What You May Not Know About the Biblical Roots of a Scribe’s Ministry

The ministry of the prophetic scribe is visible throughout the entire bible. There is more evidence to prove its existence than there is concerning other popular theological concepts today.

Even if revelation were not a catalyst for its awakening in the 21st century, the ministry of the scribe could stand on historical evidence and exegetical study alone.

Prophetic scribes may be viewed as supernatural technologists. They are assigned to preserve and protect the foundations of the congregation through administrative, instructional and/or creative solutions and touch every sphere of society.

The scribal calling is like an invisible thread running through every system in heaven and earth. As such, we are all part of this supernatural scribal tapestry.

Jesus said this in Matthew 13:52 to the religious leaders of His day: “Therefore every scribe who is discipled for the kingdom of heaven is like a man who is master of the household who brings out of his treasure new and old things.”

Scribes throughout the Bible wore many hats including teacher, secretary, recorder, treasurer, genealogist, archivist, librarian, historian, copyist, lawyer, feast planners, census takers and so forth. They were not limited to being writers with a writing anointing. In fact, they were first copyists, recorders, storytellers, engravers (carving Hebrew symbols) and money changers (keeping ledgers for trade).

Although Matthew 23 records a series of woes or rebukes, Jesus valued and understood their purpose. In Matthew 23:34 he declared, “Therefore I send you prophets, and wise men, and scribes. Some of them you will kill and crucify, and some you will scourge in your synagogues and persecute them from city to city.”

These two passages confirm Jesus’ prophetic plan for the scribe. They also reveal that after He confronted and rebuked their corruptible practices, He established a new prophetic order for scribes through that powerful declaration to send them out on His behalf.

In his infinite wisdom, Jesus’ Matthew 13:52 declaration was familiar to the ears of the Pharisees and scribes to whom He spoke. That passage was a parable surrounding Ezra 7:6 (KJV), “This Ezra went up from Babylon; and he was a ready scribe in the law of Moses, which the Lord God of Israel had given.”

The phrase “ready scribe” is another way of saying “the instructed scribe, the obedient scribe.” It was also an opportunity for Christ to remind those He rebuked that Ezra the priest and the scribe was the standard of righteousness set before them.

In addition, Ezra’s scribal ministry exhibited mastery in administration, instruction and creative strategy. It was through his efforts that additional teachers, those scribes who taught the word, were equipped strategically to reorganize, instruct and guide the people.

Unknown to the religious leaders of that time, their human-made religious order ended with Jesus’ words in Matthew 23:34. At that moment, a new pathway began opening for the “prophetic” ministry of the scribe today. In addition, it would be sealed on the day of Pentecost and guided by Holy Spirit thereafter.

Acts 2:17a says, “And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy.”

In its simplest form, prophecy is defined as being divinely inspired to teach or preach. From this comes the concept of the prophetic which means to have Holy Spirit’s guidance in interpreting the present intention and will of God.

For more on the prophetic ministry of the scribe, listen to The Chamber of the Scribe on the Charisma Podcast Network. {eoa}

Theresa Harvard Johnson is the founder of The School of the Scribe and progenitor of The Scribal Anointing teachings, the 21st century revelation of the office of the prophetic scribe. Theresa has authored more than 25 books to help prophetic scribes make sense of their calling, taught thousands of scribes globally and developed safe spaces online and in-person to foster unity in Christ, community, prophetic scribal culture and mentorship among scribes globally. Theresa holds an M. Div. in biblical studies, and an M. A. in professional writing. She is a passionate poet, artist and a former award-winning print journalist. Connect with Theresa at the Chamber of the Scribe podcast on the Charisma Podcast Network.