The Bible, the Spirit of Prophecy, and the Church

In the Days of the Patriarchs

Abraham had the distinction of being the first person to whom the name prophet was given. (Genesis 20:7.) It is interesting in this connection to observe the duty that fell to him as mentioned in this verse. The first recorded act of a prophet of God is as an intercessor. God told Abimelech, “He shall pray for thee.” Moffatt renders this expression, “He will intercede for you.” Hence the prophet not only conveys God’s message to man but at times conveys man’s longing desires to God. BSPC 82.9

“He [God] communicated His will to Abraham, and gave him a distinct knowledge of the requirements of His law, and of the salvation that would be accomplished through Christ.”—Patriarchs and Prophets, 125. BSPC 83.1

“The psalmist refers to this chapter [see Genesis 20] in Abraham’s experience when he says, in speaking of the chosen people, that God ‘reproved kings for their sakes, saying, Touch not Mine anointed, and do My prophets no harm.’”—Patriarchs and Prophets, 131. BSPC 83.2

Not only Abraham had the Spirit of prophecy; several other of the patriarchs were also used of the Lord as channels of communication of the divine will. We might think of: BSPC 83.3

Enoch, who “prophesied” (Jude 14), for he had “the spirit of prophecy.”—Patriarchs and Prophets, 85. BSPC 83.4

Jacob, to whom God spoke “in the visions of the night.” (Genesis 46:2.) We read also that “the Spirit of inspiration rested upon him” in the prophetic vision.—Patriarchs and Prophets, 235. The Pulpit Commentary, volume 1, page 532, mentions that “Jacob was not only a patriarch, but a prophet.” BSPC 83.5

Moses, who was a prophet (Deuteronomy 18:15, 18) and also a lawgiver, a great leader, and a wise legislator. BSPC 83.6

Aaron, who is designated as a prophet in Exodus 7:1, but as a spokesman in Exodus 4:16. BSPC 83.7

Joseph, who had the spirit of inspiration. (Patriarchs and Prophets, 210.) Referring to Joseph, “Pharaoh said unto his servants, Can we find such a one as this is, a man in whom the Spirit of God is?” Genesis 41:38. The rendering of the Targums on this verse is interesting, for the part in question reads, “Can we find a man like this, in whom is the spirit of prophecy?”—Targums on Onkelos and Jonathan ben Uzziel on the Pentateuch, vol. 1, p. 131. BSPC 83.8

Joshua, concerning whom we read in the Targums that when he was called to the leadership of Israel he was “a man in whom is the spirit of prophecy.”—Ibid. vol. 2, p. 317. BSPC 83.9

Samuel, whose story is well known. It will be easy to recall that God gave him a vision as a youth in the temple of old. (1 Samuel 3:15.) At that time “there was no open vision.” (Verse 1.) But Samuel had a night vision. Samuel grew in stature. He grew in spiritual strength, and in later years “Samuel was established to be a prophet of the Lord.” Verse 20. BSPC 83.10

David, who was not only the “patriarch David” but also a “prophet.” (Acts 2:29, 30.) BSPC 83.11