How to be a prophet
Yesterday in Sabbath School we talked about prophets, with their vision and dreams; and what made a person qualified to be a prophet.
Prophets had dreams—Abraham when the Lord informed him of the affliction his descendents would pass through; Daniel and his famous dream of the world empires until the judgment happened; we could say Peter on the rooftop was a prophet, although what his dream pertained to did predict any future event.
Prophets had visions—Daniel, multiple times; Ezekiel and Isaiah when the Lord introduced His person to them and gave them their mission, Paul in the third heaven, etc.
Others beside prophets had dreams—King Abimelech in Abraham’s day; Pharaoh in Joseph’s day; Nebuchadnezzar in Daniel’s day; an unnamed soldier of the Medianite in Gideon’s day, etc.
Many prophets never had either dreams or visions. They just heard the word of the Lord in their minds and spoke for Him. “The word of the Lord that came to Jeremiah concerning the dearth....” (Jer. 14:1).
No one beside prophets had visions from the Lord; however, many have tried to make it look that way.
But prophets could make mistakes. Samuel wanted to pick every other son of Jesse to be king, except the one who should have been king, and he mourned over the rejection of tall, gallant, handsome Saul from the throne. Nathan had to do an about-face after telling David to build a temple and that the Lord would be with him.
Prophets could sin. Abraham lied twice. Moses, one fatal day, let the agitated and aggressive rebels get to him to blow up. There was David and Bathsheba; Solomon and his major apostasy. Jonah and Elijah ran away from duty.
So what exactly is God’s criteria for a prophet, to ordain him so to be? If it isn’t having dreams, having continuous holy behavior, never making mistakes, then what is it?
God read their heart; He knew them. Those who have needed God the most and found their way into an extremely intimate relationship with Him, have been rewarded with a very clear comprehension of God’s love, a view of love that thrilled their soul and gave them perfect peace. Those were people He could trust to faithfully and correctly communicate His will.
And evidently, this doesn’t happen often, so God has been forced to strong arm these holy men when they didn’t want to do the dangerous work of the prophet. “For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel! For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me.” (1 Cor. 9:16,17).
His word to them was like honey in their tongue, but came together with a heavy responsibility, attended with a fire in their bowels to avenge the Lord of the insulting actions of the people. But that knowledge of God’s love balanced the bitterness in the belly, and gave them more firepower in the hope that strong reproof could lead sinners to repentance and inclusion within the arms of that God of love who they had come to know personally.
“The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.
The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.
The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.
More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.
Moreover by them is Thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.” (Ps. 19:7-11).
The Lord still needs prophets today. In fact, before He returns, He has promised many prophets.
“Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in the Lord your God: for He hath given you the former rain moderately, and He will cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain in the first month.
And the floors shall be full of wheat, and the vats shall overflow with wine and oil.
And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpiller, and the palmerworm, My great army which I sent among you.
And ye shall eat in plenty, and be satisfied, and praise the name of the Lord your God, that hath dealt wondrously with you: and My people shall never be ashamed.
And ye shall know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I am the Lord your God, and none else: and My people shall never be ashamed.
And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out My Spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:
And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out My Spirit.
And I will shew wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke.
The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and terrible day of the Lord come.
And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the Lord hath said, and in the remnant whom the Lord shall call.” (Joel 2:23-32).
Wouldn’t you like to be part of that picture described above? Our experience in the things of God will be full of satisfaction and strong faith, and overflow with joy and peace. Wouldn’t you want to be one of them? You will be if your deepest desire is acceptance by heaven and your sanctification, so that men will glorify your Father in heaven.
“Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and Thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by Thy name, O Lord God of hosts.” (Jer. 15:16).
Prophets had dreams—Abraham when the Lord informed him of the affliction his descendents would pass through; Daniel and his famous dream of the world empires until the judgment happened; we could say Peter on the rooftop was a prophet, although what his dream pertained to did predict any future event.
Prophets had visions—Daniel, multiple times; Ezekiel and Isaiah when the Lord introduced His person to them and gave them their mission, Paul in the third heaven, etc.
Others beside prophets had dreams—King Abimelech in Abraham’s day; Pharaoh in Joseph’s day; Nebuchadnezzar in Daniel’s day; an unnamed soldier of the Medianite in Gideon’s day, etc.
Many prophets never had either dreams or visions. They just heard the word of the Lord in their minds and spoke for Him. “The word of the Lord that came to Jeremiah concerning the dearth....” (Jer. 14:1).
No one beside prophets had visions from the Lord; however, many have tried to make it look that way.
But prophets could make mistakes. Samuel wanted to pick every other son of Jesse to be king, except the one who should have been king, and he mourned over the rejection of tall, gallant, handsome Saul from the throne. Nathan had to do an about-face after telling David to build a temple and that the Lord would be with him.
Prophets could sin. Abraham lied twice. Moses, one fatal day, let the agitated and aggressive rebels get to him to blow up. There was David and Bathsheba; Solomon and his major apostasy. Jonah and Elijah ran away from duty.
So what exactly is God’s criteria for a prophet, to ordain him so to be? If it isn’t having dreams, having continuous holy behavior, never making mistakes, then what is it?
God read their heart; He knew them. Those who have needed God the most and found their way into an extremely intimate relationship with Him, have been rewarded with a very clear comprehension of God’s love, a view of love that thrilled their soul and gave them perfect peace. Those were people He could trust to faithfully and correctly communicate His will.
And evidently, this doesn’t happen often, so God has been forced to strong arm these holy men when they didn’t want to do the dangerous work of the prophet. “For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel! For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me.” (1 Cor. 9:16,17).
His word to them was like honey in their tongue, but came together with a heavy responsibility, attended with a fire in their bowels to avenge the Lord of the insulting actions of the people. But that knowledge of God’s love balanced the bitterness in the belly, and gave them more firepower in the hope that strong reproof could lead sinners to repentance and inclusion within the arms of that God of love who they had come to know personally.
“The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.
The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.
The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.
More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.
Moreover by them is Thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.” (Ps. 19:7-11).
The Lord still needs prophets today. In fact, before He returns, He has promised many prophets.
“Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in the Lord your God: for He hath given you the former rain moderately, and He will cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain in the first month.
And the floors shall be full of wheat, and the vats shall overflow with wine and oil.
And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpiller, and the palmerworm, My great army which I sent among you.
And ye shall eat in plenty, and be satisfied, and praise the name of the Lord your God, that hath dealt wondrously with you: and My people shall never be ashamed.
And ye shall know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I am the Lord your God, and none else: and My people shall never be ashamed.
And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out My Spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:
And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out My Spirit.
And I will shew wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke.
The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and terrible day of the Lord come.
And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the Lord hath said, and in the remnant whom the Lord shall call.” (Joel 2:23-32).
Wouldn’t you like to be part of that picture described above? Our experience in the things of God will be full of satisfaction and strong faith, and overflow with joy and peace. Wouldn’t you want to be one of them? You will be if your deepest desire is acceptance by heaven and your sanctification, so that men will glorify your Father in heaven.
“Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and Thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by Thy name, O Lord God of hosts.” (Jer. 15:16).
posted by David | 4:23 PM
1 Comments:
Hi David. I love Jer. 15:16
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