By Andrew Williams
Series: The Year of the Prophet- Month 4: The Seer Realm & Divine Senses
Week 17: Interpretation & The Prophetic Riddle
Anchor Scripture: “So I answered and spoke to the angel who talked with me, saying, ‘What are these, my lord?’ Then the angel who talked with me answered and said to me, ‘Do you not know what these are?’ And I said, ‘No, my lord.’” — Zechariah 4:4–5 (NKJV)
The Teaching
One of the greatest marks of a mature prophet is not the ability to see everything, but the humility to ask, “What is this, Lord?” In the visions of Zechariah, we see a consistent pattern: God shows the prophet a symbolic image (lampstands, olive trees, flying scrolls), and Zechariah immediately responds with a question. He does not assume he knows the answer, and he doesn’t try to “figure it out” with his own intellect.
Prophecy is not a monologue where God shouts at a passive receiver; it is a Dialogue. God often gives the vision specifically to provoke the question. He wants to draw the prophet into a conversation. The revelation is the “invitation,” and the dialogue is the “intimacy.”
If you are called to the prophetic office, you must overcome the pride that says you “should” already know what everything means. The most dangerous prophet is the one who stops asking questions. When you stop asking, you start assuming. And when you start assuming, you move from the “Council of the Lord” (Day 15) to the “Counsel of your own Mind.” The necessity of dialogue ensures that the prophet remains a dependent student of the Holy Spirit.
Prophetic Insight
The “What is this?” question is the key that unlocks the Depth of Revelation. Often, the first thing you see is just the surface level. When you ask the Lord for the meaning, He pulls you deeper into the “Why” and the “How.” Don’t be afraid to say, “Lord, I see the image, but I don’t understand the intent. No, my Lord, I do not know what these are.” This honesty creates a vacuum that the Spirit of Wisdom is eager to fill. A dialogue-based prophet is much more accurate than a “hit-and-run” prophet because they have stayed in the Presence long enough to get the Author’s own commentary on the Word.
The Activation
Think of a recurring thought, a confusing dream, or a spiritual “nudge” you’ve had recently. Today, instead of trying to analyze it, take it back to the Lord in a “Zechariah Moment.” Say, “Lord, I see this [describe it], but what is it? What are You saying to me through this?” Then, remain in silence for at least five minutes. Don’t look for a “voice”; look for a “knowing” or a “witness” that explains the image.
Daily Prayer: Lord God, I thank You that You invite me into a conversation. I repent for the times I have assumed I understood Your ways without asking Your heart. I choose to be a student of the Spirit today. Give me the humility to say, ‘I do not know.’ I ask for the key to every riddle You place in my life. Let our dialogue be the source of my revelation. Amen.
