Who true Prophets of God were

Here I remind people who the true Prophets of God were, what they were like, and how there are no true Prophets of God today. False “prophets” abound, but none of truly of God.

The only people who have ever been authorized to speak on behalf of God are the Biblical Prophets, and the Prophet of Islam (PBUH). Prophesy, or being a Prophet, is not a right, a talent, or a capability. This is not because God is stingy with gifts, but the definition of a Prophet IS that the person is designated by God to receive messages from God and transmit them on behalf of God. It is important that you understand this so you do not self deceive nor are deceived, so I’m going to explain this multiple times until you have every chance to fully comprehend it. It is not like a Prophet of God is born with special abilities, therefore making them a Prophet. God does not select from a pool of people who have extraordinary talents at birth, or through development, and therefore makes them his Prophet. They become Prophets because God infuses them with the ability to speak to him at his will and at his own timing. For example, a child who may have “extrasensory” capabilities (for example having dreams that tend to come true, or a talent such as finding lost things) is NOT a Prophet of God. The child may simply have extrasensory talents, which many people and animals do. Or some children, many who grew up to be saints, are inspired by the Holy Spirit in some way. These are the holy ones, but are not Prophets.

True Prophets, in fact, lived days and years of “normal” life in between specific missions of calling by God. Often true Prophets had no special extrasensory capabilities. You see, God brings all that someone needs to be a true Prophet with him when he calls on the Prophet. In between these times of Prophecy (where the Prophet hears from God, communicates with him, and then disseminates God’s message according to God’s specific instructions) the Prophet conducts an ordinary life. Often they have been priests or other consecrated holy people but often they were just average heads of family or, as in the case of Joseph, an heir sold into slavery. Let us look at Joseph as an example because he precisely demonstrates my point. If Joseph was a “psychic,” a “fortuneteller,” an “astrologer,” or so forth, having some sort of real or pretend extraordinary ability, he would never have fallen (literally) for his brothers throwing him into a well and selling him into slavery. I mean, come on, even good people skills would have warned him that his brothers had a jealous beef against him. Instead Joseph led his life as, one would even think, something of a naïve rube, becoming enslaved in Egypt, sold by his own kin. But it is THEN that God called him to be one of his great Prophets. Joseph had his first potentially prophet dream at the age of 17, and it was this sharing of the dream with his brothers that led to their jealousy (Genesis 37: 1-23). Joseph was not acting as God’s Prophet at that time. He was receiving potentially prophetic information but because he shared these dreams out of context of the times in which they would occur, and God had not instructed him to share these dreams, his brothers struck him down in jealousy, taking the dreams at face value.

The second dream is particularly instructive. Joseph dreamed that “the sun, the moon and eleven stars were worshipping me” (Genesis 37:9). Is anyone surprised that when Joseph shared this dream his father reproved him, saying “What is this dream that you have had?” “Can it be that I and your mother and your brothers will come to bow to the ground before you?” (Genesis 37:10). You can also imagine that a truly pious family, such as the family of his father Israel, would be scandalized at the thought that anyone would be worshipped other than God himself! You see, Joseph had a dream of foreboding and foretelling about his future, but he was not authorized at that time to be the Prophet he became because he could not understand his own dream (and worse, shared it with his family who would likely be scandalized). Now, imagine if Joseph had been born in an unholy family. They would have probably set him up as an oracle to pagan gods to exploit the people, thinking that his being “worshipped” in a dream was a sign. Then Joseph would have become a false prophet. You see, the dream was never saying that Joseph himself would be worshipped. It was a foreboding of the time when he would be sold into slavery and after great danger and suffering becomes prime minister to the Pharaoh of Egypt. Joseph, at the age of 17 and not as a Prophet yet in direct dialogue of God, took this dream at face value and being puzzled, shared it with family who were bound to be scandalized and hurt. And like I said, if he were born into a secular or profane family, they would have jumped to the wrong conclusion too. While Israel and his sons thought, “who is he to dream such a thing that we should worship him?” a profane family would think, “oh goody! We have a gold mine here.” In neither case could Joseph be thought of as a Prophet to God at that time! If he had been God would have been explicit in what the dream meant and who he should share it with. It is only later that God directs him in this manner, ironically starting with Joseph’s time in an Egyptian prison, making him his Prophet.

You can see if you read carefully how God prepares Joseph as his Prophet. When Joseph first arrives in Egypt he is obtained by one of Pharaoh’s bodyguards to work in his household:

From the time he placed him in charge of his household and over all his property, the Lord blessed the Egyptian’s house on account of Joseph. The Lord’s blessing rested on everything that was his, in house and field. He left everything he had in Joseph’s charge, and having him, was concerned about nothing except the food he ate (Genesis 39:5-6).

Notice that the work that Joseph does results in the Egyptian’s household being blessed. Joseph is still a man in God’s favor, but not performing as his Prophet. Once again jealousy and coveting ruins things because the wife of his master wanted him for sex, and when Joseph refused she framed him and caused him to be sent to prison by the furious and betrayed master. Once again we see that God’s hand is upon Joseph in blessing, though not as his Prophet:

But the Lord was with Joseph. He showed kindness to him and gave him favor with the warden, who put him in charge of all prisoners; and everything that was done there was done under his management. The warden did not concern himself with anything in Joseph’s charge because the Lord was with him and prospered all that he did. (Genesis 29:21-23).

