principle of acceptable
sacrifice. Paul describes the effect that this offering has on God, viz., “a fragrant or sweet
aroma, well-pleasing to God”. The financial and material gifts given to Paul had an effect upon
God in the heavens. And in the very next verse Paul describes the response of God to the
Philippians’ financial gift as follows:
Phillipians 4:19
And my God will supply all your needs
according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
The phrase ‘all your need’, literally should be read, ‘every need of yours’. ‘Every need of yours’
does not just include physical or material needs, but spiritual, emotional, marital, etc.
Note the emphasis on MY God. Paul does not say, ‘GOD will supply your need’ or ‘OUR God’,
but he deliberately emphasises MY God. Here he is making reference to the quality of
relationship and favour he personally has with God. By pronouncing this blessing, he is
symbolically bringing to bear upon the Philippian church a response from God that would
otherwise have been his privilege only. But now, through their giving, they have accessed and
thus became privy to the benefits that Paul enjoys by virtue of the specific level or quality of his
relationship with God. This is also seen in the Book of Ruth. When Ruth said to Naomi, “Your
God will be my God” (Ruth 1:16), she was not just wanting to serve the God of Israel as opposed
to the gods of Moab (Ruth 1:15), but she was reaching out after the richness of the relationship
that Naomi, as a spiritual father, enjoyed with God. As a spiritual son, Ruth accessed spiritual
and natural benefits and advantages because of her pursuit after and practical support of
Naomi, her spiritual father. She migrates from being a widow to a married woman; from being
unable to give birth to a son in ten years in the land of Moab to giving birth to a significant son;
from gleaning in a field to owning that field; from a pauper to a millionaire; from a Moabitess to
being part of the lineage and ancestry of our Lord Jesus Christ. God supplied all her need
according to His riches in glory in Christ - but her relationship to and support of Naomi was a
vital key to all of this.
The dimension from which the Philippian church’s needs will be supplied is described as ‘riches
in glory in Christ Jesus’. They accessed what was in Christ Jesus by giving to the Apostle Paul,
Christ’s representative. The principle here is very plain: your posture of giving to your spiritual
father has a significant bearing on the degree to which your needs will be supplied.

Again, financial support to one’s spiritual father in Christ demonstrates the principle that in
providing strong support to your spiritual leader, you are strengthening yourself in the process.
Supportive leaders themselves should be faithful in various expressions of financial giving, so
that the local spiritual household and what is due to your spiritual leader does not suffer.

Every spiritual leader should be sufficiently financed such that he has no undue concern for his
financial and material welfare.

2 Chron. 31:4 Also he commanded the people who lived in Jerusalem to give the portion due to
the priests and the Levites, that they might devote themselves to the law of the
Lord.

Neh. 12:44 On that day men were also appointed over the chambers for the stores, the
contributions, the first fruits and the tithes, to gather into them from the fields
of the cities the portions required by the law for the priests and Levites; for
Judah rejoiced over the priests and Levites who served.

The practice of giving ‘First Fruit’ financial offerings to one’s spiritual father is a very powerful
means of practically expressing honour. Principles governing the practice of first fruits are
elaborately discussed in a separate writing available on my website88. In addition, you may
download or freely listen to multiple audio sessions on the topic89.

• JESUS HAD STRONG FINANCIAL SUPPORT

When He was just two years old, Jesus received huge financial gifts from visiting wise men from
eastern countries. There were not just three of these men as some believe, the Bible simply
states that ‘men came from the East’. There were probably a whole lot of them. ‘Gold’ was
among the gifts given to Jesus. The financial equivalent of the gold was probably sufficient to
sustain Jesus through his life and ministry. During his ministry also, a group of women followed
Jesus and supported Him financially as well.
Luke 8:1-3
1. Soon afterwards, He began going around from one city and village to another, proclaiming
and preaching the kingdom of God. The twelve were with Him,
2. and also some women who had been healed of evil spirits and sicknesses: Mary who was
called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out,
3. and Joanna the wife of Chuza, Herod’s steward, and Susanna, and many others who were
contributing to their support out of their private means.
It would seem that these women followed Jesus throughout His ministry. Even at the crucifixion,
they were still following him.

Matt. 27:55,56 Many women were there looking on from a distance, who had followed Jesus
from Galilee while ministering to Him. Among them was Mary Magdalene, and
Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of the sons of
Zebedee.

Ministering = diakoneo = To serve, wait upon.
To be an attendant90.

Mark 15: 40,41 There were also some women looking on from a distance, among whom were
Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the Less and Joses, and
Salome. When He was in Galilee, they used to follow Him and minister to
Him; and there were many other women who came up with Him to
Jerusalem.

Financially honouring your leader is one of the most powerful ways to access the GRACE of God
in your life. This could be illustrated using various biblical case studies. I encourage you to
consult my website and listen to my series on Kingdom Economics for a more comprehensive
treatment91.

2 Cor. 9:8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all
sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed.

• BARNABAS SERVING THE APOSTLES

Acts 4:36-37 Now Joseph, a Levite of Cyprian birth, who was also called Barnabas by the
apostles (which translated means Son of Encouragement), and who owned a
tract of land, sold it and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.

Barnabas’ name means ‘son of consolation’ or ‘son of encouragement’. Embedded within the
very meaning of his name is the idea of sonship. He sold a tract of land he owned and gave the
entire proceeds of the sale to the apostles, who in that context represented the principle of
spiritual fathering to both him and to the new season that God had initiated. He laid the money
at the apostles’ feet, which is suggestive of the fact that his financial support of them provided
progression and momentum to their apostolic endeavours.

• OAKS OF THE HOUSE OF GRACE – THE MIGHT OF THE HOUSE OF THE GRACIOUS GIVER

Begin to think of church, the body of believers, as a ‘house of grace’.

1 Kings 4:7-9 Solomon had twelve deputies over all Israel, who provided for the king and his
household; each man had to provide for a month in the year. These are their
names : …. Ben-deker in Makaz and Shaalbim and Beth-shemesh and Elonbeth-
hanan

Ben-deker (‘son of Deker’) was one of King Solomon’s twelve deputies or commissaries who
provided for the king’s needs and that of his house in one of the twelve months of the year. This
man provided the required resources to King Solomon in the month allocated to him from four
cities under his oversight. Of interest to us is one of these cities which was Elonbethhanan.

The name ‘Elonbethhanan’ means: Oak of the house of grace;
Might of the house of the gracious giver92

As the name suggests, Elonbethhanan was a source of generous or gracious giving. Grace
certainly will manifest itself in extreme generosity (see 2 Cor.9). The name also carries within it
the idea of a HOUSE OF GRACE. This city represented a source of great supply to King Solomon -
it was the ‘OAK of the House of Grace’. Oak is suggestive of great strength. Herein lies a key
principle: Churches or Spiritual Households should be well-springs of the grace of God that
consolidates the strength of the Kingdom of God. These churches, infused by apostolic grace
through covenantal connections to Apostolic fathers, are bountiful outlets and expressions of
God’s grace to the world. May our churches be strong ‘Houses of Grace’ with an ample supply
of the Christ-like nature, presence, purpose and provision.

Fathers are fathers of grace, which they, from a loving and generous heart disposition, impart
grace to sons in their houses. The reception of this grace by sons, who love and honour the
father and each other, will make the house a house of grace.

The foundation for solid strength and extreme generosity in financial giving is GRACE. Financial
giving of any kind evidences the presence of grace. Grace, by its very nature, beckons to give
generously. My prayer is that leaders of households, together with the spiritual sons under their
oversight, who are pregnant with true grace, become well springs of this grace which will also
manifest in abundant and consistent financial giving and support to the apostolic fatherly
figures over them in the Lord. Grace is the spur for giving, but also the activation factor for
accessing more grace. These matters are more thoroughly addressed in an extensive audio
teaching on the subject. I advise you to consult my website for the same93.

‘Deker’ means ‘thrusting through; lance bearer; piercing; perforation, the piercer’ 94 . For
leaders of households of faith, I pray that you would ‘THRUST THROUGH, PIERCE THROUGH’ any
financial limitation that prevents you from becoming a source of strong financial support to your
apostolic oversight. Tap into the authority of the inherent power of GRACE itself to activate
financial giving to a higher level and so may you become, as one of the meanings of the name
Elonbethhanan suggests, ‘The Might of the House of Gracious Giver’.

11. SEEK THE PEACE AND WELL-BEING OF YOUR FELLOW BROTHER, THE OTHER SON OF
YOUR SPIRITUAL FATHER

• AMASAI SOUGHT THE PEACE OF DAVID’S OTHER SONS

1 Chron. 12:18 Then the Spirit came upon Amasai, who was the chief of the thirty, and he
said, “We are yours, O David, And with you, O son of Jesse! Peace, peace
to you, And peace to him who helps you; Indeed, your God helps you!”
Then David received them and made them captains of the band.

Amasai, referenced earlier in this study, is not just supportive of David, but also of everyone else
who supports David. He not only declares “Peace, peace” to David, buts also “and peace to him
who helps you.” Amasai is committed to David’s peace and the peace of every other spiritual
son of David. When you endeavour to bring your brothers into peace, you are indirectly
providing strong support to your spiritual father, because your father’s heart is that ALL his sons
are at peace. So then, fostering strong brotherly relationships in peace within the household of
a spiritual father, serves to bring the father into double peace (“Peace, Peace”).

Both David and Joseph expressed their love for their respective fathers, viz. Jesse and Jacob, by
obeying their instructions to ensure the well-being of their brothers by taking food to them.
Seeking the well-being of your brothers, who are the other spiritual sons of your spiritual father,
is a powerful medium of support to your spiritual father.

Beyond the general disposition of love and care we all should have for our fellow brothers and
sisters, some may also be called to a higher dimension of this principle whereby, on behalf of
and representative of your spiritual father, you actively assist in the spiritual building up of
other sons of your spiritual father, in a bid to strengthen the corporate household. Earlier in this
book95, we considered how Timothy, with genuine sincerity and purity of motive, cared for the
Philippian church in exactly the same way as Paul (Phil. 2:19-22). Here below, we examine how
Stephanus and two other individuals supported Paul, by ministering to the people in the city of
Corinth.

• STEPHANUS, FORTUNATUS AND ACHAIUS REFRESHED PAUL

MINISTER TO THE SAINTS IN THE SPHERE/HOUSE OF YOUR FATHER.

1 Cor. 16:15-18
Now I urge you, brethren (you know the household of Stephanas, that they were the first fruits
of Achaia, and that they have devoted themselves for ministry to the saints), that you also be
in subjection to such men and to everyone who helps in the work and labors. I rejoice over the
coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus, because they have supplied what was
lacking on your part. For they have refreshed my spirit and yours. Therefore acknowledge such
men.

Stephanas = Crowned96.

Stephanus and his household dedicated themselves exclusively to minister to the saints of God
in Corinth, particularly those who were fathered spiritually by the Apostle Paul.

Devoted = tássō = To place, set, appoint, arrange, order
To set in a certain order, constitute, appoint97

There was a deliberate intention by Stephanus and his household for ministry to the saints. They
were not only inwardly focused in reference to their own household only, but were fully
conscious that the mandate of God upon their configuration as a household was to be a source
of ministry to the wider Body of Christ in Corinth.

Apart from Crispus and Gauis, Stephanus and his entire household was the only group ever
baptised in water by Paul (1 Cor. 1:14-16). It seems from these incipient stages of spiritual
development, Stephanus grows in stature and maturity in Christ to the place where he and his
household became a source of great encouragement and ministry to believers in Corinth, at
least that segment over which Paul claimed spiritual fathering (1 Cor. 4:15,16).

Those who devote themselves to the ministry of the Word to the saints are destined to rule and
have dominion, as implied by the meaning of Stephanus’ name (‘Crowned’). Paul urges the
households of faith in the city of Corinth to subject themselves to the household of Stephanus,
purely based upon the commitment of that household to minister to the wider Body of the
saints of God.

This is simply not a promise to Stephanus, but to his household or church under his care. Certain
households of faith will be used by God as resource centres for the rest of the Body of Christ.
This is also seen in the book of Revelation where, of the seven churches referenced, the church
at Ephesus is the one whose view of Jesus was one in which He held the seven stars in His right
hand. The seven stars are the seven churches. Thus, Ephesus understood its own state and
assignment, as well as that of the other six churches.

Apart from Stephanus, Fortunatus and Achaicus are mentioned as also having supported and
supplied Paul, in the areas where the entire Corinthian church was deficient. The phrase “they
have supplied what was lacking on your part” literally read in the original Greek is as follows:
“they have made up for your absence”. Three individuals were able to fully represent everyone
in Corinth who was under Paul’s oversight.

Also, by virtue of their support and spiritual ministry, they were a source of refreshment to
Paul’s spirit, AND to the whole of Corinth. They are Paul’s spiritual sons. The character of their
relationship with Paul was not only unidirectional, with them being only beneficiaries of the
relationship. They reciprocated to Paul in being refreshment to his spirit, as well as to other
parts of Corinth under Paul’s sphere or spiritual fathering oversight.

Fortunatus = Prosperous. Well freighted98

Fortunatus is firstly prosperous. He is a wealthy man, and no doubt would have been able to
finance ministry endeavours of Paul and others within Corinth and beyond.

Fortunatus also means ‘well-freighted’. The word freight refers to goods transported or goods in
transit. It alludes to the capacity of Fortunatus to be a resource, furnishing people far beyond
himself. He has the capacity to move resource to where it is needed. He has an impact way
beyond the immediacy of his own local sphere.

Achaicus = Belonging to Achaia = Trouble. Wailing.99

Achaicus is a native of Achaia, meaning ‘trouble and wailing’. He is one who has lived within an
environment of trouble, hardship and weeping. He has emerged as a man of strength and
maturity because of this and thus has much to offer the saints by way of his personal experience
in overcoming trouble and despair.

• HOUSEHOLDS SUPPORTING ONE ANOTHER WITHIN ‘CLANS’ OR ‘TRIBES’

Exodus 12:3-4
3 "Speak to all the congregation of Israel, saying, 'On the tenth of this month they
are each one to take a lamb for themselves, according to their fathers'
households, a lamb for each household.
4 'Now if the household is too small for a lamb, then he and his neighbor nearest
to his house are to take one according to the number of persons in them;
according to what each man should eat, you are to divide the lamb.

Prior to their exodus out of Egypt, Israel was required to observe the Passover meal, where an
entire Lamb was to be slaughtered, its blood placed on the doorpost and lintels, and it was to be
eaten in its entirety, including the entrails. If the capacity of a household was too small to eat an
entire Lamb, the neighbour ‘nearest’ is to combine with that household in eating a single Lamb.
They are to ‘divide’ the lamb, which symbolically represents ‘Christ’. This alludes to deliberately
helping each other to assimilate the principles of Christ, the Lamb of God. Where our brothers
have limited ability to enter into the principle of Lamb, we must come ‘near’ them and ‘divide’ –
unpack and break down the principles into components that are easily assimilated. This
emphasises the need to be more corporately minded and to express a concern and desire for
EVERYBODY to assimilate the grace of Christ thoroughly and completely, so as to ensure the
transition/migration to the next level is entered into by everyone.

• FOSTERING COVENANTAL RELATIONSHIPS WIDELY WITHIN THE BROADER BODY OF
CHRIST

The more global the calling and mandate of one’s apostolic fathering oversight is, the more
important issues of strong support for that individual become. Specifically, strengthening
relationships within specific households, across households, cities and nations becomes a very
critical dynamic. An apostolic leader of great global thrust and impact, who leads multiple
families of churches, can only leverage great influence in terms of the mandate they carry,
dependent upon the strength of the principle of family and covenantal love among all the
individuals within the respective groups - from the smallest unit to the largest. A study of David
and his commitment to fostering conjugal relationships built on love and covenantal loyalty,
demonstrates this principle. A brief treatment of David in this regard is provided here.

The oneness in David’s own household, spilled over to his tribe, Judah. The men of Judah came
up first to acknowledge and support David as Israel’s next legitimate king. Then other tribes
started to follow suit until “all Israel came together to David at Hebron” – 1 Chronicles 11:1.
The effect produced in consolidating his relationships is described as follows:

2 Samuel 3:1
Now there was a long war between the house of Saul and the house of David;
and David grew steadily stronger, but the house of Saul grew weaker continually.

The term ‘house’ in the verse above has a double reference: first it refers to David’s immediate
house - i.e. his wives and children; secondly, and more importantly, it refers to all those that
were covenantly joined to him. A ‘house’ is not a ‘home’ unless there are strong relationships.
The Hebrew word for house (bayith) here also has reference to a dynasty or lineage being
established. David was building something in his relationship that will outlast time and eternity.
Jesus rules presently on the Throne of David.

The more David consolidated his relationships, the more Saul’s house and alliances got
weaker and weaker continually. I really believe that God is calling on us to strengthen our
relationship until they are firmly entrenched, so that they are not tenuous and vulnerable to
easy attacks by the devil. The more we do this, the stronger we become in the greater purposes
of God for our lives, and weaker and weaker our enemies become.

Saul represented significant opposition to David’s destiny. The principle is clear: when you focus
and solidify your covenant relationships, this serves to not just make you stronger, but also it
has the effect of weakening anyone or circumstance that is being used by the devil to halt,
slow down or completely stop the will of God for your life from taking place swiftly.

David was anointed three times in reference to kingship, with each anointing escalating to a
greater degree in respect to the widening of people who witnessed, regarded and endorsed it.

David’s Three Anointings:

a) In Jesse’s House – in the midst of his brothers

1 Sam 16:13,14 Then Samuel took -- the horn of oil, and anointed -- him in the midst of his
brethren: and the Spirit of the Lord came upon David from that day forward. So
Samuel rose up, and went to Ramah. But the Spirit of the Lord departed from
Saul, and an evil spirit from the Lord troubled him.

b) By The tribe of Judah at Hebron – in the midst of the Tribe

2 Sam. 2:1-4 And it came to pass after this, that David inquired of the Lord, saying, Shall I go up
into any of the cities of Judah? And the Lord said unto him, Go up. And David
said, Whither shall I go up? And he said, Unto Hebron. So David went up thither,
and his two wives also, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail Nabal’s wife the
Carmelite.
And his men that were with him did David bring up, every man with his
household: and they dwelt in the cities of Hebron. And the men of Judah came,
and there they anointed -- David king over the house of Judah. And they told
David, saying, That the men of Jabesh-gilead were they that buried -- Saul.

c) By the Whole Nation of Israel at Hebron

2 Sam 5:1-5 Then came all the tribes of Israel to David unto Hebron, and spoke, saying,
Behold, we are thy bone and thy flesh. Also in time past, -- when Saul was king
over us, thou wast he that leddest out and broughtest -- in Israel: and the Lord
said to thee Thou shalt feed -- my people -- Israel, and thou shalt be a captain
over Israel. So all the elders of Israel came to the king to Hebron; and king David
made a league with them in Hebron before the Lord: and they anointed - David
king over Israel. David was thirty years old when he began to reign, and he
reigned forty years. In Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years and six months:
and in Jerusalem he reigned thirty and three years over all Israel and Judah.

These three anointings of David progressively moved from his biological households, amongst
his brothers, to the Tribe of Judah and then to the entirety of all twelve tribes of the nation of
Israel. Each anointing before a specific audience was essential to David’s migration to the next
anointing. Time and space would not permit us to go into detail, but suffice it to say that as
David passed the relationship test at each level, so faster did he move towards occupying the
throne of kingship and so govern the nation according to God’s will and purpose. Also, the
individuals within David’s sphere at each level needed to quickly master covenantal love and
relationships within that sphere, before that same disposition of love and covenant could be
expressed at higher levels. This has serious implications for any leader called to lead a large and
extensive spiritual family, comprised of various ‘clans’, households and families. All the spiritual
sons at each of these levels must powerfully exhibit brotherly love. The stronger the principle of
love and family in a ‘clan’, ‘tribe’ or ‘household’, the greater the governmental authority of that
entity.

• GIDEON ACCESSES GREAT GRACE IN ERADICATING STRIFE FROM ISRAEL THROUGH THE
PRINCIPLE OF PEACE AND ONENESS

Gideon was chosen by God to deliver the nation of Israel from the oppression of the Midianites.

Judges 6:14-16 The Lord looked at him and said, “Go in this your strength and deliver
Israel from the hand of Midian. Have I not sent you?” He said to Him, “O
Lord, how shall I deliver Israel? Behold, my family is the least in
Manasseh, and I am the youngest in my father’s house.” But the Lord said
to him, “Surely I will be with you, and you shall defeat Midian as one
man.”

Gideon felt unqualified for the task for the following reasons:

ü Firstly, the task of delivering Israel from the Midianites was a corporate or national
one. Gideon was overwhelmed by the magnitude and scope of the assignment.

ü Secondly, he had a poor self-image and fractured sense of identity. This was borne out
of the fact that he was the youngest or least in his father’s family or house, and further,
his father’s house was the least within his tribe, Manasseh. The word ‘least’ here, is the
Hebrew word, ‘dal’, which means ‘poor and weak’100. A study of this word in scripture
strongly suggests that the poor were also oppressed, were not influential and were
insignificant, hence powerless to exert any kind of public impact. Such was the heritage
to which Gideon belonged. He and his family were both poor and oppressed. Yet, God
wanted to use a poor and oppressed person to rid Israel of a spirit of oppression by the
Midianites. It seemed highly unlikely that an oppressed person would help a whole
nation which was oppressed. Hence God had to change his mindset and identity. You
cannot deliver someone, especially a whole nation, from the oppression of the same
spirit by which you personally are oppressed.

ü Thirdly, he was from the tribe of Manasseh. Manasseh, before it was a tribe, was the
firstborn son of Joseph whilst he was in Egypt. The name Manasseh means ‘one who
causes to forget’101. He was named so for two reasons cited in scripture below.

Gen. 41:51 Joseph named the firstborn Manasseh, “For,” he said, “God has made me
forget all my trouble and all my father’s household.”

Joseph named Manasseh so because he wanted to forget two things, viz. all his trouble,
and secondly, his father’s entire household. To forget his father’s household would be to
erase and so abort all the legitimate prophetic mandates and purposes attendant with
Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. The principle of a father’s household, incorporates ‘brothers’
and a love for them. By virtue of all the trouble his brothers had caused him, Joseph
elected, at this stage of life, to rather forget them than to forgive them. God would in
time bring him around to deal with his internal hurt and actually forgive his brothers.
When relational tension between you and your brothers in Christ ‘troubles you’, it can
potentially result in instilling a serious negative self image within you and significantly
erode your belief in God’s ability to restore your brother to yourself relationally. The
term ‘Manasseh’ represents all of this, and one can understand why Gideon felt
powerless to be significantly used by God at any level, particularly a national one, where
the welfare of the national brotherhood was at stake.

ü Fourthly, Manasseh forfeited firstborn and birthright privilege. Joseph’s second son
born to him in Egypt was Ephraim. After the eventual reconciliation with his brothers
and Jacob, his father, Joseph brought his two sons to his father for the impartation of a
blessing - see Genesis 48. Recall that Joseph occupied firstborn position in the family
since his eldest brother forfeited it because he slept with his father’s concubine (Gen.
49:3-4). Jacob, now aged and blind, but being governed by the leadership of the Spirit of
God, imparted the blessing of the firstborn to Ephraim and not to Manasseh. As already
stated, Manasseh, secondarily means to forget my father’s household’. The principle of
a father’s household in scripture represents the vehicle or medium through which God’s
purposes would be transmitted. Thus to forget his father’s house would equate to
abandoning a commitment to fulfill God’s purposes. Joseph first forgot HIS TROUBLE and
then as a result, he elected to FORGET HIS FATHER’S HOUSE. Your personal trouble with
brothers should not cause you to forget and so detach from the person of your spiritual
father and the Divine purposes vested within him. If you do so, your brother’s ‘trouble’
inflicted on you may just cause you to forfeit the ‘double’ portion of grace which could
potentially flow from the father to you. Part of the firstborn son responsibility was to
commit to fulfilling the father’s wishes and desires. Hence Manasseh could not receive
the blessing of firstborn privilege and power for he represented a non-commitment to
carry out Divine assignments. Gideon hails from such a tribe and sphere, and God has
huge expectations of him. His tribe is fraught with serious deficiencies and limitations,
and if he is to be to used by God, he must overcome them. But how?
Gideon has an encounter with God, who appears to him as ‘The Lord is Peace’ (Judges 6:24).
This is the term ‘Jehovah Shalom’. It was vital that God manifests himself to Gideon as a God of
Peace, so that Gideon imbibes and assimilates into his person and identity this dynamic of peace
within God. As we behold the glory of God, we are transformed into that image we see, from
glory to glory (2 Cor.3:18). So Gideon gets a glimpse into the character of God as PEACE, and he,
too, becomes PEACE. This is important because Midian means ‘strife and contention’102. One
can only successfully deal with a spirit of strife from being the embodiment of its opposite, viz.
peace. Gideon now is ready to take up the assignment.

Here is the great lesson. Gideon was told he would defeat Midian as ONE man. This was not a
reference to himself but to an army of 300 men. The number 300 in scripture represents
oneness. But before this army could function in oneness, their leader, Gideon had to be the
complete representation of PEACE, an essential ingredient of oneness. What he became as a
man, became the disposition and strength of his army. Gideon and his army were successful in
destroying the Midianites aided by the Lord.

Gideon accessed great grace and empowerment from God. His men supported him by becoming
everything he was in character. Gideon overcome the deficiencies and limitations of his small,
poor, oppressed family and that of the negative associations of Manasseh in forfeiting firstborn
privilege and honour, simply because apart from being chosen by God for the assignment, he
displayed a willingness to solve a national problem from an extremely weak position by
natural accounts. Yet because he elected to obey God and execute God’s macro-purposes for
the nation of Israel, his micro-limitations were overcome. May I encourage you that as you,
too, provide strong support for your leadership in dealing with significant threats and enemies
of a corporate nature, that God will endow you with abundant grace that breaks the limitations
and deficiencies of your immediate sphere and world. When you say, “YES” to being used of
God for His wider plans and purposes, He provides you with the required grace and strength to
make up for any perceived weakness you may have.

Chapter 13 Case Study Eleven
John Mark Supported Paul and Peter

Up to now in this writing, we have examined instances in which a spiritual son offers support
and help to his spiritual father, who is his spiritual father directly, i.e. the immediate and
primary source of grace impartation through his doctrine and life. In this case study, we observe
John Mark, and look at how a spiritual son can provide strong support not only to his own
spiritual father (i.e. Peter), but also to an apostolic father who is not his spiritual father (i.e.
Paul). Also, as we do this, we will extrapolate important principles to consider when dealing
with spiritual sons who exhibit strong support in one season and then, for whatever reason,
retract it. These sons might be destined to play a significant role in facilitating divine purpose
attendant with their own spiritual father, or another.

• John Mark In Prayerful Support for the Deliverance of Peter from Prison

Our first encounter with John Mark in Scripture is a reference to his presence in the home of his
mother, Mary, where believers were gathered together to pray for Peter’s deliverance from
Prison.

Acts 12:12 And when he realized this, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John
who was also called Mark, where many were gathered together and were
praying.

Here we observe John in active prayerful support for Peter, whom the Scriptures indicate was
his spiritual father, for Peter directly identifies him as his ‘son’ in the Lord.

1 Pet. 5:13 Your sister church here in Babylon sends you greetings, and so does my son
Mark.

So John Mark was accustomed to offering strong prayer, together with others, with very
powerful results, as is evidenced by Peter’s dramatic and supernatural release from prison
(Read Acts 12).

• John Mark Accompanied Barnabas and Paul on their first practical Ministry Expedition

When a severe famine affected the region of Judea, believers in Antioch gathered relief
products. Barnabas and Paul were commissioned to take these contributions to the elders there
in Jerusalem. After fulfilling this mission in Jerusalem, on their return to Antioch, they took John
Mark along with them.

Acts 11:27-30 Now at this time some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch.
One of them named Agabus stood up and began to indicate by the Spirit
that there would certainly be a great famine all over the world. And this
took place in the reign of Claudius. And in the proportion that any of the
disciples had means, each of them determined to send a contribution for
the relief of the brethren living in Judea. And this they did, sending it in
charge of Barnabas and Saul to the elders.

Acts 12:25 And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem when they had fulfilled their
mission, taking along with them John, who was also called Mark.

This was John Mark’s first taste and expression of active support to those called on a spiritual
assignment. Paul and Barnabas would later be sent on a spiritual assignment to dispense grace
through the Word of the Lord on their so-called first apostolic journey (Acts 13). But they were
first entrusted to faithfully distribute actual goods to those in a physical famine. Thereafter, they
would dispense doctrine to those in a spiritual famine. On this assignment, they would take
John Mark along with them. What was John Mark been taught here?

The lessons he learned is:

ü When you are faithful with little things, you will be entrusted with great things.
ü When you are faithful with little things, you will have rulership over greater things.
ü When you are faithful with natural things, you will be entrusted with spiritual things.
ü You will do exactly with the spiritual what you have done with the natural.
ü First the natural, then the spiritual.
ü If you can express practical support to those assigned with natural tasks in God’s
kingdom, you are eligible to exhibit practical support to those assigned to spiritual
missions.

Acts 12:25 And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem when they had fulfilled their
mission, taking along with them John, who was also called Mark.

• John Mark accompanied Paul and Barnabas on their first apostolic journey from Antioch.

Acts 13:4,5 So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia and from there
they sailed to Cyprus. When they reached Salamis, they began to proclaim the
word of God in the synagogues of the Jews; and they also had John as their
helper.

He is described as their ‘helper’ or ‘minister’ (KJV).

Helper / Minister = Hupērétēs;
From ‘hupó = under, beneath and ‘erétēs’ = a rower.
A subordinate, servant, attendant, or assistant in general.
The subordinate official who waits to accomplish the commands of his
superior103.

This word describes an under-oarsman, i.e. an under-rower, subordinate rower. The word
describes one who is an attendant supporting with his hands. Rowers provide forward
movement and acceleration to ships. Such was the effect of John Mark’s help on Paul and
Barnabas’ ministry. Whatever the nature of his help was, its observable impact was to provide
momentum to the apostolic efforts of Paul and Barnabas.

Sadly, John Mark deserted Paul and Barnabas in the middle of their first apostolic mission.

Acts 13:13 Now Paul and his companions put out to sea from Paphos and came to Perga in
Pamphylia; but John left them and returned to Jerusalem.

The phrase, ‘LEFT THEM’ in the Greek, simply means to ‘GO AWAY’, i.e. he distanced himself
from them. John could not endure the rigours, demands and costs associated with true
apostolic ministry. He deserted Paul and Barnabas at Perga. Perhaps he was not sufficiently
configured for apostolic work and was taken with them prematurely. Perhaps he considered
self-preservation above fulfilling the mission of ministry. Contrast this with Paul’s self-sacrificial
service in ministry without thought for his personal welfare or security as recorded in Acts
20:22-24.

