Ezekiel 1 ~ There the hand of the LORD was upon him.

Tyre, Lebanon today - the coast and southern half are devoid of population and are in ruins.

Israel is not.

Ezekiel 1

1 In the thirtieth year, in the fourth month on the fifth day, while I was among the exiles by the Kebar River, the heavens were opened and I saw visions of God.

2 On the fifth of the month—it was the fifth year of the exile of King Jehoiachin- 3 the word of the LORD came to Ezekiel the priest, the son of Buzi, by the Kebar River in the land of the Babylonians. There the hand of the LORD was upon him.

The Voice of the Lord is heard even when circumstance wouldn't suggest HE is there. These are Prophets from the Exile. When He was applying the judgment the Children of Israel had earned. Ezekiel preached a message of Heaven, hope for Israel and kindness for those nations who were not helpful.

Deuteronomy 31:8
It is the LORD who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.”

In 581 B.C., Priest turned Prophet, Ezekiel had already been taken to Babylon. Ezekiel's name means "God will strengthen". (!) He was one of the Israelite exiles turned into slavery, settled at a place called Tel-abib, "in the land of the Chaldeans." Not the modern city Tel Aviv, which is named after it. He was carried away captive with King Jehoiachin (2 Kings 24:14-16) in the first of 3 waves of captive taken.


Ezekiel 27:1-4

1 The word of the LORD came again unto me, saying,
2 Now, thou son of man, take up a lamentation for Tyrus;
3 And say unto Tyrus, O thou that art situate at the entry of the sea, which art a merchant of the people for many isles, Thus saith the Lord GOD; O Tyrus, thou hast said, I am of perfect beauty. 4 Thy borders are in the midst of the seas, thy builders have perfected thy beauty.

Tyrus had provided trade with Israel, but wasn't an ally.

Proverbs 24:17
Do not gloat when your enemy falls; when he stumbles, do not let your heart rejoice

Job 31:29
"If I have rejoiced at my enemy's misfortune or gloated over the trouble that came to him--"

 Cyrus's Cylinder

1995 Dr. Bryant Wood found Cyrus's Cylinder, declaring freedom for captives in Babylon to return to Israel and rebuild the walls of Jerusalem and the temple. Ezra 1:2-4

Ezekiel's Words did not go out alone. Other prophets rose up to record and establish His Word.


Ezra 1

1 In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the Lord by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, so that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom and also put it in writing:

2 “Thus says Cyrus king of Persia: The Lord, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth, and he has charged me to build him a house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah. 3 Whoever is among you of all his people, may his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem, which is in Judah, and rebuild the house of the Lord, the God of Israel—he is the God who is in Jerusalem. 4 And let each survivor, in whatever place he sojourns, be assisted by the men of his place with silver and gold, with goods and with beasts, besides freewill offerings for the house of God that is in Jerusalem.”

 


Romans 8:19
For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God.



The LORD did not give His Word and Work only with Ezekiel, but also to Daniel
and Habakkuk.

Habakkuk, a minor prophet, wrote the Book of Habakkuk. From the Chaldeans mentioned, we learn Habakkuk was giving prophecy during the time of the 597 B.C. Invasion of Nebuchadnezzar. I'm greatly interested in the apocrypha, for the 400 Bishops picking the 80 Books of the Bible - the men risking all their lives and families to proclaim Jesus during the rise of the Early Church. Even St. Nicholas voted for these books, straight out his prison in Turkey. "Bel and the Dragon", which is part of the Additions to "Daniel" found in the apocrypha. Verses 33–39 state Habakkuk, in Judea, after making stew, is by-located by an angel to take stew to Daniel, in Babylon, in the lion’s den. Habakkuk gives Daniel the food, and is immediately relocated to “his own place.” Read some of Padre Pio, for other examples of by-location. And Jesus taking the boat He and the Disciples were in "immediately to the other side."


Ezekiel 14:14
even if these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, they would deliver but their own lives by their righteousness, declares the Lord God.

And in case we missed that:

Ezekiel 14:20
even if Noah, Daniel, and Job were in it, as I live, declares the Lord God, they would deliver neither son nor daughter. They would deliver but their own lives by their righteousness.

Daniel grew during his years of  exile, there were  changes in Daniel, from interpreting dreams and then angelic messengers of God interpreting for Daniel.

Daniel is alive to see the Exiles return to Rebuild Israel as a Promise of God!

