MAY 4

Isaiah 9:6-7
Memorise Jeremiah 1:5
“Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee…”

The English word “prophet” is taken directly from an ancient Greek verb which literally means “to speak for” or “on behalf of”. Thus the noun embraces the concept of speaking for someone, or a spokesman. The account of Moses at the burning bush is a good Biblical illustration -- in Exodus 7:1, God spoke to a very reluctant Moses, saying, “See, I have made thee as a god to Pharaoh: and Aaron thy brother shall be thy prophet.” Aaron was to be Moses’ spokesman i.e. to speak for Moses. In practice, the word “prophecy” can be used in two ways:

1. Prophecy means “foretelling” – to tell in advance of future events e.g. the many prophecies predicting our Lord’s first and second comings. A good example would be today’s text, which in one short passage foretells both comings - as a humble child, and as a glorious Judge and King.
2. Prophecy can also mean “forth-telling” – to teach and to instruct e.g. the vast majority of the messages of the Major and Minor Prophets come from direct commands of God through the mouths of the prophets. An excellent example is the opening of the Book of Isaiah: “Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth: for the LORD hath spoken, I have nourished and brought up children, and they have rebelled against me” (Isaiah 1:2). You can easily imagine the prophet Isaiah preaching powerfully at the porch of the temple, warning the people of Jerusalem about God’s wrath against their unfaithfulness.

Now – question time! Who is the greatest prophet of all? – Moses? Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel…?

Undoubtedly the right answer is: Our Lord Jesus Christ – He not only speaks for God and reveals the truth about God’s love and judgment, but He reveals the nature of God as nobody else can – because He is God Himself!

Our Lord Jesus came to Earth to do His Father’s will as “Prophet, Priest and King” – The greatest prophet, the greatest priest and the greatest king. So what should we do? – Listen to the prophet, bless the priest (be thankful to Him), and worship the King!

Thought: Do we still have prophets in the church today?
Prayer: Lord, teach me to be thy “prophet” – to know thy Word so well that I will be able to “forth-tell” Thy Word to others!