Bible Studies

THE PROPHETIC WORD

by Morris Inch
09/01/16
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THE PROPHETIC WORD

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Unlike wisdom literature, the prophetic word consists of special revelation. As such, it resembles privileged information shared with another. It is decidedly not something that one can obtain on his own. Nor is its emphasis necessarily on the future. Otherwise expressed, it is forth-telling rather than foretelling.

The signature expression of the prophet was "thus God says." Consequently, it consists of divine revelation. Moreover, it was the formidable obligation of the prophet to fine-tune the chosen people to their covenant obligation. "What manner of man is the prophet?" Abraham Heschel rhetorically inquires. "To us a single act of injustice—cheating in business, exploitation of the poor—is slight; to the prophets a disaster. To us injustice to the welfare of the people; to the prophets it is a deathblow to existence; to us, an episode; to them, a catastrophe, a threat to the world" (The Prophets, pp. 3-4).

As a prime case in point, Isaiah recalls: "In the year King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated on a throne high and exalted , and the train of his robe filled the temple" (Isa. 6:1). "Under the long reign of Uzziah, in fame second only to Solomon’s, Judah reached the summit of its power. Uzziah built up the economic resources of the country as well as its military strength. He fortified the country, reorganized and re-equipped the army" (Ibid., p. 61). Even though he became proud, and attempted to usurp the power of the priesthood, his death would result in insecurity. While in context of the prophet’s vision, we are reminded that God is our ultimate provider.

"Above him were seraphs, each with six wings. With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. And they were calling to one another: ‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord, the whole earth is full of his glory.’" They covered their face out of deference to the Lord’s glory, their feet lest they offend him, and were able to fly about to render him service. Thrice characterized as holy, by way of emphasis.

"At the sound of their voices the door-posts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke." This assuredly was an awesome sight, which would leave a lingering impression. Giving rise to the observation: "If one reveres God, he has no one or nothing else to fear."

"Woe to me!" Isaiah cried out. "I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty." Thus to recognize both the personal and social dimensions of evil, in the presence of a holy God.

"Then one of the seraphs flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar. With it he touched my mouth and said, ‘See, this has touched your lips, your guilt is taken way and your sin atoned for.’" While symbolic of grace, understood as unmerited favor.

Whereupon, he heard the voice of the Lord saying: "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?" Consisting of a call to prophetic ministry, and the burdens associated with it. Hence, not something to be taken lightly.

"Here I am," Isaiah allowed. "Send me!" Purged of his sin, he was available for service. But at God’s discretion.

At this, the Almighty replied: "God and tell this people: ‘Be every hearing, but never understanding; be ever seeing, but never perceiving.’ Make the heart of this people calloused, make their ears dull and close their eyes." Thus disregarding the divine initiative.

"For how long, O Lord?" Isaiah inquired. Since only God knows when more time will serve no legitimate purpose.

Until the land is devastated, but where a stump remains, "so that the holy seed will be the stump in the land." Qualifications aside, "All is well that ends well."

Isaiah could not have imagined at the time what all this would involve. God works in mysterious ways his wonders to perform. It is only in retrospect that we can see more clearly his gracious intent, and even then, it remains to the summation to fully appreciate his agenda, and the critical role of the prophets in bringing it about.