In Old Testament time, prophets had been called different names: dreamers of dreams (Deuteronomy 13:2), seers (1 Samuel 9:9), men of God (1 Samuel 9:6) etc. Their status was high among the Israelites. Many Biblical celebrities are ranked prophets. For example, God told Abimelech to return Sarah to Abraham because he was a prophet (Genesis 20:7).
"Prophet προφήτης " is a Greek word made up of "pro" = for and "pheteo" = to speak. They were spokesmen of God.
In Hebrew, the word is נָבִיא , which is related to נבא , which in turn, means to utter a low voice, announce, inform, call, proclaim etc. For example, the relation between Moses and Aaron in front of Pharaoh was one between God and His prophet.
And the LORD said to Moses, "See, I make you as God to Pharaoh; and Aaron your brother shall be your prophet (Exodus 7:1).
Moreover, both men and women could be prophets and prophetesses. For examples, Miriam, the sister of Moses.
Then Miriam, the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels and dancing (Exodus 15:20).
In fact, God wants all the people to be prophets, not just a few elites.
But Moses said to him (Joshua), "Are you jealous for my sake? Would that all the LORD's people were prophets, that the LORD would put his spirit upon them!"(Numbers 11:29)
Nowadays, it is fulfilled by all the baptized Christians. Through baptism, we partake in the three-fold roles of Christ, viz. king, priest and prophet. Of course, just as there are false prophets, some Christians do not live up to their name.
Moses himself was considered a great prophet
The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your brethren -- him you shall heed -- (Deuteronomy 18:15).
This verse seems to suggest that prophets were also great teachers as well as saviours. People should listen to them if they desired salvation. Like Moses, prophets themselves had the obligation to be deliverers of the oppressed. Here, we may find the source of inspiration for social justice. In fact, Moses' liberation of the Israelites from the bondage of slavery has inspired many revolutions in the future generations.
"Prophet προφήτης " is a Greek word made up of "pro" = for and "pheteo" = to speak. They were spokesmen of God.
In Hebrew, the word is נָבִיא , which is related to נבא , which in turn, means to utter a low voice, announce, inform, call, proclaim etc. For example, the relation between Moses and Aaron in front of Pharaoh was one between God and His prophet.
And the LORD said to Moses, "See, I make you as God to Pharaoh; and Aaron your brother shall be your prophet (Exodus 7:1).
Moreover, both men and women could be prophets and prophetesses. For examples, Miriam, the sister of Moses.
Then Miriam, the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels and dancing (Exodus 15:20).
In fact, God wants all the people to be prophets, not just a few elites.
But Moses said to him (Joshua), "Are you jealous for my sake? Would that all the LORD's people were prophets, that the LORD would put his spirit upon them!"(Numbers 11:29)
Nowadays, it is fulfilled by all the baptized Christians. Through baptism, we partake in the three-fold roles of Christ, viz. king, priest and prophet. Of course, just as there are false prophets, some Christians do not live up to their name.
Moses himself was considered a great prophet
The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your brethren -- him you shall heed -- (Deuteronomy 18:15).
This verse seems to suggest that prophets were also great teachers as well as saviours. People should listen to them if they desired salvation. Like Moses, prophets themselves had the obligation to be deliverers of the oppressed. Here, we may find the source of inspiration for social justice. In fact, Moses' liberation of the Israelites from the bondage of slavery has inspired many revolutions in the future generations.
In the story today, we read of the healing of Naaman, the commander of the Syrian army (2 Kings 5:1) by Elisha the man of God (2 Kings 5:8). Where do you find social justice in this story?
Firstly, though Naaman was a Syrian, God favoured him and gave him victories (2 Kings 5:1). Which means he had previously defeated Israel, God's Chosen People. Later in the story, we will learn that Naaman was an upright man. For example, he must have treated the captured little Israelite maiden well enough so that she informed her mistress of the existence of a cure in Israel (2 Kings 5:3); he gave Gehazi, the servant of Elisha, the present he had prepared for Elisha, but which Elisha had declined (2 Kings 5:23). Naaman was fair and upright.
Therefore, God stands on the side of the men of integrity, disregarding their races and nationalities. God hates racial discrimination.
Next, after reading the recommendation letter sent from the king of Syria, the king of Israel rent his own clothes because he thought that the king of Syria was looking for an excuse to invade Israel.
And when the king of Israel read the letter, he rent his clothes and said, "Am I God, to kill and to make alive, that this man sends word to me to cure a man of his leprosy? Only consider, and see how he is seeking a quarrel with me." (2 Kings 5:7)
The king of Israel had no God in his heart. Otherwise, he would pray to God for the cure of Naaman. Without God in his heart, he nearly pushed the kingdom over the brink of war with Syria. Elisha volunteered to handle the situation. A prophet does not seek personal advantages. He always has the society, the nation and all humanity before his eyes. Here, Elisha sought international justice.
When Naaman followed his instruction to bathe seven times in River Jordan and was cured, Naaman offered Elisha gold, silver and garment as presents. Elisha did not seek personal advantages. He declined.
Lastly, when his greedy servant Gehazi cheated Naaman and obtained the presents, Elisha punished him by transferring the leprosy of Naaman over him (2 Kings 5:26-27). A prophet not only upholds social justice but also executes justice. God is his backup.
Firstly, though Naaman was a Syrian, God favoured him and gave him victories (2 Kings 5:1). Which means he had previously defeated Israel, God's Chosen People. Later in the story, we will learn that Naaman was an upright man. For example, he must have treated the captured little Israelite maiden well enough so that she informed her mistress of the existence of a cure in Israel (2 Kings 5:3); he gave Gehazi, the servant of Elisha, the present he had prepared for Elisha, but which Elisha had declined (2 Kings 5:23). Naaman was fair and upright.
Therefore, God stands on the side of the men of integrity, disregarding their races and nationalities. God hates racial discrimination.
Next, after reading the recommendation letter sent from the king of Syria, the king of Israel rent his own clothes because he thought that the king of Syria was looking for an excuse to invade Israel.
And when the king of Israel read the letter, he rent his clothes and said, "Am I God, to kill and to make alive, that this man sends word to me to cure a man of his leprosy? Only consider, and see how he is seeking a quarrel with me." (2 Kings 5:7)
The king of Israel had no God in his heart. Otherwise, he would pray to God for the cure of Naaman. Without God in his heart, he nearly pushed the kingdom over the brink of war with Syria. Elisha volunteered to handle the situation. A prophet does not seek personal advantages. He always has the society, the nation and all humanity before his eyes. Here, Elisha sought international justice.
When Naaman followed his instruction to bathe seven times in River Jordan and was cured, Naaman offered Elisha gold, silver and garment as presents. Elisha did not seek personal advantages. He declined.
Lastly, when his greedy servant Gehazi cheated Naaman and obtained the presents, Elisha punished him by transferring the leprosy of Naaman over him (2 Kings 5:26-27). A prophet not only upholds social justice but also executes justice. God is his backup.
Dear Lord, Your prophets are admirable. Strengthen us with Your Spirit so that we may be able to uphold Your justice. Amen.
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