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"What manner of persons ought ye to be."
#12. Symbols of Service.
Interpreters and Intercessors.
pp. 10 - 12
The two symbols that are before us in this study are not only linked together by
similarity of sound, but also--and this is far more important--by a common basic idea.
The office of the interpreter and that of the intercessor merge into the idea of mediation,
the mediation of the interpreter being manward, and the mediation of the intercessor
being Godward.
THE INTERPRETER.--Even the church with all its gifts of tongues, miracles and
prophecy was not complete without the gift of interpretation. The gift of tongues, so
much coveted by the Corinthian church, was emptied of most of its value without the gift
of interpretation also:--
"Greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret,
that the church may receive edifying . . . . . For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound,
who shall prepare himself to the battle? . . . . . Wherefore let him that speaketh in an
unknown tongue pray that he may interpret . . . . . but if there be no interpreter, let him
keep silence in the church" (I Cor. 14: 5, 8, 13, 28).
We have given the above quotation, not because our readers belong to assemblies that
have gift of tongues, but just to show how great a value was placed upon the gift of
interpretation in the days when supernatural gifts were possessed by the church.
We do not feel called upon in this series to speak of the necessary qualifications for
the interpreting of Scripture. That office is so distinct and rare; and if it is truly
possessed, its possessor needs no help such as these articles could afford. There is,
however, a ministry of interpretation that may be entered by us all, that is no less
important than that of interpreting the Scriptures. It is the wonderful privilege of
interpreting God to man.
This office was filled to the full by the Lord Himself. As the Word, and as the Image,
He set forth God to men:--
"No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of
the Father, He hath interpreted Him" (John 1: 18).
"He that hath seen Me hath seen the Father" (John 14: 9).
Job was told of this great Interpreter who would show to poor, sinful man His
righteousness and point to the Ransom (Job 33: 23, 24).
We remember, too, that Joseph and Daniel stand out prominently in the Scriptures as
interpreters. Both were captives in a foreign land; both were used to reveal the will of