We can read the exact moment when Joseph becomes a Prophet to God in a specific passage (that profane New Agers ought to print and staple on their foreheads as a reminder, by the way). Here is what happened. Two of Pharaoh’s household offended him and ended up in prison, where Joseph was assigned as their attendant. One morning Joseph observed that both were disturbed and when inquiring why they told him that they each had a troubling dream, and wished someone could interpret them. Notice that they did not know that Joseph had a talent for interpreting dreams because until now he had dreams, but was not interpreting them! And then Joseph says this, which is the moment he becomes a Prophet of God:

Joseph said to them, “Does not interpretation belong to God? Tell them to me, please.” (Genesis 40:8).

Ah ha! Is this not one of the most beautiful (of many) statements of humility and faith in the Bible? It is in prison that Joseph realizes that the interpreter of dreams belongs to God and God alone. Joseph has now turned into a Prophet of God as he puts the interpretation of the dreams in the hands of God, while he is the humble vessel.

Despite accurately interpreting both dreams through God, and with one courtier being restored to Pharaoh’s household, Joseph was forgotten and remained in prison, though without complaint for two years. Two years! This is what I mean that being a true Prophet of God is not a “talent” or “ability.” Rather it is being “on call” to God.

“Two full years afterward, Pharaoh had a dream” (Genesis 41:1).

Joseph is remembered by the courtier and called to court. Here are some passages from this great moment of Prophecy where I emphasize to you once again that Joseph, despite being in prison for two years, recognizes it is not his talent but God’s will that is at work:

“Joseph answered Pharaoh, ‘Who but God shall give Pharaoh a favorable response!” (Genesis 41:16).

“Joseph said to Pharaoh: ‘Pharaoh’s dream is but one. God has revealed to Pharaoh what he is about to do.” (Genesis 41:25).

“It is as I told Pharaoh: God has revealed to Pharaoh what he is about to do.” (Genesis 41:29).

“The reason the dream was sent twice to Pharaoh is that the matter is determined by God, and God will soon bring it about.” (Genesis 41:32).

Before I get back to the main point, let me also point out something obvious that people have forgotten when reading this story of Joseph. Notice that Joseph continually gives God the credit because it is true that only God interprets dreams, which is my main point. But notice that Joseph explains to Pharaoh that God is sending him the dreams in order to reach Pharaoh with the warning of the impending famine. Joseph is correctly being generous to tell Pharaoh that God himself is communicating with Pharaoh for the purpose of well being of the people. Even though Pharaoh, obviously, was not of the Israeli people Joseph affirms that God speaks to “pagans” also. It was obvious to holy people of Israel at that time that while they were the chosen people of God, this does not mean that God does not concern himself with anyone else! Some contemporary Christians forget this message. So I want to point out that not only is Joseph humble and gracious to let Pharaoh know that these particular dreams were sent by God (notice that does not make Pharaoh a Prophet!) but Joseph is affirming that God strives to work through all peoples.

And so back to my main point of this blogging, notice that four times in seventeen lines Joseph cites that God is the sender of the dreams, the interpreter of the dreams, and the determiner of the outcomes. THIS is the sign of a true Prophet of God. Joseph then lived through and guided Pharaoh’s land and people through the seven years of prosperity and the following seven years of famine. Joseph lived a good life, but notice that he is not set up as the court fortuneteller, psychic, money maker, etc. Horrors at the thought and far from it. In fact it is very enlightening to notice that Pharaoh and Joseph led their normal lives and responsibilities within the overall context of heeding what God had revealed, so that the land and people did survive the great famine when others perished. Joseph’s relationship with God during this time remains as he said:

“Joseph named his first born Manasse [to cause to forget], ‘Because,’ he said, ‘God has made me forget entirely my sufferings and my family.’” (Genesis 41:51).

“He named the second one Ephraim [to be fruitful] and said, ‘God has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction.’” (Genesis 41:52).

Notice with this next passage a wondrous foretelling of what the Blessed Virgin Mary says at the wedding at Cana about Jesus.

“But when the whole land of Egypt also was famished, the people cried to Pharaoh for food. Pharaoh said to all the Egyptians, ‘Go to Joseph and do what he tells you.’” (Genesis 41:55).

Pharaoh and Joseph both were guided by their total faith in God’s will and plan during this time of famine, for which they had prepared through God’s mercy.

It is during the famine that the Joseph’s family, the sons of Israel, are forced in desperation to seek food in Egypt, and gradually Joseph allows them to discover his identity. I’m writing this blogging not to retell the great events that took place but to give you a “case study” of how a true Prophet of God actually conducts himself and how years go by between actual moments of action as God’s Prophet. After years of restraint and only when it is the right time as per God’s will Joseph reveals himself and states:

“Go quickly to my father and say to him, ‘Your son Joseph sends you this message: God has made me master of all Egypt; come down to me, and do not delay. You shall live in the land of Gesen and be near me, you, your sons, your grandsons, your flocks, your herds, and all that belongs to you. Five years of famine are still to come. I will provide for you there, that you, and your household, and all who belong to you may not be impoverished.’” (Genesis 45:9-11).

