Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-

Prophets:A New Vision of the Messianic Age


Tina Suraj
Carmel MTC, MA
18 I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their own people; I will put my words in the mouth of the prophet, who shall speak to them everything that I command. 19 Anyone who does not heed the words that the prophet shall speak in my name, I myself will hold accountable. 


“Where do you see yourself in five years?” This is a common question asked in many applications and interviews. Humans have a desire to anticipate, structure, plan, and foresee the future. Businesses project their profits and growth, economist predict the free market cycles, technology companies envision the most innovative inventions, and financial analysts try to forecast the most profitable investments. Prediction is pervasive in the modern world. Humans use science, technology, patterns, and even social behavior to predict the future. 

Throughout the narrative of the Bible, God sends prophets who proclaimed God’s words to his people using predictions. However, these predictions focus on the consequences of disobedience to God. In Exodus, God spoke directly to his people but they were terrified and implored for a mediator.  Prophets were those mediators and their function wasn’t to consult with the occult or perform a plethora of miracles. Their sole responsibility was to declare and interpret the word of God.

The literary setting of Deuteronomy is at the end of Moses’ life and he was the only leader the Israelites have known. His sermons were to prepare the wandering Israelites to bind their hearts to the one true God and instruct them on how to navigate their lives in the midst of a secular and pagan culture. Israel underwent a cyclical nature of repentance, obedience, and then even further and greater disobedience. Thus, God promised a prophet that would stop the cyclical nature and someone who will lead them into redemption.

Through Jesus Christ, we are able to discern God’s truth and he is the fulfillment of Moses’ prophecy. Jesus didn’t exist to predict the future, or to advance any socio-political agenda. His central role was to direct his people to God’s love and mercy. It was through Jesus that people were able to see God’s manifestation, truth and glory.


PRAYER


Father God, There is a lot of commotion and noise around us. The modern world wants to predict and foresee future events. Lord, guide us to know that our hearts and future solely rely on the Scripture and the words of Jesus Christ. Amen.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
Do prophets still exist today or was the final prophet Jesus Christ?

Popular posts from this blog

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
  Constant, patient and welcoming love of God   St. Luke 15: 11-32  V.21: And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ The parable of the ‘Prodigal son’ is one of the most frequently quoted parables that Jesus told His disciples. The parable contains the rich mine of human virtues and emotions. This parable is lived and re-lived in progressing civilizations from time immemorial and continuing. It brings out in vivid detail the pathetic depth of human sinfulness and the glorious heights of God’s forgiveness.      As a story of human nature, fathers are generally merciful to their children in any circumstance. They are very protective and are eager to provide for and secure the lives of their offspring. Jesus is telling this parable to underscore the superlative love of God to His children. The nature of such love is reiterated by Jesus in Matthew 7:11. Humankind wh...
Read more

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
Revelation for Liberation Acts 27:18-26 Sherine Thomas Long Island MTC, NY 20  When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest raged, all hope of our being saved was at last abandoned. “After winter comes the summer.  After night comes the dawn.  And after every storm, there comes clear open skies” so said a Scottish clergyman from the 1600s. It’s been said, that hope can sometimes be the most dangerous weapon.  However, it’s sometimes the hardest weapon to carry when you’re living with the loss of a loved one, something that almost feels like a terrible nightmare that’ll never go away.  It’s a weapon difficult to carry when day in and day out no one seems to hear or see those tears that are shed or silent cries that are made during a heartfelt prayer. It’s a weapon difficult to carry as you see your loved one lying on that hospital bed.  It’s a weapon difficult to carry as you search and seek out answers to tel...
Read more

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
PRIESTHOOD: THE ANOINTED MINISTRY Exodus 40:12-16 Bring Aaron and his sons to the entrance to the Tent of Meeting... wash them with water. Then dress Aaron in the sacred garments, anoint him and consecrate him so he may serve me as priest (Exodus 40: 12-13). Priesthood among the people of God was a divine command and initiation. God wanted some people to be separated for the special ministry among his people. God appointed Aaron and his descendants to take up this kind of ministry among the people of God. Priests are always separated and appointed as channels that connect God with his people. All throughout the history of Israel, priests played an important role in connecting people with God and to lead and guide them in the statutes of God. But there are incidents in the Bible where the priests failed in their duties and that led the people to go away from God. So the priests have a special and significant ministry to perform in this world among his people. Two important things...
Read more