By Todd Paetznick, May 21, 2024

We do not get to choose when or which spiritual gifts we are given. We cannot desire or wish for some ability and expect it to appear. Prophecy is listed as one of the spiritual gifts in several places in the New Testament. In the first-century Church, prophecy, God-given words about the future, was a part of Christian life.  Some modern theologians teach that the purpose of first-century prophecy was a God-given sign to confirm the apostles’ authority and His new covenant.  Skeptical people with a background in Judaism needed something to confirm the fulfillment of Old Testament beliefs and faith.  Prophecy and other spiritual gifts offered the proof many people needed.

Believers in the early days of Christianity faced challenges of persecution from external sources, including the Romans and the religious leadership of Judaism.  The Romans sought peace and control over the people they governed; sometimes, the loyalty and control they exerted over them included worshiping the Roman emperor as a god.  The leaders of Judaism were threatened by the emergence and success of Christ-followers and wanted to hold onto their power through their traditions.  Christianity got in the way of the power and control sought by Rome and Judaism.

Christianity, then and now, also faced challenges from internal sources.  Some people claiming to be Christians infiltrated the churches and sought to reshape Christian practices into a form that benefitted them.  Not every challenge to Christian belief came from people in leadership positions.  Sometimes, it came from the people making up the congregation who stirred up trouble, descent, and confusion.  This was the circumstance in Thessalonica.  The church leadership did not know how to correctly handle people claiming to be prophets speaking on God’s behalf.  What were they supposed to do?  Paul advised church leadership not to reject every prophetic word but rather test and examine the message to determine whether it has its origin with God (1 Thessalonians 5:19-22).  

Peter also addressed the issue of false prophecy in the early church, reminding the people that no prophet ever spoke on their own initiative.  He said, “[But] know this first [of all,] that no prophecy of Scripture becomes [a matter] of [someone’s] own interpretation, for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God” (2 Peter 1:20-21 NASB20).  Prophecy always starts with God. 

Jonah was a reluctant prophet in the Old Testament. He was also a model of how prophetic words are delivered along with the mission to pass those words on to others. In Jonah’s case, he was supposed to tell the people in the city of Ninevah to repent or be destroyed by God (Jonah 1:2).  Jonah did not want to be a prophet to Ninevah, and he especially did not want to deliver to them a message of repentance so that they could escape God’s judgment.  The Jewish people of Jonah’s day hated the Ninevites because of the cruelty and brutality they directed toward their enemies, which included Israel.  Jonah just wanted the enemy of Israel to be destroyed by God.  But, instead of obeying God and traveling to Ninevah as commanded, Jonah booked passage on a ship headed in the opposite direction (Jonah 1:3).  

God used a storm and a fish to correct Jonah’s attitude. He eventually delivered the message to the people of Ninevah. The people heard God’s message and repented, and the city’s destruction was delayed for many years.  

What can be learned from all of this?

1. God’s command to speak on his behalf is unmistakable.  Prophecy is not a gut feeling or something we think we should say or do.  When God gives a command to speak or do something on His behalf, there will be no uncertainty as to the origin of the command.  God expects that when commanded, we act.  
2. We are not to naively accept whatever someone says, even when they claim it is a message from God.  God has given us minds to think and the Bible as a standard for truth.  
3. God’s will is going to happen.  Jonah thought he could run away from what God wanted him to do; he could not.  Neither can we avoid doing what God wants us to do.  The successes and failures we experience are part of God’s sovereign will, which may never be revealed to us.  We can find joy even in our setbacks, knowing that God is in control and His will will be done.
4. God is neutral.  We may consider certain people, organizations, or countries as being evil and our enemies.  But God wants everyone to be saved and become His followers.  Jonah was likely surprised that God cared about the Ninevites.  
5. Paul teaches that we are to “examine everything [and] hold firmly to that which is good,” which means we need to know the contents of our Bibles so we can know what God considers good and bad (1 Thessalonians 5:21-22).  Good and bad behavior also extends to our vocations.