Desires of God

     "The Hebrew prophet was often given names such as the messenger of God or Jehovah, the servant of God or Jehovah, the man of God, or the watchman.  Although the prophet spoke the word of God, it does not follow that he acted simply as a mere recording instrument.  To be sure, the Lord moved him to say the thoughts desired, but the voice and words were usually those of the prophet.  Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit he learned the desires of God, and these he often repeated in the vocabulary and language at his command.  Were that not so, we would not have all the diversities of vocabulary, syntax, figures of speech, and style that are found in the Old Testament.  A prophet might impart to his people wisdom learned out of his own worldly experience and be accepted of God in so doing."

-Sidney B. Sperry

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