Daniel 10:1
In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a word was revealed unto Daniel


We read about the joy of the redemption! The people were so brave being part of the fulfilling of the return - they carried the Temple Tools of Moses through hostile areas and told King Cyrus - they did not require a guard.

Nehemiah 8:9-18 ~ The Message

⁹ Nehemiah the governor, along with Ezra the priest and scholar and the Levites who were teaching the people, said to all the people, "This day is holy to God, your God. Don't weep and carry on." They said this because all the people were weeping as they heard the words of The Revelation. 

¹⁰ He continued, "Go home and prepare a feast, holiday food and drink; and share it with those who don't have anything: This day is holy to God. Don't feel bad. The joy of God is your strength!"


Father God, be the joy of our lives. Let Your presence bring the strength of joy - making us be fruitful for You. Each day. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

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1 Kings 19 ~ he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness and came and sat down under a broom tree

1 Kings 19

Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. 2 Then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, “So may the gods do to me and more also, if I do not make your life as the life of one of them by this time tomorrow.” 3 Then he was afraid, and he arose and ran for his life and came to Beersheba, which belongs to Judah, and left his servant there.

4 But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness and came and sat down under a broom tree. And he asked that he might die, saying, “It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life, for I am no better than my fathers.” 5 And he lay down and slept under a broom tree. And behold, an angel touched him and said to him, “Arise and eat.” 6 And he looked, and behold, there was at his head a cake baked on hot stones and a jar of water. And he ate and drank and lay down again. 7 And the angel of the Lord came again a second time and touched him and said, “Arise and eat, for the journey is too great for you.” 8 And he arose and ate and drank, and went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights to Horeb, the mount of God.

9 There he came to a cave and lodged in it. And behold, the word of the Lord came to him, and he said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” 10 He said, “I have been very jealous for the Lord, the God of hosts. For the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword, and I, even I only, am left, and they seek my life, to take it away.” 11 And he said, “Go out and stand on the mount before the Lord.” And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind.

And after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. 12 And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire.

And after the fire the sound of a low whisper. 13 And when Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And behold, there came a voice to him and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” 14 He said, “I have been very jealous for the Lord, the God of hosts. For the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword, and I, even I only, am left, and they seek my life, to take it away.”

15 And the Lord said to him, “Go, return on your way to the wilderness of Damascus. And when you arrive, you shall anoint Hazael to be king over Syria. 16 And Jehu the son of Nimshi you shall anoint to be king over Israel, and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah you shall anoint to be prophet in your place. 17 And the one who escapes from the sword of Hazael shall Jehu put to death, and the one who escapes from the sword of Jehu shall Elisha put to death. 18 Yet I will leave seven thousand in Israel, all the knees that have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him.”

19 So he departed from there and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, who was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen in front of him, and he was with the twelfth. Elijah passed by him and cast his cloak upon him. 20 And he left the oxen and ran after Elijah and said, “Let me kiss my father and my mother, and then I will follow you.” And he said to him, “Go back again, for what have I done to you?” 21 And he returned from following him and took the yoke of oxen and sacrificed them and boiled their flesh with the yokes of the oxen and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he arose and went after Elijah and assisted him.


Sitting under a tree. These exceedingly hot days of Texas had me thinking about Abraham dwelling voluntarily under the huge Oaks of Mamre. Jesus told Nathaniel, He had seen Nathaniel under the tree in the first chapter of John's Gospel. Nathaniel replied that Jesus is the Son of God. Jesus said a seed of faith grows in to a huge tree where the birds of the field would gather in the branches. Stories of inner reflections. Becoming prayer. This is where relationship begins and dwells.

We remember the Prophet Elijah with so many amazing stories of faith. Yet Elijah did not dwell in abundance. His Works from God came from famine, drought, a cave. The earthquake, the fire and the whisper are about HIM. Not Elijah. The abundance of Elijah are the Works of God, not Elijah's abundance.

In complete contrast, Elisha is found plowing with twelve oxen. This is abundance. Try to find a photo of someone plowing with twelve oxen on the internet - you can't find that photo. We love to compare and contrast the two e-guys. The truth is we all have gifts and abilities. It's the Father who encourages us to use our abilities to grow into the fruit He provided us to be.


Psalm 29
A psalm of David.

1 Ascribe to the Lord, you heavenly beings,
ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.
2 Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name;
worship the Lord in the splendor of his[a] holiness.

