The phrase “speak truth to power” originated in the Civil Rights and Peace movements of the mid-20th century, and first appeared in print in the title of a 1955 antiwar treatise published by the American Religious Society of Friends, also known as the Quakers. I think the 1st example of speaking Truth To Power comes from the Biblical record of Micaiah who lived some 3000 years ago, and he really spoke Truth to Power to the king of Israel. According to the record in Kings I:22;
The king decided the Golan Heights belonged to Israel and they were going to take it back. He summoned Jehoshaphat, king of Judah for a Summit Meeting to plan for a United Israeli War Cabinet to go to War with Syria over the Golan. Jehoshaphat told the king of Israel he’s all in, but 1st, call all the Prophets of Israel together and inquire what God has to say? The 400 Prophets were unanimous telling the king of Israel, “Ascend, and the Lord will deliver [it] into the hands of the king.”
King Jehoshaphat was skeptical, asking if these are all the Prophets of Israel? The king said there is one more, but I don’t like him. He always prophesies against me.
Micaiah was summoned to appear before the 2 kings sitting on their thrones in all their regalia. The Servant sent to summon Micaiah told him the 400 other Prophets told the king he would have Victory, so go along with them and don’t rock the boat.
‘And he came to the king, and the king said to him, “Micaiah, shall we go to Ramoth-Gilead to war or shall we refrain?” Micaiah said to him, “Go up and triumph, and may the Lord deliver it into the king’s hand.” Not being able to take yes for an answer, the king of Israel said to Micaiah, ‘How many times must I adjure you that you shall not speak to me but truth in the name of the Lord?’
At great risk to his personal life speaking Truth To Power so long ago, Micaiah answered the king of Israel, ‘I saw all the Israelites scattered over the mountains like sheep who have no shepherd. And the Lord said, ‘Who will entice Ahab so that he will go up and fall in Ramoth-Gilead?’ One said in this manner and another one said in that manner […] And the Lord said, ‘These have no master. Let them return each one to his house in peace. And now, behold the Lord has placed a lying spirit in the mouth of all these prophets of yours, whereas the Lord spoke evil concerning you.’
The king ordered Micaiah locked up with little bread and water until the king returned from the Battle. Micaiah answered: ‘If you will return in peace, the Lord did not speak to me.’ And he said, “All the nations listen.”
The king of Israel went into Battle incognito posing as an ordinary charioteer and was killed by an enemy soldier not even knowing he killed king Ahab of Israel.
Will Trump, Biden or Trudeau have people around them who will not be afraid to speak Truth to Power these days?
WOE TO THOSE WHO JUDGE FOR HIRE AND PROFIT
BUT NOT FOR JUSTICE AND TRUTH
A consistently Principled Person can do BOTH!
Fareed Zacharia’s GPS showed this image on CNN June 30. It’s really quite the amazing departure from past practice of hiding unpleasant Truths about Israel and portends to an approaching Day of Reckoning.
It’s the result of surveying 24,000 people in 31 countries on the debate over Autocracy vs Democracy.
I’d like to know where the Democratic FREE WORLD is, our Leaders – Policical, MSM and Business, tell us we LIVE IN, when the Financial, Emotional, and Psychological COSTS keep rising.
If there was any respect for TRUTH & REALITY, the people would at least admit this World is an Oligarchic Plutocracy PYRAMID SYSTEM with the rich and powerful at the top like the INVERSE PYRAMID in the Star of David ready to topple over.
