What is a Prophet?
In ancient Israel, the term nabhi’ meant “speaker,” and prophets were considered speakers for God.
Filled with His Spirit, they shared a special connection with the Divine. When prophets spoke, their words reflected Israel’s relationship with God, reminding the people of the covenant He made with them through the Law of Moses. This covenant established Israel as God’s Chosen People, meant to represent Him and draw others to experience His closeness. Rather than creating new teachings, prophets simply applied the existing message in the Torah to Israel’s current circumstances, urging them to stay faithful.
PRIESTS VS. PROPHETS
Initially, priests served as Israel’s spiritual leaders, as detailed in the Book of Leviticus. They performed sacrifices, led rituals, and guided the people in moral matters. Yet, as we see in 1 Samuel 2:12-17, corruption sometimes crept into the priesthood, distancing the people from God. When this happened, divine guidance was rare, and Israel often fell under the influence of other cultures and began to worship idols. In these times, prophets would rise to call the people back to their covenant.
UNDERSTANDING THE “WRATH OF GOD”?
Prophets were like God’s “boots on the ground,” warning Israel of the consequences of disobedience. Scholars sometimes refer to these warnings as "the wrath of God," but this doesn’t mean God was out to punish His people. Instead, "wrath" often meant allowing natural consequences for their actions. When the people ignored God’s covenant, they lost the protection it provided. Prophets reminded them that, while God would be with them, straying from Him would lead to suffering. The role of prophets was like guardrails, keeping Israel aligned with God’s ways.
FROM WORDS TO THE PAGE
The earliest prophets—such as Moses, Samuel, Nathan, Elijah, and Elisha—shared their messages orally. After Elisha, however, the prophetic tradition shifted toward writing, preserving teachings through poetry, metaphor, and imagery. This transition helped protect and pass down important interpretations of the Law and Israel’s understanding of God.
A common misconception is that prophets were fortune tellers. While schools of prophets existed in places like Bethel, Gilgal, Jericho, and Samaria, not all were legitimate. Some even charged fees for divination, leading people to question who was truly speaking for God.
THE SAMUEL OF IT ALL
A great example of the prophet’s role is the story of Samuel. In 1 Samuel, we read that Hannah, Samuel’s mother, dedicated him to God’s service under the priest Eli. As Samuel grew, he served in priestly duties, learning to interpret the Law and perform sacrifices. But, Eli’s sons, who were also priests, acted selfishly and dishonestly, bringing shame to their role.
One night, God called Samuel to confirm a message of judgment against Eli’s family. Unlike Eli’s corrupt sons, Samuel became a prophet by courageously speaking God’s truth to power, warning Eli of the consequences of disobedience. This wasn’t about new revelations or doctrines; it was about reinforcing what God had already spoken. The downfall of Eli’s household wasn’t so much about punishment as it was the natural outcome of their actions.
In summary, prophets were more than just divine messengers—they were a constant voice calling Israel back to God, ensuring the covenant was honored, and helping keep them on the right path.
Harrison, Roland Kenneth. Old Testament Times. Grand Rapids, Mich. : Eerdmans, 1970.
Egan, Patrick. "Training the Prophetic Voice, Part 3: The Schools of the Prophets." Educational Renaissance.Com, 26 Sept. 2020, educationalrenaissance.com/2020/09/26/training-the-prophetic-voice-part-3-the-schools-of-the-prophets/. Accessed 3 Feb. 2024.
