Daily Divinity Questions and Answers with Witness Dingani

QN."There are more similarities between Israel professional prophets with Zimbabwean professional prophets". Examine this view and justifying the validity of the above statement (25) -pt 46

DIVINITY REVISION QUESTIONS | 20 JUNE 2016

COMMENT OVERVIEW

 - The prophetic guilds, bands of prophets, roving bands, sons of prophets, institutional prophets, in this case they are regarded as professional prophets.

 - Their prophetic roles and characteristics include championing holy wars, prophesying ecstatically, anointing kings ,performing miracles, operating in the cultic centres, women were also included, they will be guided by their leader.

 - One should have deep knowledge on how Israel prophetic bands/professional prophets operated specifically their prophetic duties. The question is linked with Zimbabwean context in other words we have to compare their prophetic duties and characteristics. Authors and authoress have authored many articles concerning Zimbabwean context, therefore there is lot of sources which we can be use to add the information which I will have ignored.

 - Israelite prophetic guilds, were instituted by Samuel [Note that some scholars believe that Moses is the one who started prophetic guilds] and perpetuated by other prophets. The characteristics and prophetic duties of professional prophets will be fully hammered below.

ANSWERS
 - The Israel professional duties operated under the leadership of one men whom they regarded as their father/head. This is valid in the case of Samuel, Elisha, Elijah the Tishbite. In Zimbabwean context this is commonly found among the white church garments "Vapostori, Zviratidzo Zvevapostori,ZCC"

 - Israel professional prophets operated under the leader, for instance Samuel. Samuel is recorded to be the father of professional prophets (1 Sam 19:20) and his followers were regarded as "sons of prophets",Bishau page 41,Chapter 6 ,says these prophets were normally taught how to perform prophetic duties for instance prophesying ecstatically. In Zimbabwean context it is also recorded that the professional prophets leaders teach their followers how to prophesy ,this is supported by Bishau and Mazodze page 43,line 1 ,it is said that the white church garments go to "Mativi reMana" where they will be taught how to prophesy. The point in this case is teaching each other how to prophesy.

 - Israel professional duties one of their major role by B.W.Anderson 5th edition was to champion holy wars ,as they gave soldiers a patriotic feeling. This is the reason why the sons of Samuel were always stationed in the Philistine garrisons where Israel was fighting with Philistine (1Sam 11,12,13).In Zimbabwean context it is different ,Zimbabwean professional prophets they don't champion but fight citing the story of band of prophets of Johane Masowe wechishanu in Budiriro, fought against police (21 May 2014) Vapostori sect "Johane Masowe yeChishanu"

( The members of the sect could be heard shouting ordering others to kill claiming they were fighting a "holy war".):.Differences can be noticed.

 - Israel professional prophets experienced ecstasy, sons of prophets of Samuel experienced absorption ecstasy (1 Sam 10:10,1 Sam 19:22-23).In Zimbabwean context ,ecstasy cannot be separated from Zimbabwe professional prophets, media has recorded that the local professional prophets experience ecstasy for instance the ZCC is believed that ecstasy can be induced by jumping and singing. Roving, rolling down after being absorbed by can be noticed . Zviratidzo Zvevapostori claim to be able to walk on top of fire after being possessed by the spirit of God. As such ,this indicate that there are similarities between Zimbabwe and Israel professional prophets when prophesying ecstatically.

 - Israel professional prophets operated in cultic centres, for instance in Gibeah and Gilgal (1 Sam 10:10).In Zimbabwean context it is documented that the Vapostori sect they can be found in "Masowe, wilderness" normally on the outskirts of town. Similarities can be noticed.

 - Israel professional prophets performed miracles for instance Elisha who is believed to be the prophetic guild under Elijah.(There are so many miracles which he did 2Kings 2:11-2 Kings 5:1 will guide us).In Zimbabwean context, walking in fire by Zviratidzo Zvevapostori has been said to be the miracles.

 - Israel professional prophets anointed Kings, for instance Elisha instructed one of his son to go and anoint Jehu to be the king of Israel, this is recorded in 2 Kings 9:1-8.In Zimbabwean context no single records has indicated that one of the sons of prophets has anointed the King, the reason being that Zimbabwe is not a monarchy but republic government. The differences can be noticed.

N.B There are so many points which the writer ignored ,not only because there are not important but time is not on our side.

DEMANDS
 - Justify the validity of the statement

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