Prophets usually do not enter the scene until peoples’ situation has become intolerable. The Israelites suffered seven years of divine silence. For seven years heaven stoically said nothing as the people suffered because of their sin. For seven years the people attempted everything they knew to avoid the consequences of their disloyalty. But ultimately the people had suffered enough. They finally cried out to God.
At last God sent a response. He commissioned a prophet to be His spokesman. Prophets were troublesome to many people in the Bible because they told the devastating truth. They did not compose their message. They simply delivered it. If you did not want to know what God thought, you were best to avoid prophets.
When a prophet appeared on the scene you knew you were facing a moment of decision. A prophet’s message always required a response. You could not remain neutral. The prophet delivered God’s terms. If you heeded his message, God would deliver you. If you rejected his word, your suffering might grow worse.
For many people who are struggling today, their issue is not that they do not know what they should do. Rather, it is that they do not want to hear God’s answer to their problem. We want God to implement our answer to our problems. We don’t necessarily want to hear God’s prognosis.
God has a word for you as well. Do you want to hear it?