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WANTED: PREACHERS LIKE THE PROPHETS
After a careful reading of the actions of the Old Testament prophets, one is left with a number of lasting impressions. It would be wonderful indeed if some preachers today could or would possess some of the qualities of these OT men. Let us notice some:
- First, they were men of deep convictions. They were convinced of their message and the need for the people to respond to it. Jer. 4:9 "My bowels, my bowels I am pained at my very heart; my heart maketh a noise in me; I cannot hold my peace, because thou hast heard, 0 my soul, the sound of the trumpet, the alarm of war."
- Second they did not "beat around-the-bush" in getting the message across. II Sam. 12:7 "And Nathan said to David, Thou art the man. Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, I anointed thee king over Israel, and I delivered thee out of the hand of Saul;"
- Third, they did not fear the reaction of men. I Kings 12:7 "And they spake unto him, saying, If thou wilt be a servant unto this people this day, and wilt serve them, and answer them, and speak good words to them, then they will be thy servants for ever."
- Fourth, they did not go along with the crowd. I Kings 1:22.
- Fifth, they were willing to suffer and die for Gods causes. Heb. 11:37 "They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented;"
- Sixth, they had grief and pity. Jer. 8:18 "When I would comfort myself against sorrow, my heart is faint in me."
- Seventh, they proclaimed judgment. Micah 3:12 "Therefore shall Zion for your sake be plowed as a field, and Jerusalem shall become heaps, and the mountain of the house as the high-places of the forest."
- Eighth, they rebuked false prophets and Leaders. Micah 3:11.
- Ninth, they spoke out on morality and ethics. Amos 5:11.
- Tenth, they became discouraged, but not defeated. Jer. 9:2 "Oh that I had in the wilderness a lodging place of wayfaring men; that I might leave my people, and go from them for they be all adulterers, an assembly of treacherous men-"
Are you a preacher like the prophets? Remember we must be careful about smooth things. Isa. 30:10 "Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits.'