Old Testament Prophets
1. The Definitions of a prophet – Major & Minor (separated by length of writing)
Seer - Visionary
Prophet- The term prophet is derived from a Greek word meaning “to speak on behalf of.”
Man of God
Servant of The Lord
There were two sets of prophets in the original Hebrew Bible. (Former & Later prophets)
The Former Prophets were – (Joshua, Judges, Samuel, Kings) – Latter are the Classical Prophetic Book
The ways a Prophet heard God –
Mental Picture-Visions,
Audible voice,
Experience-Trance or dream,
Immediate Unction – Spirit empowered or Lead
Number of Prophets in the Old Testament
65 Named Prophets (Abraham is title as the First Prophet)- Gen 20:7
14 Unnamed Prophets
22 bands or groups who Prophesied
4 Women labeled as Prophets (Miriam, Deborah, Huldah, Isaiah’s wife)
The Callings of the Prophets varied-
Jeremiah called at Birth (Jer. 1)
Amos – called for a set time and purpose later in life. (Amos)
2. Difference Between an O.T. Prophet and a N.T. Prophet
There are no more OT Prophets (Prophets of Judgment) – The OT Prophets were canonizing Prophets who touched a measure of the Grace of God to layout the Purposes of God. The Prophesied the very scriptures. – NT Prophets see in part to confirm the scripture or expound on it but not to create it- (they are limited by the laid plan of God by OT Prophets and NT scripture)
NT Prophets primary call is to Build the House of God and Prophecy Morality into the earth (mostly the present day Church) – All Prophecy is Redemptive – (Heb 9:15)
15 For this reason He is the mediator of a new covenant, so that, since a death has taken place for the redemption of the transgressions that were committed under the first covenant, those who have been called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.
OT Prophets were loners and outcast- They were greatly misunderstood and Feared
NT Prophets are called to function among the apostolic companies of men laying foundations of the church and the Kingdom.
The Call of Truth & Grace
John 1:13-14
14 And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.
Jesus is the fullness of (fulfillment) of Truth & Grace – The law demanded judgment by order of divine truths that had to be observed. Once broken Judgment had to be enforced for God himself was the fullness of Holiness and Truth
When Jesus came he fulfilled the Law and The prophets by being the full measure of Truth and bringing Grace on the scene through his life which he laid down upon the Mercy seat and now Judgment is hidden in blood upon the Mercy seat in which our lives our hidden.
Eph 2:5-6- 5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,
Modern day Prophets speak from the Mercy seat even when enforcing Judgment. Jesus Became the Curse of the Law and all truth was found in Him with Grace for Grace to be seated and hidden in him so In Wrath he remembers Mercy,
Gal 3:11-14-
11 But that no one is justified by the law in the sight of God is evident, for “the just shall live by faith.” 12 Yet the law is not of faith, but “the man who does them shall live by them.” 13 Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”), 14 that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
Habakkuk 2:4, Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.
Truth Preached the Field – Grace Preached the Pearl (Jesus & the House of God)
Matt 13:44-46
44 “The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in the field, which a man found and hid again; and from joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.
45 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking fine pearls,
46 and upon finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it.
The Old Testament Prophets brought an uncompromising message of Truth that demanded Judgment and Jesus and NT Prophets preach the message of Grace that demands Mercy.
OT Prophets preached the message of Truth for Buying the field- God / NT prophets carry the message of buying the Pearl and building a house in the Field. -
OT prophets always prophesied about the land – NT prophets always prophesy about the House and the Gifts with in it. (Are you in the right room?)
Example:
The house and the Field,
The house and the Furniture
NT-Prophets have the ability to locate the grace of your
Gifting and where it fits in the house of God.
(Are you a Patio Fountain placed in an upstairs hallway?)
If so you may be real but your placement doesn’t ad Beauty to the whole house.
3. The Heart of the OT Prophet –
Example:
The Glove and the Hand – (the Spirit came upon)- Literally means that the spirit would put the men of God on himself like a hand slides into a glove. The hand is the one moving but the glove is what we see. (So were the Prophets)
Spirit Came upon = OT: 3847- labash (law-bash’); or labesh (law-bashe’); (by implication) to put on a garment or clothe (oneself, or another), literally or figuratively- (in) apparel, arm, array (self), clothe (self), come upon, put (on, upon), wear.
The Prophets message often had the overview of a situation of which he had knowledge then he would deliver God’s perspective not Man’s perspective.
To common Society the state and Moral corruption of the day seemed Normal but to the Prophetic eye it seemed Dreadful
The Prophets Life was a divine witness of the God of Abraham and His words Gods Testimony.
Prophets were often critics of their societies, and where they were successful, they were reformers. The preaching of the prophets usually had to do with justice and morality, calling on their audiences to mend their ways.
The prophets insisted that God prefers upright and ethical behavior over slavish devotion to details of worship services.
Prophets weren’t as interested with the current affairs of man and nature as they were the history of the Future
4. The Function of the OT Prophet –
The prophets were not mere Mouth Pieces for God but a Person, Not just an Instrument, a Partner with God. The Prophet became the very words of God in a moment.
The Prophet became the very Heart and emotions of God in a moment. He does not merely speak for God but becomes the very voice of God in the moment.
The Prophet Not only conveyed the words of God but He Revealed the attitude of God.
The Prophet seemed to do unto others what God had done unto him. They could demand total devotion and humbleness of heart because they had first been shattered by the God the walked with and spoke for.
The Prophets Addressed – Kings, Priest, False Prophets, entire nations
The Prophets language was a Fusion of contradictions. – The language can be luminous & Explosive, firm and contingent, harsh and compassionate.
5. The Design of the Prophets words
The prophets words were like a Sharp Sword in the hand of a skilled Bearer and like a Polished arrow shot straight from the mouth of God
The prophets Words were often
Stern
Stinging
Sour
Full of cold tones of Judgment
(Yet behind every word was the undying Love of God and his Compassion for Mankind to return to Him.)
Only Spoke if the lord was speaking (If I have nothing to say you have nothing to Say)
Isa 50:4 “The Lord GOD has given Me The tongue of the learned,That I should know how to speak A word in season to him who is weary.He awakens Me morning by morning,He awakens My ear To hear as the learned.
In OT Days many lands had Prophets- Most of the Time they were the counselors of Kings.
Gods were idolized in every Land of the day around Israel – Located in the center of The Trade routes the Israelites were pressed and subjected to many foreign practices.
The More Powerful a King or Nation the more Powerful was there God. If a nation was defeated – they would destroy their gods
The Prophets declared that they Gods of foreign nations were an abomination before God. And that the nations should serve the one true God.
The Goal of the prophets was to turn the wayward nation of Judah and Israel back to relationship with God. There Prophecy was to Change the Inner man and conquer the Callousness of ones Heart!