– Written by Scott Brennan, Cairn Community Builder
As part of my role with Cairn Movement, I’ll be one of the speakers at the Synergy Conference on 11-12 October addressing the subject of apostles and prophets working together as partners and co-labourers in God’s kingdom.
I found myself in Ezra 5 reading the story of the return from exile and the rebuilding of the temple. This is an example of prophets and apostles working in synergy, re-imagining and restoring ancient ways. This story might come from the Old Testament period in the 6th century BC, but it has great application for post-Christendom in the 21st century.
The books of Ezra and Zechariah
In the books of Ezra and Zechariah, Israel is returning from a period of exile. It has been a time of uncertainty, volatile and complex. Jerusalem is in a state of disrepair and discouragement. It will require specific gifts and skills to restore and recover the foundations, as well as build for the future.
“Now Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the prophet, a descendant of Iddo, prophesied to the Jews in Judah and Jerusalem in the name of the God of Israel, who was over them. Then Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel and Joshua son of Jozadak set to work to rebuild the house of God in Jerusalem. And the prophets of God were with them, supporting them.”
The Apostolic Gift
One of the characteristics of the apostolic gift is laying down foundations. The prophet tends to see the blueprint. This is a good combination of perspectives. Apostles tend to play the long game. In the case of Joshua son of Jozadak, he became the first High Priest of the restored temple in 515BC and remained in post for twenty five years.
In the book of Zechariah, there is a prophetic word given about Joshua, son of Jozadak. It reveals what is happening behind the scenes regarding the return from exile and the rebuilding of the temple. First of all, there is a conflict in the heavens. Satan is accusing Joshua of being unworthy of this role. This is often the case when God chooses people to function apostolically. They are tested. Interestingly God calls Joshua “a burning stick snatched from the fire” (Zech 3:2) which is a sign of God’s redemption and choosing rather than being qualified for the task. God steps in to defend Joshua and rebukes Satan, He defends against the accuser (see Rev 12:10).
However, as part of God’s redemption and assignment given to Joshua, there are some conditions put in place: ”The angel of the Lord gave this charge to Joshua: “This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘If you will walk in obedience to me and keep my requirements, then you will govern my house and have charge of my courts, and I will give you a place among these standing here.” Zechariah 3:6-7)
I can see a number of connected actions:
- walk in obedience
- keep my requirements
- govern my house
- have charge of my courts
Right of Access
The result of staying faithful to these commands is “a place among these standing here.” Other translations use the term “free access or right of access.” In other words, freedom and authority are released to walk out of the assignment. This is a fascinating insight into the connection between heaven and earth, the spirit and material realms. This is why we need the prophets to work alongside the apostles, information leads to revelation and godly application. And of course, this whole story in Ezra is a profound premonition or foreshadowing of the Joshua to come in the shape of Jesus who is the ultimate apostolic and prophetic archetype. He is the chief cornerstone as per Paul’s explanation to the church in Ephesus.
“built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In Him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in Him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.” Ephesians 2:20-22
Rebuilding
If we are once again going to enter into a rebuilding phase in post-modernity we must recognise our need for Christ-centred approach but also the role of the apostolic and prophetic gifts as part of His body.
– Scott Brennan
