There is not much to add here: this meditation is almost complete as it stands. It started as a completely different poem; however, this one emerged as a reflection on the significance of anointing, something very outmoded and foreign to us. It is a beginning point for our own thoughts about what God is working on and doing in our lives. How might He be changing our game plan?
I hope you enjoy.
Advent, day 16. The Anointing and the Oil.
1 Ki 19:16b “and anoint Elisha son of Shaphat from Abel Meholath to succeed you as prophet.”
Anoint a prophet?
straining to understand here,
are You doing a new thing?
Kings are anointed
by prophets, false and true,
randomly or with grave intent.
Priests are anointed
by lineage, by tribe
like Melchizedek,
like the One we await.
But anoint a prophet?
anointing is so—
holy, official, liturgical—
So unprophetic!
You call your man,
Your call makes him speak—
Your words, in Your time.
No fuss, no mess,
and leave the clean-up for others.
Prophets are Your madcap jesters:
speaking dangerous Truth
in bearable portions.
Courting death by being messenger—
in their desert regalia:
camel’s hair and leather belts.
Eating the prophetic diet:
locusts, wild honey and raven-bread
always with danger in their words.
Prophets don’t sit on thrones
or wear ephods
or attend official events:
They evade and snatch
limelight with equanimity—
Doing the unexpected,
speaking the undesired—
Gifted conversation killers,
they stutter on small talk.
They smell singed, as though
burnt about the edges,
having encountered glory too up close and personal.
Anoint a prophet!
it’s inspired—
no one would have expected it!
How like you, YHWH,
just when I think I’m
getting to know You,
You up and change
the game plan.
I’m in.
All in.
Here’s the oil.
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