Acts 20:22-24 And now, behold, bound by the Spirit, I am on my way to Jerusalem, not knowing
what will happen to me there, except that the Holy Spirit solemnly testifies to me
in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions await me. But I do not consider my
life of any account as dear to myself, so that I may finish my course and the
ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel of
the grace of God.

An Aside: Demas forsook Paul having loved this present world. Those who love this present
world (lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes and pride of life), will always forsake valid
Apostles in their work (cf. Lot deserting Abraham and positioning his tent
‘toward’ Sodom - Gen.13). The name ‘Demas’ means ‘popular and ruler of the
people’104, i.e. he loved popularity and positions of leadership. Those who seek
fame and ascendency over others are not fit for true apostolic work.

As their second Apostolic mission was about to commence, Paul had a sharp contention as
whether or not to take John Mark with them. Barnabas insisted they do; Paul refused to.


Acts 15:36-41
And some days after Paul said unto Barnabas, Let us go again and visit our brethren in every city
where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they do. And Barnabas determined
to take with them John, whose surname was Mark. But Paul thought not good to take him with
them, who departed from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work. And the
contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other: and so
Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus; And Paul chose Silas, and departed, being
recommended by the brethren unto the grace of God. And he went through Syria and Cilicia,
confirming the churches.

Paul obviously had good reason not to take John Mark. It was not just the fact that he deserted
them. I reckon that …

• Paul did not want to expose John Mark to apostolic warfare - warfare, which perhaps
he was not prepared for spiritually, as proven by his desertion of them whilst they were in the
throes of spiritual work. Paul was highly principled, especially on apostolic missions, and highly
selective as to who he would take along with him. True Apostolic work is serious business and
has attendant with it some of the most intense levels of spiritual warfare. Not just anyone
should accompany a true Apostle, if they do not understand and are not willing to embrace the
rigours and sufferings that are attached to it. I have personally witnessed individuals, spiritually
unfit for specific apostolic missions even as an accompanying aid to apostles, come off with
negative results in their personal lives.

• Paul considered John Mark ‘unworthy, unfit or unsuitable’ for the task as indicated by
the Greek term, axióō’, translated ‘good’ in the phrase “Paul thought not good to take him
with them” (see verse 38). In Paul’s mind, John Mark rendered himself ineligible for use, for he
proved unprofitable to them on their first apostolic mission and perhaps causing them the
exertion of extra effort, when in fact it need not have been that way.

• Paul did not want to present the wrong image or representation of ministers of the
Gospel to the world, and especially to those they would minister to. John Mark did not display
consistency, courage, faithfulness, honour and loyalty. He did not, at this stage, have a
‘finishing mentality’. God is a ‘finisher’ and always finishes whatever He starts. Jesus is called
‘author’ and ‘finisher’ of faith (Heb. 12:2). Paul was determined to finish his call to and work of
ministry, and actually verbalised this intent (Acts 20:24). He then accomplished it, for he said in
his final epistle that he had finished his race (2 Tim. 4:7). Whilst on the cross, before Jesus said,
“It is finished” (John 19:30), He prayed in the garden, “I have finished the work you have called
me to” (John 17:4). The principle is clear - before He actually finished the work, He lived in the
power of that future reality in the present moment. All spiritual sons, in their support of their
spiritual fathers, must demonstrate consistency and intensity in how they do so. They must
refuse to be erratic, for they have a mindset of an already accomplished purpose of God within
them, even while they journey toward that point.
• It would seem that Paul had two simultaneous or dual concerns. He was very concerned for
…
ü John Mark, THE PERSON,
ü God’s Will, THE PURPOSE.

So Paul probably had concerns for John Mark as a person on the one hand, and on the other
hand, had concerns for the success of the apostolic mission ahead of them. Principled Apostles
would rather offend you than seek to please you. They are concerned that you and the purposes
of God not be compromised. Paul considered the MAN, John Mark, against the MANDATE, the
purpose of God. At this point in time, the one would have jeopardised the other. The man
would have potentially compromised the success of the mandate.

A word of caution and balance here: In pursuing the success of the purposes of God, do not
judgementally discard those who seem ineligible to function therein at the present time
because of their apparent current or past weakness or failure. As you read on, this truth will be
demonstrated.

A General Encouragement ‘NOT TO TURN BACK’:

In Paul’s mind, John Mark rendered himself ineligible to serious Apostolic-related ministry. John
mark ‘turned back’ from his engagement as a helper to Paul and Barnabas. May I encourage you
not to ‘turn back’ from ministerial tasks to which you are called.

No one who puts his hands to the plough and turns back, is fit for the kingdom.

Luke 9:57-62
57 As they were going along the road, someone said to Him, “I will follow You wherever You
go.”
58 And Jesus said to him, “The foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests, but the
Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.”
59 And He said to another, “Follow Me.” But he said, “Lord, permit me first to go and bury
my father.”
60 But He said to him, “Allow the dead to bury their own dead; but as for you, go and
proclaim everywhere the kingdom of God.”
61 Another also said, “I will follow You, Lord; but first permit me to say good-bye to those at
home.”
62 But Jesus said to him, “No one, after putting his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit
for the kingdom of God.”

Farmers who plough a furrow do it in straight lines. Hence the farmer or ploughman must look
straight before him at the line of the furrow which he is making. To look back, while working, is
to mar the work entirely. Similarly, the man who looks back is therefore disqualified for the
work of God’s kingdom. Note the text indicates that the hands might still be on the plough, but
there is no focus of the eyes on the task.

2 Tim. 2:3-4 Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier in active
service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the
one who enlisted him as a soldier.

The imagery of the soldier here is employed to denote one who is so focused on his assignment
that he avoids being seduced away from it, and become embroiled, in an almost irretractable
manner, in life’s basic concerns.

Barnabas, on the other hand, was insistent on taking John Mark, probably for the following
reasons:

v John Mark was his cousin.

Col. 4:10 Aristarchus, who is in prison with me, sends you his greetings, and so does Mark,
Barnabas’s cousin. As you were instructed before, make Mark welcome if he
comes your way. (NLT)

Perhaps nepotism and sentiment influenced Barnabas. We cannot be absolutely certain, but this
is a possibility.

v The name Barnabas means ‘Son of Consolation’ or ‘Son of Encouragement’105. Consolation
and comfort was therefore part of his character make-up. Perhaps he sought to be a source
of encouragement to John Mark and work on his weaknesses so that he transforms those
into strengths.

v Barnabas was a Prophet, or strongly prophetic and hence had a great capacity for
encouraging others. Barnabas was among the five leaders listed as part of the Antioch
church leadership, all of whom were either prophets or teachers. I suspect that Barnabas
was most likely a prophet at that stage of his ministry (He would be identified as an apostle
later in Acts 14:4,14), because his name denotes one who consoles or encourages, and the
prophetic ministry seeks to “edify, exhort and comfort” (1 Cor. 14:3). Generally,
encouragement to others seemed to flow naturally and effortlessly with Barnabas. Consider
the text below:

Acts 11:22-24 The news about them reached the ears of the church at Jerusalem, and
they sent Barnabas off to Antioch. Then when he arrived and witnessed
the grace of God, he rejoiced and began to encourage them all with
resolute heart to remain true to the Lord; for he was a good man, and
full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And considerable numbers were
brought to the Lord.

We would all do well, in this respect to be like Barnabas and seek to EXCEL in our capacity to
edify and encourage others.

v Being prophetic, and having prophetic foresight, Barnabas could probably perceive of and
envision John Mark’s transformation from someone who previously was unprofitable, to
one who would be vitally useful later on. In this regard, it is imperative that we judge and
relate to people on the basis of their prophetic future and not so much on their current
failure. But also, exercise caution, for both Paul and Barnabas’ seemingly opposing positions
relative to John Mark, need not be necessarily seen as negatively contradictory, but as what
principles are to be considered whenever someone fails. There should be the joint and
balanced dual processes of encouragement based on prophetic sight, but not premature
thrusting into areas of ministry for which the individual may not be prepared.

Thank God that Barnabas did have the patience to deal with John Mark where Paul, for good
reason, was intolerant. There are lessons to learn from both Paul and Barnabas’ dispositions.
Today, in our Bibles, we have the book of Mark, written by this same John Mark as a scribe to
Peter, because someone (Barnabas) discerned his potential and took the time to encourage
him.

In Rome, whilst in prison, Paul called for John Mark - because the work in Rome demanded
John’s involvement. By this time, which is some years after the incident of Paul refusing to take
John Mark on their second mission, John Mark had transformed to be a credible servant of
Christ, and writer of the Gospel of Mark.

2 Tim. 4:11 Only Luke is with me. Pick up Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me
for service.

Useful = eúchrēstos = proftable

This word ‘useful’ is interesting. It is used in the Scriptures here below:

2 Tim. 2:21 Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from these things, he will be a vessel for
honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work

The Greek word for ‘vessel’, skeúos 106 , is used to denote a special instrument thoroughly
equipped for some special spiritual service for the Lord. Paul was a chosen vessel to bear God’s
name before the Gentiles (Acts 9:15). This word has the idea of God’s special choosing of an
individual for some specific spiritual assignment.

The usage of this Greek word suggests that John Mark proved himself as a vessel of honour,
although having failed Paul in the past. He is now not just ‘useful’ but ‘prepared’.

Paul, who rejected using John Mark years before, now requests Timothy to bring John Mark to
him because John Mark seemingly is now ideally developed and positioned to be of benefit to
the ministry endeavours of Paul. Remember, that in his last days before he died, it would
appear that Paul was lonely. Only Luke was with him and he requested Timothy to come to him
soon before the onset of winter. The people we reject in one season may be the only people
that may be of the most benefit to us in a later season. Hence it is wise to, in the face of a
weakness or flaw in someone’s character, not to outrightly reject them, but to make some room
within our hearts and lives in reference to that person, in the hope of their restoration and
transformation. Consider the ‘look’ of mercy and compassion on Jesus’ face to Peter, who
denied him three times. Jesus saw that in less than two months from that point, this same
fearful Peter would stand boldly on the day of Pentecost to defend the era of the Holy Spirit’s
outpouring at Pentecost. Peter retracted his support of Jesus in one season, but in the very next
season became the first and greatest spokesperson for Christ. Those who speak against us now,
may very well, because of God’s work within them, speak up for you tomorrow. So, do not hold
an obsolete and outdated opinion of the person, because you may rob yourself of the blessing
that this transformed person could be to you.

The book of Colossians was written in approximately AD 60 and 2 Timothy in approximately AD
66-67. He requests for John Mark in 2 Timothy, but approximately seven years earlier in
Colossians 4:10, Paul here is already using his authority and influence as an Apostle to pave and
prepare the way for John Mark to be well received by the Church at Colosse.

Col. 4:10 Aristarchus, who is in prison with me, sends you his greetings, and so does Mark,
Barnabas’s cousin. As you were instructed before, make Mark welcome if he
comes your way. (NLT)

Paul never set his foot in Colosse. Those believers there never saw Paul’s face (Col. 2:1). But
now, Paul authoritatively facilitates John Mark’s possible visit to them. This too proves Paul’s
genuinely turned heart and mindset with regards to John Mark.

SUPPORTING APOSTLES WHO ARE NOT OUR SPIRITUAL FATHERS

• A spiritual son could be of benefit to the Apostolic work of an Apostle, who is not their
spiritual father. John Mark was Peter’s spiritual son in the Lord, and yet Paul requests for him
when he is in Rome because John Mark is useful to him for ministry there.

1 Pet. 5:13 Your sister church here in Babylon sends you greetings, and so does my son
Mark.

This is a very powerful display of how spiritual fathers must not be so territorial over their sons,
that they cannot release them to be of service to another spiritual father. There are unique
expressions of God’s will attendant with a specific apostolic spiritual father within a particular
jurisdiction, e.g. a city, and spiritual sons who may be aligned to spiritual fathers outside of
those cities, should also connect to and support these apostles in their execution of God’s will
for the city - whilst remaining faithful to their spiritual fathers who may be residing in other
cities.

• God’s will within a city requires co-operation and collaboration between key apostolic
graces and this may require sons giving strong support to other spiritual fathers.

The Corinthian church became divided around the issue of loyalty to specific spiritual fathers.
They lost sight of the representation of Christ, which all spiritual fathers seek to amplify, and
the intention of God for the city.

1 Cor. 1:10-13
10 Now I exhort you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all agree and
that there be no divisions among you, but that you be made complete in the same mind
and in the same judgment.
11 For I have been informed concerning you, my brethren, by Chloe’s people, that there are
quarrels among you.
12 Now I mean this, that each one of you is saying, “I am of Paul,” and “I of Apollos,” and “I of
Cephas,” and “I of Christ.”
13 Has Christ been divided? Paul was not crucified for you, was he? Or were you baptized in
the name of Paul?

1 Cor. 3:1-6
1 And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual men, but as to men of flesh, as to
infants in Christ.
2 I gave you milk to drink, not solid food; for you were not yet able to receive it. Indeed, even
now you are not yet able, for you are still fleshly.
3 For since there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not fleshly, and are you not
walking like mere men?
4 For when one says, “I am of Paul,” and another, “I am of Apollos,” are you not mere men?
5 What then is Apollos? And what is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, even as the
Lord gave opportunity to each one.
6 I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth.

Some in Corinth were fathered by and thus loyal to Paul, some to Appollos and some to Peter.
Their affiliations divided them and this should not have been so, because Paul would argue that
Christ is not divided. Paul equated this division to carnality and immaturity, and both of these
dispositions seriously impact the purposes of God within a city. Spiritual fathers should have the
liberty to cross-pollinate their respective sons in a particular city, in preference for and
deference to a far higher priority, viz. to see God’s will done in a city. It will take the
complementary working together of a compendium of apostolic fathering graces to fulfill
Christ’s purpose for any city. This too, is seen when Jesus rode on the donkey and its colt, a
symbol of fathering and sonship, that He sat on the coats or mantles that all twelve apostles
placed on them.

• Spiritual sons of spiritual fathers are really God’s Divine Sons, who are ‘sons of the kingdom’
according Matthew 13.

Matt. 13:38 and the field is the world; and as for the good seed, these are the sons of the
kingdom; and the tares are the sons of the evil one

Spiritual fathers must not become territorial over their sons, but be willing to release them to
be of benefit to Apostles who have mandates for specific cities, in which they either reside or
not. More than spiritual sons being sons to specific spiritual fathers, they are in essence God’s
sons, and should have a much broader concern for the advancement of the Kingdom, and not
just the specific aspects of the mandate that their own spiritual fathers carry. Loyalty to one’s
spiritual father and the associated mandate is critically important for a spiritual son. Much of
this in itself should not be a prohibitive factor when a situation demands that the son be sent
and empowered to be of benefit to another spiritual father for some aspects of KINGDOM
advancement, especially as it relates to building God’s purposes within a city.

An Aside: Paul requested Peter’s son, John Mark, to assist him in ministry in Rome, but Paul
too demonstrated his own willingness to send Onesimus to Philemon, although
he would have loved to have kept him back in Rome.

Phil. 1:11 I appeal to you for my child Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my
imprisonment, who formerly was useless to you, but now is useful both to you
and to me.

Phil. 1:12-14 I have sent him back to you in person, that is, sending my very heart, whom I
wished to keep with me, so that on your behalf he might minister to me in my
imprisonment for the gospel; but without your consent I did not want to do
anything, so that your goodness would not be, in effect, by compulsion but of
your own free will.

What Paul desired to REAP in his use of someone else’ spiritual son, he was willing to SOW in
sending his own spiritual son to be of benefit to a fellow minister.

Note also the phrase ‘I have sent him back to you in person, that is, sending my very heart”:

v In sending his son, Onesimus, Paul is sending HIS HEART. In other words, this sending is a
genuine reflection of Paul’s desire. It is not simply for political correctness or wanting to
be seen to be corporately or Kingdom minded, yet without heart sincerity.

v A spiritual father should never send his son if he is not also prepared to send his heart.

v A son of a father should not be sent, if that son does not reflect the father’s heart.

Consider this too, that Paul never visited the city of Colosse, but used his influence over them to
lovingly welcome John Mark there. Here we see the efforts of a spiritual son of a specific
spiritual father, being made easy or facilitated by a different spiritual father, who is not his
father directly.

Note the following:

(a) Paul did not physically go to Colosse but had a profound impact in and through his
spiritual sons represented there, as well as through John Mark, who is not his son, but
Peter’s. Peter thus, too. has an apostolic influence in Colosse via John Mark.

(b) Peter had no direct influence in Rome - but he did in essence have - by sending his son,
John Mark, to Rome to be of benefit to Paul.

• Whilst Onesimus is of benefit to Paul and he really wanted to keep him with him, Paul does
not, but sends him back to Philemon, because he placed greater priority over the restored
relationship with Philemon and Onesimus, than his personal desire to use Onesimus in
ministry. What Paul realised is what we all should take note of today, viz. successful
apostolic sending and ministry is built on the foundation of reconciled and restored
relationships that reflect the nature of Christ. Too many seek to do apostolic work with a
history of broken and unreconciled relationships. There are some relationships which may
never be reconcilable (see 2 Tim. 3:3), but we ourselves should never be carnally
responsible for their breakdown.

Paul followed protocol. Do not recruit the services of the spiritual son of another spiritual
father if that son’s relationship with his father is not good or strained by virtue of the
son’s disobedience in any respect. Before Paul even thinks of using Onesmius in Rome, he
seeks to restore Onesimus’ broken relationship with Philemon. You cannot do apostolic
work with a legacy of broken relationships behind you, for which you were directly
responsible for breaking for no acceptable biblical reason, and further have no passion nor
priority to seek reconciliation or restoration of such relationships.

• The issue of not functioning beyond your ‘sphere’ or ‘metron’:

Paul was called as an apostle to the Gentiles, and Peter an Apostle to the Jews (Gal. 2:8). It is
important to stay within the sphere in which you have been configured to effectively function
in. Paul had his greatest success amongst Gentiles, and Peter amongst the Jews. When Peter
went to work amongst Gentiles in the province of Galatia, a racist proclivity was revealed within
him, for which Paul had occasion to publicly rebuke him (See Gal.2). There are times when God
will not send to you to a particular context, for that context will reveal certain sinful or carnal
tendencies or inclinations within you. When these are exposed, it will discredit the message you
bring.

Now, how is it that John Mark, the recipient of Peter’s grace configuration to the Jews, is able to
be of benefit to Paul, whose grace configuration has Gentiles as its main focus? The simple
answer is that when John Mark goes to assist Paul, he comes under the impartational grace
flow, empowerment and authoritative protection of that divine grace within Paul as well. All of
these dynamics are important considerations when seeking to facilitate the efficient execution
of God’s purposes for a particular city.

• Paul was Very Conscious of not Boasting in the ‘Sphere’ or ‘Labours’ of Someone Else.

2 Corinthians 10:12-16
12 For we are not bold to class or compare ourselves with some of those who commend
themselves; but when they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves
with themselves, they are without understanding.
13 But we will not boast beyond our measure, but within the measure of the sphere which
God apportioned to us as a measure, to reach even as far as you.
14 For we are not overextending ourselves, as if we did not reach to you, for we were the
first to come even as far as you in the gospel of Christ;
15 not boasting beyond our measure, that is, in other men’s labors, but with the hope that
as your faith grows, we will be, within our sphere, enlarged even more by you,
16 so as to preach the gospel even to the regions beyond you, and not to boast in what has
been accomplished in the sphere of another.

Every apostle of God has a sphere of ministry, which will incorporate certain people groups, to
which they will be sent. Attempting to do apostolic work to a people, to which God has not sent
you, may very well lead you to entering into the sphere or domain of some other apostle. There
were believers in the city of Corinth who came under Pauls’ apostolic spiritual fatherhood
(Some were fathered by Peter and still others by Apollos). Pauls’ sphere or measure of apostolic
ministry included some at Corinth and obviously a host of other people in other cities. Paul
makes a remarkable statement to those in Corinth who related to him. He states to them that
within his sphere of apostolic ministry, he will be enlarged by the growing faith of the
Corinthians (See 2 Cor. 10:15 quoted above). This will manifest itself even by the spread of
apostolic ministry in jurisdictions beyond the city of Corinth. So these Corinthians can have a
positive impact on the enlargement within Paul as an Apostle. Here again is additional proof of
how strong support given to an apostolic father can significantly elevate him to a wider and
higher place of functionality.

Chapter 14 Case Study Twelve
Jesus’ Obedience Supported His Father’s Will

‘ Obedience Unto Death’

He HUMBLED Himself by becoming Obedient
Phil. 2:8
If God resists the proud but give grace to the humble, what then is the ultimate expression and
evidence of humility? OBEDIENCE

“He HUMBLED Himself BY BECOMING … OBEDIENT … to the point of death … on a cross.” (Phil.
2:8)

Humility is prerequisite to obedience and the proof of humility is obedience. We can think that
we are humble all we want to, but the litmus test of a humble heart is the degree to which you
accept, agree with and actually practice God’s principles or view of things in all aspects. This is
particularly true when God’s will requires of you A DARING and COURAGEOUS act of OBEDIENCE
to the point of ‘death’ to self. Great grace is given to the humble person where this humility, a
lowly disposition of spirit and soul, is expressed as obedience to God and His Word.

God blesses obedience to His Word. His Word contains, not just His mind and intelligence, but
also His essence, His grace. His grace is the foundational basis upon which everything of His
glory rests. His Glory is full of grace and truth, truth being His Word. His Words are Spirit and
life. His Word, like His Grace, is spirit. Grace is the immaterial compositional make-up of God as
Spirit, and His Word, which is spirit and life, is the means by which grace is communicated to
men.

The goal of grace reception is the display of God’s glory, i.e. the exact representation of His
nature must be shown visibly to men (Study John 1 and Heb.1). Thus it is clear to see that,
although you receive grace the instant you hear and receive the Word of God, it is only when
you obey the Word, that the resident grace inherent within the Word exhibits the glory or
character of God in you. Grace is the substructure of glory. Glory is made apparent to the
observer when the Word in which grace is contained and transported to the hearer, is
practically obeyed. A measure of grace may be received through the hearing of the Word, but
glory is put on display through the obedience of that Word.

The act of accurately hearing God’s Word is critically important. Certain spiritual transactions
take place via the means of HEARING the Word. For example, faith comes by hearing. Faith is
really the impartation of the underlying nature of God (the Greek term ‘hupostasis’) given to us
in the act of hearing His Word. The effect of this is that we develop unswerving confidence and
assurance in the capacity of His person and character to do whatever He has determined His will
is to accomplish. Also, Jesus told His disciples that they are “already clean” through the Words
which they hear. So cleansing can take place through hearing accurately. Similarly, when I hear
God’s Word, a measure of grace is already imparted to my spirit. Through the act of obedience,
by which I demonstrate ultimate humility, I harness the fullest measure of grace intended to be
imparted through that Word I heard, so that grace transforms to glory in me. Remember, grace
attends humility, and if obedience reflects humility, then although some grace is received in the
hearing of the Word, the fullest grace-potential is activated and becomes ignited to be
operational in and through OBEDIENCE.

Remember, the whole intent of grace reception through authentic apostolic ministry, is
widespread obedience in whole nations:

Rom.1:5 through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the
obedience of faith among all the Gentiles for His name’s sake

For the grace resident within the Word of God heard to be practically operative in your life so as
to attain the fullness of its potential outworking, there must be obedience to the Word to
manifest God’s glory. Otherwise, the received grace in the Word, would be received in vain. Paul
said that he did not receive grace in vain, but that he ‘worked’ (1 Cor.15:10.ff.). In other words,
having received grace, he practically obeyed the call of God in his life by doing something - i.e.
obeying that grace-filled Word.

Grace attends humility, because humility is most powerfully expressed when one can commit
the representation of oneself to another party. That another represents you accurately is only
possible because you have invested yourself within them, in whom the requirement for them
would be to die to themselves, to their own ambitions and inclinations. God committed the
presentation of Himself to man. The lowly position of humility characterised by obedience to
the point of death to self within us, is absolutely vital if we are to accurately represent His glory
and become His reputation. He fills us with His grace via His Word spoken through His servants
(e.g. spiritual fathers) sent to us.

Humility in us attracts grace, when in us, there is total death to anything that might stand in
opposition to His desire for us to represent Him completely. The ultimate expression of
humility within us would then be the actual enactment of obedience on our part to His grace-
pregnant Word. Grace attends our humble disposition and desire to do His will obediently. As
we obey, the resident grace within the Word, which provides the medium of reception of the
Divine essence in Spirit, now visibly portrays that nature before men in terms of Divine
character in ways men might recognise as God. Again I stress, for all of this to take place,
humility expressed as obedience to the point of death to self, is essential. It is pointless
believing that one is humble and thus a candidate qualifying for the reception of ‘greater’ grace,
when in fact you do not have any inclination to obey God - the actual ultimate indication of
humility - and thereby showcase God’s glory to the world.
To Summarise : Without humility, grace is inaccessible. Without grace, glory is impossible.
Without glory, Divinity remains invisible. Costly and courageous
obedience is the ultimate expression and evidence of humility, the basis
of grace, which manifests as glory. Grace that attends humility manifests
God's glory in the act of daring obedience.

THE CORPORATE EFFECT AND POWER OF SINGULAR OBEDIENCE

Rom.5:17-20For if by the transgression of the one, death reigned through the one, much more
those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will
reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ. So then as through one transgression
there resulted condemnation to all men, even so through one act of
righteousness there resulted justification of life to all men. For as through the
one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, even so through the
obedience of the One the many will be made righteous. The Law came in so that
the transgression would increase; but where sin increased, grace abounded all
the more, so that, as sin reigned in death, even so grace would reign through
righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Adam’s personal obedience brought unrighteousness and death upon MANY. Through the
individual obedience of Jesus, He opened a means by which MANY could be made righteous. Do
not underestimate the disobedience or obedience of ONE PERSON. It has an effect on a whole
host of people. Achan’s personal sin hampered the progression of the whole nation of Israel
(Joshua 7). In obeying, realise that you are not just acting privately, but corporately. Refuse the
temptation to disobey, because you highly apprise the corporate state and welfare of the
people with whom you associate.

Failure to love God by not loving and obeying His Word has deep implications on your attitude
towards your brothers and sisters in the Body of Christ.

1 John 5:2-3 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and
observe His commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep His
commandments; and His commandments are not burdensome.

This text suggests that one does not love the Body of Christ - the family of God - your brothers
and sisters in Christ - when you demonstrate a lack of love for God by disobeying His Word.
Loving God and His Word is not a personal or private matter per se, since disobedience to His
commandments provide evidence of a lack of love for God, and this disobedience adversely
affects the community of saints to which you belong (cf. the negative affect that the sin of
Achan had on Israel’s success in warfare – Joshua 7).

To disobey is to be selfish. To obey will require selflessness. Disobedience is then indicative of
pride and places the ‘I’ at the centre. Obedience indicates humility because it positions the
corporate welfare of brothers as a priority above one’s own inclinations, ambitions and
comforts.

The letter ‘I’ in the centre of the word ‘PRIDE’ stands tall and arrogant. It becomes an ‘H’ when
you lay it down on its side. It must bend, bowing down laterally to become the ‘H’ in Humility.
May the 'I' in you and me bow low in self-humility to receive greater grace through our
obedience to God and His Word. God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble (James
4:6; 1 Pet. 5:5).

EXAMPLES ILLUSTRATING THE EFFECT OF GRACE UPON SELFLESS, HUMBLE OBEDIENCE THAT
BRINGS MANY INTO A STATE OF GLORY

v JESUS

Jesus, full of grace and truth and the epitome of humility, humbled Himself by becoming
OBEDIENT unto death on the cross.

Phil. 2:8 Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient
to the point of death, even death on a cross.

Note: “He humbled Himself BY BECOMING OBEDIENT”.
The NKJV frames it this way: “He humbled Himself AND became obedient”

Becoming/Became = ginomai = to begin to be, that is, to come into existence or into any
state; to have come into existence or simply to be107.

Obedience is a state you come into. It is a state of being – a state of existence. It must be a
constant state that we all seek to abide in and never move out from. This humility should be a
permanent disposition by which we are to be characterised.

Obedience, whose expression evidences humility, is a willingness to obey God, without any
concern for the preservation of security, provision, self-interest, etc. Disobedience then
becomes an indication and expression of PRIDE, for he who disobeys God, places his view and
desire above that of God’s. When God requires courageous acts of obedience, the natural and
carnal mind perceives the associated cost as resulting in loss. The prideful, self-centred
individual fails to comply with God’s expectation, simply because the need to preserve SELF and
deal with the fear of potential loss ranks higher as a necessary survival disposition than the
need to resign oneself with abandon to God’s will.

When you think you are going to lose anything through an act of obedience to God, little do you
know that the act of obedience which costs you everything is actually the doorway through
which you enter everything God has earmarked for your life. From a human perspective, you
may stand to lose much, but from a spiritual perspective, you gain all.

Matt. 10:37,38 “He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; and
he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he
who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. He
who has found his life will lose it, and he who has lost his life for My sake
will find it.

Jesus Obeyed By Grace

There is something about the power of grace I want to emphasise here. Grace received through
the Word of God is not only an impartation of the compositional, constituent and immaterial
property within the Godhead as a Spirit being. More than this, this grace is actually the principle
power by which I can courageously obey a command of God, a command which may seem in
the flesh to be very costly to me. You might think that it would be impossible for you to obey,
but that is only because you view it naturally from a human perspective and based on what you
are humanly capable of doing. But if you tap into and rely upon the grace you receive by hearing
the Word, that same grace will be the source of empowerment meant to spur you on to obey
that Word. Jesus’ humility attracted greater grace to His person. It was really the grace
attendant with His humble heart that was actually the means He employed to obey His Father’s
will for Him to die on the cross. Recall in the garden of Gethsemane, from the weakness of His
humanity, He asked whether it was possible for the cup of suffering associated with the
crucifixion to be set aside from Him. But He quickly adjusted His position saying to His Father,
“Not my will, but Thine be done” (Luke 22:42). He could say this because GRACE within Him
arose to confront the matter of obedience to the point of death.

JESUS ‘TASTED DEATH’ BY the power of the GRACE of God.

