Was it entirely prophecy, or wishful thinking? And what happens if a prophecy goes awry? Is that person still a prophet? I can’t honestly say that I’ve got answers. But let’s see what we deduce together as we consider Today’s Holy Nougat.
Exodus 15:15-16 AFV
[15] Then the princes of Edom were terrified. Trembling seized upon the mighty men of Moab. All the people of Canaan shall melt away.
[16] Fear and dread shall fall upon them. By the greatness of Your arm they shall be still as a stone until Your people pass over, O Lord, until the people whom You have purchased pass over.
When Prophecy sounds like Ambition
Siblings, I don’t know about you all, but my memory is of the Children of Israel having challenges with several different peoples during their wilderness journey (see Numbers 33). And I certainly do recall that it was the Children of Israel who feared the people of Canaan. So was Moses just being exuberant?
Self-Check
Have you ever been the ‘recipient’ of a prophetic word and felt sure that it was mumbo jumbo, only to find out later that it genuinely was from God? I have. It was a humbling experience, I tell you.
Deeper Dive
Whereas Moses and the Children of Israel were trusting God in that moment, many of us today would have been busy fact-checking what Moses was singing. In fact, that entire crossing would have been challenging for Moses to lead. Some people would have needed to post to IG, Snapchat, and all the other popular social media sites. (It’s why some of us are disconnected from God these days, but that’s a reflection for another day).
While we’re doing selfies with Moses, and getting up-to-date reports about whether all the Egyptians chasing the Children of Israel drowned, let’s try to double-check some other things, namely:
Terrified Edom
Trembling Moab
Petrified Canaan
Edom might have been terrified at the thought of the Children of Israel passing peacefully through their lands. But Numbers 20:14-22 indicates that Edom refused them both passage through their land and access to animal food. Instead, they were armed and ready to defend their borders from the Children of Israel.
Scorecard
Terrified: perhaps
Retaliated: Oh yes
Defeated: partially
With Moab, it was worse. Now don’t misread me: Moab was afraid. Numbers 22:1-3 confirms this. But, in fear, Balak lashed out (see Numbers 22-24). They sent for the mighty prophet, Balaam, to first prophesy against Israel (i.e., to counter God’s anointing). Balaam tried and instead was obliged to bless the children of Israel. When that failed, Moab led the Children of Israel into idolatry and mixed marriages.
Scorecard
Trembling: not quite
Retaliated: definitely
Defeated: uh
Numbers 21 also indicates that Canaan overwhelmed the Children of Israel, even to the extent of taking a few captives. But, the Children of Israel, emboldened by YHWH, retaliated and utterly destroyed that section of Canaan.
Scorecard
Fearful: yes
Retaliated: definitely
Melted: that set
What we see here siblings is that the prophecy was not misguided. It might not have shown the entire picture, but it covered the bases. Could it mean therefore, that the prophetic word was aimed at encouraging the Children of Israel so that they wouldn’t be fearful when they faced those enemies? If so, can we learn the same lesson?
Author of Developing Your Prophetic Gifting, Graham Cooke, suggests that sometimes a prophetic word might not be fulfilled in the moment it is given. Rather, it is given to encourage us during a rough patch that will follow. I guess it’s like Christ telling the disciples, ‘In this world, you will have trouble. But, don’t worry, I have overcome the world.’ John 16:33 offers that prophecy.
We can also place a scorecard while we wait. We record the prophecy, and wait for its fulfilment, as described. Then, we also check our reaction as we wait.
Strange therefore, as a prophetic word may be, when we get confirmation from God, the onus is ours, to take heart, and do our part when the time comes. If the Children of Israel did what they normally do, which was to cower in fear and rail at Moses, that prophecy would have come to nought.
I’m not condoning war, nor am I suggesting that this current war between Israel and Palestine ought to be read using this song of victory. However, I urge us to realise that some of life’s challenges can be overcome when we believe and remember God’s promises to us and God’s prophecies over our lives. We test what is said, then move with purpose, on purpose, for God’s purpose.
Point to Ponder
What word has God given us to keep us going in a recent/current storm? Have we meditated on it, or did we discount it?
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May all we seek be found in Christ
