But prophets do more than predict the future. Prophets are indeed a wild bunch. The reading we heard from Ezekiel is very nearly the tamest part of the book. He then burns some of the hair, scatters some around the city, throws some into the wind and sews some into his clothes. John the Baptist lived in the desert wore camel's hair and ate bugs.
Prophets earn their image as crazy people.
But prophets are much more. Prophets are healers and workers of wonders. Elijah provided a widow with endless food and brought her dead son back to life. He called down fire from heaven in response to a challenge from the priests of Ba'al. Elisha purified food and water, provided a widow with endless oil and, again, brought her dead son back to life.