Prophets Endowed by Wm. Covert

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jan 17, 1907

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 84, No. 3.

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Prophets Endowed

By Wm. Covert

The Spirit of God — No. 2

Prophets Endowed

WM. COVERT

1. What calamities befall a people when God no longer speaks to them through visions?

“Where there is no vision, the people perish.” Prov. 29: 18, first part.

2. What obedience characterizes a happy people?

“He that keepeth the law, happy is he.” Prov. 29: 18, last part.

3. How much of his plans and purposes does God make known to his people through his prophets?

“Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.” Amos 3: 7.

4. Who among the children of men may come in touch with the mind of God?

“What man is he that feareth the Lord? him shall he teach in the way that he shall choose. His soul shall dwell at ease; and his seed shall inherit the earth. The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him; and he will show them his covenant.” Ps. 25: 12-14.

5. What relation do prophets sustain to the church of Christ?

“And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.” 1 Cor. 12: 28.

6. How many prophets are mentioned as belonging to the family of Philip the evangelist, and what was their relation to the evangelist?

“And the next day we that were of Paul’s company departed, and came unto Cæsarea: and we entered into the house of Philip the evangelist, which was one of the seven; and abode with him. And the same man had four daughters, virgins, which did prophesy.” Acts 21: 8, 9.

7. What aged prophet served in the temple at Jerusalem when the infant Saviour was there presented by Joseph and Mary?

“And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him. And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law, then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: for mine eyes have seen thy salvation, which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; a light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.” Luke 2: 25-32.

8. What prophetess was also connected with the temple service at the same time? and what was her age and experience?

“There was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity; and she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.” Luke 2: 36-38.

9. Who was the leading counselor used by the Lord to judge and teach his people at the time Barak led the armies of Israel to victory?

“And Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, she judged Israel at that time. And she dwelt under the palm tree of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in Mount Ephraim: and the children of Israel came up to her for judgment. And she sent and called Barak the son of Abinoam out of Kedeshnaphtali, and said unto him, Hath not the Lord God of Israel commanded, saying, Go and draw toward Mount Tabor, and take with thee ten thousand men of the children of Naphtali and of the children of Zebulun? And I will draw unto thee to the river Kishon Sisera, the captain of Jabin’s army, with his chariots and his multitude; and I will deliver him into thine hand.” Judges 4: 4-7.

10. Since God once led his people to victory through the agency of a prophetess when an important crisis was pending, may he not do so again if conditions demand it?

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” James 1: 17.

11. What other prophetess is mentioned by name in the ancient Scriptures? Who went to her for advice, and with what success?

“So Hilkiah the priest, and Ahikam, and Achbor, and Shaphan, and Asahiah, went unto Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum the son of Tikvah, the son of Harhas, keeper of the wardrobe (now she dwelt in Jerusalem in the college); and they communed with her. And she said unto them, Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, Tell the man that sent you to me, Thus saith the Lord, Behold, I will bring evil upon this place, and upon the inhabitants thereof, even all the words of the book which the king of Judah hath read: because they have forsaken me, and have burned incense unto other gods, that they might provoke me to anger with all the works of their hands; therefore my wrath shall be kindled against this place, and shall not be quenched.” 2 Kings 22: 14-17.