Articles
Shooting the Messenger
Isaiah lays bare the character flaws of his generation: “This is a rebellious people, lying children, children who will not hear the law of the Lord; who say to seers, ‘Do not see,’ and to the prophets, ‘Do not prophesy to us right things; speak to us smooth things, prophesy deceits. Get out of the way, turn aside from the path, cause the Holy One of Israel to cease from before us’” (30:9-10).
How well do you handle criticism? Safe to say, none of us enjoys having our faults pointed out. We may reflexively feel embarrassed or hurt or even angry if we feel the criticism is unjustified.
But Isaiah’s observation is much darker. He, along with other prophets of his time, is delivering God’s inspired message of rebuke and warning to Judah, and the response is absolute hostility and rejection. The hearts of the people are dull, their ears heavy and their eyes are shut (Is 6:9-10). Offended by God’s seers, they pressure them to either keep quiet or speak only what is positive and reassuring. Sound familiar?
Ideally, correction falls on an honest and humble heart that is intent on one thing: to eradicate every vestige of uncleanness, foolishness and deception. Received in the right spirit, criticism can be an opportunity of reflection leading to wisdom, spiritual health and growth.
However, if our main concern is protecting a fragile ego and maintaining our self-image, we will draw a bead on the messenger. We may fail to realize that the messenger is God’s agent to turn us from our faults. Thus while aiming at the messenger, we are actually shooting at God.
