Article July 29, 1939 Issue

Prophetic Inspiration

EFFIE M. BOSWELL

The early prophets, who were animated by spiritual inspiration, were so because they listened for divine guidance. That heroic prophet, Elijah, had learned thus to listen. At a period in the history of Israel when King Ahab had introduced the heathen worship of Ball, Elijah, in obedience to spiritual guidance, took steps to turn the nation from this false worship. Through the influence of his prophetic power, the people acknowledged the one true God.

Yet we find that his victorious conquest of the false prophets of Ball was followed by a sense of discouragement. Nevertheless, Elijah continued listening for spiritual guidance, and journeyed to Horeb, where he witnessed the strong wind, earthquake, and fire, and in the calm that followed the tumult heard "a still small voice." Here the prophet learned the gentleness of God, and was comforted with the assurance that his work had not been a failure.

It would be impossible in our day of enlightenment to concede any power to the inanimate images of early heathen worship. But do we not concede power to false images of dominating control, such as selfishness, greed, and war? Is it not because of ignorance of the true nature of God that either an individual or a nation would bow down to such false gods as these?

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