I am No Prophet - Zechariah 13:5

In the book of Zechariah, Zechariah said, “And it shall come to pass in that day, that the prophets shall be ashamed every one of his vision, when he has prophesied; neither shall they wear a rough garment to deceive”, and in chapter thirteen and verse five of Zechariah, Zechariah shared how Jehovah God said the prophet, “shall say, I am no prophet” where we read,

But he shall say, I am no prophet, I am an husbandman; 

for man taught me to keep cattle from my youth.

The verse reads, “But he shall say, I am no prophet, I am an husbandman;” Zechariah began with the words, “but he shall say” or “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover he, the prophet, will utter, declare and proclaim”, “I am no prophet” which means “I, the prophet, do not exist in any way as an inspired spokesman or speaker”, “I am an husbandman” or “I, the prophet, exist as a farmer, herdsman or tiller of the land”. Zechariah shared how the “prophet”will not in any way claim to be a “prophet”, but will identify himself as a farmer. 

The verse continues, “for man taught me to keep cattle from my youth.” Zechariah added the words, “for a man taught me” or “because, since and on account that a male human being instructed, guided and caused me, the prophet, to know how” “to keep cattle” which means “to watch over, guard and protect animals and livestock” “from my youth” or “separate and apart from my, the prophet's, youthful years and days”. Zechariah shared how the “prophet” would share how he was instructed in caring for animals and livestock for the time he was young.

When we think through the words in this verse, we learn through Zechariah how the “prophet” would no longer desire to be known as a “prophet” and would declare how they were trained to be herdsman from the time they were young. With the threat of death over their heads when they spoke lies, we can imagine their intense desire to not be known. God is true, and He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth and the life, and no man comes to the Father but by me” (See John 14:6) When we humble ourselves, take heed to the words of Jesus, repent of our sins and put our faith and trust in Him, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and make us aware of “false prophets” who would rather disguise themselves as herdsmen than to be known for the falsehoods they proclaim. 

Next time Zechariah shares how one asks, “what are these wounds in your hands?”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".