The sons of the prophets that were at Bethel came forth to Elisha and said to him, ‘Do you know that the Lord will take you master from your head today?’ Elisha replied, ‘Yes, I know it, hold your peace;” (II Kings 2:3).

Hold your peace: (Def): (Heb): Chashah: To hush or keep quiet, be silent, be still

The prophetic gift gives insight into things to come. This gift which Jesus said would be given by the Holy Spirit (cf. John 16:13) is evident in the Body of Christ today, as it was evident in the days of Elijah among the “sons of the prophets”, established in the days of the Prophet, Samuel and continued under Elijah. These prophets gathered in schools for common worship, united prayer, fellowship and instruction for the benefit of the people (cf. I Samuel 10:5, 10; II Kings 4:38,40). In the days of Elijah and Elisha these schools were located in Bethel, Jericho and Gilgal (cf. II Kings 2:3,5; 4:38).

Having the prophetic gift does not compel one to broadcast everything the Spirit reveals. Indeed, as the Apostle wrote to the Church at Corinth, “the spirit of the prophet is subject to the control of the prophet” (I Corinthians 14:32).

In our story the imminent departure of Elijah was revealed to the prophets at Bethel, and as we can see subsequently, was also revealed to the prophets at Jericho (II Kings 2:5). So, Elijah knew he was leaving, Elisha knew he was leaving, the “sons of the prophets” knew he was leaving, but Elisha’s reply to all of it was “Yes, I know, be quiet”.

With the prophetic gift the wisdom of God is desperately needed at all times. The wisdom of Solomon was on display when he wrote:

“A time to rend and a time to sew; a time to keep silent (Chashah), and a time to speak” (Ecclesiastes 3:7).

Knowing when to keep silent with what you know requires discipline. Trusting people with secret things of the Spirit requires discretion. Keeping secret things secret requires integrity.

How many times after a miracle did Jesus command the recipient of the benefit, “see you tell no one” (cf. Matthew 8:4).

When returning from the Mount of Transfiguation, “Jesus charged His disciples, saying ‘Tell the vision to no man until the Son of Man be risen again from the dead'” (Matthew 17:9).

When Simon Peter answered the Lord when He asked them “Who do people say the Son of Man is?”; “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God” (Matthew 16:13b, 16), Jesus gave His disciples strict instructions on the matter by charging them to “tell no man that He was Jesus, the Christ (Messiah)” (Matthew 16:20).

Did you have a vision? A Dream? An Angelic visitation? Wonderful. Be careful, however, with whom you share it. Not everyone will receive it. Jesus gave us wise advice when He said,

“Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you” (Matthew 7:6).

Do you have the prophetic gift? Use it wisely. Speak, share in the timing of the Lord. There may be a time when the Lord says, Chashah, be quiet, just as Elisha said to the other prophets regarding the departure of Elijah. The Apostle wrote to the Church at Colossae.

“For this cause we also do not cease to pray for you and to desire that you might be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that you might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God” (Colossians 1:9-10)

The prophetic gift is a precious gift of the Spirit (cf. I Corinthians 12:7-11). We need the prophetic gift to be in operation in the church today. We also need the wisdom of the Lord to be evident in those who move in the gifts. There may be a time when the Spirit of the Lord says, Chashah hush, keep quiet, be silent, do not speak, be still. There just may be a time when you can say with Elisha, Yes, I know, be quiet. May the grace of the Lord Jesus be with you always, even to the end of the age.

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