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- He Spake Of The Cedar. And The Hyssop
George Warnock
George H. Warnock (1917 - 2016). Canadian Bible teacher, author, and carpenter born in North Battleford, Saskatchewan, to David, a carpenter, and Alice Warnock. Raised in a Christian home, he nearly died of pneumonia at five, an experience that shaped his sense of divine purpose. Converted in childhood, he felt called to gospel work early, briefly attending Bible school in Winnipeg in 1939. Moving to Alberta in 1942, he joined the Latter Rain Movement, serving as Ern Baxter’s secretary during the 1948 North Battleford revival, known for its emphasis on spiritual gifts. Warnock authored 14 books, including The Feast of Tabernacles (1951), a seminal work on God’s progressive revelation, translated into multiple languages. A self-supporting “tentmaker,” he worked as a carpenter for decades, ministering quietly in Alberta and British Columbia. Married to Ruth Marie for 55 years until her 2011 death, they had seven children, 19 grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. His reflective writings, stressing intimacy with God over institutional religion, influenced charismatic and prophetic circles globally. Warnock’s words, “God’s purpose is to bring us to the place where we see Him alone,” encapsulate his vision of spiritual surrender.
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George Warnock emphasizes God's greatness and His desire to dwell with the humble and contrite. He reflects on the significance of the 'hyssop' in contrast to the grandeur of the 'cedar,' illustrating that God's true habitation is not in magnificent structures but in the hearts of those who are broken and seek Him. Warnock reminds us that the temple built by Solomon was meant to be a house of prayer for all nations, and when its purpose was lost, God called His people back to the essence of true worship and humility. The sermon highlights that God looks favorably upon those who are poor in spirit and tremble at His Word, reinforcing the idea that true greatness in God's eyes comes from humility.
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He Spake of the Cedar. and the Hyssop
God takes special note of the "hyssop" because He is so Great. He tells us that He "dwells in the high and holy place," and then He is quick to remind us, "I dwell also with him that is of a contrite and humble spirit," (Isaiah 57:15). The "house" that Solomon built Him was really just intended to be a "house of prayer for all nations." It was never intended to be a dwelling place for God; nor did Solomon recognize it as such. Therefore when the purpose for which it was built became obscured and out of sight, God was faithful to remind them of His true habitation: not a stately palace built of the Cedars of Lebanon, and adorned with gold and silver and precious stone: but a home as insignificant and weak as man himself... but this man must be poor in spirit, and broken and contrite in heart: "Where is the place that ye build unto me? And where is the place of my rest? For all those things hath mine hand made, And all those things have been, saith the Lord: But to this man will I look, Even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, And trembleth at my Word." (Isaiah 66:1, 2)
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George H. Warnock (1917 - 2016). Canadian Bible teacher, author, and carpenter born in North Battleford, Saskatchewan, to David, a carpenter, and Alice Warnock. Raised in a Christian home, he nearly died of pneumonia at five, an experience that shaped his sense of divine purpose. Converted in childhood, he felt called to gospel work early, briefly attending Bible school in Winnipeg in 1939. Moving to Alberta in 1942, he joined the Latter Rain Movement, serving as Ern Baxter’s secretary during the 1948 North Battleford revival, known for its emphasis on spiritual gifts. Warnock authored 14 books, including The Feast of Tabernacles (1951), a seminal work on God’s progressive revelation, translated into multiple languages. A self-supporting “tentmaker,” he worked as a carpenter for decades, ministering quietly in Alberta and British Columbia. Married to Ruth Marie for 55 years until her 2011 death, they had seven children, 19 grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. His reflective writings, stressing intimacy with God over institutional religion, influenced charismatic and prophetic circles globally. Warnock’s words, “God’s purpose is to bring us to the place where we see Him alone,” encapsulate his vision of spiritual surrender.