3 The voice of the Lord is over the waters;
the God of glory thunders,
the Lord thunders over the mighty waters.
4 The voice of the Lord is powerful;
the voice of the Lord is majestic.
5 The voice of the Lord breaks the cedars;
the Lord breaks in pieces the cedars of Lebanon.
6 He makes Lebanon leap like a calf,
Sirion like a young wild ox.
7 The voice of the Lord strikes
with flashes of lightning.
8 The voice of the Lord shakes the desert;
the Lord shakes the Desert of Kadesh.
9 The voice of the Lord twists the oaks
and strips the forests bare.
And in his temple all cry, “Glory!”

10 The Lord sits enthroned over the flood;
the Lord is enthroned as King forever.
11 The Lord gives strength to his people;
the Lord blesses his people with peace.


We could go into a study comparing and contrasting Elijah to Elisha. This just isn't needed. The miracle is part of Psalm 29. Elisha could have seen HIM in the earthquake or in the fire. It would be the way He chose to reveal Himself to Elisha. Like David.

2 Peter 1:21
For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

Isn't it a fact, we are told the Bible is the work of the Holy Spirit. We have to walk with faith saying to ourselves, this is true. We never are explicitly told. The work actually is HIS.

All of these gifts are HIS. We don't ever see Elijah saying I'm better than Elisha, we only see a human story of Elisha praying fervently - give me twice the Holy Spirit. Why? Elisha was probably worried he would muck things up.

Ephesians 3:18
may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

The miracle is to see - God sees us completely. Transparently. Trans Parently. And He chooses to Love us.


1 John 4:19

We love him, because he first loved us.

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Isaiah 6 ~ the Train of His Robe filled the Temple

The Prophet Isaiah Meets the LORD and Recognizes His Holiness, painted by Giovanni Battista Tiepolo

Isaiah 6

In the year that King Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple. 2 Above him stood the seraphim. Each had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. 3 And one called to another and said:

“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts;
the whole earth is full of his glory!”

4 And the foundations of the thresholds shook at the voice of him who called, and the house was filled with smoke. 5 And I said: “Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!”

6 Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a burning coal that he had taken with tongs from the altar. 7 And he touched my mouth and said: “Behold, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away, and your sin atoned for.”

8 And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Then I said, “Here I am! Send me.” 9 And he said, “Go, and say to this people:

“‘Keep on hearing, but do not understand;
keep on seeing, but do not perceive.’
10 Make the heart of this people dull,
and their ears heavy,
and blind their eyes;
lest they see with their eyes,
and hear with their ears,
and understand with their hearts,
and turn and be healed.”
11 Then I said, “How long, O Lord?”
And he said:
“Until cities lie waste
without inhabitant,
and houses without people,
and the land is a desolate waste,
12 and the Lord removes people far away,
and the forsaken places are many in the midst of the land.
13 And though a tenth remains in the land,
    it will again be laid waste.
But as the terebinth and oak
    leave stumps when they are cut down,
    so the holy seed will be the stump in the land.”



I love words. Just to say the Word 'Isaiah', is to be uplifted.

We are in the seventh post of Prophets.
Prophets approach this calling in various ways. Rarely, in fact, never do we see a Prophet approach the Lord God, Most Holy, with such beauty.

Nathan was creative. Samuel was known to be afraid and complain. Jonah didn't love. Jeremiah said he was but a youth. Abraham thought God meant for him to be the problem solver. Moses was rash. Jacob had flaws. Gad thundered. And Isaiah, the sixth chapter tells us we are in the presence of Holiness. Which frankly, puts me in awe.

Can you picture seeing God's Holy Robe filling the Temple, almost the way the cloud of Heaven filled the Temple during Solomon's opening of His Temple.

Isaiah has received the calling to work great works of HIM.  King Hezzekiah is most blessed to understand the vision of God and has ears to his own soul, listening to Isaiah tell him of Father God. No other reign but Solomon's was blessed with such prosperity. Reflected in archeology today, we can visit Jerusalem and see the mighty works of Hezekiah, with the people of God, working God's Plan. 

Isaiah is further blessed, to be the Prophet who hears the most of Jesus Christ the Lord. Seven hundred years before Jesus chooses to live among us. 

Isaiah saw His Robe fill the Temple.

John 20:29
Then Jesus told him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."


We are still, today, this generation, in the power of faith.

Matthew 4:4
But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

The woman touched the hem of Jesus' garment in Luke 8:44. The Greek word for "edge" is "kraspedon" meaning "fringe". The complex knots of Jesus' robe spell the word "Yahweh".

We come from a prodigal son generation, yet when we seek Him with our hearts - He runs to us. We see Isaiah end with reseeding of faith. In this generation, we see Asian Christians and African Christians boldly carry back their early Church Acts faith to us.

