A Prophet and His Hometown

A "Not Welcome" Sign

A prophet is a person who "speaks on behalf of the LORD." 

The LORD's message throughout time has been simple and clear. He will exalt the humble who depend on Him and strike down the proud who trust in themselves (Proverbs 16:18). 

God sends prophets to a nation, a civilization, a city, and a family where there are people refusing to depend on Him. However, people resist the prophets, and by their resistance, they exhibit their rebellion toward God (Jeremiah 25:4). 

The Bible tells us the prophets were rejected and ridiculed because the people determined the prophets unremarkable and deemed their proclamations uncomfortable. 

If someone is from your hometown, you're familiar with them. That familiarity often brings contempt. When a prophet sent from God is from your hometown, it is difficult to listen to the prophet because you're thinking, "Wait a minute! Isn't this Joseph the carpenter's boy?"

God uses the prophets to jolt His people awake.

I will again jolt this people awake...
And the w…