Theological Commentary: Click Here
Discipleship Focus: Prophet
- Prophet: A prophet is one of the fivefold ministry categories that is used throughout the Bible and especially lifted up in Ephesians 4:11. The prophet is primarily concerned with whether or not the people are hearing the voice of God. The prophet is also concerned about whether or not the people are responding to God’s voice.
When we
are reading through the minor prophets, we need to remember that the first
group are typically writing about the Northern Kingdom of Israel and looking
towards the Assyrian captivity. That’s
where Hosea fits in. Thus, when we read
through this book we hear lots of warning, lots of speech about bad
consequences should they not repent, and all kinds of imagery that will put
fear in your eyes.
It is in
books like these that we get a great glimpse of what it is like to be a prophet
who is asked to bring an unfavorable message.
Did you hear the description of the prophet in verse 7? “The prophet is a fool. The man of spirit is mad.” Why does Hosea say these things? “Because of your great iniquity and great
hatred.” What does it look like to be a
prophet called to bring an unfavorable message?
It means that the people think you are a fool and out of your mind. As verse 8 indicates, it means that people look
for ways to set snares in your path. It
means that you are hated, even in the place of God, which is where you should
be the most welcome.
Do you
hear how this chapter ends? Suddenly we
get a change in perspective. The whole
chapter is written from the perspective of God, but suddenly at the end we get
Hosea’s own perspective. It is
mournful. What does this show us? It shows us that the prophet who brings an
unfavorable message is also a prophet who mourns for the people. It is a prophet who is at home in heartache.
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