‘And I will pour out My Spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions.” Joel 2:28
When the Scriptures speak of “prophets,” in particular those which are the Lord’s sevants, there is a narrow application and a broad one. No one can dispute the fact that the minor and major prophets of the Old Testament, had a special, specific calling for their day. They were empowered, under the control of, and directed by the Holy Spirit, to the extent that their writings were considered worthy to be “inspired” of God, written down, without error in the original languages. We consider that they spoke the word of the Lord, God speaking through them. This is one reason God’s word enduring unto this present day. An example of this is found by considering the book of Isaiah. After thousands of years, a copy of Isaiah was found in the caves at Qumeran. A part from very minor details, these copies had not varied from the original texts. The inspired message from God through His prophet was kept in tack for the present and future generations. It is thus that Paul would write: “…all Scripture is inspired by God.” (2 Timothy 3:16)
So, the prophets of old are those who have a “narrow” calling, inspired completely by God, and called at a precise point in history, to proclaim the word of the Lord. There are also other prophets, who in a broader sense, receive direction by the Lord, even inspiration, to communicate the meaning of the Scriptures and their meaning by the Spirit of God. In the last days of which Joel speaks, he mentions that not only has the Spirit of God been poured out upon all flesh, but that believer’s sons and daughters will prophesy. What does he mean? These are those who have been born of the Spirit, and commuicate the existing revelation of God and His ways in Scripture to those around them, in a powerful and living manner. The Spirit of God strengthens them, enabling them to speak and to preach in “…demonstration of the Spirit and of power.” (1 Cor. 2:4) When the Spirit of God came upon the believers in Jerusalem the day of Pentecost, there was a monumental, massive effect. Thousands were saved by the testimony of the presence and power of the Spirit. The inner circle of Jesus’ disciples were transformed into men of great boldness, fearless in proclaiming the Gospel. But what needs to be understood is that every child of God has a calling, an anointing from God, to “prophesy.” It is true that there are special gifts for this purpose, pastors, evangelists, and teachers. But every believer is called to take the truth of Scripture, and communicate it in some form or fashion to those around them, as a testimony to their generation. We all have our calling in life, the primary one being to fellowship with the Lord Jesus Christ. It is out of such a calling, a communion, that, in the pursuit of God’s will, we are communicators of Christ’s light and life. All of our lives should be manifesting the abundance of the fruits of the Spirit, so that men might not only hear words of truth from our mouths, but see the reality of the Life within.
So, what is to be our confidence? The Lord spoke to Isaiah concerning this matter: “And He hath made my mouth like a sharp sword; in the shadow of His hand hath He hid me.” (49:2) To Jeremiah, the Lord would write: “Then the Lord put forth His hand, and touched my mouth. And the Lord said unto me, ‘Behold I have put My words in thy mouth.” (Jer.1:9) By the promise of God, and according to His will, though not all are prophets like Isaiah, all believers are called to preach, teach, and speak of Christ to this generation. The calling is to communicate Christ’s Life.
Dear Father, Touch our lips to speak. In Jesuss’ name, Amen.