What qualifies a prophet of God? | Bible Study Framework

The Journal of Joseph [Smith]

It seems that there have always been “prophets” of one sort or another. In another question we look at what Scripture has to say about determining a prophet of God from one that was false. But more fundamentally, what is a prophet of God?

We have lots of examples of individuals that Scripture records as a prophet of God. There are the many books of prophets preserved for us in the Old Testament – Isaiah, Daniel, Haggai, etc. We see prophets of God in the New Testament as well. In fact, Jesus Himself was a prophet (Luke 1:76). It’s clear in the Bible that prophets played an important role in God’s dealings with mankind. They fulfill a mission.

By looking at these prophets — God’s prophets — in the pages of Scripture we should be able to pull out what distinguished them as being a prophet of God.

How Scripture answers "What distinguishes a prophet of God?"

A prophet that is truly God’s prophet is sent as His spokesperson^{1,2,4,6,7,10,11,12}. It is someone that God has revealed Himself to⁸ and sent on a mission to speak His literal words^6,7,10. They have stood in the council of God, seeing His heavenly throne and deliberations among those around the throne^5,8.

The message is not usually a happy one³. In fact, it is often a message of mourning and woe¹ – effectively one of judgement¹⁰ due to the disobedience of the people.^* Sometimes, the message may even be a false one – words not consistent with God’s commands – as a way to test the hearer⁹. But ultimately, the message announced God’s plan of salvation^11,12.

*The majority and central message of what’s recorded in all the books of prophecy in the Old Testament and Revelation.

Answer built on scripture-blocks below

1

Ezekiel 2:8-3:4

But you, son of man, hear what I say to you. Be not rebellious like that rebellious house; open your mouth and eat what I give you. And when I looked, behold, a hand was stretched out to me, and behold, a scroll of a book was in it. And he spread it before me. And it had writing on the front and on the back, and there were written on it words of lamentation and mourning and woe. And he said to me, Son of man, eat whatever you find here. Eat this scroll, and go, speak to the house of Israel. So I opened my mouth, and he gave me this scroll to eat. And he said to me, Son of man, feed your belly with this scroll that I give you and fill your stomach with it. Then I ate it, and it was in my mouth as sweet as honey. And he said to me, Son of man, go to the house of Israel and speak with my words to them.

What does it say?

Ezekiel consumes a scroll that contains God’s words. The message is not a good one (“lamentation and mourning and woe”) yet is tastes as sweet as honey to Ezekiel. He is told by God to deliver the message to the people.

What is the context?

God’s commission and instruction to Ezekiel the prophet. After seeing a vision of the Lord himself, he is told (actually shown) what he must do for God.

How does it apply here?

In a graphic image, the implication is that Ezekiel will literally speak God’s word to the people. He will in effect regurgitate them.

3

Jeremiah 28:8-9

The prophets who preceded you and me from ancient times prophesied war, famine, and pestilence against many countries and great kingdoms. As for the prophet who prophesies peace, when the word of that prophet comes to pass, then it will be known that the Lord has truly sent the prophet.

What does it say?

Considering that past [true] prophets prophesied war [bad things], for the prophet who prophesies peace [good things], wait to see if it comes true.

What is the context?

Jeremiah has a direct confrontation with another prophet (Hananiah). Jeremiah has been saying that the captivity will last seventy years; Hananiah, claiming to be from God, is saying it will only last two years. (This is about eleven years after the episode in Jeremiah 26.)

How does it apply here?

Jeremiah is pointing to a distinguishing characteristic of prophets sent from God. Their message was generally that of condemnation and judgement on the people.

7

Numbers 24:12-13

And Balaam said to Balak, Did I not tell your messengers whom you sent to me, If Balak should give me his house full of silver and gold, I would not be able to go beyond the word of the Lord, to do either good or bad of my own will. What the Lord speaks, that will I speak?

What does it say?

Balaam is telling Balak that even if he were to reward him greatly, he would not be able to speak the words other than what God gave him to say.

What is the context?

The entire story of Balaam and the Moabites is across three chapters (Numbers 22-24). King Balak sends for Balaam to curse the children of Israel that have camped at the border of Moab. Balaam is finally persuaded to come but with three attempts is only able to utter a blessing (

How does it apply here?

