I will raise up for...
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"I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their own people; I will put my words in the mouth of the prophet, who shall speak to them everything that I command" (Deuteronomy 18:18).
Joe was the supervisor over a non-union front office staff, while the company's factory was unionized. Joe often told presidents of the company that if they wanted to keep a union out of the front office, they needed to treat the workers like professionals and, most importantly, like people facing real-life issues at home. The key to good management is knowing how to relate to people. Joe knew his front office personnel and their families well.
Then the company hired a new president who was a "numbers cruncher" or "bean counter" accountant-type with few people skills. He was only concerned about productivity and money. Joe warned him that his approach would result in trouble. Not liking to be criticized, the president fired Joe. Trying to protect themselves, the people in the front office signed a petition to unionize. The president reacted to that by firing most of the workers in the front office. By now, the office was in shambles, with little experienced help.
Christine, a newer employee whom Joe had hired, reminded the president that more humane treatment of front office staff would go much further than threats and firings. By now, the president was beginning to see the truth in what she said, so she was given an assistant manager's position and worked toward healing the front office. Christine was the new prophetic voice.
God promises to raise a prophet in the midst of any change and turmoil. As Deuteronomy 18:18 suggests, very often this prophet is raised up from among the people.
Joe was the supervisor over a non-union front office staff, while the company's factory was unionized. Joe often told presidents of the company that if they wanted to keep a union out of the front office, they needed to treat the workers like professionals and, most importantly, like people facing real-life issues at home. The key to good management is knowing how to relate to people. Joe knew his front office personnel and their families well.
Then the company hired a new president who was a "numbers cruncher" or "bean counter" accountant-type with few people skills. He was only concerned about productivity and money. Joe warned him that his approach would result in trouble. Not liking to be criticized, the president fired Joe. Trying to protect themselves, the people in the front office signed a petition to unionize. The president reacted to that by firing most of the workers in the front office. By now, the office was in shambles, with little experienced help.
Christine, a newer employee whom Joe had hired, reminded the president that more humane treatment of front office staff would go much further than threats and firings. By now, the president was beginning to see the truth in what she said, so she was given an assistant manager's position and worked toward healing the front office. Christine was the new prophetic voice.
God promises to raise a prophet in the midst of any change and turmoil. As Deuteronomy 18:18 suggests, very often this prophet is raised up from among the people.
