According to its textbook definition, a prophet is one who utters divinely inspired revelations. However, as we shall see, a prophet is not merely a person who can predict the future, but rather a man or a woman that teaches God’s law, expresses God’s will, and reprimands God’s people when they deviate from the statutes of the Lord and violate God’s commandments. Simply stated, a prophet is a man of God. The scriptures go on to reveal that in addition to the various spiritual offices held by God’s holy vessels, a prophet even has the power and authority to curse someone. Therefore the focus of this presentation will be centered around the negative qualities and abilities of the servants of God, namely the curse of a prophet.
In God’s law nothing ever happens in this world without either God willing it or allowing it to happen. In the case of the wanderings of the children of Israel in the wilderness, we see that a prophet (or more accurately a sorcerer) tried to curse God’s people, but was unable to because Israel was blessed by God, and as we shall see what God blesses no one can curse. The Bible tells us that when the children of Israel pitched in the plains of Moab, Balak the king of the Moabites was afraid of Israel for what they had done to the Amorites and because of the great number of the Israelites that were now encroaching into Moabite territory. Therefore, Balak called for the diviner Balaam son of Beor to curse the children of Israel. However, God did not allow Balaam to curse His people. For as God spoke unto Balaam, “…thou shalt not curse the people: for they are blessed” (Numbers 22:12). So, here we see that when one is wrapped up in the favor of God no man, no matter how powerful can separate God’s servants from His holy protection.
Though God sent plagues upon the Egyptians and even punished His own people, the Lord’s initial intention concerning His creation is always that of blessings and not curses. As we see from scripture, before sending a judgment upon His people the God of Israel first sent forth prophets, putting a word in their mouth and instructing His servants to speak unto the congregation that which the Lord had commanded them to preach. For example, the prophet Isaiah saw that the Lord would indeed protect Jerusalem if the people in turn would keep the Covenant that God established with Israel on Mt. Sinai shortly after their Exodus from the bondage of Egypt. For the Lord speaking through Isaiah warned Judah by informing them thus: “If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land: But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it”(Isaiah 1:19-20). So here it is revealed that a curse is preceded by disobedience and rebellion, and not by the wishes of a solely vindictive God.
God is impartial, and according to the writings of St. Paul what we reap is what we sow (Galatians 6:7). If we do good, good will return to us and likewise if we do evil, evil will also come upon us. This teaching is echoed in the book of Deuteronomy, for as the Lord God spoke unto the children of Israel at Sinai saying, “Behold, I set before you this day a blessing and a curse; A blessing, if ye obey the commandments of the LORD your God, which I command you this day: And a curse, if ye will not obey the commandments of the LORD your God…” (Deuteronomy 11:26-28). So here we see that even if someone is called by God, one cannot trust in preserving God’s favor if that person strays from keeping God’s commandments and then later fails to repent for doing so. For according to scripture, if anyone would deny the Lord and then additionally reject the teachings of God, then those individuals will ultimately bring upon themselves the curse of God (John 3:36).
Shockingly, we also find in the Old Testament an instance where the curse of a prophet resulted in the death of young children. For the Bible informs us that when prophet Elisha was on his way to Bethel, “there came forth little children out of the city, and mocked him, and said unto him, Go up, thou bald head; go up, thou bald head. And he turned back, and looked on them, and cursed them in the name of the LORD. And there came forth two she bears out of the wood, and tare forty and two children of them” (2 Kings 2:23-24). As unbelievable as this story sounds, there is another case in the Bible where a prophet kills not one, not fifty, but four-hundred and fifty individuals who were classified as false prophets. For after the prophet Elijah challenged and defeated the prophets of Baal, the Bible relates how Elijah rounded up these false prophets, and slew all four-hundred and fifty of them there at the brook Kishon (1 Kings 18:29-40). As frightening as these passages appear, it is revealed how serious it is to mock a prophet: an action which could even bring a death sentence upon the guilty party.
In conclusion, from God’s creation of Adam to the incarnation of Jesus Christ, it is evident that God’s love for mankind is great and unmatched. Yet at the same time we see that the wickedness of mankind does indeed kindle God’s anger. For even though the Lord is slow to wrath, His judgment is sure. God is love, but it is also written that, “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Hebrews 10:31). And just as God is due all glory and praise, so also do the prophets (the servants of God) deserve honor and respect. But even if the people reject the words of the prophets, the Lord Himself will protect His holy ones. For the great I AM has given us all a warning not to come against a man of God by testifying, “Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm” (1 Chronicles 16:22). From this it would seem that even though prophets do at times utter a curse, ultimately it is by the power and will of God that a curse is fulfilled. God wants us all to respect and love each other, for by doing so we prove our love for God by our obedience to His commandments. So from what has been outlined, I do believe that the Almighty would prefer humanity to live in harmony with one another, rather than God being provoked to come and smite the earth with a curse (Malachi 4:6).