The Spirits of the Prophets

Don’t you admire the Old Testament prophets? They came out of obscurity and were never very popular; their message was ignored, and they endured hardships that often led to death. Despite the struggles, they stood for God. It was His message, and they did not tamper with it. The Spirits of the Prophets must have been made of steel. Stay with me as we identify several characteristics of these great messengers.

The Spirits of the Prophets: They were anchored to God

A prophet had one job: To speak God’s word. Yahweh was trying to warn nations, and sometimes individuals, to return to him before catastrophe struck. The most common recipient was Israel, God’s own chosen people. The prophets were Israelites, which meant they were warning their own people about God’s displeasure. It’s one thing to rebuke people you do not know; it’s something else to chasten your nation and your own family.

Jeremiah, AKA The Weeping Prophet, suffered terribly because of God’s word. Look at Jeremiah 18. The chapter opens with God’s powerful statement of his own sovereignty (5 – 10), followed by his complaint against Israel (13 – 17). These words were given to the prophet to cry out against Israel. Notice their response, directed not to God but against Jeremiah:

Then they said, “Come, let us make plots against Jeremiah, for the law shall not perish from the priest, nor counsel from the wise, nor the word from the prophet. Come, let us strike him with the tongue, and let us not pay attention to any of his words.” (Jeremiah 18:18)

Despite his sorrow and maltreatment, Jeremiah could not give up. He was inextricably bound to the God of Creation:

If I say, “I will not mention him, or speak any more in his name,” there is in my heart as it were a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I am weary with holding it in, and I cannot. (Jeremiah 20:9)

The Spirits of the Prophets: They Rejected All Sin

The world has normalized sin. That is, sin is so common that instead of being surprised when we hear of an adulterous co-worker, we are pleasantly shocked when one refuses to cheat. A recent social media video went viral when a provocatively dressed woman recorded hitting on a young man. When he responded that he was a Christian and waiting for marriage, the internet views soared! We expected him to give in…not to say “no!”

Because sin is so common, it is hard to resist. It’s tough to remain anchored to God when the world is pulling us away. As a ship with no anchor is driven wildly across stormy seas, the Christian, not anchored, is likewise on a dangerous course.

The Prophets were Humble

Humility is a very attractive, albeit very rare, quality in people. Prophets were the very voice of God in the world. Yet, the Spirits of the Prophets were neither haughty nor prideful.

Think about it. Moses spoke before the pharaoh (Exodus 5 – 12). The Bible says Moses was most humble (Numbers 12:3).

Elijah rebuked an entire kingdom and its king and slew their priests (1 Kings 18:17 – 40). He still feared the royal power (1 Kings 19). He tried to reject the honor his student Elisha pressed upon him by demanding to walk the last journey with him (2 Kings 2).

But he was also a sinner confronted by another prophet, Nathan. David accepted the rebuke without complaint (2 Samuel 12:14) and declared that “my sin is ever before me” (Psalm 51:3).

Jesus himself said of John the Baptist that there was no one born of women “greater than John the Baptist” (Matthew 11:11). This greatest man lived a most simple life. Matthew reports that John “wore a garment of camel’s hair and a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey” (Matthew 3:4; c.f. Luke 7:25 – 27). The man who baptized Jesus lived in the wilderness, not in a palace!

Humility, or meekness, is much to be desired and should be a part of every Christian’s development. Jesus, himself meek (Matthew 11:29), pronounced blessings on the meek (Matthew 5:5).

Humility is preventative, too. “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall,” writes Solomon (Proverbs 16:18). These two parallel phrases point to the consequence of a prideful life, namely, destruction.

It sounds contradictory, but humility actually lifts one up. Most importantly, it lifts one in the eyes of God (James 4:6). Peter expands on that idea a bit when he writes:

Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you (1 Peter 5:5, 6)

Humility leads to exaltation. Now that’s a thought to remember! If you sense humility is lacking, it is a worthy topic for prayer. It is also helpful to seek honest, even painful, feedback from a trusted friend. Someone talented, accomplished, or even an expert in his field still has no basis for pride. Instead, aim for the spirits of the prophets!

I would be most grateful if you would leave a comment below. Any applause, criticism, thought, or request would be appreciated.