Copyright 2015 Theresa Harvard Johnson
Every few months, I receive notes, messages or emails stating that “scribal ministry” is a false ministry. One woman was so upset about the thought of “scribes in ministry” that she called me a “false prophet” spreading “false doctrine” and brought an entire “amen” section with her. Seriously.
I actually shouted for joy in that moment. It was an HONOR to be attacked and mocked. Truly, scribal ministry is God’s ministry. I continuously see these attacks as opportunities or fuel to continue to shed light on this powerful and unique calling! Scribal ministry is just as plain in scripture as the ministry of Ephesian’s 11:4 or that of the elders.
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One of the most powerful scriptures in the Word to support scribal ministry and The Scribal Anointing® can be found in Matthew 13:52. In this passage, Jesus made a profound statement. He said, “Therefore every teacher of the law who has become a disciple in the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of a house who brings out of his storeroom new treasures as well as old.” (A teacher of the law in the bible is a scribe. Scribal functions include serving as a teacher, recorder, secretary, treasurer, etc. and a host of other descriptions. Scribes are listed throughout scripture using their functions. For example, Matthew 13:52 is also translated as “Therefore every recorder” or “Therefore every secretary…” The point here is this, whatever word noun is used in this passage STILL DESCRIBES a scribal function.)
Like many parables in the Bible, we have to search them out. This one is easy to reference as it speaks to beauty in the life of a righteous scribe and high priest Ezra who is described by God as a “scribe instructed in the Kingdom of God” directly from Ezra 7:6, 9. (When studying this out, please use a formal bible where you can walk through the range of meaning of words. This revelation is NOT stretching scriptures, rather it is a walk through the scriptures about a ministry often ignored and discounted in the 21st Century Church.)
Christ, in his infinite wisdom, was referencing the perfect example of a scribe whose service was dedicated to the Lord. Christ was quoting what had ALREADY BEEN WRITTEN. That scribe was none other than Ezra who was a descendant of Aaron. Do any dictionary, encyclopedic or historical search on the ministry of the scribe from biblical times and you will discover that they were NOT just writers but full blown ministers AND administrators, instructors and creative people who literally helped shaped the culture of every literary legacy we hold so dear among the congregation (or even in the world) today.
While scribes could be found in any tribe, it is import to note that only certain scribes had temple duty and held the ear of the High Priest (some priests, like Ezra, were also scribes) in the Old Covenant. Only the Levitical scribes had the most sacred duty of preserving, protecting and teaching Torah. Only Levitical scribes were specifically ordained – yes ordained by God (not man) – in Numbers 11 and SENT to serve within the congregation. It is here that the Matthew 13:52 legacy, The Scribal Anointing® can be identified in its governmental capacity in the scripture. Remember, the great council of Moses was comprised of 70 men – priests, elders and scribes. While we do not seek to follow a Levitical pattern, it is necessary to acknowledge that it is this lineage of scribes “by which” they we correlate our service to Christ in scribal ministry today.
Another thing that I am sure will anger and upset people who reject the revelation of this GIFT and it is a GIFT, is the fact that the gift of the teacher is the manifestation of the role of the scribe under the New Covenant. Listen, if you can see the apostolic rising through Old Covenant types and symbols, why is it is so hard to SEE the apostolic and prophetic function of the scribe. Scribes of old – who were righteous – were sold out on bringing the people of God into understanding. That was their role. Teachers are still doing that today.
Christ, again in his infinite wisdom, completely redefined scribal ministry in Matthew 13:52. And no, that isn’t the ONLY scripture in the New Covenant to support scribal ministry in present day. It is, however, the foundational scripture that we must build upon.
The old order had ended and with the outpouring of the Spirit, God has raised up people with different ministrations of their gifting but it is the SAME SPIRIT (1 Corinthians 12). Just because a person has never seen or heard of scribal ministry before does not mean it does not exist. Just because all the western church can remember about scribes are the rebukes and warnings given by Christ, and the role played in the execution of Christ does not mean that ALL SCRIBES were corrupt. Further, true understanding of scripture will reveal that by the time Christ entered his ministry – the scribal culture of that time had changed drastically.
Further, scribes still performed the elements of administration and instruction in the scripture under a powerful anointing. That anointing is the inheritance and legacy left by the righteous scribes before us.
Listen, this isn’t a false doctrine. Sometimes, it’s just easier to trust who “Babylon” tells us we are because that is all we know and it is what we value. A person doesn’t even need an understanding of the prophetic to catch the revelation of scribal ministry. Is the ministry of the psalmist and minstrel still valid today? Does not the congregation need administrators, teachers, creative planners, etc.? Are there not people who seem “extraordinarily” gifted in these areas?
Scribes, don’t get discouraged by those who count you out and put you down. When we started teaching on this nearly 20 years ago, it was a laughable matter. Today, God is awakening the Body to the depth of the scribal anointing. TRUST who God says you are, not what people try to put on you. We don’t know everything and Holy Spirit is still revealing and unlocking the mysteries of the Word that Christ did not have the opportunity to reveal.