Matthew 11:28
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest

Mark 10:32
They were now on the way up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was walking ahead of them. The disciples were filled with awe

Father God, each day, let me walk with You. Let the meditations of my heart and the words of my mouth, be pleasing to You. My Rock and my Redeemer. In the name of Jesus Christ the Lord. Amen.

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1 Chronicles 21 ~ And David said to God, “I have sinned greatly in that I have done this thing. But now, please take away the iniquity of your servant, for I have acted very foolishly.”

1 Chronicles 21

Then Satan stood against Israel and incited David to number Israel. 2 So David said to Joab and the commanders of the army, “Go, number Israel, from Beersheba to Dan, and bring me a report, that I may know their number.” 3 But Joab said, “May the Lord add to his people a hundred times as many as they are! Are they not, my lord the king, all of them my lord's servants? Why then should my lord require this? Why should it be a cause of guilt for Israel?” 4 But the king's word prevailed against Joab. So Joab departed and went throughout all Israel and came back to Jerusalem. 5 And Joab gave the sum of the numbering of the people to David. In all Israel there were 1,100,000 men who drew the sword, and in Judah 470,000 who drew the sword. 6 But he did not include Levi and Benjamin in the numbering, for the king's command was abhorrent to Joab.

7 But God was displeased with this thing, and he struck Israel. 8 And David said to God, “I have sinned greatly in that I have done this thing. But now, please take away the iniquity of your servant, for I have acted very foolishly.” 9 And the Lord spoke to Gad, David's seer, saying, 10 “Go and say to David, ‘Thus says the Lord, Three things I offer you; choose one of them, that I may do it to you.’” 11 So Gad came to David and said to him, “Thus says the Lord, ‘Choose what you will: 12 either three years of famine, or three months of devastation by your foes while the sword of your enemies overtakes you, or else three days of the sword of the Lord, pestilence on the land, with the angel of the Lord destroying throughout all the territory of Israel.’ Now decide what answer I shall return to him who sent me.” 13 Then David said to Gad, “I am in great distress. Let me fall into the hand of the Lord, for his mercy is very great, but do not let me fall into the hand of man.”

 
This is the sixth post of our series on Prophets.
We seen highlights from our conviction that prophets are Thunders for God, Bold, Hard as Iron, Fierce as Lions for the Truth, Undeniably Rude, while Hammering Away for a Thundering GOD.

What about the doom and gloom Prophets?

People, today, get very fussed over mentions of Satan and pushy prophets. Almost like the two are joined at the hip.

Moses did Thunder away. However, he was dealing with  -

Exodus 12:37-38
And the children of Israel journeyed from Rameses to Succoth, about six hundred thousand on foot that were men, beside children

- a lot of continuously whiny people. You can really empathize with Moses.

Gad is a tribe of Israel. The first son of Jacob and Zilpah, the seventh of Jacob overall, and the founder of the Israelite Tribe of Gad. This Gad is prophet, a man, 600 or so years later from the first Gad. 

You can picture Gad thundering up to David - "Sinner!" It's possible, Gad enjoyed this a little too much. Like Jonah, Gad has a very limited role in His Plan. Yet, God does give Gad a very nice remembrance here:

2 Chronicles 29
25 And he [King Hezekiah, many years later] stationed the Levites in the house of the Lord with cymbals, harps, and lyres, according to the commandment of David and of Gad the king's seer and of Nathan the prophet, for the commandment was from the Lord through his prophets. 26 The Levites stood with the instruments of David, and the priests with the trumpets. 27 Then Hezekiah commanded that the burnt offering be offered on the altar. And when the burnt offering began, the song to the Lord began also, and the trumpets, accompanied by the instruments of David king of Israel. 28 The whole assembly worshiped, and the singers sang, and the trumpeters sounded. All this continued until the burnt offering was finished.

After all, Gad did offer choices.

If we compare Gad, say - to Jeremiah. Jeremiah, was known to be such an annoyance the Davidic line kept throwing him into a pit. Instead we know, David is God's :

Psalms 17:8:
"Keep me as the apple of the eye; hide me under the shadow of Thy wings"

Psalm 78:72
With upright heart he shepherded them and guided them with his skillful hand.

 

 Monastery St Jeremiah, Egypt  6th Century A.D.

