Prophetic Voices

Nehemiah 5-6; Psalms 146; Luke 24

“Remember Tobiah and Sanballat, O my God, because of what they have done; remember also the prophetess Noadiah and the rest of the prophets who have been trying to intimidate me. So the wall was completed…in fifty-two days.”

Nehemiah 6:14, 15

“’About Jesus of Nazareth,’ they replied, ‘He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people….Beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.”

Luke 24:19, 27

Nehemiah’s mission to rebuild the wall was opposed by prophets who had been hired to intimidate him. They were the equivalent of modern lawyers or lobbyists but with a religious angle. They claimed to speak on behalf of God, and in a large, illiterate culture, they had significant influence.

What are the spiritual gifts in our lives worth?

Can we, too, be co-opted to use our spiritual gifts of leadership, teaching, or discernment, for personal gain?

Jesus was a prophet, and more importantly, the Son of God, who pointed to the prophetic writings which referred to him. Not all prophets are for sale. God’s mission will be accomplished. It has always been costly to join him.

“Lord God, I pray for courage to live on mission, for your glory, regardless of the intimidating voices of opposition.”