The Office of the Prophet

2024-06-23

Thoughts from Ridout, Person and Work of the Holy Spirit.

The office of the prophet arose when there was failure of the priesthood in Hophni and Phinehas. Those wicked men were slain in battle and the ark was captured. The priests and the Levites were supposed to be instructors of the Law, but often failed. In those days arose the prophet Samuel, who was yet a child. Prophets often arose in unlikely places, like Samuel and the “gatherer of sycomore fruit,” Amos.

Prophecy was twofold. There was the aspect of judgment because of disobedience. Judgment was delayed when the people repented, but a certain day of judgment was coming. The Lord often told the prophets that the people would not listen. “For they are impudent children and stiffhearted. I do send thee unto them; and thou shalt say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD” (Ezekiel 2:4).

However, the other part of the message was one of hope. They knew that the Christ would come and set everything right. He would do what the people would not. This “Branch” would be King and Priest. However, they themselves often did not know how it would come to pass:

Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow. Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into. (1 Peter 1:10-12)

Praise the Lord, what the Spirit of God did not show them, now we know.