On Fishermen and Hunters

Jeremiah 16:16 ‘Behold, I will send for many fishermen says the Lord and they shall fish them. And afterwards I will send for many hunters and they shall hunt them from every mountain and every hill and out of holes in the rock’

Matthew 4:19 ‘Then He said to them “Follow me and I will make you fishers of men”’

When God promised to restore the Israelites to their land, He doesn’t choose just anyone to go get them. He chooses two sets of people with certain skills
1. Fishermen
2. Hunters
What do these two have in common? They are professions that require one to be skilled to be successful. They require

A. Patience: Fishermen and hunters are very patient. It could take hours to days after throwing in the net or setting a trap for the prey to be caught.

B. Perseverance: They don’t give up just because they didn’t catch anything the first or 100th time, they simply try again even if they must go home and recoup first. (Peter and his crew fished all night)

C. Study: Fishermen and hunters study what they want to catch and the best way to go about it. They spend time observing and trying new methods. They also know themselves. they know when it’s time to withdraw and rest to return another day. They know when to call for help and not go it alone.

D. Training: They also train with skilled fishermen/hunters before striking out on their own. Training is important in the art of fishing/hunting. The would-be fisherman/hunter spends time with experts in the trade learning the ropes. They serve their masters who, when they are convinced that their prodigies are ready, equip and release them to start their own trade.

E. Wisdom: Wisdom is the ability to apply knowledge. What is the use of having knowledge if one does not apply it? The fisherman knows when to reel in the fish and when to give it more line in order not to lose both the fish and the fishing line.

As Christians, we are called to be fishers of men. We are the ones called to go out and bring back His people. The bible says that Jesus called His disciples to (1) be with Him and (2) be sent out. He is the Master fisherman. We are the apprentices. We need to sit at His feet, learn from Him, serve Him and follow His instructions. Our Mission is to be with Him and to go out to win souls. There is no greater expert on humans than the one who created us. He knows the best message and the best time to preach to particular individuals that will draw them to Him. He knows when signs and wonders are needed and when just actions or just words or even silence is needed.

To succeed as soul winners, we need the fruit of the Spirit, the gifts of the Spirit, and most importantly The Holy Spirit Himself. We need to recognize His voice to be able to follow His guidance. Spending time in His presence will achieve this.

Pause and ponder: We are soul-winners how prepared are you to ‘fish’ for men? Take some time to reassess, get back to His presence. Study His word. And be ready always to cast the net at His command.
Happy Thanksgiving

‘And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach, And to have the power to heal sicknesses and to cast out devils:’ [Mark 3:14-15 (KJV)]