Copyright 2010 Theresa Harvard Johnson
Not for reprint or distribution without the express permission of the author. (Excerpt taken from the book, The Scribal Anointing: Scribes Instructed in the Kingdom of Heaven. Visit the Scribal Store.)
What is a scribal prophet?
A scribal prophet is a minister of the gospel who is called into the office of a prophet whom Father uses to release and record prophecy (including instruction and administration) on a consistent basis from words received (1) audibly by the Spirit; (2) through dreams and visions; (3) through supernatural experiences and (4) other ways through which the Lord might choose to speak.
The significance here is that the prophet will be pressed and commanded to release these words through the administration of the office of a scribe. It is imperative to understand that this “scribal office” is not simply limited to writing, but all manner of administration and demonstration that is in some way recorded (audio, print, video, etc.) or functions in the ministry of the recorder. These scribes write from their governmental SCRIBAL office in the Kingdom of the Heaven. For in depth understanding, visit the Scribal Store and purchase The Scribal Anointing training manual.
The scribal prophet is compelled to be OBEDIENT to this call and will receive no rest in the spirit until they have, at the hand of God, made a record of what has been entrusted to them. Many of their assignments become books, detailed essays, articles, administrative plans, strategic documents, etc. that address a “specific” message or subject matter that Father wants released on His specific timetable.
SCRIBAL PROPHETS are NOT simply prophets who write and record personal prophecy, or the occasional prophetic word. They are actually vessels that God uses fully as HIS PROPHETS (in every sense of the word); but who also have a burning passion rooted inside them to record, watch over, release and teach the messages of HEAVEN entrusted to them under a specific directive. (Read Ezekiel 9 & Ezekiel 10 in full)
**Jeremiah 36:1-2, “In the fourth year of Jehoiakim son of Josiah king of Judah, this word came to Jeremiah from the LORD : 2 “Take a scroll and write on it all the words I have spoken to you concerning Israel, Judah and all the other nations from the time I began speaking to you in the reign of Josiah till now.”
(a) Scribal Prophets will receive directives solely from the Lord to write.
(b) Scribal Prophets will receive a targeted list of people (or a person) to deliver these messages to — they will not be random and blowing in the wind. Mature scribal prophets will know who their assignments are for and when to release them.
(c) The Lord alone will tell them what to write and what to withhold.
(d) He will cause them to date and time the written prophetic word because TIME MATTERS. (An article on why we are required to do this in the Spirit will be posted later.)
(e) He will tell you WHEN & WHERE to deliver that Word.
(f) He will tell you HOW to deliver that Word. The TENOR of the words written matter. (Exodus 34:27)
Jeremiah is one of a handful of biblical prophets who functioned in the office of a scribe. It is an OFFICE.
Exodus 17:14 says, “Then the LORD said to Moses, “Write this as a memorial in a book and recite it in the ears of Joshua, that I will utterly blot out the memory of Amalek from under heaven. In this passage of scripture, a prophetic word of judgment went forth from God and it was recorded so that the people wouldn’t forget the consequences of sin and the power of the Lord’s swift judgment.
DIRECTIVES FOR SCRIBAL PROPHETS:
Please note that I am specifically speaking to prophets who write for the nations in the discussion below. At some point, I will address those who scribe in a place of personal prophecy.
Also prophets, you should desire (or ask the Lord to send) SEASONED APOSTLES & PROPHETS in your circle of influence — those who are, preferably, in an advanced place of spiritual understanding, obedience and great wisdom before the Lord — not just those who are your friends to stand with you in judging what is released. TRUE Prophets walk in humility, believe in accountability, embrace submission and will pray their prophetic words through in the earth at all costs. They understand the importance of being in fellowship with the BODY under the new covenant — not rogue, wild and always self-confirming and affirming. They understand that prophecy is ALWAYS subject to be judged by two or more witnesses.
Here are some protocols you may want to consider. (This is from my personal experience. There may be others, but this is what is standing out to me now.)
1. Pray over the word you receive. Don’t ever be in a “rush” to release it. Instead, wait on the urgency of the Lord to come upon you verses the human emotional drive to “get it out there.” Father will teach you the difference. NEVER just release a word without praying or warring over that word into the atmosphere, and asking Father how He wants to direct it. (This may not always be the case, but if you are not sure, it’s a good rule to follow.)
