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

A Profile of the Ancient Hebrew Prophet

• Zacharias, father of John the Baptist, was a humble, poor, holy priest whose prayers were answered with the news delivered by an angel (Luke 1:11-17). 4. Daring, Bold, Faith-Filled. The prophets were people of conviction. A holy boldness seemed at times to grip them as they defied kings, nations, wild animals and natural calamities. They possessed confidence not only that their God existed but that He had commissioned them to do certain things. Their faith stood in stark contrast to the unbelief of those about them. • Deborah, prophetess and mother in Israel, told the frightened Barak that the enemy general Sisera would be defeated and fall by the hand of a woman (Judges 4:9); she then sang a powerful prophetic ode (Judges 5). • Nathan faced King David and boldly denounced the king's sin (2 Samuel 12:1-4). • Ahijah confronted Jeroboam and announced that he would be king of the northern tribes (1 Kings 11:29-39). Later he pronounced judg ment on Jeroboam's household and told the king's wife that her child would die when she reentered her home (1 Kings 14:1-18). • Isaiah comforted his people and brought a scathing word of denunci ationagainst the Assyrians who had surrounded Jerusalem (2 Kings 19). • Elijah sent a letter of judgment to King Jehoram, knowing full well the possible consequences (2 Chronicles 21:12-15). • Amos, a humble shepherd, pronounced death on Amaziah and judg ment on his family (Amos 7:16-17). • Agabus, the New Testament prophet, warned Paul of impending arrest (Acts 21:11). 5. Studious, Patriotic. In spite of their vigorous denunciation of sin and idolatry, the prophets evidenced a great love for Israel and Judah and especially Jerusalem. Even when things were bad, the prophetic voices declared restoration for God's people. They were among the most patri otic of the Israelites, even as they understood that God's people had more than national pride; they had an obligation to the living God. Also, unlike religious people who refuse to read the daily newspaper, the prophets showed a studious concern for the nations and events of their day.

• Miriam sang a song of victory for Israel, showing the highest of patri otic confidence in God's people (Exodus 15:20-21).

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