My Introduction to Biblical Sign-Acts and the Hero’s Journey
This week I had the privilege of visiting Chiang Mai, Thailand for a company retreat. Personally, I feel like I took my own Hero’s Journey just to get here from Mauritania.
While in Thailand, I have participated in many sessions meant to encourage those of us working overseas. The teaching that most sparked my interest was a study on the Sign-Acts found throughout biblical accounts. Pastor Peter Hubbard, “Sign-Acts: Prophetic Theater” (Chiang Mai, Thailand, January 30, 2024) defines Sign-Acts as non-verbal or visual aids used by the prophets to help people envision, remember, and obey God’s Word. For example, in Ezekiel 4:1-8, the Old Testament (OT) prophet is commanded by God to simulate siege works with a brick and to lie on his side. Ultimately, this sign-act represented the siege that would come upon Jerusalem because of their unfaithfulness. Campbell writes, “It has always been the prime function of mythology and rite to supply the symbols that carry the human spirit forward, in counteraction to those constant human fantasies that tend to tie it back.” [1] The Sign-Acts or symbols in the Old Testament served as a warning to Israel to repent and return to their God.
As I have contemplated the rather strange Sign-Acts God assigned the OT prophets, I have noticed parallels to the mythical heroes and symbols presented in Joseph Campbell’s The Hero with a Thousand Faces. Campbell writes, “It would not be too much to say that myth is the secret opening through which the inexhaustible energies of the cosmos pour into the human cultural manifestation.” [2] The Sign-Acts given by God to the people of Israel conveyed a certain message in a specific time, place, and generation. Furthermore, He uses people to do it. God calls and appoints heroes and equips them for the journey.
Steps of the Hero’s Journey can be seen patterned in the lives of the prophets throughout Scripture. One prophet that comes to mind is the OT prophet, Jeremiah. We read Jeremiah’s immediate refusal after God’s call. “Alas, Sovereign LORD,” [Jeremiah] said, “I do not know how to speak; I am too young. (Jer. 1:6 [NIV]).” The Lord responds to Jeremiah, “Do not say, ‘I am too young.’ You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you (Jer. 1:7-8 [NIV]).” The words of the Lord are then put in Jeremiah’s mouth. The Lord continues, “See, today I appoint you over nations and kingdoms to uproot and tear down, to destroy and overthrow, to build and to plant (Jer. 1:10 [NIV]).” In the space of a few verses, we see Jeremiah’s refusal of the call and receival of supernatural aid for the journey.
Answering the call is never without its implications. There are inevitable trials and suffering. Jeremiah held a very important message. He had been given words by God. He performed sign-acts. However, his message to the people was largely unpopular and we often see our hero persecuted throughout his journey. The officials said to the king, “This man should be put to death…this man is not seeking the good of these people but their ruin (Jer. 38:4 [NIV]).”
Additional implications to God’s call, though not exhaustive, include the following points outlined by Pastor Peter Hubbard, “Sign-Acts: Prophetic Theater” (Chiang Mai, Thailand, January 30, 2024):
- God’s call is comprehensive. The individuals God calls give of themselves because they realize they are not their own. They are called to something higher (1 Cor. 6:19-20). In his interview “Joseph Campbell & The Power of Myth” uploaded to YouTube on June 21, 2023, explains, “A hero is someone who gives themself to something bigger than themselves.”
- God’s call can seem terribly inefficient. The prophet Jeremiah is commanded to make and wear yoke bars (Jer. 27-28). I understand that I operate within the confines of my contemporary context, but carrying yoke bars doesn’t appear to be the most efficient way to convey a message. This leads me to ponder my own experiences of seeming inefficiencies in the call. My struggle in the uncertainty of the journey.
- Living out God’s message is vital but dangerous. Returning to the example of the prophet Jeremiah, his life was put in danger because of his message. “My lord the king, these men have acted wickedly in all they have done to Jeremiah the prophet. They have thrown him into a cistern, where he will starve to death when there is no longer any bread in the city (Jer. 38:9 [NIV]).” I am not immune to the dangers of the call, but I remain confident of its purpose.
I often find myself weighing the implications of the call, this Hero’s Journey. Especially, God’s call. I think of Jesus’ words, “You don’t know what you are asking…can you drink the cup I am going to drink (Matt. 20:22 [NIV])?” My human response always being, “I will try my hardest, but please don’t let it hurt.” Whether it’s Campbell’s mythical heroes or Scripture’s literal heroes, the individuals who answer the call never go unscathed. There are implications. It is dangerous. However, the purpose that pushes me forward often holds the elixir for my healing. This is my confidence in the journey. “But blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him (Jer. 17:7 [NIV]).”
[1] Joseph Campbell, The Hero with a Thousand Faces (p. 23), Commemorative ed, Bollingen Series 17 (Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press, 2004). Kindle Edition.
[2] Ibid., 24.
[3] Ibid., 31.
About the Author
Elysse Burns
12 responses to “My Introduction to Biblical Sign-Acts and the Hero’s Journey”
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Hi, Elysse, thank you. This is my first-time hearing that ‘Sign-Act’ thingy. I was kind of wondering what it is in the beginning of your posts. But when you latter talk about it in your post, it clarifies it. I would like to learn more about that, ‘Sign-Act: Prophetic Theater.” Is this a book or the name of the retreat that you attended in Thailand? Lastly, thank you for those encouraging bible verses that you shared. Thanks!
