Prophets

468 Words1 Page

The Prophets
The Prophets, religious sages and charismatic figures, who were perceived as endowed with a divine gift of revelation, preached during the period of the monarchy until a century after the destruction of Jerusalem (586 B.C.E.). Whether as advisers to kings on matters of religion, ethics and politics, or as their critics, under the primacy of the relationship between the individual and God, the prophets were guided by the need for justice and issued powerful commentaries on the morality of Jewish national life. Their revelatory experiences were recorded in books of inspired prose and poetry, many of which were incorporated into the Bible.
The enduring, universal appeal of the prophets derives from their call for a fundamental consideration of human values. Words such as those of Isaiah (1:17) -- "Be good, devote yourselves to justice; aid the wronged, uphold the rights of the orphan; defend the cause of the widow" -- continue to nourish humanity's pursuit of social justice.
The primary job of a prophet was to arouse the people and the government to repentance and observance. The traditional view is that prophecy was removed from the world after the destruction of the First Temple. Those prophets who are mentioned after that were alive at the time of the destruction. Several explanations are offered for why prophets no longer exist:
1. The fact that the Jews did not heed the calls to repentance of the prophets showed that they were not worthy. When most of the Jews remained in exile after Ezra returned, they showed that they were still not worthy of that level of holiness. The second temple did not have the level of kedushah [holiness] of the first Temple even from the beginning.
2. This was actually a sign of Gd's mercy. Had the Jews had a prophet and continued to disobey (as was probable based on the behavior of the following centuries) even after the punishment of the exile, they would have merited complete destruction. Now they could say that had a prophet come they would have obeyed and thus mitigate the punishment (though some consider the current exile (i.e., the diaspora) to be harsh enough).
3. After the destruction of the first Temple the sages prayed for the removal of the "Evil Inclination" of idolatry.

Show More
Related

  • The Charismatic Age: First-Century Galilee

    1918 Words  | 4 Pages

    Among Jewish peasantry at the time of Jesus were two distinct types of prophets: the action prophets, who "led sizable movements of peasants from the villages of Judea in anticipation of God's new, eschatological act of liberation," and the oracular prophets, who delivered oracles of either judgment or deliverance (185). The former, as illustrated by the case of Theudas, appea...

    Read More

  • Discussion of the old testament

    1297 Words  | 3 Pages

    Even though the prophets were met with hostility and rebuking from the people, due to the evil in peoples hearts, they continued to speak the words of God. The Prophets knew they would face danger because of the words they spoke, but they also knew the words of God had to be heard. The prophets were an important tool in redirecting the people which makes their role in the history of Israel and Judah one of the most important roles.

    Read More

  • Idolatry And Social Ritualism In The Holy Bible

    1182 Words  | 3 Pages

    To discuss the topic of idolatry, social injustice, and religious ritualism, it is not hard to find out that there are many examples in the Holy Bible that teach people about the Sin of Idolatry, social injustice, and religious ritualism. Some of the prophets who were chosen by God, such as Isaiah, Ezekiel, Jonah, Micah and Hosea, are good examples of those issues. God used those people and their stories to teach other people about His words and His will.

    Read More

  • Jeremiah

    1839 Words  | 4 Pages

    Depending on context and field, the “eschatological” notion carries different meanings. Within the context of this exegesis, I only concentrate its meaning in ancient Israel. Here, eschatology is a “momentous time during which YHWH will act decisively to create a time of weal for Israel.” However, only after the fall of Jerusalem (587 B.C.E.), eschatological tradition systematically emerges as a form which regards three traditions: patriarchal promise with Abraham (Gen 15:18-20), Davidic-Zion promise with David (2 Sam 7), and Sinai covenant with Israelites (Exod 20:22-23:33). Before the year 587 B.C.E. (pre-exilic prophets), eschatology is more negative eschatology because the prophetic messages often convey God’s cursing and judgment on Israelites for their unfaithfulness ...

    Read More

  • Jewish Christian Relations

    1925 Words  | 4 Pages

    Some prophets targeted Jewish monarchs as an idolatrous distraction which prevented the people from properly hearing the Word of God. Other prophets still maintained that Jews should continue to believe that God would not abandon his chosen people. Regardless of the specific message, it was clear that the overall prophetic approach to God’s covenant with the Jewish people was changing.

    Read More

  • Hezekiah Research Paper

    1834 Words  | 4 Pages

    ...alem during a time of crisis and keep it from the destruction during Scennacherib's siege. Although initially disguised as a religious reform, one can argue that Hezekiah's reinstatement of the tithe described in the Book of Chronicles (i.e., 2 Chronicles 31: 4-12) was actually Hezekiah's ploy to accumulate a stock pile of supplies to ensure that Jerusalem would withstand a potential siege. Although tithes of resources were also seen in ancient times, the biblical tradition states that the accumulated resources given by the people of Jerusalem were not sacrificed for to Yahweh but instead stored within the temple's store houses (2 Chronicles 31: 9-12). For this reason, it is possible that the nature of this reform was in fact secular in nature instead of a purely religious reforms because Hezekiah may have been planning to use these resources in a time of need.

    Read More

  • Judaism

    359 Words  | 1 Pages

    While the Jews were still trying to find the holy land, the brother of Moses, Aaron, established a priesthood. They build the tabernacle, a large tent, it became the center for Jewish worship. In 1077 B.C. a member of the tribe of Judah, David, became King of the Israelites. He firmly established kingship and priesthood in the nation's capital of Jerusalem. Solomon, David's son, built a large temple in Jerusalem. The messiah would come from David's line. There were three prophets, Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel, each warned of punishment from god.

