True vs False Prophets in the Bible
41 Questions
0 Views

Choose a study mode

Play Quiz
Study Flashcards
Spaced Repetition
Chat to lesson

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

What is one indicator that a prophet is false?

  • Speaking in the name of Yahweh
  • Practicing divination or sorcery (correct)
  • Being concerned for social welfare
  • Performance of miracles
  • True prophets may prophesy in the name of any god other than Yahweh.

    False

    List one characteristic that distinguishes true prophets from false prophets.

    High moral quality or concern for social welfare.

    If a prophecy is not ______, the prophet is considered false.

    <p>fulfilled</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following characteristics with the type of prophet:

    <p>High moral quality = True Prophet Practices sorcery = False Prophet Concern for social welfare = True Prophet Claims to speak in the name of other gods = False Prophet</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT a biblical test for identifying false prophets?

    <p>Practicing mercy and justice</p> Signup and view all the answers

    True prophets are often criticized for social injustices.

    <p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of experience is essential for a true prophet?

    <p>A definite call experience.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a key element of the new era in the progress of redemption according to the prophets?

    <p>Continuity with the past era</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The eschatological prophetic message is focused on the individual experience rather than the community.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who is seated at the right hand of the Father, confirming the hope of the future?

    <p>Jesus Christ</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The coming of Jesus shows more clearly the __________ dimension of the kingdom.

    <p>eschatological</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following elements of prophetic hope with their descriptions:

    <p>Inauguration of the Davidic era = Beginning of the messianic kingdom Outpouring of the Holy Spirit = Divine empowerment of God's people Ingathering of Jews and Gentiles = Restoration of unity among God’s people Removal of evil and death = Ultimate victory over sin and judgment</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was a key characteristic of false prophets according to the content?

    <p>They misled people and showed loose morals.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    True prophets often provided messages that were popular and comforting.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What did Jeremiah challenge his contemporaries to do?

    <p>Study the prophetic word of the past and interpret God's revelation afresh.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    False prophets displayed _____ for the preservation of the old way but were unresponsive to new revelation.

    <p>zeal</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following prophets with their key characteristics or actions:

    <p>Jeremiah = Proclaimed the destruction of the Temple Hananiah = Predicted restoration in the name of the Lord Ezekiel = likened false prophets to whitewash False prophets = Filled the people with false hopes</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following did the false prophets rely on?

    <p>Historical interpretations of Moses' revelation</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The false prophets completely rejected the concept of Yahweh in their messages.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What twofold ministry were the prophets given?

    <p>Messengers of judgment and heralds of salvation.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Jeremiah insisted that Jerusalem would _____ as part of God's judgment.

    <p>fall</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the characteristics with the type of prophetic speech:

    <p>Oracle of Judgment = Accusation and condemnation of Israel Oracle of Salvation = Heralding a new era of divine favor Covenant lawsuit = Legal case against Israel’s unfaithfulness Woe oracle = Expressions of grief over disobedience</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which concept did the false prophets primarily have faith in?

    <p>All of the above</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Jeremiah's messages were generally welcomed by the people.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What did Ezekiel compare false prophets to?

    <p>Whitewash</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The false prophets' self-centered words filled the people with _____ hopes.

    <p>false</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary theme of the judgment oracle as related to the covenant sanctions?

    <p>Warnings of famine, infertility, and war</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The prophets proclaimed the oracle of judgment but did not leave room for repentance.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the significance of the 'oracle of salvation'?

    <p>It announces a new era and a future of divine activity and redemption.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    God's covenant with creation reflects his commitment to __________ all life.

    <p>bless</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following covenants with their key characteristics:

    <p>Abrahamic Covenant = Involves promises to descendants and cosmic dimensions Mosaic Covenant = Applies benefits of Abrahamic covenant to Israel Davidic Covenant = Focuses on a theocratic kingdom and God's eternal presence Noahic Covenant = God's commitment after the Flood</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following elements is NOT a key redemptive element in the early stages of redemption?

    <p>Hope in personal enlightenment</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The Abrahamic covenant emphasizes both national and cosmic dimensions.

    <p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the relationship between creation and redemption mentioned in the content?

    <p>Redemption affects the whole of creation.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The _________ covenant established God's kingship in Israel and included benefits for the entire nation.

    <p>Mosaic</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the primary message of the postexilic prophets?

    <p>The inauguration of eschatology through judgment and restoration</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The term 'eschatology' originates from Hebrew and means 'future'.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the role of the temple in God's covenant with David?

    <p>The temple symbolized God's commitment and presence with His people.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Eschatological blessings are meant to bring __________ beyond the physical descendants of Abraham.

    <p>redemption</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The Day of the Lord is often associated with which of the following?

    <p>Judgment and vengeance</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    True and False Prophets

    • The Bible acknowledges both true and false prophets (Eze 13:17, Neh 6:14, Matt 24:11, 1 John 4:1, Rev 2:20).
    • False prophets claim divine inspiration and use phrases like "Thus says the Lord." (1 Kings 22).
    • Distinguishing between true and false prophets is crucial.

