From the very beginning: A prophet is a foundational man. His is chosen and sent to draw forth that which is foundational. Prophets inquire and search diligently, to be able to prophesy of the grace of God, of the ways of God, of His nature and of the proper standing of the people of God. 1 Pet 1:10
The prophet shuns triviality, he chooses his words carefully. He understands that his words never cover the full intention of the Lord. Therefore, he is never careless when it comes to words and definitions.
He is chosen and sent to draw fort that which is foundational. His presence is oftentimes provocative, he is an annoyance when the people of God has chosen to sit idly. He is a rough challenge where comfort zones are firmly established. His words are meant to draw forth that which is foundational when the people of God have turned Church into Sunday culture.
His words bring radical demands, his life and living is as foundational as his words. He is a foundational man, a man of heavenly stature – often weak and perplexed, certainly humble. He has learnt to care for his people the hard way. The many who chooses to throw invectives and insults at their audiences and at opposing parties, has no part of the prophetic process which aims at redeeming and restoring.
The prophet’s words are tools in God’s hand, “pure words, as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times”. He is painfully aware of the possibility of a diluting of the words given, he is painfully aware of the possibility of an intrusion of his own fantasy and desires in the process of delivering the prophetic statement. He is painfully aware of the longing among the people for a “good” word, a confirmation, a word which soothes and lifts up – and his own weakness as to the standing firm in what the Lord has given.
The prophet is a foundational man, words and definitions are his main tools in the work which the Lord has assigned to him. A sure sign of the man sent from God is his way with words – even with truth itself. He lives the truth. The contours and at times even his countenance are well defined, sharp indeed. He serves the Eternal – which means, there is no change, no compromise, no possibility to ward off what has been said. God’s Word stands – and the prophet trembles at the delivering of a word from His mouth.
Lars Widerberg
Reading: 1 Pet 1:10, Ps 12:6