Old Testament Prophecy Overview

Old Testament Prophecy

• Prophecy and the prophetic movement are central to the Old Testament, particularly during times of crisis for Israel.
• The concept of prophecy transcends Judaism and Christianity, appearing in various ancient and modern religions.
• A prophet, in the narrow sense, is an inspired individual claiming divine communication.
• A broader definition encompasses anyone expressing a deity's will.
• Divine will is often ascertained through visions, dreams, or ritualistic methods.
• The Hebrew Bible's Prophets (Nebiim) are divided into Former and Latter Prophets.
• Former Prophets: Joshua, Judges, 1 Samuel, 2 Samuel, 1 Kings, and 2 Kings.
• Latter Prophets are identified by their named scrolls.
• Major and Minor Prophets differ only in the length of their recorded oracles.

Historical Context of Prophets

• The literary prophets illuminate Israel's history from 8th to 5th centuries BCE.
• Prophecy's roots lie within Israel and the ancient Near East.
• Prophets are categorized by the historical periods they addressed:
  • Neo-Assyrian period (Amos, Hosea, Micah, Isaiah)
  • Neo-Babylonian era (Zephaniah, Jeremiah, Habakkuk, Nahum, Ezekiel, Obadiah)
  • Persian period (Daniel, Haggai, Zechariah, Joel, Malachi)
• Pre-exilic prophets warned of judgment.
• Exilic prophets offered hope of restoration.
• Post-exilic prophets addressed the restored community.
• Common prophetic themes include judgment for sin, description of sin and judgment, calls for repentance, and promises of future deliverance.

Defining Prophets and Revelation

• Prophets are divine envoys with a direct relationship to God's word.
• They are charismatic figures gifted with receiving and delivering divine messages.
• Prophets are more than predictors; they are also emotional preachers and social activists.
• Prophecy is an act of communication, conveying insights and leading cults.
• The Hebrew term "nabi" is related to "called one."
• This term is also related to "to proclaim" or "to announce" in Arabic, and "to boil," "to flow," or "to bubble forth" in Hebrew.
• Other related terms include "hozeh" (visionary/seer), "roeh" (seer), and "ish elohim" (man of God), each with nuances in meaning and emphasis.

Religion vs. Revelation

• Israel's claim to divine revelation was distinctive.
• God's revelation involved guiding and promising prosperity to Israel.
• Israel was expected to show faith and submit to instructions for prosperity.
• Deviation from revelation, even slightly, turns revelation into religion.

Religion and Divination/Magic

• Religions in neighboring societies sought divine guidance.
• Humans employed professional diviners, magicians, and interpreters of dreams.
• Religion aimed to understand, explain, and control destiny through rituals, omens, and magical practices.
• Divination used objects or events to predict the future.
• Magic was a crucial part of the ancient Near East, aiming to influence the supernatural and human affairs. Magic affected all aspects of life.
• Divination and magic were ways humans sought to understand and interact with their destiny.

Prophecy in the Ancient Near East

• Scholars suggest Israelite prophecy developed from West Asian (particularly Canaanite) influences.
• Different scholars have offered various theories.
• Different theories cite various regions, people groups and historical events to support various origins.
• Israelite prophecy differed from heathen divination, displaying moral excellence and accuracy.
• The Old Testament acknowledges that prophecy existed outside of Israel.
• Examples of prophecy in other cultures are also highlighted in the text (e.g., Moab, Northern Syria, Egypt, Hittites, Mari).
• These examples show that inspired communication, including pronouncements resembling prophecy, existed in ancient Near Eastern societies.
• The text emphasizes that while analogous prophetic figures exist in other cultures, the Hebrew prophets' connection to personal calls, moral authority, and accurate predictions distinguished them.

Zoroaster (Zarathustra)

• Zarathustra, an ancient Iranian prophet, founded Zoroastrianism, a religion focused on the god Ahura Mazda (Ormazd) whose teachings are outlined in the Avesta.
• Some believe Zarathustra was an ecstatic priest-singer who used techniques to receive trance-like visions.
• His prophecies address the end of the world.