God's Mouthpiece
Scripture Reading — Numbers 11:24-30; Joel 2:28-32
“I wish that all the Lord’s people were prophets and that the Lord would put his Spirit on them!”
Everyone knew that Moses was God’s mouthpiece. He spoke God’s words to the people. So when Moses’ assistant Joshua heard about two men speaking words from the Lord, he thought they should stop. But Moses said, “Are you jealous for my sake? I wish that all the Lord’s people were prophets and that the Lord would put his Spirit on them!” Moses wanted more preachers and teachers for Israel. He wanted everyone to have God’s Spirit on them.
Many years later, the prophet Joel spoke the same message as a blessing for the future. God said through him, “I will pour out my Spirit on all people.” And we know this happened around A.D. 30 when the Holy Spirit came during the Feast of Pentecost (Acts 2).
It can be hard to be friends with prophets. They say things that people don’t want to hear. Many people today don’t want anything to do with Jesus. But that is exactly why prophets are needed. The world desperately needs prophets to speak God’s truth and mercy.
As God’s ambassadors in this broken, hurting world, we are called to be prophets. We are called to confess the Lord’s name. We are to bring hope, peace, challenges, reminders, and truth to the people around us. Like it or not, you are a prophet, called to bring the good news of Jesus to the world. How will do that today?
Lord, may we speak your truth faithfully and gracefully today, knowing that your good news is for all people. In Jesus, Amen.
About the author — Pete Byma
Pete Byma has served as a pastor of congregations in Michigan and in Washington state. Serving now as a pastor in Grand Rapids, Michigan, he is also a consultant/coach for churches experiencing conflict, and he enjoys equipping and establishing people in ministry. He is married to Cheri, and they have four grown children and six grandchildren. Pete is also a registered soccer official and enjoys bicycling.
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