Moving in the Apostolic

136 Moving in the Apostolic

sustain these herds. Apostolic ministry will provide sustenance for large numbers of people. Large flocks will not be uncommon in these days as the Lord raises up apostolic ministry. Husbandry Uzziah "loved the soil." The King James Version uses the word "husbandry." Four important components of husbandry are plowing, sowing, pruning and reaping. Apostles know how to plow the fallow ground through their preaching and teaching. They plow through tradition and anything that would keep the soil of men's hearts from being broken up. They then sow the Word into the hearts of men. Once the ground is broken up, the Word can be sown into the heart; once the Word is sown, it will bring forth fruit. After the plowing and sowing comes the pruning. Pruning is necessary to insure a healthy plant. To prune means to rid or clean of anything superfluous or undesirable. Pruning is rebuking and correcting. It is an unpleasant but necessary part of husbandry. Apostles rebuke and correct. Their preaching eliminates those undesirable traits in the people of God. After pruning, the vine brings forth fruit abundantly. This is harvest time. Reaping comes after plowing, sowing and pruning. This is apostolic ministry as typified by Uzziah plowing, sowing, pruning and reaping. Army of God Moreover Uzziah had an army of fighting men who went out to war by companies (2 Chron. 26:11, italics added). Apostolic ministry attracts fighting men. Remember, it is a ministry of warfare. The Lord is raising up an army, and apostles have the ability to recruit, gather and train people for warfare. Not only do they train warriors but also captains (leadership) to be over God's army. These mighty warriors will be strong and courageous with