After a careful reading of the actions of the Old Testament prophets, one is left with a
number of lasting impressions. It would be wonderful indeed if some preachers today could or
would possess some of the qualities of these OT men. Let us notice some:
1. First, they were men of deep convictions. They were convinced of
their message and the need for the people to respond to it. Jer.
4:9 "My bowels, my bowels I am pained at my very heart; my heart
maketh a noise in me; I cannot hold my peace, because thou hast
heard, 0 my soul, the sound of the trumpet, the alarm of war."
2. Second they did not "beat around-the-bush" in getting the
message across. II Sam. 12:7 "And Nathan said to David, Thou art
the man. Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, I anointed thee king
over Israel, and I delivered thee out of the hand of Saul;"
3. Third, they did not fear the reaction of men. I Kings 12:7 "And
they spake unto him, saying, If thou wilt be a servant unto this
people this day, and wilt serve them, and answer them, and speak
good words to them, then they will be thy servants for ever."
4. Fourth, they did not go along with the crowd. I Kings 1:22.
5. Fifth, they were willing to suffer and die for Gods causes. Heb.
II:37 "They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted,
were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and
goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented;"
6. Sixth, they had grief and pity. Jer. 8:18 "When I would comfort
myself against sorrow, my heart is faint in me."
7. Seventh, they proclaimed judgment. Micah 3:12 "Therefore shall
Zion for your sake be plowed as a field, and Jerusalem shall
become heaps, and the mountain of the house as the high-places of
the forest."
8. Eighth, they rebuked false prophets and Leaders. Micah 3;11.
9. Ninth, they spoke out on morality and ethics. Amos 5:11.
10. Tenth, they became discouraged, but not defeated. Jer. 9:2 "Oh
that I had in the wilderness a lodging place of wayfaring men;
that I might leave my people, and go from them for they be all
adulterers, an assembly of treacherous men-"
Are you a preacher like the prophets? Remember we must be
careful about smooth things. Isa. 30:10 "Which say to the seers, See
not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak
unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits.'