Jeremiah was dealing with God's children - so was Gad. The difference was David was reasonable. Perhaps Gad should have been more like Abraham and said, "Wait, Father God, time is a cage of Your invention. You can help us start out before the census - counting wealth instead of relying upon You." We can understand, in spite of David's flaws - like murder, marauder, and adultery - why God doesn't give Gad top billing, that billing goes instead to the more creative Nathan - his lamb story gets Nathan working for HIM for years.


Jeremiah’s ministry was active from the thirteenth year of Josiah, king of Judah. This was a major celebration in Judah. And How did Jeremiah respond to the Call From the LORD:

Jeremiah 1:6
"Alas, Sovereign LORD," I said, "I do not know how to speak; I am too young."

Was Jeremiah's yoke too heavy? Young King Josiah began a religious reform in Judah at about 622 BC. "Never had there been a reform so sweeping in its aims and so consistent in execution!" - John Bright, A History of Israel, (Westminster).

Which is a good thing for this discussion - we readily learn  - Jeremiah didn't want to thunder away at God's people. And King Josiah was a very good gig for Jeremiah.

Jeremiah 1:17
But you, dress yourself for work; arise, and say to them everything that I command you. Do not be dismayed by them, lest I dismay you before them."

God had other plans.

Jeremiah Lamenting the Destruction of Jerusalem, by Rembrandt van Rijn

No one who reads the Bible is surprised to find out - Jeremiah is going to be hard pressed. Hated by kings, people telling him to shut up about being saved from invasion from Egypt - which occurred miraculously - and - taken down three times by Nebuchadnezzar, who is the seed/fruit/redeemed/conqueror from Jonah's trip to the Assyrians. Jeremiah gets throw in a well to rot / drown, but keeps coming out okay and is saved.

How is Jeremiah saved and how do we know? God's promise in His Word.

Jeremiah 30:11
For I am with you to save you, declares the LORD; I will make a full end of all the nations among whom I scattered you, but of you I will not make a full end. I will discipline you in just measure, and I will by no means leave you unpunished.

And Jeremiah gets a nice house along the fasten-your-seatbelts-blessings-flow-out-journey.


Jeremiah 32
“I knew that this was the word of the Lord; 9 so I bought the field at Anathoth from my cousin Hanamel and weighed out for him seventeen shekels[b] of silver. 10 I signed and sealed the deed, had it witnessed, and weighed out the silver on the scales. 11 I took the deed of purchase—the sealed copy containing the terms and conditions, as well as the unsealed copy— 12 and I gave this deed to Baruch son of Neriah, the son of Mahseiah, in the presence of my cousin Hanamel and of the witnesses who had signed the deed and of all the Jews sitting in the courtyard of the guard.

13 “In their presence I gave Baruch these instructions: 14 ‘This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: Take these documents, both the sealed and unsealed copies of the deed of purchase, and put them in a clay jar so they will last a long time. 15 For this is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: Houses, fields and vineyards will again be bought in this land.’

16 “After I had given the deed of purchase to Baruch son of Neriah, I prayed to the Lord:

17 “Ah, Sovereign Lord, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you. 18 You show love to thousands but bring the punishment for the parents’ sins into the laps of their children after them. Great and mighty God, whose name is the Lord Almighty, 19 great are your purposes and mighty are your deeds. Your eyes are open to the ways of all mankind; you reward each person according to their conduct and as their deeds deserve. 20 You performed signs and wonders in Egypt and have continued them to this day, in Israel and among all mankind, and have gained the renown that is still yours. 21 You brought your people Israel out of Egypt with signs and wonders, by a mighty hand and an outstretched arm and with great terror. 22 You gave them this land you had sworn to give their ancestors, a land flowing with milk and honey. 23 They came in and took possession of it, but they did not obey you or follow your law; they did not do what you commanded them to do. So you brought all this disaster on them.

Now, interestingly enough Baruch makes history again in Dr. Eliat Mizar's discover of King David's Palace. She found Baruch's parchment seal complete. Saying "Baruch son of Neriah."

You have to love the Word of God telling us History. Baruch gets another bite at history being recently re-discovered.

2 Timothy 3:11
persecutions, sufferings--what kinds of things happened to me in Antioch, Iconium and Lystra, the persecutions I endured. Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them.


Father God we open our hands to you and ask for times of peace. We pray to build with our words and works the grace and mercy that is Yours. Take each day and build this life to be meaningful to You. In the name of Jesus our Lord. Amen.

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1 Samuel 1:9-14 ~ Put your wine away from you

Depiction of Eli and Samuel by John Singleton Copley 1780.

Below, Eli is in the interior doors, closest to the above painting,  hearing Hannah when Hannah prays for a child.

