Bones! In my last article, I shared that pastors should be encouraged as we consider the subject of “bones.” Think about it! Ezekiel preached to dead men’s bones, and they came alive and became an exceeding great army (Ezekiel 37).
Danny BurnleyAs some 2,000 churches with our state convention gather each Sunday, we as pastors should well remember, “It pleases God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe” (1 Corinthians 1:21b). There is power in preaching the word of God!
Each time we preach, it is to bones as well. We have considered the jawbone in our last article, but now let us consider the knucklebone. In every church, we find this bone. The knucklebone knocks everything and everybody. He is like water from a fountain spraying forth a constant stream of verbal put-downs. He puts down his mate, children, church, pastor, deacons, employer, employees and anyone else who gets in his way.
The knucklebone is a professional complainer. We have those today as in Exodus when the people of Israel traveled from Egypt to Mt. Sinai. They had experienced great manifestations of divine power – in the plagues on Egypt, the division of the Red Sea and the destruction of Pharaoh’s army. All of these were fresh on their minds during the two-month period. Yet in this short time, the Bible bears witness of the knucklebones’ spirit.
The first incident occurred just three days from the Red Sea when they arrived at Morah. Instead of trusting in God and waiting for him to meet their needs, they immediately began to complain because their desire was not instantly met (Exodus 16: 22-25).
The second incident occurred just one month from the Exodus. The Israelites became knucklebones against God, wishing they had died in bondage while sitting by the fleshpots of Egypt (Exodus 17:1-7).
The third incident occurred by their tempting God, demanding that he prove himself among them in providing them with water (Exodus 17:1-7).
The knucklebone spirit is no stranger to pastors, churches or to our state convention. What is the answer to the knucklebone? Preach the word, preach the word! There is power in preaching the word!