    Identifying False Prophets

    • Contradicting Yahweh: A prophet who speaks for a god other than Yahweh is false. Miracles don't automatically validate a prophet.
    • Practicing Divination/Sorcery: Using divination, sorcery, etc., as practiced by pagan nations, is a sign of false prophecy (Deut 18:9-14, Ezek 22:28, Jer 14:14). True prophets speak by divine inspiration/revelation.
    • Unfulfilled Prophecy: A prophet whose words don't come to pass is a false prophet (Deut 18:23).

    Characteristics of a True Prophet

    • Divine Call: A true prophet experiences a clear call from God (Ex 3:1-4:17, Jer 1:4-10, Amos 7:14-15, 1 Sam 3, Hos 1:2, Zeph 1:9-20). Training can equip, but God calls.
    • Signs and Miracles: Often authenticated by signs and miracles (Ex 4:1-9, 21, 1 Sam 12:26, Elijah, Elisha, Isa 7:14, Micah, 1 Kings 22:28, Ezek 4-5, Amos 8:1-3).
    • Harmony with Previous Revelation: Words align with past revelation, confirming or building on truth, not contradicting it (Deut 13:1-3, Jer 26, Isa 8:20).
    • Historical Fulfillment: Confirmed by fulfilled prophecy (1 Sam 3:14).
    • High Moral Character: Displayed high morality (Micah 3:5, 11; Isa 28:7; Jer 23:11).
    • Social Concern: Concerned for the people's well-being (Ex 2:11, 17).
    • Access to Yahweh's Council: Access to God's inner counsel (Jer 23:18, Amos 3:2).
    • Prayerfulness: Men of prayer, intercession, and communion.
    • Criticism of Injustice: Outspoken critics of social injustice.
    • Submission to God's Will: Focus on God's will, not the people's.

    The Problem of Validation

    • True prophets often have unpopular or challenging messages, opposed by false prophets who give people what they want to hear (Ezek 13:10). False prophets are like whitewashers, masking reality (Eze 13:10-12, 14-15, 22:28).

    Jeremiah and False Prophets

    • Jeremiah's experience illustrates the challenge of identifying true prophecy. He faced many false prophets in Jerusalem, often ideologically driven and clinging to past interpretations of Mosaic revelation.

    Theology of False Prophets

    • Zealous for the Old Way: Zealous for tradition and previous revelation, refusing new revelation.
    • Binding God to Institutions: Linked God to specific institutions (law, temple, theocracy, monarchy) and their current structures, not to a living God.
    • Hope Fixed on Institutions, Not God: Placed faith in institutional structures over the living God, regarding Jerusalem as invincible.
    • Example of Hananiah: Hananiah predicted a false restoration (Jer 28:2-4), clashing with Jeremiah's message of judgment.
    • Jeremiah's Challenge: Jeremiah challenged people to re-examine prophetic words, interpret God’s revelation afresh, and to see God's freedom to act beyond their frameworks. They resisted and feared his message of a possible Temple destruction.

    Oracles of Judgment and Salvation

    • Prophets delivered judgment (and salvation) messages, announcing the end of an era and the start of a new one, rooted in covenants and promises.
    • Oracles of judgment, based on the covenant's consequences (Lev 26:14-39, Deut 4:25-29, 28:15-68, 30:17-18, 31:28-32:43), warned of potential curses for covenant breaking.
    • Prophets used varied formats like covenant law, woe oracles, and disaster prophecies.
    • Oracles of salvation announced a new era of grace, a new relationship with God.

    Covenants and Promises

    • God's commitment is rooted in covenants, including creation, Noahic, Abrahamic, Mosaic, and Davidic.
    • These covenants, and the promises within, shape Israel's history and God's interaction with humanity—all pointing to a wider scope.
    • Early redemptive events (blessing, seed, solace, nature's regularity, God's presence, integrity) are cosmic.
    • Abrahamic covenant had both national and cosmic dimensions. Extended to all nations.
    • Mosaic covenant adapted Abrahamic, focusing on God's presence.
    • Davidic covenant emphasized a theocratic kingdom.
    • Fulfillment saw periods of flourishing and struggle. Key to understanding God's ongoing plan.

    Prophecy and Eschatology

    • The Bible is eschatological (concerned with the "last things"). Prophets announced new eras, with elements of continuity and discontinuity.
    • Prophets point to a future fulfillment of promises in a theocentric (God-centered), messianic age. This includes new covenants, ingathering, joy, and removal of curses.
    • In Jesus, prophetic hope reaches a culmination, with past, present, and future intertwined.

    Studying That Suits You

    Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

    Quiz Team

    Description

    This quiz explores the characteristics and distinctions between true and false prophets as presented in the Bible. Understand the biblical criteria used to identify them, including their divine call and the consequences of unfulfilled prophecies. Test your knowledge on relevant scripture passages and key concepts.

    More Like This

    Prophets of Israel and Judah Quiz
    10 questions
    Major Prophets Overview
    16 questions

    Major Prophets Overview

    CaptivatingAutoharp5119 avatar
    CaptivatingAutoharp5119
    Use Quizgecko on...
    Browser
    Browser