HELEN SANDERS
11-16-2024
THE SEER
In the Old Testament prophets were often called “seers” which is exactly what they did. They saw things revealed to them by God. Often, they were shown about judgment to come and were called to warn those in idolatry to repent or reap the consequences.
In 1 Samuel 9:19 Saul, who was not yet king, was looking for a “seer” to help him find his father’s jackasses. Samuel was a “seer.” God had already told Samuel that Saul was looking for him. It was not a surprise when Saul came upon Samuel and asked him in 1 Samuel 9:18, “…Tell me, I pray thee, where the seer’s house is.”
Later, when Saul became king and then rebelled and lost his anointing, Samuel was very grieved because he loved King Saul. Samuel was told by God to stop mourning King Saul because of his sin, because he had another plan. God sent him to Bethlehem and Jesse’s home.
A seer is not always welcomed. In 1 Samuel 16:4 Samuel comes to Bethlehem to anoint David. It says, “And Samuel did that which the LORD spake, and came to Bethlehem. And the elders of the town trembled at his coming, and said, ‘Comest thou peaceably?” The elders were afraid that Samuel was bringing judgment.
When a seer shows up one must pay attention. When they are sent by God on an assignment often it is to bring correction, but also in the case of David, it was to anoint someone for a special call of God. Seers are often not liked because they expose sin to bring correction. They often live a lonely life because they see things before others do, and often weep over the “sin in the camp.” Often, they are sad, carrying the burden of seeing and “knowing” what is coming, and many will not receive their words.
If you are called by God to be a “seer” be prepared to be mocked, rejected, often hated for revealing sin, and you can be sure you just don’t fit in. When you understand this part of the call, it helps you understand that not everything will be pleasant for you. Yet, God wants to use those called to be “seers” to bring balance to the body of Christ.
Whether you call the person prophet or seer, it makes no difference. The prophet/seer is still being used by God today in the church. They are part of the fivefold ministry listed in Ephesians 4:11. They are called by God to see things that God shows them and be used by God for the body of Christ. We should not reject those that are called to this ministry. We should welcome them and be glad that God wants to use them in the body of Christ. Without correction, we are in for a fall.
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