Today’s Devotion
Topic: The Prophet & His Prophecy (Self Assessment 89)
Background: There may be many prophets in our day than there has ever been in history. Everyone is seeing the future and hearing from God; encouraging many and confusing others at the same time. Is it possible that some of our prophets may just be declaring “thus says the Lord”, when in actual fact the Lord has said nothing? If so, why would anyone do that? Let’s delve into our weekly Bible study for more answers.
Text: Ezekiel 13: 1- 9
1 The word of the LORD came to me: 2 “Son of man, prophesy against the prophets of Israel who are now prophesying. Say to those who prophesy out of their own imagination: ‘Hear the word of the LORD! 3 This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Woe to the foolish prophets who follow their own spirit and have seen nothing! 4 Your prophets, O Israel, are like jackals among ruins. 5 You have not gone up to the breaks in the wall to repair it for the house of Israel so that it will stand firm in the battle on the day of the LORD.
6 Their visions are false and their divinations a lie. They say, “The LORD declares,” when the LORD has not sent them; yet they expect their words to be fulfilled. 7 Have you not seen false visions and uttered lying divinations when you say, “The LORD declares,” though I have not spoken?
8 Therefore this is what the Sovereign LORD says: ‘Because of your false words and lying visions, I am against you,’ declares the Sovereign LORD. 9 ‘My hand will be against the prophets who see false visions and utter lying divinations. They will not belong to the council of my people or be listed in the records of the house of Israel, nor will they enter the land of Israel. Then you will know that I am the Sovereign LORD.’ Amen
Questions:
i. Who is a prophet? Is it possible for anyone to call themselves prophets when it has not been conferred on them by God? (Numbers 12:6, Matt 7: 21-23)
ii. In your opinion, what are some of the factors that can make a prophet prophesy his mind instead of the mind of God?
iii. Can it ever be that a true prophet of God may come to the point where he, like the false ones, prophesies lies to the people of a vision or prophecy that the Lord has not given? If yes, what are the factors that can lead to this?
iv. Vrs 4 and 5 are very deep. Meditate on them and share with us in practical terms what God requires from His prophets other than prophesying lies?
v. Can we entirely blame our “prophets” for prophesying lies to us? How have we contributed to this alarming situation? (2 Tim 4:3, 1 Jh 4:1, 1 Thess 5: 20- 21).
vi. According to Vrs 6, those who prophesy falsely should not expect to see their prophecies fulfilled. What can you say about those who receive these false prophecies (good or bad) and hold fast to them? Is it possible to affect their faith and lives as a whole? (read 1 kings 13, Jer 14: 14- 16 ).
vii. Read Vrs 8 & 9 again; is there punishment for anyone who lies or prophesies falsely in the name of God? What does it mean to have “the hand of God against someone”? How dreadful can it be?
viii. What have you learnt from today’s study?
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