PROPHETIC PRESERVATION (1)

“BY A PROPHET the Lord brought Israel out of Egypt and BY A PROPHET he was PRESERVED” – Hosea 12:13

Scriptures attest to the reality of PROPHETIC PRESERVATION: “BY A PROPHET the Lord brought Israel out of Egypt and BY A PROPHET he was PRESERVED” (Hos.12:13). This was what Moses the prophet accomplished in the life of the people as God sent him to deliver Israel from Egyptian bondage: “Come now, therefore, and I will send you to Pharaoh that you may bring My people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt” (Exo.3:10). Israel’s exodus and Moses’ guardianship over the delivered people, shed light on Prophetic Deliverance and Preservation. His equipment: “I have also spoken by the prophets, and multiplied visions; I have given symbols through the witness of the prophets” (v.10).

The Hebrew word ‘shamar’ means “to keep and guard safely; to preserve and protect.” Israel was “preserved” or “kept” by God as His flock: “Then he remembered the days of old, Moses and his people, saying: “Where is He who brought them up out of the sea with the shepherd of His flock? Where is He who put His Holy Spirit within them, Who led them by the right hand of Moses, with His glorious arm, dividing the water before them to make for Himself an everlasting name” (Isa.63: 11-12). Psalm 80:1a says, “Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, You who lead Joseph like a flock.” Moses was God’s Prophetic Vessel for Israel’s deliverance and preservation (Num.12: 6-8; Deut.18: 15-18).

The truths about the deliverance and preservation roles of the prophetic ministry have present-day relevance and usefulness in the local church. The word ‘shamar’ further means “to watch over as one who guards cattle or sheep.” Sheep, in the case of the church, refers to the flock of a congregation or church members. Shamar speaks of the prophet’s ‘watchman’ role; his patrolling and guardianship activities in the supernatural realm. Prophets can be likened to spiritual guards, warriors, and supernatural enforcers. Watchman duties are achieved through prophetic prayer, intercession, and petitions on behalf of the church. The prophet’s spiritual authority acts as a garrison around the flock, to shield it from harm, attack, spoilage, invasion, or destruction, and protect it against threats from spiritual and human trespassers.

By the prophetic, God extends His hands to the world, to unfold what He wants to appear in it! As a spiritual entity on earth, the church enjoys the bulk of its activities in the spirit realm, which is the main purview of prophetic vessels through supernatural means, such as prayer vigils, intercessions, spiritual warfare, and revelations. Prophets, by nature, employ spiritual equipment to battle darkness for the flock, and guard and keep God-given territories. God sets prophets in His church to watch, guard, protect, war, pray, and intercede. The prophetic is gifted to see visions, discern and interpret similitudes, and rescue, deliver, lead, preserve, and collectively, wield effectual power in the spirit.