GOD’S PROPHETIC MESSENGERS

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GOD’S PROPHETIC MESSENGERS

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GOD’S PROPHETIC MESSENGERS. GOD’S PROPHETIC MESSENGERS. The word PROPHET comes from the word meaning “to announce.” A PROPHET was God’s mouthpiece or the human instrument through which God declared His message to men. - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Transcript of GOD’S PROPHETIC MESSENGERS

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GOD’S PROPHETIC MESSENGERS

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GOD’S PROPHETIC MESSENGERS

The word PROPHET comes from the word meaning “to announce.”

A PROPHET was God’s mouthpiece or the human instrument through which God declared

His message to men.

The primary term for the prophet in the Old Testament is “nabhi.” The prophet (nabhi) spoke

a message on behalf of his superior, God. The prophet was not the originator of the message,

but simply proclaimed it.

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The basic message of prophecy is Messianic, centering in JESUS CHRIST.

Christ is the central subject of the prophetic Word.

However, since Israel was the channel through which the Messiah was to come, much of the prophets’

message is directed generally to life of the Messianic nation rather than specifically to the Messianic individual, who would come to deliver them.

Christ is the Messianic individual, and Israel is the Messianic instrument. Statements about the individual

were predictive, related to Christ and the future. Statements about the instrument were exhortative, moral

in nature, and spoke about Israel and her present.

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The Books of the Prophets address the "classical" period of prophecy—during the later

years of the divided kingdoms of Judah and Israel, throughout the time of exile, and into the years of

Israel's return from exile.

The 17 books that comprise the last section of the Old Testament is commonly known as the Books

of Prophets who lived before 850 B.C…

However… There have been prophets throughout every era

of God's relationship with mankind.

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The Prophets Did Not Begin With Elijah or Even With Samuel…

• The first prophecy was about the coming of the Messiah, as was given by GOD to Adam and Eve (Genesis 3:15).

• Enoch, the descendant of Adam, also prophesied about Christ’s coming (Jude 14).

• Noah made predictions about his three sons (Gen. 9:25-27), and Jacob (Gen. 37:6, 7).

• Joseph uttered prophesies (Gen. 49:10).• The divine origin of the prophetic office is affirmed by Jeremiah who

reveals that it began with Moses (Jer. 7:25); Moses was considered a prophet (Deut. 18:15), and he declared that God would raise up the prophetic institution and that someday a great Prophet would rise (Deut. 18:9-22).

• There were other prophets between Moses and Samuel (Judges 6:8).• Samuel, a prophet, started a school of prophets (1 Sam. 19:20).• Perhaps the most famous pair of prophets in the Old Testament is Elijah (1

Kings) and his disciple Elisha (2 Kings).

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The New Testament Continues the Line of Prophets…

• From John the Baptist (Matthew 11:9),• Through Jesus (Deut. 18:15),• And the “apostles and prophets” (Ephesians

2:20 who were the foundation of the early church to the last of the prophets, John the Apostle (Rev. 22:6, 9), who completed the canon of Scripture (John 14:26 and 16:13).

Following is a chart of the seventeen prophetical books with important features and in chronological order.

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Women Prophets in the BibleWho? What? Where?Miriam, Moses’ sister

First woman prophetess recorded in the Bible; because Miriam took the initiative, Moses was able to spend his formative years with his biological mother; part of her

ministry was leading women in singing and dancing (the women sang responsively with the me, and the Holy Spirit

inspired the words of her song)

Exodus 15:20

Deborah 4th Judge to lead the people of Israel; she held court under the Palm of Deborah; prophetess to whom the people

came to have disputes settled because they recognized she did not decide on the basis of her own wisdom but she gave them a word from God; she gave Barak words from the Lord

that enabled him to lead Israel to victory, just as God promised

Judges 4:4, 5

Huldah When Josiah was repairing the Temple that Manasseh closed, a copy of the Book of the Law was discovered; Josiah sent Hiliah to Huldah the prophetess to inquire about what was written in the Book; Josiah recognized that in the midst of all the neglect of God’s Word she remained faithful and

was a true spokesperson for the Lord

2 Kings 22:14; 2 Chronicles

34:22

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Who? What? Where?Isaiah’s wife The major prophet Isaiah considered his wife to be a

prophetessIsaiah 8:3

Anna Elderly woman of the northern tribe of Asher; prophetess who served the Lord in the Temple and

met Mary and Joseph and the baby Jesus; she thanked God and told others about Jesus

