THE HALL OF PROPHETS Who in the Hall is a Prophet?
Who were the prophets? Not all of them are identified by name. Very little information is given about some who are named, and sometimes, none at all.
Would you be able to recognize a real prophet of God? What standards would you use? Would his physical appearance be a factor? Would his behavior or his `reputation' concern you? Certainly the content of his message would a major criteria, but we'll discuss that in another section.Which of the following would you accept as a `real prophet of God' in view of the information given. (Answers are given in the next section.)
Candidate No. 1:
As a teenager, his `dreams' were rejected by his entire family.
His own family sold him as a slave.
From slavery, he graduates to prison, serving 12-13 years for rape.
As a convict, he successfully interprets dreams, but is forgotten and remains in prison.
Eventually, he gains a high political office, ruling over a `pagan' nation.
Using his political power for revenge, he frames some of his own family for theft and imprisons them.
Candidate No. 2:
Adopted into a royal, but pagan family, he was reared in a culture that worshiped bulls, frogs, flies, etc.
After decades in a high position at the King's court, he flees the kingdom as a fugitive and a murderer.
He spends forty years herding sheep in the "backside" of the desert.
After 40 years, he suddenly returns to the kingdom, saying God has sent him to free the slaves but is quickly rejected by everyone, including the `slaves'.
The nation's current ruler scorns him, has him thrown out of his court, and promises to kill him on sight. Although successful in leading the `slaves' out of a once-rich nation, he leads them in circles in the desert places for forty years, where most of them die. Because of disobedience, God also ends this prophet's life in the desert.
Candidate No. 3:Talks to his "ass", which talks back. The conversation is recorded forever. Num. 22-23. Is hired to curse Israel, but can only bless them. Advises Midianites on how to entrap Israel in sin. Is killed by the sword. Is immortalized in a co-starring role, behind his "talking" ass. (Num 22, 31; Josh. 24:9, Neh 13, 2 Pet. 2:15-16)
Candidate No. 4:The wife of a low-ranking soldier, she willingly commits adultery with her husband's commanding officer. Her `lover' plans a scheme to `cover-up' the affair and the resulting pregnancy. To avoid scandal, the `lover' arranges for the death of the woman's husband. She later marries her husband's murderer.
Candidate No. 5:A child, whose previously barren mother offered God a `deal' ( Give me a son, and I'll have him consecrated for service in your temple. ) He is accepted by the people at first, while still a child, but later rejected by the people who prefer to have a king.
Candidate No. 6:Tall, handsome and Divinely chosen as king, he prophesied with the "prophets". Later, he becomes a manic-depressive and tries to murder his anointed successor. He sends thugs to take the crown prince , but they can only "prophesy" (probably about the reign of the future King.) After sending two consecutive groups, who can only "prophesy", he goes and, unable himself to refrain from prophecy, (probably about the prince's future reign) tears his clothes off in frustration, and naked, continues to prophecy (probably about the prince's future reign). Later, he seeks advice from a witch about international matters. Wounded in battle, he commits suicide.
Candidate No. 7:A former slave, he became a professional `spokesperson' for a `prophet' who was, at times, rejected by all. His own popularity peaked when he enabled an entire nation to manufacture and worship an Egyptian-styled statue of a bull. Despite this, he was Divinely ordained to the highest office of clergy. Apparently failed in proper childrearing of his sons. Held the second highest position, but was still jealous of the top spot. Died in the desert, because of a bad attitude and a rock.
Candidate No. 8:Before the printing press, people copied books by hand. This man was a copyist in Babylon. Later, as a priest in Jerusalem, he invalidated numerous marriages, and broke up families, all in the name of God.
Candidate No. 9:As a leader, the only way he could stop the Jews from shopping on the Sabbath was to lock all the Gentile traders outside the city gates. Verbally and physically abused Jews over their choices of mates, even chasing one down the street, running him out of town.
Candidate No. 10:Chosen as King while still a youth, he worked temporarily as a bodyguard and as a musician before he had to flee for his life. Purchased his first wife with a huge pile of human foreskins, taken from those he killed. Led a small group of insurgents in opposition to the throne established by God.
Refused supplies by a wealthy civilian, he marched against him with an armed force intent on total slaughter. The man's wife intervened, preventing a massacre. Her husband fell comatose the next day and died ten days later. Although already married, the future King immediately married the widow (and another woman about whom we know little).
He tried to join the Philistines in attacking Israel, but was rejected by the Philistines.
After assuming the throne, he commits adultery with the wife of a low-ranking soldier, has the soldier killed and marries the widow.
Even though he had seven wives and an unknown number of concubines, virgins were brought to his bed when he was old.
Real prophets in the Hall:
1. Joseph, son of Jacob (Israel) (Gen. 37-41)
2. Moses (Ex. 2-Deu. 34:10; Hos. 12:13)
3. Balaam --a wicked magician (Josh. 13:22), but still a true prophet (Num. 24:2-9)
4. Bathsheba--Teaches "prophecy" to her son, "Lemuel" (belonging to God), i.e. Solomon,
Pro. 31:1-5, 31.
5. Samuel, son of Hannah (1 Sam. 3:3, 8, 9:9).
6. King Saul (1Sam 10:10), (1 Sam. 19, 28, 31).
7. Aaron (Ex. 4, 7:1, 32; Deu. 9; Acts 7, Ex. 28; Num. 20).
8. Ezra (Ezra 7, 9, 10; Neh. 12).
9. Nehemiah (Neh. 13)
10. David (2 Sam. 23:1-7)
Would you be able to recognize a real prophet of God?
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