The Prophecy of Old Men
1 Kings 16:34
“In his days did Hiel the Bethelite build Jericho: he laid the foundation thereof in Abiram his firstborn, and set up the gates thereof in his youngest son Segub, according to the word of the LORD, which he spake by Joshua the son of Nun.”
A sad commentary is made in this verse about Hiel the Bethelite. The Scriptures tell us that he rebuilt the city of Jericho. The building of this city came with great heartache to this man because he lost his oldest and youngest sons to death. Here is the saddest part about this whole story; this tragedy could have been averted if he would have read what Joshua preached in his day.
Joshua prophesied after the destruction of the city of Jericho that whoever would rebuild that city would lose their oldest and youngest child. All the heartache that Hiel the Bethelite went through would have been avoided if he would have listened to and obeyed the man of God.
Recently, I was reading an interview with the late great preacher, Dr. Jack Hyles. As I read this interview, this interview was published in a book, I was amazed at how prophetic many of his statements were. Furthermore, I was listening to one of his sermons where he described how churches and movements go liberal. Again, it was amazing how prophetic this sermon was. Much of the heartache that we experience today could be avoided if people would listen to the preaching of this great man of God and others.
I fear that in today's society we have thrown the teachings of the great men of the past out for the easier teachings of today’s younger men. I'm not against reading and listening to those who are alive today, but I truly believe if we are going to avert heartache in our lives that we need to get back to listening to the men of the past. We have to understand that these men who have gone on to Heaven have no axes to grind. If what they preached is against what we do today, we would do ourselves well to change what we are doing.
I believe it would be wise for every Christian to have a steady diet of listening to preachers who have gone to Heaven. With the technology that we have today, it is not hard to find sermons preached by great preachers of the past. On a weekly basis you should find yourself listening to at least one sermon from a man of God who has gone on to Heaven.
Furthermore, you should read the books that the preachers of the past wrote. Many people forget the written works these men left behind. You should fill your libraries with books from men of the past. Many times they wrote things that are still relevant and helpful for us today. What they said might not be politically correct, but it will still help us. I have found one way for me to avoid heartache is to listen to those who have already been where I have been.
Hiel the Bethelite could have avoided the great heartache he went through if he would have read the words of Joshua. Likewise, you can avoid a lot of heartache if you will find yourself listening to and reading from men of God from the past. Make it your weekly habit to listen to a sermon from a preacher of the past and a monthly habit to read one of their books. I believe if you do so you will help yourself avoid a lot of heartache.
To contact Evangelist Allen Domelle, send an email to contact@oldpathsjournal.com.
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