Prophets

Prophets of the

old testament

When studying the prophetic books of the Old Testament, it is important to keep in mind the close connection between the history of Israel and the prophetic message. Throughout Israel’s history, the Lord called the prophets from among His chosen people to reveal His divine message. Although the prophetic messages throughout the Old Testament were always divinely inspired, much of the content was influenced and shaped by the historical context of the day. The prophets spoke the Lord’s word, but their message was intimately connected to the experiences of the Israelites throughout salvation history. Their message, by divine inspiration, arose from Israel’s historical experiences and was to find its fulfillment in history. Many of the Old Testament books, but especially the prophetic books, emphasized that “the history of Israel was, in itself, a revelation of God” (Freeman 11).
Although orthodox Christians understand that the prophets’ message was divinely inspired, this claim has come under attack by some modern scholars. These scholars propose that the prophets were simply “keen observers of their day” – perceptive individuals who were able to recognize an ethical decline among their contemporaries (13). Additionally, some suggest that the prophets’ keen insights enabled them to “make reasonably accurate predictions” about the future of Israel (13).
To deny that divine inspiration is the source of all true prophecy is to undermine the spiritual significance of these books and to abandon a long-standing tradition of scriptural interpretation. By looking closely at the predictions made throughout the prophetic books, it is clear that “there can be no satisfactory explanation apart from divine revelation” (14). These were men inspired by God to alert the people of their sinfulness and infidelity, not simply keen observers of moral disorder. If we believe that Sacred Scripture is the Word of God, then these modern theories are nothing more than faulty speculation. Let them not distract from a careful examination of the deeply spiritual message contained in the writings of the prophets.
In order to begin our study of the prophets, let us examine the origins of the prophetic institution in the Old Testament. A passage from Deuteronomy will shed light on the reasons for the prophetic institution and the role of the prophet.
I will raise them up a prophet out of the midst of their brethren like to thee: and I will put my words in his mouth, and he shall speak to them all that I shall command him. 19 And he that will not hear his words, which he shall speak in my name, I will be the revenger. 20 But the prophet, who being corrupted with pride, shall speak in my name things that I did not command him to say, or in the name of strange gods, shall be slain (Deuteronomy 18:18-20).

The prophets are chosen from among men to reveal the Lord’s message to his chosen people. The prophet speaks not from his own authority, but from the power given him by God. The prophetic institution is outlined in this passage from Deuteronomy, but this is not its historical beginning. Historically, the prophetic institution began with the rise of the kings in the Old Testament. The prophets were able to assist the kings by revealing the Will of God for the people of Israel during times of difficulty and trial.

