{"id":35485,"date":"2024-02-02T02:42:27","date_gmt":"2024-02-02T10:42:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/?p=35485"},"modified":"2024-02-03T06:53:44","modified_gmt":"2024-02-03T14:53:44","slug":"my-lesson-in-biblical-sign-acts-and-the-heros-journey","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/my-lesson-in-biblical-sign-acts-and-the-heros-journey\/","title":{"rendered":"My Introduction to Biblical Sign-Acts and the Hero’s Journey"},"content":{"rendered":"

This week I had the privilege of visiting Chiang Mai, Thailand for a company retreat. Personally, I feel like I took my own Hero\u2019s Journey<\/em> just to get here from Mauritania.<\/p>\n

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<\/em> found throughout biblical accounts. Pastor Peter Hubbard, “Sign-Acts: Prophetic Theater” (Chiang Mai, Thailand, January 30, 2024) defines Sign-Acts<\/em> as non-verbal or visual aids used by the prophets to help people envision, remember, and obey God\u2019s 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.\u00a0 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.<\/p>\n

As I have contemplated the rather strange Sign-Acts<\/em> God assigned the OT prophets, I have noticed parallels to the mythical heroes and symbols presented in Joseph Campbell\u2019s The Hero with a Thousand Faces<\/em>. 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.<\/p>\n

Steps of the Hero\u2019s Journey<\/em> 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\u2019s immediate refusal after God\u2019s 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\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

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<\/em> persecuted throughout his journey. The officials said to the king, “This man should be put to death\u2026this man is not seeking the good of these people but their ruin (Jer. 38:4 [NIV]).”<\/p>\n

Additional implications to God\u2019s call, though not exhaustive, include the following points outlined by Pastor Peter Hubbard, “Sign-Acts: Prophetic Theater” (Chiang Mai, Thailand, January 30, 2024):<\/p>\n