Heb. 2;10,11But we do see Him who was made for a little while lower than the angels, namely,
Jesus, because of the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, so that
BY the GRACE OF GOD, He might TASTE DEATH for everyone. For it was fitting
for Him, for whom are all things, and through whom are all things, in bringing
many sons to glory, to perfect the author of their salvation through sufferings.
Perhaps you are facing some requirement of God upon your life, something God is expecting
you to do that may seem so difficult in your human strength. When you heard that command of
God, in that command is not just God’s EXPECTATION for you, but also in it, is God’s
EMPOWERING grace, which when you rely on, will cause you to obey God daringly and
courageously.

To obey any of God’s commands is NOT HARD AT ALL. Eradicate the thought that obedience is
difficult. Banish that thinking from your mind.

Deut. 30:8-11
8 And you shall again obey the Lord, and observe all His commandments which I command
you today.
9 Then the Lord your God will prosper you abundantly in all the work of your hand, in the
offspring of your body and in the offspring of your cattle and in the produce of your
ground, for the Lord will again rejoice over you for good, just as He rejoiced over your
fathers;
10 if you obey the Lord your God to keep His commandments and His statutes which are
written in this book of the law, if you turn to the Lord your God with all your heart and
soul.
11 “For this commandment which I command you today is not too difficult for you, nor is it
out of reach. It is not in heaven, that you should say, ‘ Who will go up to heaven for us to
get it for us and make us hear it, that we may observe it? ’ Nor is it beyond the sea, that
you should say, ‘Who will cross the sea for us to get it for us and make us hear it, that we
may observe it? ’ But the word is very near you, in your mouth and in your heart, that
you may observe it.

God will never ask you to do something for which He will not also enable you to carry out in
obedience, once He sees you are at least inclined to do it. The moment you position your spirit,
soul and body and incline your whole being to please God through obedience, God WILL endow
you with supernatural grace-filled ability to execute the obedient intention, no matter how
costly that obedient act is. He requires you to make the first step though.

1 John 5:3 For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments; and His
commandments are NOT BURDENSOME.

Jesus obeyed privately, which brought many people into sonship with God, His father.

Heb. 2:9b-10a ‘… Jesus, because of the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor,
so that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone. For it was
fitting for Him, for whom are all things, and through whom are all things,
in bringing many sons to glory …’

Jesus’ singular and private obedience by the power of the grace of God brought many into an
experience of that grace by their entrance into sonship. It is God’s intention that people
everywhere experience His grace. As the Scriptures indicate, grace must spread to MORE AND
MORE people everywhere.

2 Cor.4:15 For all things are for your sakes, so that the GRACE which is SPREADING to
MORE and MORE PEOPLE may cause the giving of thanks to abound to the
glory of God.

Honour toward God and spiritual fathers is expressed by obedience. If obedience is the
evidence of humility, we can conclude that humility is thus prerequisite to any desire to honour.
Grace attends humility –thus grace attends the one who honours another.

Eph. 6:1-3
1 Children, OBEY your parents IN THE LORD, for this is right.
2 HONOR YOUR FATHER AND MOTHER (which is the first commandment with a promise),
3 SO THAT IT MAY BE WELL WITH YOU, AND THAT YOU MAY LIVE LONG ON THE EARTH.

The phrase “obey your parents IN THE LORD” is a reference primarily to spiritual fathers. Paul,
in describing his fatherhood over his spiritual son Timothy, used the same phrase ‘IN THE LORD’.

1 Cor. 4:17 For this reason I have sent to you Timothy, who is my beloved and faithful child
IN THE LORD, and he will remind you of my ways which are in Christ, just as I
teach everywhere in every church.

A reminder of what it means ‘TO OBEY’:

OBEY = hupakoúō = from hupo (under/beneath), and akoúō (to hear)108
= To hearken.
= To listen to something, harken with stealth, stillness, or attention in
order to answer.

To obey implies accurate hearing of the Word, and having heard, you consciously design an
appropriate, obedient response. To obey implies attentive hearkening, compliance or
submission to God’s Word. When you and I obey, we bring ourselves under the covering of what
we hear and of the one from whom you hear (namely our spiritual father). In the Greek, the
word also implies a willing submission to what is heard and to obey God irresistibly109.

To obey is to willingly subject oneself to the Word of God contained within your spiritual father.
By obedience, you bring yourself under that Word. This act of obedience brings to one blessings
and promises attendant with that act of obedience. The Word of God embedded within the
spirit of your spiritual father provides spiritual covering. As indicated, the literal meaning of
obedience is to ‘bring oneself under that which you hear and the one from whom you hear”.
How does your spiritual father cover you? How do you get protection and immunity from the
schemes of the enemy? By simply obeying that Word, you bring yourself under the protection
of that Word. No man can cover another man. It is the Word of God within your spiritual father,
which when obeyed, covers you. One comes under spiritual covering through obedience to the
Word released by your spiritual father. That Word protects you. To disobey, then, places you
outside of that covering and protection.

Biblically, sons who obeyed became the recipients of significant blessings, promises,
breakthrough, new levels of spiritual revelation of the nature and purpose of God, etc. for …

(a) themselves,
(b) their spiritual fathers
(c) their brothers

Their active and willing obedience brought to their lives protection and immunity from every
concerted attempt by the enemy to derail their destiny and ultimately destroy them totally.

Grace attends the humble person. Humility is expressed by obedience to God’s Word. We must
seek to live in a culture of obedience ‘unto death’, no matter the cost to us personally. As we
do, grace is not just attracted to us, but through us, and will benefit a host of others. Our
obedience to God’s Word, vested in and through our spiritual fathers, will bring immunity and
covering to us. Grace will cover you.

In the next chapter, we will examine how these principles play out in the life of Esther, a
spiritual son to Mordecai, her spiritual father. She obeyed courageously and attained immunity
and covering of great grace which worked mightily, not just in her but through her, and
benefited an entire nation, whose existence and Divine purpose was preserved by her personal
obedience, which was founded on sincere humility before God and men.

Chapter 15 Case Study Thirteen
Esther Supported Mordecai

Through ‘ Obedience Unto Death’

Most of the father-son examples cited in this study thus far are contextualised within a specific
spiritual framework, where the environment of operation largely concerns the church and/or
‘spiritually’-related activity relative to the furtherance of some aspect of God’s will and
mandate, stewarded by one’s spiritual father in Christ. Whilst this framework has a specific
context, the principles highlighted in previous chapters are applicable to a father-son
relationship where the son’s primary focus and sphere of operation may not directly be related
to the church, but within the much broader context of the Kingdom of God within the larger
society.

We all, as sons of God, work in the workplace, having jobs of varying classifications requiring a
particular skill set, training or level of expertise. These range from menial jobs like cleaners to
high profile ones like doctors or lawyers. Others have businesses that we own or manage on
behalf of another. Some sons occupy very strategic roles and functions in politics, commerce,
education, medicine, the arts, etc. Whatever the station the son of God functions in, in that
domain, he is to represent the nature of Christ to those in that sphere. His placement there is
vital, for that son becomes the medium through which both the nature and will of God can be
ideally communicated and expressed to that sphere. No one should despise their work or job.
Your work is God’s excuse for Him to impact that realm, but He needs you to be positioned
there.

Your success in doing this is dependent on a range of things, inclusive of your skills set, personal
discipline, diligence, loyalty, faithfulness, etc. The books of Colossians and Ephesians contain
vital principles for effective function in the workplace, for both employers and employees.
Outside of this, what I wish to stress is the critical role spiritual fathering plays to enhance and
facilitate your accurate representation of Christ in your sphere of function. This is important,
both in respect to you modeling the nature of Christ on the one hand, and on the other,
facilitating the purpose of Christ for yourself, the people in that sphere, and if applicable
(dependent on the profile or position you hold) how you can use that context to further God’s
general purposes for His Church and/or for the facilitation of that specific mandate stewarded
by your spiritual father in Christ.

The first of our considerations is the example of Esther, who functioned as a spiritual to
Mordecai. She occupied a key position as King Ahasuerus’ wife. She used that position to ensure
that the burden of the Lord carried by her spiritual father, Mordecai, was efficiently
accomplished. Doing this required TOTAL and COURAGEOUS OBEDIENCE from Esther to
Mordecai. Esther is the example of a spiritual son positioned in politics, who uses her influence
to preserve God’s people scattered in 127 provinces worldwide, and to more importantly
preserve the seed of the Christ to be manifested through that people years later.

Might I add here before continuing, that the Kingdom of God includes the Church, but is far
wider than the church. The Kingdom of God refers to the RULE OF GOD and the RIGHT TO RULE
every aspect of both visible and invisible expressions of creation, both in heaven and earth, in
the unseen and seen realms. The Kingdom of God is an all-pervasive, superimposition of God’s
nature and will upon every expression of life and sector or domain on planet Earth and the
entire created heavenly domain. The word ‘Kingdom’ expresses God’s sovereign rule and
reign. God’s Kingdom is an everlasting Kingdom in that it was pre-existent and is eternal. The
mission of the Church presently is to establish God’s Kingdom in the earth. “Let your Kingdom
come”110 is our cry. This determines our ethic, ethos, motivation and is the foundation of all our
activities. The Church of God should be actively working towards the restoration of God’s
governance in the earth until all the kingdoms of the earth become the Kingdom of our Lord.

Within the context of the ‘church’, the specific local expression of that church, of which every
individual son needs to be an active part, a spiritual father shapes and matures the sons through
doctrine and counsel. This is meant to make the son an accurate representation of Christ
outside of the four walls of the church, within the context in which he works and operates.
Success ‘outside’ the church in the spheres to which God has called us is what we want to see.
Not just success as it is related to the individual son being successful, having all his needs met,
excelling materially and financially, etc. but using all of his accomplishments, as well as his
influence in the workplace, to facilitate God’s will for all humans in that sphere and beyond.
Spiritual fathering plays a critical role in this regard. Sadly, many sons fail to make this
connection. Again I want re-iterate: the son will be the recipient of great grace in supporting his
spiritual father in all the respects highlighted in this study, and the grace received will then serve
to enhance his personal operation in the workplace and all other areas of his life.

The Example of Esther:

I encourage you to first READ THE BOOK OF ESTHER before proceeding.

The Story of Esther in Brief: Here is an extremely brief overview of the book of Esther. Some
details have been omitted. The Persian empire of the 4th century BC extended over 127
provinces, covering the territory from India to Ethiopia, and all the Jews were its subjects. When
King Ahasuerus had his wife, Queen Vashti, deposed for failing to follow his orders, he initiated
a search among the fairest virgins in all his kingdom to find a new queen. A Jewish girl, Esther
(Hadassah), found favour in his eyes and became the new queen - although she, under
instruction/guidance of her older cousin Mordecai, refused to divulge the identity of her
nationality. Meanwhile, Haman was appointed prime minister of the empire. Mordecai, who
seemingly occupies a leading position among the Jews in Susa, defied the king’s orders and
refused to bow to Haman. Haman was incensed, and convinced the king to issue a decree
ordering the extermination of all the Jews on the 13th of the 12th month (Adar) - a date chosen
by a lottery Haman made. Mordecai galvanised all the Jews, convincing them to repent, fast and
pray to God. Meanwhile, Esther asked the king and Haman to join her for a feast. At the feast,
Esther revealed to the king her Jewish identity and the plot of Haman to destroy the Jews.
Haman was hanged, Mordecai was appointed prime minister in his stead, and a new decree was
issued - granting the Jews the right to defend themselves against their enemies. On the 13th of
Adar, the Jews mobilised and killed many of their enemies. On the 14th of Adar, they rested and
celebrated.

The book of Esther contains several contrasts. Here are some examples:

ü Carnal indulgent feasting versus spiritual fasting
ü Perils of potential orphanity versus the potential blessing associated with sonship
ü Pride versus Humility
ü God opposing the proud but giving grace to the humble
ü The pride of the Persian empire versus the humility of the Jews
ü The pride of Ahasuerus versus the humility of Mordecai
ü The pride of Haman versus the humility of Mordecai and Esther
ü Selfish, self-centred actions (Haman) versus the selfless actions designed to benefit
corporate welfare (Esther)
ü Prejudice manifested in the Persian’s prideful ascendency over other nations, whom
they viewed as inferior (inclusive of the Jews)
ü The satanic plot of destruction versus the power of Divine preservation.

The story of Esther contains Mordecai’s and her sold-out loyalty and obedience to God and His
purposes. Humility expressed as obedience is a major theme of the book. It demonstrates the
GRACE of God in action within the spiritual father-son dyad, and how this grace finds its way to
multitudes of God’s people globally. Esther is an orphaned girl, fathered by Mordecai, from a
nation of Jewish slaves. She eventually marries a king, whose favour shown to her is key to foil a
deviously designed plot for the destruction of Jews. The narrative paints an extremely riveting
and gripping playing out of the Sovereignty of God within the affairs of men and how His Divine
power and orchestration of events surrounding Mordecai’s and Esther’s lives ultimately serve to
facilitate His purpose to protect the Jews from a satanic plot to annihilate them. Weaved
throughout the story is the sheer genius of God in using strategically placed sons within a
volatile context that threatens His purpose within His people. From what would seem like
certain destruction and calamity, God’s people emerge victorious and His will vested in and
through them is preserved. Factors that play a significant role in ensuring that God’s will
triumphs for His people are …

• Principles of spiritual fathering and sonship;
• The wise counsel of a spiritual father;
• The willing, submissive obedience of a spiritual son;
• The passionate concern for the corporate state of God’s people by a spiritual father
(Mordecai) and a spiritual son (Esther);
• The daring and courageous obedience of a son (Esther);
• The corporate participation and involvement of a whole people in prayerful fasting (the
Jews).

ESTHER - A STORY ABOUT A SPIRITUAL FATHER AND A SPIRITUAL SON FACILITATING AND
ACCOMPLISHING PERSONAL AND CORPORATE DIVINE PURPOSE

Esther 2:7,8 He was bringing up Hadassah, that is Esther, his uncle’s daughter, for she had no
father or mother. Now the young lady was beautiful of form and face, and when
her father and her mother died, Mordecai took her as his own daughter.

Esther was orphaned at an early age. Her older cousin, Mordecai, raised her as his own
daughter in a godly fashion in the ways of Jehovah God. Mordecai would have a significant
influence on Esther’s life and destiny. He would guide her into a lifestyle of courageous and
daring obedience to God. Mordecai was the PRIMARY spiritual influence in her life. Mordecai
exhibits all the traits of a spiritual father toward Esther, who herself portrays the character of an
ideal spiritual son (There are huge parallels here with Naomi’s spiritual fathering role in the life
of Ruth, her spiritual son - Ruth 4:15). Without Mordecai’s strategic role and function, Esther’s
chances of fulfilling her destiny or contributing anything of significance towards God’s global
purposes are negligible.

Although orphaned, the spirit of the orphan did not attach itself to Esther. God positioned
Mordecai in her life to raise her into sonship. Her obedient expression of sonship exhibited
towards Mordecai as a spiritual father, would be the process in and through which she would
express her divine sonship toward God, and so play a critical role in ensuring God’s will prevails
not just for her and Mordecai, but for the entirety of God’s people (the Jews).

God used the father-son dynamic in the Mordecai-Esther relationship not just to bring about His
will for their personal lives, but that relationship was used to facilitate and fast-track God’s
purposes within his wider kingdom. The spiritual father-son dyad must go beyond the ‘romantic’
and become purposeful. There must be intense love and commitment between spiritual fathers
and sons, but the relationship must grow to a level beyond the primary concerns /needs of the
father or the son, and elevate to a place where God is able to use it as a channel in and through
which He may transmit profound grace to accomplish significant aspects of His purposes within
the wider kingdom. In this regard, it must always be remembered that a spiritual son to some
spiritual father is actually GOD’S SON, and biblically is also called ‘son of the KINGDOM’ (Matt.
13:38). Hence all sons of God, given to the custody, oversight and nurturing of spiritual fathers,
must primarily be plugged into their relationship with their HEAVENLY FATHER and be used to
effect wider Kingdom-related purposes. Mordecai fathered Esther for kingdom function.

The father-son relationship must never deteriorate to a level where it is self-absorbing and only
inwardly focused upon the two parties comprising it. Its very initiation and construct is designed
to accomplish purpose beyond itself, after the son has been sufficiently matured.

ESTHER, A SON HIDDEN TO SHINE, EMITTING DIVINE FRAGRANCE

Esther’s original Hebrew name was ‘Haddasah’. She was Haddasah before she was Esther, her
Persian name.

Haddasah means ‘Myrtle’. Myrtle suggests joy111 and is a symbol of God’s blessings112. The
myrtle plant has a pleasant fragrance. Of the myrtle, it is often said by God Himself that He will
place it in a desert and there it will thrive113. Esther is placed by God in the vortex of a carnal,
worldly system as God’s son, and in that environment she, the embodiment of the blessing of
God, would permeate her environment with the fragrance of God’s nature and purpose and so
ensure that His will triumphs above the wicked schemes of men.

The name ‘Esther’ means ‘Star’ and ‘She that is Hidden’114.

The symbolic indication of ‘star’ is sonship. Recall that Joseph in his dream saw the sun and
moon, depictive of his parents, and eleven stars, representing the other sons of his parents - his
brothers - all bowing to him 115 . So stars denote sonship, and by extended implication,
brotherhood.

Recall, too, that God said to Abraham that his descendants (sons) would be as many as the stars
of the sky116. From this we also conclude that stars do not just simply represent sonship, but
corporate sonship.

All these principles are embodied within Esther. She is a model singular son with a corporate
mentality and focus, who has great concern for her ‘brothers’ (the Jews). Her personal
obedience would ultimately benefit the corporate welfare of the entire ‘brotherhood’. The
impact of her private obedience to Mordecai, her spiritual father, would be vast - far beyond
what she could ever have imagined.

Esther’s obedience has not just widespread positive ramifications, but also powerful effects
beyond her time in that her individual actions preserved the entire Jewish nation so that the
promised seed of Messiah - our Lord Jesus Christ - was to be preserved - and not just Him, but
we the church too, which would result from Him.

Esther also means ‘she is hidden’. Hiddenness is essential before God uses you publicly. She co-
operated with the season of her obscurity under Mordecai’s watch. Jesus was hidden for 30
years under Joseph and Mary’s fathering oversight before He was publicly revealed to fulfill
destiny within 3 and a half years. Moses was hidden for 40 years under Jethro’s fathering before
he was to be used by God to lead Israel out from Egyptian bondage. Paul spent at least 14 years
in the Arabian desert after his conversion before being ushered into Apostolic ministry.

Ps. 127:4,5 Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, So are the children of one’s youth Hoblessed
is the man whose quiver is full of them; They will not be ashamed When the
speak with their enemies in the gate.

Isaiah 49:1-2Listen to Me, O islands, And pay attention, you peoples from afar. The Lord called
Me from the womb; From the body of My mother He named Me. He has made
My mouth like a sharp sword, In the shadow of His hand He has concealed Me;
And He has also made Me a select arrow, He has hidden Me in His quiver.

Select arrow = Polished arrow (KJV) ; Pointed arrow (CEV);
Sharpened arrow (GWV); Chosen Arrow (DRB).

Select = bārûr = To purify, to sharpen117.

Hidden = satar = To hide, conceal118.
It has the sense of preventing someone to know or see something, to
keep something from public notice or from certain persons119.

Note the emphasis given to the fact that the arrow (son) remains hidden in the quiver for the
purposes of being polished, purified and sharpened. The pointed arrow must be purified and
polished before being chosen and selected for purpose. As a son, do not be frustrated during
the season of your purification and sharpening by a spiritual father. Wait for the appointed time
of release.

The hiddenness of Esther could allude to the fact of her inward inner beauty - her true beauty
was not so much outward as much as it was inward. Her attractiveness inwardly enhanced her
external beauty. Biblically, hidden beauty is a GENTLE and QUIET spirit. The condition of one’s
spirit affects the perception of your external form.

1 Pet. 3:1-5 In the same way, you wives, be submissive to your own husbands so that even if
any of them are disobedient to the word, they may be won without a word by
the behavior of their wives, as they observe your chaste and respectful behavior.
Your adornment must not be merely external - braiding the hair, and wearing
gold jewelry, or putting on dresses; but let it be the HIDDEN PERSON OF THE
HEART, with the imperishable quality of a GENTLE AND QUIET SPIRIT, which is
PRECIOUS in the SIGHT OF GOD. For in this way in former times the holy women
also, who hoped in God, used to ADORN THEMSELVES, being submissive to their
own husbands; just as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, and you have
become her children if you do what is right without being frightened by any fear.
‘Gentle’ here equates to HUMILITY and MEEKNESS. ‘Quiet’ here relates to that which is
tranquil, undisturbed from without. Esther – a true son – embodied humility and quietness of
spirit – true inner beauty that is precious in God’s sight.

The ‘quiet’ disposition within Esther is contrasted with the personality of Haman. Haman’s name
has two nuances in its meaning. The one is ‘a rioter; the rager; their tumult’120. Haman is not
just loud, noisy and boisterous but a rioter – instigating opposition to Divine plans and purposes.
He is the face of the Persian pride and the agent of their ‘tumult’, seeking to instill disorder and
fear.
Contrary to this representation of Haman, is the inwardly-QUIET Esther. The way to respond to
any distasteful characteristic of the enemy within men, is to act in the opposite spirit. Haman’s
external noise is met with Esther’s inward quietness and humility. GRACE that attends humility
and quietness is actually a formidable source of empowerment against overt attempts of the
enemy to instill fear within us by his loud and frontal display of rage, intended to induce fear.

Prov. 15:1 A soft answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger. (NKJV)

Esther, the STAR, shines because she understood the value of the time of her hiddenness and
her hidden beauty. Grace attended her inwardly because her spirit was meek, gentle, humble
and quiet.

MORDECAI, THE HUMBLE SPIRITUAL FATHER

The name Mordecai means “little man; bitter bruising; bitterly reduced; bitterness of my
oppression”121.

This description of his name highlights his humility. He is a ‘little’ man. He was obviously well-
respected among the Jews and seems to have occupied some position of prominence amongst
the Jews, yet his inward heart disposition is lowly. He must have suffered bitterly in some
respects through the years, and this had the effect of instilling within him an extremely humble
position.
Suffering is designed to keep us humble. While he was ‘bitterly reduced’, he did not become
embittered by his suffering, just like Jesus suffered but refused to take bitter gall whilst dying
on the cross. All spiritual fathers must have a deep sense of inward humility and ‘reduction’ of
any pride or arrogance, if God is to ever work through them to affect His purposes in their
spiritual sons. Mordecai lived solely for the welfare of Esther, his spiritual son, and for the
welfare of all the Jews scattered throughout the 127 Persian provinces. This can be seen from
the following verses:

Esther 2:11 Every day Mordecai walked back and forth in front of the court of the harem to
learn how Esther was and how she fared.

Esther 10:3 For Mordecai the Jew was second in rank to King Ahasuerus, and he was great
among the Jews and popular with the multitude of his brothers, for he sought
the welfare of his people and spoke peace to all his people.

Because of his humility, great grace attended Mordecai. That grace found its way to an equally
humble spiritual son, Esther. Humility in both fathers and sons is required if God’s purposes is to
prevail for the multiplicity of His people.

FASTING AND OBEDIENCE

Esther, Mordecai and the Jews all fasted. Fasting itself is an expression of an intent to humble
your soul with a view to express obedience.
Psalm 35:13b I humbled my soul with fasting
Psalm 69:10a I chastened my soul with fasting (KJV)
I humbled my soul with fasting (YLT)

THINGS CAN CHANGE OVERNIGHT: SATANIC SCHEMES DESIGNED FOR OUR DESTRUCTION
BECOME DIVINE OPPORTUNITIES FOR OUR CONSTRUCTION

A comparison between Esther 4:3 and 9:22 depicting the state of God’s people, succinctly
captures how God can miraculously intervene to protect His people and alter their state.

Esther 4:3 In each and every province where the command and decree of the king came,
there was great mourning among the Jews, with fasting, weeping and wailing;
and many lay on sackcloth and ashes.

Esther 9:22a as the days on which the Jews got relief from their enemies, and as the month
that had been turned for them from sorrow into gladness and from mourning
into a holiday.

Where are you right now? Are you in Esther 4:3 or 9:22 above? If the state of your life is
characterised by despair, anxiety, distress, then fasting with prayer coupled with courageous
acts of obedience and honour of spiritual fathering could alter your circumstances. ‘Weeping
and wailing’ can be turned into ‘gladness’; ‘mourning’ can be turned into a ‘holiday’ (literally
meaning a ‘good day’). Grace makes the difference. The thing we all need is more grace, and it is
available through courageous obedience to the Word of God.

Psalm 30:11 You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; you have loosed my
sackcloth and clothed me with gladness, that my glory may sing your praise and
not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks to you forever.

The name ‘Purim’ means ‘LOT’. Haman determined by lottery, the date on which the Jews
would be exterminated, viz. 13th of the 12th month, Adar. But on this very day, Jews were
authorised to defend themselves and kill their enemies (a total of 75000 of their enemies were
killed). The times and seasons that our enemy, satan, might have determined for our demise
could very well turn out to be the hour and moment we can experience our greatest
breakthroughs and victories. Literally, their ‘lot’ was turned from destruction to construction,
from trial to triumph, from sorrow to rejoicing, from despair to hope, from death to life, and
from fasting to feasting.

The Feast of Purim was to be celebrated for two days every year from this point. However, in
Susa, the capital, Mordecai, Esther and the Jews celebrated it for three days (Esther 9:18). The
three days of fasting turned to three days of feasting. In a day of restoration, it is acceptable to
have sober and festive rejoicing in celebration of God’s goodness.

The serious nature of the plot against God’s people is clearly indicated in the following verse:

Esther 3:13 Letters were sent by couriers to all the king’s provinces to destroy, to kill and to
annihilate all the Jews, both young and old, women and children, in one day,
the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month Adar, and to seize
their possessions as plunder.

The annihilation of the Jews was to be brutal (‘kill’), total (‘all’; ‘young and old’; ‘women and
children’), swift (‘in one day’) and impoverishing (‘seize their possessions’). There is a modern
counterpart of this intended historical plot against the Jews relative to the modern-day church.
There is an all-out satanic war designed to swiftly destroy every representation of God within
men, women and children of all ages. This war today is more ideological than physical, although
we also see the rise of radical sectors in some religions bent on the physical killing of
‘Christians’. But God has always and will still protect and preserve His people.

The Attack Was … :

1. Preventing The Manifestation and Representation of Christ.

Exterminating the Jews would equate to eradicating the means through which the
Messiah would issues forth. This the hatred of Haman toward the Jews and the intended
genocide of them would be a direct attempt to thwart any possible manifestation and
revelation of Jesus Christ to the world. Much of the attack that the church is
experiencing today has this same motive, viz. the prevention of the revelation and
presentation of Christ in and through His church.

2. Opposition to Spiritual Fathering.

Haman’s hatred for Mordecai is notable in the book of Esther. Haman hates him,
because Mordecai refuses to bow to him. The discerning Mordecai knew the evil in
Haman’s heart and refused to bow to it, giving it credence. Mordecai’s disdain for
Haman is in part the reason for Haman’s hatred of the Jews. Haman’s hatred for the
Jews could be possibly traced to Samuel, who, under King Saul (a Benjamite), slayed the
Amalekite King, Agag122. Haman was an Agagite, possibly harbouring a longstanding
historical bitterness and revenge against the Benjamites - and Mordecai was of the tribe
of Benjamin.

Mordecai is the representation of a spiritual father. Hence the plot to destroy him is an
attempt to eradicate the fathering principle. This is patricide – the murder of fathers.
Fatherlessness is the problem underneath every other problem. Fatherlessness is the
spirit of Moab, a term meaning ‘what father?’ - implying the denying of the need for
spiritual fathering. Because the church at Pergamos permitted the murder of Antipas,
whose name means ‘One like the father’, satan set his throne in their midst (Rev 2:13).
Wherever the spirit of fathering is discounted or rejected, satanic initiatives and
intentions run rampant.

If the father-son wineskin is the primary construct in and through which GRACE vested in
the Word is transmitted, then to attack the biblical validity of the necessity for spiritual
fathering, would equate to forgoing a specific, God-determined quantity and quality of
grace.

3. Corporate Welfare.

Esther’s personal obedience benefited the corporate good of the Jewish nation. Every
son must be corporately minded and have the welfare and interests of the
BROTHERHOOD at heart. We are expected to ‘love the brotherhood’ (1 Pet. 2:17).
Personal obedience is paramount because it impacts corporate well-being and fast-
tracks God’s purposes attendant with the entire group.

The other nuance attached to the meaning of Haman’s name is ‘well disposed’ and
‘alone and solitary’123. He is individualistic and an isolationist because he thinks he is
sufficiently well endowed and is self-sufficient, needing no-one. He is the epitome of
independence. Esther, by contrast, is selfless and has no problem risking her life in
obedience to her spiritual father (who knows the will of God for her) in approaching the
king - because this action would benefit a whole lot of people outside of her. She is
interdependent.

Even at the suggestion of the king to reward the man who foiled the plot to assassinate
him, Haman presumed it would be him – but did not know the king was referring to
Mordecai. His arrogance and pride refused him to even factor into his thought that the
king would have thought of another to honour. He took for granted that it would be him.
Pride always acts in presumption of its own advancement even to the neglect of others
who are actually much more deserving. Also, so long as it would bolster his reputation
within the kingdom, Haman pushed for the accolades of men, to the total neglect of the
state and welfare of the corporeity of the whole group. He ruled as prime minister not
for the benefit of those under his rule but for his own personal benefit.

See Esther chapter 5. Haman’s wife and friends (supposedly ‘wise men’) supported and
fueled his prideful individualism. The worst thing about a proud, independent and selfish
person, is to have another like you who does not point this negative disposition out to
you in the hope of helping you, but who rather supports you in the same. His wife could
have redeemed him but actually hastened his road to his demise. It was actually his
wife’s suggestion that he build gallows to hang Mordecai. Your pride is not acceptable
simply because it is endorsed by others that are close to you. Their support of your pride
simply speeds the pathway to your destruction.

The predominant characteristic of the family of God’s people should be humility –
because grace is most attracted to humility. Pride distances itself from corporeity and
seeks to entrench solitariness and alone-ness. In the present age, the most dangerous
position to be in is outside of the spiritual family of God, the church. To be a part of the
church is to embrace corporeity and community.

ESTHER’S ‘OBEDIENCE UNTO DEATH’

Mordecai was convinced that ‘deliverance for the Jews’ would come anyway, whether through
Esther, or someone else:

Esther 4:14A For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance WILL ARISE for the
Jews from another place …

No one is indispensable. If you and I are not willing to comply with God’s expectation to obey
him in some matter in which it will cost you everything because His will attendant with his
people is at stake, then God will simply choose and use someone else. In selecting you, He
simply offers you the privilege of partnering with him in ensuring that His will triumphs.

