Pearls Before Swine by Stephan Pastis for February 25, 2017
February 24, 2017
February 26, 2017
Transcript:
Rat: I'm starting to think I may be a prophet. Goat: Why is that? Rat: Because I predict things and then they happen. Like right now. I can see that something bad is about to happen to pig. Goat: That does not constitute a prophet. Rat: Uh-oh. Something bad's about to happen you.
Pastis shares a mistaken belief in common with many in thinking that prophets foretell the future. That is a soothsayer’s role. Fortunetellers are sometimes portrayed in ancient literature as witch-like individuals associated with the underworld’s evil intent. The Hebrew canon frowns on soothsaying, or personal attempts to ascertain future events.
On the other hand, prophets come bearing a message from the Creator, often interpreting present events in the context of divine will, and frequently describing the consequences for those who embrace that will, and those who oppose it.