Actually Shiloh held the Temple of the Lord before the Temple in Jerusalem, built by Solomon. And looks more like this:

 





1 Samuel 1:9-14

9 After they had eaten and drunk in Shiloh, Hannah rose. Now Eli the priest was sitting on the seat beside the doorpost of the temple of the Lord. 10 She was deeply distressed and prayed to the Lord and wept bitterly. 11 And she vowed a vow and said, “O Lord of hosts, if you will indeed look on the affliction of your servant and remember me and not forget your servant, but will give to your servant a son, then I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life, and no razor shall touch his head.”

12 As she continued praying before the Lord, Eli observed her mouth. 13 Hannah was speaking in her heart; only her lips moved, and her voice was not heard. Therefore Eli took her to be a drunken woman. 14 And Eli said to her, “How long will you go on being drunk? Put your wine away from you.”





We are in the fifth post of our sermon series for Prophets. :)
We seen highlights from our conviction that prophets are Thunders for God, Bold, Hard as Iron, Fierce as Lions for the Truth, Undeniably Rude, while Hammering Away for a Thundering GOD.


Nathan creatively made David see his sin. David named a son for Nathan. Nathan wanted David to live to be old and on God's path. Nathan was there in the room, with a very old David, as he joined the baby David called a child.

Samuel mourned Saul. He could Not make Saul do what God wanted. Samuel must have failed, but actually Samuel said in weakness to Father GOD - "Please don't make me anoint another king now. It makes people uncomfortable." And Samuel did as God asked. Learning, (a prophet learning?) God looks at the heart of David. Samuel as a small child - had an open heart for God.

(Those Scriptures - they are so awful presenting these Prophets of God as Perfect - Sheesh, so unreal to see these perfect people - um where?)

Jonah didn't love. He was never used as a Prophet of God again, after he whined about the redemption of God's beloved creation - mankind.

Abraham doesn't seem like a Prophet. Yet we see he asked God for mercy for life. And he believed the promises of God and lived his life for them. Just like Jesus' foster father Joseph, Abraham looked to be merciful. Not entirely understanding God's promises completely.

Moses we see also follows God's plan. Moses had relationships, when we see how God utilized Moses and the people around Moses. Moses wanted his gift to encourage more people. In the same way the early Church was built upon encouragement in relationships. God calls us to speak up.

How could Jacob be a Prophet? Jacob felt completely certain, in his difficult life, he had godly blessings to bestow upon his sons to be felt for generations. Jacob believed God and this is counted to him as righteousness. These blessings, today, influence the world we live in. Jacob, all his life, contended with God.

Which brings us to Eli !!- These prophets are perfect. Unlike the television evangelists in the 1980s in the United States. Well. Not exactly. Moses did not tie up the Exodus. Neither did Joshua. David was still fighting for the Tribe of Judah to reclaim Jerusalem 500 or more years later.

John Wesley, - Westminster Abbey

"GOD BURIES HIS WORKMEN, BUT CARRIES ON HIS WORK" .

Surely, a very important concept.

Eli made mistakes. He starts out our narrative by accusing godly Hannah of being drunk in the Temple from his lofty perch. We surely discover prophets are fallible. Eli has a problem he shares with Samuel - both prophets have sons remembered as - let's have some Christian charity here - problem sons. Joshua couldn't persuade the men to go into God's Promised Land - Joshua tried and they wouldn't listen to him. However, that mistake gave him a heck of a career. I think God saw Joshua as a favored one from then on. God tends to be a heart observer, more than a score one for the gipper guy. A relevant point for today and our lives.

Moses abandoned his family as well as these other guys,  for "the cause". And he spoke so harshly to the troops that he was sent down like Patton. Failed to complete the mission when given next generation technology.

Abraham decided God likes take charge men. Listened to his wife and took advantage of a slave girl - who wanted to run away and die - from their drama. And she would have, if God had not intervened. Abraham saved his nephew and cared to go eyeball to eyeball with God on the topic of "Are You Merciful Enough, God?" Abraham believed God was God and cared to step up to the plate for others.

Jonah left a legacy of myth. Sure, we see the Assyrian Empire decided to bypass God's Nation - but surely this Jonah was a myth. I think not. All things are possible with God. And Jonah didn't love, which displeased God. End of Jonah's career.

Nathan played king maker a little too happily. I'm just sayin.



