Two things were common to the prophets.
 
The prophets in our bibles all had several common denominators.  First, they all preached repentance.  I'm referring to the true prophets of course.  Israel had a number of false prophets who tickled the ears of the people and gained large followings and rich earthly rewards.

That brings us to the second thing that the true prophets had in common.  They were all acquainted with grief and sorrow.  Jeremiah springs quickly to mind.  Jeremiah is known as the weeping prophet.  Jeremiah was reviled by his kin and the people at large.  His message of repentance and impending doom was ignored.  He was beaten and imprisoned.  Elijah too was chased and persecuted.  Examine the lives of the other prophets and see how they were treated.

 

When a popular so called prophet delivered a message as he stood in fine clothes, ate fine foods and retired to his comfortable home it should have called his ministry into question.  Even king David was a man who started as someone who was persecuted.  He was chased throughout the land.  As an old man he was even chased from his home by his son.  David was well acquainted with grief and sorrow.

 

If a man says he is a prophet, examine his life.

 

James 5:10  says "Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience."

 

 YBIC

Bruce Baber