UNDERSTANDING PROPHECY (8).

*WISDOM FOR TODAY.*

*UNDERSTANDING PROPHECY (8).*

*Scripture Treasure.*

Matt 10:41 *He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward.*

*Insight and Highlight.*

When you honour God's prophets, you will receive a reward from God.

*Scripture Commentaries.*

A major key to receiving *".....a prophet in the name of a prophet....and receiving *"....a righteous man in the name of a righteous man....."* is the honour we give them.

Major virtues of honour here are kindness and hospitality

Both the widow in Zarephath, 1 Kgs 17:7-16, and the Shunammite widow, 2 Kgs 4, were both hospitable to Elijah and Elisha respectively and were rewarded.

Both widows were distressed and must have been waiting for their moments with God.

The honours they gave Elijah and Elisha opened the doors for their rewards.

Their stories are perfect examples of seeing and discerning true prophets of God.

Prophecy from true prophets of God is good news to a distressed and thirsty soul.

Prov 25:25 *As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.*

Solomon uses this phrase to illustrate how someone who is far suffered from lack of information. Therefore, receiving information from a place distant from where he was was a significant event.

A person who does not know which way to go or does not hear from God would cherish the moment he hears a word from God or through His prophets to him. It would be a significant refreshing moment for him.

The eventual encounters of these widows quenched their ailing souls.

Prophecy from God quenches the hunger and thirst of an ailing soul.

Prophecy becomes like cold water for a longing, distressed, and a depressed soul.

Jesus teaches us the importance of keying into the prophetic words from God.

In His word in Matt 10:41, many people have failed to recognize true prophets of God, so they miss out on the rewards that come with them, 2 Chro 20:20.

Matt 13:24 tells us that when Jesus came into His own country, *"......he taught them in their synagogue....'* Matt 13:57-58 tells us that *'.....they were offended in him. But Jesus said unto them, *A prophet is not without honour, save in his own country, and in his own house.*

*And he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief.*

We must recognize when God is talking. through the children of men.

We must know that there are people who are in the image and character of God.

God appeared as men in.Gen 18.

The three men appeared to Abraham, and they were referred to as the Lord.

Gen 18:1-3 says *And the Lord appeared unto him in the plains of Mamre: and he sat in the tent door in the heat of the day;*

*And he lift up his eyes and looked, and, lo, three men stood by him: and when he saw them, he ran to meet them from the tent door, and bowed himself toward the ground,*

*And said, My Lord,........"*

We must be sensitive to the word of God.

*"......a lord on whose hand the king leaned....*" missed the prophet's reward because he did not receive the prophetic word for Samaria. He died, not seeing the fulfillment of the word of prophet Elisha, 2 Kgs 7:20.

Elisha had said *"Behold, thou shalt see it with thine eyes, but shalt not eat thereof."*,2 Kgs 7:2,19.

A true prophet of God will lighten you up if you believe him.

Isaiah 9:8-10 *The Lord sent a word into Jacob, and it hath lighted upon Israel.*

God's words are their words, and their words are God's.

God honours their words as His, Numb 12:8 and because God can not lie they can not lie by their prophecies and God will ensure their words do not fall to the ground, 1 Sam 3:19.

*Remorse corner.*

Do not treat with contempt the prophet of God. His messages are from God.

*Call to Word action.*

2 Chro 20:20 *"....Believe in the LORD your God, so shall ye be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper.*

*The Christian clarion duty.*

Know what God is saying, know His prophets.

*Prayer.*

Lord, do not let me miss Your prophets. Let me know when l see them. Do not let me stray away from them to fall into the hands of Satan's prophets in Jesus name.

Good morning all, and be blessed as you go today.

God bless you.

Shalom.