The Prophet – God’s spokesman

The prophet has also been given very important functions to perform as Jesus Christ is building his church. The prophet is a dynamic preacher of the word of the Lord, but he is much more than a preacher. He is a man of revelation and insight; he is carrying a burden and is consumed by compassion for the people of God. He is zealous for the Lord to have a people, - a church – after his own heart. He is encouraging the people of God as he is displaying the power of God.

The Prophet - God’s spokesman

Surely the Sovereign Lord does nothing without revealing his plan to his servants the prophets.(Amos 3.7)

Apostles and prophets work closely together. The church is built upon ‘the foundation of the apostles and prophets’ (Eph. 2.20) Together they have an essential function in laying a foundation of revealed truths in the church.

a. The prophet has insight

The prophet knows God’s plan. He knows what God is working to achieve and what the church’s response to God should be. The prophet is one who inspires, who is equipped by the Spirit to know God’s thoughts about times and situations. The prophet sees beyond the details in church life and can direct attention towards the goals that God has for the church.

Prophets receive revelation from the Lord. They have, therefore, an insight that others lack but which one is wise to learn from and adapt to (See Acts 11.27-30). Prophets have an insight and revelation which even those with a gift of prophecy do not have (see Acts 29.9-11). They understand the mystery of what God is doing in history.(Dan. 2.27-44)

b. The prophet has a burden - a longing

The message he has received from the Lord lies heavily upon him as a burden and a constraint. He is one with his message. Prophets often had to demonstrate their message. Hosea had to marry a prostitute to illustrate the message of Israel’s unfaithfulness. He daily experienced the pain and he knew God’s burden and longing for his people. He lived prophetically. What he spoke was woven into what he did. (Hos. ch.1-2)

Jeremiah says that the word from God burned like a fire in his bones when he tried to be quiet and not to speak (Jer.20.7-10). The prophet Elijah made people choose and demanded full surrender. He went against halfheartedness and lukewarmness. He caused the fire of God to demonstrate the seriousness of the situation. (1 Kings 18.21)

c. The Prophet initiates new things

Each time the prophet brought God’s word, he introduced a new phase in what God was doing. The prophetic preaching brought new life and new movement among God’s people (Ezek. 37). The prophet will always lead God’s people onwards and help them to see His plan completed.

The prophet helps people to see beyond their own small things and to see the greatness of God’s plan. He wants to get people out of their own houses to build God’s house, out of their own plans and into God’s plan, out of their own work and into God’s work (See Haggai). He wants to put people to work to see the promises fulfilled and there is, therefore, always something happening around him. People get inspired to take the initiative and do something about the situation they are in.

d. The prophet encourages and strengthens people

He is not just one who starts things but he will also help them to complete and support them in their work for God. The prophet’s word will always be encouraging and give people new strength, so that they will not be tired and give up (See Ezra 5.1-2). When prophets encourage people with their prophetic word a work will make good progress and be completed (Ezra 6.14).

Because prophets know God’s plan and know which goals God has for the church and society, they will also rebuke when they see that someone has gone astray from God’s way and God’s plan. That which drives them is a burning desire to see God’s plan completed. They will, therefore, challenge, encourage, inspire and provoke God’s people to love and good deeds.

Exercise:

Do you know any prophets?

What are the functions of a prophet?

Continue to memorise the Bible verses, and add this new one:

The gifts he gave were that some would be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, (Eph. 4:11)