Furthermore, this passage highlights the Lord’s desire to protect his people from the false prophets that were so prevalent throughout the land. Many sorcerers pretended to predict the future and work signs and miracles, but their power was not from the Lord. The Israelites may have been led astray if it were not for the true message revealed through the prophets. God sought to protect Israel from the methods employed by heathen soothsayers. Israel would “learn the things that she needs to know, not by discovery through the methods of divination and occult practices, but by revelation” (25). The distinction between true and false prophets proves to be of vital importance for the Israelites. They could remain faithful to the Lord only if they followed His Will revealed through the prophets. It was essential for God’s people to recognize the real prophets if they were to persevere in fidelity.
The Lord gave the people of Israel clear ways to distinguish between true and false prophets so that they could avoid evil and do what is good. Although these tests are effective in determining the truth of the prophet’s claims, the Israelites understood that they must be applied together, not individually. First, true prophets spoke only in the name of Yahweh. Even if a “prophet” could substantiate his predictions with a sign, he was to be considered a false prophet unless he spoke in the Lord’s sacred name. Many false prophets spoke in the name of Yahweh; therefore, this single test was not enough to ensure the truth of the prophet’s message.
Next, the true prophets spoke only by revelation not through occult practices or simply by observing society. According to the true prophet receives revelation through visions or dreams not superstitious practices (cf. Numbers 12:6). If the “prophet” who claimed to speak on behalf of Yahweh took part in the heathen occult practices, “he was to be rejected as false” (103). Third, the prophet gave witness to the validity of his message by his upstanding moral character. Many false prophets “walked in lies and supported evil doers” (Jeremiah 23:14).
Additionally, the false prophets “prophesied only what degenerate people wished to hear,” not the true message revealed by God (104). Finally, their prophecy was always consistent with past revelation. If the “prophet” claimed to preach a message that contradicted previous revelation, he was known to be false. These tests prevented the Israelites from being led astray by the many false prophets.
In order to understand the role the prophets played in salvation history, it is important to look at the meaning of the word itself. When traced back to its Aramaic root, the Hebrew word for prophet means “to proclaim or announce” (37). The Hebrew word for “prophet” literally means “spokesman” and carries with it the notion that the “speaker discourses not of himself, but as an agent of another who has some special communication to deliver” (37). As is clear from this definition, the prophet is one who speaks on another’s behalf. This highlights the prophet’s primary function – to speak on behalf of Yahweh to His chosen people. In Exodus 7:1-2, the Lord instructs Moses, “You shall speak all that I command you, and your brother Aaron shall tell Pharaoh to let the people of Israel go out of his land” showing that the prophet’s message is not his own. In contrast, false prophets are those “who speak out of their own heart and ‘not out of the mouth of Yahweh’” (40). Clearly, the prophet is the Lord’s spokesman.
The second role of the prophet is to interpret the Law. The priestly tribe was concerned with the Law inasmuch as it related to temple worship. This left a genuine need for men who could interpret the law to determine how God’s people could lead lives pleasing to Him. The prophets’ contemporaries saw them as “the moral and ethical preachers of spiritual religion, calling the nation to obedience in conformity to the Mosaic legislation” (49). Because God’s people often turned their back on the Lord, the prophets “boldly rebuked vice, denounced political corruption, oppression, idolatry and moral degeneracy” (14). This moral teaching was a significant part of their prophetic role, but it was not the full extent of their responsibilities.
Prophets were also given the ability to make “predictions about future events concerning Israel, the nations and the Messianic kingdom (14). Prophecy contains predictions of the future, but these predictions were “never merely to demonstrate that God knows the future, nor to satisfy man’s curiosity… but was concerned with judgment, salvation, the Messiah, and His kingdom” (49). Everything that was revealed through the prophets was necessary for the salvation of sinful man. The role of the prophet in the spiritual life of Israel was of the utmost importance. They helped God’s people remain faithful to the Law, rebuked them when they strayed, preached the truth even when it was unpopular, and predicted the events necessary for salvation.
In order to really study the prophetic books in the Old Testament, it is necessary to read them closely and attempt to understand their message on the various levels of interpretation. For this overview, let us examine the four Major Prophets to highlight a few key aspects of the text. The prophet Isaiah is the first of the four Major Prophets and his book spans the entire duration of the rest of the prophetic books. Although his message is primarily concerned with the people of Judah and Jerusalem, he also “pronounces judgment upon Babylon, Assyria, and Egypt as well as upon the surrounding nations, and occasionally on Israel” (191).
There are two principal themes that run through the book of Isaiah: judgment and redemption. Isaiah rebukes the people of Jerusalem for their corruption and prophesies regarding their impending judgment. Later in his prophecy, Isaiah predicts the “birth of a Deliverer,” which clearly foreshadows the fulfillment of all prophecy in the New Testament with the coming of Christ. Finally, recognizing the corruption among the nations, Isaiah emphasizes that Divine pardon “is conditioned on sincere repentance which manifests itself on the forsaking of sins and in righteous conduct” (192).
Next, Jeremiah provides a great example of a prophet speaking in a time of misfortune. He compares Judah to the Kingdom of Israel who had “come to ruin and utter destruction a century earlier because of its apostasy,” but Judah failed to see that their nation was also headed to destruction (237). Jeremiah begins his prophecy by remembering the “happy relations which first existed between God and His people,” but then chastises them for their infidelity (237). Israel is charged with two evils: Forsaking the Lord who is the fountain of living water and magnifying this sin by worshiping worthless idols (239). The people of Israel had turned their back on the Lord. This sin was made worse by their acceptance of the pagan idol worship that was prevalent throughout the land. The downfall of Jerusalem is compared to the destruction of the potter’s vessel. This prophetic message is evident in Jeremiah 19:10-11.

Thou shalt break the bottle in the sight of the men that shall go with thee. And thou shalt say to them: Thus saith the Lord of hosts: even so will I break this people, and this city, as the potter's vessel is broken, which cannot be made whole again.

Third, the prophecy is stated in Chapter 33:11-12. In this passage, Ezekiel reveals the
fulfillment of God’s message for Israel’s deliverance.

The truth of his prophecy is evident when Ezekiel eats the scroll. The Lord commands Ezekiel to consume the scroll, which was sweet as honey because it was the word of God, but bitter because it spoke of the destruction of Israel (Ezekiel 3:1-3).
Each prophecy is supported and emphasized by a prophetic action that connects with the message they have revealed.
Finally, the prophet Daniel relays the Lord’s Will by interpreting the king’s dream and reminding the people to remain faithful. The prophetic action that supports his prophecy is found in Daniel 3:21-24.
And immediately these men were bound and were cast into the furnace of burning fire, with their coats, and their caps, and their shoes, and their garments. For the king's commandment was urgent, and the furnace was heated exceedingly. And the flame of the fire slew those men that had cast in Sidrach, Misach, and Abdenago. But these three men, that is, Sidrach, Misach, and Abdenago, fell down bound in the midst of the furnace of burning fire. And they walked in the midst of the flame, praising God and blessing the Lord.

The men who remained faithful to the Lord were able to walk amid the flames of the fiery furnace because God protected them.

Daniel’s message emphasized that Israel should not forsake the Lord’s command. These men were an excellent example of fidelity and faith.
In order to understand the prophetic books of sacred scripture, it is necessary to remember these major points. First, Israel’s history and the message of the prophets are always closely connected. The unfolding of Israel’s history is the Lord’s way of revealing his will to his chosen people – it is in itself a form of revelation. Divorcing the prophetic message from this history will lead to a misinterpretation of the prophetic books. The prophets are divinely inspired to reveal God’s Will; they are not simply keen observers or social commentators. The Lord reveals his plan for the prophetic institution in Deuteronomy 18: 9-22. This passage shows the reasons for the prophetic institution and outlines the prophet’s function in the world. Finally, all the Old Testament prophecies are fulfilled in Jesus Christ.
Sources:
• Freeman, Hobart E., An Introduction to the Old Testament Prophets. (Moody Press: Chicago 1968).