Who's your Daddy?
Who's your Daddy?
Words of Faith 9-9-24
Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy © 2024
Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com
Faith Fellowship Church - Melbourne, FL
www.faithfellowshipweb.com
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1 Samuel 10
[12] A man who lived there answered, "And who is their father?" So it became a saying: "Is Saul also among the prophets?" [13] After Saul stopped prophesying, he went to the high place.
Saul had just finished an impressive time among the prophets. People had taken notice, but in many ways, it was unclear if Saul was operating prophetically... or if he just "entered into their activities" as a religious actor. One man who lived there asked an important question-- Who is their father? The question seems to refer to all those who were prophesying but may have been directed primarily toward Saul. It is an important one.
When someone prophesies, they purport to speak for God or to have God speak through them. It is essential to know exactly who their "father" is, the one from whom they come and the one who is speaking. Simply receiving and pronouncing ecstatic utterances or preaching that "sounds really good" is not really enough. Such prophecy can be dangerous, so this was a very discerning question.
Jesus asked the same question when dealing with the religious leaders who refused to receive His teaching. Jesus said to them, "If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and now am here. I have not come on my own, but he sent me. Why is my language not clear to you? Because you are unable to hear what I say. You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies (John 8:42-44).
As the story of Saul proceeds, it becomes clearer that his father was not the God of Israel, even though the Lord would certainly use him in the story of Israel. It is particularly interesting that Saul went to the high place after he stopped prophesying. We don't know exactly where that was. There were hundreds of "high places" in any given region, and they were usually the location of Baal and Asherah worship. There is no indication of where this high place was or what it represented. Still, it seems unlikely that this was the location of Samuel or the Tabernacle.
So. A good question to ask of leaders is-- Who's your daddy? Who their daddy is, spiritually, makes all the difference. The one who belongs to God our Father loves Jesus and hears His voice. Jesus also taught: "As for the person who hears my words but does not keep them, I do not judge him. For I did not come to judge the world, but to save it. There is a judge for the one who rejects me and does not accept my words; that very word which I spoke will condemn him at the last day (John 12:47-48). This seems to be a sort of spiritual paternity test-- love Jesus, hear His voice, and do what He says.
So. Who is your daddy? Your spiritual daddy? A simple answer is found if we are simply honest. Do I love Jesus? Is He more important than anything? Do I love Him more than silver, gold, possessions, and worldly stuff? And do I listen to His Word? Am I dug into His word with an open spirit? Am I obedient, or do I pick and choose? And am I steering clear of the "high places" in this world? Am I avoiding the places of idol worship?
Father God, You are my Abba, my daddy. I love Your Son Jesus with all that I am. I surrender to You all that I am and all that I have. I am listening to Your Word for more than just knowledge. I am here to trust and obey. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
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© Jeffrey D. Hoy 2024
Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy - Faith Fellowship Church (EFCA)
2820 Business Center Blvd.
Melbourne, Florida 32940 (321)-259-7200
Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com
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