Rees Howells: Intercessor (PDF): http://www.inspirationalchristians.org/downloads/rees-howells-intercessor-ebook.pdf
Rees Howells wrongfully believed that Isaiah was called to go completely naked and barefoot, but that would contradict God's Nature and His commands to wear clothing (Exodus 12:11, Gen. 3:21) and be modest (Exodus 20:26, Ex. 28:42-43). That would contradict God's command to not have steps built up to an altar to preserve the modesty of a priest approaching the altar. Not having steps would keep people from seeing any indecency under the priest's long tunic (which went to his ankles) as the priest approached the altar.
Exodus 20:26. "Neither shalt thou go up by steps unto mine altar, that thy nakedness be not discovered thereon."
In Exodus 28:42-43, God told the priests to wear linen breeches (shorts) under their long tunics to preserve modesty when they ministered in the tabernacle or by the altar. Modesty is important.
Exodus 28:42-43
42 And thou shalt make them linen breeches to cover their nakedness; from the loins even unto the thighs they shall reach:
43 And they shall be upon Aaron, and upon his sons, when they come in unto the tabernacle of the congregation, or when they come near unto the altar to minister in the holy place; that they bear not iniquity, and die: it shall be a statute for ever unto him and his seed after him.
The Hebrew word used in Isaiah 20 is arom. It can also mean wearing less than the normal clothing. Isaiah was wearing the undergarments of Hebrew people at that time. It would have been as modest as a modern pair of men's shorts. At times, he would have been permitted to wear a shirt or a short tunic (God showed me). But, he was by no means naked as we understand the word today.
Jesus said to care for the poor and those who are "naked," meaning those without adequate clothing for their environment. The Greek word, gumnos, translated as "naked," means poorly clothed in Matthew 25. A beggar may be wearing a ragged shirt with holes in it and patched-up trousers. The Greek word (gumnos) that Jesus used would apply to him. Someone without shoes or socks in a cold climate would also be considered "gumnos".
Another wrongful statement in Rees Howells: Intercessor is found on page 40 where the author incorrectly states that there is no limit to the extremes that God will take an intercessor to fulfill God's passion to warn and save lost souls. But, there are limits. God does not contradict His Word. He does not expect His children to do things that are unbiblical or morally wrong. Having no clothing is morally wrong. It is sinful and shameful. God does not permit it.
Exodus 20:26. "Neither shalt thou go up by steps unto mine altar, that thy nakedness be not discovered thereon."
As we mentioned earlier, in Exodus 28:42-43, God told the priests to wear linen breeches (shorts) under their long tunics (which came to the ankles) when they ministered in the tabernacle. These shorts under the long tunics would maintain modesty.
Exodus 28:42-43
42 And thou shalt make them linen breeches to cover their nakedness; from the loins even unto the thighs they shall reach:
43 And they shall be upon Aaron, and upon his sons, when they come in unto the tabernacle of the congregation, or when they come near unto the altar to minister in the holy place; that they bear not iniquity, and die: it shall be a statute for ever unto him and his seed after him.
Just to note, in conclusion, Rees was afraid that God might expect him to undress, but Rees never did anything like that. That was just a fear he had. Isaiah the prophet, in Isaiah chapter 20, was wearing clothing which would be equivalent to men's shorts. And, God cannot contradict Himself. God wants us to be modest and moral and to have fellowship with Him.
- This can be a helpful book with powerful scripture references and inspiring examples from the life of a man who desired to serve God and do God's best will for his life. He saw miracles happen in answer to prayer and the course of World War 2 changed by way of his and others' prayers. This is a book to seek God through, but it does have errors, as most Christian books do. So, we Christians need to be Bereans (Acts 17:10-11). Use caution and discernment when reading this book.
I am certain that not everything Norman Grubb or Rees Howells said is true or biblically correct. Rees depended much on a voice he heard, but he needed to meditate on God's Word (the Bible) more.