    Read More

  • The Book of Revelation

    2597 Words  | 6 Pages

    Before Jerusalem Fell: Dating the Book of Revelation. Tyler, TX: Institute for Christian Economics, 1989. Mounce, Robert H. The Book of Revelation. Revised.

    Read More

  • The Jewish Messiah

    807 Words  | 2 Pages

    Jesus Christ or the professed Jewish Messiah was tried for terrible blasphemy. It was a great catastrophe. Had Jesus given a fair trial then His claim for divine Messiahship would have been established. Unfortunately the laws were bent and the eyes were closed and thus a fair judgment was prevented. There is no doubt that this was the most terrible miscarriage of justice ever experienced by the mankind. In open court it was admitted by Jesus Christ that He was God in human flesh. What ever would happen one day He would appear as the King of the most sacred place that is Israel and finally of all the universe. It was surprising that His trial ended abruptly and a decision of guilt was announced unanimously. Blasphemy was the main charge, which was leveled against Him. It was claimed that He presented Himself with the characteristics of Jehovah. Now the question arises if Jesus Christ was really the Messiah as was declared in the Old Testament. If this statement was true, then the Jews had no right to have a trial of Jesus Christ and give Him the verdict. If this was not proved than the Jews had no other alternative but to follow their Scriptures and impose death on Jesus Christ. It is estimated that about 30 points of Jewish civil rights came under violation while the trial of Jesus was conducted. It seems very strange that people of that caliber in learning and legal experts could blunder so badly. It has been happening from centuries that the Jews have been accused for killing Jesus. The Christians have been using this accusation to persecute and murder innocent Jews. Jews were driven out of Flanders, which is a part of Belgium now, in 1121. Jews were told to convert to Christianity or die during the conquer of Spain. The bi...

    Read More

  • Revelation: Jewish Apocalyptic Literature

    702 Words  | 2 Pages

    Revelation identifies itself as “both an “apocalypse”…and as prophecy”, making it distinctly different from the rest of the New Testament. “Jewish apocalyptic literature flourished in the centuries following the completion of the OT canon”, and it is scattered throughout the Old Testaments in books such as Daniel, Ezekiel, and Isaiah. Apocalyptic literature is full of “visions that dramatize the prophet’s admission to God’s heavenly council”, and convey their meaning primarily through symbolism. John brings a “balanced message of comfort, warning, and rebuke” in Revelation, testifying to the end of the world and the second coming of Jesus Christ. Apart from the OT literature, Revelation shows a distinct optimism toward the end of days, for “Christ’s death has already won the decisive victory over evil”, with the Kingdom of God already among believers. This book was written in “approximately A.D. 95 on the island of Patmos”, which is still standing to this day. It was written under the emperor Domitian, with Roman authorities exiling John “to the island of Patmos (off the coast of Asia)”. The events in Revelation are also “ordered

    Read More

  • Deuteronomy Assignment

    1258 Words  | 3 Pages

    In the Pentateuch, Aaron and Miriam are the only two other individuals who are called prophet and prophetess. In Exodus 7:1, the Lord says to Moses that Aaron would be his prophet and would help him talk to Pharaoh in order to ask him to let the Israelites go. In Exodus 15:20, Miriam, Aaron’s sister, is also looked upon as a prophetess. When the people were crossing the Red Sea, Miriam leads all the women with timbrels and with dancing while she praised the Lord for what he had done. Another place where someone is quickly referred to as a prophet is in Genesis 20:7, when Abram is given this title by God, but it does not seem to be as relevant as the previous latter instances where Aaron and Miriam are given these titles.

    Read More

  • The Effect of the Babylonian Exile

    848 Words  | 2 Pages

    Overall, the significance of the Exile left upon the Jews were astounding with the changes through their identity, life and religion. The experiences made from the Babylonian invasion to the destruction of the Temple and Jerusalem taught the Jews the importance of the covenant made with God. During the exile, the Jews never lost hope in YHWH with the continuous faith and practices through their everyday life. The reestablishment of the Temple and Jerusalem were steps that were taken to renew the commitment of the covenant made with YHWH. The experience of the exile has transformed the laws, practices and faith in which remains and influences the religion from that point on.

    Read More

  • Apocalyptic Literature

    737 Words  | 2 Pages

    Robinson, Sarah. The Origins of Jewish Apocalyptic Literature: Prophecy, Babylon, and 1 Enoch. CA: Department of Religious Studies, University of South Florida, 2005. Print.

    Read More

  • The Minor Prophets In The Old Testament

    997 Words  | 2 Pages

    Judgment, wrath, anger, gloom, and doom, all are just a few of the words that come to mind when one thinks about the Old Testament. The last 12 books entitled the Minor Prophets are pages usually skipped over. Idolatry, social injustice, and religious ritualism seem to be a theme throughout the last twelve books of the Old Testament. Can these books still be relevant today? Hindson and Yates suggest they are. “The message of the minor prophets still speaks to us today. They remind us that God holds the people responsible for their behavior. Especially those who claim to belong to him.” (P. 367)

    Read More

  • Christian Doctrine Essay

    1510 Words  | 4 Pages

    Before we are going to talk deeply about how God communicates to human being, we need to distinguish some terms that relating with the works of the prophets

    Read More

More about Prophets

Open Document