Commentary on "Testing the Prophets"

PHIL HARRIS

 

Day 6: Thursday, February 5, 2009

The Biblically based theme of this lesson follows the agricultural concept that you can judge a tree by the fruit it bears and then apply this object lesson to how we can judge someone who claims to be a prophet of God.

 

Problems

Gen. 12:12,13 tells part of the story Abram, where he acted deceitfully by hiding the fact that Sarai was his wife. In other words, in spite of his absolute faith in God, he had his weak moments of fear. Yet, read what God's word has to say about him in the book of Hebrews:

By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God (Heb. 11:8-10 KJV).

In Jonah 1:1-3 we see a prophet of God who was either afraid or simply didn't want to take God's message to Nineveh, but eventually did as the Lord commanded him. He did obey God.

In Acts 15:36-39, we read the story where Paul and Barnabas had a parting of ways, yet they both continued on their missionary journeys with new partners. In spite of their differences they kept their focus on the gospel message of Jesus Christ.

In Gal. 2:11-14 we see where even Peter's conduct needed correcting. Even Peter, whom Jesus personally commissioned, had moments when he needed to be reproved.

 

Summary

• In each of the examples cited above the frailties and flaws these men simply show the power of God. Great things were accomplished because of the power of God in their lives, not because they were great within their own right. To rework an old expression; "Its not who you are that counts, it's who you know".
   

 

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