“Prophesize” is not a word. No matter how many tv shows and movies illiterately declare that some religious leader “prophesized to the faithful,” real Bible readers have never seen or heard that word. But just because we can spell prophesy does not mean we understand the prophets. Very few have a real handle on the biblical role of a prophet. Jamie Soles’ super-fun 2007 album, “Fun and Prophets” gives us some superior insight.
WHAT IS A PROPHET
So what is a prophet, anyway? Most of us have an image of an old man with a robe and a staff, pointing. But the Bible gives us many, many examples of prophets, and ample explanation of what their role is – and it is not primary to be a godly fortune-teller. James Jordan (who is an influence on Soles) makes an emphasis on their prophet as God’s royal advisors. He tells them his plans, and they reply with advice or requests – and God listens to his advisors:
“For the Lord God does nothing
without revealing his secret
to his servants the prophets.” (Amos 3.7)
The term for a royal advisor (a vizier, a counselor), was “the friend of the king.” See 1 Chronicles 27.33: “33 Ahithophel was the king’s counselor, and Hushai the Archite was the king’s friend.”
Abraham was a person that God called his friend, and we see him acting exactly like a king’s advisor:
17 The Lord said, “Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do, 18 seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him? 19 For I have chosen him, that he may command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing righteousness and justice, so that the Lord may bring to Abraham what he has promised him,” (Gen 18).
LEARN IT EARLY!
Your kids can get ahead of the normal learning curve on this important information – all the while loving the music of Jamie Soles on his album “Fun and Prophets”.
The chorus of this song reflects the passages we have looked at already.
HIDE THE WORD IN YOUR HEART
“Shall I Hide” is one of many songs built to teach you the words of scripture. It’s fun to know the text of scripture outside of standard Sunday-School verses. “Shall I Hide” is an example of the many songs here that will teach you the text of the Bible. Listen as it reflects the verses we looked at:
Shall I hide from Abraham what I'm about to do
Seeing he will be a great and mighty nation
Shall I hide from Abraham what I'm about to do
Since the blessing of the world will come through him?
For I have chosen him
That he may command his children
And his household after him to keep My ways
So that I may bring the things I've promised Abe….
This song, “Shall I Hide” helps to continue illustrating the theme established in the first song, “These are the Prophets”:
These are the prophets
They speak and things change
New worlds are created
Old ones rearranged
They serve as the counselors to God Most High
So prophesy Prophet, prophesy.
MORE FUN WITH LESS PROMINENT PASSAGES
Healing Abimelech’s House – “What Prophets Do” – Gen 20:
Abraham prevents Abimelech from being cursed in response to his taking Sarah. Abraham prays for God to restore Abimelech’s house. And God listens.
God Restrains Evil Prophets – “Dust of Jacob” – Num 23:
We visit with a Bad prophet, Balaam, who is unfaithful, but who cannot under the influence of the Holy Spirit prophecy harm to Israel. In the midst of this example of God’s control we hear the prophecy of the Star that would guide the Wise Men after the birth of Jesus.
TEACH US TO PRAY
Moses models prayer for us – “Golden Calf” – Ex 32:
Exodus 32 – Would you dare to pray this way?
What will the Egyptians say to this?
They will tell each other You are evil
And what about Your promises
That You made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob?
Turn from Your burning anger
Turn back this plan against Your people
They are Your people
And You have promised….
That’s how Moses did pray, as God was angry about the Golden calf, and it was welcomed by God.
AND A FUN TIME WAS HAD BY ALL…
Learn about:
- Micaiah mocking Ahab (1 Kg 22)
- The attack of the two she-bears (2 Kg 23-25)
- Jonah
- Elisha commissioning the Anointing of Jehu (2 Kg 9)
- Hosea’s uncomfortable marriage to a prostitute (Hosea)
- Ezekiel’s odd physical object lessons (Ezk 4-5)
- Several songs about the fall of Jerusalem to Babylon and the deportation (Dan 2, Jer 32, Jer 39-40)
THE GOAL IS THE GOSPEL
All of this focus on the Old Testament prophets trains us to receive the great news of that Incredible prophet named Jesus who raised a dead boy during the boy’s own funeral (Gates of Nain). This is a really powerful and beautiful song.
We hear even of Peter, the great Apostle and Prophet preaching the Gospel, and referring to Jesus as the fulfillment of what God has been telling us all this time throughout out the Old Testament Prophets:
What God foretold by the mouth of all His prophets
That His Christ would suffer
Jesus has fulfilled
...
So repent, then, turn again
That your sins may be forgiven
That times of refreshing may come from the Lord
So get you some Jamie Soles “Fun and Prophets” and enjoy yourself some prophet-sized fun.
You can buy “Fun and Prophets” on Jamie’s website (solmusic.ca), and you can support him on Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/join/2034697).
