Topic 5 The ProphetsSlide 2Slide 3Slide 4What God Really Wants In the Words of the 8th-Century ProphetsSlide 6Slide 7Slide 8Topic 5 Topic 5 The ProphetsThe ProphetsA. Nature of OT Prophecy1. Propheta. Primarily a “spokesperson for God”: prophet delivers a message from God in and for a particular situation.b. Messenger formula: “Thus says the Lord, ...” – often precedes prophetic speech; claims to speak in God’s name.2. Prophets and the futurea. Prediction is not essence of prophecy – many prophetic speeches have nothing to do with predicting future.b. Prophets’ predictions are related to past and present.Prophets do not typically make long-range predictions for benefit of future generations.Usually make near-term predictions for benefit of immediate audience:Warn of impending disaster as judgment for sins of nation.Promise God’s deliverance to give hope in time of oppression.3. Prophetic literaturea. Prophets were not primarily writers but preachers.b. Messages were preserved, recorded later; prophetic books are sometimes a bit disorganized.4.4.Perennial themes in the prophetsPerennial themes in the prophetsa.a.Denounce false worshipDenounce false worship – worship of foreign gods like – worship of foreign gods like Baal; idolatry; etc.Baal; idolatry; etc.b.b.Call for social justice Call for social justice – champion the cause of the – champion the cause of the powerless who have no voice (poor, orphans, widows, aliens, powerless who have no voice (poor, orphans, widows, aliens, etc.)etc.)5.5.Classification of prophetsClassification of prophetsa.a.Pre-classical prophets Pre-classical prophets (“Former prophets”: Joshua-Kings)(“Former prophets”: Joshua-Kings)1)1)No separate books; No separate books; their stories are told in historical bookstheir stories are told in historical books..2)2)Nathan – David’s court prophet (2 Sam. 7, 12)Nathan – David’s court prophet (2 Sam. 7, 12)3)3)Elijah – opposed Ahab and JezebelElijah – opposed Ahab and Jezebela)a)Contest on Mt. Carmel (1 Kgs. 18)Contest on Mt. Carmel (1 Kgs. 18) – challenges – challenges prophets of Baal to see whose god will answer with fire.prophets of Baal to see whose god will answer with fire.b)b)Naboth’s vineyard (1 Kgs. 21) Naboth’s vineyard (1 Kgs. 21) – confronts king Ahab’s – confronts king Ahab’s crime of executing Naboth and takingcrime of executing Naboth and taking his vineyard. his vineyard.b.b.Classical prophets Classical prophets (“Latter prophets”: Isaiah-Malachi)(“Latter prophets”: Isaiah-Malachi)1)1)Major: Isaiah, Jeremiah, EzekielMajor: Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel – long books – long books2)2)Minor: Book of 12 (Hosea-Malachi)Minor: Book of 12 (Hosea-Malachi) – short books – short booksB.B.Classical prophets of the 8Classical prophets of the 8thth-century-century1.1.Amos (760-750 BC)Amos (760-750 BC) – earliest of classical prophets – earliest of classical prophetsa.a.Shepherd from Judah – preached to Israel.Shepherd from Judah – preached to Israel.b.b.Time of prosperity – social injustice.Time of prosperity – social injustice.c.c.Impending threat of AssyriaImpending threat of Assyria – gathering strength and will – gathering strength and will soon threaten security of whole region.soon threaten security of whole region.d.d.Passion for social/economic justice; Amos rails Passion for social/economic justice; Amos rails against:against:Oppression of poor (Amos 2:6-7)Oppression of poor (Amos 2:6-7)Greed/extravagant luxury (6:4-6)Greed/extravagant luxury (6:4-6)Bribery in courts (5:10, 11)Bribery in courts (5:10, 11)Deceitful business practices (8:4-6)Deceitful business practices (8:4-6)Empty religious ceremonies (5:21-24)Empty religious ceremonies (5:21-24)e.e.What God really wants is not sacrifice and What God really wants is not sacrifice and ceremony but ceremony but justice and righteousnessjustice and righteousness ( (5:24; cf. Hos. 6:6; Isa. 1:11-17; Mic. 6:6-85:24; cf. Hos. 6:6; Isa. 1:11-17; Mic. 6:6-8).).f.f.Warns of devastating destruction Warns of devastating destruction – Assyrian threat is – Assyrian threat is God’s judgment against Israel’s injustice.God’s judgment against Israel’s injustice.B.B.Classical prophets of the 8Classical prophets of the 8thth-century (cont.)-century (cont.)2.2.Hosea (750-25 BC)Hosea (750-25 BC)a.a.Northern prophet during Assyrian crisis.Northern prophet during Assyrian crisis.b.b.Married a prostitute named Gomer (Hos. 1:2-3) Married a prostitute named Gomer (Hos. 1:2-3) – she was – she was unfaithful, broke his heart; he continued to love, won her backunfaithful, broke his heart; he continued to love, won her back..c.c.Parable of God’s relationship with IsraelParable of God’s relationship with Israel (2:2-5; 3:1-2) (2:2-5; 3:1-2) – Israel’s – Israel’s unfaithfulness breaks God’s heart; his discipline seeks to win her backunfaithfulness breaks God’s heart; his discipline seeks to win her back..3.3.MicahMicah – another minor prophet who appeared in 8 – another minor prophet who appeared in 8thth century century4.4.Isaiah (742-01 BC)Isaiah (742-01 BC)a.a.Advisor to Judean kings during Assyrian crisis.Advisor to Judean kings during Assyrian crisis.b.b.Call: vision of God in holiness (Isa. 6).Call: vision of God in holiness (Isa. 6).c.c.Denounces sins; warns of judgment.Denounces sins; warns of judgment.d.d.Warns kings to trust God (not armies/alliances) for security.Warns kings to trust God (not armies/alliances) for security.e.e.““Immanuel” sign (7:10-17) – impending royal birth is assurance Immanuel” sign (7:10-17) – impending royal birth is assurance for King Ahaz during military crisis; reinterpreted in Mt. 1:23 as for King Ahaz during military crisis; reinterpreted in Mt. 1:23 as fulfilled in virgin birth of Jesus (doubtful this is what Isaiah had in fulfilled in virgin birth of Jesus (doubtful this is what Isaiah had in mind).mind).f.f.Poems promising “ideal king” (9:2-7; 11:1-9) – his reign of Poems promising “ideal king” (9:2-7; 11:1-9) – his reign of peace will be based on justice/righteousness.peace will be based on justice/righteousness.What God Really WantsWhat God Really WantsIn the Words of the 8In the Words of the 8thth-Century Prophets-Century Prophets1. “I hate, I despise your festivals, and I take no delight in your solemn assemblies. Even though you offer me your