Touch not God's anointed!

Robert Schuller

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Frequently those who examine the teachings of Christian leaders hear from other Christians God's warning 'Touch not My anointed ones, and do My prophets no harm.' The implication is that their favorite teacher is one of God's anointed and therefore above criticism. However, is this a valid use of Scripture?

First of all, this quote is found in two places, 1 Chronicles 16:22 and Psalm 105:15, and in context 'anointed ones' refers to the kings of Israel and 'prophets' to the patriarchs.

Second, in context, 'touch not' and 'do My prophets no harm' means physical harm, not criticism. How do we know? One example can be found in 1 Samuel 26:8-21:

Abishai said to David, "Today God has delivered your enemy into your hands. Now let me pin him to the ground with one thrust of my spear; I won't strike him twice."

But David said to Abishai, "Don't destroy him! Who can lay a hand on the LORD's anointed and be guiltless? As surely as the LORD lives," he said, "the LORD himself will strike him; either his time will come and he will die, or he will go into battle and perish. But the LORD forbid that I should lay a hand on the LORD's anointed. Now get the spear and water jug that are near his head, and let's go."

So David took the spear and water jug near Saul's head, and they left. No one saw or knew about it, nor did anyone wake up. They were all sleeping, because the LORD had put them into a deep sleep.

Then David crossed over to the other side and stood on top of the hill some distance away; there was a wide space between them. He called out to the army and to Abner son of Ner, "Aren't you going to answer me, Abner?"

Abner replied, "Who are you who calls to the king?"

David said, "You're a man, aren't you? And who is like you in Israel? Why didn't you guard your lord the king? Someone came to destroy your lord the king. What you have done is not good. As surely as the LORD lives, you and your men deserve to die, because you did not guard your master, the LORD's anointed. Look around you. Where are the king's spear and water jug that were near his head?"

Saul recognized David's voice and said, "Is that your voice, David my son?"

David replied, "Yes it is, my lord the king." And he added, "Why is my lord pursuing his servant? What have I done, and what wrong am I guilty of? Now let my lord the king listen to his servant's words. If the LORD has incited you against me, then may he accept an offering. If, however, men have done it, may they be cursed before the LORD! They have now driven me from my share in the LORD's inheritance and have said, 'Go, serve other gods.' Now do not let my blood fall to the ground far from the presence of the LORD. The king of Israel has come out to look for a flea—as one hunts a partridge in the mountains."

Then Saul said, "I have sinned. Come back, David my son. Because you considered my life precious today, I will not try to harm you again. Surely I have acted like a fool and have erred greatly."

Notice that David would not physically harm God's anointed: King Saul. However, that did not stop David from publicly admonishing Saul, who then repented.

A second example can be found by examining 2 Samuel 12. Nathan admonished King David. Instead of King David warning Nathan that he should not 'touch God's anointed,' the king admitted that he had sinned.

Third, if one is to assume that touching God's anointed applied to true prophets and teachers of God, how is the Christian to know who are true prophets and teachers and who are not? The answer to that question is that they are known by their doctrine, by their teachings, and whether they contradict God's Word. In the case of a prophet, his words must come true.

Finally, who is anointed today? Scripture says that all Christians are, not just certain ones. 2 Cor. 1:20-22 'Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us is God, who also has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.'

False teachers and prophets today are in abundance and will invariably threaten critics with these words in order to silence them and dissuade any criticism.

Sadly, supporters will not be phased by the fact that this quotation is taken out of context. Such people prefer to follow some magnetic teacher rather than rely on Scripture for the final authority in determining truth and error. May God open their eyes to see the error in their thinking.