Factors that Ensured Her Obedience:

- The Honour of Her Spiritual Father

Esther 2:20 Esther had not yet made known her kindred or her people, even as Mordecai had
commanded her; for Esther did what Mordecai told her as she had done when
under his care.

She listened to Mordecai before she was Queen; she obeyed Mordecai after she was queen. Her
high ranking and authoritative position in the kingdom did not in any way cause her to despise
the very person whose guidance and counsel got her to that position in the first place. Although
possessing great political authority as the king’s wife, she knew protocol that even that
dimension of authority needs to submit and bow to spiritual authority. Her great political
authority was subservient to the spiritual authority and guidance vested in and through
Mordecai.

There are many spiritual sons who ascend to positions of great wealth, influence and power and
then get intoxicated by it, and losing soberness, they tend to dishonour the spiritual leadership
that God positioned in their lives, and which served to facilitate their success.

An Aside - Cf. Joseph and Jacob:

When Joseph ascended to great political and economic power in Egypt, he requested
that his father be brought down to Egypt to see his glory (Gen. 45:13). This was not
prideful or an ostentatious showing off of his own prestige in a boastful or arrogant
fashion. Rather, it was actually an expression of his humility. He realised that the power
and influence he had in Egypt meant very little if he did not submit that influence he
attained to the prophetic counsel and wisdom vested in his father Jacob, his patriarchal
father. He confessed to his father that God had made him a father to Pharaoh. Although
Pharaoh was the king of Egypt, Joseph was the guiding fathering principle positioned in
Pharaoh’s life. But Joseph himself realised that he needs the counsel and wisdom of a
father (Jacob). When Jacob came down to Egypt, he prophesied extensively over Joseph
and his two sons (Ephraim and Manasseh - Gen. 48), including the rest of Joseph’s
brothers (Gen.49). These prophecies are Divine directives not just for the future, but for
how they should posture themselves mentally and behaviourally. Joseph, like Esther,
honoured his spiritual father before he was raised to prominence, and still whilst in a
prominent position, he needed that fathering guidance ALL THE MORE! In fact, although
he fathered Pharaoh, Joseph’s priority was to present Jacob to Pharaoh as the source
through which Divine will and purpose flowed. Joseph actually facilitated the blessing of
Pharaoh by Jacob (Gen. 47:7).

- Her Willingness to Deal with Fear

Esther did not allow the fear of loss to prevent her obedience. She was willing to lose her life in
order to gain it (Esther 4:16).

- Her Boldness and Humility to Request Support by Prayer With Fasting

Even in her desire to fast as an expression of her humility, she included her maidens in the act
and requested that ALL THE JEWS join her in this expression of HUMILITY before the Lord. Her
private inclination to obey God was fueled, supported and given impetus by the corporate
fasting and prayer of all the Jews. Corporate threats demand a corporate response, but
corporate welfare sought after will be secured through the private actions of key role players.
When these key role players boldly fulfill their expression of obedience, they are acting
representatively on behalf of the entire group. Selah!

- Her Determination to Obey Irrespective of the Consequences.

Esther was willing to obey to the point of death. You can only come to this place of obedience
when you have died to self and to your own ambition.

Esther 4:16 Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me,
and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast
in like manner; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law:
and if I perish, I perish.

May I encourage you to commit to a resolve to obey God completely, irrespective of the
consequences. Do whatever He requires of you. For example, forgive those who hurt you – just
do it; Obey God’s financial principles of first fruits, tithes and offerings – just do it; submit your
life completely to the one whom God has positioned in your life as your spiritual father – just do
it.

Say to yourself, as Esther said, “If I perish, I perish”. May I paraphrase this: she is really saying,
“If I die in the act or the process of obeying a difficult command of God, then so be it; I would
rather die in the act of obedience, than to live employing disobedience as a means of survival”.
Mary said to those at the wedding of Cana in her bid to get them to obey Jesus, “Whatever HE
says, do it!” (John 2:5).

Esther 4:14 For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews
from another place and you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows
whether you have not attained royalty for such a time as this.

The word ‘silent’ (‘haras’ in Hebrew) apart from implying muteness, also means ‘to be deaf’124.
Hence, disobedience could be indicative of not just the refusal to obey what you hear, but also
the stubborn and rebellious refusal to hear the Word in the first place. You may have heard it
audibly with your external ears, but not inwardly with readiness of mind and spirit.

Esther was prepared to pay the ultimate price for obedience - by risking her life.

Your obedience will bring your brothers and sisters into rest and oneness.
Your personal and private obedience will have public and corporate effect and impact.

Esth 9:16,17 And the other Jews that were in the king's provinces gathered themselves
together, and stood for their lives, and had rest from their enemies, and slew of
them that hated them seventy and five thousand; but on the spoil they laid not
their hand. This was done on the thirteenth day of the month Adar; and on the
fourteenth day of the same they rested, and made it a day of feasting and
gladness.

Note the condition of her brothers before her obedience to death of self:

Esther 4:3 In each and every province where the command and decree of the king came,
there was great mourning among the Jews, with fasting, weeping and wailing;
and many lay on sackcloth and ashes.
Note the condition of her brothers after her obedience:

Esther 9:16,17 And the other Jews that were in the king's provinces gathered themselves
together, and stood for their lives, and had rest from their enemies

Esther’s people had no hope of standing for their right to defend themselves. It took Esther’s
obedience to bring them to a place of confidence and courage. Because one stood up
obediently, many were able to stand up, being empowered by a kingly decree and authority.
You and I will never know just how much weight and impact our private obedience carries.
Grace in one can filter out to many far and wide.

GRACE BEFORE MEN

The grace of God attendant with the humility in Mordecai and Esther brought them into great
favour and grace with men. Esther found grace and favour in the eyes of the king. Mordecai
would eventually find grace and favour in the eyes of the king too, and be promoted to prime
minister in Haman’s place. The grace of God in you will certainly cause men on the earth to
favour you. Jesus grew in favour (grace) with God and men (Luke 2:50). Be humble; honour your
spiritual father in Christ; stay obedient; do not be proud; do not be selfish; be selfless; love the
brotherhood; seek the welfare of the broader Body of Christ; then … GREATER grace will attend
you and manifest itself outwardly by men of significance on the earth bestowing kindness and
great favour on you.

Prov. 22:11 He who loves purity of heart and whose speech is gracious, the king is his friend.

Chapter 16
A Son’s Obedience Positively Affects The Father

Grace attends humility. Humility is expressed through and is evidenced by obedience.
Obedience must be made ‘complete’.

2 Cor. 10:6 and we are ready to punish all disobedience, whenever your obedience is
complete.

Complete Obedience: A ‘complete’ or ‘fulfilled’ obedience is one that is ‘filled out’. This in part
refers to obedience to all of God’s principles in His Word, as well as a consistency in the same.
This also includes and will demand that we all resolve to obey God to the point of death, as
Jesus humbled Himself by becoming obedient unto the death of the cross (Phil. 2:8). As
explained in the prior sessions, this refers to courageous and daring acts of obedience without
concern for self-preservation.

Father Instructs; Sons Obey: If within the spiritual father-son wineskin, there exists potential for
profound and maximum grace transfer, a son must subscribe to a level of obedience to the
accurate, biblical doctrine and commands of his spiritual father in Christ, to the degree where
the son does not live in self-preservation, but is prepared to ‘lose his life’125 in the process of
obedience. Likewise, the father too must be willing to obey God to the point of death, not just
in reference to God’s own revealed dictates for his life, but also the courage to command his
son to comply with expectations God lays on the son, expectations which God expects to be
communicated via the father. Consider that Abraham was willing, not just to obey God in
sacrificing Isaac, but in communicating this to Isaac, such that Isaac - true to the pattern of what
we would see in Jesus - lays his own life down to be sacrificed. Recall also, that no one prepared
to obey in this fashion actually loses his life but gains it.

In this chapter I want to connect the following principles:

• Grace is communicated through the Word of God.
• The Word of God is communicated to you through your spiritual father in the Lord.
• The spiritual father-son wineskin is a most ideal construct for the grace of God to have
maximum flow and operation. Spiritual fathering is not a command; it is a privilege and
opportunity. Those who embrace it find an abundance of grace available.
• There must be an open heart of mutual love and honour between spiritual fathers and
spiritual sons for maximum grace transfer to take place.
• The heart of a spiritual son must be TURNED, OPENED and GIVEN to the spiritual father.
• The Word of God released through the spiritual father to the son must be received as God’s
Word, and not the opinion of the spiritual father.
• This Word must be received with the SPIRIT of the spiritual son and not primarily with the
mind of the soul. This is crucial if the son is to obey the Word.
• Humility is evidenced by obedience to the Word. It demands a death to one’s own opinions
that contradict God’s Word and the obedience thereof.
• Through the act of obedience, grace inherent within the Word heard, infuses the life of the
spiritual son such that the glory of God is displayed for men to see in his/her life.
• Private acts of obedience foster corporate welfare and facilitate corporate progression of
the Body of Christ into maturity.
• In addition, the obedience of a spiritual son has the powerful and perhaps least
understood effect of catapulting the spiritual father into a higher level of understanding
aspects of God’s nature and functioning within a wider and more powerful expression of
God’s purposes.

It is this last point above that I want to demonstrate with a few examples in this chapter. Before
we do, let us briefly consider the imperative of fathers and sons ‘WALKING TOGETHER IN
AGREEMENT’.

WALKING TOGETHER IN AGREEMENT WITH YOUR SPIRITUAL FATHER

Amos 3:3 Kjv: Can two walk together, except they be agreed?
Nasb: Do two men walk together unless they have made an appointment?

Agreed/Apointment = yâ‛ad126
= To appoint, to summon, to engage, to agree, to assemble.
= It also means allotted or appointed time, such as the amount of
time David appointed to Amasa to assemble the men of Judah
(2 Sam. 20:5).
= This word can also take the meaning of appointing or designating
someone to be married (Ex. 21:8, 9).
= Another meaning is to meet someone at an appointed time

Applying the above:

• Can two walk together unless they covenant intimately, i.e. the spiritual father-spiritual
son relationship is a deep commitment.

• Can two walk together unless they agree, i.e. are of one heart and one mind. Timothy
and Paul were equal in soul (their thoughts, decisions and feelings were identical).

• Can two walk together unless they agree upon the destination, i.e. do they fully
understand the nature of their walking together and what it is to accomplish. The goal is
the formation of the image of Christ - total maturity; the father seeks to mature the son
in the image of Christ.

Beyond this, a mature father-son relationship will be used by God as the means through
which significant divine purpose is effected in the earth. Paul brings Timothy to
maturity, but Paul and Timothy working together also accomplish significant purpose.
The same holds true for Mordecai and Esther, Naomi and Ruth, Elijah and Elisha, etc.

• Can two walk together unless they agreed upon the appointed time, i.e. not
chronological time (‘chronos’ in the Greek), but are they both aware of and discerning
of the gravity of the spiritual hour (denoted by the Greek term ‘kairos’) in which they
live?

Rom. 13:11-14 Do this, knowing the time, that it is already the hour for you to
awaken from sleep; for now salvation is nearer to us than when
we believed. The night is almost gone, and the day is near.
Therefore let us lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the
armor of light. Let us behave properly as in the day, not in
carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and
sensuality, not in strife and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus
Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts.

Knowing the time implies knowing what behaviour is appropriate with every ‘kairos’ in
God. Certain activity may be inconsistent with the ‘kairos’. Journeying is a process that
must bear relevance to the outcome.

Haggai 1:2-4 “Thus says the Lord of hosts, ‘This people says, “The time has not
come, even the time for the house of the Lord to be rebuilt.”’”
Then the word of the Lord came by Haggai the prophet, saying, “Is
it time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses while
this house lies desolate.

Spiritual fathers and sons must walk together because they both realise the pressing
expectation of God upon them in a set season. It is frustrating to a father, for a son who
expresses a desire to ‘walk with him’, when that son has no understanding of the critical
nature of the times in which they live, the urgency thereof and what priorities God
expects for them within that season of time.

• Can two walk together unless they know the allotted time in which they are to work with
a sense of urgency, soberness and seriousness?

2 Sam. 20:5 So Amasa went to call out the men of Judah, but he delayed longer than
the SET TIME which he had appointed him.

Two cannot walk together in disagreement. Further, two cannot walk together unless they
agree on the time of their appointed meeting to commence their journey and the time allotted
in which to accomplish the journey. Spiritually applied, two cannot walk together unless they
have the same prophetic awareness and sense of the urgency of the times.

ü Isaac walked in agreement with Abraham.
ü Joshua walked in agreement with Moses.
ü Ruth walked in agreement with Naomi.
ü Esther walked in agreement with Mordecai.
ü Elisha walked in agreement with Elijah.
ü Eleven apostles, apart from Judas, walked in agreement with Jesus.
ü Timothy walked in agreement with Paul.

Let us illustrate these truths.

v Example 1: ESTHER’S OBEDIENCE ELEVATES MORDECAI

We saw in our previous session, in our focus on the relationship of Mordecai and Esther, that
Esther declared her willingness to obey Mordecai’s directives as though they were God’s
direct commands. When she said, “If I perish, I perish” (Esther 4:16), she was literally declaring,
“I would rather die in the process of obeying God than to live, employing disobedience as a
means of survival”. Like Jesus, she became ‘obedient unto death’.

This level of obedience expresses deep humility, and thus a significant quantum and quality of
grace is received. We all need to ‘grow in grace’. We all desire ‘a greater grace’. But to what
lengths are we willing to go to obey a command of God which costs us everything. Jesus’
commitment to obey unto death recruited unto Himself a significant measure of grace, grace by
which He was actually able to proceed in His resolve to obey, and thus He ‘tasted death by the
grace of God’ (Heb. 2:9). As you take the first initial steps in obedience in complying with what
seems a difficult command of God that will cost you everything, GRACE kicks in to empower
you to go through with it.

Esther’s individual bold act of obeying Mordecai, her spiritual father, did not just benefit her and
her brothers, the Jews, but also further elevated Mordecai into a powerful position as Prime
Minister. Mordecai, in this position, now would administrate this function to the advantage of
Esther and the Jews.

The book of Esther has 10 chapters. The first nine are devoted to events surrounding Esther’s
character and destiny, all shaped and configured by Mordecai’s direct fatherly oversight.
Chapter 10 of the book of Esther succinctly captures the profound positive impact of Esther’s
obedient co-operation to Mordecai’s words of counsel and instruction. Read this brief chapter
here below:
Esther 10
1 Now King Ahasuerus laid a tribute on the land and on the coastlands of the sea.
2 And all the accomplishments of HIS AUTHORITY and STRENGTH, and the full account of the
GREATENESS of Mordecai to which the king ADVANCED HIM, are they not written in the
Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Media and Persia?
3 For Mordecai the Jew was second only to King Ahasuerus, and GREAT AMONG THE JEWS
and in favor with his many kinsmen, one WHO SOUGHT THE GOOD OF HIS PEOPLE and one
who SPOKE FOR THE WELFARE OF HIS WHOLE NATION.

Note the Following:

a. The obedience of a spiritual son benefits him directly. Grace received in the hearing of
the Word is activated in the obedience of the Word and then glory is displayed.

b. The obedience of a spiritual son brings a positive effect upon his brothers in the Body of
Christ. The brothers receive favourable or graceful dealings of God with them.

c. The obedience of a spiritual son can facilitate in the spiritual father, a new or more
deeper understanding of specific aspects of God’s nature.

d. The obedience of a spiritual son enhances the position of the spiritual father for greater
functionality or expression of function within an enlarged sphere or domain.

e. True spiritual fathers seek the maturity of their sons in Christ. Spiritual fathers seek after
the well-being of their sons. But also too, it is in the best interest of a spiritual son to
seek after the advancement of his spiritual father in respect of the points above,
because every elevation of the father in some respect would ultimately benefit the
son.

As the spiritual father ascends in growth, greater grace is accessed and endowed upon him, and
this increased endowment of grace naturally benefits the son, to whom that grace is intended
to flow. In an earlier chapter, we saw how Abram grew in grace as a spiritual father - indicated
in the change of his name from Abram to Abraham (Gen. 17:5), denoted by an insertion into his
life of greater grace (alluded to by the addition of the fifth letter of the Hebrew alphabet into his
name - with ‘five’ indicative of grace).

Lot, who disconnected from ‘Abram’, before he was ‘Abraham’, did not experience the benefit
of the increased grace deposit within Abraham (Gen. 13). In that study, I stressed the
importance of spiritual sons maintaining an enduring connection to a valid, authentic and
relevant spiritual father through that father’s own process of growth and development, as the
sons will in no doubt come to benefit from that. There is something profound in a son observing
the growth of his father in Christ. Every new place of increased growth in the spiritual father
means that the son becomes a beneficiary of that increased grace. I will demonstrate this
principle with more case studies in our next session.

v Example 2: METHUSELAH’S SYMBOLIC REPRESENTATION OF OBEDIENCE PROVOKES
ENOCH TO WALK CLOSER WITH GOD

Walking in agreement together with your spiritual father is powerful. Also, the ‘obedience unto
death’ of a spiritual son can enhance his spiritual father’s walk with God.

Gen 5:21,22 And Enoch lived sixty and five years, and begat Methuselah : and Enoch walked
with God AFTER he begat Methuselah three hundred years, and begat sons and
daughters:

Enoch walked with God after he begat Methuselah ...

The name, ‘Methuselah’ means ‘when he is dead it shall be sent’ or ‘messenger of death’127.
His name also means ‘dart or javelin’128 – which is akin to an arrow, denoting sonship. Hence,
only when he as a son is obedient to the point of being dead unto self, will he be launched as a
dart to accomplish the purposes of God. Methuselah embodies this disposition within his name.

When the son enters obedience to the point of death, which is dying to self, his father enters a
new realm or revealed knowledge of who Christ is. After Enoch becomes the father of one who
is dead to self, he enters a new phase or level in God. Enoch walks with God only after
Methuselah, with all that his name represents, is born. Methuselah’s birth and presence
elevates Enoch into a heightened walk with God. A spiritual father (Enoch) enters a new realm
in God due to an obedient spiritual son.

Enoch WALKED with God for 300 years after Methuselah’s birth. The number 300, amongst
other things, denotes ONENESS. (Consider Gideon’s ‘one loaf’ in the dream of a man – this was
a reference to Gideon’s 300 – see Judges 7). Enoch did not just walk with God but did so in a
new degree of oneness. The Scriptures teach that it is impossible for two to ‘walk’ together
unless they are in agreement.

Enoch walked with God - i.e. there was forward movement and progression in the will and
purposes of the Lord. Things started to develop and shift to the next phase. You as a son,
through obedience or disobedience, can affect the rate at which your spiritual father is able to
move forward with greater speed into the fullness of the mandate he carries. God provides
every son with this opportunity to walk in agreement with his father. Failure to do this does not
hinder the purpose of God, for God will raise up another one who is willing to obey to the point
of death to self.
Enoch has keen prophetic sight – he saw aspects of the end of the age:

Jude 1:14 And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the
Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints.

Enoch was only seven generations from Adam, yet he had such keen prophetic sight that he
saw the Lord’s coming to earth with thousands of the saints. I personally believe that his
spiritual sight was so sharp because of his ‘walk with God in agreement’ – with all that this
phrase implies as indicated above. His son brought him into rest through his disposition of living
in obedience unto death.

Enoch walked with God. We can assume he did so humbly.

Micah 6:8 He has told you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you
But to do justice, to love kindness, And to walk humbly with your God.

He certainly pleased God in his walk with God.

Heb. 11:5 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.

When Methuselah lives in the culture of DEATH unto obedience, it activates the apostolic
dynamic in him and also causes his father, Enoch, not to see death. For Enoch that was physical
death. For us, our spiritual fathers will not see a death to corporate destiny or purposes so long
as sons within their households embody the principle of obedience unto death.

v Example 3: ISAAC AND ABRAHAM’S JOINT OBEDIENCE, POSITIONS BOTH OF THEM
TO ACCESS PROFOUND REVELATIONS OF GOD’S PERSON

Much is known and made of Abraham’s obedience to God when he displayed a willingness to
sacrifice Isaac in compliance with a command from God. Yet, equal credit must also go to Isaac,
the son. He was younger and stronger than Abraham. He could have resisted, but he too, like
Jesus did, ‘humbled himself unto death’.

Gen. 22: 6-8
6 Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on Isaac his son, and he took in
his hand the fire and the knife. So the two of them walked on together.
7 Isaac spoke to Abraham his father and said, “My father!” And he said, “Here I am, my
son.” And he said, “Behold, the fire and the wood, but where is the a lamb for the burnt
offering?”
8 Abraham said, “God will provide for Himself the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” So
the two of them walked on together.

This is the first time a father and son relate to each other in this way in the Bible. Note the terms
of reference in verse 7 .....“my father” and “my son”. The recognition of who your father is, is
the key to obedience. Obedience will flow from that relationship. Once a son has recognised
and established that he is a son in a household, obedience will be no difficult task, for he trusts
his father completely, even unto death.

Note verse 6 above: “The two of them walked on together”. They walked on together in
agreement to the place of obedience unto death. You can only come to the place of significant
obedience when you walk together with your spiritual father. Walking with your father in this
regard denotes highly esteeming the WORD OF GOD taught and its obedience. If Isaac never
walked with Abraham, he would have never been able to be obedient to that degree. You have
to have a relationship before obedience.

Relationship with your spiritual father builds trust, and trust is essential so that when he/she
speaks, you consider it as the voice of God. You cannot come to this position of dying to self
unless you trust him, because it is him that will administer the death to your soul via the Word
he teaches. Relationships built on trust is developed by the esteemed priority the son attaches
to God’s Word communicated through the spiritual father. It also demands of the son that he
follows the spiritual father closely. Tracking and listening to his teachings do this, and where
possible to be physically present at meetings which he calls.

Isaac’s obedience to Abraham in laying his life down to be sacrificed by him brought Abraham
into a new revelation of God as Jehovah Jireh (Gen. 22). The obedience of a son can have the
effect of propelling the father into deeper and more profound revelations of God and His
person. Isaac, too, was privy to the revelation of God as Jehovah Jireh that his father Abraham
received - he saw the provision of God and he heard his father exclaim, “The Lord is Provision”.

As a son, Isaac’s obedience unto death, coupled in tandem with his father Abraham’s obedience
to destroy the means through which his prophetic destiny as a father of nations would be
fulfilled, opened him up to a powerful dynamic in God’s character, viz. His nature as a God of
provision. When a son obeys, the father’s sight into Divinity has the potential to enlarge, but
the son, too, enters that new perspective, that new revelation, which will change the mindset
and behaviour of the son in reference to how he executes God’s purposes on the earth. Isaac
never had lack of provision in his life. He sowed in a time of famine and reaped 100 fold in the
same year (Gen.26:12). He was never need-oriented and never doubted God’s capacity to
provide for him. All this was founded in that experience of obedience of him and his father on
Mount Moriah.

JOINT-OBEDIENCE: Here we see the power of both father and son obeying God to the point of
death. Two are better than one (Eccl. 4:9). Two always amplifies the potential attached to them
jointly as opposed to each of them individually (Lev. 26:7-8). One puts a thousand to flight – but
two can set ten thousand fleeing (Deut. 32:30). Where at least two agree upon anything it shall
be established for them (Matt. 18:19). Principles governing spiritual things have tremendous
impact, influence and result. In any context, where you get agreement between spiritual father
and spiritual son, not just mentally or cognitively, but agreement in how they obey as fellow
heirs and co-labourers – the results of blessing and Divinely-determined outcomes are always
hugely accentuated.

When a son obeys his father, this brings the father into rest about certain aspects of the sons’
obedience so that his focus can elevate to others issues. Imagine a church, for example, where
every single one is 100% accurate in obedience relative to biblical financial principles all the
time. The spiritual father would not have to spend lengthy times speaking on finance. A father
can rest as far as that issue is concerned and can address other, more pressing issues.

That a son obeys to the point of death and thus elevating the father into a higher place of
function spiritually, is ultimately in the best interest of the son himself too, because greater
grace accessed by the father will finally be the sons portion. Mordecai’s ascension to prime
minister no doubt would benefit Esther and the rest of the Jews. Paul also intimated that his
personal apostolic sphere or ‘metron’ of spiritual influence will increase when the faith of the
Corinthians have become enlarged.

2 Cor. 10:14-16 For we are not overextending ourselves, as if we did not reach to you, for
we were the first to come even as far as you in the gospel of Christ; not
boasting beyond our measure, that is, in other men’s labors, but with the
hope that as your faith grows, we will be, within our sphere, enlarged
even more by you, so as to preach the gospel even to the regions beyond
you, and not to boast in what has been accomplished in the sphere of
another. But he who boasts is to boast in the Lord.

Abraham asked Isaac to lay his life down on the altar. Mordecai asked Esther to go to the king in
the inner court at the risk of death. To the natural mind, these actions spelt certain death –
almost suicidal. But how do you obey someone’s instruction that seems to be leading you to
your death? You have to have a relationship with them. You have to establish in your heart that
this man or woman has been placed over my life to father my soul in order to bring it to rest.
The primary reason that God has placed spiritual fathers over people is that they can come to
this place of rest.

Bear in mind that the obedience of a father and son ACTIVATES MORE GRACE which God desires
to bestow upon them both, for the accomplishment of His purposes in and through the father-
son relationship.
v Example 4: RUTH’S OBEDIENCE REDEEMS NAOMI

Ruth clung to Naomi in her walk with her from Moab to Bethlehem in Judah.

Ruth 1:14c Ruth clung to her.

Clung = dabaq = to join with; to stay129

Ruth’s commitment to walk in agreement with Naomi is captured in the statement, “Where you
go, I will go”.

Ruth Obeyed Naomi.
Ruth 3:1-6
1 Then Naomi her mother-in-law said to her, "My daughter, shall I not seek security for
you, that it may be well with you?
2 "Now is not Boaz our kinsman, with whose maids you were? Behold, he winnows barley
at the threshing floor tonight.
3 "Wash yourself therefore, and anoint yourself and put on your best clothes, and go
down to the threshing floor; but do not make yourself known to the man until he has
finished eating and drinking.
4 "It shall be when he lies down, that you shall notice the place where he lies, and you
shall go and uncover his feet and lie down; then he will tell you what you shall do."
5 She said to her, "All that you say I will do."
6 So she went down to the threshing floor and did according to all that her mother-in-
law had commanded her.

The level of ‘security’ and ‘wellness’ that Naomi seeks for Ruth goes way beyond the provision
of personal needs – way beyond the issue of the provision of the Lord. Naomi prophetically was
wanting to ensure that Ruth builds into the unfolding long-term purposes of God.

The word ‘security’ is translated as such from the Hebrew word, ‘manoah’, which also means
‘rest or resting place’130. We must come to a place of rest in God’s things, where we are not
primarily concerned with issues of short-term provision. Security and rest are only attainable
through our practical daily obedience to the Lord.

Ruth is instructed by Naomi to engage in intense personal sanctification and preparation at
every level (3:3), and then to go down to Boaz’ threshing floor (place of separation) and lie at his
feet (intimacy suggestive of intense union).
Once again, note the instant and unreserved obedience of Ruth:

Ruth 2:5,6 She said to her, “All that you say I will do.” So she went down to the
threshing floor and did according to all that her mother-in-law had commanded
her.

To access her first level of provision (which was gleaning in the corners of the field, then in the
centre of the field after the reapers) was easy. Her covenantal commitment to Naomi ignited a
response of FAVOUR and KINDNESS from Boaz. Now, to go to the next level, the blessing of a
secured future and the privilege of contributing significantly to the eternal purposes of God, will
require intense personal preparation, and COMPLETE and DARING OBEDIENCE.

Naomi’s instruction to Ruth to lie at Boaz’ feet was in natural terms suicidal, for this was usually
the posture of married women toward their husbands. There was nothing improper or
indecorous about Ruth’s actions. Naomi was aware of her rights of redemption by the nearest
kinsman redeemer, which was Boaz. By natural standards, this act seemed blatant and
presumptuous, yet Ruth, fully trusting in the command of Naomi, proceeds to courageously
obey. Her obedience is a prophetic enactment of a reality she was about to actually enter into,
viz. actually marrying Boaz. So it was not presumptuous as much as it was confidently
prophetic. But Naomi had the prophetic perspective and led her spiritual son, Ruth, into that by
issuing to her instructions, which when obeyed, brought Ruth into the fullness of her
redemption. The same holds true for us today.

From a carnal perception, a spiritual father’s instruction or command could seem that he is
“leading you to death”. Yet, in a way, he is leading you to death, viz. the death of your flesh. But
in order to obey his instruction as Ruth did to Naomi, you have to have an established
relationship based on love and trust. Ruth already established her sonship position towards
Naomi on the road to Bethlehem. Have you established your sonship position? You cannot
come to this position of being dead to self if you do not have a relationship with your spiritual
father.

Obedience is also a position you learn from accurate fathering. The reason Isaac was obedient
was because of his father Abraham, who himself being obedient to the voice of God, was an
accurate model for Isaac to follow. Ruth’s obedience was due to Naomi’s obedience to return to
Bethlehem. Naomi heard God was visiting Bethlehem and she left to go there. Both Ruth and
Isaac had the capacity to obey because they had a point of reference for what obedience looked
like in the life of their spiritual fathers. Paul said, “Imitate me as I imitate Christ”.

Example 5 : DAVID’S OBEDIENCE BRINGS FINANCIAL FREEDOM TO JESSE’S HOUSE

1 Sam 17:17-20
17 Then Jesse said to David his son, "Take now for your brothers an ephah of this roasted
grain and these ten loaves and run to the camp to your brothers.
18 "Bring also these ten cuts of cheese to the commander of their thousand, and look into
the welfare of your brothers, and bring back news of them.
19 "For Saul and they and all the men of Israel are in the valley of Elah, fighting with the
Philistines."
20 So David arose early in the morning and left the flock with a keeper and took the
supplies and went as Jesse had commanded him.

David’s obedience to his father, Jesse, catapulted him into his destiny. Jesse sent David to give
food to his brothers while they were on the battlefield where Goliath taunted the army of Israel
for 40 days. By all natural accounts, a parent sending a young son to a battlefield, where an
entire army of Israel was paralysed by fear, would seem inconsiderate. For David, obeying this
command would be the proverbial ‘obedience unto death’. David, governed by two factors, viz.
a desire to please his father and to ensure the welfare of his brothers, obeys his father. This act
of obedience was the pathway to kingship for David. When you seek the welfare of your
brothers, you will rule like a king. David’s obedience, motivated by a desire to please his father
and nourish his brothers, would result in him slaying Goliath and never go back to tending sheep
again. His sphere of function in life and operation would now be the royal courts – an
environment he was meant to function in. One singular act of daring obedience to a father,
fosters welfare of the brotherhood and facilitates an increased momentum toward a ruling and
reigning dynamic.

