Daily Devotions
Filled with the Holy Spirit
"The Spirit of God came upon Azariah..."
Text: 2 Chronicles 15:1
CLASSIFICATION OF PROPHETS
How may we “classify” the prophets? In general we may “classify” them in the following ways:-
1. The writing prophets
These left written legacies
a) The “major prophets” left behind large volumes of their messages from the Lord.
b) The “minor prophets” left behind significant written pieces of work. But in comparison the volume was much lesser (thus they were called “minor prophets”).
2. The non-writing prophets
a) These prophets did not leave behind written documents.
b) Nevertheless, their ministries were not insignificant.
c) The list would include
i) Elijah
ii) Elisha
These were mighty prophets in their own rights. But they did not leave any written documents.
PROPHETS WHO MINISTERED TO KINGS
Many of the prophets ministered to kings. Some of them delivered blistering messages from the Lord to wicked kings (Elijah was one of them). But others brought much encouragement to good kings. Azariah was one of those who brought much-needed encouragement to the heart of good king Asa.
“Now the Spirit of God came upon Azariah the son of Oded.
And he went out to meet Asa, and said to him:
‘Hear me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin.
The LORD is with you while you are with Him.
If you seek Him, He will be found by you;
But if you forsake Him, He will forsake you.
For a long time Israel has been without the true God,
without a teaching priest, and without law;But you, be strong and do not let your hands be weak,
for your work shall be rewarded!'”
2 Chronicles 15:1-3, 7
King Asa was deeply encouraged by these words and responded appropriately.
“And when Asa heard these words and the prophecy of Oded the prophet,
he took courage, and removed the abominable idols
from all the land of Judah and Benjamin and from the cities
which he had taken in the mountains of Ephraim;
and he restored the altar of the LORD that was before the vestibule of the LORD.”
2 Chronicles 15:8
(The prophet Oded is the alternative name of Azariah. Oded was the name of Azariah’s father). The ministry of the Spirit-filled prophet of God resulted in revival in the Southern Kingdom of Judah and Benjamin.