Topical Bible: Prophets: Sometimes Received Divine Communications and Uttered

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In the biblical narrative, prophets are individuals chosen by God to deliver His messages to the people. These messages often included warnings, guidance, and revelations about future events. The role of a prophet was both a privilege and a burden, as they were tasked with conveying divine truths, sometimes in the face of opposition and disbelief.

Divine Communication

Prophets received divine communications through various means, including visions, dreams, and direct speech from God. These communications were not the result of human will or interpretation but were divinely inspired. As stated in 2 Peter 1:21 , "For no prophecy was ever brought about through human initiative, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit."

One of the most prominent examples of divine communication is found in the calling of the prophet Isaiah. In Isaiah 6:1-8 , Isaiah describes a vision of the Lord seated on a high and lofty throne, where he receives his commission to be a prophet. Similarly, the prophet Jeremiah recounts his calling in Jeremiah 1:4-10 , where the word of the Lord came to him, appointing him as a prophet to the nations.

Utterance of Prophecies

Once a prophet received a divine message, they were compelled to deliver it to the intended audience. This often involved speaking to kings, nations, or the people of Israel. The prophet's role was to faithfully communicate God's message, regardless of the personal cost or the reception by the audience.

The prophet Amos exemplifies this duty in Amos 3:7-8 , where it is stated, "Surely the Lord GOD does nothing without revealing His plan to His servants the prophets. The lion has roared—who will not fear? The Lord GOD has spoken—who will not prophesy?" This passage underscores the inevitability and urgency of the prophetic message once it has been received.

Prophets also played a crucial role in calling the people back to covenant faithfulness. For instance, the prophet Elijah confronted the idolatry of Israel and challenged the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel, as recorded in 1 Kings 18:16-39 . His bold proclamation and subsequent demonstration of God's power were pivotal in turning the hearts of the people back to the Lord.

Challenges and Rejection

Despite their divine mandate, prophets often faced significant challenges and rejection. Their messages were not always welcomed, especially when they called for repentance or foretold judgment. Jesus Himself acknowledged this pattern in Matthew 23:37 , lamenting, "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those sent to her! How often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were unwilling!"

The prophet Jeremiah experienced severe persecution for his prophecies, as seen in Jeremiah 20:1-2 , where he was beaten and put in stocks by Pashhur the priest. Yet, despite the opposition, Jeremiah remained steadfast in his mission, driven by the compelling nature of God's word within him (Jeremiah 20:9).

Conclusion

The prophets of the Bible were vital instruments in God's communication with His people. Through divine inspiration, they delivered messages that were crucial for guiding, correcting, and encouraging the faithful. Their legacy continues to be a testament to the power and authority of God's word, as well as the courage and faithfulness required to proclaim it.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Jeremiah 23:9
My heart within me is broken because of the prophets; all my bones shake; I am like a drunken man, and like a man whom wine has overcome, because of the LORD, and because of the words of his holiness.
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Ezekiel 3:14,15
So the spirit lifted me up, and took me away, and I went in bitterness, in the heat of my spirit; but the hand of the LORD was strong on me.
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Daniel 7:28
Till now is the end of the matter. As for me Daniel, my cogitations much troubled me, and my countenance changed in me: but I kept the matter in my heart.
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Daniel 10:8
Therefore I was left alone, and saw this great vision, and there remained no strength in me: for my comeliness was turned in me into corruption, and I retained no strength.
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Habakkuk 3:2,16
O LORD, I have heard your speech, and was afraid: O LORD, revive your work in the middle of the years, in the middle of the years make known; in wrath remember mercy.
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Library

John's Recognition of Jesus as the Messiah.
... germ of the idea of Messiah in the Prophets down to ... that, in administering the baptism,
he received a higher ... hold fast, and his old ideas sometimes revived and ...
/.../section 41 johns recognition of.htm

Reception Christ Met With.
... done in it, their law, their prophets, their institutions ... hatred of the Christian
name, while sometimes it has ... Though rudely received, though met on all hands ...
/.../ii reception christ met with.htm

The Prophetic Theme. Rev. Gervase Smith.
... That the Divine Being has sometimes made "false prophets ... Now, if the prophets had
thus with earnest diligence to ... in Thessalonica, in that they received the word ...
/.../the wesleyan methodist pulpit in malvern/the prophetic theme rev gervase.htm

Letter v. Prayer and Fasting.
... Samuel, David, Elijah, and all the prophets, were mighty ... him retiring into the mountains,
sometimes a great ... those persons whose prayers have received the seal ...
/.../letter v prayer and fasting.htm

Inspiration of Scripture. --Gospel Difficulties. --The Word of God ...
... The prophets and holy men of God not so. ... of Life:"in this Holy House too where he
received his commission ... to dare call in question, (as she sometimes has done ...
/.../inspiration and interpretation/sermon iii inspiration of scripture gospel.htm

From the Close of the General Conference of 1808, to the ...
... past unto the fathers by the prophets, hath in ... such harmony and love." " I received
letters from ... of suffering much from bodily affliction, sometimes to that ...
/.../chapter 8 from the close.htm

The Life of Mr. John Welch.
... That Mr. Welch and he were both false prophets. ... edifying discourse, which was well
received by all ... debauched popish young gentleman, who sometimes laughed, and ...
/.../howie/biographia scoticana scots worthies/the life of mr john 5.htm

Introduction
... Spirit," and those who have not so received; those who ... Sometimes the eye that hinders
must be plucked out ... lives and sufferings of saints and prophets, who have ...
/.../jones/spiritual reformers in the 16th and 17th centuries/introduction.htm

The Memphite Empire
... Sometimes as many as two or three thousand men poured ... the "priests of the double."
Each one received a name ... as "the Fresh," "the Beautiful," "the Divine in its ...
/.../chapter iithe memphite empire.htm

The Immaculate Conception
... Sometimes, on the colored edge that I have mentioned I saw ... cave many holy bones of
patriarchs and prophets, as well ... This is a secret which we received from our ...
/.../emmerich/the life of the blessed virgin mary/ii the immaculate conception.htm