Topical Encyclopedia In the biblical narrative, prophets hold a significant role as God's messengers, conveying His will and guidance to the people of Israel and beyond. The giving of presents or gifts to prophets is a recurring theme in the Scriptures, often reflecting respect, honor, and the recognition of the prophet's divine authority. This practice also underscores the cultural and spiritual dynamics of the ancient Near East, where gifts were a common means of expressing gratitude and seeking favor.Recognition and Honor The act of giving presents to prophets is frequently associated with acknowledging their status as God's chosen vessels. In 1 Samuel 9:7-8, Saul, before becoming king, seeks the counsel of the prophet Samuel. Saul expresses concern about approaching the prophet without a gift, saying, "But look, if we go, what can we give the man? The bread in our sacks is gone, and there is no gift to present to the man of God. What do we have?" His servant responds by offering a quarter of a shekel of silver, highlighting the cultural expectation to honor a prophet with a gift. Facilitating Divine Favor Gifts to prophets can also be seen as a means of facilitating divine favor or blessing. In 2 Kings 4:42-44, a man brings the firstfruits of his harvest to Elisha, the prophet, as an offering. Elisha uses this gift to perform a miracle, feeding a hundred men with the limited provisions. This narrative illustrates how presents to prophets can become conduits for God's miraculous provision and blessing. Expression of Gratitude The giving of presents to prophets often serves as an expression of gratitude for their ministry and the fulfillment of God's promises. In 2 Kings 5:15, after being healed of leprosy, Naaman returns to Elisha and offers him gifts as a token of his gratitude. Although Elisha declines the gifts, the gesture itself signifies Naaman's acknowledgment of the prophet's role in his healing and his newfound faith in the God of Israel. Caution Against Materialism While presents to prophets can be beneficial, the Scriptures also caution against the potential for materialism and corruption. In 1 Samuel 12:3, the prophet Samuel, in his farewell speech, challenges the people to testify against him if he has ever accepted a bribe or taken anything unjustly. This highlights the importance of integrity and the danger of allowing gifts to influence prophetic ministry. Conclusion The practice of giving presents to prophets in the Bible reflects a complex interplay of cultural norms, spiritual recognition, and the desire for divine favor. While gifts can honor and facilitate the work of God's messengers, the biblical narrative also warns against the potential for misuse and the need for prophetic integrity. Nave's Topical Index 1 Samuel 9:7,8Then said Saul to his servant, But, behold, if we go, what shall we bring the man? for the bread is spent in our vessels, and there is not a present to bring to the man of God: what have we? Nave's Topical Index 1 Kings 14:3 2 Kings 4:42 2 Kings 8:8,9 Ezekiel 13:19 Library Author's Preface. Of Prayer --A Perpetual Exercise of Faith. The Daily Benefits ... What a Sacrifice Is, and what are the Species of Sacrifice. On the Mission of the Seventy Disciples, and Christ's Charge to ... On the Invocation of Saints That we Obtain Remission of Sins by Faith Alone in Christ. Typology The Debt of Iren??us to Justin Martyr Preface. 1 Cor. xii. 27 Resources What is the story of Elijah and the prophets of Baal? | GotQuestions.orgWhat was a prophet in the Old Testament? | GotQuestions.org What is a prophet in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics False Prophets: Called Foolish Prophets False Prophets: Compared to Foxes in the Desert False Prophets: Compared to Wind False Prophets: Immoral and Profane False Prophets: Influenced by Evil Spirits False Prophets: Involved the People in Their own Ruin False Prophets: Judgments Denounced Against False Prophets: Light and Treacherous False Prophets: Made Use of by God to Prove Israel False Prophets: Mode of Trying and Detecting False Prophets: Not Sent or Commissioned by God False Prophets: Often Deceived by God As a Judgment False Prophets: Often Practised Divination and Witchcraft False Prophets: Often Pretended to Dreams False Prophets: Predicted to Arise in the Latter Times False Prophets: Predicted to Arise: Before Destruction of Jerusalem False Prophets: Pretended to be Sent by God False Prophets: Prophesied in the Name of False Gods False Prophets: Prophesied: Falsely False Prophets: Prophesied: Lies in the Name of the Lord False