David’s obedience to Jesse also positioned Jesse in a favourable position. Jesse’s house would
be ‘free’ - a reference to freedom from taxes and public service131.

1 Sam 17:25 The men of Israel said, “Have you seen this man who is coming up? Surely he is
coming up to defy Israel. And it will be that the king will enrich the man who kills
him with great riches and will give him his daughter and make his father’s house
free in Israel.”

Here again the obedience in sonship brings blessing upon the house of the father.

EXAMPLE 6 : JOSEPH’S OBEDIENCE POSITIONS JACOB TO BLESS PHARAOH

The same principles above could be applied to Jacob’s command to Joseph to give food to his
brothers, who were shepherding his flocks. Obedience to fatherly command ensures corporate
welfare of the brothers and positions the son for rulership. [Refer to the narrative in Gen.37 and
note the details in this account - there is much to learn here]

Joseph’s obedience to Jacob would also many years later bring benefit to Jacob. Jacob would
pray for and bless Pharaoh.

Gen. 47:7 Then Joseph brought his father Jacob and presented him to Pharaoh; and Jacob
blessed Pharaoh.

Joseph’s obedience ultimately led to his father blessing the most powerful political leader of his
day. This ensured that God’s favour rested on Jacob’s family, which would become a great
nation in Egypt. A son’s obedience can position the father to function in very strategic roles.

The important issue is that grace is spread to more and more people through this process and
God’s will triumphs in the earth.

EXAMPLE 7 : THE INCREASED FAITH OF THE CORINTHIANS ENLARGES PAUL’S SPHERE

2 Corinthians 10:12-16
12 For we are not bold to class or compare ourselves with some of those who commend
themselves; but when they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves
with themselves, they are without understanding.
13 But we will not boast beyond our measure, but within the measure of the sphere which
God apportioned to us as a measure, to reach even as far as you.
14 For we are not overextending ourselves, as if we did not reach to you, for we were the
first to come even as far as you in the gospel of Christ;
15 not boasting beyond our measure, that is, in other men’s labors, but with the hope that
as your faith grows, we will be, within our sphere, enlarged even more by you,
16 so as to preach the gospel even to the regions beyond you, and not to boast in what has
been accomplished in the sphere of another.

The commentary I have already made on this passage in the last bulleted point in Chapter
twelve merits repetition here:

Every apostle of God has a sphere of ministry, which will incorporate certain people
groups, to which they will be sent. Attempting to do apostolic work to a people, to which
God has not sent you, may very well lead you to entering into the sphere or domain of some
other apostle. There were believers in the city of Corinth who came under Pauls’ apostolic
spiritual fatherhood (Some were fathered by Peter and still others by Apollos). Pauls’
sphere or measure of apostolic ministry included some at Corinth and obviously a host of
other people in other cities. Paul makes a remarkable statement to those in Corinth who
related to him. He states to them that within his sphere of apostolic ministry, he will be
enlarged by the growing faith of the Corinthians (See 2 Cor. 10:15 quoted above). This will
manifest itself even by the spread of apostolic ministry in jurisdictions beyond the city of
Corinth. So these Corinthians can have a positive impact on the enlargement within Paul
as an Apostle. Here again is additional proof of how strong support given to an apostolic
father can significantly elevate him to a wider and higher place of functionality.
Chapter 17
Tracking the Ascent Of Your

Spiritual Leader

Courageous and daring obedience in both spiritual fathers and spiritual sons evidences and
expresses true humility, to which grace is attracted for the accomplishment of strategic Divine
purposes.

Grace configures our identity as God’s sons, but also serves to empower our function as we
execute the will of God. If grace is most amplified within the spiritual father-son dyad, then
grace will also serve to enable and empower both father and son in the execution and
successful attainment of the divine purposes of God attendant with that mandate. The father-
son relationship must go beyond love and loyalty expressed inwardly between the two parties,
to being a powerful dynamic that God would use to fulfill some significant purpose He has, not
just for that relationship but beyond that relationship, for the benefit of people far and wide –
even globally. You and I must commit to the father-son dyad, not only with the motivation of it
benefitting our own spiritual development and maturation in Christ, but also with the desire for
it to be used by God to attain His will relative to that relationship, a will that involves others
outside of that relationship.

There must be love, loyalty and an intense spirit and soul commitment between fathers and
sons. But also, there must be an awareness of the PURPOSE OF GOD, which will be transmitted
in and through that relationship with others in mind. There was substantial divine purpose
attendant with the following father-son relationships in Scripture:

§ Abraham and Isaac
§ Isaac and Jacob
§ Jacob and his sons
§ Moses and Joshua
§ Naomi and Ruth
§ Mordecai and Esther
§ Elijah and Elisha
§ Paul and Timothy
§ Paul and Titus

The present study focuses on exploring how sons walked closely with their fathers so that
ultimately Divine purpose was attained – purposes which transcended the immediacy of the
relationship and which played out for other people in their sphere, beyond their sphere and
even beyond their time, to generations to be born years after them. For this to be true, it
demands of a son to track the spiritual movement and development of his spiritual father in
Christ.

LOOK AT THE FOLLOWING EXAMPLES:

(1) NAOMI AND RUTH

Ruth functioned as a spiritual son to Naomi (see Ruth 4:15). Ruth committed to follow Naomi,
saying, “Where you go, I will go”, implying she would track Naomi’s spiritual movement and
growth (Ruth 1:16). When she said, “Your God will be my God”, she was not just indicating a
desire to worship Jehovah God of the Jews, but that the quality of Naomi’s relationship with
God would indeed be hers also (Ruth 1:16).

If you are able to “go where your spiritual father goes” – tracking his spiritual upgrades and
upward ‘ascensions’ in his own pursuit of expressions of God’s nature and execution of HIS
purpose, THEN “his God will be your God”, i.e. you enter into the experience and privileges of
the quality of relationship he has established with every ascent in his own progression. You ‘go
where your father goes’ - not physically but spiritually by closely following and obeying his
teachings and pursuing the purposes of God vested in him.

Ruth’s sonship towards Naomi was purposeful. A significant result of her obedience to Naomi
was her marriage to Boaz. This union produced Obed, who became the father Jesse, who
became the father of King David. From David’s line, of the tribe of Judah, Jesus Christ would
come to be born. So Ruth’s following hard after Naomi’s walk with God within Bethlehem
(House of Bread) of Judah (this highlights the ‘apostolic’ principle), secured the attainment of
God’s purposes, not just for their time and context, but even set the basis and foundation for
God’s will playing itself out successfully to future generations to come. In fact, you and I today
are direct beneficiaries of Ruth’s relationship with Naomi, because Jesus Christ, the promised
Messiah and Saviour of the world, would issue forth from David’s genealogical line. David was
the great grandson of Ruth. The spiritual father-son relationship can produce strategic results.
The imperative is for a son to obey the instructions or Word released in and through the
spiritual father, and also to track the spiritual development of the father closely, and so follow.

(2) ELIJAH AND ELISHA

Elisha, as a spiritual son to Elijah, wanted a double portion of his anointing. For Elisha to
receive the double portion from Elijah, the only requirement was that Elisha must SEE Elijah
when he is taken up into Heaven (2 Kings 2:9-10).

2 Kings 2: 9,10 When they had crossed over, Elijah said to Elisha, “Ask what I shall do for
you before I am taken from you.” And Elisha said, “Please, let a double
portion of your spirit be upon me.” He said, “You have asked a hard
thing. Nevertheless, if you see me when I am taken from you, it shall be
so for you; but if not, it shall not be so.”

This did occur, for as Elijah was taken up into Heaven, he threw his mantle upon Elisha. The
principle is that as a spiritual son is able to perceive and note the ‘ascent’ of his spiritual father,
in that process of him observing the elevation of his father, whatever grace is present within
the father becomes the preserve of the sons. Sons must keenly track the upward development
of their spiritual fathers. Every upward ascent, if observed, understood and assimilated, could
very well bring the son into the same. There is a significant potential grace deposit for the son if
he closely tracks the growth and development of his spiritual father in Christ.

See = raáh = Look at, inspect, perceive, consider, to inspect132
To look at, regard, look after, see after, learn about, observe, watch, look
upon, look out, find out, give attention to, discern, distinguish133

As indicated above, the word “see” does not simply indicate a casual glance but intense
perception. You must SEE your spiritual father – behold him, not simply in the flesh but in the
spirit. Your LOOK toward him must be an appropriate one because you perceive the importance
of his role and the purity of his spirit. This “SEEING” has reference to your outlook and
fundamental view that you have of your father. If it is favourable, based upon your honest and
accurate perceptions regarding him, then you are ideally positioned to receive a double portion
of his anointing and grace. If it is negative because you fail to accurately perceive the
importance of his role and the sincerity of his heart posture, then you will inhibit the
transmission and impartation of his grace and anointing to you.

Elisha and his spiritual sons continued the purposes of God given to Elijah. Their relationship
was not just loving but purposeful.

God’s command to Elijah:
1 Kings 19:15-16
15 The Lord said to him (Elijah), “Go, return on your way to the wilderness of
Damascus, and when you have arrived, you shall anoint Hazael king over Aram;
16 and Jehu the son of Nimshi YOU SHALL anoint king over Israel; and Elisha the
son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah you shall anoint as prophet in your place.

Elijah was commanded to anoint Jehu as King of Israel, but never got to actually do this. Elisha,
who was Elijah’s spiritual son, realises that a mandate over his spiritual father’s life was still
unfulfilled, so he takes up this assignment upon himself. He does not actually do it himself, but
instructs one of his own sons – one of the sons of the prophets to fulfill this assignment. The
commitment of Elisha as a son to Elijah was so strong and authentic, that he acts to complete
his father’s assignment. The commitment of Elisha’s sons toward him was strong, so that Elisha
could literally send them as accurate representations of himself and his father Elijah.
Elisha’s commandment to one of the sons of the prophets :

2 Kings 9:1-4
1 Now Elisha the prophet called one of the sons of the prophets and said to him,
“Gird up your loins, and take this flask of oil in your hand and go to Ramoth-
gilead.
2 “When you arrive there, search out Jehu the son of Jehoshaphat the son of
Nimshi, and go in and bid him arise from among his brothers, and bring him to an
inner room.
3 “Then take the flask of oil and pour it on his head and say, ‘Thus says the Lord,
“I have anointed you king over Israel.” ’ Then open the door and flee and do not
wait.”
4 So the young man, the servant of the prophet, went to Ramoth-gilead

The command or assignment given to a spiritual father was fulfilled three generations later. A
spiritual son is passionate about bringing finalisation to all outstanding, unfulfilled matters in
reference to his fathers’ spiritual assignment on the earth. When God sees this in the son, He
will dispense GREAT GRACE to facilitate this because HIS WILL is at stake.

To receive double portion from Elijah, Elisha had to follow closely and walk with Elijah so he
Could see him as he is taken up. This implied he had to track his movements and keep in step
with him.

2 Kings 2:6 Then Elijah said to him, “Please stay here, for the Lord has sent me to the
Jordan.” And he said, “As the Lord lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave
you.” So THE TWO OF THEM WENT ON.

There were some sons of Elijah that did not follow closely but chose to stand afar off. These did
not receive the double portion that Elisha received.

2 Kings 2:7 And fifty men of the sons of the prophets went, and stood over against them
AFAR OFF: and they two stood by the Jordan.

Jordan means ‘descending rapidly’134 – denoting the posture of humility and submission. Elisha
followed Elijah in his descent to the Jordan - you have to go down if you want to come up.
Promotion and honour attend humility expressed by obedience in a son to a father.

James 4:6 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.

Prov. 29:23 A man’s pride will bring him low, But a humble spirit will obtain honor.

There is GREAT GRACE within the father-son union. May we all access the promotion and
honour God desires to bring to us through humility and obedience.

(3) ABRAHAM AND ISAAC

Isaac witnessed the obedience of his father, Abraham, in a courageous act of obedience, in
willing to sacrifice him on Mount Moriah. He, too, heard God’s affirmation of Abraham because
of this act of obedience and the endorsement of previous prophetic promises, which now was
firmly entrenched that it would certainly come to pass. Isaac walked up the mount with his
father Abraham. This is a picture of a son following closely after his father, observing his ‘ascent’
to a higher place of obedience to God, and following that same pattern of obedience (See my
discussion on this in a previous chapter - for the effects this had on Isaac).

(4) JESUS AND HIS TWELVE DISCIPLES/APOSTLES

Jesus selected twelve disciples “TO BE WITH HIM so that they might preach”.

Mark 3:13,14 And He went up on the mountain and summoned those whom He Himself
wanted, and they came to Him. And He appointed twelve, so that they would be
with Him and that He could send them out to preach

They cannot preach unless they are first ‘with Him’. Failure to follow closely renders the
purpose attendant with that relationship unattainable.

Peter followed Jesus from afar when Jesus was handed over to the High Priest and would then
be submitted to the process of his ongoing trials before Pilate, before being crucified (Mark
14:54).

Mark 14:54 And Peter followed him afar off, … (KJV)
Mark 14:54 Peter had followed Him at a distance, … (Nasb)

Fear gripped Peter and he followed from a distance because he was not willing to deal with the
great cost associated with being a close follower of Jesus. At times, sons may follow from a
distance because the cost of nearness is too great.

Do not permit ‘distance’ to develop between you and your spiritual father. Misunderstandings
that may cause tension in the relationship should be quickly resolved, so that grace could flow
unimpeded.

Recall that you follow closely by …

- Prioritising and being at meetings your father calls (where possible).
- Listening to his teachings not just once, but as many times as it is necessary until the
Word becomes incarnate or is established firmly in your mentality and behaviour.
- Supporting him in practical ways where possible.

To pursue and walk in close agreement with a spiritual father is to pursue and access grace.
Many do not understand this dynamic. I have found it to be a key factor in accessing grace.

In conclusion, be aware of this fact: Tracking your spiritual father’s development and growth by
following his doctrine and the example of his exemplary behaviour in Christ, will definitely
position you for the reception great grace. This grace is essential for the sons’ spiritual
development and empowerment for the fulfillment of the purposes of God attendant with that
father-son union.

Chapter 18
The Gate of Spiritual Fathering

Five Related Phrases:

The following terms/phrases in scripture are interrelated and need clarification. They bear great
relevance to our present focus in this writing.

§ The City of the Living God
§ Gates of the City
§ Passing THROUGH the Gates
§ Speaking WITH the enemy IN the Gates
§ Possessing the Enemies’ Gates

An important imagery of fathers or fatherly leadership is that of ‘GATES’, and it is vitally
important to understand why fathers are analogised to ‘gates’. To gain a thorough and
complete understanding, we need to track this imagery in a few biblical instances in which the
church of God is likened unto a city, ‘The City of God’, having gates and walls.

The various spiritual aspects and modern day applications of the metaphor of the Church as a
city was taught by Thamo Naidoo, an apostle of Christ, at one of the October 2015 Apostolic
School of Ministry which he hosted. My discussion here is rooted in his teachings on the subject.
I encourage the reader to consult his website and listen to the eight audio sessions of this
brilliant decoding of church as the City of God - see endnotes for the website link and the
relevant sessions .135

The Church of God is compared to a City - ‘The City of the Living God’.

Heb. 12:22,23 But you have come to Mount Zion and to CITY OF THE LIVING GOD, the
heavenly Jerusalem, and to myriads of angels, to the general assembly
and church of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the
Judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect.

Matt 5:14-16 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does
anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives
light to all who are in the house. Let your light shine before men in such a way
that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.

The church in this passage is described variously, e.g. Mount Zion, the Heavenly Jerusalem and
the City of the Living God, amongst other descriptors. All these terms are describing the same
reality, viz. the church. So the Heavenly Jerusalem is the City of the living God. John, in the book
of Revelation, describes the city of God, as the ‘Holy City’, the ‘New Jerusalem’ and indicates
that it is ‘as a bride’, viz. the Bride of Christ, the Church.

Rev. 21:1-3
1
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed
away, and there is no longer any sea. 2 And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming
down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I
heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is among
men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will
be among them.

Note the Architectural Design of the City:

The Church of God, as depicted as the City of the Living God, is what Abraham saw in his day.
This ‘city’ - the church, is what Abraham ‘looked for’, and not ‘Heaven’, as is commonly
believed.

Heb. 11:9-10 By faith he lived as an alien in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, dwelling
in tents with Isaac and Jacob, fellow heirs of the same promise; for he was
looking for the city which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God.
Looking = ekdechomai
(1) to receive, accept
(2) to look for, expect, wait for, await136
Abraham did not just eagerly wait for and expect the reality of the CITY OF THE LIVING GOD, he
RECEIVED and ACCEPTED it prophetically in his time. As such, he expressed the reality of the
church in his time through his life’s experience and example. Although the church is a New
Testament manifestation, Abraham exhibited some of its key features. He, however, by faith,
with the eyes of faith and prophetic foresight LOOKED to its New Testament full manifestation.
He reached out for it, as it were. What you REACH for, your will RECEIVE.

Rev. 21:10-21
10
And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me the holy
city, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God,11 having the glory of God. Her brilliance
was like a very costly stone, as a stone of crystal-clear jasper. 12 It had a great and high
wall, with twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels; and names were written on them,
which are the names of the twelve tribes of the sons of Israel. 13 There were three gates on the
east and three gates on the north and three gates on the south and three gates on the
west. 14 And the wall of the city had twelve foundation stones, and on them were the twelve
names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. 15 The one who spoke with me had a gold
measuring rod to measure the city, and its gates and its wall. 16 The city is laid out as a square,
and its length is as great as the width; and he measured the city with the rod, fifteen hundred
miles; its length and width and height are equal.
[Author’s note : 12000 stadia or furlongs = 1500 miles]

17
And he measured its wall, seventy-two yards, according to human measurements, which
are also angelic measurements.
[Author’s note: 72 yards = 144 cubits (NKJV)]

18
The material of the wall was jasper; and the city was pure gold, like clear glass. 19 The
foundation stones of the city wall were adorned with every kind of precious stone. The first
foundation stone was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, chalcedony; the
fourth, emerald; 20 the fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolite; the eighth,
beryl; the ninth, topaz; the tenth, chrysoprase; the eleventh, jacinth; the twelfth,
amethyst. 21 And the twelve gates were twelve pearls; each one of the gates was a single
pearl. And the street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass.

THE WALLS OF THE CITY

ü The city has ‘great and high’ walls made of jasper. The city is well protected. ‘Jasper’
signifies the ‘glory of God, brightness and beauty’137.

ü The wall of the city has 12 foundation stones.

ü On each of the 12 foundation stones of the wall was the name of one of the 12 Apostles
of the Lamb. The 12 Apostles of the Lamb were the 12 apostles who walked with Jesus
for three and a half years. Hence the reference is to the office and ministry of the
‘apostle’ (although these twelve Apostles of the Lamb occupy a very unique place
amongst apostles).

ü Note the emphasis to Apostles of the ‘LAMB’. A lamb is an animal of sacrifice,
embodying the principle of representation or substitution. Lambs killed in the process of
sacrifice substituted on behalf of someone else, whole people groups and even whole
nations. Jesus Christ was the spotless Lamb of God who took our place and paid the
penalty in fulfilling God’s judgement of death on all sin. So ‘Apostles of the Lamb’
indicates the capacity of true apostles to cover for another or to substitute for another.
Apostolic grace covers and protects. It is a protective grace around the church of God. It
lives for another by laying down itself sacrificially in the service of ministry for and
towards the Church of God. True apostolic ministry is totally self-less and self-sacrificial.
It exists for the benefit of the church and not for its own benefit.

ü The Measurement of the Wall was 72 yards or 144 cubits.

Rev. 21:17 And he measured its wall, seventy-two yards, according to human
measurements, which are also angelic measurements.

The number 144 is 12X12. 12 is representative of the apostolic or apostolic
governance. So here we see again that the wall represents the office and ministry of
true apostles. 144 cubits is the measurement of the city - which the texts also indicates
is the ‘measurement’ of man and ‘angelic’ measurements. So it refers directly to
humans who are apostles, functioning as ‘angels’ or messengers of God to His church.

There are 12 foundation stones - the original twelve apostles of the Lamb. 144 = 12X12.
Thus, the principle of the ‘12’ - the ‘apostolic’ - is extended beyond the original 12
apostles of the Lamb to a host of other authentic apostles (not false) which come after
them. Hence the entirety of the walls refer to the original 12 apostles of the Lamb AS
WELL AS other apostles, like Paul and others in New Testament times, including modern
day true apostles of Christ currently functioning in the Church of God today.

In Revelation chapter 14, there is a reference to an extended apostolic community or
company of 144 000, which are able to stand alongside WITH THE LAMB, i.e. they are as
HE is. They stand on Mount Zion, a descriptor of the corporate church, and so hence
the allusion of the 144 000 to a corporate community of sons of God.

Rev. 14: 1 Then I looked, and behold, a Lamb standing on Mount Zion, and with Him
one hundred and forty-four thousand, having His Father’s name written
on their foreheads.

The 144 000 here indicates the Church of God, every single member, who is apostolic
in character and nature (not necessarily apostles). 144 000 is 12 X 12 X 1000. The
imagery of 144 000 (12x12x1000) indicates a global, eternal, apostolic principle. They
stand in sync WITH the Lamb. They live, function and operate the way Jesus lived,
functioned and operated.

GATES

ü The City has 12 gates, 3 on each side of the perfect square of the city.

ü There are 12 angels at the gates, with each angel having the name of one of the 12
tribes of Israel on them. Angels are representative of fatherly leadership. So each gate,
symbolically indicates fatherly or patriarchal leadership. This, contextually, would be
fatherly leadership of a tribal community of believers in the earth. (The arrangement of
the global church according to the tribal configuration of Israel and its modern day
application is a not a subject for the present writing). The nation was divided into tribes,
with each tribes having various clans, and each clan having various Households,
comprising individual families. Whilst ‘gates’ in the context of Rev. 21 strictly refers to
fatherly leadership of a tribal entity, the principle, which it represents also, could very
well incorporate fatherly leadership at any level, including fatherly leadership of tribes,
clans, households and families.

ü There are 3 gates on each of the 4 sides of the city. This was similar to the arrangement
of the tribes of Israel around the Tabernacle of Moses whenever they camped. The
arrangement of tribes around the Tabernacle was in the form of a cross, with three
tribes on each side. There was the order of families, clans and tribes, each having a
standard or a banner. There was structure, order and arrangement. Each believer must
belong to a local church - a spiritual family headed by a leader who is fatherly. This
church would in turn belong to a broader group of churches - households led by fatherly
leadership as well. These households would in turn belong to a ‘clan’, a collection of
households of multiple families. Various clans, led by specific individuals, would form a
tribe, led by a tribal fatherly grace. Ultimately, various tribes would constitute a nation,
the holy nation, the global church of God, the City of the Living God in the earth.

ü Each individual gate was one pearl. Hence the gates, manned by fatherly leadership, are
also symbolised as a PEARL. Pearls denote that which is very precious and costly. Hence
the gates, representative of spiritual fathering, is a very precious and costly entity or
principle in the arrangement of the church, the city of God.
ü The gates are never shut. The fathers represent the gates. Fatherly leadership
represents a principle of unhindered access to people in their desire to be a part of
Church and Kingdom life. They are portals through which, by their teaching of God’s
Word and their lives, provide people with key principles that facilitate their growth into
the ways of Christ.

ü Each Gate is Described as a PEARL

Rev. 21:21a And the twelve gates were twelve pearls; each one of the gates was a
single pearl.

Sons enter the fullness of the kingdom experience of the ‘City of God’ (the church) in and
through their submission and obedience to spiritual fathers (angels), which are also
‘PEARLS’ of wisdom to them.

Pearls represent Fatherly Leadership which Dispense Words of Grace. As explained
above, pearls are representative of Fatherly leadership, who by their Word or Doctrine
impart grace and wisdom to people so that they may live successful and overcoming
lives in Christ. In modern parlance, we have the term ‘pearls of wisdom’, a phrase
denoting a wise word or statement.

Pearls - Fatherly Leadership - must be SOUGHT AFTER and TREASURED

Merchants, because of the great value attributed to them, seek fine pearls out.

Matt. 13:45,46 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking fine
pearls, and upon finding one pearl of great value, he went and
sold all that he had and bought it.

Fine = kalos = virtuous and valuable138

The imagery of fatherly leadership as pearls suggests that one should first:
- Seek it out to find it.
- Once found, you place such high value on it, that it ranks as one of the most
prioritised things in your life. In my estimate, valid and authentic fatherly leadership
is one of the most precious and valuable principles to have in one’s life.

Pearls must not be thrown before those who disesteem them because they cannot
perceive their worth, value and virtue.

Matt. 7:6 Do not give what is holy to dogs, and do not throw your pearls before
swine, or they will trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you
to pieces.

In this passage, two animals, viz. dogs and pigs are referenced. These animals were
poorly regarded at the time. What is holy must not be cast to dogs and what is precious
(pearls) must not be cast to pigs.

Pigs and Pearls

The phrase, “do not throw your pearls before swine/pigs” is generally understood to
mean the following: Do not place what is precious and costly before those who do not
perceive its true value.

Prov. 11:22 As a ring of gold in a swine’s snout; So is a beautiful woman who lacks
discretion.

A pig has no understanding of the value of gold in its nose. Hence, within the context of
the present writing and focus, the general reference to pigs alludes to those who lack
discernment or perception as to the need for and value of spiritual fathering. What
people cannot perceive, they will not highly esteem nor willingly receive.

Now the commandment to ‘not throw your pearl before swine’ could also mean:

(1) Do not expose authentic doctrine to those who lack the capacity to receive it,
because they will attack it.

(2) Do not permit your spiritual father to be attacked by those who cannot see his/her
spiritual grace to father. Do not permit a context or situation where your spiritual
father is demeaned, devalued or ‘trampled underfoot’.

Two results of throwing pearl before swine:

(1) The pigs trample the pearls.
(2) They tear YOU to pieces. You become compromised when you willingly permit
the dishonour of your spiritual father in Christ.

Spiritual fathers or leaders must be valued. The merchant who sells all he has to acquire
the one pearl of great value, indicates the high esteem that is to be attached to
authentic spiritual fathers who are regarded as priceless treasures. Sons who know the
value of their fathers do not cast them to swine in dishonour, to be trampled upon. They
realise that there is an attached curse upon sons who dishonour fathers.

Consider :
Matt. 10:5-15
These twelve Jesus sent out after instructing them: “Do not go in the way of the
Gentiles, and do not enter any city of the Samaritans; but rather go to the lost sheep of
the house of Israel. And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’
Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons. Freely you received,
freely give. Do not acquire gold, or silver, or copper for your money belts, or a bag for
your journey, or even two coats, or sandals, or a staff; for the worker is worthy of his
support. And whatever city or village you enter, inquire who is worthy in it, and stay at
his house until you leave that city. As you enter the house, give it your greeting. If the
house is worthy, give it your blessing of peace. But if it is not worthy, take back your
blessing of peace. Whoever does not receive you, nor heed your words, as you go out of
that house or that city, shake the dust off your feet. Truly I say to you, it will be more
tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city.

Dogs:

(1) “In the East, dogs were not usually pets and were without masters, feeding upon
whatever they could find (1 Kings. 14:11; 16:4; 21:19; Ps. 59:6, 14).”139.

Hence dogs, in this context, refers to …. :

(a) Those who are ‘without masters’, i.e. who are not submitted to any oversight or
leadership, especially fatherly leadership. Those who, for whatever reason, do
not embrace the need for fatherly leadership over their lives will invariably
oppose the principle so as to erode its weight and significance. One should be
careful not to let those, to whom the principle of spiritual fathering has not yet
been revealed, to subtly, by their opposition to it, cause you to begin to doubt
and question its biblical accuracy and validity.

(b) “Wander at large in the streets and fields” - i.e. people who have no fixed place
of fellowship. They wander around from church to church.

(c) “Feed upon whatever they could find”, i.e. they have no wholesome and well-
balanced diet. They feed off any doctrine from here, there and everywhere,
without testing its accuracy.

(2) Dogs was a term also applied to certain religious teachers

Phil 1: 3 Beware of the dogs, beware of the evil workers, beware of the false
circumcision

These, in context are Judaizers, viz. Judaistic teachers, who taught circumcision as a
requirement necessary for salvation. They represent FALSE TEACHERS.

2 Pet. 2:22 It has happened to them according to the true proverb, “A dog returns to
its own vomit,” and, “A sow, after washing, returns to wallowing in
the mire.”

Thus the caution is not to permit oneself to be exposed and influenced by false
teaching from false teachers who seriously oppose fundamental tenets of the faith we
hold dear to. Also, dogs refer to those teachers who keep regurgitating the same
spiritual food year in and year out, without seeking to remain relevant with what God
is currently releasing apostolically to the global church.

T
THE CHURCH, THE GATE OF HEAVEN
Gen. 28:10-22
10 Then Jacob departed from Beersheba and went toward Haran.
11 He came to a certain place and spent the night there, because the sun had set; and he took
one of the stones of the place and put it under his head, and lay down in that place.
12 He had a dream, and behold, a ladder was set on the earth with its top reaching to heaven;
and behold, the angels of God were ascending and descending on it.
13 And behold, the LORD stood above it and said, "I am the LORD, the God of your father
Abraham and the God of Isaac; the land on which you lie, I will give it to you and to your
descendants.
14 "Your descendants will also be like the dust of the earth, and you will spread out to the
west and to the east and to the north and to the south; and in you and in your descendants
shall all the families of the earth be blessed.
15 "Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this
land; for I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you."
16 Then Jacob awoke from his sleep and said, "Surely the LORD is in this place, and I did not
know it."
17 He was afraid and said, "How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of
God, and this is the gate of heaven."
18 So Jacob rose early in the morning, and took the stone that he had put under his head and
set it up as a pillar and poured oil on its top.
19 He called the name of that place Bethel; however, previously the name of the city had been
Luz.
20 Then Jacob made a vow, saying, "If God will be with me and will keep me on this journey
that I take, and will give me food to eat and garments to wear,
21 and I return to my father's house in safety, then the LORD will be my God.
22 "This stone, which I have set up as a pillar, will be God's house, and of all that You give me I
will surely give a tenth to You."

Now Consider Three of the Related Phrases Highlighted at the Beginning of this Chapter:

§ Passing THROUGH the Gates
§ Speaking WITH the enemy IN the Gates
§ Possessing the Enemies’ Gates

PASSING THROUGH THE GATES

ü Passing Through Gates into the Street of Gold : Note in the City of God, the global corporate
church described in Rev. 21, there is one street of Gold (see Rev. 21:21). Gold, as a colour and
commodity, is reflective of the ‘Divine’ nature of God Himself. It highlights the precious,
pure and perpetual nature of God. This singular street of gold is a direct reference to the
nature, character and person of the Lord Jesus Christ. He is the WAY (John 14:6). His life
represents for us a pattern or way of living in every respect. He is our template, after whom
we may model our lives.