Balaam was known as a Gentile that was a diviner (Joshua 13:22), but in this case he was God’s prophet. He was asked and intended to speak a curse, but God forced a blessing from his mouth (three times).

8

Numbers 12:6-8

And he said, Hear my words: If there is a prophet among you, I the Lord make myself known to him in a vision; I speak with him in a dream. Not so with my servant Moses. He is faithful in all my house. With him I speak mouth to mouth, clearly, and not in riddles, and he beholds the form of the Lord. Why then were you not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?

What does it say?

God told them [Aaron and Miriam] that with the prophets, He would speak to them in a vision and dream and in riddles. But with His servant Moses, since he is faithful in all things, He would speak to him clearly and face-to-face as it were, so that he could see the very form of God. How was it that they had the nerve to speak against His servant Moses?

What is the context?

Moses has led the children of Israel out of Egypt, and Miriam and Aaron (his sister and bother) are questioning Moses’ authority with Miriam’s statement, “Has the Lord indeed spoken only through Moses? Has he not spoken through us also?” (vs 2) God hears this and is not at all pleased with them.

How does it apply here?

God reveals himself to true prophets in a vision or dream, and it is only these that He tolerates to speak for Him.

9

Deuteronomy 13:1-3

If a prophet or a dreamer of dreams arises among you and gives you a sign or a wonder, and the sign or wonder that he tells you comes to pass, and if he says, ‘Let us go after other gods,’ which you have not known, ‘and let us serve them,’ you shall not listen to the words of that prophet or that dreamer of dreams. For the LORD your God is testing you, to know whether you love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul.

What does it say?

If a prophet (a dreamer of dreams) rises up and gives you a miracle and tells you to worship idols, you shall not listen to that prophet. For God is testing you, to know whether or not you love the Lord your God with all your heart and mind.

What is the context?

Moses’ instructions (from God) to the people before entering the Promised Land. Here warning the people that God may test them with false prophets and instructing that they should be put to death (vs 5).

How does it apply here?

God’s instruction not to follow after a prophet if his words are not consistent with what God has already commanded and taught – even if he performs great signs and wonders. It is a test from God.

10

Hosea 6:5

Therefore I have hewn them by the prophets; I have slain them by the words of my mouth, and my judgment goes forth as the light.

What does it say?

Therefore, I [God] have cut and shaped them by the prophets, killing them by the words of my mouth – judgment that reaches everyone.

What is the context?

Hosea prophesied primarily to the northern ten tribes, the nation of Israel, during the time of Jereboam II (~750BC). This was during a time of great peace, prosperity and stability for the nation, but just a decade or two before they would be taken away and destroyed by Assyria.

In this specific part, God is lamenting the fact that His people – both the northern nation of Israel (e.g. “Ephraim”) and the southern nation of Judah (vs 4) – are rebellious. Their repentance (vss 1-3) is really just empty words that “like the dew goes early away.” (vs 4)

How does it apply here?

God’s prophets spoke the words of His mouth which amounted to a pretty ugly judgment for the people.

11

Acts 3:19-21

Repent therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus, whom heaven must receive until the time for restoring all the things about which God spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets long ago.

What does it say?

Therefore repent (e.g. turn) in order that your sins are removed completely, so that you may be refreshed being in God’s presence. This will prepare you for His sending of Jesus Christ after heaven has recieved Him and the restoration of all things occurs as God promised through the prophets of old.

What is the context?

A sermon from Peter to the crowd gathered in Solomon’s portico.

How does it apply here?

God spoke through His prophets about the eventuality of Jesus’ coming, ascension, and return.

12

Ephesians 2:19-22

So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.

What does it say?

You are no longer set apart, but now are fellow citizens with the saints of God’s household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets. Jesus, Himself is the chief cornerstone, in whom the entire building joins together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In Christ, you also are adding together to form a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.

What is the context?

Paul is pointing out to the Ephesians and Gentile Christians, that though they were at one time “called the uncircumcision by the circumcised” (vs 11), they are now part of the inheritance in Christ as a result of the “peace” that has been preached (vs 18).

How does it apply here?

The prophets were an integral part of the gospel message.

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What distinguishes a prophet of God?

How Scripture answers "What distinguishes a prophet of God?"

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