Bible Study: The Origins and Nature of the Prophetic Movement
I. Where Did the Prophetic Movement Originate?
1. Prophetism was not exclusive to Israel
While we often associate prophecy solely with the Bible, prophetic practices existed among pagan nations long before the rise of the monarchy in Israel. Many sociologists attempt to explain Biblical prophecy as a mere "cultural copy" of Near Eastern neighbors. However, the differences are profound and essential.
2. Prophetism Among the Pagans
In pagan cultures (Canaanite, Babylonian, Egyptian), "prophecy" was largely a technical craft.
• Primary Characteristics:
◦ Divination: Focused on predicting the future or finding lost objects.
◦ Political Utility: Providing favorable omens to the King to justify wars or policies.
◦ Immediate Interest: Concerned with "right now" (harvests, health, success) rather than eternal truth.
◦ Lack of Ethics: It had no moral foundation; it was about manipulating the gods, not obeying them.
• Biblical Examples of Pagan Practices:
◦ Lecanomancy: Interpreting patterns of oil on water.
◦ Hepatoscopy: Reading the livers of sacrificed animals (Ezekiel 21:21).
◦ Astrologers: The court of Babylon (Daniel 2).
◦ Nature Worship: Cults under "leafy trees" and "oaks of Moreh" (Genesis 12:6; 1 Kings 14:23).
3. Prophetism in Israel
Biblical prophecy was a radical departure from the surrounding culture.
• Distinctive Characteristics:
◦ Moral and Ethical Base: The prophet’s message was rooted in the character of God.
◦ Confronting Sin: Prophets like Nathan (2 Sam 12) and Elijah (1 Kings 18) risked their lives to rebuke kings.
◦ Redemptive Vision: They saw history moving toward a divine goal (The Messiah).
Comparison: Pagan vs. Yahweh Prophet
Feature |
Pagan Prophet |
Prophet of Yahweh |
Loyalty |
Served the King |
Served God |
Message |
Spoke what the King wanted |
Spoke what God commanded |
Foundation |
No ethical requirements |
High moral/ethical standard |
Focus |
Momentary/Superficial |
Historical/Redemptive |
II. What is a Prophet?
1. General Concept
A prophet is not primarily a "fortune teller." While prediction may occur, it is not the core.
• 1 Corinthians 14:3: The goal is "edification, exhortation, and comfort."
2. Hebrew Terminology
The Old Testament uses specific terms to describe the prophetic office:
1. Nâbhi (נָבִיא): The most common term. It means "to announce" or "to speak for." The prophet is God’s ambassador or mouthpiece.
2. Rõ’eh: Meaning "Seer." One who possesses spiritual perception to see reality as God sees it (2 Kings 6:14–17).
3. Hôzeh: Also "Seer," specifically linked to receiving a Hazon (vision) (Amos 7:12).
3. Other Titles
• Watchman/Sentinel: Warning of coming judgment (Ezekiel 3:17).
• Shepherd: Guiding the spiritual life of the people (Ezekiel 34).
• Man of God: Highlighting their personal character (1 Samuel 9:6).
III. The First Prophet and the Standard
1. Abraham — The First "Nâbhi"
The first time the word Nâbhi appears is in Genesis 20:7 regarding Abraham. Here, the prophet is defined as an intercessor—someone who has an intimate relationship with God and prays for others.
2. Moses — The Model Prophet
Deuteronomy 18:15 establishes Moses as the "Standard."
• He was a mediator, legislator, and proclaimer.
• Israel spent centuries waiting for the "Prophet like Moses."
3. The Fulfillment in Jesus
Jesus is the ultimate Prophet.
• He spent 40 days in the desert (paralleling Moses/Elijah).
• He is the "New Moses" who gives the Law from the Mount.
• He ends the Old Testament cycle and inaugurates the Kingdom of God (Luke 16:16).
IV. Marks of a True Prophet
How do we distinguish a true messenger from a false one?
1. Divine Call: They are appointed by God, not self-nominated.
2. Obedience: Their life matches their message.
3. Courage: They speak the truth even when it is unpopular.
4. Holy Character: Like Elisha, they are recognized as "holy men of God" (2 Kings 4:9).
V. Applications for the Church Today
1. Discernment
Not every "spiritual voice" is from God. We must test the spirits against the written Word.
2. New Testament Prophecy
In the local church, prophecy serves to build up, stir up, and cheer up. It should never be used for manipulation or theatrical "spectacle."
3. Are Pastors Prophets?
Yes, in a functional sense. When a pastor faithfully proclaims the Word, confronts sin, and teaches truth, they are exercising a prophetic function. However, they are not a "mystical superior class"; they are servants of the Text.
Pre-Classical Prophets and New Testament Prophetism
I. The Pre-Classical Prophets
1. Who were they?
Pre-classical prophets are those who ministered before the era of the "Writing Prophets" (also known as the Classical Prophets).
