Links for today’s readings:
Read: Deuteronomy 18 Listen: (3:08) Read: 2 Corinthians 11 Listen: (4:46)
Links for this weekend’s readings:
Read: Deuteronomy 19 Listen: (3:04) Read: 2 Corinthians 12 Listen: (3:54)
Read: Deuteronomy 20 Listen: (2:55) Read: 2 Corinthians 13 Listen: (2:19)
Scripture Focus: Deuteronomy18.18-19
18 I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their fellow Israelites, and I will put my words in his mouth. He will tell them everything I command him. 19 I myself will call to account anyone who does not listen to my words that the prophet speaks in my name.
Reflection: Prophets Like Moses
By John Tillman
Prophets speak about the future, but aren’t fortune tellers. Prophets perform signs, but aren’t sorcerers. What is a prophet like?
God says his prophets will be like Moses. God will put his word in their mouths and tell them his commands. God will hold accountable those who do not listen. Prophets speak to people on behalf of God.
We think of prophets as having spooky supernatural visions and experiences. They sometimes do. But most of the time, prophets’ “visions” are simple observations of human wickedness. When prophets speak, they usually address problems of the moment and promises for the future.
Problems of the moment can be problems people face or problems people cause. The people faced the probem of Pharaoh’s army. Moses said, “You will never see them again.” (Exodus 14.13) The people caused problems through rebellion, idolatry, and sin. Moses issued God’s judgments. (Exodus 32.30)
Promises for the future can be blessings or cursings, conditional or unconditional. Pharaoh heard conditional promises of plagues, suffering, and death if he did not let the people go. The people heard conditional promises of life, peace, and safety if they followed God’s commands. (Deuteronomy 28.9-11) God’s unconditional promise was to save a people for himself and bring them to a good land to prosper. (Genesis 12.1-3; Exodus 6.6-8)
Prophets speak of the future based on what God says about the present. Prophets see the now through God’s eyes and hear it through his ears. Prophecy is one of the gifts described in the early church community. (Romans 12.6; 1 Corinthians 12.8-10) We still need believers with this spiritual gift today. We must hear the cries of the poor, oppressed, and vulnerable before we speak about power. We must confess the reality of today’s sins before we speak of tomorrow’s judgment or salvation.
Are you a prophet? Do you see today’s problems? Do you know God’s promises for the future?
If you do not sense a prophetic call to speak, obey your calling to listen to today’s prophets. Prophetic messages are often uncomfortable or inconvenient. Resist the urge to grumble against them as the people grumbled against Moses. Beware “prophets” who always promise comfort and safety and say “peace” when there is no peace. (Jeremiah 6.14; Ezekiel 13.10)
Remember this, too. Every believer carries at least one prophetic message—the gospel. Go. Tell of the problem of sin. Tell of the promise of freedom, forgiveness, and salvation through the cross and resurrection of Jesus. Be a prophet like Moses who sets people free. (Luke 4.16-20)
Divine Hours Prayer: The Call to Prayer
Come now and see the works of God, how wonderful he is in his doing toward all people. — Psalm 66.4
– Divine Hours prayers from The Divine Hours: Prayers for Summer
by Phyllis Tickle
Read more: Tortured Prophets Department
Many who speak out against abuses in the church…of power and sexual abuse, found the track “Cassandra,” from Taylor Swift’s album, devastatingly relatable
Read more: Unworthy Prophets
May a better class of prophets speak the truth to power and to God’s people.