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| |  | Michael Fox CPCC,
founder of m�agine!,
is a professional
coach and trainer,
author and creative artist, whose work has been featured throughout
the world.
Michael is a
Certified Practitioner
of the
Myers-Briggs
Type Indicator.�
Do you know someone
who might benefit
from our weekly email?
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The priest who turned a prophet...
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Did you know that Jeremiah, the renown prophet of ancient Judah, initially served as a priest?
The position of a priest was to stand between God and the people. His role was to represent the interests of the people to God.
Jeremiah--largely responsible for both the spiritual and physical well-being of his "parishioners"--was much like a pastor in today's parlance. Good pastors know their flock, love their flock, protect their flock. Jeremiah loved serving the people of Judah. And the people of Judah loved their priest, Jeremiah.
One remarkable day, however, God delivered startling news to Jeremiah the priest: "I knew you [how significant is that!] before I formed you in your mother's womb. Before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as my prophet to the nations" (Jeremiah 1:5).
Jeremiah the priest, God declared, was to be recommissioned as Jeremiah the prophet.
Now the position of the prophet, like the position of the priest, was to stand between God and the people. Same position. But, the role of the prophet was to represent the interests of God to the people. With his new job description, Jeremiah's loyalties were now turned from the people toward God. Within a moment, by God's calling, Jeremiah had moved from the defense to the prosecution.
Jeremiah begged God to change his mind. He didn't want to be a prophet. He was an inadequate speaker. He was too young. He was allergic to camel hair clothes. But, excuses aside, his desire was for the priesthood. But Jeremiah's pleas were dismissed.
And, oh, it was a tough time to be a prophet.
The year was 626 BC, and God's judgment--through the impending Babylonian captivity--was nigh ready to fall upon Judah. In a tender expression of despair and judgment, God asked Judah, "I remember how eager you were to please me as a young bride long ago, how you loved me and followed me...What did your ancestors find wrong with me that led them to stray so far from me?" (Jeremiah 2:1-13).
Jeremiah's unenviable task as a prophet was largely to encourage his countrymen not to resist the chastening of the Lord--not to resist Babylon when she came and destroyed Jerusalem and took captive the inhabitants of Judah in 586 BC. But the people interpreted Jeremiah's message of compliance as traitorous and, on multiple occasions, tried to kill their former, beloved, priest.
Today, we know Jeremiah as "The Weeping Prophet." For he had the understandable tendency to mourn ahead of every prophetic message he was compelled to deliver to his former parishioners. Jeremiah wept over his people, while his people seethed over Jeremiah and his new career.
Jeremiah the priest turned a prophet, but endured great loss.
You'd cry, too.
Jeremiah, prior to his birth, was formed by God to be a prophet. Yet he found the work of a priest much more resonant with his personality, preferences, and skill set. What's the learning?
The positions of the prophet and the priest were identical. They were to stand between God and his people. The roles of the priest and prophet, however, were antithetical. The priest was to represent the interests of the people before God. The prophet was to represent the interests of God before the people. If you'd lived in the days of Jeremiah, which of the two roles would be most resonant with your personality, preferences, and skill sets? How does either "priest" or "prophet" show up in your relationships today?
Contemplate the ministry of Jesus, priest and prophet. What equipped Jesus to serve such contradictory roles at once?
What would it look like for you "priests" to occasionally show up as a "prophet" and for you "prophets" to occasionally show up as a "priest"? Contemplate how your thoughts, your words, your relationships might change. What's the learning? |
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Michael Fox
m�agine!
530/613.2774
407 Myrtle Drive
Farmerville, LA, USA 71241 |
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In addition to personal and professional coaching,
m�agine! specializes in spiritual transformation coaching,
employing its proprietary models
--Values, Vision, Voice and Heart, Soul, Mind & Strength--
as well as
Myers-Briggs Type Indicator� curriculum
published by CPP, the People Development People.
Michael's books include
Complete in Christ,
Complete in Christ Spiritual Transformation Workbook,
and Biblio�files.
Coaching fees are based upon a sliding scale. Contact us for details.
For additional information, visit our website at maginethepossibilities.net.
Limited scholarships are available for spiritual transformation coaching.
On the flip side, if you are able, please inquire about opportunities
to fund scholarships for those who cannot afford coaching fees.
View our archives!
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