[Gesen is the northeast corner of Egypt, near the borders of Chanaan, by the way. The Bible discusses real events and real places, not imaginary alien planets with helpful aliens who build the pyramids and brought vegan meals from outer space.]

Another useful side point. Joseph also says, “Tell my father of my splendor in Egypt, and all that you have seen.” (Genesis 45:13). God blesses Joseph throughout his exile and forced new home with prosperity and Joseph is able to enjoy this and have feeling of satisfaction. It is not necessary for true Prophets of God to live in sackcloth and be afflicted and miserable by mean rich people. This is not justification for the false Christian “prosperity Gospel” when the word of God is actually used to generate money, by the way. It is a reminder that God wants people to have good things, and being a Prophet did not mean they all lived in privation in caves. False prophets think that people of God should be poor and suffering as they twist and manipulate a Christ like vocation of prayerful poverty.

Here is another key point to learn from the story of Joseph as a Prophet. His father Jacob (Israel) of course was also a great Prophet of God. Again, though, you learn by reading these stories with open eyes and humility that even the greatest of the Prophets of God were not “on” all the time, and that years transpired between prophesies sent to them by God. It is not a talent or ability or an extrasensory perception, it is a “job,” or more accurately a service to God. Prophets are servants to the one God and conduct God’s prophecy entirely at his will. So when we read the rest of the story of Joseph we find that Jacob, his father, before his death at one hundred and forty seven years of age, receives prophesy from God about Joseph’s sons! Joseph himself does not receive the prophecy regarding his own sons and in fact, when it happens he thinks that Jacob is making a mistake in his ritual gestures of blessing, switching the identity of the two boys. But Jacob assures him that this is, like it or not, prophecy of God and God’s will. Joseph was not given the ability to prophesy about his own sons! Their grandfather Jacob did, who also adopted them to ensure their inclusion in his prophecy received by God:

“So he blessed them that day and said, ‘By you shall the people of Israel pronounce blessings, saying, ‘God make you like Ephraim and Manasse;’’ thus placing Ephraim ahead of Manasse.” (Genesis 48:20).

Joseph and his sons and grandsons lived out their lives in Egypt. Joseph lived to be one hundred and ten years old. Before he died he shared with his brothers what would be the great prophecy of the Exodus:

Joseph said to his brothers, “I am about to die, but God will certainly come to you and lead you up from this land to the land which he promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.’ (Genesis 48:24).

I can think of hardly any other figure more pertinent to study and comprehend with the heart from the Old Testament in these modern times than Joseph. People are so obsessed with being “special” and “spiritual” and “having it all” and the “good life” and being “gifted” nowadays, yet they do not understand the combination of humanity that the Prophets had, from Adam to the Islamic Prophet (PBUH) with the entirely directly by God responsibility of being an authentic Prophet. Joseph is a great man and Prophet, the study of whom is a good first step at detoxifying the hubris that there are people alive today who are Prophets of God. There are none and as Jesus warned, there will be many false prophets.

Studying Joseph you can see that while he had an extraordinary life his activities were for the predominant part those of a normal good male human being. As a teenager he rashly bragged about a dream, causing his family to betray him in jealousy. He worked as a slave, a prisoner, prime minister, and leader of his people in exile. He defended himself from profane living and was an honorable family man. He gave all credit to God and spoke prophecy only on God’s behest. He guided a land through famine and was blessed by God. Yet while he lived what was a great lifespan, one hundred and ten years is by no means superhuman. He prospered through God’s blessings but did not make money via his prophecy and there is a huge difference between the two. Goodness in heart and deed brings goodness in material things and that is consistent with God’s will. He forgave and protected his family who betrayed him, but only after thoughtful discernment and for love of his father Jacob. Even though he lived in Egypt and for a while held all the power, he did not have overt or secret satisfaction in his abilities to “control” or “manipulate.” Joseph as a young man came to understand what God had given him, which was the ability to explain God’s will in crucial times. He did not claim the power and in fact gave Pharaoh his faith in God by telling Pharaoh that God was deliberately communicating with Pharaoh for the good of the people. Joseph shared the orthodox faith in God (a sign of all the true Prophets, for they bring nothing “new” and are not revisionists). No one has been a Prophet since the Islamic Prophet (PBUH) and we know this because as I have stated, the Prophets all are entirely consistent with the God of Abraham and bring no revisionist or new theology to the God who revealed himself in the Book.

In subsequent blogging I’ll reinforce all of these points by refreshing your knowledge of other Prophets from the Bible and their relationship with God, and how they conducted their normal lives between moments of being called by God to prophesy and exhort the people. God wants clarity not revisionism, which obscures the path to the Kingdom of God at the severe perils of souls who thereby imperil themselves.