By Andrew Williams
Series: The Year of the Prophet- Month 1: The Anatomy of a Prophet
Week 3: The Prophet’s Relationship with God
Anchor Scripture: “And she said to her husband, ‘Look now, I know that this is a holy man of God, who passes by us continually.’” — 2 Kings 4:9 (NKJV)
The Teaching
Throughout the Old Testament, before the title “Prophet” became the common label, the most frequent term used to describe someone like Elijah or Elisha was The Man of God (Ish HaElohim). This title is far more than a polite religious greeting; it is a statement of legal and spiritual ownership.
To be a “Man or Woman of God” means that you have been moved from your own “inventory” into God’s. In the ancient world, if a vessel belonged to the King’s palace, it was marked with the King’s seal. It could not be used for common tasks; it was set apart for royal use only. When the Shunammite woman looked at Elisha, she didn’t just see a gifted speaker or a miracle-worker; she saw someone who “belonged” to another realm. She sensed that Elisha was God’s property.
The Office of the Prophet requires a total loss of “self-ownership.” You are no longer “of” your political party, “of” your social circle, or even “of” your own ambitions. You are “of God.” This means He has the right to interrupt your schedule, change your location, and put His words in your mouth at any moment. Your identity is no longer rooted in your surname or your career, but in the fact that the Creator of the universe has placed His claim upon your life. When a prophet enters a room, the atmosphere should shift not because of the person’s personality, but because the One who owns the person has just walked in.
Prophetic Insight
Being a Man or Woman of God is the highest form of consecration. It means you are no longer a “free agent.” You cannot go where you want to go or say what you feel like saying. This ownership is what gives the prophet their authority. The reason the Prophet can speak to “mountains” and “kings” is that they aren’t speaking on their own behalf; they are speaking on behalf of the One who owns them. If you feel a deep sense of being “different” or “set apart” from others, do not fight it. It is the mark of Divine Ownership. God has pulled you out of the common to use you for the holy.
The Activation
Take a moment today to reflect on the areas of your life where you still claim “ownership”—your reputation, your future, your “right” to be understood. In a moment of quiet surrender, tell the Lord: “I am not my own; I have been bought with a price. I am Your property.” Practice walking through your day with the consciousness that you are a “Man/Woman of God,” representing His interests in every interaction.
Daily Prayer: Lord God, I thank You for placing Your mark upon my life. I surrender my rights, my reputation, and my future into Your hands today. I declare that I am no longer ‘of myself,’ but I am ‘of God.’ Use me as a holy vessel in Your house. Let people see Your signature on my life and Your character in my actions. I am Your property; do with me as You wish. Amen.
