Chapter 4


Nature of Inspiration

By
The Man Who Saw God Face To Face
Raphael Okechukwu Nweze


NATURE OF INSPIRATION
         Inspiration is understandable from its essence and from how it works.
         First, inspiration is a flash of light which enlightens and enlivens the receiver. To inspire is to flash the light of understanding to a receiver, so that he knows. The light is the light of the Holy Spirit. It was manifest during the conversion of Saul on the road to Damascus.
         On the day of the Pentecost, it was present as the tongues of fire:

When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. Acts 2:1-4

         The same light was witnessed during Old Testament transfiguration and New Testament transfiguration. In the Old Testament, after Moses had stayed another 40 days and 40 nights on the mountain, the Israelites could not look at his face:

And when Aaron and all the children of Israel saw Moses, behold, the skin of his face shone; and they were afraid to come nigh him. And Moses called unto them; and Aaron and all the rulers of the congregation returned unto him: and Moses talked with them. And afterward all the children of Israel came nigh: and he gave them in commandment all that the LORD had spoken with him in mount Sinai. And till Moses had done speaking with them, he put a veil on his face. But when Moses went in before the LORD to speak with him, he took the veil off, until he came out. And he came out, and spake unto the children of Israel that which he was commanded. And the children of Israel saw the face of Moses, that the skin of Moses' face shone: and Moses put the veil upon his face again, until he went in to speak with him. Exodus 34:30-35

         Again, in the New Testament transfiguration, the light was evident.

And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart, And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light. Matt 17:1,2

         Inspiration is spiritual. It is a spirit sending a message to another spirit, through a medium that is equally spiritual. “It is the spirit that gives life; the fresh is of no avail. The words I have spoken to you are spirit.” John 6:63
         In everybody, there is a medium for divine communication called “the Still Small Voice.” Some call it the “Voice Within”; it is a gift of the Holy Spirit for the children of God to receive directives from God. Some others call it “the voice of reason or the conscience”. It reminds, directs, informs and rebukes. St Paul identified it as “…the Christ in you, the hope of glory”. This Christ in you can manifest as a small child, then spontaneously grows into an adult, performs a specific task in you, for you, through you, and then retires (disappears). Jesus confirmed it when He said, “At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.” John 14:20
         Inspiration is often selective; it is received only by the person(s) or group intended. That is why Daniel received several revelations and was frightened to faint, while the people around him did not notice anything.
         Inspiration is foremost. Usually, before God issues directives to whoever should perform a task, how and when the task should be performed, He begins by inspiration: He fills the person who should perform the task with His spirit. Several examples prove this. It was so in the life and task of Bazeleal, the craftsman.

And Moses said unto the children of Israel, See, the LORD hath called by name Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah; And he hath filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship; And to devise curious works, to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass, And in the cutting of stones, to set them, and in carving of wood, to make any manner of cunning work. And he hath put in his heart that he may teach, both he, and Aholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan. Them hath he filled with wisdom of heart, to work all manner of work, of the engraver, and of the cunning workman, and of the embroiderer, in blue, and in purple, in scarlet, and in fine linen, and of the weaver, even of them that do any work, and of those that devise cunning work. Exodus 35:30-35

         The disciples were advised to wait for inspiration before they would begin their ministration and evangelism,

And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high. Luke 24:49

         Cycle is another characteristic of inspiration. In nature, we have Water Cycle, Nitrogen Cycle, etc. Likewise, inspiration is cyclic - it starts from God, gets to the receiver, performs its task and returns to God.

10 As the rain and the snow
     come down from heaven,
     and do not return to it
without watering the earth
     and making it bud and flourish,
so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,
11 so is my word that goes out from my mouth:
It will not return to me empty,
     but will accomplish what I desire
and achieve the purpose for which I
     sent it.
 Isaiah 55:10-11