So, back to Eli. How does Eli come to have qualities endearing him to the top spot - Prophet. Eli said, "Let His Word be done." And accepted God's just judgments. Eli - Never - looked at Samuel surpassing him in Spirit and said, "Get behind me." Eli loved Father GOD and wanted to see God to go forth in glory. Eli did not whine. Make straight the paths of the Lord. He encouraged Samuel along. Seeking God's Glory.


I sing a song of the saints of God,
patient and brave and true,
who toiled and fought and lived and died
for the Lord they loved and knew.
And one was a doctor, and one was a queen,
and one was a shepherdess on the green;
they were all of them saints of God, and I mean,
God helping, to be one too.

2. They loved their Lord so dear, so dear,
and his love made them strong;
and they followed the right for Jesus' sake
the whole of their good lives long.
And one was a soldier, and one was a priest,
and one was slain by a fierce wild beast;
and there's not any reason, no, not the least,
why I shouldn't be one too.

3. They lived not only in ages past;
there are hundreds of thousands still.
The world is bright with the joyous saints
who love to do Jesus' will.
You can meet them in school, on the street, in the store,
in church, by the sea, in the house next door;
they are saints of God, whether rich or poor,
and I mean to be one too




1 John 2:1

My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous

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Genesis 32:27-29 ~ he strives with God

Jacob Contends with the Lord, Gustave Dore

Genesis 32:27-29

And he said to him, “What is your name?” And he said, “Jacob.” 28 Then he said, “Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel,^{[ Israel means He strives with God, or God strives ]} for you have striven with God and with men, and have prevailed.” 29 Then Jacob asked him, “Please tell me your name.” But he said, “Why is it that you ask my name?” And there he blessed him.


I was surprised Jacob is considered to be a Prophet of God.

That's My King, described by Dr. S.M. Lockridge

Jacob could not shake God from his thoughts. Jacob is labeled as a thief today, and stole Abraham's grandson's blessing from his older twin. Jacob believed in the blessings of God. It cost him his home, to be put out during his father's deathbed, and put him on the road back where Abraham came from. He learned what being cheated felt like, from his Uncle Laban.

His son was taken from him, and his other eleven sons covered up. He believed, as he left his promised land, because of famine and better opportunity - God's Promise would have to continue another way.

Romans 4:3
For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.”

How can we tell Jacob was prophetic? He believed the promises of God - he left Israel the land behind.  Seems an unlikely conclusion.

After all Prophets are people who wrestle angels and thunder for God. And Jacob is packing to leave the promised land - you would think he would stand and fight to stay - this is the promised land! Prophets are fighters!

Genesis 32
Jacob went on his way, and the angels of God met him. 2 And when Jacob saw them he said, “This is God's camp!” So he called the name of that place Mahanaim.

Mostly, Biblical reactions to angels are stunning fear. Here is Jacob - making camp. And there is a cost to getting this close to God.

24 And Jacob was left alone. And a man wrestled with him until the breaking of the day. 25 When the man saw that he did not prevail against Jacob, he touched his hip socket, and Jacob's hip was put out of joint as he wrestled with him. 26 Then he said, “Let me go, for the day has broken.” But Jacob said, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.”

Yet Jacob leaves the promised land, because of famine and a better offer from a long lost son.

Jacob, painted by Harry Anderson

Jacob was not running away. He believed God was so infinite - if He'd wanted the family in Israel - He would have provided there. So where is the prophetic portion of Jacob's life?

Genesis 47

29 And when the time drew near that Israel must die, he called his son Joseph and said to him, “If now I have found favor in your sight, put your hand under my thigh and promise to deal kindly and truly with me. Do not bury me in Egypt, 30 but let me lie with my fathers. Carry me out of Egypt and bury me in their burying place.” He answered, “I will do as you have said.” 31 And he said, “Swear to me”; and he swore to him. Then Israel bowed himself upon the head of his bed.

All the blessings are listed in Genesis 49. We see Israel forgave his sons and the Scriptures do not record an apology from them to their father. Jacob acknowledges some of the difficulties as he forgives and blesses them. That forgiveness is a mark of someone close to God. He lived with Joseph's death for many years. I'm sure he wondered if he'd been a good enough, protective parent. And he still forgave them their cruelty.

Matthew 5:7
Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.

And more importantly, Jacob felt completely certain, in his difficult life, he had godly blessings to bestow upon his sons to be felt for generations. Jacob believed God and this is counted to him as righteousness. These blessings, today, influence the world we live in. Jacob believed in the Word of God for His promises. He was willing to contend with God for His blessings. And God - was more than willing to be there for Jacob.

