ALPHA MAAMA (A.M.)

Sapate Me 21, 2023

Forthtelling and Foretelling  נביא 

KO E PALOFITA KE LEA FAKAPATONU MO LEA KIKITE

DEUTERONOMY 18:15

"THE LORD YOUR GOD WILL RAISE UP FOR YOU A PROPHET LIKE ME FROM AMONG YOU, FROM YOUR BROTHERS-IT IS TO HIM YOU SHALL LISTEN."

TEUTALONOME 18:15

‘E fokotu‘u ‘e Sihova ko ho ‘Otua mei ho lotolotonga, mei ho kāinga, hao palōfita hangē ko au; ko ia pē te mou fanongo ki ai;

Some people envision a biblical navi ("prophet") isolated in a cave, meditating, waiting for God to whisper an oracle into his ears that he will carry to Israel so they'll be privy to the future. Granted, some n'vi'im ("prophets") had ecstatic experiences. And, yes, the Word of the Lord would come to them, often in visions. But a navi was primarily a preacher. God's mouth to Israel's ears. At times they would foretell the future, but the main duty of their vocation was forthtelling. They interpreted and preached on the Scriptures, especially the Torah. In Jewish tradition, even the authors of books like Joshua, Judges, and Kings were prophetic historians. Moses was a forthtelling prophet, but near the end of his life, he also foretold the advent of the Prophet of prophets. 

As a true prophet, Jesus did not speak on his own authority, but he said what the Father had told him to say (John 12:49-50). Indeed, many people thought he was just a prophet or an OT prophet come back to life (Matt. 16:14). But as Peter confessed, he was much more: "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God" (v. 16).

Jesus, Son of the living God, give us ears to listen to you, and enliven us with your grace, that we might boldly confess your name.