25-Jul-2024 – Receive the prophetic word of God in your situations
“Then rose up Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and began to build the house of God which is at Jerusalem: and with them were the prophets of God helping them” – Ezra 5:2.
In this verse, we observe that Zerubbabel and Jeshua “rose up” and “began to build” with the prophets of God helping them. To understand how the prophets assisted in this construction, we need to start from the previous chapter.
“Then the people of the land weakened the hands of the people of Judah, and troubled them in building” – Ezra 4:4.
The work on the temple had begun according to the orders of Cyrus. Initially, the enemy tried to infiltrate the construction efforts to sabotage it from within. When that failed, they resorted to direct interference.
“Be it known now unto the king, that, if this city be builded, and the walls set up again, then will they not pay toll, tribute, and custom, and so thou shalt endamage the revenue of the kings” – Ezra 4:13.
As the rebuilding of the temple progressed, the enemy devised a new plan. They wrote a letter to King Artaxerxes, distorting the truth and cunningly persuading him to halt the work. The king, after verifying the records, believed their claims, and the work was officially stalled.
From this, we understand that the devil can go to great lengths to hinder the work of God and our commitment to it. If simple hindrances fail, the devil will use authorities, influenced by half-truths, to stall the work. This is where the prophets of God come in. When the devil obstructs and completely blocks the work of God in our lives, God begins His work.
“Then the prophets, Haggai the prophet, and Zechariah the son of Iddo, prophesied unto the Jews that were in Judah and Jerusalem in the name of the God of Israel, even unto them” – Ezra 5:1.
A prophet cannot and will not prophesy from imagination but from the revelation received from God. Our God is Jehovah Jireh, who looks upon us. He sent His prophets with prophecies about how the Lord would enable them to finish the work.
This prophetic encouragement renewed the confidence of Zerubbabel and Jeshua, leading them to resume the work. This requires belief in the Lord, His Word, and His prophets.
So, how did the prophets help? They likely engaged in prayer, fought in the spiritual realm, understood the enemy’s plans through God’s gracious revelations, and alerted the people to face the enemy by faith.
Even in our generation, there is a prophetic office. When God’s children face trouble, He sends His prophets, who minister through the Word of God as they receive revelation. A church pastor can be a prophetic channel, and there may also be specially called and ordained prophets by God.
Believing that our Lord is a living God and that through His prophets and men of God, He delivers encouraging words to enable us in difficult and stalled situations is crucial. This belief allows us to triumphantly resume and complete our tasks.
Prayer
Dear loving Heavenly Father, thank you for your love. Thank you for reminding us of the importance of recognizing the prophetic office, understanding its operation, and receiving prophecy by believing in You, who originally gave the prophecy. Help us to recognize and receive Your prophets. I pray in the name of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, Amen!
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