An Introduction To The Old Testament Prophets

Greetings in the Lord, to all of our Readers.

I hope you are being blessed by our recent study through the book of Ecclesiastes, and from our ongoing studies through the gospel of John.

I want to start a new series which I believe will be very beneficial for all Christians. 

I want to provide an overview of the Old Testament prophets. An overview is like a clear summary outline, containing the highlights found in a particular book of the Bible.

An overview is a very helpful Bible study tool, especially when it comes from a Pastor who has carefully and accurately taught God's word, for more than 35 years.  

Pastor Alvis is our pastor. He uses overviews of various books of the Bible, very effectively. 

These overviews promote spiritual growth and help us desire to dig more deeply into God's Word.

I am generally following Pastor Alvis's outlines while supplementing them with my own notes. 

I am hoping that those who cannot listen to Pastor Alvis's livestreamed sermons, can reap the benefits from reading these lessons.

Who are the prophets?

Genesis 20:7  Now therefore restore the man his wife; for he is a prophet, and he shall pray for thee, and thou shalt live: and if thou restore her not, know thou that thou shalt surely die, thou, and all that are thine. 

This is the first scripture where we find the word "prophet" used, in this example, speaking of Abraham. 

Jehovah said that Abraham is one of His prophets, when He spoke to Abimelech about returning Sarah to Abraham. 

This Hebrew word literally  means "a spokesman" for Jehovah. 

Why were prophets needed? 

2 Kings 17:12-13  For they served idols, whereof the LORD had said unto them, Ye shall not do this thing. 13)  Yet the LORD testified against Israel, and against Judah, by all the prophets, and by all the seers, saying, Turn ye from your evil ways, and keep my commandments and my statutes, according to all the law which I commanded your fathers, and which I sent to you by my servants the prophets. 

Because God's people often turned away from Jehovah and practiced idolatry and immorality. 

A prophet most often dealt with the sins of apostasy, idolatry and immorality. 

Jehovah is holy and He must judge sin. Yet, He is full of lovingkindness and He sent His prophets to plead with His people, to repent of idolatry.

The common message is "Turn from your evil ways and keep My commandments." 

A prophet can be an oral spokesman or a writing prophet. The Bible contains many examples of both types of prophets. Prophets were inspired by God to deliver a message to His people. 

What is prophecy? 

Isaiah 46:9-10  Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, 10)  Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure: 

God defines prophecy this way: He declares the final disposition of all things, before they ever come to pass. 

From the most ancient times, God knows all future things and can declare the beginning of His works and the end of them.  

God's omnipotence means that He can fully and completely accomplish His will. Whatever He foretells future things, it will most assuredly come to pass, exactly as He said in His Word. 

Ezekiel 33:10-11  Therefore, O thou son of man, speak unto the house of Israel; Thus ye speak, saying, If our transgressions and our sins be upon us, and we pine away in them, how should we then live? 11)  Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel? 

Generally, a prophecy is an exhortation warning God's people of transgression and calling them to live according to God's holy standard.

God's heart toward His people is always on display in prophecy. He wants them to repent and turn from their wicked ways, so that their covenant relationship might be restored. 

A common theme in prophecy is that obedience always brings God's blessing, and disobedience always brings His judgment. 

Prophecy can be "foretelling" future events, such as the establishment of the Kingdom of God on earth.  

Prophecy is also "forewarning" God's people about impending judgment for their sins. It is God calling His people to repentance, while warning of His righteous judgment.  

The word "prophecy" literally means uttering, or a bubbling forth with an overflow proclaiming God's inspired words. 

The prophet Samuel gave detailed prophecy about Saul.

