relationship between kings and prophets
For every king, there was an opposing prophet or group of prophets ready to stick the covenant back in the kings face and call him to accountability to Gods word. What is helpful (but all rather complex) is to seek to carefully align the prophets and the kings, so we get the bigger picture of how both interact. Even though what we want or pursue may be reasonable, arguably necessary, and even, in the end, Gods will, we like Israel can by our attitude rebel against Gods rule over our affairs and His right to choose the timing. These bits are admittedly difficult to get ones head around, at least without a bit of help along the way. Chronological List of Prophets in the Old Testament: The Prophets: The Dates: Bible History: Kings and Events: Prophets of Israel: Jonah: 810-790 BC: 2 Kings 13-14: Jehoash, Jeroboam II (Amaziah) Joel: 790-760 BC: 2 Kings 11-15: Uzziah: Jeremiah The following will be discussed: Brokenness of the past; Authority of the King and Prophet; . What pastor would have the termerity to do such a thing to a current political leader? Readers are welcome to post comments on the material posted here, but some simple rules apply: If you are happy to abide by these rules, then by all means, send in your comments. Sometimes they perform healings and miracles in the name of the Lord. Perhaps this is nowhere truer than in the historical narratives recounting the rise and fall of Israels monarchy. In simple terms, the difference between priests and prophets is this: The priest's primary job is to represent God's people before God. -Azariah he became proud and disobedient Why have you despised the commandment of the LORD, to do evil in His sight? Unfortunately, Judah was headed towards the same outcome as her big sister. When. A political leader needs a real relationship with his pastor. ): Ark captured, Elis sons slain (4:1b11), Ark remains in Kiriath-jearim 20 years [Samsons Judgeship, 11041084 B.C.] Jehoahaz (820-804) seventeen years As the history of the judges progresses, the Book of Judges sounds an insistent theme, significant for its four-fold repetition: there was no king in Israel (but every man did that which was right in his own eyes) (17:6; 18:1; 19:1; 21:25; cf. I get that Christians can differ on the role of government in certain instances. The centrality of the prophetic word continues in Elijah and his disciple, Elisha. Some have asserted that by insisting on a monarchy, Israel was trading a higher form of government a theocracy for a lower form a monarchy (e.g., Leon Wood, The United Monarchy, 21, 28; Charles Pfeiffer, Outline of OT History, 60). In 1 Kings 12 he decides to gather an army and fight for the house of Israel in hopes that his kingdom would be restored. Its easy to read 1 and 2 Kings and think of it as a history of Israel. Together with his Canaanite wife, Jezebel, King Ahab institutes the worship of the Canaanite god, Baal, over Israel. The prophets function as intermediaries and channels of communication for the divine knowledge necessary for the king and country to live in safety and receive divine advice in times of crisis and uncertainty. 597 The fall of Jerusalem (Judah, southern kingdom) to the Babylonians (see 2 Kings 25; 2 Chronicles 36). David established Jerusalem as the, Capital city while Solomon made advance by building the temple. What about the prophets? Many things can deter Christians from reading through the OT such as long lists of genealogies or long lists of laws. And if that had been too little, I also would have given you much more! The theocracy has always been mediated through an appointed human agent [Moses, Joshua, and the judges]. The period of king in Israel was, divided into two the first three kings included Solomon, David, and Saul in the period called, golden age. They need HELP and pastors should be there to disciple them. ), Sunday School and Childrens Ministry Curricula, Hannahs song after the birth and dedication of Samuel (2:111), Priest Elis evil sons described (2:1217), Man of God warns Eli of judgment on his sons and his house (2:2736), Gods first communication to Samuel: Judgment on Elis sons and house (3:1b18), Philistines defeat Israel at Aphek (1104 B.C. Abijam (915-913) three years Before this nation was formally formed and a constitution ratified, these founders sat down together in a church service, stopped their talking, and listened for the voice of God through the sermon they heard. As a result, the kingdom splits into two: Israel in the north and Judah in the south. The prophecies of Hosea and Amos are part of a collection of books known as the trei asar (The Twelve) or the Minor Prophets. That being said, pastors should have priority access to political leaders. Some confusion arises because we often speak of Israel as covering Gods people throughout their entire existence, from the exodus to the exile. What are the major Q. It is time that our political leaders aspired to be spiritual men and women and started listening to the voices of their spiritual leaders. 