On Prophets and Powers

In the Old Testament, the prophets have a genre of writing called “oracles against the nations,” or OAN for short. In these oracles, the prophets denounce the sins of other nations (some examples of OAN are Amos 1-2; Isaiah 13-24; and Jeremiah 47-51).

The interesting thing about the OAN is that the prophets are not writing directly to these nations; there is no evidence that any of these nations ever heard what Amos or Jeremiah had to say about them. Rather, they are writing to God's people about these nations.

You see, the prophets recognize Empire everywhere and warn God’s people against these systems, lest they desire to become one. Empire ways are seductive, and God’s people are certainly not immune to its desire for power, coercion, and affluence.

Through the OAN, the prophets invite God's people to consider: How are we like the Empires around us? By condemning them, how are we also condemning ourselves?

The tyranny of Empire is all around us, and the task of God’s people is still to recognize it both among and within us today. By condemning it, the prophetic voices invite us to cultivate the Kingdom alternative – a Kingdom that is recognized by God’s presence and attributes.

The Putins, the Netanyahus, and the Trumps won’t ever hear our criticism of them, but ultimately they are not our audience. Our audience remains God’s people, lest we be seduced by their Empire-ways.

Those who have been resilient in pointing out injustice… Those who have criticized the powers and principalities at work around us… Those who have called the Church to greater faithfulness… Thank you stewarding the prophetic tradition.