Garry spoke this morning from Genesis 48:1-20, about how God speaks through His people. Here, we see Jacob prophesying over Joseph’s two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, effectively elevating them to the role of sons rather than grandsons. These two eventually became tribes in their own right, with Jacob effectively blessing the younger more through prophetic insight.
God can speak through His people, not simply those called to be prophets. This happened with Saul (see 1 Sam 10:9-13), whereas others were called to this office (see Is 6:1-6, Jer 1:4-5). To prophesy is to speak on behalf of God and involves both forth telling (about a present situation) and foretelling (about a future situation.)
It can be difficult to know if a word comes from God or not. There are two main ways to test prophecy; firstly, by its veracity (see Deut 18:21-22) and then through careful weighing (see 1 Cor 14:29). Others must evaluate what is said and must judge prophecy by its faithfulness to Scriptural principles.
Joel prophesied that God’s Spirit would be poured on all people and there would be prophecy in the end times (see Joel 2:28-29, Acts 2:14-16).We live in an age where God gives us prophetic ministry through His Spirit (see 1 Cor 12:7-10) This can be words of direction, of reproof and of encouragement. All can be involved in this (see Eph 4:14-16); church is not meant to be a spectator sport! We need prophetic input just as Joseph did; a word of prophecy can be life changing and church changing.