Naturally speaking, gates hang on walls, i.e. spiritual fatherly leadership must be hinged upon
authentic, apostolic ministry and doctrine. Every spiritual leader or father, functioning in a
fatherly capacity in the church, must in some way be connected to and submitted to authentic
apostolic fatherly oversight and covering. I discuss this matter more in my teaching on GRACE
available on my website.

To enter into cities, one needs to pass through gates. Spiritual fathering provides access into
the STREET of the City of God, i.e. by their teaching and leadership, they grant believers
entrance into experiencing the nature and character of Christ, and in this there is safety,
protection and an abundant provision.

The Breaker Goes Up and Before and They Break Out

Micah 2:13 “The breaker goes up before them; They break out, pass through the gate and
go out by it. So their king goes on before them, And the Lord at their head.”

Breaker = paras = To break out, to break down, to burst forth140.

Passed = abar = To pass through or over, to cover, to go beyond, to go along, to be
crossed over, to make to cross over, to go through, to go away141.
The breaker in this verse can apply and refer to a spiritual leader. This breaker GOES UP, i.e.
they are always in spiritual ascent and upward growth. It is important to track the upward
spiritual mobility of your spiritual leader. Observing their lives and keenly tracking their doctrine
and messages preached or taught does this. The breaker going up here could also allude to a
spiritual father’s capacity to engage God in the heavenly dimension through His Word and
receive revelation, and then communicate this in ways to positively affect the life, behaviour
and functionality of those he leads. This equates to the ‘angels’ ascending and descending in
Jacob’s vision recorded in Genesis 28.

Note that when the breaker ‘goes up’, the people ‘break out’: “they BREAK OUT, PASSING
THROUGH THE GATE”. The people break out after the breaker goes up. They break out by
passing through the gate. Sons do not ‘break out’ unless they ‘pass through the gates’. Passing
through the gate would also include the essential need for spiritual sons to observe the ‘GOING
UP’ of their spiritual leaders/fathers. They would need to track their spiritual ascendency by
closely following their teachings and behaviour. Refer to chapter 16 of this writing where this
was discussed.

Passing Through the Waters.

1 Cor. 10:1-5
1 For I do not want you to be unaware, brethren, that our fathers were all under the cloud
and all passed through the sea;
2 and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea;
3 and all ate the same spiritual food;
4 and all drank the same spiritual drink, for they were drinking from a spiritual rock which
followed them; and the rock was Christ.
5 Nevertheless, with most of them God was not well-pleased; for they were laid low in the
wilderness.

One of the significant imageries of water baptism is that the person baptised testifies to wholly
agreeing to and assimilating the doctrine or teaching of his Master. In Acts 18, John’s disciples
were confronted by Paul concerning whether or not they received the baptism in the Holy
Ghost. They responded by saying that they only knew John’s baptism. This does not only refer to
John’s baptism in water, but also to the entire range of teachings or doctrine of John. Recall that
Apollos taught the Word of God accurately, but only up to and including all the revelation that
John taught.

Acts 18:24-25 Now a Jew named Apollos, an Alexandrian by birth, an eloquent man, came to
Ephesus; and he was mighty in the Scriptures. This man had been instructed in
the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he was speaking and teaching
accurately the things concerning Jesus, being acquainted only with the baptism
of John.
Thus, baptism was symbolic of embracing the doctrine of the one under whose oversight one
was baptised.

In the text above, all Israel was baptised into Moses (verse 2), and further clarifies this by saying
they ate the same spiritual food and drank the same spiritual drink, denoting that they were
immersed in word or doctrine of Moses under his leadership of them through the wilderness.
Water, in any case, symbolically refers to the Word of God (Eph. 5:27; John 15:3).

So the whole idea of ‘passing through’ someone or their representation, alludes to accepting,
assimilating and obeying their teaching or doctrine.

‘Passing though gates or doors’ is an important principle, which Jesus taught in John 10, where
He spoke of Himself as the Good Shepherd, and the sheep ‘pass through Him’. This, amongst
other things, includes a reference to the sheep assimilating and becoming the complete
expression of everything He is.

Before we look at this in more detail, first consider that God shepherds people through human
leaders who function as representative shepherds over the flock of God for their benefit.

GOD SHEPHERDS HIS PEOPLE THROUGH HUMAN AGENCY

Psalm 77:20 You led Your people like a flock By the hand of Moses and Aaron.

Ezek. 34:23,24 “Then I will set over them one shepherd, My servant David, and he will feed
them; he will feed them himself and be their shepherd. And I, the Lord, will be
their God, and My servant David will be prince among them; I the Lord have
spoken.

Joshua and David’s leadership is described in shepherding terms:

Numb. 27:16,17 “May the Lord, the God of the spirits of all flesh, appoint a man over the
congregation, who will go out and come in before them, and who will lead
them out and bring them in, so that the congregation of the Lord will not
be like sheep which have no shepherd.

Psalm 78:70-72 He also chose David His servant And took him from the sheepfolds; From
the care of the ewes with suckling lambs He brought him To shepherd
Jacob His people, And Israel His inheritance. So he shepherded them
according to the integrity of his heart, And guided them with his skillful
hands.

2 Sam. 5:1,2 Then all the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron and said, “Behold,
we are your bone and flesh. In times past, when Saul was king over us, it
was you who led out and brought in Israel. And the Lord said to you, ‘You
shall be shepherd of my people Israel, and you shall be prince over Israel.

True shepherds have hearts after God Himself and will be reflective of the nature of Christ
Himself. They feed their people knowledge and understanding of God’s Word, ways and will,
thus transforming them progressively into the fullness of the image of Christ. These people
become governmental and conduits through which the rule of God is expressed in the earth as
their obedience is perfected. True shepherds lead people to know God as their Heavenly
FATHER more intimately and are NOT intent on replacing the Heavenly Father in the lives of the
people they lead. All of the points raised in this paragraph are gleaned from the passage below.

Jer. 3:15-19
15 “Then I will give you shepherds after My own heart, who will feed you on knowledge and
understanding.
16 "It shall be in those days when you are multiplied and increased in the land," declares the
LORD, "they will no longer say, 'The ark of the covenant of the LORD.' And it will not come
to mind, nor will they remember it, nor will they miss it, nor will it be made again.
17 "At that time they will call Jerusalem 'The Throne of the LORD,' and all the nations will be
gathered to it, to Jerusalem, for the name of the LORD; nor will they walk anymore after
the stubbornness of their evil heart.
18 "In those days the house of Judah will walk with the house of Israel, and they will come
together from the land of the north to the land that I gave your fathers as an inheritance.
19 "Then I said, 'How I would set you among My sons And give you a pleasant land, The most
beautiful inheritance of the nations!' And I said, 'You shall call Me, My Father, And not turn
away from following Me.'

Jer. 23:3-4 “Then I Myself will gather the remnant of My flock out of all the countries where I
have driven them and bring them back to their pasture, and they will be fruitful
and multiply. I will also raise up shepherds over them and they will tend them;
and they will not be afraid any longer, nor be terrified, nor will any be missing,”
declares the Lord.

Now, carefully and prayerfully, read John 10.

John 10:1-18
1 "Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter by the DOOR into the fold of the sheep,
but climbs up some other way, he is a thief and a robber.
2 "But he who enters by the door is a shepherd of the sheep.
3 "To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep
by name and leads them out.
4 "When he puts forth all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because
they know his voice.
5 "A stranger they simply will not follow, but will flee from him, because they do not know
the voice of strangers."
6 This figure of speech Jesus spoke to them, but they did not understand what those things
which He had been saying to them.
7 So Jesus said to them again, "Truly, truly, I say to you, I AM THE DOOR of the sheep.
8 "All who came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them.
9 "I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and
find pasture.
10 "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and
have it abundantly.
11 "I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.
12 “He who is a hired hand, and not a shepherd, who is not the owner of the sheep, sees the
wolf coming, and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters
them.
14 "I am the good shepherd, and I know My own and My own know Me,
15 even as the Father knows Me and I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep.
16 "I have other sheep, which are not of this fold; I must bring them also, and they will hear
My voice; and they will become one flock with one shepherd.
17 "For this reason the Father loves Me, because I lay down My life so that I may take it again.
18 "No one has taken it away from Me, but I lay it down on My own initiative. I have authority
to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This commandment I received from
My Father."

Note:

§ Jesus Christ is the GOOD Shepherd, the model or standard for all true and representative
shepherds to emulate and function by (verse 11 and 14). He is also referenced as the
‘GREAT’ Shepherd of the sheep (Heb. 13:20) and the Chief Shepherd (1 Pet. 5:4).

§ Jesus Christ is the DOOR and the doorkeeper. (verse 2 and 3)

§ In verse 2 and 3, the ‘Door’ and ‘doorkeeper’ on the one hand is distinguished from the
‘shepherd of the sheep’ on the other hand. This ‘shepherd’ (verse 2 - note ‘’A’ shepherd)
is distinctly referenced apart from ‘The Good Shepherd’ (verse 11 - note ‘THE’ Good
Shepherd). This shepherd, a human representation of Christ the good Shepherd, must
function self-sacrificially, being prepared to lay his life down for God’s sheep, just as the
‘Good Shepherd’ would do. Human shepherds must be GOOD as He, the Chief
Shepherd, is. (Verse 12 indicates that the ‘hired hand’ or hireling is not ‘A’ shepherd).
Amazingly, the Greek word for ‘good’ is KALOS, the same word for ‘fine’ in the phrase
‘fine pearls’ - discussed above in this chapter.
Without elaboration, here below is an amplified meaning and application of this word,
KALOS142. May you consider the implications of these for the quality and calibre of
spiritual leadership/shepherds of God’s flock:

GOOD/FINE = KALOS = Constitutionally good without necessarily being benevolent;
expresses beauty as a harmonious completeness, balance,
proportion.

(I) Good as to quality and character.

(a) A measure with a meaning of bountiful, proper measure.
(b) Choice, excellent
(c) Honourable, distinguished

(II) Good as to effect or influence, useful, profitable.

(III) Good in a moral sense, virtuous, spoken of:
(a) Thoughts, feelings, actions,
(b) Persons in reference to the performance of duty

1 Pet 4:10 As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another
as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

§ Thieves and robbers are classified as ‘strangers’ and ‘hirelings’. These refer to shepherds,
but false ones. These climb over the wall and do not enter THROUGH or BY the DOOR.
They do not assimilate and imbibe the values, nature and honourable sacrificial function
of a true shepherd. They function for their own selfish motives and benefit, not primarily
for the benefit or welfare of the sheep.

In John 10, Jesus identified Himself as the DOOR, THROUGH which true shepherds who function
in His nature enter or go through. Jesus is the Good Shepherd, the door by which all shepherds
of the flock of God must enter. Entrance into the nature, character, realm, responsibility and
function of shepherd is through the pattern and example of Jesus Christ Himself. He is the
GREAT or CHIEF SHEPHERD OF THE SHEEP.

The entire focus of Jesus’ teaching here in John 10 is the way in which true shepherds interact
with Him, the Good Shepherd, and this is contrasted with other spurious shepherds (strangers,
hirelings, thieves and robbers). The sheep of God hear the voice of true shepherds, and do not
recognise the voice of strangers.

Entering through the door denotes:

• Valid and legitimate authorisation to function.
Climbing over the fence denotes illegitimate entrance and an assuming of authority to
function.

• Coming through the door also implies being saturated in the nature and example of
Christ as a GOOD Shepherd.

Thieves and Robbers: Climbing over the fence relegates one to a thief and robber, the
intent of whom is to rob, steal and destroy the sheep. These are false shepherds.
Robbers blatantly take another’s possessions openly by violence using force; thieves do
the same but secretly by fraud and stealth. Judas was a thief (John 12:6); Barabbas, a
robber (John 18:40). Thieves and robbers are focused on selfish gain at the risk of
disadvantaging someone else. They have no concern for the welfare of others. Leaders,
who are thieves and robbers, occupy positions of leadership in God’s kingdom purely for
selfish gain without concern for the purposes of God or the welfare of His people.
(Shebna in Isaiah 22 is an example).
Manipulation and exploitation of God’s people for financial gain is an expression thievery
and robbery in the House of God. Also, most of these shepherds who do this,
themselves are not faithful in financial giving - thus they directly rob God Himself. Jesus
drove out the moneychangers from the ‘house of God’, declaring …

Matt. 21:13 And He said to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of
prayer’; but you are making it a robbers’ den.”

• The Stranger = allótrios = belonging to another, not one's own143. This spiritual leader
classed as a ‘stranger’, is alien to the nature and character of Christ in his life and
leadership. He does not belong to Christ. He is an illegitimate shepherd. People must
know who their legitimate shepherd is. They must know his voice, as reflective of the
voice of Christ. The voice of a stranger is the voice of one to whom they do not belong,
because this voice does not belong to Christ in the first place. There must be a
recognition of the voice that ‘turns you’ (Rev. 1:12). The voice of your spiritual father
should be the predominant voice shaping your mentality and behaviour.

• The hireling is one placed in office without the authorisation of God.

Hireling = misthōtós = Hired one
One who is not showing real interest in his duty and who is
unfaithful, a hireling144
(Mark 1:20; John 10:12, 13; Sept.: Ex. 12:45; Lev. 19:13)

The hired hand is not ‘A’ shepherd of the sheep - see verse 12. He does not lay his life
down for the sheep. He simply has a job for which he is remunerated. He is employed by
men and not called by God. His motive is personal reward and enrichment from the
sheep. His heart and soul are divorced from sharing his message. True Shepherds love
the sheep under their care and will gladly lay their lives down for them if necessary.
Consider the following verses in this regard:

1 Thess. 2:7,8 But we proved to be gentle among you, as a nursing mother tenderly
cares for her own children. Having so fond an affection for you, we were
well- pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God but also our
own lives, because you had become very dear to us.

2 Cor. 12:15 I will most gladly spend and be expended for your souls. If I love you
more, am I to be loved less.

1 John 3:16 We know love by this, that He laid down His life for us; and we ought to
lay down our lives for the brethren.

Self-sacrifice for the corporate good is difficult for the hireling. Self-preservation is
paramount over the necessity to incur personal loss for the betterment of the welfare of
the sheep.
1 Peter 5:1-4
1 The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the
sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed:
2 Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by
compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly;
3 nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock;
4 and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does
not fade away.

Within the context of John 10, the references to hirelings, thieves and robbers could to refer to
the religious order of false Pharisees and Scribes. These are they which Jesus said, “came before
me”. The thief of John 10:10 is not a primary reference to satan himself (although the term
‘thief’ could apply to him), but to those leaders posing as true shepherds, but who are really
false.

All sheep or sons of God pass through Jesus, the gate, or door, and find pasturage, i.e. spiritual
food or nourishment as well as protection and preservation. All fatherly leaders within the
Church function as representative shepherds of the flock of God. Hence, gates or doors could
also allude to these earthly spiritual fathers, true shepherds in same degree as the pre-eminent
Good Shepherd, CHRIST JESUS. Spiritual sons, too, pass through their earthly fatherly shepherds,
representations of the Good Shepherd. It must be noted also that if a leader cannot pass
through the Good Shepherd (Christ Jesus), then neither can the people led by this leader pass
through him as a leader.

SPEAKING WITH THE ENEMY IN THE GATE

The context of Psalm 127 is sons born to fathers, and the last verse indicates that these sons
speak with their enemies IN the gate.
Psalm 127
Unless the Lord builds the house, They labor in vain who build it;
Unless the Lord guards the city, The watchman keeps awake in vain.
It is vain for you to rise up early, To retire late, To eat the bread of painful labors;
For He gives to His beloved even in his sleep.
Behold, children are a gift of the Lord, The fruit of the womb is a reward.
Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, So are the children of one’s youth.
How blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them;
They will not be ashamed When they speak with their enemies IN the gate.

The word ‘builds’ here in the Hebrew is ‘banah’, the root of which is ‘ben’ meaning ‘son’ or
‘builder of the family name’145. God builds his house through sonship, i.e. believers coming to
the fullness of their understanding and behaviour as the Divine sons of God. Spiritual fathering
is a crucial component of this process. Sons are then likened unto arrows, which are shot forth
by a mighty warrior, which in context would refer to a spiritual father. An arrow is a weapon of
offence to destroy an enemy. Sons speak with their enemies IN the gate. Note that sons SPEAK
with enemies, i.e. the primary weapon of a son is the Word of God in their mouths, which is the
Sword of the Spirit (Eph. 6:17).

Speaking ‘IN’

Heb. 1:1,2 God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and
in many ways, in these last days has spoken to us IN His Son, whom He
appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world.

The phrase here ‘spoken to us IN His Son’, literally read, is as follows: “ In Son, or IN the person
of a son”. The principle of ‘SON’ or ‘SONSHIP’ is the interface or medium through which God will
communicate to men in these last days. In other words, if there is a group of people to be
communicated to by God, God will require the interface of ‘SON’ IN which to communicate.
Unless this medium is in place, God cannot speak to the people. Primarily, this refers to the pre-
eminent SON, our Lord Jesus Christ, but also refers to mature sons on the earth in and through
which God may communicate His words. Now, I have referenced this just to demonstrate that
when Scripture indicates that God speaks IN a specific medium, that He requires that medium or
principle as the authorised principle to convey His Word and its attendant authority and power.

Back to Psalm 127: So then, spiritual sons speak to their enemies IN THE GATE, i.e. IN and
through their spiritual fathers. This means that the son’s authority is vested in the Word of God
released in and through his spiritual father, who is mandated with the responsibility to
communicate that word. ‘IN THE GATE’ here must be understood primarily for what a spiritual
father represents to the son. He represents the medium that transmits the vital aspects of the
Word of God to the son in matters relating to doctrine, belief and the strategic progression of
either the general Body of Christ (fathers functioning as apostles or prophets would do this) or
that specific group they are personally responsible for. This WORD becomes the son’s authority
to speak to their enemies. Being able to speak to the enemies IN AND THROUGH the Gate of
fathers, they can now proceed to POSSESS the gates of their enemies (different gates
altogether).

POSSESS THE GATES OF THE ENEMY

There exists a promise that sons of God will POSSESS the GATES of their enemies.

Gen 22:15-18 Then the angel of the Lord called to Abraham a second time from heaven, and
said, “By Myself I have sworn, declares the Lord, because you have done this
thing and have not withheld your son, your only son, indeed I will greatly bless
you, and I will greatly multiply your seed as the stars of the heavens and as the
sand which is on the seashore; and your seed shall possess the gate of their
enemies. In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you
have obeyed My voice.

Our enemies are :
(1) Satan
(2) The World systems and carnal thinking
(3) The Carnal or Fleshly Nature

The reference to ‘gates’ here alludes to the power and authority of a thing (cf. Matt 16:18 – the
gates of hell will not prevail against the church). Immediately inside many city gates was an area
where officials met and deliberated. Elders ‘sat in the gates’. These were people of great
responsibility and great influence. They had a legal function in that they determined the policy
by which the city would function. The phrase "sitting in the gate" implies the capacity to
strategically influence key facets of city life. To "sit in the gate" implied one's prominence in the
community so as to influence it with particular values or principles.

The word ‘possess’ as in ‘possess the gates’ has a specific meaning.

Possess = yarash = To occupy by driving out previous tenants, and possessing in their
place146. To inherit, to dispossess, to drive out.147

You cannot possess the gates of your enemies unless you possess the mandate and authority
to speak to your enemy IN and through the GATE of Fathering, i.e. through the Word of God
released through your spiritual father. The Word of God in a father, taught to his sons, arms the
son with might, skill and authority to then possess gates (expressions of governance and
authority) of their enemies. Sons are then able to drive out any illegal satanic purpose,
expression or principle that is opposed to and thus threatening God’s principles, purposes and
will. This is done primarily by BEING an accurate representation of Christ and His word within
your sphere of daily function.

We are expected to rule in the midst of our enemies.

Psalm 110:2 The Lord will stretch forth Your strong scepter from Zion, saying, “Rule in the
midst of Your enemies.”

Psalm 23:5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You have
anointed my head with oil; My cup overflows.
“You cannot rule in the midst of your enemies until your learn to eat from the table
(doctrine) which the Lord prepares for you, in the midst of your enemies”
(Thamo Naidoo).

The table prepared by the Lord refers to feasting off doctrine taught to you by your spiritual
leader. This equips and develops you fully into the nature and thus the authority of Christ to
overcome all your enemies, viz. satan, the world, and the carnal Adamic nature.

Psalm 23:5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You have
anointed my head with oil; My cup overflows.

The word ‘ANOINT’ in Hebrew means ‘TO MAKE FAT’ – symbolically indicating the profuse
abundant oil used.

Symbolically, this suggests the following :

(a) Protection.
(b) Abundance, Prosperity, Favour, etc. (So that ‘My cup runs over’).
(c) Doing things to be seen by God only (Matt 6:17).
(d) Honour, welcome, etc. (Luke 7:46). It was a courtesy afforded to an honoured guest.
(e) Empowerment for Service.

The origin of anointing the head of sheep was from a practice of shepherds. Lice and other
insects would often get into the wool of sheep, and when they got near the sheep's head, they
could burrow into the sheep's ears and kill the sheep. So, ancient shepherds poured oil on the
sheep's head. This made the wool slippery, making it impossible for insects to get near the
sheep's ears because the insects would slide off. From this, anointing became symbolic of
blessing, protection and empowerment.

Ecc. 9:8 Let your clothes be white all the time, and let not oil be lacking on your head.

This verse above suggests that maintaining a pure lifestyle is essential to maintaining the
anointing of oil on the head. Spiritual fathers teach doctrine which trains us in righteousness
and purity. Anointing also alludes to the work and empowerment of the Holy Spirit within us.
One of the ways we maintain the anointing in our lives is through consistent obedience to the
Word of God. Note that Deut.28:15 stresses the importance of obedience, which if not
observed, will result in no olive oil as indicated in Deut. 28:40. Olive oil is a picture of the
anointing.

Deut. 28:15 and 40
15 “But it shall come about, if you do not obey the Lord your God, to observe
to do all His commandments and His statutes with which I charge you today,
that all these curses will come upon you and overtake you:
…
40 “You shall have olive trees throughout your territory but you will not
anoint yourself with the oil, for your olives will drop off.

Obedience to God’s Word, from which we feast at a table of spiritual food prepared for us by
our spiritual fathers, is the means by which we maintain the flow of the Holy Spirit’s anointing in
our lives. By this, we are empowered for effective service. We become the embodiment of the
Word we hear. We pass through the GATE of the spiritual food served to us in the midst of a
host of enemies (the world, our fleshly nature and satan). From this life-transformed position,
we contend with God’s enemies through the authority of this Word served to us by our spiritual
father. Our obedience to this word ANOINTS us with power to engage the enemies of God. Then
we can possess the gates of our enemies, i.e. drive out any illegal position that threatens the
effective execution of God’s will.

An Example of how Spiritual Sons Can overcome the Enemy of Fleshly Carnality By the
Doctrine and Oversight of Their Spiritual Fathers (Gates)

God, our Heavenly Father, is the Father of our spirits. This means that He is the source or
originator of our spirits, which comes from Him.

Heb. 12:9 Furthermore, we had earthly fathers to discipline us, and we respected them;
shall we not much rather be subject to the Father of spirits, and live?

Spiritual fathers, who function representatively on behalf of the Heavenly Father, watch over
your soul.

Heb. 13:17 Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls as
those who will give an account.

In essence, spiritual fathers speak, teach and preach God’s Word, which is spirit (John 6:63), to
your spirit, so as to mature your spirit such that it is enabled to lead your soul to total obedience
to God, thus renewing its mind daily. This process is explained in great detail in my series on the
Spiritual Man, available on my website in audio and document formats.148

Spiritual fathers are ‘sent’ to you, to guide you and develop you into the fullness of the nature
of Christ. To do, this they impart grace via the medium of the Word of God they share with you
in various contexts, e.g. preaching, teaching, counseling, correction, rebuke, reproof, etc. To
receive the fullest benefit from this process, the spiritual man must receive and relate to his
spiritual father as a representative of Christ Himself. This dynamic, too, has been addressed in
other writings of mine available on my website (See for example: my series on GRACE149 and
SPIRITUAL FATHERING150).

In the matter of training in righteousness and developing a lifestyle of integrity, part of a
spiritual father’s responsibility is to teach his son restraint, i.e. how to say no to
unrighteousness; how to keep himself from evil; how to overcome temptation. Twice, Paul
directly encouraged Timothy to flee certain things like a love for money and youthful lusts, and
to give himself to the pursuit of righteousness.

1 Tim. 6:11 But flee from these things, you man of God, and pursue righteousness,
godliness, faith, love, perseverance and gentleness.

2 Tim. 2:22 Now flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace,
with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.

“A spiritual father represents restraint in the life of the spiritual son until such time that the
spiritual son can restrain himself.” (Sam Soleyn)

Spiritual sons must accept the directive, instructions and cautions of spiritual fathers whenever
the need arises for them to exercise such discipline. Discipline meted out by a spiritual father is
with the ultimate objective that the son partakes of the Divine nature – God’s righteousness and
holiness.
Heb. 12:5-11
5 and you have forgotten the exhortation which is addressed to you as sons, “My son, do
not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, Nor faint when you are reproved by Him;
6 FOR THOSE WHOM THE LORD LOVES HE DISCIPLINES, AND HE SCOURGES EVERY SON
WHOM HE RECEIVES." (discipline = paideia)
7 It is for discipline that you endure; God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there
whom his father does not discipline?
8 But if you are without discipline, of which all have become partakers, then you are
illegitimate children and not sons.
(Illegimate = nothos = An illegitimate or misbegotten child, one who is spurious)
9 Furthermore, we had earthly fathers to discipline us, and we respected them; shall we not
much rather be subject to the Father of spirits, and live?
10 He disciplines us for our good, so that we may SHARE HIS HOLINESS.
11 All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have
been trained by it, afterwards it yields the PEACABLE FRUIT OF RIGHTEOUSNESS.
(Trained = gumnazo = to exercise)
DEMAS FORSOOK PAUL

Demas was a fellow labourer together with Paul and was with Paul during his first Roman
imprisonment. He was also probably a spiritual son to Paul, although we cannot be absolutely
certain.

Col. 4:14 Luke, the beloved physician, sends you his greetings, and also Demas.

Phil. 1:22,23 Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, greets you, as do Mark, Aristarchus,
Demas, Luke, my fellow workers.

Demas forsook Paul, because he LOVED THIS PRESENT WORLD.

2 Tim. 4:9 Make every effort to come to me soon; for Demas, having loved this present
world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica.

At times, though not always, some (not all) spiritual sons who leave spiritual fathers, literally
exit the Kingdom. The scriptures are clear: If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is
not in him. So Demas loved this world, and thus did not love God. Hence, he leaves Paul, who is
a representation of God in Demas’ life. Demas’ desertion of Paul is akin to Lot’s departure from
Abram.

LOT LEFT ABRAM: This is discussed later in this chapter.

The Spiritual Father is a ‘Shepherd’ and the ‘Breaker’

Micah 2:12, 13"I will surely assemble all of you, Jacob, I will surely gather the remnant of Israel.
I will put them together like sheep in the fold; Like a flock in the midst of its
pasture They will be noisy with men. “The breaker goes up before them; They
break out, pass through the gate and go out by it. So their king goes on before
them, And the Lord at their head.”

Pass through your GATE, your spiritual leader, as you support him in GOING UP. May you BREAK
OUT because of the profound grace reward that will be yours. As your ‘king’ (as used in the
scripture above – a reference to leadership), your spiritual leaders goes onward and forward in
the purposes of God, so too will you. And ALL of this is possible because of THE LORD’s
leadership of this process ‘AT THE HEAD’.

Consider the following examples as an application of the principles discussed in this chapter:

JOSEPH IN EGYPT - READ Gen. 40-50

Joseph, a son to Jacob, was raised to prominence in Egypt according to God’s will. He called for
his father after reconciliation with his brothers. Whilst he was powerfully used by God to save
all the people, including ‘Israel’, who were affected by the widespread famine, he needed the
wisdom and grace of God vested in and expressed through the principle of all that his father
represented. When Jacob came down to Egypt, he would impart the patriarchal grace received
from his father, Isaac, and his grandfather, Abraham, and entrench all the patriarchal promises
and prophetic purposes attendant with Israel as a nation. This dynamic was vital if Joseph was
to fully engage all the purposes associated with his rise to power in Egypt.

Jacob would also impart a blessing to Pharaoh himself (read Genesis 47-49). Jacob, the father,
represented a GATE for Joseph. He had to PASS THROUGH this gate (symbolically). He had to
assimilate the Divine purpose and principles of family his father represented. He quickly forgave
his brothers and prioritised the movement of his father from Canaan to Egypt. He submitted all
the authority he had in Egypt to fatherly oversight and administration. He could then SPEAK
with his enemies IN the Gate, and ultimately POSSESS the GATE of his enemy. This is seen in the
great favour Pharaoh would bestow on the Israelites in granting them residence in the best land
in all of Egypt (Goshen).

Joseph himself functioned as a father to Pharaoh (Gen. 48:5). So long as Pharaoh was fathered,
Egypt was kind to God’s People. The new Pharaoh, who came to power after this Pharaoh died,
DID NOT KNOW JOSEPH, the scriptures indicate, i.e. did not know fathering (Exod. 1:8). This
pharaoh began to be antagonistic to Israel, and the land of Egypt, which once was a source of
provision and blessing to them, now became a place of enslavement to them. Egypt changed in
character. Whenever a person or land is not fathered spiritually, that person or land has the
potential to oppose the purposes of God. My point is simply that the principle of fathering is
vital to ensuring the well-being of the people of God and the efficient execution of the purposes
of God. For these reasons, spiritual fathering as a principle must be honoured and supported
spiritually and practically in every possible way. Again I stress, this is not about idolising an
individual, but prioritising the doing of God’s will in the earth.

ESTHER IS PERSIA - READ THE BOOK OF ESTHER

Esther, too, was able to deal with the enemies of God in her day because she too passed
through her gate, her spiritual father Mordecai, with whom significant Divine purpose vested.
She assimilated his priority in ensuring that the Jews be preserved from wicked attempts to
destroy them and abort the ultimate revelation and incarnation of Christ to the world through
the Davidic line. God’s purpose and will was at stake. Esther passed through her gate and was
able to speak to the enemies of God IN and through the authority of the counsel offered to her
through her gate of spiritual fathering (Mordecai). She successfully possessed the gates of the
enemies of God in her context, and ensured God’s will thrived, not just for her and her spiritual
father, but for the entirety of the Jews scattered all over the world. She ruled in the midst of her
enemies, because she ate from the table the Lord prepared for her through the wise advice of
her spiritual father, Mordecai.

