Your Prophet, Your Profit

TEXT: Hosea 12:13,
MORE LESSONS: Ex. 11:1-3

The role of prophets in the Old Testament was major to everything in the lives of the Israelites at that time, both in personal and national life. This was so because the prophets served as intermediaries between the people, the nation and their God. Israel never went to war nor took any decision as a nation without consulting the prophets or the priests, as the case may be. Examples abound of those who attempted to run their lives and nations outside of this God ordained method and paid dearly for it.
Today, although the ministry of prophets is not very pronounced like in the Old Testament, their roles are now generally conferred upon pastors. The word ‘pastor’ is the generally accepted title for all spiritual leaders regardless of their spiritual grace and office. There are, however, a few people who still bear titles of the spiritual offices that they occupy, such as apostle, prophet, evangelist. The title ‘pastor’ is the most popular while ‘teacher’ is the least. The most important thing, however, today is not the titles but the function. The role of a pastor today in the spiritual and physical lives of church people can be compared with that of a prophet in the Old Testament. Among the functions of the pastor are: providing spiritual and physical cover and guidance, exemplary living, prayer preaching, teaching, healing, prophetic insight etc. Several people today have come this far under God by the instrumentality of their pastors. The ministry of a spiritual head/pastor is God ordained and everyone who despises the place of spiritual guidance ends in crisis If Israel had rejected Moses' ministry their story would not have been the same today. The throne of Israel was finally taken away from king Saul in the day he declared his prophet/pastor a late comer and stepped into Samuel's office (I Sam13:8-14).
Don't break ranks, don't be rude or insultive to your pastor/prophet, publicly or secretly; God will not overlook it. Your victory over any Egyptian bondage and the preservation of your good life is tied to your life of obedience to God and your prophet; keep a good relationship with them (Hos. 12:13).Your pastor has a role to bless you and you too have a responsibility to take good care of your prophet. May the ministry of prophet be a blessing to your life!

PRAYER / ACTION
* Thank God for being mindful of your needs and setting His servants to meet them.
* Give God thanks as you recount the blessing that your pastor has been to you.
* Pray that your pastor/prophet will never lose contact with God but will increase in the anointing of God more and more.
* Pray that you will be a blessing to all your spiritual leaders.

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