Oded is a lesser-known prophet in the Old Testament, mentioned specifically in the context of the reign of King Ahaz of Judah. His account is found in 2 Chronicles 28, where he plays a crucial role in a moment of potential crisis between the kingdoms of Israel and Judah.

Historical Context

During the reign of King Ahaz, Judah faced significant challenges, including military defeats and political instability. Ahaz's reign was marked by idolatry and a departure from the worship of Yahweh, which led to divine judgment upon Judah. In this period, the kingdom of Israel, under King Pekah, allied with Rezin, king of Aram, and launched an attack against Judah. The Israelites captured a large number of Judean captives and took them to Samaria.

Oded's Prophetic Intervention

Oded emerges as a prophet in this narrative, delivering a message from God to the Israelites. His intervention is recorded in 2 Chronicles 28:9-11 :

"But a prophet of the LORD named Oded was there, and he went out to meet the army when it arrived in Samaria. 'Look,' he said to them, 'because the LORD, the God of your fathers, was angry with Judah, He delivered them into your hand. But you have slaughtered them in a rage that reaches up to heaven. And now you intend to reduce the people of Judah and Jerusalem to male and female slaves. But are you not also guilty of sins against the LORD your God? Now therefore, listen to me and return the captives you have taken from your brothers, for the fierce anger of the LORD is upon you.'"

Oded's message is a call to repentance and justice. He acknowledges that the Israelites' victory was permitted by God due to Judah's unfaithfulness, but he condemns the excessive violence and the intention to enslave their fellow Israelites. Oded warns that the wrath of God is upon Israel for their actions, urging them to release the captives.

Response to Oded's Message

Remarkably, the leaders of Israel heed Oded's prophetic warning. The narrative continues in 2 Chronicles 28:12-15 , where certain leaders of Ephraim, including Azariah son of Johanan, Berekiah son of Meshillemoth, Jehizkiah son of Shallum, and Amasa son of Hadlai, oppose the return of the captives to Samaria. They argue that the guilt of Israel is already great, and further sin would only increase their transgressions against the LORD.

Moved by Oded's prophecy and the counsel of their leaders, the Israelites release the captives. They provide them with clothing, food, and medical care, and return them to Jericho, the city of palms, to their fellow Judeans.

Significance

Oded's role as a prophet highlights the importance of prophetic voices in guiding the moral and spiritual direction of the people of God. His message underscores the themes of justice, mercy, and repentance, reminding the Israelites of their covenantal responsibilities. Oded's successful intervention demonstrates the power of prophetic authority to bring about change and reconciliation, even in times of deep division and conflict.

Though Oded is not as prominent as other prophets in the biblical narrative, his account serves as a testament to the enduring influence of prophetic ministry in the life of Israel and the broader biblical tradition.2 Chronicles 28:9
But a prophet of the LORD was there, whose name was Oded: and he went out before the host that came to Samaria, and said to them, Behold, because the LORD God of your fathers was wroth with Judah, he has delivered them into your hand, and you have slain them in a rage that reaches up to heaven.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

The Kingdom of Samaria.
... went out to recover Ramoth Gilead, wilfully trusting to lying prophets, and silencing ...
left in Israel, and at the rebuke of the prophet Oded, the Ephraimites ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/lesson viii the kingdom of.htm

A Rebuke against Extortion
... Oded warned the people of Israel that the anger of the Lord was kindled against
them, and ... do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets." Mark 14 ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 54 a rebuke against.htm

National Apostasy
... to Jerusalem, "the Spirit of God came upon Azariah the son of Oded: and he ... Of "the
prophets of Baal" there were "four hundred and fifty," besides four hundred ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 8 national apostasy.htm

The Jewish Institutions and Laws of Far Higher Antiquity than the ...
... These are, in all, five-and-thirty prophets. ... [2048] So Lowth corrects the text, which
has five. [2049] Supposed to be "son of Oded" or "Adad," ie, Azarias. ...
/.../the stromata or miscellanies/chapter xxi the jewish institutions and.htm

Tiglath-Pileser iii. And the Organisation of the Assyrian Empire ...
... to speak of those mentioned in the Chronicles, eg Azariah son of Oded (2 Ghron. ... No
trace of any writings composed by these prophets is found until a very late ...
/.../chapter iitiglath-pileser iii and the.htm

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