The Prophets

The Prophets

They step off the page like something out of a science fiction novel or a fantasy--wild individuals wearing strange clothes, seeing mind-boggling visions, hearing God's voice, and preaching a bone-chilling message: Repent or you will pay. Who were they? They were the prophets--the men and women God sent to the nation of Israel (and occasionally to other nations) as his spokespeople.

Elijah was chosen as a prophet during a rough time in Israel's history--during Ahab's term as king. Others, like Isaiah and Daniel, were powerful men in the life of the nation. They held important government positions or served as the king's advisers. Amos, on the other hand, was a shepherd and gardener.

The prophets were all unique and preached to the nation of Israel under a variety of circumstances. So, what did they have in common

First, they were God's appointed speakers. While the priests spoke to God for the people, the prophets spoke to the people for God. Often they called on the people to stop doing wrong and return to God. Time after time their messages were ignored, and Israel suffered as a result.

Second, the prophets preached two kinds of messages: (1) a warning of the need to repent or (2) a message about future events.

Many people claimed to be prophets, and sometimes there was confusion over who to believe when the 'prophets' disagreed. There were, however, tests used to determine who was or wasn’t a true prophet.

• True prophets spoke whenever and whatever God told them to. They didn't dream up prophecies and oracles and then say they came from God. In other religions, pagan prophets constantly tried to manipulate their gods into doing what they wanted. That's what the prophets of Baal tried to do (1 Kings 18:26-29).



• Any prediction given about the future had to come true or the prophet was considered false. The Old Testament is filled with amazing predictions of events, sometimes many centuries into the future. An incredible number of them, especially those concerning Israel and the coming Messiah, have come true.