In the early history of Israel, there is evidence of false prophets (Deut. 18:20). God, therefore, did not leave His people without guidance on who His true prophets were.
As recipients of God’s revelation and inspiration, true prophets faithfully, accurately, and honestly transmitted God’s messages, even if, at times, this made them unpopular with the people in power.
Read 1 Kings 22:1–14. What does it tell us about how faithful prophets operate?
To have a king say of a prophet that “ ‘I hate him, because he does not prophesy good concerning me, but evil’ ” (1 Kings 22:8, NKJV) says a lot about the king, but more about the prophet. He was, obviously, a man not afraid to speak the truth, even to the king himself—not a way to win royal favor, to say the least.
Micaiah stood alone against 400 false prophets as he presented the truth revealed to him. In the face of coercion to alter negative messages from the Lord to placate evil King Ahab and his wife, Jezebel (1 Kings 22:13, 14), Micaiah presented God’s truth, regardless of how it might be received.
Read 1 Samuel 9:3–14. What do these verses tell us about how others viewed faithful prophets of God?
There are numerous examples of the quality of life lived by prophets in the Bible. In this case, Saul was sent by his father, Kish, to look for his lost donkeys. The servant traveling with Saul suggested that he not abandon the search, because there was “ ‘in this city a man of God, and he is an honorable man’ ” (1 Sam. 9:6, NKJV). The description given here of Samuel the prophet depicts the qualities expected of God’s prophets. True prophets in Scripture are identified as “men of God,” chosen in part to exemplify His character. At the same time, just because some among the “men of God” may be prophets, this doesn’t make them flawless human beings.
Who, even among the most esteemed “men of God,” have you known to be flawless?
Supplemental EGW Notes
God’s servants are to work for the higher classes, but this does not mean that they are to bind themselves up with the honored of the earth, depending on them for strength, influence, and success. The Lord will often incline the hearts of those in positions of responsibility to grant favors to His commandment-keeping people. But when God’s servants leave Him to solicit recognition from men of the world, they exchange power for weakness.
We have a most solemn work before us, the importance of which we can only understand by the light which is shining from God’s Word on the past and the present. Who is holding fast the faith once delivered to the saints? Who, amid the cries of “Lo here” and “Lo there,” is showing unshaken confidence in the Word of God? The faith of the present connects us with the past and points us to the future.
We may learn valuable lessons from the experience of the prophet Elisha. Elisha was chosen by the Lord as Elijah’s helper, and through test and trial he proved himself true to his trust. He was willing to be and do anything the Lord directed. He did not seek to shun the humblest service, but was as faithful in the performance of smaller duties as of larger responsibilities. He was always willing to serve in any position to which the Lord pointed him, however disagreeable it might be to his natural inclinations. And at every step he learned lessons of humility and service. . . .
“And it came to pass, when they were gone over, that Elijah said unto Elisha, Ask what I shall do for thee, before I be taken away from thee. And Elisha said, I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me” (2 Kings 2:9). He did not ask for worldly honor, for a high place among the great men of the earth. That for which he craved was a double portion of the Spirit given to the one God was about to honor with translation. He knew that nothing but a double portion of the Spirit that had rested on Elijah could fit him to fill the place Elijah had filled, because Elijah had the experience and wisdom of age, which cannot by any method be imparted to the young. . . .
Had you been asked this question, what would you have answered? What is the greatest desire of your heart as you engage in the service of God?—The Upward Look, p. 331.
The above quotations are taken from Ellen G. White Notes for the Sabbath School Lessons, published by Pacific Press Publishing Association. Used by permission.