• They were used mightily by the Holy Spirit, but their specific words were not preserved as independent books in the biblical canon.
• Some may have written records that were lost to history, while others had strictly oral ministries.
• They are called "Pre-Classical" because they preceded literary giants like Isaiah and Jeremiah.
2. Notable Pre-Classical Prophets Mentioned by Name
These figures often appear in the historical books (Samuel, Kings, and Chronicles):
• Gad & Nathan: Advisors and correctors of King David (2 Samuel 7; 12; 24).
• Ahijah & Shemaiah: Active during the division of the kingdom (1 Kings 11; 12).
• Elijah & Elisha: The most prominent "Oral Prophets." Though they performed spectacular miracles and confronted national apostasy, they left no writing behind.
• Micaiah ben Imlah: Famous for standing alone against 400 false prophets (1 Kings 22).
3. Anonymous Prophets and "Schools"
The Bible mentions groups and unnamed individuals who carried the prophetic burden:
• The Sons of the Prophets: Guilds or schools of prophets found in Bethel, Jericho, and Gilgal (2 Kings 2; 4).
• The "Man of God" from Judah: An unnamed messenger who prophesied against Jeroboam (1 Kings 13).
• The Obadiah Hundred: One hundred prophets hidden in caves to escape Jezebel’s purge (1 Kings 18:4).
4. Characteristics vs. Classical Prophets
The distinction between these two groups helps us understand how God adapts His message to the times.
Feature |
Pre-Classical Prophets |
Classical (Writing) Prophets |
Medium |
Primarily Oral / Miraculous Acts |
Written Oracles / Literature |
Context |
Immediate crisis / Specific Kings |
Long-term principles / All generations |
Scope |
Local or Regional |
Broad historical and Messianic vision |
Legacy |
Recorded in historical narratives |
Independent Books of the Bible |
II. Prophets in the New Testament
1. A Shift in Context
In the New Testament, prophecy is presented differently. It is no longer an office held by a few national figures, but a spiritual gift distributed within the Body of Christ.
• Ephesians 4:11: Christ gave "prophets" as a gift to the church.
• 1 Corinthians 12: Prophecy is listed among the manifestations of the Spirit.
2. Examples in the Early Church
• Agabus: Predicted a global famine (Acts 11:27-30) and Paul’s imprisonment (Acts 21:11).
• Philip’s Daughters: Four unmarried women who had the gift of prophecy (Acts 21:9).
• Silas and Judas: Leaders in the Jerusalem church described as prophets (Acts 15:32).
III. Theological Foundation: Revelation and Authority
1. The Structure of Authority
In Israel, the religious system rested on Priests (guardians of the Law) and Prophets (bearers of immediate revelation). In the New Testament, the Church is "built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets" (Ephesians 2:20).
2. The Finality of Christ
The climax of all revelation occurred in Jesus Christ.
• The Apostolic Rule: No New Testament prophet could bring a "new doctrine" that contradicted or added to the finished work of Christ and the teaching of the Apostles.
• Purpose: According to 1 Corinthians 14:3, the NT prophet serves to strengthen, encourage, and comfort the local community.
IV. Historical Testimony: The Didache
The Didache (The Teaching of the Twelve Apostles), a late 1st-century document, provides a fascinating look at how the early church handled prophets:
• Evaluation: Prophets were judged by their character, not just their words.
• The "Money Test": If a prophet asked for money or stayed too long without working, they were labeled a "Christ-monger" (false prophet).
• Service: Their ministry was strictly for the benefit of the local church, not personal gain.
V. Do we need "Prophets" today?
1. Christ as the Ultimate Prophet
Just as we no longer need Levitical priests because Christ is our High Priest, we do not need "Revelatory Prophets" because Christ is the Definitive Prophet (Deuteronomy 18:15). He is the "Word made flesh."
2. The Prophetic Community
In the New Covenant, the Spirit has been "poured out on all flesh" (Acts 2:17).
• Universal Priesthood: Every believer has access to God.
• Universal Mission: Every believer is called to proclaim (prophesy) the Gospel to the world.
• Collective Responsibility: The church as a whole carries the "prophetic voice" to society, confronting sin and announcing the Kingdom.
VI. Practical Applications
1. Beware of "Spiritual Castes": Avoid creating a hierarchy where certain individuals claim exclusive "direct lines" to God. We are a "kingdom of priests."
2. Submission to the Word: Any "prophetic" word must be tested by the written Scriptures (1 Thessalonians 5:20-21).
3. Character Over Charisma: The validity of a ministry is found in fruit and faithfulness, not in the spectacular.
4. The Collective Mission: Evangelism is the modern exercise of the prophetic call—announcing God's truth to a world in crisis.
