We hear a lot in our religious world about modern about prophesying and prophets. However, what were the Old Testament prophets really like? What is the nature of a true prophet of God? The Old Testament prophets were men who cared for God’s people, were a friend of God and a faithful servant of God. Notice several characteristics of a true prophet of God.
A prophet of God is authoritative. “Him you shall hear”(Deut. 18:15). God demands that a true prophet is one who is to be heard by all people. A real prophet speaks a serious message to people, “And it shall be that whoever will not hear My words, which he speaks in my name, I will require it of him”(Deut. 18:19). Many modern day prophetic messages are feel good social messages that are definitely not from God.
God’s prophet is inspired by God. God said in Deut 18:18 “I will put My words in His mouth, And he shall speak to them all that I command Him.” God also said to Jeremiah, “Behold, I have put my words in your mouth,… And whatever I command you, you shall speak.” (Jer 1:9,7) Even by the definition of the word prophet the nature of inspiration is seen. “ But Holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit” (II Pet 2:21). A true prophet of God is not one who creates his own message, but rather cries out the authoritative, response demanding message of God!!
Next, a presumptuous prophet will be proven a liar. Many self-made prophets have proclaimed messages of God, yet when those messages did not come true they were proved to be liars. Many were claiming the end of the world in Y2K, yet when the world did not come to an end they were proven false prophets. The Bible says, “All liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and Brimstone which is the second death”(Rev 21:8). People who prophesy falsely today shall receive a false prophet’s palace (Rev 20:8). Today, just as in Jeremiah’s day, “An astonishing and horrible thing has been committed in the land: The prophets prophesy falsely, … and My people love to have it so. But what will you do in the end?” (Jer 5:30-31). God help us to be aware of these false prophets!
As we think about prophets and especially whether modern day prophets exist, may I remind you of the words of the Hebrews writer. “God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds (Heb. 1:1-2). Jesus is our modern day prophet today. We must listen to and obey His words (John 6:64-66; Jn. 12:48; Matt. 7:21).
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