Final answer:
Prophets are compared to watchmen on a tower as they both serve as guardians and warn their community of potential dangers. Prophets receive divine revelations that guide their actions and messages, and they have a direct connection with the divine that sets them apart from formal religious institutions.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the scriptures, prophets are compared to watchmen on a tower because they are seen as individuals who possess a heightened awareness and insight into God’s will and the future. Just as a watchman stands on a tower to look out for impending danger and protect the city, a prophet alerts people to spiritual dangers and impending judgments or deliverance, encouraging them to act accordingly. This metaphor encapsulates the proactive and protective role prophets play in guiding and warning their communities.
The position of a prophet comes from a direct connection with the divine, allowing them to convey messages and guidance that can be particularly influential during times of social crisis or moral confusion. Historically, figures like Moses, Muhammad, and Joseph Smith are recognized as prophets because they claimed to receive revelations from a higher power and founded or greatly influenced religious movements based on those prophecies.
In this sense, prophets act as intermediaries between God and humanity, providing divine wisdom and instruction. They often stand apart from established religious institutions and derive their authority from their ability to communicate with the divine realm and persuade others through their charisma and legitimate insights.