Judges 4:4, 5

Elisabeth, mother of John the Baptist

Filled with the Holy Spirit; spoke by the Spirit of Mary and the Baby in her womb

Luke 1:41-45

Four daughters of the evangelist

Philip

Prophesied to Paul when he stopped at Caesarea on his way to Jerusalem

Acts 21:9

Rachel Prophesied, but was not expressly described as prophesying

Genesis 30:24

Hannah Prophesied, but was not expressly described as prophesying

1 Samuel 2:1-10

Abigail Prophesied, but was not expressly described as prophesying

1 Samuel 25:29-31

Mary, the mother of Jesus

Prophesied, but was not expressly described as prophesying

Luke 1:46-55

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BOOK MEANING DATE SCRIPTURE KINGS THEME

1. Obadiah Servant/Worshipper of Jehovah

840-830 2 Kings 8-12 Jehoram, Ahaziah, Athaliah, Joash (S)

Retribution

2. Joel Jehovah is God 830-820 2 Kings 12 Joash (S) Visitation

3. Jonah Dove 780-760 2 Kings 14 Jeroboam 2 (N) Commission

4. Amos Burden Bearer 755-750 2 Kings 14 Jeroboam 2 (N) Threatened

5. Hosea Salvation 760-710 2 Kings 14-17 Jeroboam 2, Zechariah, Shallum, Menahem, Pekahiah,

Pekah, Hoshea (N)

Estrangement

6. Isaiah Jehovah is salvation 740-690 2 Kings 15-21 Jotham, Ahaz, Hezekiah, Manasseh (S)

Salvation

7. Micah Who is like Jehovah 735-700 2 Kings 15-20 Jotham, Ahaz, Hezekiah (S) Arraignment

8. Nahum Compassionate 650-620 2 Kings 21-23 Manasseh, Amon, Josiah (S) Doom

9. Zephaniah Hidden by Jehovah 630-620 2 Kings 22-23 Josiah (S) Vindication

10. Habakkuk Embraced 620-605 2 Kings 22-24 Josiah, Jehoahaz, Jehoiakim (S) Justice

11. Jeremiah Established by Jehovah 6250585 2 Kings 22-25 Josiah, Jehoahaz, Jehoiakim, Jehoiakim, Zedikiah (S),

Nebuchadnezzar

Warning

12. Lamen. Grieving 585-580 2 Kings 25 Nebuchadnezzar Disconsolate

13. Ezekiel Strength 593-570 2 Kings 24-25 Zedekiah (S) Glory

14. Daniel God is my Judge 606-530 2 Kings 23-25; Ezra 1-4 Jehoiakim (S), Nebuchadnezzar, Belshazzar,

Darius, Cyrus

Dominion

15. Haggai Festal 520 Ezra 5-6 Zerbbabel, Darius 1 (Persian) Consider

16. Zechariah Remembered by Jehovah 520-480 Ezra 5-6 Zerubbabel, Darius 1, Xerxes Consummation

17. Malachi My Messenger 430-420 Nehemiah 13 Artaxerxes, Darius 2 Apostasy

N=Northern Kingdom S=Southern Kingdom

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The broad meaning of the word PROPHECY is to forth-tell; the narrow meaning is to

fore-tell.

In forth-telling God’s message to his day, God’s prophet would often fore-tell what

God was going to do in the future.

Forth-telling involved INSIGHT into the will of God; fore-telling entailed FORESIGHT into the plan of God.

Forth-telling was EXHORTIVE, challenging evil men to higher moral conduct; fore-telling was PREDICTIVE, encouraging the righteous.

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Descriptions of a Prophet in the BibleDescription Scripture Why?Man of God 1 Kings 12:22 Because he was chosen by GodServant of the Lord

1 Kings 14:18 Because of his faithfulness to the Lord

Messenger of the Lord

Isaiah 42:19 Because he was sent by God

Seer 1 Samuel 9:9 Because of his insight from GodWatchman Ezekiel 3:17 Because of his alertness for GodProphet (the

most common description)

Many, including Deuteronomy

18:18

Because he was a speaker for God

Deuteronomy 18:18I will raise up for them a Prophet like you from among their brethren, and will

put My words in His mouth, and He shall speak to them all that I command Him.

