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Prophets And Prophetic Words I; Ref: Mark Weaver
Topic Started: Oct 29 2006, 01:12 PM (537 Views)
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Prophets and Prophetic Words
Weekly Newsletter Series
by Mark W. Weaver
The Preparation of the Prophet

Reconciliation.com


Quote:
 

The Greek word for prophet, prophetes, is derived from two root words. The first root word is pro which can mean "before," but can also mean "for." The second root word is phemi which means to make known one's thoughts, to declare, or to speak. In ancient Greece, a prophet was an interpreter of oracles and "hidden" things.

One New Testament application of the word prophetes is that by divine inspiration, a prophet can speak about an event "before" it actually occurs. Another New Testament application is that a prophet is one who declares to men what he has received by inspiration from God - thus he is speaking "for" God or on God's behalf. In all cases, prophets deliver divinely inspired messages from God that relate to the cause and kingdom of God and to human salvation.

In Hebrew, the meaning of the word for prophet, nabiy, is less clear. Many scholars believe it simply means "a spokesman" or "one who speaks." The Old Testament word for prophesy is naba, and means "to flow forth."

Webster supplies four definitions for the word prophet.
a) One who utters divinely inspired revelations, often referring specifically to one of the writers of the prophetic books of the Old Testament.
B) One who is gifted with more than ordinary spiritual and moral insight, especially a poet.
c) One who foretells future events or a predictor.
d)An effective or leading spokesman for a cause, doctrine, or group.

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Last week we looked at Isaiah's many burdens. In one case, Isaiah actually "saw" God's burden for Babylon (Isaiah 13:1 KJV). Modern worldy poets, bards, and spokesmen often write or speak out regarding something they "see," or at least think they "see." Among others, common American themes include burdens of oppression, poverty, injustice, anti-war, anti-nuke, feminism, animal rights, and environmentalism. These self-appointed and self-directed "prophets" promote either their own cause and view or the cause and view of some larger body they represent. Their messages are often laced with predictions of future revolution, class warfare, man-made calamity, or in the case of the environment, natural calamity. Such "prophets," for good or for evil, are culture-shapers.

Of course God's spokesmen sometimes speak out about oppression, poverty, and injustice, and touch on many of the same themes that worldly "prophets" speak about (eg: Isaiah 58). But in contrast, God's prophets do not speak unless God has first spoken to them. To speak for God with clarity and accuracy, one must possess the ability to hear and understand the thoughts of God - to "see" God's burden. The clearest example of a prophet both hearing and speaking for God is found in the Pentateuch. Moses, the lawgiver, communed with God on the mountain for days on end. During his time in God's presence, Moses received not only the Ten Commandments but also God's instructions for the tabernacle and many lesser laws. Moses spoke with authority and commanded great respect among God's people. His prophetic ministry guided, directed, and shaped not only Israel's culture, but the culture of the entire western world.

When God called upon Moses to speak for Him, Moses complained that he was slow of speech, unable to communicate effectively. God relented and assigned Aaron, Moses' brother, to be Moses' spokesman (Exodus 6:28 - 7:1). Aaron then, as Moses' spokesman, carried Moses' burden, which was in essence God's burden, to the people. We will be looking more carefully at this concept in Week 27 - Officially Speaking.

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A "prophet" named Agabus foretold of a coming drought throughout the world. The disciples responded, sending relief, but only to Judea, where apparently, the most severe area of the drought did occur. (Acts 11:27-30)

Paul warned the elders of the Ephesian church to guard, after his departure, against wolves who would come and seek to destroy the flock. (Acts 20:28-31) One need only look in Revelation 2:2 to see how the Church was attacked and how they bore up under the test.

Agabus again appeared in Acts 21, in a town called Caesarea, in the home of a man named Philip, who incidentally had four "prophesying" daughters, and foretold of Paul's potential imprisonment should he go to Jerusalem. Paul went anyway and was imprisoned.

Barring references made to Old Testament prophets, New Testament use of the word is sparse. We are told however, that the household of God is built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets (Ephesians 2:20).  Some interpret this passage to mean the apostles of the New Testament and the prophets of the Old, with the "household of God" being both pre-Christian era Jews of faith as well as Christians. Others believe that modern day apostles and prophets are still actively constructing that foundation.


"Prepare ye the way of the LORD ...
Every valley shall be exalted,
and every mountain and hill shall be made low:
and the crooked shall be made straight,
and the rough places plain ...
Isaiah 40:3-4 KJV 

Prophets are visionaries. As they look out across churches and ministries, nations and cultures, times and events, God shows His prophets things that others sometimes miss. Prophets often see missing ministry components, obstacles to God's purposes, distortions and dysfunctions, and areas that need healing.

Isaiah's description of transformed landscapes conveys a prophet's vision of God's desired work in the Church and the world. His prophets see not only problems, they also envision solutions: Through their spiritual eyes, voids become filled and obstacles diminish. Dark, winding pathways become brightly-lit interstates. Craggy, rock-strewn fields are made smooth and plain. And if they are led to act on their vision, prophets can be troubleshooters in the body of Christ.

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