Mission in the Prophets Missiology: A Reflection

Missiology: Mission in the Prophets2 Prophetic witness To talk of “ prophetic witnessing, prophets and prophecies ” is to evoke memories of the Biblical prophets who marked the people of Israel 's history. It is to talk about the persons who had the courage and daring to listen to God's call, becoming his messengers to announce his prophecy. They were persons who denounced injustice, iniquity, violence, but who also announced a new time of hope, justice and peace, thereby becoming “ the light of the nations ” (Isaiah 49:6).

Missiology: Mission in the Prophets3 Evolution through History Prophecy does not rise from institutional power, organization or rational knowledge. It comes up as a God manifest through a human being to communicate a message to his chosen people. Individuals such as singers, artists, and poets were often named “ diviners ” or “ prophets ” (1 Sm 10:10; 19: 20-24; 1 Kings 17:17- 18). They were usually called to resolve problems affecting the people in general, such as health and other common matters.

Missiology: Mission in the Prophets4 When rulers called a prophet, they usually meant to have him find a solution since a prophet's support meant having support from the divinity associated with him, thereby also securing obedience from their subjects. Prophets therefore became known as legislators as well, since they could be given the task to either enforce an existing right, or institute another. They were often called to resolve social tensions. Biblical prophets showed interest in raising social and political questions as a means to an end.

Missiology: Mission in the Prophets5 The early prophets of Israel The early prophets ( BC) were individuals called by God to announce his messages to his chosen people. They were associated with God who had given them their mission of prophesying. Since this often did not suit the king's plans, a sharp split between prophets and rulers took place. This split first happened during Elijah's lifetime ( BC). It was with him that prophecy took on the advocacy of God's covenant with his chosen people, despite the tyranny of their rulers.

Missiology: Mission in the Prophets6 Developing concepts Threat of punishment. Distinction between false and true prophets of Yahweh. This separation determined the need for people to decide which side to take (Dt 18,15-22; Jr 14,13-14; 28,9; Ez 33,30-33), something that was not always easy since the prophets themselves many times had doubts (Jr 17,15; 12,1) Defn: “ the one who speaks in God's name. ” Pre-exile prophets were mainly concerned with proclaiming God's will while opposing social injustice prevailing among the Israelites and the Judeans. During the exile period, however, the prophets sought to encourage the expatriated, whereas post-exile prophets were concerned with the rebuilding of Jerusalem

Missiology: Mission in the Prophets7 The Prophet's Mission Throughout the exile period ( BC), the prophet's preaching actualized itself in giving hope to the people of Israel: hope in God's powerful hand, the promise of a new heaven and a new earth. The prophet announced hope and invited the people of Israel to participate in God's covenant through conversion.

Missiology: Mission in the Prophets8 Vocation The Biblical prophet's actions are always marked by God's initiative. No legitimate prophet can be self-proclaimed, rather, he hears God's call and freely responds by letting himself be guided by God. Many times this call causes him some uncertainty and resistance, as happens with Jeremiah who is initially afraid to respond to God's command. After having his experience of God, he can no longer remain silent. Accepting the call, he makes himself fully available to God

Missiology: Mission in the Prophets9 The prophet makes his experience of God from being and living among the people, in the events of daily life, and he surrenders to God. (Is 52:6; 58:9; 65:1). It is in the midst of the people that prophecy is found and is a source of wealth; though it can be a source of decadence, as happens when people frivolously cry out, “ so says the Lord! ” (Jr 28:4; 8)

Missiology: Mission in the Prophets10 The Prophet's Experience The prophet's experience of God is always a reminder of all that God has done in the past to give the prophet enough sight to understand its meaning as applicable to the present. In this context, the prophet becomes the people's memory: for example, a reminder of annoying things they would rather forget, such as the exodus experience (Ex 22:20). It is also a reminder of the caring presence of a redeeming God who made a covenant with his people and led them to a new land. (Dt 32:10-11).

Missiology: Mission in the Prophets11 Defender of the covenant Attester to God ’ s holiness Exemplar of one who lives with God Not only is the prophet a special person having a great experience of God without any selfish interest, he actually turns his experience into a gift of his own life to the fulfillment of God's will. As he proclaims God's will, the prophet does it from his knowledge of God's deeds through the living experience of his people's suffering from injustice.

Missiology: Mission in the Prophets12 Being the one who announces God's presence and will because of his divine incumbency, the prophet has authority to demand obedience out of ethical duty. The prophet can also be a man or woman who, by his/her own example, shows the way of religious salvation.In this sense, the prophet's mission is bound to be gratuitous and cannot be exercised as a career. His mission is to avail himself to the service of God so as to actualize a given mission by proclaiming his prophecy.

Missiology: Mission in the Prophets13 Justice, solidarity and mysticism Justice The pathway of justice is taken when everything has already happened according to God's will. COVENANT and the establishment of the Sabbatical or Jubilee Year (Lv 25; Dt 15). Solidarity The prophet at that time had the mission to indicate ways to achieve solidarity among the people. The prophet's witnessing led the people to learn how to be caring of one another while sharing the gift of life with its joys and sufferings.

Missiology: Mission in the Prophets14 Mysticism A fulfilled community A consciousness of God God present among his people, God It is within this context that social justice and solidarity resulted from a mystical practice of incarnated faith, closely linked to the prophet's mission. Creation/ Covenant/Incarnation/ Crucifixion/Resurrection