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The Source of the Prophetic MessageHebrews tells us that “in many and various ways God spoke

of old to our fathers by the prophets” (Hebrews 1:1).

Source of Prophetic Message ScriptureDreams Genesis 37Visions Daniel 7

Audible Voice 1 Samuel 3Inner Voice Hosea 1; Joel 1, etc.

Previously Written Word Daniel 9Angel Genesis 19Nature Psalm 19Miracle Judges 6:37

Although the earliest and most common means of delivering God’s message was ORAL (the prophets literally spoke for God), sometimes the prophets

would give a VISUAL or WRITTEN message, at God’s command.

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Ways to Test For False ProphetsIf the answer is “yes,” they are false prophets

Question ScriptureDo they ever predict things that do NOT

come to pass?Deut. 18:21, 22

Do they turn people AWAY from the true God to other gods?

Deut. 13:1-3

Do they use instruments of DIVINATION (crystal balls, tea leaves, etc.)?

Deut. 18:10, 11

Is JESUS CHRIST the center of their predictions?

1 Samuel 9:9

There are TRUE prophets and FALSE ones.

A prophet of God is one who speaks the Word of God and whose message is confirmed by the work of God by a miracle.

BEWARE! Matthew 24:4, 23, 24; 1 John 4:1; 1 Tim. 4:1; Galatians 1:8

If the answer is “no,” they are false prophets

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Significance of the Prophetic MessageThe overall significance of the prophetic message was to

show God at work, in human history, to reveal that history is HIS-story.

The prophets wanted to show that history is going somewhere, that it is heading for an Omega point, unlike the cyclical view of

history promoted by eastern and Greek thought.

Moral history does repeat itself; falling away from God repeatedly leads to disaster and destruction. History in the

view of the present was a moral process leading to the messianic age in which the moral principles laid down by God in the past and neglected by His people in the present would

be brought to full social fulfillment in the future.

This same truth is vividly set forth in the teaching of Jesus about the Kingdom of God.

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The Books of Law laid the FOUNDATION for Christ by the

ELECTION, in

GENESIS…

By REDEMPTION, in

EXODUS…

By SANCTIFICATION, in

LEVITICUS…

By DIRECTION, in

NUMBERS…

And, by INSTRUCTION of the nation through which the Messiah was to come, in

DEUTERONOMY…

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In the Books of History, the PREPARATION was made for Christ by giving Israel the Holy Land for their POSSESSION in

JOSHUA…

Despite the OPPRESSION of foreign powers in

JUDGES…

Due to Israel’s sin, there remained DEVOTION

within the nation in

RUTH…

God gave STABILIZATION to the nation under king Saul in

1 SAMUEL…

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God gave EXPANSION under king David in

2 SAMUEL…

And GLORIFICATION of the nation during Solomon’s

reign in

1 KINGS 1-10…

With Solomon’s death came the DIVISION of the nation, Israel to the north and Judah to the

south, in

1 KINGS 11-22…

Both suffered DETERIORATION and final DEPORTATION by

foreign powers in

2 KINGS…

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Likewise, the Temple suffered DEPRIVATION in

1 CHRONICLES…

And finally DESTRUCTION at the hands of the Babylonians in

2 CHRONICLES…

But, God was faithful in the RECONSTRUCTION of the

Temple, in EZRA…

The RESTORATION of the

nation in NEHEMIAH…

And, the PROTECTION of His

people in ESTHER…

The holy nation returned to the Holy Land and preparation was made for

Christ.

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Meanwhile, there was ASPIRATION for Christ in the

POETICAL (WISDOM) BOOKS…

Whereas the BOOKS OF LAW

laid down the MORAL basis for the people of God

and the

BOOKS OF HISTORY provided the NATIONAL

framework,

the

BOOKS OF POETRY revealed their SPIRITUAL

aspirations.

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The implicit longing for what Christ alone would provide was

fivefold:

In JOB the aspiration is for MEDIATION by God…

And in PSALMS for COMMUNION with Him…

Solomon’s aspiration for

WISDOM in PROVERBS…

For UNION in love in the

SONG OF SONGS…

And for SATISFACTION in

ECCLECIASTES…

Completes the spiritual longings of Israel for what was to be provided through Jesus Christ.

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The Books of Prophecy look forward to Christ in EXPECTATION.