1 Samuel 10:1-13  Then Samuel took a vial of oil, and poured it upon his head, and kissed him, and said, Is it not because the LORD hath anointed thee to be captain over his inheritance? 2)  When thou art departed from me to day, then thou shalt find two men by Rachel's sepulchre in the border of Benjamin at Zelzah; and they will say unto thee, The asses which thou wentest to seek are found: and, lo, thy father hath left the care of the asses, and sorroweth for you, saying, What shall I do for my son? 3)  Then shalt thou go on forward from thence, and thou shalt come to the plain of Tabor, and there shall meet thee three men going up to God to Bethel, one carrying three kids, and another carrying three loaves of bread, and another carrying a bottle of wine: 4)  And they will salute thee, and give thee two loaves of bread; which thou shalt receive of their hands. 5)  After that thou shalt come to the hill of God, where is the garrison of the Philistines: and it shall come to pass, when thou art come thither to the city, that thou shalt meet a company of prophets coming down from the high place with a psaltery, and a tabret, and a pipe, and a harp, before them; and they shall prophesy: 6)  And the Spirit of the LORD will come upon thee, and thou shalt prophesy with them, and shalt be turned into another man. 7)  And let it be, when these signs are come unto thee, that thou do as occasion serve thee; for God is with thee. 8)  And thou shalt go down before me to Gilgal; and, behold, I will come down unto thee, to offer burnt offerings, and to sacrifice sacrifices of peace offerings: seven days shalt thou tarry, till I come to thee, and shew thee what thou shalt do. 9)  And it was so, that when he had turned his back to go from Samuel, God gave him another heart: and all those signs came to pass that day. 10)  And when they came thither to the hill, behold, a company of prophets met him; and the Spirit of God came upon him, and he prophesied among them. 11)  And it came to pass, when all that knew him beforetime saw that, behold, he prophesied among the prophets, then the people said one to another, What is this that is come unto the son of Kish? Is Saul also among the prophets? 12)  And one of the same place answered and said, But who is their father? Therefore it became a proverb, Is Saul also among the prophets? 13)  And when he had made an end of prophesying, he came to the high place. 

Samuel was a judge, a prophet, a priest and an anointer of kings. In this text, he anointed Saul to be king over Israel. 

Samuel gave many specific signs to encourage Saul, that came to pass, for this is the mark of a true prophet of God (See Numbers 12:6; Deuteronomy 13:1-5; 18:18-22;). 

Samuel told Saul to go to three different places, Rachel's tomb, the plain of Tabor and hill of God. 

Samuel told Saul he would meet two men at Rachel's tomb and what they would say to Saul.

Samuel told Saul that he would meet three men at Tabor carrying goats, bread and wine, and that they would give him two loaves of bread. 

Samuel told Saul that he would go to the hill of God where there was a garrison of Philistines. 

Samuel told Saul that he would meet a group or prophets, who were prophesying as they played four different musical instruments. 

Samuel told Saul that the Spirit of the LORD would come upon him and he would prophesy.

Notice what the text says: "All those signs came to pass that day." 

Prophets are loyal servants of Jehovah. They were distinct individuals equipped to challenge God's people. 

They are sent as inspired spokesman for God, pronouncing judgment, declaring the need for repentance and extending the promise for restoration. 

They are energized by God to proclaim judgment, foretelling history, future events as well as local events. 

God's inspired prophets often used symbolism, pictures and vivid images to convey their message from God. 

A prophet of God stands upon the authority of God's Word. They stressed that God's people must obey His Word, and they interceded for the people, earnestly desiring Israel's repentance and restoration with Jehovah. 

The Old Testament prophets are divided into two main groups: major and minor. This distinction is based upon the length of their writings. 

The content of a shorter book of a prophet like Obadiah, is just as vital as the prophecy of a major prophet, like Isaiah. 

There are five major prophets (Isaiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, Jeremiah, and Lamentations). 

There are twelve minor prophets, beginning with Hosea and going to Malachi. 

2 Peter 1:21  For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. 

The prophets communicated a message of Messianic hope, that Jehovah would send a Redeemer into the world, who would rule as King of kings. 

The prophets communicated the consistent faithfulness Jehovah, even though His people were often unfaithful to Him.

The scriptures are the reference point for the prophet's message, and God's Word should always be our reference point.

Bob