Chapter 7


THE PROPHETS

By
The Man Who Saw God Face To Face
Raphael Okechukwu Nweze


God is regarded as the “God of the Prophets.”
The children of God acknowledge this fact.
The prophets glory in this.


GOD IS GOD OF THE PROPHETS
         Several reasons make this assertion true.
         One, God is the source of prophecy. Amos 3:8 reads, “God has spoken. Who can but prophesy.” This is to say that the only being who can determine the future is God. The prophet can only predict based on what God has established and said. More so, as it is only God that is omniscient and omnipotent. Every prophecy is based on or derived from the word and revelation of God. If God decides not to reveal about the future, nobody can prophesy thereof. Jesus confirms, “I know that his command leads to eternal life so what ever I say is just what the father had told me to say.” John 12:50
         Second, God is a prophet. This is confirmed in various portions of the Bible. In addition, He points out prophecy as one of the outstanding qualities that distinguish Him from the gods and idols
         Third, God places His word and prophets above the natural course of life. This is such that His words and prophets can change things and events to manifest the desire, glory and omnipotence of the Almighty. His words, like the prophets, are prophetic.
         Fourth, God readily answers His prophets. He is very responsive to their prayers, requests and commands. Isaiah puts it vividly:

24 Thus says the LORD, your Redeemer,
And He who formed you from the womb:
"I am the LORD, who makes all things,
Who stretches out the heavens all alone,
Who spreads abroad the earth by Myself;
25 Who frustrates the signs of the babblers,
And drives diviners mad;
Who turns wise men backward,
And makes their knowledge foolishness;
26 Who confirms the word of His servant,
And performs the counsel of His messengers;
Who says to Jerusalem, 'You shall be inhabited,'
To the cities of Judah, 'You shall be built,'
And I will raise up her waste places;
Isaiah 44:24-26

         Example abounds.
         • Elijah commanded that there should be no rain in Israel for three and half years, and God upheld it.
         • Elisha struck the river and God made a way for him as He did during the Exodus.
         • Christians can command and cast out evil spirit in the name of Jesus.

         Fifth, God rules with prophecy. Proverb 29:18 says it all: “Where there is no revelation the people cast off restraints”. Therefore, from time to time, He sends His prophets to his people, to direct, correct, teach or warn them. In fact, all the leaders of God’s people in the old were prophets, prophecy-inclined or assisted by the prophets.

THE DUTIES OF THE PROPHETS
         The duties of prophets are manifold:
  1. To Inform
    2. The first duty of the prophets is to inform people of divine will. The commandments, judgment, ordinances and revelations of God are made known to His people through His prophets.

  2. To Serve As Watchmen
    3. The second duty is to serve as watchmen over the people of God: to direct them, to warm when they stray from the word of God, and to bring them back to the path of righteousness.

  3. To Solve Various Problems
    4. The third duty is to solve the various problems of mankind especially through miracles. The various needs include healing, providence, defence, guidance, etc.

  4. To Teach
    5. It is the duty of the prophets to teach people about ways of the Lord Almighty. Every good teacher teaches clearly, and in details.

  5. To Uproot
    6. They have the power and authority to uproot evil and their perpetrators, to pull down the strongholds of wickedness.

  6. To Establish
    7. They are to establish and defend the righteous people in their possession.

  7. To Communicate
    8. They communicate the desires and complain of the people to God.

  8. To Preach
    9. They preach to the sinners about righteousness and salvation.

  9. To Intercede
    10. They intercede on behalf of the people before God.

  10. To Present Offerings
    11. They are in the position to present offerings to God on behalf of the people. However, this duty is relative and selective: certain duties can only be performed by specific men of God.