The earlier prophets HOSEA,

JOEL, and AMOS expect a NATIONAL RESTORATION

by the Messiah…

ISAIAH and MICAH predict INTERNATIONAL SALVATION through the

coming of Christ…

But, OBADIAH, JONAH, NAHUM, HABAKKUK and ZEPHANIAH warn of

God’s RETRIBUTION ON THE NATIONS.

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LAMENTATIONS grieves over God’s RETRIBUTION ON

HIS PEOPLE…

But, JEREMIAH looks for a CONVENANTAL

REAFFIRMATION in Christ…

EZEKIEL expects the nation’s RELIGIOUS RESTORATION…

After the Babylonian captivity, HAGGAI and

ZECHARIAH exhort the people in their RELIGIOUS

RECONSTRUCTION...

And DANIEL predicts it’s POLITICAL RESTORATION…

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And MALACHI in their SOCIAL AND MORAL RECONSTRUCTION...

As they await the coming of the “sun of righteousness [that] shall rise,

with healing in its wings

(Malachi 4:2).

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Historical Background of Obadiah Southwest of the Dead Sea lived a group of people called the EDOMITES. They lived in Mount Seir, a mountainous region.

They were the descendants of Esau who lived around 2000 B.C. and who was the brother of Jacob (also called Israel) and son of Isaac and

Rebecca (Gen. 25:19-34). Esau’s hatred for his brother seemed to continue through his descendants. EDOM means “red.” It is the name

given to Jacob’s brother Esau because he sold his birthright for red pottage (Gen. 25:30). Seir means “hairy, rugged” and Esau was a hairy

man (Gen. 27:11).

When Jacob's descendants (the nation of Israel) were migrating from Egypt to the land of Canaan around 1400 B.C., the Edomites refused to allow Moses and the Israelites passage through their land. This caused

great discomfort for Israel (Num. 20:14-21).

For some 400 years nothing is mentioned about the Edomites. But they appear during the monarchy period as an adversary of Israel (1 Sam. 14:47; 2 Sam. 8:13-14; 1 Kings 11:15-16; 2 Chron. 20:22; 21:8;

25:11-12; 28:17).

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Historical Background of ObadiahAbout 400 years later, King David conquered them (2 Sam. 8:14). Around 850 B.C. they revolted under King Jehoram (2

Kings 8:16-21). They were again conquered by the Maccabees around 150 B.C.

The area occupied by the Edomites is also known as Idumea and was the home of Antipater, the father of Herod

the Great, who was ruling in Jerusalem when Jesus was born around 8 B.C. to 4 B.C.

The date the book of Obadiah was written is somewhat uncertain. Some scholars believe it may have been written

around 850-845 B.C. (roughly 80 years after King Solomon's death).

As part of their rebellion against Judah, they may have been supporting some of the Gentile nations who were

harassing and attacking Judah.

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The Author and the Audience The Bible does not reveal anything regarding the prophet

Obadiah.

The name Obadiah means “servant of the Lord.”

The author gives no other information about himself, his background, or the time in which he lived.

His book was written to the Edomites.

As the shortest book in the Old Testament (21 verses in a single chapter), its purpose is to condemn them in supporting

the Gentiles against Judah.

Because the Edomites treated the descendants of their brother Jacob so terrible, other prophets to denounce them were

Isaiah (34:5-8), Jeremiah (49:17), and Amos (1:11-12). Also, see Daniel 11:41 for an amazing prophecy concerning Edom.

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Basic Outline of Obadiah

I. The Overthrow of Edom/The Coming Judgment on Edom (verses 1-9)

II. The Offenses of Edom/Edom Mistreated Her Brother (verses 10-14)

III. The Outlook for Edom/Israel’s Final Triumph (verses 15-21)

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1 The vision of Obadiah.Thus says the Lord GOD concerning Edom(We have heard a report from the LORD,And a messenger has been sent among the nations, saying,“Arise, and let us rise up against her for battle”):2 “Behold, I will make you small among the nations;You shall be greatly despised.3 The pride of your heart has deceived you,You who dwell in the clefts of the rock,Whose habitation is high;You who say in your heart, ‘Who will bring me down to the ground?’4 Though you ascend as high as the eagle,And though you set your nest among the stars,From there I will bring you down,” says the LORD.5 “If thieves had come to you,If robbers by night—Oh, how you will be cut off!—Would they not have stolen till they had enough?If grape-gatherers had come to you,Would they not have left some gleanings?6 “Oh, how Esau shall be searched out!How his hidden treasures shall be sought after!7 All the men in your confederacyShall force you to the border;The men at peace with youShall deceive you and prevail against you.Those who eat your bread shall lay a trap for you.No one is aware of it.8 “Will I not in that day,” says the LORD,“Even destroy the wise men from Edom,And understanding from the mountains of Esau?9 Then your mighty men, O Teman, shall be dismayed,To the end that everyone from the mountains of EsauMay be cut off by slaughter.

