Micaiah and the 400 Prophets

Wednesday, September 16, 2009 -- Week of Proper 19, Year One
Ninian, Bishop in Galloway, c. 430

Today's Readings for the Daily Office (Book of Common Prayer, p. 984)
Psalms 72 (morning) 119:73-96 (evening)
1 Kings 22:1-28
1 Corinthians 2:1-13
Matthew 4:18-25

The story in 1 Kings has a modern ring to it. The king of Judah comes to the king of Israel to urge him to join him in war against an adjoining kingdom in order to reclaim some disputed territory. They seek the advice of prophets.

There are 400 court prophets whose work is to advise the king. Their livelihood is supported by the king. Their money and food comes from the royal coffers. When the two kings ask their opinion, the prophets speak encouragement about the war: "Go up; for the Lord will give it into the hand of the king." It is worthless advice.

The word of the court prophets sounds very familiar. It is the kind of advice our leaders get whenever they listen to those who have vested interests in the "royal coffers."

I was listening to a radio interview yesterday about the failures of our banking and financial systems. Letting the industry be self-disciplining and self-regulating has been an obvious disaster, the pundits observed. The interviewer then asked what controls or regulations need to be in place to promote a healthy system.

Before the conversation could become constructive, with ideas for healthy reform, the interviewee explained why it is unlikely that any truly effective regulatory system would be adopted. He said that the congressional body which creates the regulations is a huge committee -- more than 70 members. It is too big to be able to function effectively. Why is it so big? Both political parties want it that way. Why? Because they both send their members who are in potentially vulnerable races to be on that committee where they will be the beneficiaries of sizable donations from the banking and financial industries. For politicians, those industries are cash cows. The financial industries make large donations to the political system to prevent regulation. The committee of 70+ is a great place to fill the campaign war chest. The 400 court prophets know what to say to keep themselves in power and comfort.

The 400 court prophets have mobilized to advise our rulers about health care as well. The insurance and pharmaceutical industries in particular are cashing in on the brokenness of our current system. They're working hard to keep the status quo. Their court prophets are particularly skilled at manipulating the reservoir of anti-government suspicion that so many people have. Thomas Frank's book "What's the Matter With Kansas?" elaborates how middle-Americans are voting against their own populist self-interests, being manipulated by the wealthy and powerful who use wedge issues like abortion and gay-rights to inflame anti-liberal passions so that populist reform becomes impossible. Add a touch of racism against a black president, and the entrenched system becomes further entrenched.

We always have the 400 prophets who speak from nepotism rather than truth. But there are always true prophets as well. Micaiah son of Imlah does not join the chorus of 400. The powerful king Ahab doesn't want to listen to him. "I hate him, for he never prophesies anything favorable about me, but only disaster." The entrenched industries of the 400 prophets hate Micaiah also. Micaiah will speak the truth, regardless of its consequences.

The norms of the 400 prophets are the norms of power, wealth and control. The norms of the true prophets are oriented toward the values of God. Our psalm appointed for this morning, Psalm 72, is one of the Biblical accounts describing an ideal ruler. Godly government, according to the psalm, (1) embraces justice and (2) orients itself toward the needs of the poor.

"Give the King your justice, O God, ...that he may rule your people righteously and the poor with justice; ...for he shall deliver the poor who cries out in distress and the oppressed who has no helper. He shall have pity on the lowly and poor; he shall preserve the lives of the needy."

In the midst of the noise of the prophets telling us what we should do about finance and banking or about health care and insurance, how will we know the voice of Micaiah son of Imlah? It will be the voice that demands justice -- fair dealing with all regardless of power and status. It will be the voice that upholds the needs of the poor.

Lowell

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About Morning Reflections
Morning Reflections is a brief thought about the scripture readings from the Daily Office of Morning and Evening Prayer according to the practice found in the Book of Common Prayer of the Episcopal Church.

Morning Prayer begins on p. 80 of the Book of Common Prayer.
Evening Prayer begins on p. 117

An online resource for praying the Daily Office is found at www.missionstclare.com
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The Mission of St. Paul's Episcopal Church
is to explore and celebrate
God's infinite grace, acceptance, and love.

Visit our web site at www.stpaulsfay.org

Our Rule of Life

We aspire to...
worship weekly
pray daily
learn constantly
serve joyfully
live generously.

Lowell Grisham, Rector

St. Paul's Episcopal Church
Fayetteville, Arkansas