             These duties make the prophets indispensable to mankind. Even, it places the prophets among the best. They teach mankind the importance of prophecy in every aspect of human endeavour.
TYPES OF PROPHETS
         Just as there are different types of prophecy, so there are different types of prophet. The different types include the following:
  1. The True Prophets:
    2. They prophesy accurately and live righteously. Samuel was an example. The Lord was with Samuel as he grew up. “...God was with Samuel and let none of his words fall to the ground” 1 Samuel. 3:19

  2. The Inspired Prophets:
    3. They are naturally gifted prophets. They get their messages by visions or revelatory modes.

  3. The Acquired Prophets:
    4. They study and master prophecy by learning from the Major Prophets. The goal of learning prophetic techniques and knowledge is to reach an ecstatic state in which revelations can be received through the use of music, dance, drums, or possession by the divine spirit.

  4. The False Prophets:
    5. They are prophets whose words do not fulfill. Such prophets are cheats, who deceive and spoil people. Jeremiah confirms this.

    Then the LORD said unto me, The prophets prophesy lies in my name: I sent them not, neither have I commanded them, neither spake unto them: they prophesy unto you a false vision and divination, and a thing of nought, and the deceit of their heart. Jeremiah 14:14

  5. The Dependent Prophets:
    6. This people are not prophets by birth, call or anointment. They do the work of prophets by relaying prophecies as if they are prophets. They make use of “derived prophecy”.

    30 "Therefore behold, I am against the prophets," says the LORD, "who steal My words every one from his neighbor. Yet I did not send them or command them; therefore they shall not profit this people at all," says the LORD. Jeremiah 23:30-32

  6. The Lost Prophets:
    7. They are people who were destined to become prophets. But they are not, because they missed their destiny. Some of them became native doctors.

  7. The Stray Prophets:
    8. They are prophets who live unrighteous, though their prophecies come true. Jesus confirms this group of prophets in Mathew 7:21-23. “Not every one who says to me, Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my father who is in heaven.”

  8. The Major Prophets:
    9. They are people, whose main duty is to prophesy. They are known by the prodigious prophecies they reveal. Examples include Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Isaiah and Samuel.

  9. The Minor Prophets:
    10. These people may prophesy, but not often. They may not be prophets by birth, call or anointed. Examples are Joel, Nahum and Amos. The scopes of their work or writing bear evidence. The volume of their prophecy is not usually prodigious.

  10. The Mystic Prophet:
    11. They have a special intimacy with God. By union with the God, divinity becomes and controls the mystic’s personal ego. The ordinary prophet may not have lost control of his ego. (He is still selfish.) The mystic delivers messages from God. Every prophet (minister) of God should strive to become a mystic. That is one major difference between them and Jesus.

  11. The Missionary (Apostolic) Prophets:
    12. They maintain that the religious truth revealed to them is unique to them alone. Such prophets acquire a following of disciples who accept, practice and spread the teachings revealed as a true religion. These kinds of prophetic action usually lead to new religions. Examples are Zoroaster, Jesus, Muhammad and the founders of many modern religious sects.

  12. The Reformative (Revolutionary) Prophets:
    13. the scope of their work covers the past and the future; they are of the restorative or purificatory type, looking to the past as the ideal. Examples among the Old Testament classical prophets are Amos and Jeremiah. The prophets were working to reform the religion of Yahweh, attempting to free it from adulterations.

  13. The Counsellor-Prophets:
    14. They are people who are not officially recognized as prophets, but their words are prophetic. They are silent prophets in disguise. Their prophecies find expressions in speeches, advise, discussions, suggestions etc. Usually, such people are gifted advisers. Ahithophel was an example. In he days,

    And the counsel of Ahithophel, which he counselled in those days, was as if a man had enquired at the oracle of God: so was all the counsel of Ahithophel both with David and with Absalom. 2 Samuel 16:23

  14. The Mediums:
    15. They are prophets who get their prophecy from the spirits of the dead people. Among them are witches, necromancers, sorcerers, etc. A clear example is the witch, of Endor.

