Daily Divinity Questions And Answers

Divinity Digest COMMENT OVERVIEW THE above question requires one to have deep knowledge concerning the actions of Israel prophets. Israel prophets had nationalistic ambitions, this can be further supported by their involvement in politics. The question further requires one to show the extent at which Zimbabwean prophets are concerned with religion . AFFIRMATIVE SIDE

Prophecy and politics were intertwined, this has been further supported by B W Anderson, page 252, paragraph 2, line 1, “prophecy was intimately associated with politics from the very first moment it appeared in Israel”, as a result they anointed kings. Samuel anointed King Saul after the elders of Israel had requested for a king to lead them. Anointing a king was very important considering the reasons which the elders of Israel gave in 1st Samuel 8: 4-15. Samuel further anointed David to replace Saul because of violating various principles (Read 1st Samuel 13: 10).The above stories are recorded in 1st Samuel 10: 1 and 1st Samuel 16: 16. The prophet Nathan with priest Zadok were involved in the anointment of Solomon, this is evidenced in 1st Kings 1: 28ff. The prophet Elijah was given a task to anoint Jehu and Hazel, this is recorded in 1st Kings 19:15-16. The son of a prophet under Elisha is reported to have anointed Jehu to replace Haziah, this is recorded in 2 Kings 9:4ff. All this indicates that Israel prophets were concerned with nationalist ambitions.

Israel prophets championed wars, there are major reasons why Israel prophets were involved in wars. Moses championed the war against the Amalek, this can be supported by Exodus 17: 9 “And Moses said to Joshua, “Choose for us men, and go out, fight with Amalek; tomorrow . . .”

It has been submitted that while Israel was fighting Moses was standing on top of the mountain with Aaron with a rod, as he was praying for a victory. As a result Israel defeated the Amalekites (Amalek was the grandson of Esau). Scholar Thomas Constable in his Exodus notes, page 104, paragraph 4 citing Josephus the early church father who submitted that no Hebrew died in this war but innumerable Amalekites perished. Samuel the man who had four offices, prophet being one of the office, championed wars. This is evidenced when he prayed and offered sacrifices in Mizpah, so that Yahweh will give strength Israel in order to defeat the Philistines. This is recorded in 1 Samuel 7: 5-10. As a result the Israelites won the battle. Furthermore, Samuel as a prophet, had schools of prophets. The internal evidence reveal that Samuel was always standing as the head, this is indicated in 1 Samuel 19: 20. Scholar B W Anderson, page 252, paragraph 2, line 7 submitted that the other role of sons of prophets with their head was to champion wars; giving soldiers a patriotic feeling. This is also the reason why the band of prophets were always stationed around Philistine garrisons. This indicates that Israel prophets had nationalistic ambitions. NB: More points can be added. For instance: — Israel prophets limited the powers of the kings by dethroning them.

— Israel prophets advised kings, mostly the court prophet. NON-AFFIRMATIVE

Israel prophets were also concerned with religion. Israel prophets fought for worshipping of one God, Israel prophets played a crucial role in keeping the spirit of Yahweh alive in Israel as they advocated for worshipping of one God. This includes Samuel as it is recorded in 1st Samuel 7: 3. Elijah prophesied when Baalism was on its peak, he played an important role of butchering the Baal prophets, this is recorded in 1st Kings 18: 37-41. Amos also fought for worshipping of one God, this is recorded in Amos 5:26. Hence, this indicates that Israel prophets were also concerned with religion .

Israel prophets condemned the individuals who violated the principles which were supposed to be observed in cult centres, the good example is that of Samuel who condemned Saul for hijacking the duties of a priest “offering sacrifices”, this is recorded in 1st Samuel 13: 10. Among the writing prophets who are believed to be the cult prophets, direct attacks were uttered by them. Amos condemned how sacrifices were offered in cult centres “Gilgal and Bethel”, this is also recorded in Amos 4: 5. The prophet Hosea is also recorded to have condemned the idea of offering sacrifices, this can be supported by his message which he uttered to the priests in chapter 5:1ff. Hosea also explained what Yahweh needed, this can be evidenced by Hosea 6: 6 “For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God, rather than burnt offerings”. This is also evidenced in the message of Isaiah and Jeremiah (Isaiah 1: 11 and Jeremiah 6: 20). All this indicates that sometimes Israel prophets were also concerned with religion. NB: More points can be added. ZIMBABWEAN CONTEXT

Zimbabwean prophets are concerned with religion. In year 2015, the leader of PHD Ministries Magaya Walter uttered a direct attack on the white garments churches. This was even recorded by the local newspapers, for instance Sunday Mail on 25 January 2015 published the story of Magaya attacking the Vapostori (http://www.sundaymail. co. zw/ full- sermon- vapostori- sects- are- demonicmagaya/).

The same prophet further attacked the white garment church in his book entitled “Marine Spirit”. The story was also recorded by Sunday Mail on 14 June 2015 “On 7 June 2015, Prophet Magaya launched “Marine Spirits Part 2”, in which he expounds on the matter.

Below are excerpts: . . . In this book I will not refer to these white garment places of worship as churches because they are not churches at all they are properly and appropriately referred to as cults that operate in shrines ( Masowe Emurenje).” Readers can follow the following link for more readership (http://www.sundaymail.co.zw/marinespirits-prophet-magaya-in-his-own-words).

This invited the leader of white garment church leader Johannes Ndanga to condemn the leader of PHD, this was recorded by Newsday newspaper on 9 February 2015 “Ndanga at the weekend confirmed that he had been approached by a group of VaPositori seeking permission to raid Magaya and expose him” For more readership follow the link ( https:// www. newsday. co. zw/ 2015/ 02/ 09/ magayagets-power-snakes-vapositori).

What can be noted above is that Zimbabwean prophets they are concerned with religion . NB: More information can be added. HOWEVER PART NB: Zimbabwean prophets are also concerned with other issues. Newspapers and local radio stations can assist one to understand the concerns of Zimbabwean prophets. ANALYSIS OF THE ESSAY According to the above discussion, it is clear that Israel prophets were more concerned with nationalistic ambitions as they championed wars, anointed kings, advised kings and had many other roles. They were also concerned with religion as the writer fully highlighted above. Zimbabwean context, is also addressed. Witness Dingani is a Zimbabwe-based author, motivational speaker, columnist, youth coach, publisher, radio host & cricketer, member of Chain Support Foundation Counselling Company. He is the founder of charity organisation “Dingani Charity Organisation”. In 2016 he was voted as the most influential youthful figures in Zimbabwe and was voted 8th position out of 15 people by the Pan-Zimbabwe society. A-level Divinity Questions by schools can be submitted through his mobile number +263777896159 or Email address : witnessdingani@gmail.com