ObadiahVerses 1-9

(NKJ)

“The Overthrow of Edom /

The Coming Judgment on Edom”

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10 “For violence against your brother Jacob,Shame shall cover you,And you shall be cut off forever.11 In the day that you stood on the other side—In the day that strangers carried captive his forces,When foreigners entered his gatesAnd cast lots for Jerusalem—Even you were as one of them.12 “But you should not have gazed on the day of your brotherIn the day of his captivity;Nor should you have rejoiced over the children of JudahIn the day of their destruction;Nor should you have spoken proudlyIn the day of distress.13 You should not have entered the gate of My peopleIn the day of their calamity.Indeed, you should not have gazed on their afflictionIn the day of their calamity,Nor laid hands on their substanceIn the day of their calamity.14 You should not have stood at the crossroadsTo cut off those among them who escaped;Nor should you have delivered up those among them who remainedIn the day of distress.

ObadiahVerses 10-14

(NKJ)

“The Offenses of

Edom / Edom Mistreated

Her Brother”

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15 “For the day of the LORD upon all the nations is near;As you have done, it shall be done to you;Your reprisal shall return upon your own head.16 For as you drank on My holy mountain,So shall all the nations drink continually;Yes, they shall drink, and swallow,And they shall be as though they had never been. 17 “But on Mount Zion there shall be deliverance,And there shall be holiness;The house of Jacob shall possess their possessions.18 The house of Jacob shall be a fire,And the house of Joseph a flame;But the house of Esau shall be stubble;They shall kindle them and devour them,And no survivor shall remain of the house of Esau,”For the LORD has spoken.19 The South shall possess the mountains of Esau,And the Lowland shall possess Philistia.They shall possess the fields of EphraimAnd the fields of Samaria.Benjamin shall possess Gilead.20 And the captives of this host of the children of IsraelShall possess the land of the CanaanitesAs far as Zarephath.The captives of Jerusalem who are in SepharadShall possess the cities of the South.21 Then saviors shall come to Mount ZionTo judge the mountains of Esau,And the kingdom shall be the LORD’s.

ObadiahVerses 15-21

(NKJ)

“The Outlook of

Edom/ Israel’s Final

Triumph” (vs. 17-21)

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Obadiah saw injustice about as bad as it gets. He saw what happened after invaders swarmed on Judah. Jewish refugees ran for their lives to the neighboring country of Edom, racial cousins who, like Judah, had descended from Abraham and

Isaac.

But did Edom embrace their cousins? NO. Edom ambushed them. Then Edom arrested them, turned them over to the invaders, and scavenged Judah for anything left behind.

The Jews would not live to see Edom get what they deserved. But the Jews had this promise from God: “Edom, you will pay in

full for what you have done (verse 15).

If Obadiah and the other prophets said only one thing about God, they said this: God settles His accounts. And he does it justly. Sooner or later, sometimes later, sin is punished. The story of

Edom is just one of many examples in the Bible.

Justice may sometimes be outside our reach. But it’s always within God’s reach. And in due time, justice will win. The bad

guys won’t.

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MAJOR THEMES IN OBADIAH

Two primary themes are in the book of Obadiah:

Chapter 1:1-14 - Condemnation for turning away from a neighbor in need (Judah), gloating over their

misfortune, and helping their enemies

Chapter 1:15-21 - Promise of punishment, both by their Gentile "allies" and later by Judah

Overall major theme: Pride deceives a person and a nation (verse 3) and “As thou hast done, it

shall be done unto thee” (verse 15)

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MESSAGES FOR CHRISTIANS TODAY

The book of Obadiah illustrates a couple of valuable lessons for Christians:

•Both the Old Testament and the New Testament warn about rejoicing over the

misfortune of another (Prov. 17:5; Job 31:29-30; Matt. 5:43-48).

•Although often oppressed, God's people will ultimately triumph (Mark 10:28-30; 2 Tim.

3:10-17).