Tehillah Generation Chapel
Daily Manna | Saturday, May 19, 2018 | Topic: Conscience 23
Scripture: My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge; because you have rejected knowledge, I reject you from being a priest to me. And since you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children. Hosea 4:6
Note: The early days of Hosea’s marriage to Gomer were beautiful and blissful days. It goes to demonstrate the fact of deep attraction for each other before they tied the knot. Hosea had been hesitant to commit to her because of the past life of Gomer. Having to function in the position of a prophet would demand a strict adherence to the standards of a separated life as was demanded of priests that went into marriage as was specified in the rules of engagement for choosing a spouse, Hosea might have reflected.
The conundrum faced by Hosea had to do with the consecration required of him to function in his capacity as a prophet. Both prophets and priests were leaders required to observe strict standards of consecration as far as the institution of marriage was concerned. In Leviticus 21:7, “Priests shall not marry a prostitute or a woman who has been defiled, neither shall they marry a woman divorced from her husband, for the priest is holy to his God.” Both prophets and priests were officially recognised by the people for the leadership that they provided for the people.
The prophets functioned through the ministration of the word of God. They usually had strong and peculiar personality that carried an aura of fear about them. They captured the imagination of the people with drama in such fearless manner, with the ability to speak truth to power. They were not afraid to challenge kings, courts or society as a whole. The Most High God is the source of their power and authority. Speaking the truth with confirmation of their word accompanied by power and the miraculous created an awe inspiring impact on their ministry.
The priests by contrast were for the most part quieter figures who were traditionally apolitical. They served mainly in the sanctuary rather than in the spotlight of political debates. This didn’t make them any less inferior to the prophets. The role of the priests was dynastic whereas that of the prophet was by calling. The priests were bound by rules and regulations in observing protocols whereas the prophets weren’t bound by such rules. The honour of the prophet was in the effectiveness and impact of his message in affecting lives and creating a paradigm shift in a nation. Hosea was thus free to marry Gomer without violating the rules of Yahweh on the consecration of his wife.
Food for thought: Liberty in Christ is not a free licence to indulge in reckless choices but freedom to demonstrate the power, love and goodness of God.
Declaration: But Moses said to him, “Are you jealous for my sake? Would that all the Lord’s people were prophets, that the Lord would put His Spirit on them.” Num 11:29
©Author: Rev Fred Aboe
