The Earth Is Shaken By Prayer

Spring, c. 33 AD

The Earth Is Shaken By Prayer

Having been severely threatened by the Sanhedrin and commanded never to speak in the name of Jesus again, Peter and John were released. They immediately returned to their companions and reported everything. The response of the early church was not to organize a protest or go into hiding; they lifted their voices to God with one accord in passionate prayer.

They did not ask for protection from persecution. Instead, they quoted Psalm 2, acknowledging God's sovereignty over the raging nations, and prayed for the boldness to continue speaking the Word. When they finished praying, the very place where they were gathered was physically shaken, and they were all filled fresh with the Holy Spirit, speaking the word of God with confidence.

"And when they had prayed, the place where they had gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak the word of God with boldness."
— Acts 4:31

Timeline Box: This powerful prayer meeting occurred immediately following the apostles' release from their first imprisonment.

Mosaic Era, 1445 BC

The Fire Of Yahweh Burns At Taberah

The honeymoon of the journey from Sinai is over. The people of Israel have begun to complain bitterly about their hardships. Yahweh heard their grumbling, and His anger was kindled. The fire of Yahweh burned among them, consuming some of the outskirts of the camp. The people cried to Moses, who prayed, and the fire died out.

"Now the people became like those who complain of adversity in the hearing of Yahweh... and the fire of Yahweh burned among them and consumed some of the outskirts of the camp."
— Numbers 11:1

Timeline Box: The rebellion at Taberah was the first major complaint after leaving Sinai.

Mosaic Era, 1445 BC

The Rabble Crave Egyptian Food

Not long after the fire at Taberah, the rabble among the Israelites yielded to intense craving. They began weeping, remembering the fish, cucumbers, melons, and garlic they ate for free in Egypt. They are openly rejecting the miraculous daily Manna, complaining that their strength is dried up because they have nothing but "this manna" to look at.

"And the rabble who were among them had greedy desires; and also the sons of Israel wept again and said, 'Who will give us meat to eat?'"
— Numbers 11:4

Timeline Box: This craving for meat led to a massive crisis of leadership for Moses.

Editorial: Two Responses To Hardship

When pressure mounts, what is your default reaction? When the Israelites faced the discomforts of the wilderness journey, they complained bitterly and craved the comforts of their former slavery. Their grumbling brought the fire of God's judgment upon the edge of their camp.

When the early Christians faced the terrifying threats of the Sanhedrin, they did not complain or ask to return to their old, quiet lives as fishermen. They gathered together and prayed for the boldness to endure the hardship. Their prayer brought the fire of the Holy Spirit, shaking the very room they stood in. We can either complain and burn out, or we can pray and shake the world.

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