Genesis 49

All these are the twelve tribes of Israel. This is what their father said to them as he blessed them, blessing each with the blessing suitable to him. 29 Then he commanded them and said to them, “I am to be gathered to my people; bury me with my fathers in the cave that is in the field of Ephron the Hittite, 30 in the cave that is in the field at Machpelah, to the east of Mamre, in the land of Canaan, which Abraham bought with the field from Ephron the Hittite to possess as a burying place. 31 There they buried Abraham and Sarah his wife. There they buried Isaac and Rebekah his wife, and there I buried Leah— 32 the field and the cave that is in it were bought from the Hittites.” 33 When Jacob finished commanding his sons, he drew up his feet into the bed and breathed his last and was gathered to his people.

Luke 15:20
So he got up and went to his father. "But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.

Matthew 22:32
‘I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.' He is not God of the dead, but of the living.”

John 14:13-14
13 Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.

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Exodus 4 ~ “Oh, my Lord, please send someone else.”

Exodus 3:10-12
10 Come, I will send you to Pharaoh that you may bring my people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt.” 11 But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?” 12 He said, “But I will be with you, and this shall be the sign for you, that I have sent you: when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God on this mountain.”

Exodus 4:10-15
10 But Moses said to the Lord, “Oh, my Lord, I am not eloquent, either in the past or since you have spoken to your servant, but I am slow of speech and of tongue.” 11 Then the Lord said to him, “Who has made man's mouth? Who makes him mute, or deaf, or seeing, or blind? Is it not I, the Lord? 12 Now therefore go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall speak.” 13 But he said, “Oh, my Lord, please send someone else.” 14 Then the anger of the Lord was kindled against Moses and he said, “Is there not Aaron, your brother, the Levite? I know that he can speak well. Behold, he is coming out to meet you, and when he sees you, he will be glad in his heart. 15 You shall speak to him and put the words in his mouth, and I will be with your mouth and with his mouth and will teach you both what to do.

Prophets are billed as mighty thunderers for the LORD, God, The Almighty. Who else said, "Could You send someone else?"

Samuel , Peter, the Disciples ran away from Jesus, minus beloved John, adopted first into the Family of God. Tarshish- Jonah ran there!  We add to this group - Moses. Jeremiah resisted the call by complaining that he was only a child and did not know how to speak.

We have to say, even the greats of GOD, said - "Oh my, no." How did God overcome this initial 'no'? Relationships.

Nathan stayed by David's side for decades and saw David name one of his sons, Nathan. Saul worked so closely with Saul, he mourned Saul's failures and didn't want a better fitted King for Israel. Samuel was still nearby when Saul started killing the priests to find David, 1 Samuel 21 to 25. Isaiah, according to Biblical Scholars, is the first cousin of King Uzziah, then King Azah and lastly King Hezekiah. Isaiah was one of the grandsons of King Joash, the son of Amoz.

Moses is not unknown to Pharaoh. However, Moses is an unknown to his brother Aaron. And God says - get to know one another - for a good reason.

Prophets intercede for people - not out of a desire to thunder, but like Nathan - the desire for God's glory to witness to more people. Nathan was dear to David and in trying to reason with David, worked creatively on the parable of the ewe. Prophets ... Love.

We look in awe in the Book of Acts. And what do we see is the only time 3,000 pages of Scripture say - "ENCOURAGE!" - When the early Church is being built. Paul and Peter with a newly released Holy Spirit - make multitudes of converts. Yet if we look how the new Church was built, we would see really - real and deep and meaningful change come about like the growth of a Body in Christ. With encouragement, love and time. The first chapter of the Book of Acts leads to the second chapter in Acts.  Significantly, this is the time Jesus' brothers, mother, and sisters join with His Disciples and the Church is built from the core - out. They are building one another up before they go out to serve the world.

Paul encouraged Barnabus - Barnabas, meaning "Son of Encouragement." Barnabus encouraged his own cousin John Mark. Who wrote a book called "The Gospel According to Mark." Paul encouraged Timothy and Timothy grew the Church in Greece. Sometimes we forget that the Exodus isn't just forty years, but tribes continued to battle unbelievers for 500 years until David reclaimed Jerusalem for his tribe of Judah. And David had a relationship with God, Samuel, Jonathan and Nathan.There were quite a few times David looked for encouragement.

David, for that matter, didn't always thunder - he "changed his behavior before King Abimelech" and Abimelech - went - away. David was known for the lovingness of his heart and his willingness to trust his Father God.

Father God, each day - let me say - I open my hands to You - Send me. In the name of Jesus. Amen.

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