CHARACTERISTICS OF A
PROPHET’S CALL
WOULD YOU BE ABLE TO IDENTIFY A PROPHET?
A PROPHET SPEAKS FOR GOD
•Experience with God,
•Hearing God’s word
•Receiving God’s plan
•Led by the Spirit
PROPHETS: CRITICS OF INJUSTICE
• They see injustice/suffering, cry
out
• Speak of changed attitudes &
behaviours
• Challenge the powerful to
make better choices to fix the
wrongs done towards the poor
DEFENDERS OF POOR & VOICELESS
• Prophets are voices for the
voiceless
• Are on the side of the poor,
where God is
• “Preferential option for the
poor and vulnerable.”
OBEY ONLY GOD
•Prophets not interested
in power, glory &
possessions
•Confront: Kings, priests,
entire peoples
HAVE CONVICTION & COURAGE
•Not easy speaking
out against the
culture,
leadership, King
HAVE VISION / THE CONSCIENCE OF
THE COMMUNITY
•Traditionally sent to
the Kings
PERSECUTED & MOCKED
• Suffer similar fate of those they are
trying to defend
• A prophet’s success always comes
after their death
• Win a spiritual victory because of
their commitment to God & the
poor
TRUE VS. FALSE PROPHETS
• Do not draw
attention to
themselves (Message
is most N.B.)
• Don’t see themselves
as worthy
• Promote unity, justice
& Peace
• Willing to sacrifice
themselves
• Focus: welfare of
others
• Seek personal glory,
material rewards
• Create dissension,
serve a small vestedinterest group
• Give up when
threatened
• Eventually seen as
selfish / in error