Your Sons & Daughters Shall Prophesy - Prophetic Gifts Today In The New Testament Church

A Profile of the Ancient Hebrew Prophet

Character Qualities

We have already discussed a number of traits of the prophet and looked at his or her external, perceptible work or ministry: as spokesman, seer, servant, messenger, watchman, almond branch or interpreter (whether alone or with a family or group). These designations are like the visible tip of an iceberg whose vast bulk floats unseen beneath the water. The most significant part of a prophet is the unseen, inner spirituality. Any visible prophetic attributes are supported by a foundation of solid char acter traits. Micah 6:8, a challenge not only to Israel but to the prophet as well, capsulates in a few, well-chosen words the prophetic calling: "What does the LORD require of you but to do justice, to love kindness [loyalty], and to walk humbly [circumspectly] with your God?" We could discuss many character qualities, but I will use five general categories, illustrated by biblical characters. 1. Devoted, Loyal. At times these men and women showed reckless disregard for safety or personal welfare. Like kamikaze pilots flying explo sive-laden planes to crash enemy targets, the prophets were willing to die for their missions. Theirs was the marvelous combination of mental deter mination, deep religious conviction and spiritual enablement. They knew their cause was right. • Elijah refused to compromise the worship of Israel, challenging King Ahab, Queen Jezebel and all the prophets of Baal and risking his own life (1 Kings 18; 19:1-2). • Micaiah declared God's judgment on King Ahab's efforts, withstood the king's false prophets and was sent to prison for his efforts (2 Chronicles 18:6-27). • Zechariah was stoned to death for his stand against King Joash (2 Chronicles 24:20-21). • A man of God warned King Amaziah against recruiting Israelite sol diers for his army, although that was not the popular thing to do (2 Chronicles 25:7). • Uriah was slain by sword by King Jehoiakim's order (Jeremiah 26:20-23). • Jeremiah was thrown into a cistern by the city officials and his mes sage was rejected; he sank into the mud yet maintained his devotion to God (Jeremiah 38:6).

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