How can we apply the principle of listening to God's chosen prophets today? The Setting at Horeb Moses reminds Israel of the day God spoke from the blazing mountain: • “Let us not hear the voice of the LORD our God or see this great fire anymore, so that we will not die.” (Deuteronomy 18:16) • God graciously promises a mediator—“a prophet like me” (v. 15)—through whom He will keep speaking. • The command that follows is simple and weighty: “You must listen to him.” What Listening Meant for Israel • Take the prophet’s words as God’s own (Deuteronomy 18:18). • Obey promptly; disobedience carried real consequences (v. 19). • Test the message—anything contradicting earlier revelation or failing to come true exposed a false prophet (vv. 20-22). The Ultimate Prophet Fulfilled in Christ • Peter applies Moses’ promise to Jesus: “The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me… You must listen to Him in everything He says to you.” (Acts 3:22-23) • Jesus is the final, flawless revelation: “In these last days He has spoken to us by His Son.” (Hebrews 1:1-2) Application: Listening to prophets begins with listening to Christ—His words recorded in the Gospels and explained throughout the New Testament. Scripture as the Prophetic Word • “No prophecy of Scripture comes from one’s own interpretation… men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.” (2 Peter 1:20-21) • The Bible is God’s settled, reliable voice; every later “word” must harmonize with it. Discerning True Prophetic Voices Today God still gifts the church with prophetic encouragement and insight (Ephesians 4:11-12; 1 Corinthians 14:3). We listen wisely when we: • Compare every message with the written Word (Acts 17:11). • Watch for the fruit of Christlike character in the messenger (Matthew 7:15-20). • Remember prophecy’s purpose—building up, not entertaining (1 Corinthians 14:26). • “Test all things. Hold fast to what is good. Abstain from every form of evil.” (1 Thessalonians 5:21-22) Practical Steps for Everyday Listening • Read the Bible prayerfully, expecting God to speak. • Memorize key passages to anchor your heart when competing voices arise. • Invite trusted, mature believers to confirm or correct impressions you sense from the Lord. • Stay plugged into a local church where the whole counsel of Scripture is preached. • Respond quickly—listening includes doing (James 1:22-25). Encouragement for the Church Jesus still walks among His lampstands and says, “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” (Revelation 2:7) By treasuring Scripture, testing modern messages, and obeying promptly, we honor the ancient call at Horeb and keep our ears tuned to God’s chosen Prophet—now and until He returns. |
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