Topical Bible: Prophets were Mighty Through Faith

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The prophets of the Bible stand as towering figures of faith, serving as God's messengers and instruments of His divine will. Their lives and ministries are marked by profound faith, which empowered them to perform mighty acts, deliver God's messages, and endure great trials. The Berean Standard Bible provides numerous accounts of these prophets, illustrating how their faith was central to their mission and effectiveness.

Faith as the Foundation of Prophetic Ministry

The prophets' faith was not merely a personal conviction but a dynamic force that enabled them to fulfill their divine calling. Hebrews 11, often referred to as the "Faith Chapter," highlights the faith of several prophets. Hebrews 11:32-34 states, "And what more shall I say? Time will not allow me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and the prophets, who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and obtained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength, and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies."

Examples of Prophetic Faith

1. Elijah: Elijah's faith is vividly demonstrated in his confrontation with the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel. In 1 Kings 18:36-38 , Elijah prays, "O LORD, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, let it be known today that You are God in Israel and that I am Your servant and have done all these things at Your command. Answer me, O LORD, answer me, so that this people will know that You, O LORD, are God, and that You have turned their hearts back again." His faith resulted in God sending fire from heaven, consuming the sacrifice, and turning the hearts of the people back to God.

2. Daniel: Daniel's unwavering faith is evident in his refusal to cease praying to God despite the king's decree. Daniel 6:23 records, "The king was overjoyed and gave orders to lift Daniel out of the den. And when Daniel was lifted out, no wound was found on him, because he had trusted in his God." Daniel's faith not only preserved his life but also led to the king's acknowledgment of the true God.

3. Jeremiah: Known as the "weeping prophet," Jeremiah's faith sustained him through intense persecution and rejection. Despite the hardships, he remained faithful to his calling. Jeremiah 20:9 reveals his inner struggle and resolve: "If I say, 'I will not mention Him or speak any more in His name,' His message becomes a fire burning in my heart, shut up in my bones, and I become weary of holding it in, and I cannot prevail."

The Role of Faith in Prophetic Courage and Endurance

The prophets' faith was not only a source of power for miraculous acts but also a wellspring of courage and endurance. Their faith enabled them to stand firm in the face of opposition, persecution, and even death. They trusted in God's promises and His ultimate plan, often speaking of future events with certainty and hope.

Isaiah: Isaiah's faith is evident in his bold proclamations of God's sovereignty and the coming Messiah. In Isaiah 7:14 , he prophesies, "Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call Him Immanuel." His faith in God's redemptive plan gave him the courage to deliver messages of both judgment and hope.

Ezekiel: Ezekiel's faith was demonstrated through his obedience to God's commands, even when they seemed strange or difficult. In Ezekiel 37:4-5 , God commands him to prophesy to the dry bones: "Prophesy concerning these bones and tell them, 'Dry bones, hear the word of the LORD! This is what the Lord GOD says to these bones: I will cause breath to enter you, and you will come to life.'" Ezekiel's faith in God's word led to a vision of restoration and life.

The prophets' lives exemplify the power of faith in action. Through their unwavering trust in God, they became conduits of His power and purpose, leaving a legacy of faith that continues to inspire believers today.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Hebrews 11:32-40
And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Meaning of Faith
... and Samson and Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets"they who ... of the sword,
in the hour of weakness were made strong, who proved mighty in war ...
//christianbookshelf.org/sherman/the childrens bible/the meaning of faith.htm

Light through Darkness
... apostasy the exhortations of the prophets were seemingly of ... His name, great in counsel,
and mighty in work ... Nebuchadnezzar's armies were about to take the walls ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 38 light through darkness.htm

A Cloud of Witnesses.
... Samson, Jephthah; of David and Samuel and the prophets: who through ... escaped the edge
of the sword, from weakness were made strong, waxed mighty in war ...
/.../the expositors bible the epistle to the hebrews/chapter xiii a cloud of.htm

Hymns on the Nativity. Hymn i. This is the Day that Gladdened Them ...
... Shamed is that people which holds the prophets as true; for ... Son he looked for, by
whom lewd men were turned to ... for if by His name he waxed so mighty, [369] how ...
/.../ephraim/hymns and homilies of ephraim the syrian/hymns on the nativity hymn.htm

Although, Even if There Went Before no Testimonies Concerning ...
... and unlearned, of wise and foolish, of mighty and weak ... to spring up throughout the
earth, were it not ... mystery of godliness hath had its prophets and heralds ...
/.../augustine/concerning faith of things not seen /10 although even if there.htm

Monday in Whitsun-Week. Would God that all the Lord's People were ...
... Would God that all the Lord's people were prophets, and that the Lord would put
His ... And through the nation shed abroad. ... That Satan's fierce and mighty band. ...
/.../lyra germanica the christian year/monday in whitsun-week would god.htm

Of the Power of the Church in Articles of Faith. The Unbridled ...
... warfare," which "are not carnal, but mighty through God to ... the apostles and their
successors, they were sure and ... that while two or three prophets spoke, the ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 8 of the power.htm

The Coming of a Deliverer
... be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God,. ... believed and confessed that they
were strangers and ... promises repeated through patriarchs and prophets had kept ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 58 the coming of.htm

Though Many Other Widows came Near to Judith in virtue...
... but rather that public duties were guided by ... the sayings and merits of the prophets
procured heavenly ... but with spiritual arms, "which are mighty through God to ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter viii though many other.htm

Whosoever Confesses that one God is the Author of Both Testaments ...
... when He comes from heaven with His mighty angels, the ... against the fathers, nor
dishonours the prophets, by maintaining that they were [sent] from ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter xxxiii whosoever confesses that one.htm