    And when Saul saw the host of the Philistines, he was afraid, and his heart greatly trembled. And when Saul enquired of the LORD, the LORD answered him not, neither by dreams, nor by Urim, nor by prophets. Then said Saul unto his servants, Seek me a woman that hath a familiar spirit, that I may go to her, and enquire of her. And his servants said to him, Behold, there is a woman that hath a familiar spirit at Endor. And Saul disguised himself, and put on other raiment, and he went, and two men with him, and they came to the woman by night: and he said, I pray thee, divine unto me by the familiar spirit, and bring me him up, whom I shall name unto thee. And the woman said unto him, Behold, thou knowest what Saul hath done, how he hath cut off those that have familiar spirits, and the wizards, out of the land: wherefore then layest thou a snare for my life, to cause me to die? And Saul sware to her by the LORD, saying, As the LORD liveth, there shall no punishment happen to thee for this thing. Then said the woman, Whom shall I bring up unto thee? And he said, Bring me up Samuel. And when the woman saw Samuel, she cried with a loud voice: and the woman spake to Saul, saying, Why hast thou deceived me? for thou art Saul. And the king said unto her, Be not afraid: for what sawest thou? And the woman said unto Saul, I saw gods ascending out of the earth. And he said unto her, What form is he of? And she said, An old man cometh up; and he is covered with a mantle. And Saul perceived that it was Samuel, and he stooped with his face to the ground, and bowed himself. 1 Samuel 28:4-15

CHARACTERISTICS OF TRUE PROPHETS
  1. They have prophetic self-consciousness, as an awareness of a divine call to be a prophet. The call is regarded as the prophet's legitimization. The call of Jeremiah is a good example.


    2. 4 Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying:
    5 "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you;
    Before you were born I sanctified you;
    I ordained you a prophet to the nations."
    Jeremiah 1:4, 5

  2. They are accurate in their predictions. 1 Samuel 9:6 made this point certain about Samuel:

    but servant replied, “Look, in this town there is a man of God; he is highly respected, and everything he says comes true.”

    Divinatory prophets include seers, oracle givers, clairvoyant, mystic and diviners, all of whom predict the future or tell the divine will in statements.


  3. They are not influenced by gain or people. Dan. 5:13-17 is good example of this fact.


    4. 13 Then Daniel was brought in before the king. The king spoke, and said to Daniel, "Are you that Daniel who is one of the captives from Judah, whom my father the king brought from Judah? 14 I have heard of you, that the Spirit of God is in you, and that light and understanding and excellent wisdom are found in you. 15 Now the wise men, the astrologers, have been brought in before me, that they should read this writing and make known to me its interpretation, but they could not give the interpretation of the thing. 16 And I have heard of you, that you can give interpretations and explain enigmas. Now if you can read the writing and make known to me its interpretation, you shall be clothed with purple and have a chain of gold around your neck, and shall be the third ruler in the kingdom." 17 Then Daniel answered, and said before the king, "Let your gifts be for yourself, and give your rewards to another; yet I will read the writing to the king, and make known to him the interpretation. Daniel 5:13-18

    1 Kings 22:13-14 describes the characteristic in another perspective:

    13 Then the messenger who had gone to call Micaiah spoke to him, saying, "Now listen, the words of the prophets with one accord encourage the king. Please, let your word be like the word of one of them, and speak encouragement." 14 And Micaiah said, "As the LORD lives, whatever the LORD says to me, that I will speak." 1 Kings 22:13-14

  4. They may know before hand the cases and problem presented to them. The case of Saul with the Samuel is a good illustration.


