Topical Encyclopedia In the biblical narrative, prophets hold a significant role as the chosen vessels through whom God communicated His will, guidance, and revelations to His people. The term "prophet" (Hebrew: נָבִיא, navi) refers to one who is called or appointed to speak on behalf of God. The prophets served as intermediaries between God and humanity, delivering messages that encompassed warnings, promises, judgments, and future events.Old Testament Prophets The Old Testament is replete with accounts of prophets who were instrumental in guiding the Israelites. These prophets were often called during times of crisis or moral decline to call the people back to covenant faithfulness. Notable prophets include: · Moses: Regarded as the greatest of the Old Testament prophets, Moses was chosen by God to lead the Israelites out of Egyptian bondage and to deliver the Law at Mount Sinai. In Deuteronomy 18:18, God promises, "I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their brothers. I will put My words in his mouth, and he will tell them everything I command him." · Samuel: As the last judge and the first prophet after Moses, Samuel played a crucial role in transitioning Israel from a confederation of tribes to a monarchy. He anointed the first two kings of Israel, Saul and David. · Elijah and Elisha: These prophets were active during the period of the divided kingdom. Elijah is known for his confrontation with the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel (1 Kings 18), while Elisha, his successor, performed numerous miracles and continued Elijah's mission. · Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel: These major prophets delivered messages of both judgment and hope. Isaiah prophesied about the coming Messiah, Jeremiah warned of the impending Babylonian exile, and Ezekiel provided visions of restoration. · The Twelve Minor Prophets: These prophets, including Hosea, Amos, and Malachi, addressed various issues such as social injustice, idolatry, and the need for repentance. Role and Function Prophets were not merely predictors of the future; their primary role was to convey God's message to His people. They often began their oracles with phrases like "Thus says the LORD," emphasizing that their words were not their own but divinely inspired. Hebrews 1:1 states, "On many past occasions and in many different ways, God spoke to our fathers through the prophets." The messages delivered by the prophets were diverse, including calls to repentance, warnings of impending judgment, and assurances of God's faithfulness and future redemption. They also provided guidance on ethical and moral living, urging the people to adhere to the covenant established between God and Israel. Prophetic Authority and Inspiration The authority of the prophets was rooted in their divine calling and the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. 2 Peter 1:21 affirms, "For no prophecy was ever brought about through human initiative, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit." This divine inspiration ensured that the messages delivered were trustworthy and authoritative. Prophets in the New Testament While the Old Testament prophets laid the foundation, the New Testament recognizes the continuation of the prophetic office. John the Baptist is identified as the forerunner of Christ, fulfilling the prophecy of Isaiah 40:3. Jesus Himself is acknowledged as a prophet, though He is more than a prophet, being the Son of God and the fulfillment of the prophetic promises. The New Testament also speaks of the gift of prophecy within the early church, as seen in Acts and the Pauline Epistles. This gift was intended for the edification and encouragement of the church community. Conclusion The prophets of old were pivotal in shaping the spiritual and moral landscape of Israel. Through them, God communicated His divine will, calling His people to faithfulness and foretelling the coming of the Messiah, who would bring ultimate redemption. The legacy of the prophets continues to resonate, reminding believers of the importance of heeding God's word and living in accordance with His commands. Torrey's Topical Textbook Hosea 12:10I have also spoken by the prophets, and I have multiplied visions, and used similitudes, by the ministry of the prophets. Torrey's Topical Textbook Hebrews 1:1 Library The Revelation of the Old Testament in Writing. He Corroborates this Statement by the Authority of the Old ... The New Testament view of the Old Testament The God of the Law and the Prophets, and the Father of Our Lord ... Li. Dining with a Pharisee, Jesus Denounces that Sect. Abraham The God of the Rain Faustus Abhors Moses for the Awful Curse He Has Pronounced Upon ... Faustus Asserts that Even if the Old Testament could be Shown to ... On Books Resources What does the Bible say about false prophets? | GotQuestions.orgWhat are the Major Prophets and Minor Prophets? | GotQuestions.org What was the school of prophets? | GotQuestions.org Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics False Prophets: Called Foolish Prophets False Prophets: Compared to Foxes in the Desert False Prophets: Compared to Wind False Prophets: Immoral and Profane False Prophets: Influenced by Evil Spirits False Prophets: Involved the People in