We often tend to look back at the trials and tribulations of Abraham and Sarah and bemoan the fact that if it weren’t for their impatience there might not have been an Ishmael, and maybe things would be different in the Middle East today. Clearly, even though they possessed the Word of God (His solemn promise) on the issue they lost faith in that word and decided to take things into their own hands. Something that I am sure all of us have some familiarity with. In fact, there seems to be a trend running through the Bible for doing just that.

Think back for a moment to the time just after Jesus’ ascension and the apostles and disciples (about 120 in all) were gathered in Jerusalem in response to Jesus’ command:

Acts 1:4-5 And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.

There they were in the upper room — after Jesus’ departure but before the coming of the Holy Spirit — and Luke tells us that they were with one accord in prayer and supplication (Acts 1:14). They were waiting. at least for a little while. Now there are certainly those that will disagree with me concerning the assumptions I am going to make, but I believe the message they set before us is a vital one for our relationship with the Lord. As we read through Luke’s account (Acts 1:15-26) we see an example of what can happen when we don’t wait on God.

Peter recognized that Judas’ position as the 12^th apostle needed to be filled according to the scripture. He notes that in verses 16 – 17:

Acts 1:16-17 Men and brethren, this scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake before concerning Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus. For he was numbered with us, and had obtained part of this ministry. 

Acts 1:20 For it is written in the book of Psalms, Let his habitation be desolate, and let no man dwell therein: and his bishopric let another take.

Peter is particularly referring to Psalm 109:8: Let his days be few; and let another take his office. But in focusing on that scripture is where Peter and the others got ahead of God. Peter pointed out that the one who was to take Judas’ place must have been a witness to the resurrection.

Acts 1:21-22 Wherefore of these men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection.

And they then went through the process of electing a replacement:

Acts 1:23-26 And they appointed two, Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias. 24. And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen, That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place. And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.

And here is where I have some questions for which there are no answers. On the other hand they point to a valid lesson that I think we all need to consider.

If you remember, it was Jesus who told them to “wait” on the coming of the Holy Spirit. But the action that they took was prior to His arrival. They followed the old Jewish custom of casting lots to see who would be the replacement. But perhaps the problem was that “they” were the ones that took the action. They decided for God which two were to be chosen from, then they prayed for God’s blessing and then they cast lots. This is where I believe Peter and the others erred, when they said “Now, Lord, which of these two do you want?”

It got me to wondering (not always a good thing) if Matthias was the one God wanted in the first place. Did He not in fact have the 12^th apostle already chosen? Would that decision have been made clear after the arrival of the Holy Spirit? Certainly God ultimately made that choice for them just as He did for Abraham. Yes there was an Ishmael in camp to deal with but that did not prevent God from putting His man, Isaac, in place. And so, didn’t He do the same thing here? Paul had a face-to-face encounter with the resurrected Christ and Matthias is never mentioned again in the Bible.

Paul was called by God to take the gospel to the gentiles and it was God who established him as the 12^th apostle. What happened to Matthias? We are never told. Did he defect or drop out? Most likely not because of Luke’s thoroughness we would have been told so. What we do know is that Paul filled the position.

I believe that Peter and the others got ahead of the Lord when they tried to make something happen before the power of the Holy Spirit came on the day of Pentecost. I know it’s a mistake that I have made on far too many occasions. Yet as God did in the case of Matthias, He has done for me. He came in after the fact and sorted out my error. Did Peter and the others err?

Yes, but like Abraham and Sarah, they erred in attempting to follow the Word of the Lord. And in both cases the error was taking the situation into their own hands and not “waiting” on God. We do it all the time. We see what needs to be done and immediately say “I can do it” rather than saying “ok Lord what do you want me to do” and waiting on Spirit of God to provide the answer or bring it about. How many times have we put God in the same box that Peter did? “Okay God is it this or that; go here or there? You choose.” And just like for Abraham and Peter, God has options that we don’t know about either; options that perfectly fit into His plan; options that are His and not ours. You know — those thoughts that are higher than ours.

Isa 55:9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

Yes, casting lots was a poor substitute for the wisdom of the Holy Spirit. But I can’t get down on Peter because I’ve been in his shoes. And as we read through the Bible there are far too many instances of folks not waiting on God. And yet in those instances God’s plan was ultimately carried out, in spite of the consequences of the “fleshly” choices that were made; including mine.

What happened to Matthias? What has happened to all the “Matthias’s” and “Ishmael’s” in our life? One day I am sure we will all find out when we get to heaven. I know for certain that one answer awaits us when we cast our eyes on the foundations of the New Jerusalem:

Rev 21:14 And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. 

Whose name will be on the 12^th stone? I’ve got a sneaking suspicion.