The Prophet

The prophet is way ahead of the herd of sheep, perhaps 5 miles beyond the next hill; he is on the lookout. There he hears God’s voice and sees visions, enters the throneroom of God and glimpses something. It may actually be very good that he is often away from the flock, because few really do understand him. He is interested not so much in people and what they think of him, but he is interested in God’s voice for the situation. Added to that, he often has a complicated and disorganized personality exactly because he is so uniquely gifted. Can you imagine spending a relaxed half hour drinking coffee with Jeremiah? Jeremiah would probably tear you and me apart, and use the tea for an illustration. A prophet’s perspective is radically different to that of the pastor. He hears from God and quite mercilessly questions everything, including the pastor, from God’s perspective. That, however, is his healthy and God-given duty. For that reason, there is also a historical tension between the pastor and the prophet: one as a defender of the status quo, who wants to maintain the community; the other who questions everything and is seen (rightly) by many others as a threat, because he disrupts things and wants ”movement now”. The Shepherd, in many pictures, does not only have a stick in his hand to tend the sheep and keep away the wolves, he also may be quick in using that stick to keep away prophets. And yet both views are valid, because both are serving God and the same flock - one with loving attention, the other with a prophetic view. Both are necessary! The prophet’s motto, describing his ministry, is ”vision”. Prophets often have the unique ability to see and hear what others do not see nor hear. These supernatural revelations need to go through a process of healthy interpretation in the church (1 Cor 14:29) and application. The prophet is groomed by a direct calling from God, and then usually sent ”pouring water over the hands of a master prophet”, as in the case of Elijah and Elisha (2. Kings 3:11).