Hi Friend,

It’s striking how some claim to be prophets of God without providing evidence or demonstrating an understanding of the true weight this role carries. Throughout history, genuine prophets faced grave suffering: Noah was ridiculed for 120 years; Moses lived as a fugitive and shepherd for forty years; Elijah fled from King Ahab and survived in hiding for three years where he was fed by ravens; Hosea suffered public humiliation when God told him to marry an adulterous woman who was repeatedly unfaithful. Isaiah prophesied naked for three years (Isa. 20:3). Authentic prophetic calling is consistently marked by hardship and sacrifice.

Have I mentioned the Apostle Paul, who was beaten with rods, beaten with a cat of nine tails, ship-wrecked, attacked by mobs, and then stoned and left for dead?

Many seek the honor of being called a Prophet of God, but few accept the inescapable suffering that comes with it. Suffering is not optional—it is an essential part of the role, signaling the authenticity of one’s calling.

The greatness of both prophets and national leaders is often measured by the extent of their suffering and endurance. True leadership, especially spiritual leadership, cannot be separated from hardship.

This raises an important question: why is profound suffering so essential—perhaps even indispensable—for those called to lead?

Abraham was required to sacrifice his son, his only son, on an altar. The similarity to God’s sacrifice is too striking to ignore.

In a particularly poignant event in the life of the Prophet Ezekiel, the wife whom he loved died. The cause is not mentioned. Because the life of the prophet was a living letter for Israel, God chose Ezekiel to communicate the message. As stated in Ezekiel 24:16: "Son of man, I will take away from you the wife you delight in. It will happen very soon."

Similarly, Israel was the chosen and beloved nation of God, but they had been unfaithful. He had lost the one He loved. The loss of a once-great civilization to corruption and scandal was particularly deep. Gone was the wealth, the system of justice, the freedom to worship, and the opportunity to pursue the passions of life. That civilization, with all its opportunities, had vanished. The loss was so profound it could only be compared to losing a dearly loved spouse. Ezekiel’s life became the means to reveal the heart of God for His children.

Furthermore, Ezekiel was not allowed to grieve publicly over his loss. "But do not sing songs of sadness. Do not let any tears flow from your eyes. Groan quietly. Do not sob out loud over your wife when she dies. Keep your turban on your head. Keep your sandals on your feet. Do not cover the lower part of your face. Do not eat the food people eat to comfort them when someone dies." (verses 16-17).

Imagine not being able to grieve over the death of the wife you deeply loved because you had been commanded not to show sorrow publicly. Ezekiel’s lack of public mourning was not just personal, but symbolic. As a husband who had experienced betrayal, Ezekiel was instructed not to express love or grief outwardly, reflecting a deeper message about loss and judgment.

The people of God had been given a system of laws that reflected the very mind of God. They were, in fact, the Laws of God. However, they failed to appreciate the magnitude of the gift, remaining blind to history. While no other nation had such good laws that protected the rights of the individual—since other nations oppressed their citizens—the laws God gave Israel protected the common man. No man was above the law—not even the king. Here, all men were equal. Yet, despite such privileges, the people willingly gave up their God and His good laws. As a result, justice was lost.

The nation God had taken as a wife played the harlot. They removed the name of God from their courts and their educational system. So God rejected them and refused to publicly grieve. They were not worthy of such an expression of His love.

Are there parallels between ancient Israel and current trends in America? How does Sharia law compare to the law of God? Has Muslim justice fostered a society marked by peace? Do people in Muslim-majority nations experience freedoms like those of other countries? What kinds of contributions have come from Afghanistan, Yemen or Somalia, which are predominantly Muslim, compared to those from America?

America is at a crossroads. The foundation of American justice is the Holy Bible. Yet the era we live in is called "Post-Christian." More than 70 per cent of Americans call themselves Christian, yet there is a willingness among some to capitulate to the minority who want to erase any evidence of the God who gave us liberty. It’s ironic that Christians once elected a president who declared that we are not a Christian nation and professed his adherence to Islam.

If Christians don’t value the law of God, who will? And if we allow the name of God to be removed from our nation, how long will it be before the precious privilege to be Christian is lost.

Until next time,

Jim O’Brien