516 B.C. How are they different? loyalty. A Review of Letter to the American Church. These prophecies included messages of warning and hope. What are the typical features of an apocalypse, and how are they relevant to society today? We are spiritual shepherds. BibleProject Resources in 55+ languages and counting. Provan, I 1,2 Kings (NIBC) He removed the high places and cut down the Asherah poles. First, in 1 Kings 13 a man of God opposes him at the altar in Bethel, denouncing his idolatry and announcing the end of the northern kingdom. They, were required to stand strong for the word of God just like its featured in prophet Jeremiah, Ministry where he confronted the false diviners. Woodhouse, J 2 Samuel (PTW) I gave you your masters house and your masters wives into your keeping, and gave you the house of Israel and Judah. Some of the kings in the south stayed good, some went from good to bad, a few went from bad to good, and some stayed bad. How did the prophets influence the monarchs? The covenant. When the widow's son died, Elijah, with God's help, raised him back to life again (1 Kings 17:17-24). It's interesting to note that over the following years these figures did become significant, and in that order. Patterson/Austel 1,2 Kings (EBC) I have sat through untold hours of political lectures to pastors about the state of our country and their take on what the church should be doing. Dr. Layton Talbert teaches theology and apologetics at Bob Jones Seminary, Greenville, SC and is a Frontline Contributing Editor. Wow, thats a lot of references to outside sources! Payne, J 1,2 Chronicles (EBC) Thank You We are all very familiar with the old saying history tends to repeat itself. . Jehoshaphat (Good) (874-850) twenty-five years The people fall on their faces and declare that Yahweh is the one true God. Both prophets were active during the eighth century B.C.E. righteousness of King Hezekiah and the influence of prominent prophets (2 Kings 19:35-37). There are various ways to get a handle on the prophets and when and where they ministered. The voice of the pastors should not be marginalized, but actually accentuated in any administration that is truly interested in the needs of the people they represent. Zimri (886) seven days Bookings. We need a prophet who will speak Gods word and a king who will uphold it. Will you let them know about the Indiana Pastors Alliance or the Alliance in the state in which you live? The Lord is going to cut off Jeroboams house because of his brazen idolatry. Many people are asking, Where is our culture heading? This website is devoted to exploring the major cultural, social and political issues of the day. As to the actual history of the kings, it is never easy to always get exact dates for each one, but we have some fairly good understanding of when they reigned. Hoshea (730-721) nine years <>>> The Scripture is clear that pastors are likened to watchmen on the wall and elders at the gates of the communities. Indeed, though Israel were summoned to become "a kingdom of priests," they were never called on to be a people of prophets. You can check out her work at her website, whitneywoollard.com. -19 kings (18 kings and 1 queen) in the north (Israel), all of whom were bad. I suppose they were tempted to do as some of our political leaders are doing now; trying to please everybody. Amos Five Keys in making Politicians more accountable, Then Nathan said to David, You are the man! Pastors access to their congregations and the community make it imperative that when the moment demands it they say to our current political leadership, Thou art the man (or woman). The monarchy, therefore, is neither nontheocratic nor antitheocratic. Williamson, H 1,2 Chronicles (NCBC), Your email address will not be published. He is confronted twice with the prophetic word. Trying to properly understand six crucial historical books in particular (1 & 2 Samuel, 1 & 2 Kings and 1 & 2 Chronicles) does require some assistance. Will you arise and be a voice that leads your community back to the good and right ways which are blessed by our God? His mission is sacred, his leadership of supreme importance to every one of us.". I appreciate family, faith and freedom groups providing forums to gather pastors and have them sit down to listen to a parade of politicians stop by and pontificate on what they are doing as well as what they think the church and pastors should be doing. " Courage is the mean between fear and confidence. Braun, R 1 Chronicles (WBC) 45 Selman, M 2 Chronicles (TOTC) (7:1517), Samuel appoints his sons as judges (8:12), but they are corrupt (8:3), Elders of Israel request Samuel to appoint a king (8:45), Samuel warns of the nature of kingship (8:1018), Israel insists on a king anyway (8:1920), Samuel again confers with God and concedes (8:2122), Corruption of Samuels sons, Joel and Abijah, Tribal disunity, lack of national solidarity, displayed in Judges, Spiritual degeneration evidenced in Judges, Continuing threat from surrounding nations, Previous expressions of desire for monarchy (Jud. Let us therefore consider some of the differences between a prophet and a priest: The role of priest was dynastic. Whenever you pray for others you are fulfilling a priestly function. In the biblical economy, it involved both foretelling and telling forth. If only those two werent at odds! A prophet is one who is God's spokesman. Habakkuk Lo. 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relationship between kings and prophets