This in-depth Bible study explores the characteristics of the "prophetic voice" in the modern era, emphasizing that while the office of the canonical prophet is closed, the prophetic function remains vital for the health of the Church.
Characteristics of the True Contemporary Prophet
Introduction
We begin with a fundamental theological premise: The biblical revelation is complete. * There are no "new patches" to be added to the garment of Scripture.
• No human word can ever stand on the same level as the Word of God (Revelation 22:18-19).
The contemporary prophet is not a "spiritual freelancer," a temperamental firebrand, or a private owner of divine access. Instead, the Church is a priestly and prophetic community. The characteristics described here are not for a mystical elite but are marks of every faithful servant of Christ.
I. A Faithful Instructor of the Word
The primary role of the contemporary prophet is to point people back to what God has already spoken.
1. Teaching Within the Bounds of Scripture
A true messenger does not bypass the Bible to offer personal opinions or "fresh revelations." Like Micaiah ben Imlah, the motto is: "As surely as the Lord lives, I can tell him only what the Lord tells me" (1 Kings 22:14). The Bible must be the shining light in personal decisions and church administration alike.
2. Denouncing Sin in Every Dimension
Biblical prophecy addresses the "total" human condition. Sin is not just a private matter; it has multiple layers:
• Individual: Personal morality and heart posture.
• Social/Structural: Political corruption and institutional injustice.
The contemporary prophet does not sweep crises under the rug or accept institutional incompetence as "normal." However, they denounce with a pastoral spirit, seeking to heal rather than destroy.
3. Scripture as the Absolute Criterion
The Church must remember:
• The Bible is the compass.
• Christ is the center.
• The Word is sufficient.
II. A Biblical Worldview (Cosmovision)
A prophet is someone whose mind has been rewired by the Gospel.
1. Principles Over Convenience
A worldview is a coherent value system—a way of reading the world through the lens of Scripture. As 1 Corinthians 2:16 states, "We have the mind of Christ." Decisions are made based on eternal principles, not temporary trends.
2. Not an Echo of Culture
The prophet does not dilute the truth to gain social media likes or cultural acceptance. Jeremiah faced immense public pressure to change his message, yet he remained faithful. The contemporary choice is simple: Will you be an echo of human voices or a voice for God's Word?
3. The Sieve of Scripture
Every political, social, and philosophical idea must pass through the biblical "sieve." Wordliness is not just about external appearance; it is adopting the world's mentalities. The prophet’s conscience is "captive to the Word of God."
III. Interpreting History
The prophet understands that time is not a random circle, but a line directed by God.
1. Linear Historical Vision
The Bible presents a clear trajectory of history:
• The Beginning: Creation (Genesis 1:1).
• The Climax: The "Fullness of Time" in Christ (Galatians 4:4).
• The Consummation: The Return of the King (Revelation 22:20).
2. Avoiding Eschatological Alarmism
A true messenger does not set dates, feed on conspiracy theories, or fuel panic. Instead, they provide stability by reminding the Church that God governs history.
3. The Watchman (Shomer)
The Hebrew term Shomer implies a guard or sentinel (Ezekiel 33:7). The prophet:
• Reads the "signs of the times."
• Interprets current events through the Word.
• Sees beyond the immediate crisis to the eternal reality.
IV. A Comforter of God's People
True prophecy is never defined by aggression; it is defined by the heart of God.
1. More Than a Denouncer
Many mistake "prophecy" for anger. However, the biblical model shows prophets who suffered with their message. Jeremiah’s heart broke for his people (Jeremiah 4:19), and Isaiah was commanded: "Comfort, comfort my people" (Isaiah 40:1). The prophet loves the people they rebuke.
2. Pointing Toward Restoration
The world has enough despair. The prophet’s role is to announce:
• Repentance as the door to life.
• Grace as the means of change.
• Hope as the final word.
3. Led by the Comforter
The Holy Spirit is the Paraclete (Comforter/Advocate), not the "Accuser" (which is the role of Satan). A true prophetic voice reflects the Spirit’s character: Mercy, Tenderness, and Firmness wrapped in Love.
V. Summary Profile of the Contemporary Prophet
A servant of God in this age:
• Lives in submission to the Word.
• Denounces sin to save the sinner.
• Interprets the world through the Cross.
• Avoids "spiritual stardom" and the spotlight.
• Recognizes that the entire Church is called to this prophetic mission.
- Bible Study: Redemption — The Price of Our Freedom
- Bible Study: Sanctification—The Process of Becoming Like Christ
- Bible Study: The Voice of God—How Does He Speak?
VI. Applications for the Church
1. Abolish Spiritual Elitism: There are no "super-believers." Every member is called to discern and declare the truth.
2. Theological Coherence: Our lives must match our doctrine.
3. Balance Truth and Love: Truth without love is brutality; love without truth is hypocrisy.
