Topical Bible: Prophets: God Communicated to At Various Time and in Different Ways

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The role of prophets in the biblical narrative is central to understanding how God communicated His will, guidance, and revelation to His people throughout history. Prophets served as God's chosen messengers, delivering His words to individuals, nations, and sometimes to the entire world. The Bible provides numerous examples of how God communicated through prophets at various times and in different ways, emphasizing His desire to guide and instruct His people.

Old Testament Prophets

In the Old Testament, prophets were often called by God to deliver messages of warning, hope, and instruction. The book of Hebrews highlights this diversity in communication: "On many past occasions and in many different ways, God spoke to our fathers through the prophets" (Hebrews 1:1). This verse underscores the multifaceted nature of prophetic revelation.

1. Direct Communication: God often spoke directly to prophets. For instance, God called Moses from the burning bush (Exodus 3:4) and spoke to him "face to face, as a man speaks with his friend" (Exodus 33:11). Similarly, God communicated directly with Samuel, calling him by name as a young boy (1 Samuel 3:4-10).

2. Visions and Dreams: Prophets frequently received divine messages through visions and dreams. Daniel, for example, was given visions that revealed future events (Daniel 7:1-28). God also communicated with Joseph through dreams, which played a crucial role in his life and the history of Israel (Genesis 37:5-10).

3. Symbolic Actions: Prophets sometimes conveyed God's messages through symbolic actions. Ezekiel was instructed to perform various symbolic acts to illustrate God's impending judgment on Israel (Ezekiel 4:1-17). These actions served as visual representations of divine messages.

4. Angelic Messengers: At times, God used angels to deliver His messages to prophets. The angel Gabriel appeared to Daniel to explain visions and provide insight into future events (Daniel 9:21-23).

New Testament Prophets

In the New Testament, the prophetic office continued, though it took on new dimensions with the coming of Jesus Christ, who is considered the ultimate revelation of God. The New Testament acknowledges the role of prophets in the early church, as seen in the book of Acts and the epistles.

1. John the Baptist: As the forerunner of Christ, John the Baptist is recognized as a prophet who prepared the way for Jesus. He called people to repentance and baptized them in the Jordan River (Matthew 3:1-6).

2. Jesus Christ: Jesus is the fulfillment of the prophetic tradition, embodying the ultimate revelation of God. The Gospel of John states, "The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us" (John 1:14). Jesus' teachings, miracles, and sacrificial death are seen as the culmination of God's communication through the prophets.

3. Prophets in the Early Church: The early church recognized the gift of prophecy as a means of edification and guidance. The Apostle Paul encouraged the Corinthians to "eagerly desire the greater gifts," including prophecy (1 Corinthians 14:1). Prophets like Agabus played a role in the early Christian community, providing insight and warnings (Acts 11:27-28).

Diversity of Prophetic Messages

The messages delivered by prophets were diverse, addressing a wide range of themes:

· Judgment and Repentance: Many prophets warned of impending judgment due to sin and called for repentance. Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Amos are notable examples of prophets who delivered such messages.

· Hope and Restoration: Prophets also conveyed messages of hope and restoration. Isaiah prophesied about the coming Messiah and the establishment of God's kingdom (Isaiah 9:6-7).

· Guidance and Instruction: Prophets provided guidance and instruction to God's people. Moses, as a prophet, delivered the Law to Israel, guiding them in their covenant relationship with God (Deuteronomy 18:15-19).

In summary, the prophets were instrumental in conveying God's messages to humanity, utilizing various methods and addressing diverse themes. Their role underscores the dynamic and multifaceted nature of divine communication throughout biblical history.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Hebrews 1:1
God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets,
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

How Two Natures Constitute the Person of the Mediator.
... Here a property of his humanity is communicated with his other nature. ... easy to infer,
that under the Law and the Prophets he was the Son of God before this ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 14 how two natures.htm

Abram's Horror of Great Darkness.
... The prophets and apostles, passed through scenes in ... he witnessed could be but very
partially communicated. ... we consider them as ordered of God, the consideration ...
/.../lee/sermons on various important subjects/sermon v abrams horror of.htm

Second visit to Nazareth - the Mission of the Twelve.
... told them in the darkness, as Jewish teachers communicated the deepest ... no elders,
there no prophets; and where no prophets, there [3108] does God not cause ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xxvii second visit to.htm

Lives of Faith and Trust
... he did in the days of the Prophets, and how ... only a fortnight later, the same friend
communicated the happy ... But the hand of God was fast closed; this continued ...
/.../various/the wonders of prayer/lives of faith and trust.htm

Rome and Ephesus
... which He had promised beforehand by His prophets in Holy ... one wished to come with
me, I communicated to him ... in consequence of his virtue, became God, which he ...
/.../lake/landmarks in the history of early christianity/v rome and ephesus.htm

Introductory Notice to the Early Liturgies.
... as a propitiation for guilt, was communicated to all ... The reading of the law and the
prophets was now ... as "consubstantial" and "mother of God" bear indisputable ...
/.../various/early liturgies/introductory notice to the early.htm

Jesus' Knowledge of Truth
... new to him when he first communicated it to ... death; yet the predictions of the prophets
always provided ... watch diligently and patiently for God's full salvation. ...
/.../rhees/the life of jesus of nazareth/iii jesus knowledge of truth.htm

Election Confirmed by the Calling of God. The Reprobate Bring Upon ...
... of their election is in some measure communicated to them ... and almost deluged with
the blood of the prophets? ... In this gulf of perdition God leaves those whom he ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 24 election confirmed by.htm

On the Coming of Our Lord in the Flesh; Its Nature and Cause.
... like himself; that goodness might be communicated to all ... His motive in this, [3421]
as the prophets had foretold ... The man who knows that God and not phusis or ...
/.../pamphilius/the life of constantine/chapter xi on the coming of.htm

Ancestors of the Blessed virgin
... in the hands of the high priest or of one of the prophets. ... [5] Communicated in July ...
Hasidim), originally meaning merciful' (of God), came to mean devout' of men ...
/.../emmerich/the life of the blessed virgin mary/i ancestors of the blessed.htm