Their own Ruin False Prophets: Judgments Denounced Against False Prophets: Light and Treacherous False Prophets: Made Use of by God to Prove Israel False Prophets: Mode of Trying and Detecting False Prophets: Not Sent or Commissioned by God False Prophets: Often Deceived by God As a Judgment False Prophets: Often Practised Divination and Witchcraft False Prophets: Often Pretended to Dreams False Prophets: Predicted to Arise in the Latter Times False Prophets: Predicted to Arise: Before Destruction of Jerusalem False Prophets: Pretended to be Sent by God False Prophets: Prophesied in the Name of False Gods False Prophets: Prophesied: Falsely False Prophets: Prophesied: Lies in the Name of the Lord False Prophets: Prophesied: out of Their own Heart False Prophets: Prophesied: Peace, when There Was No Peace False Prophets: The People: Deprived of God's Word By False Prophets: The People: Encouraged and Praised False Prophets: The People: Led Into Error False Prophets: The People: Made to Forget God's Name By False Prophets: The People: Oppressed and Defrauded By False Prophets: The People: Taught Profaneness and Sin By False Prophets: The People: Warned not to Listen To False Prophets: Women Sometimes Acted As Prophets were Called: Holy Men of God Prophets were Called: Holy Prophets Prophets were Called: Men of God Prophets were Called: Prophets of God Prophets were Consulted in all Difficulties Prophets were Esteemed As Holy Men Prophets were Mighty Through Faith Prophets were Required: Not to Speak Anything But What They Received from God Prophets were Required: To be Bold and Undaunted Prophets were Required: To be Vigilant and Faithful Prophets were Required: To Declare Everything That the Lord Commanded Prophets were Required: To Receive With Attention all God's Communications Prophets were Sent to Denounce the Wickedness of Kings Prophets were Sent to Exhort to Faithfulness and Constancy in God's Service Prophets were Sent to Predict the Coming of Christ Prophets were Sent to Predict the Downfall of Nations Prophets were Sent to Reprove the Wicked and Exhort to Repentance Prophets were Under the Influence of the Holy Spirit While Prophesying Prophets: Assisted the Jews in Their Great National Undertakings Prophets: Azariah the Son of Oded Prophets: Benefits of Presents Prophets: Benefits of Presents Refused By Prophets: Christ Exercised the office of Prophets: Christ Predicted to Exercise the office of Prophets: Extraordinary: Often Endued With Miraculous Power Prophets: Extraordinary: Specially Raised up on Occasions of Emergency Prophets: False: 400 in Samaria Prophets: False: Denunciations Against Prophets: False: Punishment of Prophets: Felt Deeply on Account of the Calamities Which They Predicted Prophets: Frequently in Their Actions Were Made Signs to the People Prophets: Frequently Left Without Divine Communication on Account of Prophets: Frequently Married Men Prophets: Frequently Spoke in Parables and Riddles Prophets: God Avenged all Injuries Done To Prophets: God Communicated to At Various Time and in Different Ways Prophets: God Communicated To by an Audible Voice Prophets: God Communicated To by Angels Prophets: God Communicated To by Dreams and Visions Prophets: God Communicated to His Secret Things Prophets: Great Patience of, Under Suffering Prophets: Jehu the Son of Hanani Prophets: Micaiah the Son of Imlah Prophets: Not Honored in Their own Country Prophets: Often Accompanied by Music While Predicting Prophets: Often Committed Their Predictions to Writing Prophets: Often Led a Wandering and Unsettled Life Prophets: One Generally Attached to the King's Household Prophets: Ordinary: Numerous in Israel Prophets: Ordinary: The Sacred Bards of the Jews Prophets: Ordinary: Trained up and Instructed in Schools Prophets: Predictions of Frequently Proclaimed at the Gate of the Lord's House Prophets: Predictions of Proclaimed in the Cities and Streets Prophets: Predictions of Were all Fulfilled Prophets: Predictions of Written on Rolls and Read to the People Prophets: Predictions of Written on Tables and Fixed up in some Public Place Prophets: Presented With Gifts by Those Who Consulted Them Prophets: Prophet Set to Israel Prophets: Simple in Their Manner of Life Prophets: Sometimes Received Divine Communications and Uttered Prophets: Sometimes Thought It Right to Reject Presents Prophets: Sometimes Uttered Their Predictions in Verse Prophets: Spoke in the Name of the Lord Prophets: The Historiographers of the Jewish Nation Prophets: The Interpreters of Dreams Prophets: The Jews: Often Imprisoned Them Prophets: The Jews: Often Left Without, on Account of Sin Prophets: The Jews: Often Put Them to Death Prophets: The Jews: Often Tried to Make Them Speak Smooth Things Prophets: The Jews: Persecuted Them Prophets: The Jews: Require to Hear and Believe Prophets: The Messengers of God Prophets: The Watchmen of Israel Prophets: Women Sometimes Endowed As Prophets: Wore a Coarse Dress of Hair-Cloth Prophets: Writings of, Read in the Synagogues Every Sabbath Prophets: Zacharias the Father of John Prophets: Zechariah Son of Iddo Related Terms Brother-servant (2 Occurrences) Almondiblathaim (2 Occurrences) Almon-diblathaim (2 Occurrences) Sycamore-trees (6 Occurrences) |
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