Topical Bible: Prophets were Consulted in all Difficulties

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In the biblical narrative, prophets hold a significant role as intermediaries between God and His people. They were often consulted in times of difficulty, providing divine guidance, wisdom, and revelation. This practice underscores the belief in the prophets' unique ability to discern God's will and communicate it to the people.

Old Testament Examples

1. Moses and the Israelites: Moses, as a prophet, was frequently consulted by the Israelites during their journey from Egypt to the Promised Land. In Exodus 18:15-16 , Moses explains to his father-in-law, Jethro, "The people come to me to inquire of God. Whenever they have a dispute, it is brought to me, and I decide between the parties and inform them of God’s statutes and laws."

2. Samuel and Saul: The prophet Samuel was a key figure during the transition from the period of the judges to the monarchy in Israel. In 1 Samuel 9:9 , it is noted, "(Formerly in Israel, when a man went to inquire of God, he would say, 'Come, let us go to the seer,' for the prophet of today was formerly called the seer.)" This passage highlights the practice of seeking prophetic insight in times of uncertainty.

3. Elijah and the Widow of Zarephath: During a severe famine, the widow of Zarephath consulted the prophet Elijah, who provided miraculous sustenance for her and her son. In 1 Kings 17:13-14 , Elijah tells her, "Do not be afraid. Go and do as you have said. But first make me a small cake of bread from what you have, and bring it out to me. Afterward, make some for yourself and your son, for this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: 'The jar of flour will not be exhausted and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the LORD sends rain on the face of the earth.'"

4. Jehoshaphat and the Battle: King Jehoshaphat of Judah sought the counsel of the prophet Jahaziel when faced with a formidable enemy alliance. In 2 Chronicles 20:14-15 , Jahaziel delivers God's message, "Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s."

New Testament Context

While the New Testament does not emphasize the role of prophets in the same way as the Old Testament, the early church recognized the gift of prophecy as a means of edification and guidance. In Acts 11:27-28 , prophets from Jerusalem, including Agabus, came to Antioch and foretold a great famine, prompting the disciples to take action in support of their brethren in Judea.

Role and Significance

The consultation of prophets in times of difficulty reflects a deep reliance on divine wisdom and direction. Prophets were seen as God's mouthpieces, providing clarity and assurance in uncertain situations. Their role was not only to foretell future events but also to offer counsel, rebuke, and encouragement, ensuring that the people remained aligned with God's purposes.

Throughout the biblical narrative, the consultation of prophets underscores the importance of seeking God's guidance through His chosen messengers. This practice highlights the belief in a God who is actively involved in the lives of His people, offering wisdom and direction through His appointed servants.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Samuel 9:6
And he said to him, Behold now, there is in this city a man of God, and he is an honorable man; all that he said comes surely to pass: now let us go thither; peradventure he can show us our way that we should go.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Samuel 28:15
And Samuel said to Saul, Why have you disquieted me, to bring me up? And Saul answered, I am sore distressed; for the Philistines make war against me, and God is departed from me, and answers me no more, neither by prophets, nor by dreams: therefore I have called you, that you may make known to me what I shall do.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Kings 14:2-4
And Jeroboam said to his wife, Arise, I pray you, and disguise yourself, that you be not known to be the wife of Jeroboam; and get you to Shiloh: behold, there is Ahijah the prophet, which told me that I should be king over this people.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Kings 22:7
And Jehoshaphat said, Is there not here a prophet of the LORD besides, that we might inquire of him?
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Ordination of Paul and Barnabas; their Missionary Tour in Asia ...
... They were "prophets and teachers;" they were sound scriptural ... have induced some to
infer that all the members of the Church of Jerusalem were consulted on this ...
/.../killen/the ancient church/chapter v the ordination of.htm

Difficulties and Objections
... passages where His love is mentioned must be consulted. ... to them by the inspired messages
of the prophets. ... wherein most of His mighty works were done, because ...
/.../pink/the sovereignty of god/chapter eleven difficulties and objections.htm

Paul Before Festus and Agrippa.
... and all the Jews, believed that the Prophets were divinely inspired ... his defence,
his judges withdrew, and having consulted together, were unanimously of ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture xxviii paul before festus.htm

The Angel's Message and Song
... Weakly, and the Gay, was chiefly consulted in the ... who hear not Moses and the prophets,
who submit ... not through unbelief, and therefore they were not staggered ...
//christianbookshelf.org/newton/messiah vol 1/sermon x the angels message.htm

St. Paul Quite in Accordance with St. Peter and Other Apostles of ...
... have the apostle here confirming the prophets, even as ... renounce their Christianity
altogether." These were they whose ... required to be wisely consulted in things ...
/.../tertullian/the five books against marcion/chapter iii st paul quite in.htm

Papal Infallibility Explained, and Tested by Tradition and ...
... who appeals to Moses and the Prophets, and speaks ... the table or Ark of the Covenant,
were consulted as an ... The AV and its predecessors ('into all truth'), also ...
/.../ 34 papal infallibility explained.htm

Witnessing in Power.
... of God, and the second is that he consulted a familiar ... Moses and the prophets, the
part of the Bible then ... be a harlot walking the streets, if it were not for ...
//christianbookshelf.org/moody/secret power/witnessing in power.htm

Luther Before the Diet.
... to prove from the writings of the prophets and apostles ... from the Diet, while the
princes consulted together. ... The papal leaders were chagrined that their power ...
/.../the great controversy between christ and satan /8 luther before the diet.htm

Luther Before the Diet
... prove from the writings of the prophets and apostles ... from the Diet while the princes
consulted together ... The papal leaders were chagrined that their power, which ...
/.../white/the great controversy/chapter 8 luther before the.htm

The Last Farewell in the Presence of the one Hundred and Fifty ...
... or scattered in darkness, the lamentation of prophets who compared ... against the Godhead:
as if it were necessary that ... Have we consulted at all our own interests ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/oration xlii the last farewell.htm