Speaking Truth to Power
One of the hardest parts of my job as a military chaplain is “Command Advisement.” As the chaplain, I always try to check on my Commanding Officers and Executive Officers as often as possible. The common maxim, “it’s lonely at the top” is so true, as many officers feel keenly the burdens of command and the weight of the decisions they have to render. Sometimes they simply need to know that they can talk to me, too, and use their chaplain as a pressure-release valve from the stress that builds over time.
But another part of Command Advisement is when you have to walk into the room and bring bad news. Or talk about struggles that the crew is experiencing. Or talk about low morale. Or tell them that the decision they are about to make is immoral, unethical, or illegal. Sometimes you have to speak truth to power, and you realize that can come with a cost.
It’s a part of the job that I have had to do a few times, and it’s one that always fills me with dread.
Recently, I re-read Isaiah 7 as part of a study I am doing, and I was struck by the situation Isaiah found himself in. The people of Judah were in a tough spot. They were vassal states under the Assyrian Empire. In the midst of upheaval with a new emperor, some of the vassal states decided to rebel and get out from under the burden of tribute. The kings of Israel (King Pekah of Ephraim) and Aram (King Rezin) formed an alliance and tried to get Judah and their king Ahaz to join them as they sought to overthrow their Assyrian overlords.
When Ahaz refused, they made plans to attack Judah and replace him so they could join all three of their forces together (v. 6; cf. 2 Kings 16:5ff.). By the time indicated in Isaiah 7, Ahaz was probably out looking over the water supply for the city, trying to ascertain whether or not it was fortified enough to withstand attacks and siege.
Isaiah was told to go and speak to King Ahaz and give him good news—these kings will come to destruction. But “if you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all’” (Is. 7:9).
And the story continued: “Again the Lord spoke to Ahaz, ‘Ask the Lord your God for a sign, whether in the deepest depths or in the highest heights.’” And Ahaz responded with what seems like a wonderful statement of faith: “I will not ask; I will not put the Lord to the test.”
But Isaiah saw it for what it really was—not a statement of piety or faith but one of falsified faith and self-reliance.[1] Ahaz didn’t want to have to answer to the LORD or trust in him.
And so Isaiah had to speak truth to power. “Hear now, you house of David! Is it not enough to try the patience of humans? Will you try the patience of my God also? Therefore the Lord himself will give you[2] a sign…” (Is. 7:13-14). He told them that Judah’s enemies would be destroyed, which was a message of hope. But then he also went on to say, “The Lord will bring on you and on your people and on the house of your father a time unlike any since Ephraim broke away from Judah—he will bring the king of Assyria.” Our destruction is coming, too.
I have been struck by the false spirituality that surrounds this passage. King Ahaz says all the right things and seems to check all the theological boxes. Haughtily, he says, “I’ll never put God to the test!” Yet all of his actions were testing God. Ahaz had no desire for godly leadership, and he longs to ignore the prophet. Isaiah didn’t know what the outcome of his words will be. Will he be heard or will he be imprisoned? Will he save his people’s lives or lose his own? Yet Isaiah spoke with faith and conviction the message he had been given.
In ministry, there are times when we have to speak truth to power. We see amazing examples of this throughout Scripture: Nathan confronting David on his sin with a story, the three telling Nebuchadnezzar they wouldn’t bow down, Jesus conversing with Pilate…. But we must do so knowing that we don’t always know what the outcome will be. Will we lose members? Will we lose our jobs? Will we anger an elder? Will we be seen as being “too political”? Will we be told (or threatened) to keep our mouths shut?
Yet there are times when we cannot be silent; we must speak the message God has given us. But we must also be certain it is God’s message, not our own.
Did this message come about through spiritual listening?
Does God’s word also convict me, or simply bolster the positions I already hold?
Does this reflect my own political position more than the biblical mandate?
What is the spiritual status of my own soul?
Sometimes we are called to be prophetic… but we must be certain that the message we are speaking is from God and not from our own frustration!