RUTH IN BETHLEHEM OF JUDAH

Ruth, too, did the same. She would become a key part of the ancestry of our Lord Jesus Christ.
She passed through the gate of her spiritual father, Naomi. A key enemy in her day was poverty
and being cursed in respect to not playing any significant role or making a significant
contribution to the unfolding of God’s purposes in the earth. She symbolically spoke to her
enemies IN and through her gate, Naomi, pre-eminently by her simple obedience to every single
one of Naomi’s instructions and words of counsel. Ultimately, she possessed the gates of her
enemies through the efforts of Boaz, who redeemed her at the city gates. She ruled in the midst
of her enemies because she highly esteemed, honoured and actively supported her spiritual
father, her gate - Naomi. She ate from the table the Lord prepared for her in the midst of her
enemies.

TIMOTHY IN EPHESUS - Read Acts 18-20; 1 Tim.1:3

Paul contended with ‘beasts’ in Ephesus.

1 Cor. 15:32 If from human motives I fought with wild beasts at Ephesus, what does it profit
me?

‘Wild beasts’ refers to seriously strong demonic principalities operative within that region. For
what seems like between two to three years (Cf. Acts 18:10 and 20:31), Paul laboured in
apostolic doctrine daily in the city and developed strong leaders and elders over various
households there. I encourage you to study my document ‘First Love - Part 2’ available as a free
download on my website, where the details of Paul’s apostolic work in Ephesus is discussed
more extensively 151.

Through the declaration and installation of apostolic doctrine in key leaders and their
households throughout the city of Ephesus, the authority and power of the evil idolatrous deity,
Diana, and her influence over the city, was neutralised. This was certainly one of the ‘beasts’ I
believe Paul referred to.

Here is a brief but relevant extract from my study, First Love – The Ephesus Case Study.

Paul dispensed the Word publicly and from house to house. ‘House to house’ is literally
read from ‘family to family’. This does not allude to physical domestic
dwellings/houses, but to a church, which met as a family unit – a household of faith.
Where these met was not the important issue. Some were probably large and some
smaller. The important thing is that throughout the city of Ephesus, Paul moved from
household to household. But he also taught publicly – in the synagogue, and the
School of Tyrannus – here probably elders or spiritual fathers of these ‘households of
faith met to receive apostolic doctrine from the apostle Paul. They would then go to
their respective households and dispense of this to their people. This highlights the
need for each local church or household of faith within a city or region to be connected
to a valid and authentic apostolic fathering grace – from which they would receive
doctrine.

Ephesus, a Place Where Nations Converge to hear the Word of God, Where the Word
of God Grows Mightily and Prevails.

The effect of an intense focus on the Word of God at Ephesus was that all of Asia heard
the Word of God. From this we see that Ephesus was a highly strategic city for the
spread of the gospel. It was a ‘gate’ city. It was the point from which God’s Word found
great and rapid acceleration into all of the surrounding regions. Ephesus type cities
need to emerge today – places from which God can launch significant aspects of His
global purposes that will have far reaching impact in the geo-spiritual landscape.

Ephesus, a Place where Human Ideology and Inaccurate Religious Systems Opposed
to God’s Will is Destroyed because of God’s Word.

The resultant effect of Paul’s intense focus on the teaching of God’s Word at Ephesus,
was the burning of at least 50 000 pieces of silver worth of books of magic, and
displacement of the worship of the goddess Diana (Artemis). This was evidenced by a
severe loss in income from the sale of silver shrines of the goddess in the city. The
silversmith who made these shrines, Demetrius, and other similar workmen, protested
to no avail.

Books to the value of 50 000 pieces of silver were burnt. This equates to about 50 000
drachmas, a drachmas being the equivalent of one days labour. Hence 50 000
drachmas would be approximately 137 years of daily labour. Paul’s teaching and daily
intense focus on the Word of God literally affected the economy of the region. No
more was the devil’s work being financed.

By installing principles of the Word of God into the Ephesian people, Paul daily
consolidated and entrenched the values or principles of the Kingdom of God. Diana,
the goddess, was the ruling evil principality over Ephesus. An evil principality over a
territorial region is given power and authority in that jurisdiction as people in that
domain subscribe to and operate by certain principles associated with it. To break the
power of that principality, simply destroy the principles by which it functions - by
displacing it through the presentation, teaching and instalment into the heart and
mind of people - principles of the Kingdom of God. This is done through the Word of
God. At Ephesus, a whole city and the entire province of Asia was positively affected
and infused with God’s ways and values through the daily focus and declaration of the
Word of God. The Word of God needs to be loved and prioritised to a significant
degree if we are to change the culture of our cities to that of the Kingdom of God.
Also, the Word that needs to be proclaimed has got to be relevant apostolic doctrine
received through reliable, credible and authentic Apostles of Christ.

Years later, Paul would send Timothy as his apostolic delegate and representation there to give
oversight to numerous elders who led households in Ephesus (1 Tim. 1:3).

1 Tim. 1:3 As I urged you upon my departure for Macedonia, remain on at Ephesus so that
you may instruct certain men not to teach strange doctrines.

Timothy passed through the gate that Paul, his spiritual father, represented. Recall that whilst a
gate represents fatherly leadership, it simultaneously represents authority and power. There is
ranking in the realm of the spirit in reference to dealing with principalities of a jurisdictional
nature over key regions. Paul paved the way for Timothy to function there. In my own
experience in global ministry travel, as a teacher of God’s word, my greatest expressions of
ministry have been where authentic apostles have gone before and neutralised specific
demonic strongholds and principalities. In some places I have travelled to minister, there might
not necessarily have being the physical presence of a legitimate apostle of Christ in that region.
However, certain leaders and their households in that region have had exposure to the grace of
apostolic doctrine through their connectivity to an authentic apostle or apostolic doctrine via
various media (books and other digital media or platforms). There too, was a greater ease to
teach present truth from God’s Word and a greater receptivity in the hearts of the people.

Also, consider that the Apostle Paul never set foot in Colosse. The Colossian church was founded
by Epaphras, who is described by Paul as ‘one of them’, and Paul’s servant and faithful minister
of Christ (Col. 1:7). It is inferred that he was converted to Christ under Paul’s apostolic ministry
in Ephesus. We can also surmise that Epaphras would have functioned as a spiritual son to Paul,
just as much as Timothy, who was Paul’s son and fellow labourer, did (2 Thess. 3:2). So then
Paul had a major apostolic influence in Colosse, and even had occasion to write to them
concerning serious issues and doctrines in his epistle to them. This was based upon the efforts
and work of Epaphras. Epaphras passed through his gate, Paul; could speak with enemies of God
in this gate, and so possess the gates the enemy. He carried Paul’s epistle to the Colossians and
delivered it to them. No doubt he would have read it and taught its contents throughout the
city.

Col. 4:12,13 Epaphras, who is one of your number, a bondslave of Jesus Christ, sends you his
greetings, always laboring earnestly for you in his prayers, that you may stand
perfect and fully assured in all the will of God. For I testify for him that he has a
deep concern for you and for those who are in Laodicea and Hierapolis.

Simlarly, for leaders of households who are directly related and submitted to an authentic
apostolic spiritual father, ‘passing through the gate’ of your spiritual leader would also imply
teaching and/or preaching doctrine that this father has brought to you. Apostles, together with
prophets, by nature, break open mysteries, which are hidden in God in His Word (See Eph. 3:5).
Apostles establish doctrinal accuracy. There is really no need to ambitiously desire to decode
certain ‘never-before-heard’ revelations, if your calling in Christ is not configured for that. For
example, Apostles are set first; secondly, prophets; and thirdly, teachers in the Body of Christ (1
Cor. 12:28). This ranking does not suggest qualitative superiority of one over the other, but is
set so purely for functional effectiveness, with apostles placed first for function. There are
certain things that an apostolic father in Christ is ranked and graced to do that other ministerial
ascension gifts cannot do. Each must know their place and function.

So then, Timothy is instructed by Paul to stay within the parameters of the doctrine declared
and taught to him and to enjoy the greatest benefits and successes of his own ministry in
Ephesus.

1 Tim. 4:11 Prescribe and teach these things. (Nasb)

2 Tim. 2:1-2 You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. The things
which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these
to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.

Timothy passes through the gate of his spiritual father, becoming an accurate reflection of all
Paul stood for, as explained in an earlier chapter. Timothy now is able to speak to the enemies
of God IN the Gate, i.e. in and through the authority of the Word of God, taught and proclaimed
to him by Paul. He is now eligible to ‘possess’ the gate of his enemies and bring to bear on
Ephesus, the nature, principles and purposes of God. Timothy ‘breaks out’ in success in what
has been assigned to him, because Paul ‘went up’ before him.

PROSPERITY TO THOSE WHO BLESS THE ONE SENT TO THEM

For your personal study and meditation, consider this Psalm in reference to our discussion
above:
Psalm 118:19-26
19 Open to me the gates of righteousness; I shall enter through them,
I shall give thanks to the Lord.
20 This is the gate of the LORD; The righteous will enter through it.
21 I shall give thanks to You, for You have answered me, And You have become my
salvation.
22 The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief corner stone.
23 This is the LORD'S doing; It is marvelous in our eyes.
24 This is the day which the LORD has made; Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
25 O LORD, do save, we beseech You; O LORD, we beseech You, do send prosperity!
26 Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the LORD; We have blessed you from the
house of the LORD.
You cannot pray, “Lord send prosperity”, without simultaneously saying, “Blessed is the one
who comes in the name of the Lord”. An attitude of high esteem for those spiritual leaders sent
to you, and your support of them in the work God has called them to, is one of the vital keys to
your own prosperity. Spiritual leaders are gates depicting righteousness and compliance to all of
God’s principles and eternal standards. We enter though this realm by our obedience to the
Word of righteousness proclaimed, and so position ourselves for great breakthroughs.

LOT IN SODOM : Read Gen. 13 and 19

Lot could never relate to his uncle Abram as ‘father’. ‘Abram’ means ‘exalted father’152. Lot could
not transcend beyond defining his relationship with Abram in natural biological terms, to defining it
in terms of spiritual reality. Thus he even failed to see what Abram’s name meant. He could not see
the exalted position of ‘father’ in Abram. Failure to perceive Abram as ‘father’ translated in failure
to receive of the potential reward associated with the grace of fathering in Abram.

Lot’s name means ‘veiled’, ‘covering’153 suggestive of an inability to see or perceive. Lot failed to
SEE. His spiritual eyes were veiled from certain realities. It was only at the separation of Abram and
Lot, that Abram was renamed Abraham, meaning ‘father of a multitude or nations’154. Lot was not
privy to this increased dimension within of the scope of Abraham’s fathering grace. Because Lot
failed to literally ‘exalt’ the role and grace of ‘father’ within Abram, he then could not participate in
the role of Abraham as father over large multitudes of people. Another way of prophetically
applying this is as follows: if you cannot exalt or esteem the position of father in your spiritual
father, his role as father in your life will have a limited scope and function, but if you can extend and
elevate in your mind and estimation, the value and weight of fathering your spiritual father
represents, then God will increase the positive impact of fathering in your own life.

After leaving Abram, Lot immediately positioned his tent toward Sodom. Sodom represents
unbridled lust. One of the root meanings of Lot is myrrh155, denoting bitterness. Lot’s bitterness
blinded the eyes of his spirit to the benefit a relationship with Abram could afford him and
simultaneously opened the eyes of his soul to the carnality Sodom offered him.

Lot conveniently used the quarrel between his and Abram’s herdsman as an excuse to easily
walk away from Abram. The suggestion that they separate was actually Abram’s. This was
inevitable because lot seemed to be content to abide in a context of relational strife, which he
displayed no inclination of resolving. I personally believe that he left the matter unattended so
that it could escalate in intensity, thus leaving Abram no option but to instigate the separation.
So while Abram suggested they part ways, the entire process of Lot’s separation from Abram
was Lot’s shrewd concoction. He needed an excuse to exit the relationship.

The fact that Lot positioned his tents towards immediately after Abram is clear evidence that
this was the real reason for the separation. Lot knew that righteous Abram, being the ‘father’ he
was (Abram means ‘high father or exalted father) would be intolerable of any association or
inclination towards Sodom. Lot would eventually be swallowed up into the culture of Sodom
and live in that city, even becoming an elder in it, for he sat in gates of the city near the time
when the city was destroyed (only elders of cities sat in its gates).

Lot was powerless to influence unrighteous Sodom with righteous principles, because he lacked
the grace to do it. This grace for affecting and influencing cities was vested in Melchisedek, who
fathered Abram spiritually. Many sons leave spiritual fathers because they know their fathers
would not condone certain carnal intentions within them. Unwilling to submit to the restraint of
a father, they sever the relationship. Another consideration is this: some sons may not
physically leave a spiritual father, but they leave ‘principle-ply’ (my made up word), i.e. they stay
physically but not live by and subscribe to core biblical principles espoused by the father. This is
obviously different to a son leaving a specific father to be connected to another father for some
valid reason. In the context of Lot, he left a father, never to be fathered by anyone else.

Lot could not perceive of Abram as a ‘gate’. Therefore he could not ‘pass through the gate’, i.e.
assimilate the values and principles of Abram. He could not speak to the enemies of God
(Sodom) ‘IN the gate’, i.e. he could not function in the grace and associated authority of the
fathering grace that Abram represented; he did not expose his spirit and mind to the ‘WORD’ of
GOD given to Abram. Consequently, he could not ‘possess the gates of the enemy’, i.e.
although he physically sat in the gates of Sodom (symbolic the enemies gates), he had no
spiritual authority to bring Sodom to righteousness. Even after being informed of the impending
destruction of Sodom, he tried to warn his sons-in-law to leave the city, but they did not,
thinking he was only jesting (Gen. 19:14). Lot’s word lacked spiritual weight, power and
authority. And all of this could be linked back to his failure to regard, esteem, support and walk
in agreement someone whom God positioned in his life as a father figure. May we all learn from
this negative example. In the language of Micah 2:13, Lot could not ‘BREAKOUT nor
BREATHROUGH’ because he did acknowledge and observe his ‘BREAKER GOING UP BEFORE’
him.

ABRAM IN HEBRON - Gen. 14

In Abram's time, most cities had their own kings. Wars and rivalries among kings were common.
A conquered city paid tribute to the victorious king. King Chedorlaomer received tributes from
five conquered cities and their kings. Five cities, including Sodom, had paid tribute to him for
twelve years. The five cities formed an alliance and rebelled by withholding tribute.
Chedorlaomer reacted swiftly and reconquered them all. When he defeated Sodom, he
captured Lot, together with his family, and his possessions. Abram did the unthinkable. With
only 318 men, and three associate brothers, he chased Chedorlaomer's army and attacked him
near Damascus. Divinely aided by God, he defeated them and recovered Lot, his family and their
possessions.
Abram was able to possess the gates of his enemies and overcome them. Why? Amongst many
factors, he had a spiritual father, viz. Melchisedek, his ‘GATE’. Melchisedek served Abram bread
and wine, symbolic of grace imparted through doctrine. Tradition has it that Abram was tutored
and mentored by Melchisedek. Through this process Abram was able to ‘pass through this gate,
receiving fathering as a son to Melchisedek, so that he could father nations too. The name
Melchisedek means ‘King of Righteousness’ and also ‘King of Peace’. These two dimensions of
‘righteousness and peace’ would become embodied in the life of Abram, and would become his
authorisation to speak and contend with his enemies IN the Gate. In facing Chedorlaomer, he
functioned in Kingdom power and authority, for the Kingdom of God is righteousness, peace
and joy in the Holy Ghost (Rom. 14:17).
Consider this also, that of the cities in Canaan which Chedorlaomer and his allies were able to
conquer, only two had Divine immunity and could not be attacked by him. These two cities were
Salem - which Melchisedek functioned from, and Hebron - in which Abram lived. The
Melchisedek-Abram relationship is a picture of a father and a son, of a warrior and an arrow,
etc. They lived in urban geographic cities, but in the realm of the spirit were living in a symbolic
sense, in ‘the City of the Living God’.

SITTING AT THE GATES INSTEAD OF PASSING THROUGH THE GATES

Acts 3:1-10
1. Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the ninth hour, the hour of prayer.
2. And a man who had been lame from his mother’s womb was being carried along, whom
they used to set down every day at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, in
order to beg alms of those who were entering the temple.
3. When he saw Peter and John about to go into the temple, he began asking to receive alms.
4. But Peter, along with John, fixed his gaze on him and said, “Look at us!”
5. And he began to give them his attention, expecting to receive something from them.
6. But Peter said, “I do not possess silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you: In the
name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene - walk!”
7. And seizing him by the right hand, he raised him up; and immediately his feet and his
ankles were strengthened.
8. With a leap he stood upright and began to walk; and he entered the temple with them,
walking and leaping and praising God.
9. And all the people saw him walking and praising God;
10. and they were taking note of him as being the one who used to sit at the Beautiful Gate
of the temple to beg alms, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had
happened to him.
A paralysed man was sitting outside the gate. At the command of Peter for the man to look to
he and John, the man gave them his attention. If he did not consciously do this, there would
have been no impartation of healing.
Attention = epécho = To have or hold upon, to hold out towards, to direct upon.

You cannot impart grace to those not ‘inclined’ towards you. If you are expecting grace from
your ‘grace carrier’, but give them ‘no attention’ in respect to listening and obeying their
teaching or doctrine which is Christ-centric, no grace will be dispensed to you.

Peter commanded him to walk. This was an authoritative decree. Peter then took him by the
right hand to raise him up. The right hand speaks of executive power to execute responsibility.
The need the man had in his mind was money. Peter decreed healing to his legs but seized or
squeezed his right hand to raise him up. The man first looked at them, and then offered to be
lifted by the hand. If you respond with a ‘look’ and ‘offer’ your hand, your legs will be healed
and you will run in the will of the Lord. Every authoritative decree of the Lord through authentic
apostolic fathers has the effect of empowering the right hand - the ability to now do and
perform the Lord’s purposes in the earth. Only when these principles were in place did the
man’s anklebones receive strength.

The moment this man was healed - he made his way into the temple - a depiction of the
corporate church. He did not run away from this environment. Instead, the temple, the
corporate expression of the Body of Christ in his city, was the place he gravitated towards with
the idea facilitating the purposes of the Lord in and through that culture.

This man’s whole economic condition changes from begging to the capacity to earn his own
income. All of this transpired through a singular moment of Divine impartation.

RELEVANT SPIRITUAL FATHERING
To whom you relate to as a spiritual father is not a matter of political expediency. The Holy Spirit
must influence this decision. Just as He, the Spirit, witnesses with our spirit that we are sons of
God, so too, there will be a witness in your spirit as to whom to relate to in terms of apostolic
fathering. Fathering taking place through the release of GRACE via an accurate and relevant
WORD OF GOD. This Word ‘guards’ you along the way and ‘brings you into the place’ which God
has ‘prepared’ for you.

Exodus 23:20-22 “Behold, I am going to send an angel before you to guard you along the
way and to bring you into the place which I have prepared. Be on your
guard before him and obey his voice; do not be rebellious toward him,
for he will not pardon your transgression, since My name is in him. But if
you truly obey his voice and do all that I say, then I will be an enemy to
your enemies and an adversary to your adversaries.

Spiritual fathering is focused upon the development of each person into a mature SON OF GOD
through the progressive formation of Christ within. This takes place by the release of grace via
the ‘now’, ‘current’ or ‘present’ Word of the Lord (2 Pet. 1:12).

Your spiritual father must be current with the present demand and proceeding Word of the Lord
- or at least be connected to an apostolic fathering source that is. This is vital because, if you are
fathered by someone who is not ‘au fait’ with the current speaking or emphasis of God through
His Word, you could find yourself, your mindset, activities, etc., obsolete and irrelevant.

Rom. 10:15 How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, "HOW BEAUTIFUL
ARE THE FEET OF THOSE WHO BRING GOOD NEWS OF GOOD THINGS!"

Beautiful = hōraios = belonging to the right hour or season (timely), that is, (by implication)
flourishing (beauteous [figuratively]): - beautiful156.

The Greek term ‘horaios’ is associated with one of the Greek terms for time, viz. ‘kairos’157,
which means ‘an opportune time in which certain constituted events determined by God must
take place’. So ‘haraios’ bears reference to that which is ‘timely’ or a relevant functionality that
is reflective of God’s emphasis within a certain time period.

Those bearing good news through the preaching of the Word of the Lord must have beautiful
feet. As the definition of the Greek word ‘horaios’ above indicates, this word carries three ideas:

a. The word ‘beautiful’ denotes ‘flourishing’ - hence - ‘productive’. It bears fruit in the lives
of the hearers in tandem with the expectation of God for that season.

b. The word is a timely and relevant word - a current word.

c. This word brings momentum and forward movement (implied by ‘feet’) to the purposes
of God.

The person does not father you - but the grace through the Word of God in him does. You will
know whose voice shifts you into your purposes. You will know the voice that guides you along
into the fullness of Christ in your life and transitions you into a place of relevancy and
effectiveness in the purposes of God.

Rom. 10:15 above is quoted from Isaiah 52:7

Isaiah 52:7 How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news,
Who proclaims peace, Who brings glad tidings of good things, Who proclaims
salvation, Who says to Zion, “Your God reigns!”

Note the bearer of good news declares to those in Zion, “Your God REIGNS’. The reigning and
ruling nature of God, bringing overcoming victory to His sons, is the ultimate effect of the Words
of Grace preached by one’s spiritual father.

ANTIPAS - WHEN FATHERLY GATES ARE DESTROYED, THE GATE OF SATAN REIGNS.

Rev. 2:12-14 “And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write: The One who has the sharp
two-edged sword says this: ‘I know where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is;
and you hold fast My name, and did not deny My faith even in the days of
Antipas, My witness, My faithful one, who was killed among you, where Satan
dwells.

Antipas = Like the father158
Likeness of his father159
Against all160

Antipas was the spiritual leader/father of the church at Pergamos (referenced as Pergamum in
the Nasb text above). Note that one of the meanings of his name is ‘LIKE THE FATHER’, i.e. he
functions as a representative spiritual father on behalf of and reflecting the Heavenly Father.

The church at Pergamos held fast to the name of God, and did not deny their faith in Him
throughout the ‘days’ of Antipas. This suggests that ‘IN THE DAYS OF ANTIPAS’ there was
particular Divine grace conferred to those he led to do this. It is implied that upon the murder of
Anitpas, these things would wane. Spiritual fathering is an important principle and conduit
which transmits powerful dimensions and possibilities attendant with the grace of God upon a
people.

Antipas was martyred, “where Satan dwells”. The prophetic principle here is that wherever the
principle of spiritual fathering is ‘murdered’, discounted, opposed, dis-esteemed, that satan’s
authority is given legitimacy and the rate at which God’s will could be effected is limited.

The third meaning of Antipas cited above - ‘against all’ - has reference here. True spiritual
fathering, via the power of the Word of God released, serves as a protective mechanism around
those submitted to it. A radius of covering is provided. It is not the man/woman who functions
as a spiritual father who is the protection, but what they denote, i.e., the principle of spiritual
fathering as representative of the Heavenly Father. Consider that the hand of the Lord was
against the Philistines all the days of the life of Samuel as a spiritual leader.

1 Sam. 7:13 So the Philistines were subdued and they did not come anymore within the
border of Israel. And the hand of the Lord was against the Philistines all the days
of Samuel.

Whilst Paul was in Ephesus, wolves, depictive of demonic spirits, could not attack the church
there.

Acts 20:29-30 I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not
sparing the flock; and from among your own selves men will arise, speaking
perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them.

A reminder, that in the land of Moab, a land that rejects the principles of fathering, productivity
is stifled. Naomi lost her husband and sons in that land. In a land that despises the need for
spiritual fathering, fathers and sons are not preserved. For all the while that they lived in Moab,
Ruth and Orpah could not bear children. Barrenness, in many respects, attends the context that
discounts the need for spiritual fatherly oversight. On the other hand, protection, favour, grace
and abundant blessings will be the experience of those who co-operatively submit to the Word
of God released through the fatherly leaders over their lives.

GATES - A DEFENSIVE MECHANISM BARRING INTRUSION OF ALIEN THREATENING ELEMENTS

A city wall was its first defense against external enemies. The gates represent the most
vulnerable part, making the city susceptible to invasion. It is said that if you broke through the
gates, you, in essence, conquered the city. If the gate fell (was "possessed"), the city itself was
considered to have fallen (Gen. 22:17; 24:60). If you take the gate, you have essentially taken
the city. Hence the phrase, “POSSESS the gates of the enemy” - Gen. 22:7. Gates were the focal
point of attack. Hence, the priority for the gates to be fortified, strong and impenetrable.

The lament of Nehemiah over Jerusalem was that the walls were broken and the gates were
burned. When gates are burned down, walls are more easily broken.

Neh. 1:3 They said to me, “The remnant there in the province who survived the captivity
are in great distress and reproach, and the wall of Jerusalem is broken down and
its gates are burned with fire.

The Lord promised to be a strength to those who are able to turn away the battle/onslaught at
the gate.

Isaiah 28:6 A spirit of justice for him who sits in judgment, a strength to those who repel the
onslaught at the gate. (NASB)

Isaiah 28:6 strength to those who turn back the battle at the gate (ESV)

If the onslaught is thwarted at the gate, the city is protected from invasion. We need people to
arise as gatekeepers. I believe that that those who turn back the battle at the GATE, are the
GATES themselves, viz. spiritual fathering. Fathering confers a protective mantle over a people.
But I also believe this refers to spiritual sons whose support of their spiritual fathers through the
various ways discussed in the writing, is so strong that any threat to that section of the Body of
Christ of which they are a part of, could be easily neutralised.
On another level, gatekeeping could also allude to vigilant sons in a household of faith
neutralising any behaviour or mentality that seeks to insidiously creep into and negatively affect
the biblically established culture of the local church, as determined by the spiritual father of that
house. Jesus drove moneychangers out of the house for they misrepresented and abused His
Father’s original intent for the house and its culture, claiming that is should be a house of
prayer, but they made it a den of thieves. Elevate your obligation to ensure that the culture of
your father’s (Heavenly Father and spiritual father) house is not violated. If left unchallenged
and un-dealt with, error can pose a threat to the overall effectiveness of the house.

PASS THROUGH THE GATES AND BUILD A HIGHWAY

Isaiah 62:10 Go through, go through the gates, Clear the way for the people; Build up, build
up the highway, Remove the stones, lift up a standard over the peoples.

The highway referred to here alludes to the nature of Christ Himself - He is the Way (John 14:6).
‘Highway’ also incorporates the whole idea of movement and momentum in the rate at which
God’s purposes are executed. ‘Passing through the gate’ must become a corporate reality, not
just for one or two, but for everyone (Note the reference to ‘the people’ in the verse above). It
usually takes a few, a ‘first’ company, to model this principle that will serve to activate it in the
rest of the sons in a house. By doing this, we symbolically build up a highway for the corporate
community of God’s people. Our obedience to God’s Word and maturation in our sonship
expression has the effects of removing obstacles (stones) and maintain the standard of God and
His principles over and within His people.

In the light of the present study, prayerfully meditate on Psalm 122, bearing in mind what the
terms, ‘city’, ‘Jerusalem’, ‘gates’ and ‘walls’ refer to.

Psalm 122
I was glad when they said to me,
“Let us go to the house of the Lord.”
Our feet are standing
Within your gates, O Jerusalem,
Jerusalem, that is built
As a city that is compact together;
To which the tribes go up, even the tribes of the Lord -
An ordinance for Israel -
To give thanks to the name of the Lord.
For there thrones were set for judgment,
The thrones of the house of David.
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem:
“May they prosper who love you.
“May peace be within your walls,
And prosperity within your palaces.”
For the sake of my brothers and my friends,
I will now say, “May peace be within you.”
For the sake of the house of the Lord our God,
I will seek your good.

May I encourage you to PRAY for the Church, the new Jerusalem, the city of the Living God, its
gates and walls, its people, its peace and prosperity.

May they prosper who love you.
Psalm 122:6

EPILOGUE

The Apostle Paul was a model apostolic spiritual father. He took his work seriously and cared
intensely for those under his fatherly oversight. The burden of fulfilling God’s apostolic call on
his life was an overriding obsession (See Acts 20:24 and 2 Tim. 4:7). He was passionate about
preserving the integrity of God’s Word, the Gospel of Christ, and its transmission to future
generations. His sincere care for the welfare of those he led spiritually was unparalleled. This
apostle suffered much for these ideals and principles to which he held dearly. Consider the
catalogue of the wide range of various kinds of approximately twenty categories of sufferings
and trials he endured as recorded in 2 Cor.11: 23-27. And then in verse 28, he adds to this list,
probably the pre-eminent issue in his life and ministry, the DAILY CARE for churches.

2 Cor. 11:28 Apart from such EXTERNAL THINGS, there is the DAILY PRESSURE on me of
CONCERN for ALL the CHURCHES. (Nasb)

Besides everything else, every day I am concerned about all the churches. It is a
very heavy load. (NIrV)

Paul had trials he classified as ‘external’, i.e. sufferings brought to bear upon him from outside
of himself. The daily care and concern for the churches under his apostolic oversight was central
to his life and ministry and represented a source of daily pressure to the apostle. I do not
believe this is denoted in a negative sense, but indicates the extreme, intense thought and
concern he had for people. True leaders in God’s Kingdom face many issues externally, brought
to bear upon them, as well as bear within their hearts, the God-induced burden of sincere and
serious care/concern for God’s people and God’s work. Both of these can be what Paul
described as “DAILY pressure”.

‘MY STRUGGLE’ : PAUL’S CONCERN FOR THE CHURCH AT COLOSSE

Here is another example of how Paul carries perpetual and deep concern within his being for
those he fathered in Christ.
Col. 1:28-2:7
1:28 We proclaim Him, admonishing every man and teaching every man with all wisdom, so
that we may present every man complete in Christ.
1:29 For this purpose also I labor, striving according to His power, which mightily works
within me.
2:1 For I want you to know how great a struggle I have on your behalf and for those who
are at Laodicea, and for all those who have not personally seen my face,
2:2 that their hearts may be encouraged, having been knit together in love, and attaining to
all the wealth that comes from the full assurance of understanding, resulting in a true
knowledge of God’s mystery, that is, Christ Himself,
2:3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
2:4 I say this so that no one will delude you with persuasive argument.
2:5 For even though I am absent in body, nevertheless I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to
see your good discipline and the stability of your faith in Christ.
2:6 Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him,
2:7 having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith,
just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude.

