Prophets: Patriots

Patriots not only possess the combination of vision and understanding of man and God,

but also a passion for patriotism.

Theirs was a patriotic fervor for the sake of the nation which they wanted to be in right relationship to God.

They could foresee the inevitable consequences of rebellion against God's will for the nation of which

they were part, and loyally warned their native land.

To them, religion and nationalism were inseparable!

Robert Browning wrote of the land under whose blue skies his happiest years were spent: "Open my heart and you will see Graved inside it - Italy".

If we could have opened the hearts of those noble prophets of Israel, 

we could have found graven in them - Canaan.

Their conviction was that Israel was especially chosen by God for a great destiny, with the land of Canaan as their divinely chosen habitation.

If we could fully appreciate their prophecies, we must in some measure see

the romance and riches of Canaan through their eyes.

Prophets: Seer, or See-er

A seer was one who saw divine visions, divine truths, and spoke of what he had seen from God.

Seer: From the verb meaning "to see".

Seers of old entered into the "counsel" of God, the "secret" of God, the "plan" of God, the "ways" of God, and the "thoughts" of God.

The prophet was also known as:

A man of God: (1st Sam. 2:27; 9:6; 1st Kings 17:18)

A servant of God, or Jehovah: ( 1st Kings 18:36; 1st Chron. 6:49; Isa. 20:3)

A messenger of Jehovah: (Isa. 42:19; Hag. 1:13)

A watchman: (Jer. 6:17; Ezek. 3:17)

All the terms used imply a close relationship of the Prophet to God.

Each term expressing some aspect of such a relationship, or of the the prophet's mission, or of the way he achieved his religious insight.
The central idea contained in them all, however, was that the prophet was a mediator
by SPEECH between MAN AND GOD. With minds and mouths controlled by the Holy Spirit.

Every word of God is pure!  (Pure=Sanctified, Refined 7 times, Tried and True) Proverbs 30:5