Locusts and Wild Honey

by Sergio Valori

fter a silence of about 400 years, the voice of God could again be heard in the wilderness of Judaea. John the Baptist, acclaimed by Jesus as being 'more than a prophet', was God's unique instrument to herald the coming of the kingdom of heaven. The mention of his diet of locusts and wild honey is more than incidental. It may well be symbolic of his message, for locusts speak to us of judgment, and wild honey infers a pure word, untouched by the hand of man. In a day characterized by great mixture and perversion, God is again releasing such a word to His church. Let us examine the nature and implications of this word.

The word will be formed in a specially ordained vessel. The angel of the Lord had said of John, "...he shall be great in the sight of the Lord." Although unrecognized, unacclaimed, and generally unaccepted of men, God's instrument is precious in His sight. Called to be a Nazarite, he would not serve men or be used of men, but he would serve God's purpose. He would not indulge in strong drink, i.e. that which inebriates the flesh and the soul, but he would be filled with the Holy Ghost from his mother's womb. He will have a special and significant anointing to fulfill his mission.

God is preparing such a vessel today. Its primary characteristic is that it is not in man's mold nor under man's influence. This ministry will be produced by the overshadowing of the Holy Ghost.

The word will be formed in a place of separation. Luke 3:1,2 indicates that neither God's servant nor God's word will be found in the realm of corrupt politics or religion. Those who look for help from those realms will be sorely disappointed. God's messenger will grow up in the wilderness so that God's pure thought and message can be formed in him. He will have a unique history of preparation, learning to wait upon God and hear His voice. He will not be molded my any earthly system nor be swayed by public opinion.

God today is separating select vessels unto himself so that a pure word can be brought forth to address the church's miserable condition.

The word will come forth in power. "And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias." (Lu.1:17) Although we could associate the spirit of Elijah with miracles, John would do no miracle. His mission was to turn back to the Lord a people who had seriously deviated from His purpose. His word was designed to expose perverse conditions, bring conviction and establish repentance. The Lord's people were unfit and uprepared for the coming King, nor did they qualify to participate in the coming kingdom. Of course , they did not know nor believe this, and it would take great power of conviction to awaken them and turn them around.

Today's Laodicean condition in the church is much the same. "...thou...knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked..." (Rev. 3:17) Indeed, the most alarming aspect of the church's condition today is that it does not know its condition. But, thank God, the Lord is raising up a prophetic voice like that of the prophet Micah who declared, "But truly I am full of power by the Spirit of the Lord, and of judgment, and of might, to declare unto Jacob his transgresion, and to Israel his sin." (Micah 3:8)

The word will minister judgment. "And now also the axe is laid to the root of the trees; every tree therefore which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire." (Lu.3:9) From the days of Cain throughout the history of idolatrous Israel we see that religious man lives in hope of being accepted and approved of God. Man can disobey, rebel, take his own way, sin grievously, and still he expects that God will somehow overlook and condone it all.

But, as we have seen God judge in the past, so will His word minister judgment today. Indeed, "...the time has come that judgment must begin at the house of God..." (1Pe.1:17) Even as the Pharisees had corrupted God's house and perverted His worship, so it is today. Religious leaders have not guarded the gates, and again God's house is filled with 'uncircumcised strangers' (Ez.44:7). The list is long: entertainment, drama, rock music, homosexuals, humanistic programs, and many fleshly and soulical exercises. God will not rest until He has thoroughly purged his floor and burned up the chaff with unquenchable fire.

The prophet Malachi spoke of this day: "For, behold, the day cometh that shall burn as an oven, and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly shall be stubble, and the day that cometh shall burn them up..." (Mal.4:1) May we allow the Lord to deal with us and truly be made ready for Him and His kingdom.