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Prophecy (speaking forth for God) was the main way God used to communicate with people throughout the Bible (Heb. 1:1). From Genesis to Revelation, God spoke to people through human messengers. He guided kings and people, through the prophets, by telling them how to act in specific situations. Prophets warned people when they disobeyed God, predicted future events and interpreted these events when they took place. God demonstrated that He alone is Creator and the God who relates to His people.
The Prophet was someone who received a specific and personal call from God and who walked closely with God. He had no message of his own and only shared the message God gave him: “I will put my words in his mouth, and he will tell them everything that I command him.” (Deut. 18:18). For the Israelites, the rebukes and warnings from God through the Prophets can be summarized in 2 Kings 17:13: “The LORD warned Israel and Judah through all His prophets and seers: ‘Turn from your evil ways. Observe my commands and decrees, in accordance with the entire Law that I commanded your fathers to obey and that I delivered to you through my servants the prophets.’” The Prophets warned of God’s punishment but also offered His blessings that would follow if the people obeyed the LORD (Jer. 22:4; Zech 6:15). Prophecy to Israel was considered a great blessing for it demonstrated God’s love for them, even in their sins, to bring them back to Him. The Prophets were therefore a part of God’s strategy for missions to the people.
Today, God’s heart for people remains unchanged: “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life” (Jn. 3:16). Every Christian today is a Prophet. The LORD answered Moses’ wish in Num. 11:29: “That all the LORD’s people were prophets and that the LORD would put His Spirit on them!” “For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy” (Rev 19:10). 1 Pet. 2:9 states: “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God.” Let us echo Isaiah’s passionate response to God’s call for missions in Isa. 6:8: “Here am I. Send me”. We will then be the beautiful feet who bring good news, the testimony of Jesus, to people (Rom. 10:13-15).
