Isaiah 58:1:"Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people .... their sins"

NO man in his right mind would envy the true Prophet his real call. In the first instance the nature of his message leads to his being dubbed `negative' by his carnal colleagues. This will result in his being `boycotted', probably to the wilderness. His life and message is subject to intense scrutiny by `stone throwers' looking for false predictions on which to hang their murderous intent. In short the true prophet's only recourse to protection and support is God.

Beyond that nearly all the prophets of the OT were called upon to enumerate the sins of God's people. And there's the rub, for we humans don't like to be told about our sins

In similar words given to Isaiah, Hosea was told by God to, "Set the trumpet to thy mouth. He shall come as an eagle against the house of the LORD, because they have transgressed my covenant, and trespassed against my law" Hos 8:1: Micah protested the same thing: "But truly I am full of power by the spirit of the LORD, and of judgment, and of might, to declare unto Jacob his transgression, and to Israel his sin" Mic 3:8:

In this edition of CETF we plan to enlarge upon these prophetic declarations of Isaiah, Hosea and Micah and apply them to the day in which we live. We invite your scrutiny and response should you feel so inclined. God bless you.

PLP

Appeared in Volume 4.3 November/December 1998