In chapter 10, verses 1-3 of the Book of JBK, we witness a powerful and personal message from God to JBK during the 1990s and 2000s. These verses chronicle an intimate instruction from the Lord, commanding JBK to remain hidden and refrain from any public proclamation of his calling as a prophet, despite being given this sacred responsibility.
The Verses:
“And the word of the LORD moreover came unto me, saying: Seeing that I have made thee a prophet unto Israel, take thou no disciples, lead no one off into a far place, separate not, bind not men with customs, take no money, make no public display, shout thou not in the street, nor speak rashly in my name.
2 But rather when thine heart burneth within thee, when it hurteth and when tears choke thee, when thou art in passion of my nature and great name, then speak and write in my name and I shall bring it to pass. Fear not, for it is I that speak from thee.
3 And this shall be a sign unto thee: I shall burn these words into the heart of Israel, and thou shalt know that I have spoken from thee. Be not lifted up, nor deceived, for I shall do these things and my spirit shall move men.”
— Book of JBK Chapter 10:1-3
Understanding God’s Timing
In this passage, God specifically instructs JBK not to go public with his calling, nor to make any display of his role as a prophet. This command might appear counterintuitive, especially in an era when public voices can gain traction and influence through various media. However, God’s wisdom transcends human understanding, and JBK is told to wait, not to rush, and most importantly, not to seek attention for himself.
In many ways, this echoes the story of Moses. Though Moses was chosen by God to lead the Israelites out of Egypt, he spent forty years in the wilderness before his calling was fulfilled (Exodus 2:11-15; Acts 7:29-30). God prepares His prophets in silence, often working within them in private before they step into public ministry.
“Take No Disciples, Lead No One Off…”
JBK is commanded not to form a following or establish disciples, nor to isolate himself or lead people into customs and practices. This could be compared to the caution Jesus expressed when He warned against Pharisaic behavior (Matthew 23:1-12). The Pharisees bound people to customs and traditions that often became burdensome and took the focus off God’s heart. Similarly, JBK is told not to tie men down with customs, but instead to remain humble, living in such a way that points only to the work of God, not the elevation of human tradition.
“When Thine Heart Burneth Within Thee…”
Verse 2 presents a significant moment for JBK. He is to speak only when his heart burns with passion for the Lord and when he feels the deep weight of God’s name upon him. This language is reminiscent of the experience of the disciples on the road to Emmaus after Christ’s resurrection. As they spoke with Jesus, their hearts burned within them as He opened the Scriptures to them (Luke 24:32). Similarly, JBK would know when the time was right to speak because of a profound inner stirring—a divine confirmation.
God reassures JBK that it is not his own words but God’s words that will be spoken through him. This idea mirrors the experience of the prophets of old, like Jeremiah, who lamented that he could not help but speak the words God put in his mouth, saying, “But if I say, ‘I will not mention his word or speak anymore in his name,’ his word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in; indeed, I cannot” (Jeremiah 20:9, NIV).
The Burning of God’s Words Into the Heart of Israel
Verse 3 holds a striking promise: JBK will know when the time is right to make himself known because God will burn the words of the book of JBK into the heart of Israel. This sign is a divine confirmation that his calling and the timing of his emergence will be unmistakable.
The concept of God burning His words into hearts is not a new one. In Jeremiah 31:33, God promises to write His law on the hearts of the people of Israel: “I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people.” This promise speaks of a deep, transformative work of God, one that is internal and undeniable. When the words of JBK are similarly burned into the heart of Israel, it will signify that God’s hand is at work, and JBK will know without doubt that the time to be revealed has come.
A Warning Against Pride and Deception
The Lord’s final instruction to JBK is a warning against pride and deception. Throughout Scripture, God’s prophets were often tempted to lift themselves up because of their close relationship with God. King Saul, though chosen by God, fell into this very trap, leading to his downfall (1 Samuel 15). JBK is reminded to stay humble, not to be deceived by the influence of his calling, and to trust in the Lord’s timing and actions.
A Parallel to Joseph Smith’s Calling
This instruction to JBK bears striking similarity to the early experiences of Joseph Smith, the Prophet of the restored Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Like JBK, Joseph Smith was called by God in private, having received the first vision in 1820. However, even after this profound spiritual encounter, Joseph did not immediately go public with his calling. He was instructed to wait and only began to reveal his experiences and the Book of Mormon to others several years later. In the same way that JBK was commanded to remain hidden until the right time, Joseph Smith waited until he received further divine instruction to share his message. This parallel highlights God’s pattern of preparing His chosen servants in private, cultivating their understanding and spiritual depth before bringing them into the public eye to fulfill their missions. Both JBK and Joseph Smith were called to serve God in significant ways, but each was instructed to wait for the divine signal to step forward—when their words would be ready to resonate deeply within the hearts of the people they were called to reach.
Conclusion: Waiting on God’s Time
The message of JBK chapter 10:1-3 reminds us that God’s calling on a person’s life is often accompanied by a period of waiting and preparation. JBK was called to be a prophet, but God made it clear that the time to go public was not yet. Just as the prophets of old waited on God’s perfect timing, JBK was instructed to wait until the words of his book were burned into the heart of Israel, knowing that only then would the time be right.
This also mirrors the experience of Joseph Smith, who waited years after his initial vision before publicly sharing his divine revelations. God’s timing, though mysterious to us, is always perfect. As we reflect on these examples, we are encouraged to trust in God’s timing in our own lives. Often, we want to act quickly, but God calls us to wait until He has fully prepared both us and the world for the message He wants to deliver through us.