Topical Bible: Prophecy: They Who Uttered: Sent by God

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Prophecy, within the biblical context, refers to the divinely inspired messages delivered by individuals chosen by God. These individuals, known as prophets, served as God's mouthpieces, conveying His will, warnings, and promises to His people. The role of a prophet was not self-appointed; rather, it was a calling from God, marked by divine selection and empowerment.

Divine Selection and Calling

The calling of a prophet was a sovereign act of God, often accompanied by a direct encounter or revelation. For instance, the prophet Jeremiah was chosen before his birth, as God declared, "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as a prophet to the nations" (Jeremiah 1:5). Similarly, Isaiah received his commission through a vision of the Lord seated on a throne, where he responded to God's call with, "Here am I. Send me!" (Isaiah 6:8).

Empowerment by the Holy Spirit

Prophets were empowered by the Holy Spirit to deliver God's messages. The Spirit of the Lord came upon them, enabling them to speak with authority and accuracy. Ezekiel's experience exemplifies this empowerment: "The Spirit entered me when He spoke to me and set me on my feet, and I heard Him speaking to me" (Ezekiel 2:2). This divine empowerment ensured that the words spoken were not of human origin but were the very words of God.

Faithfulness to God's Message

Prophets were tasked with faithfully delivering God's message, regardless of the reception it might receive. They often faced opposition, persecution, and rejection, yet remained steadfast in their mission. The prophet Amos declared, "The lion has roared—who will not fear? The Lord GOD has spoken—who can but prophesy?" (Amos 3:8), illustrating the compelling nature of the prophetic call.

Role in Covenant Relationship

Prophets played a crucial role in maintaining the covenant relationship between God and His people. They called the people to repentance, warned of impending judgment, and offered hope of restoration. Through the prophet Hosea, God expressed His desire for steadfast love and knowledge of Him rather than mere ritualistic offerings (Hosea 6:6).

Foretelling and Forthtelling

Prophecy encompassed both foretelling future events and forthtelling God's truth for the present. Prophets like Daniel received visions of future kingdoms and the coming of the Messiah (Daniel 7:13-14), while others, like Micah, addressed social injustices and called for righteous living (Micah 6:8).

Confirmation of Prophetic Authority

The authenticity of a prophet was confirmed by the fulfillment of their prophecies and their alignment with God's revealed character and law. Deuteronomy 18:21-22 provides a test for true prophecy: if the word does not come to pass, it is not from the Lord. This standard safeguarded the community from false prophets who spoke presumptuously.

Christ as the Fulfillment of Prophecy

The ultimate fulfillment of prophecy is found in Jesus Christ, who is the culmination of God's redemptive plan. The prophets pointed to Him as the promised Messiah, the one who would bring salvation to the world. As Peter proclaimed, "All the prophets who have spoken, from Samuel and his successors onward, have foretold these days" (Acts 3:24).

In summary, prophets were divinely appointed messengers, sent by God to communicate His will, guide His people, and reveal His plans. Their messages, empowered by the Holy Spirit, were integral to the unfolding of God's covenantal relationship with humanity.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

2 Chronicles 36:15
And the LORD God of their fathers sent to them by his messengers, rising up betimes, and sending; because he had compassion on his people, and on his dwelling place:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Jeremiah 7:25
Since the day that your fathers came forth out of the land of Egypt to this day I have even sent to you all my servants the prophets, daily rising up early and sending them:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Of the Prophecy that is Contained in the Prayer and Song of ...
... Chapter 32."Of the Prophecy that is Contained in the ... and grieve" mean, but that in
mourning they shall be ... for the depth is the abyss; and "Uttered its voice ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 32 of the prophecy that.htm

'He Uttered his Voice, the Earth Melted'
... THE SECOND BOOK OF KINGS 'HE UTTERED HIS VOICE, THE ... thing which guarantees the truth
of a prophecy, but it ... of events, in the future, which, when they have come ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/he uttered his voice the.htm

Of the Prophecy of the Three Prophets, Haggai, Zechariah, and ...
... has ceased, why do they still look for another Christ, when they read this in the
prophecy, and see it ... They that feared the Lord uttered these reproaches ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 35 of the prophecy of.htm

A vindication of the Prophecy in Isa. vii. 14 against the ...
... Chapter XXI."A vindication of the prophecy in Isa ... For truly this prediction was uttered
before the removal ... doctrines of the evil teachers; that they may learn ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter xxi a vindication of the.htm

The Redeemer's Return is Necessitated by the Declarations of Old ...
... Jews" (Matt.2:2), for it was uttered shortly after ... carried down into Babylon, since
which they have had ... to prove that the terms of this prophecy were certainly ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the redeemers return/i the redeemers return is.htm

The Prophet of the Highest.
... the last great Hebrew prophet had uttered the words ... Prophecy means the forth-telling
of the Divine message ... And when they were conscious of his mighty moving and ...
//christianbookshelf.org/meyer/john the baptist/iv the prophet of the.htm

Of David's Reign and Merit; and of his Son Solomon, and that ...
... These things did they imagine, and were mistaken; for their ... Thee, O Lord." [1115]
We see this prophecy in the ... seven, must soon after it was uttered have come ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 20 of davids reign and.htm

Calvary
... Yet in their blindness they did not see that they were fulfilling the prophecy.
Those who in derision uttered the words, "He trusted in God; let Him ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 78 calvary.htm

The Sin of Unbelief
... "To-morrow," would they shout, "to ... ministry, he yet disbelieved the assurances uttered
by the ... thereof." And providence"which always fulfills prophecy, just as ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/the sin of unbelief.htm

God's Patient Pleadings
... To wean from sin is the main end of prophecy. ... the nation is summed up in one word,
'They hearkened not ... to His entreaties and choosing to flout His uttered will. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/gods patient pleadings.htm