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Commentary on "The Integrity of the Prophetic Gift"
Day 6: Thursday, February 26, 2009
The study today returns to the story of Nathan and David. It begins with a question, asking “What was wrong with Nathan’s advice to David?” 1 Chronicles 22:8, which is referenced at the end of the question, is David telling his son that he had wanted to build the temple, but God said Solomon would not build it. This is the result of Nathan’s original encouragement to David about his desire to build the temple, but later prophetic message that David would not do as he desired. (2 Samuel 7:1-7)
The study rightly points out that while the prophet Nathan was a wise and God-fearing man, not everything a prophet says or does is done under inspiration. This is where Nathan’s encouraging words to David would fall. Ellen White also was not infallible in all she said or did. The study says “She grew, changed her mind on issues, and was constantly open for more light.”
Prophets are not always “on duty,” or speaking constantly for God. Ellen White wrote “There are times when common things must be stated, common thoughts must occupy the mind, common letters must be written and information given that has passed from one to another of the workers. Such words, such information, are not given under the special inspiration of the Spirit of God.”
The study writer ends by saying that history has shown if erroneous counsel has been given by a prophet, God will intervene to correct the mistake.
Problems
What was wrong with Nathan’s advice to David? Nothing. David was a man of God, and Nathan new that. David’s desire to build the temple seemed like a good thing to do to David, and Nathan gave him wise and friendly advice from his own understanding.
In fact, I agree with much of what the study writer says in regard to prophets being human and not infallible. Even the Ellen White quote about common things needing to be said sometimes sounds accurate. The problem is that other Ellen quotes show that she believed all her writings to be prophetic. (see study notes from earlier in week.)
The other main issue is that in the story of Nathan and David, Nathan’s words of advice were replaced with God’s word. This is not an accurate comparison to Ellen White’s changing words. The new light she claimed to have been shown over time often contradicted the previous light she was shown. This would amount to God’s message being replaced with God’s message. God does not contradict His own word. Any time “an erroneous counsel has been given by a prophet,” and God “intervenes to correct the mistake,” it is a correction of the prophet's own personal counsel to be replaced with God’s righteous counsel. Never does God correct his own erroneous council, since there is nothing erroneous about Him.
Summary
- Prophets are human and do not always speak for God.
- God never corrects prophecy, only the personal messages given by man.
- Nothing about God is ever erroneous.
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Official Adventist Resources
Standard Edition Study Guide Week 9
Teacher's Edition Study Guide Week 9