2. Pray for revelation of that word. If no one else has understanding of what you’ve been given, be sure that YOU DO. Again, many of the prophets in the bible had some understanding of the Word they were releasing – especially those who spoke into systems of government and institutions. WHEN YOU PRAY, Father will give you a scriptural foundation, prophetic insight and supernatural wisdom when reading over what He’s placed in your belly. BEWARE of prophets who say, “This is how the Lord gave it to me, so I’m releasing it like that.” Always remember that God is a God of GIVING understanding. (Personal words are different. We may not always be given understanding in what God is doing in people individually to that degree; but for those who again write to the nations, there will be understanding.) (Acts 17:10-11). Begin to put this into practice and you will quickly know this as truth.
No prophet, or any man of God for that reason, wants to release an immature or under-developed Word before the people. Sometimes, what you receive is ISN’T COMPLETE. This is yet another reason why intercession is needed for the Word of God. Releasing confusing prophecy will really hurt you in your office. It will affect credibility as a prophet, and all those tied to you, and the ministry of the prophet in general. (2 Peter 1:19-21; 1 Corinthians 14:29)
3. Seek Father’s Timing. Timing is as unique to a prophet, as each new day is to our existance. Every prophet has their own way of “knowing” when it’s time to let that prophetic word loose! This will be a process between YOU & FATHER. For me, for example, it literally becomes like fire SHUT UP IN MY BONES and I can’t hold it back. This is how I know its time, but for someone else it might be different. A prophecy released out of season (especially a word of instruction or direction) can be as detrimental as an immature word. Your prayer-relationship with Father is instrumental in this area.
4. Who is Father’s TARGET. I know I mentioned this before, but it is imperative that you know WHO your written message is assigned to. For those who release a lot of “personal words” as a scribal prophet this is an easier thing to get a handle on because it is obvious. Corporate prophecy, when relating to a local assembly or group, is also simple to identify. Things get a little tougher, however, when the message Father releases is for the overall assembly. EVERY SINGLE PROPHET in the bible had an “audience” for a lack of a better word, or a target for that release. By this, I am simply sharing that you will know why institution, country, city, state, people group, etc. that Father’s message is directed toward.
It is your responsibility to learn to seek the Spirit to find out who that “audience” is. Personally, I believe Father wants us to know this as His representatives. Biblical examples throughout the Word of God gives us a strong foundation for this.
**The Scribal Prophet is one of my favorite areas to teach under The Scribal Anointing; however, it is also an area of great error.
THERE’S ONE MORE THING YOU MIGHT CONSIDER:
There are people who will try to tell you how to write or how to formulate and record your prophecies. The advice might be strong, and well worth listening to. More than likely, this is HOW Father has taught them for their specific ministry and call. So keep this in mind when listening. (I have a personal testimony about this with my own life. I learned this while going through a situation like it.)
I want to encourage you to let the Spirit of the Lord lead and guide you through your own delivery process. For example, some scribal prophets “poetically release” or they may release through song, monologues, plays or skits. Just because someone else set their poem, song, monologue or poetic delivery in a specific format — doesn’t mean YOU have to follow suit. This is especially true for those flowing in the gifts of the worship arts. Clearly, the DEMONSTRATIVE prophetic word – under a creative mantle – will be written or recorded by the vision released to that prophet.
There are other scribal prophets who might write straight forward prophecies like Haggai; interpret prophecy from dreams and visions like Daniel; or be led by God to record them audibly or via video. The Lord is well able to teach YOU how to organize your words, provide scriptural support and all these other things based on YOUR relationship with Him. The “how” is always hidden in your relationship with Him. Be free to move at the hand of the Lord. For clarity on this, look at how DIFFERENT the prophetic word was delivered from Isaiah and Zachariah verses the ministries of Ezekiel and Jeremiah.
Isaiah and Zechariah spoke it and released it. Whereas, Ezekiel and Jeremiah spoke it, and often creatively demonstrated that word in its release. All of them made sure that those listening knew that it was indeed the Lord speaking. Depending on your scribal assignment as a prophet, you could be led to move against the grain of the “norm.” Father does this all the time in my life and in the lives of those prophets mentored in our ministry as scribes.
I pray that this message blesses you, and gives you more insight on the ministry of the scribal prophet. There is so much more, but it is my prayer that this is at least a starting part or a confirming and affirming word for your scribal ministry.
