Topical Bible: Prophets were Called: Prophets of God

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In the biblical narrative, prophets hold a significant role as the mouthpieces of God, chosen to deliver His messages to His people. The term "Prophets of God" underscores their divine appointment and the authority of their proclamations. Throughout the Scriptures, prophets are depicted as individuals who are called and empowered by God to speak on His behalf, often delivering messages of warning, guidance, and hope.

Old Testament Prophets

The Old Testament is replete with accounts of prophets who were called by God to serve as His spokesmen. One of the earliest examples is Moses, who is described as a prophet in Deuteronomy 18:15, where it is written, "The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your brothers. You must listen to him." Moses' role as a prophet was foundational, as he led the Israelites out of Egypt and received the Law from God.

Another prominent prophet is Samuel, who was called by God as a young boy. In 1 Samuel 3:20, it is stated, "And all Israel from Dan to Beersheba knew that Samuel was confirmed as a prophet of the LORD." Samuel's prophetic ministry was crucial during a transitional period in Israel's history, as he anointed the first two kings of Israel, Saul and David.

The prophetic office continued with figures such as Elijah and Elisha, who performed miracles and called the people back to faithfulness to God. Elijah's confrontation with the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel, as recorded in 1 Kings 18, is a vivid demonstration of his role as a prophet of God, challenging idolatry and affirming the sovereignty of Yahweh.

Major and Minor Prophets

The Old Testament also categorizes prophets into Major and Minor Prophets, not based on their importance, but on the length of their writings. The Major Prophets include Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Daniel. Isaiah, for instance, is known for his prophecies concerning the coming of the Messiah, as seen in Isaiah 9:6: "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government will be upon His shoulders."

The Minor Prophets, such as Hosea, Joel, Amos, and Malachi, also played vital roles in conveying God's messages. Hosea's life and ministry, for example, symbolized God's enduring love for Israel despite their unfaithfulness, as depicted in Hosea 3:1: "The LORD said to me, 'Go, show love to your wife again, though she is loved by another and is an adulteress. Love her as the LORD loves the Israelites, though they turn to other gods.'"

New Testament Prophets

In the New Testament, the prophetic office continues, though it takes on new dimensions with the coming of Jesus Christ, who is recognized as the ultimate Prophet, Priest, and King. Jesus is acknowledged as a prophet by the people, as seen in John 4:19, where the Samaritan woman says, "Sir, I perceive that You are a prophet."

The early church also recognized the gift of prophecy as an essential part of its ministry. In Acts 11:27-28, prophets from Jerusalem, including Agabus, are mentioned: "During this time, some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. One of them, named Agabus, stood up and predicted by the Spirit that a great famine would sweep across the whole world."

The Apostle Paul, in his letters, emphasizes the importance of prophecy within the church, encouraging believers to "eagerly desire the greater gifts" (1 Corinthians 12:31) and to "pursue love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy" (1 Corinthians 14:1).

Role and Function

The role of prophets as God's messengers is multifaceted. They are called to foretell future events, as seen in the prophecies concerning the Messiah, and to forthtell, delivering God's immediate messages to His people. Prophets often called for repentance, warned of impending judgment, and provided hope for restoration.

Prophets were also instrumental in guiding the moral and spiritual direction of the nation of Israel and the early church. Their messages were not always well-received, and many faced persecution and rejection, as Jesus noted in Matthew 23:37: "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those sent to her!"

Conclusion

The calling of prophets as "Prophets of God" highlights their divine commission and the weight of their messages. Throughout biblical history, they served as vital conduits of God's will, shaping the spiritual landscape of their times and pointing forward to the ultimate revelation of God in Jesus Christ.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Ezra 5:2
Then rose up Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and began to build the house of God which is at Jerusalem: and with them were the prophets of God helping them.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Prophets were Sent from one and the Same Father from whom the ...
... called those of old by the prophets, as appears by the words of the Lord; and although
they preached to various nations, the prophets were not from one God, ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter xxxvi the prophets were sent.htm

The Marcionite Interpretation of God and Mammon Refuted the ...
... how was it likely that He who had called mammon a ... then proceeded forthwith to announce
the kingdom of God, saying: "The law and the prophets were until John ...
/.../chapter xxxiii the marcionite interpretation of.htm

The Prophets Bore Witness to Christ and Foretold Many Things ...
... is seeking to deprive the chorus of the prophets of the ... the economy of our Lord and
Master were taken away ... or in whatever way, may properly be called a witness ...
/.../origens commentary on the gospel of john/28 the prophets bore witness.htm

The Patriarchs and Prophets by Pointing Out the Advent of Christ ...
... nor the dispensation of Christ, at last called him the ... already prepared in the fear
of God by the prophets. ... And there were, in one day, baptized three, and four ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter xxiii the patriarchs and prophets.htm

Proofs from the Plain Testimony of Moses, and of the Other ...
... who do also hear Moses and the prophets announcing the ... of another, this being never
can be called either "God ... able to maintain that such words were uttered in ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter ii proofs from the plain.htm

How the Prophets and Holy Men of the Old Testament Knew the Things ...
... For if there was a difference among the prophets, those who ... than these to the height
of the Word were filled with ... then, God is not ashamed to be called the God ...
/.../origen/origens commentary on the gospel of john/2 how the prophets and.htm

One and the Same God, the Creator of Heaven and Earth, is He whom ...
... of His] baptism, Matthew says, "The heavens were opened, and He ... what was in man."
[3392] For He called all men ... of Him who had promised by the prophets that He ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter ix one and the same.htm

Why God Taught the Same Things by the Prophets as by Moses.
... although God commands you by all the prophets to do ... He not teach those"who are called
righteous and ... lived before Moses and Abraham, who were not circumcised ...
/.../chapter xxvii why god taught the.htm

Now Let us Shew Briefly, if You Will, that These Things were ...
... himself above everything that is called God, or that ... God, shewing himself as though
himself were God." And soon ... us by the words of Prophets, Evangelists, and ...
/.../34 now let us shew.htm

The Knowledge of Truth to be Sought from the Prophets Alone.
... who are esteemed philosophers, both righteous and beloved by God, who spoke by ... They
are called prophets. ... in their treatises, seeing that they were witnesses to ...
/.../chapter vii the knowledge of truth.htm