Prophets: Prophesied: out of Their own Heart False Prophets: Prophesied: Peace, when There Was No Peace False Prophets: The People: Deprived of God's Word By False Prophets: The People: Encouraged and Praised False Prophets: The People: Led Into Error False Prophets: The People: Made to Forget God's Name By False Prophets: The People: Oppressed and Defrauded By False Prophets: The People: Taught Profaneness and Sin By False Prophets: The People: Warned not to Listen To False Prophets: Women Sometimes Acted As Prophets were Called: Holy Men of God Prophets were Called: Holy Prophets Prophets were Called: Men of God Prophets were Called: Prophets of God Prophets were Consulted in all Difficulties Prophets were Esteemed As Holy Men Prophets were Mighty Through Faith Prophets were Required: Not to Speak Anything But What They Received from God Prophets were Required: To be Bold and Undaunted Prophets were Required: To be Vigilant and Faithful Prophets were Required: To Declare Everything That the Lord Commanded Prophets were Required: To Receive With Attention all God's Communications Prophets were Sent to Denounce the Wickedness of Kings Prophets were Sent to Exhort to Faithfulness and Constancy in God's Service Prophets were Sent to Predict the Coming of Christ Prophets were Sent to Predict the Downfall of Nations Prophets were Sent to Reprove the Wicked and Exhort to Repentance Prophets were Under the Influence of the Holy Spirit While Prophesying Prophets: Assisted the Jews in Their Great National Undertakings Prophets: Azariah the Son of Oded Prophets: Benefits of Presents Prophets: Benefits of Presents Refused By Prophets: Christ Exercised the office of Prophets: Christ Predicted to Exercise the office of Prophets: Extraordinary: Often Endued With Miraculous Power Prophets: Extraordinary: Specially Raised up on Occasions of Emergency Prophets: False: 400 in Samaria Prophets: False: Denunciations Against Prophets: False: Punishment of Prophets: Felt Deeply on Account of the Calamities Which They Predicted Prophets: Frequently in Their Actions Were Made Signs to the People Prophets: Frequently Left Without Divine Communication on Account of Prophets: Frequently Married Men Prophets: Frequently Spoke in Parables and Riddles Prophets: God Avenged all Injuries Done To Prophets: God Communicated to At Various Time and in Different Ways Prophets: God Communicated To by an Audible Voice Prophets: God Communicated To by Angels Prophets: God Communicated To by Dreams and Visions Prophets: God Communicated to His Secret Things Prophets: Great Patience of, Under Suffering Prophets: Jehu the Son of Hanani Prophets: Micaiah the Son of Imlah Prophets: Not Honored in Their own Country Prophets: Often Accompanied by Music While Predicting Prophets: Often Committed Their Predictions to Writing Prophets: Often Led a Wandering and Unsettled Life Prophets: One Generally Attached to the King's Household Prophets: Ordinary: Numerous in Israel Prophets: Ordinary: The Sacred Bards of the Jews Prophets: Ordinary: Trained up and Instructed in Schools Prophets: Predictions of Frequently Proclaimed at the Gate of the Lord's House Prophets: Predictions of Proclaimed in the Cities and Streets Prophets: Predictions of Were all Fulfilled Prophets: Predictions of Written on Rolls and Read to the People Prophets: Predictions of Written on Tables and Fixed up in some Public Place Prophets: Presented With Gifts by Those Who Consulted Them Prophets: Prophet Set to Israel Prophets: Simple in Their Manner of Life Prophets: Sometimes Received Divine Communications and Uttered Prophets: Sometimes Thought It Right to Reject Presents Prophets: Sometimes Uttered Their Predictions in Verse Prophets: Spoke in the Name of the Lord Prophets: The Historiographers of the Jewish Nation Prophets: The Interpreters of Dreams Prophets: The Jews: Often Imprisoned Them Prophets: The Jews: Often Left Without, on Account of Sin Prophets: The Jews: Often Put Them to Death Prophets: The Jews: Often Tried to Make Them Speak Smooth Things Prophets: The Jews: Persecuted Them Prophets: The Jews: Require to Hear and Believe Prophets: The Messengers of God Prophets: The Watchmen of Israel Prophets: Women Sometimes Endowed As Prophets: Wore a Coarse Dress of Hair-Cloth Prophets: Writings of, Read in the Synagogues Every Sabbath Prophets: Zacharias the Father of John Prophets: Zechariah Son of Iddo Related Terms Brother-servant (2 Occurrences) Almondiblathaim (2 Occurrences) Almon-diblathaim (2 Occurrences) Sycamore-trees (6 Occurrences) |
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