We continue to read various works of the prophets. A few weeks ago, we read the opening chapters of Jeremiah along with the beginning of Isaiah. These different readings tell the story of these two prophets receiving their call through visions. Now you have read the opening words of John when he too was given a vision of the Risen Christ in the Revelation.
In Scripture, the “prophetic voice” is understood to be the voice of the Holy One. “Thus says the Lord…” is the prophet’s brazen statement. In the Hebrew tradition, the prophets were chosen and called by God. They were given a message for a specific people at a specific time within a specific situation. Sometimes a message of hope and comfort; sometimes a message of judgment.
“Who shall I send?” asked the One who sits upon the throne and whose robe fills the Temple.
“Here I am,” answered the trembling Isaiah. “Send me.”
This week’s blog considers the Psalms and offers some insights into the hymnbook of Israel. Included here is the essay about the prophetic imagination, in case you missed it earlier.
https://livinginthestory.com/2017/08/reflections-on-the-psalms/
https://livinginthestory.com/2017/09/week-39-the-prophetic-imagination/