Noel, this was my first introduction to the teaching of Sign-Acts. This was an hour-long session I attended. I am not familiar with literature on the subject, but I am sure Mr. Google or ChatGPT can give us some answers. It was a very impactful session for me personally. However, the theme of the retreat was, “Keep at it. He is worth it.” Sign-acts was presented under the umbrella of the main theme. If you are interested, I have a worksheet I can send to you.
“Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” Luke 22:42. What a beautiful post, Elysse. Thank you for sharing about Sign-Act: Prophetic Theater. Given the uphill battles you have experienced in Mauritania, how can you see the breadcrumbs of God’s work via sign-act thinking?
Jennifer, thank you for your very kind comments. One of the implications of Sign-acts that really impacted me was, “God’s call can seem terribly inefficient.” I feel this has been one of my biggest struggles living in Mauritania. I often feel I don’t have enough strength or energy to do all that “I should be doing.” However, I was very encouraged when reminded that God is working in the areas where I feel least capable. It’s a wonderful reframing to think He is doing something miraculous when I feel most inefficient. When I am commanded to carry the “yoke bars” so to speak, it is part of His plan for me and the community where He has me.
Elysse, you are a beautiful servant of God. His call upon your life is evident. Keep carving out time to discern his will. The extra weight you are carrying to produce seemingly common fruit is NOT COMMON. Don’t let yourself fall to that message. What you are doing is UNCOMMON, and I, for one, will be standing alongside you in the trenches of support. Keep pushing forward.
Hi Elysse Thank you for the introduction to Signs- Acts, this sounds life an eye opening and edifying adventure. I resonate with you thoughts on answering the call and the implication that is truly dangerous. In answering the call to Chiang Mai, and in the wake of Campbell’s readings, I am interested to know what your return will look like in how you carry out your own call within the company? Also where Can I find our more about Signs-Acts?
Daren, thanks for your thoughtful comments and questions. I can deeply resonate with the Hero’s Journey in that I am quick to initially refuse the call. However, the Lord has given me the courage to step over the threshold into the troublesome space. Last week I was impacted by the idea of reframing the liminal as a space to discover and to be in wonderment. Surprisingly, during my company retreat, each session was focused around the idea of perseverance and joy in the uncertainty, the troublesome. This is a perspective I want to take with me as I return to North Africa. I don’t know of any literature on Sign-Acts, but I will try and connect with the pastor who led the session. If you are interested, I also have a worksheet I can send to you.
Hi Elysse, Thanks for your post! Our reading and then your blog brought to mind Ezekiel’s call from Ez 2:1-10 which the Lord used to impress my own call. God encourages him not be afraid in spite of the dangers he will face. Ezekiel is also admonished not to be rebellious like those to whom he will be speaking. I answered as you indicate, with willingness, but asking for minimal pain. Can you say more about how the purpose that pushes you forward holds elixer for your healing? I would like to understand that idea better.
Julie, thank you for your comments. While I was writing my post, I realized halfway that I was going into territory that was too advanced for me. I kept thinking, “I need Julie to help me make sense of this!” I will reread those Ezekiel verses that impacted your own call. Regarding your question, I have always been quick to initially refuse the call. However, when I trust the Lord to provide for me in the unknown, I have found the growth and transformation has brought about healing. I believe this is because going outside my comfort zone requires a giving up of self and to be others-focused. I really resonated with Tom Camacho’s emphasis on the importance of clarity. I left for North Africa with low self-esteem and was quite self-deprecating. I can still default to this. However, in this process of stepping over the threshold and into the unknown (i.e. Mauritania), the Lord revealed a lot of lies I believed about myself. A lot of healing came from allowing Him to define and lead me. However, I don’t think the healing would have happened as it did, if I didn’t have that bigger purpose propelling me forward. I knew if I wasn’t healthy overseas, I wouldn’t make it. But I am still very much a work in progress!
Interesting concepts! Yes, the push does lead to healing because if we wait to be ‘ready’ we will never go. I also hear in your comments a sincere willingness for transformation for the sake of others, the classic Mullholland definition of spiritual formation. Thank you. I am finding courage for myself in your explanation.
Elyse, I applaud the linkage you’ve made with the prophets and the heroes. I particularly love the aspect of everyday symbolism and God-messaging in the sign-acts, and how they create warning for others, and come at great personal risk. As you’ve written, “I often find myself weighing the implications of the call”,
Are there aspects of your current life and work that seem to mimic the symbolism of sign-acts? What do you think God is speaking to others just by your life’s gestures?
Joel, thank you for your encouraging words and questions. I believe that participating in this doctoral program is a sign-act. I have found many in my circles do not understand why I would do this. I often get the question, “Well, what are you going to do with that in North Africa?” As someone who fully understands why I am in this program and the important connections that will be made in my African context, these comments don’t bother me much. My desire for people in North Africa is to feel deep love and dignity coming from my “life’s gestures.” This is for them. I especially want them to know and understand God’s deep love for them and the worth they hold as his creation.