Prophetic Words

In our text from Deuteronomy we read about Moses speaking to the Israelites reminding them of the law before they entered the promised land. While many today might see the law as an overbearing burden, it was given to the people by God as a gift. That God will raise up prophets is part of that gift. Because they feared meeting God at Horeb when they first received the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:1-21) they asked Moses to intercede for them. Now, as Moses grows old, he assures the Israelites that God will continue to raise up prophets to speak God’s word to them. These are words of assurance and comfort. Although, at times, these prophets will not speak the words the people wanted to hear but the words of God. While we did not read the following verses, we learn the mark of a true prophet is that his words come true.

We hear prophets, or people claiming to be prophets, these days as well. We usually disregard them. We have heard so many prophecies which have not come true we are highly suspect of any. In Jesus’ day prophets had a higher standing. Think about the many times people asked Jesus if he was a prophet. Was the unclean spirit a prophet in our Gospel text? Prophecy is one of the gifts of the Spirit, Paul tells us God can and does raise up prophets to speak God’s word, even today. I could ask about you. Are you a prophet? Have you heard a prophet lately? But the larger issue here is the words you have used lately.

While Paul’s argument to the Corinthians today is about food, it implies much about our lives as God’s people. The Corinthians were arguing, correctly, that they had been set free by God, that there was only one God, they could eat the food offered to those gods in good conscience. Paul agrees with them but reminds them that what they do is not only for them but for the whole of the community. While it is alright to eat food offered to idols, if it brings another to false belief it is wrong. We are called just like the Corinthians to evaluate our words and actions to make sure that they do not cause one of our brothers or sisters to fall in faith. While you may not be a prophet you are still called to speak and do so that others will hear and see Jesus through you. 

That is a difficult task and a frightening one, as Deuteronomy and Paul tells us, but it is not an impossible task. God has given his Son to die for us so that we may be able to follow him. We follow wherever he may lead us – we can do no other – and proclaim God’s salvation by loving others as God first loved us. Pray that the words you speak and the things you do will build up the kingdom of God.