VISION OF THE APOSTLE/PROPHET AKANBI JESU ADEMOYE ADEKANBI
UNDERSTANDING THE PROPHETS OF THE BIBLE
The prophet is a man who feels fiercely. God has thrust a burden upon his soul, and he is bowed and stunned at man’s fierce greed. The prophet’s theme is, first of all, the very life of a whole people, and his identification last more than a moment. He is one not only with what he says; he is involved with his people in what his words foreshadow. The prophet is intent on intensifying responsibility, is impatient of excuse, contemptuous of pretense and self pity. His tone, rarely sweet or caressing, is frequently consoling and disburdening;
Who could bear living in a state of disgust day and night? The conscience builds its confines, is subject to fatigue, longs for comfort, lulling, soothing. Yet those who are hurt, and he who inhabits eternity, neither slumber and sleep. Perhaps the prophet knew more about the secret obscenity of sheer unfairness, about the unnoticed malignancy of established patterns of indifference, than men whose knowledge depend solely on intelligence and observation. The Lord it know to me and I knew; then thou didst show me their evil deeds. [Jer.11:18]
The words of the prophet are stern, sour, stinging. But behind his austerity is live and compassion for mankind. Indeed, every prediction of disaster is in itself and exhortation to repentance. The prophet is sent not only to upbraid, but also to “strengthen the weak hands and make firm the feeble knee.” Isa.35:3
It is embarrassing to be a prophet. None of the prophets seem enamored with being a prophet nor proud of his attainment. Over the life of a prophet words are invisibly inscribed: all flattery abandon, ye who enter here. To be a prophet is a both a distinction and an affliction. The mission he performs is distasteful to him and repugnant to others; no reward is promised him and no reward cold tempers its bitterness. He alienates the wicked as well as the pious, the cynics as well as the believers, the priests and the princes, the judges and the false prophets. But to be a prophet means to challenge and to defy and to cast out fear. The prophet’s eye is directed to the contemporary scene; the society and its conduct are the main theme of his speeches. Yet his ear is inclined to God. He is a person struck by the glory and presence of God, over powered by the hand of God. Yet the greatness is his ability to hold God and man in a single thought. The prophet claims to be far more than messenger. He is a person who stand in the presence of God as a great messenger,[Jer.15:19] who stand in the council of Lord,” [Jer.23:18] who is a participant, as it were, in the council of God, not a bearer of dispatches whose function is limited to being sent on errands. He is a counselor as well as a great messenger
The prophet is not a mouthpiece, but a person; not an instrument, but a partner, an associate of God he takes the part of the people. In the presence of the people he takes the part of God. The prophets hear God’s voice and feel his hear. God’s prophet who are truly His servants, are not common, but they do exist today.