    5. 15 Now the LORD had told Samuel in his ear the day before Saul came, saying, 16 "Tomorrow about this time I will send you a man from the land of Benjamin, and you shall anoint him commander over My people Israel, that he may save My people from the hand of the Philistines; for I have looked upon My people, because their cry has come to Me." 17 So when Samuel saw Saul, the LORD said to him,” There he is, the man of whom I spoke to you. This one shall reign over My people." 1 Samuel 9:15-17

  5. They have peace and poise in the face of danger and difficulties.

    6. Evidence abounds:

    15 And when the servant of the man of God arose early and went out, there was an army, surrounding the city with horses and chariots. And his servant said to him, "Alas, my master! What shall we do?" 16 So he answered,” Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them." 17 And Elisha prayed, and said, "LORD, I pray, open his eyes that he may see." Then the LORD opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. 18 So when the Syrians came down to him, Elisha prayed to the LORD, and said, "Strike this people, I pray, with blindness." And He struck them with blindness according to the word of Elisha. 19 Now Elisha said to them, "This is not the way, nor is this the city. Follow me, and I will bring you to the man whom you seek." But he led them to Samaria. 20 So it was, when they had come to Samaria, that Elisha said, "LORD, open the eyes of these men, that they may see." And the LORD opened their eyes, and they saw; and there they were, inside Samaria! 21 Now when the king of Israel saw them, he said to Elisha, "My father, shall I kill them? Shall I kill them?" 22 But he answered, "You shall not kill them. Would you kill those whom you have taken captive with your sword and your bow? Set food and water before them, that they may eat and drink and go to their master." 23 Then he prepared a great feast for them; and after they ate and drank, he sent them away and they went to their master. So the bands of Syrian raiders came no more into the land of Israel. 2 Kings 6:15-23

    Similarly, during the Exodus, the Israelites were caught up between the Red Sea and Egyptians army. They were terrified and despondent. But Moses said to them,

    ... Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will shew to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever. The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace. Exodus 14:13,14

    As another example, Jesus slept in the face of raging storm.

    23 Now when He got into a boat, His disciples followed Him. 24 And suddenly a great tempest arose on the sea, so that the boat was covered with the waves. But He was asleep. 25 Then His disciples came to Him and awoke Him, saying, "Lord, save us! We are perishing!" 26 But He said to them, "Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?" Then He arose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. 27 So the men marveled, saying, "Who can this be, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?" Matthew 8:23-27

    Daniel was free in the lion’s den.

    My God hath sent his Angel, and hath shut the lions' mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt. Then was the king exceedingly glad for him, and commanded that they should take Daniel up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no manner of hurt was found upon him, because he believed in his God. Dan. 6:22,23

    A company of prophets ate poison without dying:

    38 And Elisha returned to Gilgal, and there was a famine in the land. Now the sons of the prophets were sitting before him; and he said to his servant, "Put on the large pot, and boil stew for the sons of the prophets." 39 So one went out into the field to gather herbs, and found a wild vine, and gathered from it a lapful of wild gourds, and came and sliced them into the pot of stew, though they did not know what they were. 40 Then they served it to the men to eat. Now it happened, as they were eating the stew, that they cried out and said, "Man of God, there is death in the pot!" And they could not eat it. 41 So he said, "Then bring some flour." And he put it into the pot, and said, "Serve it to the people, that they may eat." And there was nothing harmful in the pot. 2 Kings 4:38-41

  6. They accept what God accepts. And reject whatever God rejects. They do not stray from words, laws, statutes and precepts of God.
  7. Sometimes, their prophecies are unbelievable and unpleasant such that people reject their message.
  8. God respond easily to their prayers, calls and command.
  9. They have power to do miracles. The Book of Deuteronomy said of Moses,
    10. “For no one has ever shown the mighty power or performed the awesome deeds that Moses did in the sight of all Israel”. Deuteronomy 34:12

THE FALSE PROPHETS
        
“Watch out for false prophets.
They come to you in sheep’s clothing,
but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.

         A false prophet is any prophet who satisfies one, two or all of the following conditions:
  1. A person who claims to be a prophet, but he is not.
  2. A prophet who does not prophesy exactly as God directs him.
  3. A prophet who prophecies by any other power or spirit, except by God, though what he says fulfils.
  4. False prophets abound. Sometimes, it is not easy to find them out. Or, before you know it, they have already done their deceit. Hence, Jesus was unequivocal in describing and denouncing them.

         The characteristics of the false prophets are the opposites of many of those of true prophets.