The prophet of the Lord...
Illustration
The prophet of the Lord is depicted as one upon whom the Spirit rests and who makes visible the invisible. Even in situations of captivity which are moribund and abject, the prophetic seer is given a vision of independence, abundance, regalness, and worldwide obeisance.
The tale of Hsi and Ho of Chinese lore underscores the expectations that are placed upon the grand vizier. In ancient China, there once was a hungry dragon who had an appetite for the sun. At first, he nibbled at its orb and then devoured the entire solar surface. Nothing remained, save a thin white border outlining the blackened space where the sun formerly resided. The Chinese Emperor and people were understandably frightened; yet, they were brave enough and had resolve enough to scare the dragon away by beating drums and clanging gongs. The sun was somehow saved, but in anger, the Emperor ordered the Imperial Astronomers, Hsi and Ho, to be beheaded. As the wise royal seers of the empire, they were expected to have read the signs of the heavens and warned of this attack before it occurred. Thus, their epitaph read:
Here lie the bodies of Hsi and Ho,
Whose fate, though sad, was visible:
Being killed because they did not spy
Th' eclipse which was invisible.
(From Reader's Digest Strange Stories, Amazing Facts)
The tale of Hsi and Ho of Chinese lore underscores the expectations that are placed upon the grand vizier. In ancient China, there once was a hungry dragon who had an appetite for the sun. At first, he nibbled at its orb and then devoured the entire solar surface. Nothing remained, save a thin white border outlining the blackened space where the sun formerly resided. The Chinese Emperor and people were understandably frightened; yet, they were brave enough and had resolve enough to scare the dragon away by beating drums and clanging gongs. The sun was somehow saved, but in anger, the Emperor ordered the Imperial Astronomers, Hsi and Ho, to be beheaded. As the wise royal seers of the empire, they were expected to have read the signs of the heavens and warned of this attack before it occurred. Thus, their epitaph read:
Here lie the bodies of Hsi and Ho,
Whose fate, though sad, was visible:
Being killed because they did not spy
Th' eclipse which was invisible.
(From Reader's Digest Strange Stories, Amazing Facts)
