MEMORY SCRIPTURE
Then He said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken!”
(Luke 24:25)
God equips the called, moulding leaders like Isaiah and Jeremiah through trials and doubt to fulfil His divine plan.
DEVOTIONAL BIBLE READINGS
Mon. 2: Ezekiel Guides The People (Ezk. 12:8)
Tue. 3: Ezekiel Obediently Uses God’s Word (Ezk. 12:8&9)
Wed. 4: Ezekiel’s Guidance Is A Sign (Ezk. 12:10-11)
Thur. 5: Ezekiel Obeys As The People’s Guide (Ezk. 12:7)
Fri. 6: Onslaught Against The Disobedient (Ezk. 12:13)
Sat. 7: Only A Godly Alliance Succeeds (Ezk. 12:14)
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT
Godly leaders who remain focused on guiding people in God’s way, will and word are covered and empowered by His grace.
INTRODUCTION
TEXTUAL SOURCE: Isaiah 6:1ff; Jeremiah 1:4-10
We are grateful for the last lesson, where we learnt how God got Ezra and Nehemiah ready to lead His people in preparation both physically and spiritually. We saw how God, Who cares deeply, used skilled men, like Ezra and Nehemiah to bring back His people to know and understand His Word. They helped restore the people o Jerusalem and rebuild its walls, with the people listening and obeying.
Today’s lesson, “GOD PREPARES OLD TESTAMENT PROPHETS FOR LEADERSHIP (I)”, helps us see how God warns, restores and rescues His people through chosen prophets. These prophets led, guided and directed God’s children back to His love and grace. God never stops leading and guiding His people, which is why He gave us His Spirit, the Holy Spirit, to continue showing us the way of the Lord. Today, as we remember Pentecost, let us trust that the Spirit of God will always be with us. Amen.
LESSON OUTLINE
- ISAIAH’S PREPARATION
- JEREMIAH’S PREPARATION
LESSON EXPOSITION
ISAIAH’S PREPARATION (Isaiah 6:1ff)
And he touched my mouth with it, and said: “Behold, this has touched your lips; your iniquity is taken away, and your sin purged”
(v.7).
a) V. 1: Isaiah’s encounter with the holy God amidst spiritual decline under King Uzziah revealed God’s sovereignty over human affairs enlightening Isaiah about his role in God’s divine plan.
b) vv. 1-4: His vision of God’s majesty and holiness deeply imparted him fostering reverence and understanding of God’s character. It also underscored the significance of acknowledging sinfulness and repentance (cf. v. 5; Psa. 99:9).
c) v.5: His humble confession of his sins before God showed he was ready for his prophetic duty (cf. Psa.51:3;Lk.5:8).
d) vv. 6,7: His purification through the live coal symbolised his sanctification for prophetic seryice (cf. Lev.8:15;1 1 Pet. 1:22).
e) v. 8: His immediate response, Here am I! Send me, to God’s call proved his willingness to serve, like Samuel (1 Sam. 3:4) and Ananias (Acts 9:10).
f) vv. 9ff: His grasp of God’s Word as conveying a dual nature of salvation and judgement (Heb. 4:12; 2 Cor: 2:15-16) empowered him to faithfully deliver His message.
JEREMIAH’S PREPARATION (Jer. 1:4-10)
Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations
(v. 5).
a) v. 4-5: The Word of the Lord reached Jeremiah, revealing that he was chosen and ordained for his prophetic role, even before birth. This shows God’s initiative and foreknowledge in selecting him. You have been in the mind of God ever before you came into existence.
b) v. 6: Jeremiah, like Moses and some other biblical figures, showed humility and felt unworthy when called by God, revealing true partnership with God (Exod. 3:11-12; Jdg.6:15).
c) vv. 6-8: He was hesitant and unsure of himself, but God reassured him of His presence and support. This in itself went a long way to equip Jeremiah for the task of prophetic leadership.
d) v. 9: God empowered Jeremiah by touching his mouth, symbolising divine authority, and this enabled him to speak God’s Word with power (Exod.4:11-12; Isa. 6:7).
e) v. 10: Jeremiah had been prepared by God with the prophetic ministry’s dual nature of uprooting sin and ungodliness and building up righteousness and obedience (Ezk. 33:7-9; Acts 20:20-21), hence his successful mission among God’s people.
LESSONS DERIVED
- God not only owns the people but also the messenger He calls, guiding them to lead others rightly.
- God calls, prepares and sends His mouthpiece. Open your heart and let God speak to you.
QUESTIONS
- Are our prophetic leaders effectively guiding the people according to God’s expectations today? If not, what suggestions do you have for improvement?
- Do you believe there are individuals who cannot be used by God to lead His people, today?