- When we are grounded in God's Word (Acts 17:10-11), and as we seek to know God as our Abba Father in a personal relationship (Galatians 4:6-7), we will have better discernment to know what is of God and what isn't. Abba God does speak to us by His Spirit (John 16:13), but He does not tell us to do anything that is contradictory to His Nature as revealed through the Bible. God does not teach us to perform for Him or earn anything from Him (Romans 4:1-8). God does not teach us to go through agony in prayer (John 14:27). He gives us peace (John 14:27, John 16:33, John 20:19-23).
- There are more errors than I have been able to write about. So, again, we Christians need to be Bereans (Acts 17:10-11). I myself have been misled at times, so I offer this article with a desire to point out why God is a loving, caring, compassionate, patient, gracious, longsuffering Father. And, I offer this article to point out truth from God's Word (the Bible).
Rees Howells wrongfully believed that Isaiah was called to go completely naked and barefoot, but that would contradict God's Nature and His commands to wear clothing (Exodus 12:11, Gen. 3:21) and be modest (Exodus 20:26, Ex. 28:42-43). That would contradict God's command to not have steps built up to an altar to preserve the modesty of a priest approaching the altar. Not having steps would keep people from seeing any indecency under the priest's long tunic (which went to his ankles) as the priest approached the altar.
Exodus 20:26. "Neither shalt thou go up by steps unto mine altar, that thy nakedness be not discovered thereon."
In Exodus 28:42-43, God told the priests to wear linen breeches (shorts) under their long tunics to preserve modesty when they ministered in the tabernacle or by the altar. Modesty is important.
Exodus 28:42-43
42 And thou shalt make them linen breeches to cover their nakedness; from the loins even unto the thighs they shall reach:
43 And they shall be upon Aaron, and upon his sons, when they come in unto the tabernacle of the congregation, or when they come near unto the altar to minister in the holy place; that they bear not iniquity, and die: it shall be a statute for ever unto him and his seed after him.
The Hebrew word used in Isaiah 20 is arom. It can also mean wearing less than the normal clothing. Isaiah was wearing the undergarments of Hebrew people at that time. It would have been as modest as a modern pair of men's shorts. At times, he would have been permitted to wear a shirt or a short tunic (God showed me). But, he was by no means naked as we understand the word today.
Jesus said to care for the poor and those who are "naked," meaning those without adequate clothing for their environment. The Greek word, gumnos, translated as "naked," means poorly clothed in Matthew 25. A beggar may be wearing a ragged shirt with holes in it and patched-up trousers. The Greek word (gumnos) that Jesus used would apply to him. Someone without shoes or socks in a cold climate would also be considered "gumnos".
Another wrongful statement in Rees Howells: Intercessor is found on page 40 where the author incorrectly states that there is no limit to the extremes that God will take an intercessor to fulfill God's passion to warn and save lost souls. But, there are limits. God does not contradict His Word. He does not expect His children to do things that are unbiblical or morally wrong. Having no clothing is morally wrong. It is sinful and shameful. God does not permit it.
Exodus 20:26. "Neither shalt thou go up by steps unto mine altar, that thy nakedness be not discovered thereon."
As we mentioned earlier, in Exodus 28:42-43, God told the priests to wear linen breeches (shorts) under their long tunics (which came to the ankles) when they ministered in the tabernacle. These shorts under the long tunics would maintain modesty.
Exodus 28:42-43
42 And thou shalt make them linen breeches to cover their nakedness; from the loins even unto the thighs they shall reach:
43 And they shall be upon Aaron, and upon his sons, when they come in unto the tabernacle of the congregation, or when they come near unto the altar to minister in the holy place; that they bear not iniquity, and die: it shall be a statute for ever unto him and his seed after him.
Just to note, in conclusion, Rees was afraid that God might expect him to undress, but Rees never did anything like that. That was just a fear he had. Isaiah the prophet, in Isaiah chapter 20, was wearing clothing which would be equivalent to men's shorts. And, God cannot contradict Himself. God wants us to be modest and moral and to have fellowship with Him.
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