For Herod had seized John and bound him and put him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, because John had been saying to him, “It is not lawful for you to have her.”

   - Matthew 14.3, 4

As [Theuderic] often visited Columban, the holy man began to reprove him because he sinned with concubines, and did not satisfy himself with the comfort of a lawful wife... After this reproof from Columban, the king promised to abstain from such sinful conduct.

   - Jonas, Life of St. Columban, Italian, 7th century

The prophet played many roles in the Old Testament economy. One of the most important was that of trying to keep the rulers on the straight and narrow (think: Nathan and David, Micaiah and Ahab, Isaiah and Hezekiah, Jeremiah and Zedekiah).

It was not always pleasant duty (ask Elijah), nor did it always produce results in keeping with the divine purpose (ask Jeremiah).

But the true prophet was concerned for the common weal, since he knew that God would visit His wrath upon a nation that scorned His Law because its leaders had determined another course of policy.

It’s interesting that both John the Baptist and Columbanus used the word, “lawful,” in rebuking their sovereigns. By that they meant the Law of God. Herod was a secular king and Theuderich was barely a nominal Christian. Each, however, was subject to the over-rule of God and of Jesus Christ, His King, and each was responsible, according to John and Columbanus, for keeping their conduct consistent with the Law of God.

Show me one pastor today who is speaking the truth of God’s Law to the lawmakers and rulers of this land.

The voice of the prophet is all but silent in America (cf. Ps. 74.9), and the voice of folly rules the roost in legislatures, courts, and executive offices as a result.

The prophet of God knows that the blessings of God abide on that land which conducts its affairs in acknowledgement of the rule of King Jesus (Ps. 33.12). For love of country as well as love of God, the prophet calls his nation to repent and submit to the wisdom and Word of God while there is yet time.

Joel said that, in the last days, all those possessed by the Spirit of God would prophesy (Joel 2.28). All those in whom the Spirit came to dwell, not just the pastors.

Are you fulfilling your prophetic duty?

Psalm 2.11, 12 (Agincourt: “O Love, How Deep, How Broad, How High”)
Rejoice with fear in Jesus’ grace, and worship before His exalted face!
Beware His anger and judgment grim; how blessed are all who rest in Him.

Lord, move in us Your people, that we may be faithful to proclaim Your truth at every opportunity.