Note Col. 2:1 a in these versions of the Bible:

NASB : For I want you to know how great a struggle I have on your behalf …

NKJV : For I want you to know what a great conflict I have for you …

AMP : FOR I want you to know how great is my solicitude for you [how severe an inward
struggle I am engaged in for you] …

NLT : I want you to know how much I have AGONIZED for you ...
NIrV : I want you to know how HARD I AM WORKING for you. …
NIV : I want you to know how HARD I AM CONTENDING for you …
The Greek word translated as struggle, conflict, soliticitude, hardworking, agonised or

contending above is …
Agony = Agon = a place of assembly (as if led), i.e. (by implication) a contest (held there);
figuratively, an effort or anxiety: - conflict, contention, fight, race.161
Strife, contention, contest for victory or mastery such as was used in the
Greek games of running, boxing, wrestling, and so forth162.

The word ‘agony’ is translated from a derivative of this word in the Greek163 and is used to
describe how Jesus was in ‘agony’ in the garden when He prayed to His Father. He contended
internally within Himself for the will of God to be done and for courage to obey and go through
with the cross (Luke 22:44).

Luke 22:44 And being in agony He was praying very fervently; and His sweat became like
drops of blood, falling down upon the ground.

When Paul says that he is in a great struggle and conflict for the Colossian believers, he is
implying that within himself, as an apostolic spiritual father over them, he fights within to the
point of anxiety that they would mature in Christ, being thoroughly compliant and obedient to
all of His princples. An analysis of issues that this involves is given by the context of the entire
book of Colossians, but specifcally by Col. 1:28-2:1-7 as reflected above.

Godly leaders of God’s people go through much internally in reference to deep and passionate
overiding concerns for those they lead. They do so from a place of ‘rest’ and peace, but it still
nevertheless, at times, causes deep anxiety and contestation within their persons, as they, in a
sense, wrestle and fight for the well-being, growth and maturity of their people. The people
that they lead will do well to know and understand this and seek to bring their leaders into
greater internal rest, not adding to potential anxiety or pressure within them (note Paul said “I
want you to know …” Col. 2:1).
Titus ‘Comforted’ Paul

2 Cor. 7:5,6 For even when we came into Macedonia our flesh had NO REST, but we were
AFFLICTED on EVERY SIDE: CONFLICTS WITHOUT, FEARS WITHIN. But GOD who
comforts the depressed, COMFORTED us by the COMING of TITUS.”

As expressed by Paul in the verse above, leaders often deal with issues internally and externally:
“conflicts without” and “fears within”. We can greatly assist them to bear both internal and
external challenges through our active support of them. The ‘coming’ of Titus comforted,
encouraged and aided Paul. Does your ‘coming’ comfort, encourage and strengthen your
spiritual leader in what God has called them to do?

Comforted = parakaléō = To aid, help, comfort, encourage, exhort164.

Seek to be to your spiritual leader, as Titus was to Paul, a source of refreshment, and not the
reason for their discouragement.

One of the powerful ways in which both Timothy and Titus offered strong support to their
spiritual father, Paul, was to CARE for the churches with the same sincerity and intensity as Paul.

encouraged when I learn of your condition. For I have no one else of kindred
spirit who will genuinely be CONCERNED FOR YOUR WELFARE. For they all seek
after their OWN INTERESTS, not those of Christ Jesus. But you know of his
proven worth, that he SERVED WITH ME in the furtherance of the gospel like a
child SERVING HIS FATHER.

2 Cor. 8:16,17 But thanks be to GOD who PUTS the SAME EARNEST CARE for you into the heart
of Titus. For he not only accepted the exhortation, but being MORE DILIGENT he
went to you of his OWN ACCORD.

Note in the text above, it was God who PUT the same earnest care that Paul had for the
Corinthians INTO the HEART of Titus. This proves that it is possible to have the passion and
priority of one’s spiritual father as your own. But you have to be OPEN to it. Do not close your
heart. A closed heart affects the relationship of father and son as it causes blockages in the flow
of grace, anointing and priority/passion of purpose.

Aside: Consider the ‘DEEP CONCERN’ Epaphras had for the Colossian Church - see Col. 4:13

The coming of Titus comforted and helped Paul, relieving him from the pressure that external
threats and internal fears brought. Leaders are always there to ‘comfort’ you. Have you ever, for
one moment, thought that they too, might need comforting, encouragement, support and
strength?

WHEN NO STANDS WITH YOU

During Paul’s second Roman imprisonment, He indicates that not one person stood with him.
He informs Timothy of this news. Timothy was with during his first imprisonment (See Phil.
1:1,7).

2 Tim. 1:15 You are aware of the fact that all who are in Asia turned away from me, among
whom are Phygelus and Hermogenes

2 Tim. 4:16-18 At my first defense no one supported me, but all deserted me; may it not be
counted against them. But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that
through me the proclamation might be fully accomplished, and that all the
Gentiles might hear; and I was rescued out of the lion’s mouth. The Lord will
rescue me from every evil deed, and will bring me safely to His heavenly
kingdom; to Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen

Paul, having no one physically to support him during a period when Christians were torturously
persecuted by the Roman government, did not hold it against his non-supporters, but instead
forgave them. All spiritual leaders must learn that even in the absence of any practical, financial,
moral or spiritual support from spiritual sons that the God who called them to leadership, will
certainly stand by them. Thus, we should not treat those who we expect to support us, but who
do not, with disdain, disregard, and disparagement or with bitter resentment in our hearts.
Instead, we still offer love, grace and mercy. When Peter denied Jesus at a time when Jesus
expected support from him, the ‘LOOK’ that Jesus gave Peter was not one of disappointment
nor hateful judgement, but one of deep love and prophetic sight. Jesus was able to see that
within less than two months from that very day, on the day of Pentecost, this very same Peter
would stand in boldness as the spokesperson on behalf of the entire apostolic team to give a
confident response and explanation to the events of his day. Leaders must train their hearts to
treat and deal with those under their oversight, not based on their current weakness, failure or
lack of active support, but by discernment, to see and unearth the dormant, God-given potential
within them. The historic failure of your spiritual sons must not shape your view or interactions
with them; but rather, their prophetic future must.

It should never have been the case that Paul was not supported at the commencement of his
second Roman imprisonment, but it was so. In his epistle to Timothy, he encourages Timothy
‘not to be ashamed of his chains nor of him as the Lord’s prisoner’ and to do his best to come
as soon as possible to visit him (2 Tim. 4:9). I am sure that Timothy acceded to his spiritual
father’s request.

2 Tim. 1:8 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord or of me His prisoner,
but join with me in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God.

Let us honour and strongly support our spiritual leaders and fathers in Christ. Strive to be a
source of comfort, and not discomfort to them. This will position you for the reception of
tremendous grace from God. It also strengthens your leader and together you and them provide
momentum to God’s purposes. At the end of the day, God is glorified, because His will gets to
be done in the earth, and a whole range of people blessed in the process.

I trust this study has been a source of enlightenment and enrichment to you in your walk in
Christ.

May great grace and peace ever increase in your life and calling.

With sincere love in Christ,
Randolph Barnwell

APPENDIX 1 : JESUS REQUESTED SUPPORTIVE PRAYER FROM THREE OF HIS CLOSEST
DISCIPLES - WATCH AND PRAY!

Analyse the details of this account in all three synoptic gospels. Read all three accounts and fill
in the gaps in each account to get a more complete picture of what transpired. Isolate the
factors that cause indifference and insensitivity to critical times and turning points in the realm
of the spirit and in the course of the development of our actual destiny in God. Highlight the
impending climax of the CROSS soon to take place after this. Note the DETAILS in the narrative,
and the meanings of names and places.

Consider the following:
1. Peter boasts that he would never forsake the Lord and would eventually deny the Lord, and
then sleeps in prayer, not fulfilling a serious request of the Lord.
2. What is the emotional state of Jesus at the particular time?
3. Where were they? Mount of Olives - what does ‘olive’ mean - what is the significance of
this?
4. What does Gethsemane mean and why do you think this place of prayer was significant?
5. Why did Jesus not ask all twelve disciples to pray with Him? Why only three? Which specific
three? Why these three? What does Zebedee mean? Why the emphasis on ‘sons of
Zebedee’?
6. How do you think the other nine should have responded – because they heard he was
taking only three and the focus was to PRAY.
7. Why could the three disciples not pitch into the urgency of Jesus’ emotional state and
passionate request for them to support him in prayer.
8. Jesus left the nine disciples, and went a little distance away; he then left the three and went
a little distance away to pray. What do you make of this?
9. Analyse the content of Jesus’ prayer?
10. How many times did Jesus repeat the same words in His prayer in this garden? What is the
significance of this? [Cross reference with 2 Cor. 12:1-10].
11. What is the spiritual symbolic significance of ‘eyes’ first (hint Eph. 1:18), and then ‘heavy
eyes’?

Matt. 26:33-47
33 But Peter said to Him, "Even though all may fall away because of You, I will never fall
away."
34 Jesus said to him, "Truly I say to you that this very night, before a rooster crows, you will
deny Me three times."
35 Peter said to Him, "Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You." All the disciples
said the same thing too.
36 Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and said to His disciples, "Sit
here while I go over there and pray."
37 And He took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be grieved
and distressed.
38 Then He said to them, "My soul is deeply grieved, to the point of death; remain here
and keep watch with Me."
39 And He went a little beyond them, and fell on His face and prayed, saying, "My Father, if
it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as You will."
40 And He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and *said to Peter, "So, you men
could not keep watch with Me for one hour?
41 "Keep watching and praying that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit is willing,
but the flesh is weak.”
42 He went away again a second time and prayed, saying, "My Father, if this cannot pass
away unless I drink it, Your will be done."
43 Again He came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy.
44 And He left them again, and went away and prayed a third time, saying the same thing
once more.
45 Then He came to the disciples and said to them, "Are you still sleeping and resting?
Behold,
the hour is at hand and the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners.
46 "Get up, let us be going; behold, the one who betrays Me is at hand!"
47 While He was still speaking, behold, Judas, one of the twelve, came up accompanied by a
large crowd with swords and clubs, who came from the chief priests and elders of the
people.

Luke 22:39-47
39 And He came out and proceeded as was His custom to the Mount of Olives; and the
disciples also followed Him.
40 When He arrived at the place, He said to them, "Pray that you may not enter into
temptation."
41 And He withdrew from them about a stone's throw, and He knelt down and began to
pray,
42 saying, "Father, if You are willing, remove this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Yours
be done."
43 Now an angel from heaven appeared to Him, strengthening Him. (NEW DETAIL)
44 And being in agony He was praying very fervently; and His sweat became like drops of
blood, falling down upon the ground. . (NEW DETAIL)
45 When He rose from prayer, He came to the disciples and found them sleeping from
sorrow, . (NEW DETAIL)
46 and said to them, "Why are you sleeping? Get up and pray that you may not enter into
temptation."
47 While He was still speaking, behold, a crowd came, and the one called Judas, one of the
twelve, was preceding them; and he approached Jesus to kiss Him.


Mark 14:31-43
31 But Peter kept saying insistently, "Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You!" And
they all were saying the same thing also.
32 They came to a place named Gethsemane; and He *said to His disciples, "Sit here until I
have prayed."
33 And He took with Him Peter and James and John, and began to be very distressed and
troubled.
34 And He said to them, "My soul is deeply grieved to the point of death; remain here and
keep watch."
35 And He went a little beyond them, and fell to the ground and began to pray that if it
were possible, the hour might pass Him by.
36 And He was saying, "Abba! Father! All things are possible for You; remove this cup from
Me; yet not what I will, but what You will."
37 And He *came and *found them sleeping, and *said to Peter, "Simon, are you asleep?
Could you not keep watch for one hour?
38 "Keep watching and praying that you may not come into temptation; the spirit is willing,
but the flesh is weak."
39 Again He went away and prayed, saying the same words.
40 And again He came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were very heavy; and they
did not know what to answer Him.
41 And He came the third time, and said to them, "Are you still sleeping and resting? It is
enough; the hour has come; behold, the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of
sinners.
42 "Get up, let us be going; behold, the one who betrays Me is at hand!"
43 Immediately while He was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve, came up accompanied
by a crowd with swords and clubs, who were from the chief priests and the scribes and
the elders.

These comments below from Matthew’s account : Matt 26

v. 33-35 : Peter’s verbal committment will prove to lack truth and force. The others made
the same committment and kept it.

v. 36 : Jesus informs the disciples that He needs to pray and thus a need to draw away
from them for this purpose. Whenever aspects of God’s purposes press towards
fulfillment, strong prayer by those at the forefront of His purposes is required.

v.37 : Peter and the two sons of Zebedee are asked to go beyond the others. These
were the three closest disciples to the Lord. They were privy to much more than
the other nine were during the ministry of Jesus, e.g. they were present at the
‘transfiguration of Jesus on the mount.

v. 38 : The cost associated with finalising destiny can be great. Jesus requests supportive
prayer.

v. 40 : Peter is addressed. Perhaps Jesus regarded him as a leader among the three.

v.41,43 : No longer can we use the excuse of ‘heavy eyes’ for our lack of fervent
supportive prayers. Heavy eyes denotes dullness of spiritual perception because
of worldly preoccupation.

GETHSEMANE = Oil press.

Gethsemane was a place at the foot of the Mount of Olives just over the Kidron valley.

Jesus was accustomed to going to Gethsemane – to the Mount of Olives for prayer.

Luke 22:39 And He came out and proceeded as was His custom to the Mount of Olives; and
the disciples also followed Him.

John 18:1-2 When Jesus had spoken these words, He went forth with His disciples over the
ravine of the Kidron, where there was a garden, in which He entered with His
disciples. Now Judas also, who was betraying Him, knew the place, for Jesus had
often met there with His disciples.

Jesus had often met His disciples in the garden at Gethsemane just over the Kidron ravine. This
meeting place of instruction was also a regular place of prayer. Spiritual fathers and sons should
regularly pray together. This is the place of the olive press. Olives are crushed or pressed for the
useful olive oil to flow. Oil is symbolic of the anointing and power of the Holy Spirit. Times of
engagement with the doctrine of your spiritual father are times of crushing of the flesh so that
the oil of the Spirit could more powerfully manifest in and through your life.

Gethsemane also represents a place where you are so crushed from the pursuit of your own
agenda that nothing else matters to you, but doing the will of God - where you resolve as Jesus
did, “Not my will, but YOURS be done”.

About Randolph Barnwell

Randolph is happily married to Rene since September 1990. He has three sons
[Matthew, Liam & Luke] and one daughter [Rae]. He has been serving the Lord since
1982, and has been engaged in active ministry since 1990. He has served in various
leadership capacities within the context of local church and the community in which he
grew up.
He is a qualified teacher/educator and taught at high school level for seventeen years, before entering full-time
ministry as the senior elder of a local church, Eternal Sound Ministries, which he planted in Durban in September
2005. The church was renamed ‘Gate Ministries - Durban Central’ in September 2013.
The church is apostolic-prophetic in emphasis and functions with the following mandate, viz. to mature all people into
the fullness of Christ, to facilitate the accomplishment of the eternal purposes of God, to accurately reflect God’s
image and glory, and to reconcile all things in Christ, both visible earthly and invisible heavenly realms.
Randolph fulfills a spiritual fathering function to his own household of faith, as well as providing spiritual oversight to a
few churches globally.
The primary expression of the grace of Christ in Randolph is that of teaching with an apostolic-prophetic emphasis. He
is focused on the development of various resources, which capture and document eternal, un-altering principles for
effective functioning in life to swiftly accomplish personal and corporate divine destiny. To this end he writes study
manuals, books, records audio teachings in series format, and produces musical products.
He is also passionate about capturing principles of God’s Word musically. He has written many songs used by many
churches.
Oversight and Accountability

Randolph and the church he provides spiritual fathering and leadership to, relates and is accountable to Thamo
Naidoo, a bond-servant of Christ, who does the work of an Apostle. Thamo Naidoo is the senior elder of Gate
Ministries Sandton (www.thamonaidoo.com).

Connect and Contact
Freely downloadable spiritual resources, in various formats, designed for your spiritual growth and
enrichment are available from the website - www.randolphbarnwell.com. The easiest and most efficient
way of receiving notifications from Randolph as to new resources added to his website is to ‘Follow’ and
‘like’ “Randolph Barnwell Ministry Page” on Facebook – see link below (not his personal page which limits
friends). On this page, notifications of the most recent Audio, YouTube Video, PDF documents and Books
will posted as they become available. In addition, you will also easily access regular inspirational and
encouraging short posts.

Connect Details
Email : randolph@gatedc.co.za
Mobile : (+27) 83 2729 579
Website : www.randolphbarnwell.com
Skype : randolph.barnwell2
Facebook : (1) Ministry Page : www.facebook.com/randbarn/
(2) Personal Page : www.facebook.com/randolph.barnwell
Twitter : https://twitter.com/R_Barnwell
Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/rbarnwell/
YouTube : There are two channels: (1) Gate Ministries Durban Central (2) Randolph Barnwell
Sound Cloud : soundcloud.com/randolph-barnwell
Scribd : https://www.scribd.com (Search for Randolph Barnwell)
Itunes : Coming Soon
Ministry Details:
Gate Ministries Durban Central

Email: info@gatedc.co.za
Access more information about our ministry via these links :
http://randolphbarnwell.com/gate-ministries.html
Facebook Page : https://www.facebook.com/GateMinistriesDurbanCentral/
YouTube Channel : https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBpQ9IAukyZlWeSV8EQlKMg/videos
Endnotes
1. www.randolphbarnwell.com
2. http://www.randolphbarnwell.com/audio.html
3. Ibid.
4. Audio : http://www.randolphbarnwell.com/audio.html
On this link, study the following themes :
The Primacy of the Word, Passover Principles, The Prosperity of The Soul, Fathering and Sonship, Grace - Part A and Grace –
Part F.
PDF Documents : Study the entire series on ‘GRACE’ and the associated counterpart documents to the audios cited above :
http://www.randolphbarnwell.com/pdf_topical.html
5. Zodhiates, S. (2000, c1992, c1993). The Complete Word Study Dictionary : New Testament (electronic ed.), Chattanooga, TN:
AMG Publishers, #G1939
6. http://www.randolphbarnwell.com/fathering_sonship.html
7. Jackson, L.B. (1908) A Dictionary of Bible Proper Names. See http://biblecentre.org/content.php?mode=7&item=1353
8. Baker, W. (2003, c2002). The Complete Word Study Dictionary : Old Testament. Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers,
H#2764
9. The NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE (NASB); Copyright© 1995 by the Lockman Foundation. Malachi 4:6, Marginal Note
No. (2)
10. Strong, J. (1890) Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance, S.T.D., LL.D., e-Sword, Ver.9, Dictionary,#H2764
11. Thamo Naidoo, 17th Apostolic School of Ministry, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa; Session 12, March 2010
http://www.thamonaidoo.com/wed%20ses%204%20thamo.mp3
12. Consult my website cited in the endnotes here above.
13. Here is a link to a relevant study in this regard :
http://www.randolphbarnwell.com/PDF's/Grace/7.%20Open%20Hearts%20of%20Love%20for%20Grace%20Flow.pdf
Here is a related link to a study of Determining who Your Spiritual Father should Be :
http://www.randolphbarnwell.com/PDF's/Grace/8.%20Finding%20a%20Father%20of%20Grace%20and%20Church%20of%20
Grace.pdf
15 . International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (1915).
16. Smith, S., & Cornwall, J. (1998). The Exhaustive Dictionary of Bible Names (3). North Brunswick, NJ: Bridge-Logos.
17 . Ibid.
18 . Baker, W. (2003, c2002). The Complete Word Study Dictionary : Old Testament. Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers, #H68
19 . bid., #H1121
21. Ibid.
22. Consult Thamo Naidoo’s Website – www.thamonaidoo.com for a vast range of free spiritual resources
23. Thayer, J.H. (1996). Thayer’s Greek Definitions, Hendrickson Publishers, e-Sword X, Version 3.2. (11), Dictionary, #H5375
24. A term coined by Thamo Naidoo
25 . Strong, J. (1890). Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance, S.T.D., LL.D., e-Sword X, Version 3.2 (11), Dictionary,#H2436
26 . Brown F., Driver S.R., Briggs C.A., (1996). Brown-Driver-Brigg’s Hebrew Definitions, Hendrickson Publishers, e-Sword X,
Version 3.2 (11), Dictionary, #H7451
27. This definition is gleaned from an analysis of the usage of the word in the O.T. as documented in … Baker, W. (2003, c2002).
The Complete Word Study Dictionary : Old Testament. Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers, #H7451
28. Strong, J. (1890). Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance, S.T.D., LL.D., e-Sword X, Version 3.2 (11), Dictionary, #H2205
29. Brown F., Driver S.R., Briggs C.A., (1996). Brown-Driver-Brigg’s Hebrew Definitions, Hendrickson Publishers, e-Sword X,
30. Baker, W. (2003, c2002). The Complete Word Study Dictionary : Old Testament. Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers, #H622
31. Bullinger E.W. (1967). Numbers in Scripture, Kregel Publications, 2seventy
33. Ibid., #H3320
35. Strong, J. (1890). Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance, S.T.D., LL.D., e-Sword X, Version 3.2 (11), Dictionary, #H1696
37. Here is a link to the PDF Document :
http://www.randolphbarnwell.com/PDF's/Grace/13.%20Sight%20of%20and%20Tracking%20Your%20Spiritual%20Father%20.pdf
Here is a link to the associated AUDIO teachings - At this link select the four audios entitles ‘An Open Heart of Love For Grace
to Flow – Parts 1 to 4 : http://www.randolphbarnwell.com/grace_parta.html
39. Second Samuel 23:8-39 and 1 Chronicles 11:10-47 list a group of people known as mighty men of David or David’s mighty
men. They are also referred to as the “thirty chiefs” (1 Chronicles 11:15) and simply “the Thirty” (1 Chronicles 12:4). Within this
list of mighty men are three men who served as a special elite group: Josheb-basshebeth, Eleazar, and Shammah. Their exact
roles are not made clear, but they were certainly seen as stand-outs among David’s mighty men. Although the mighty men are
called “the Thirty,” a total of 37 men are listed, meaning that not all of these men were on the team the entire time. Some of
them, like Uriah, were killed in battle during David’s reign. Another explanation may be that David’s elite group of mighty men
numbered approximately 30, a figure was not meant to be exact. Some of these mighty men of David had considerable military
skill and the blessing of God. David’s mighty men served an important role in protecting the king and fighting for the freedom of
their nation, the land of Israel.
40. Strong, J. (1890) Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance, S.T.D., LL.D., e-Sword X, Version 3.2 (11), Dictionary, #H5826
43. Ibid.
45. Zodhiates, S. (2000, c1992, c1993). The Complete Word Study Dictionary : New Testament (electronic ed.). Chattanooga, TN:
46 . Ibid.
47. Ibid. #G782
48. I learnt this principle from Dr SY Govender, an Apostle of Christ, who resides in Durban, South Africa. Consult his website for a
range of empowering spiritual resources. www.apostolicforum.co.za
46. Ibid., #H8334
50. www.apostolicforum.co.za ; This particular document is actually Session Number 15 of the well renowned Accurate Building
Concepts (ABC) Bible Study Programme Level 1, which comprises of 42 sessions covering key elements of Apostolic Doctrine.
52. Four audio sessions on Submission Accessing Grace can be located here : http://www.randolphbarnwell.com/grace_partd.html
PDF Notes on submission can be accessed here :
http://www.randolphbarnwell.com/PDF's/Grace/21.%20Submission%20to%20Spiritual%20Fathers%20Increases%20Grace.pdf
Eight audio sessions on Humility Accessing Grace can be accessed here : http://www.randolphbarnwell.com/grace_partb.html;
PDF Notes on HUMILITY can be accessed here :
http://www.randolphbarnwell.com/PDF's/Grace/9.%20Humility%20Accesses%20A%20Greater%20Grace.pdf
http://www.randolphbarnwell.com/PDF's/Grace/10.%20Grace%20for%20Humility%20that%20Obeys%20to%20Death.pdf
54. Ibid #G5198
55. Ibid #G2192
56. The AUDIOS can be accessed via this link – the heading ‘HUMILITY ACCESSES GRACE – PARTS 1 TO 8 :
http://www.randolphbarnwell.com/grace_partb.html
VARIOUS PDF DOCUMENTS on the subject of OBEDIENCE can be accessed via this link :
http://www.randolphbarnwell.com/pdf_topical.html
59. The fours factors: (a) God’s Prophetic Word and Timing (b) The Maturation of Wickedness in the Canaanite Nations (c) The
Preparation of Moses as a leader (d) The Groan for Liberty within Israel as a people.
65. The root word, ‘parēgoréō’ means to to speak with, hence to exhort, console (see Strongs #G3931)
67. All the meanings of the listed names are extracted from: Smith, S., & Cornwall, J. (1998). The Exhaustive Dictionary of Bible
Names (3). North Brunswick, NJ: Bridge-Logos
68. www. gmh.co.za
63. Strong, J. (1890) Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance, S.T.D., LL.D., e-Sword, Ver.9, Dictionary, #G1247
64. Thayer, J.H. (1996), Thayer’s Greek Definitions, Hendrickson Publishers, e-Sword, Ver. 9, Dictionary, #G1247
65. Ibid.
69. Ibid., #G404
77. http://randolphbarnwell.com/kingdom_economics.html
73. Ibid., #G2106
76. Ibid., #G2844
79. Ibid., #G4121
88. http://randolphbarnwell.com/pdf_study.html
89. See Parts 19, 20, 21 and 22 here via this link : http://randolphbarnwell.com/kingdom_economics.html
84. Here is direct link to the relevant page : http://www.randolphbarnwell.com/kingdom_economics.html
93. See parts 4 to 7 in the series on KINGDOM ECONOMICS. Here is a link :
http://randolphbarnwell.com/kingdom_economics.html
94. Smith, S., & Cornwall, J. (1998). The Exhaustive Dictionary of Bible Names (3). North Brunswick, NJ: Bridge-Logos
95. Refer to Chapter 2 in this book.
99. Ibid.
102. Ibid.
105. Ibid
107. Ibid. #G1096
108. Ibid. #G5219
109. Ibid. #G5219
102. Matthew 6:10
111. Hitchcock’s Bible Names Dictionary
112. Is. 41:19; Neh. 8:15; Zec. 14:16
113. Is. 41:19-20
115. Gen. 37:9
116 . Gen.15:5; 22:7
121. Ibid.
122 . 1 Sam. 15
123 . Smith, S., & Cornwall, J. (1998). The Exhaustive Dictionary of Bible Names (3). North Brunswick, NJ: Bridge-Logos.
125. Matthew 10:39; 16:25
126 . Baker, W. (2003, c2002). The Complete Word Study Dictionary : Old Testament. Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers, #H3259
128 . Ibid.
130. Ibid., #H4494
131. Marginal note in the NASB
132. Brown F., Driver S.R., Briggs C.A., (1996) Brown-Driver-Brigg’s Hebrew Definitions, Hendrickson Publishers, e-Sword X,
135. Go to http://thamonaidoo.com/2015-oct-asom/; Select Sessions 6, 7, 11, 12, 13, 14, 18 and 19
137. Connor. KJ (1980). Interpreting the Symbols and Types, City Bible Publishing
139. Source: Spiros Zodhiates’ commentary on the Greek word, ‘kuon’, translated ‘dogs’: Zodhiates, S. (2000, c1992, c1993). The
Complete Word Study Dictionary : New Testament (electronic ed.), Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers, #G2965
141. Ibid., #H5674
143. Ibid. #G245
144. Ibid., #G3411
145. Strong, J. (1890) Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance, S.T.D., LL.D., e-Sword, Ver.9, Dictionary, #H1121
146. Ibid., #H3423
148. See footnote 1 above.

149. Audio - Grace : http://randolphbarnwell.com/grace_parta.html
PDF Docs: http://randolphbarnwell.com/pdf_topical.html (Scroll down to the GRACE series)
150. Audio – Spiritual Fathering : http://randolphbarnwell.com/fathering_sonship.html
151. Here is a link to the PDF document:
http://www.randolphbarnwell.com/PDF's/Primacy%20of%20Word%20PDF's/S.11%20First%20Love%20-%20Part%202.pdf
Here is a link to the audio teaching:
http://www.randolphbarnwell.com/GSOM/The%20Primacy%20of%20the%20Word%20of%20God/web/11.%20First%20Love%
20-%20Part%202.mp3
153. Ibid.
154. Ibid.
155. Ibid.
157. Ibid. #G2540
160. Ibid.
AMG Publishers, 73
163. The word is ‘agonia’ – Strongs #G74

Strong Support For Spiritual Leadership - Randolph Barnwell

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

You might also like

Strong Support For Spiritual Leadership - Randolph Barnwell

Uploaded by

Document Information

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Strong Support For Spiritual Leadership - Randolph Barnwell

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Accessing Grace Through Strong Support for Spiritual Leadership © 2019 Randolph Barnwell.

AMP : Amplified Bible MSG : Message Bible

This specific publication is in a STUDY MANUAL FORMAT:

1. Our Priority - God’s Will Fulfilled 8

1. The revelation that God is Your Father

Our Priority - God’s Will Fulfilled

SON OF MAN AND SON OF GOD

Timothy Followed and Supported

Moses Fulfilled Promises Made To Abraham

Joshua, Aaron and Hur Supported Moses

Seventy Elders Support Moses

Thirty Mighty Men Supported David

Support = chazaq = to be strong, to strengthen, to be courageous, to overpower38.

Prisca and Acquila Supported Paul

Luke and Others Supported Paul

Leaders and People Supported Nehemiah

Elisha Supported Elijah

Jehoiada Supports King Joash

Practical Ways to Support Your Leader

a. The Maintenance of a Good Conscience and Honourable/Honest Conduct

John Mark Supported Paul and Peter

Jesus’ Obedience Supported His Father’s Will

Esther Supported Mordecai

A Son’s Obedience Positively Affects The Father

Tracking the Ascent Of Your

The Gate of Spiritual Fathering

[Author’s note : 12000 stadia or furlongs = 1500 miles]

[Author’s note: 72 yards = 144 cubits (NKJV)]

NIrV : I want you to know how HARD I AM WORKING for you. …

NIV : I want you to know how HARD I AM CONTENDING for you …

The Greek word translated as struggle, conflict, soliticitude, hardworking, agonised or

Titus ‘Comforted’ Paul

Oversight and Accountability

Gate Ministries Durban Central

148. See footnote 1 above.

You might also like