Editor’s Note: The word advent traditionally means the arrival of a notable person, and as Christians, the advent season has long been about preparing our hearts for the celebration of Immanuel’s birth more than 2000 years ago. The advent season is also about anticipating the second coming of Jesus, who will return to make all the world new. During the next four weeks in this season of advent, we plan to share Bible passages each day that help us better understand our Immanuel. This week we look at how God used men and women long generations before that first Christmas Day to tell of the Messiah’s coming.
Pause: Deuteronomy 18:15-22, Isaiah 6:8-13, Jeremiah 1:4-10, Hebrews 1:1-2
Before God sent His Son to earth, He raised up men and women to speak on His behalf. The job of a prophet required humble people who weren’t motivated by pet projects or celebrity status but rather chose at all costs to be the audible voice of the unseen God. They were tasked with communicating His will, never their own, and explaining what it meant to live lives set apart for His glory. The assignment wasn’t an easy one. God asked them to move outside their comfort zones to face tremendous opposition and discomfort, but they knew the blessing in obedience. They had a crazy, amazing assignment to communicate for the God of the universe about the Prophet, His Son, who would come one day to set all things right.
If you’re curious, the prophets included Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, and Daniel along with twelve men who are known as the minor prophets — Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi. God also set apart Miriam (Exodus 15:20), Deborah (Judges 4:4), Huldah (2 Kings 22:14-20), and Anna (Luke 2:46-38) as prophetesses.
Ponder: Why did God call certain men and women to be prophets? What did God ask them to do for Him? How does Hebrews 1:1-2 say God speaks to us today?
Pray: Thank you, Father, for raising up men and women to speak on Your behalf, for sending Isaiah and Jeremiah and others to prepare Your people for the coming of Your Son. As we enter the Advent season, may I keep my eyes on the reason we celebrate and be ready to share the hope of this season with others. May I be a shining light in a dark world (Philippians 2:15).
— Jaime Sherman
Many of us at UFC have enjoyed the Dwell app this year for listening to Scripture read aloud. We recommend it to you for use during this advent season, and with its annual subscription rate, the app can be enjoyed for a full year!
