Prophets can be greatly mis-understood and often are (this we know to be true) brethren.
Jeremiah was known as the weeping Prophet and was incarcerated for speaking out! They often did not come with a feel good ... or happy clappy message.
But after all ~~ Is not God's word like a fire! and is not like the hammer that -SMASHES- the rock TO Pieces!
Isaiah said the prophet's in his generation were sooth sayer prophets, who prophesied lies, and told them things they wanted to hear ... prophesy unto us SMOOTH THINGS ! Was the catch cry of that ... DAY!! (please us, sooth us, tickle our ears) preach peace to us - even if calamity is determined upon the land.
Jonah was told to warn of impending Judgement to the city of Ninevah - they were told to repent, and come -lie- in (sack cloth & ashes) Turn from YOUR inquities (or else) suffer the consequences thereof.
They heeded the message - and returned from wickedness and as result, were spared ensuing and ominent judgement!
Ezekiel was told he would attract thorns and thistles "to" himself - "but son of man" - be not afraid of their faces, neither be dismayed at their looks. For MY spirit WILL BE upon you Mightily - the prophet often prophesied of impending famines, droughts, pestilence's - and of the sword. For instance " drop thy word toward holy places and prophesy against the land of your own people" ( Israel )
On other occasions he was instructed to SIGH with the breaking of loins; and with BITTERNESS sigh before their eyes. (Ezek 21:6)
Jesus said true prophets are not recieved among family or kinfolk, nor by country of birthplace they were "without honour" as such, and not respected. Neither for their office, for their words (nor for the divine appoinment they were appointed thereunto)
again: Jesus said in matthew twenty three that he would raise up and send - wise men, scribes and prophets ~~ and some of them you slay ( murder ) and some you will persecute from city to city, so that the blood of all righteous men from righteous Abel through to zechariah - whom ye slew between the porch and the altar, come upon you .... filling up then the measure of your father's Cup.
The ways of a prophet though being unusaul to the naked eye - and out of the ordinary, even seemingly strange, but yet nevertheless being mandated by Holy God ... and SENT.
This by course - can lead TO rejection ... both ON THEIR PART, and on your part - with the people doubting - and standing in doubt.
Elijah told them: Why halt ye between two opinions
Many times Israel stumbled over them! With The Lord Jesus himself being made a stumblingblock to them, and a rock of offence. To the rulers, the Jews, and that of the Scribes and the Pharisee's.
Having eyes to see - they comprehended not!
The apostle also informing us from Thessalonians that the Jews were "contrary" to ALL men.
Who both killed the Lord Jesus
And their "OWN" prophets
And have persecuted us also (The Apostles)
Filling up their sin alway!
For wrath is come upon them to the uttermost.
They had the blood of prophets on their own hands.
Hence Jesus said "judge not" ~~ according to the appearance ... but rather judge righteously!!
Likewise the prophetic anointing can also be scorned - and villified in a similiar vein and manner.
But we are told not to "despise" prophesyings, but rather judge it - and to discern it, proving the Prophets!
The false prophets we are told by both Ezekiel and Jeremiah prophesied ( from) their "own" hearts - and from their (own) spirits!
And the visions they saw ... WERE VANITY!
God said i have not sent these prophets, and neither is my word - in their mouths.
It behoves us to discern the true and the false
NOT throwing out the baby OUT with the bath water - that is to say ... should God raise up CONTEMPORARY messengers FOR OUR PRESENT AGE.
And in our time!
A TRUE PROPHET WILL NOT TELL THE PEOPLE WHAT THEY WANT TO HEAR - BUT WHAT THEY "NEED" TO HEAR.
Not fearing man - or the faces of the people.
God told ezekiel he would make his face (harder than flint) and his forehead more adamant than the foreheads of the people he preached to.
Placing great BOLDNESS and HOLY courage into his heart and spirit!
People often make the mistake of confusing boldness - for pride, and then accuse the person falsely of having an offensive demeanor.
Look at Peter and John: constantly saying words like " be it known unto you brethren"
And again he would say to the Jews: Be it known unto you all Israel!
Is that arrogance and pride: or holy tenacity and holy boldness?
Answer: Scripture declares it to be ~~ THAT OF "HOLY BOLDNESS" - AND NOT BELIGERAANCE, OR PRIDE, OR EVEN PREACHING FROM CARNAL BITTERNESS.
Grace, peace, and mercy be multiplied to all the brethren. ( Amen & Amen )