Prophets
This article explores topics and excerpts from the newly released book Journey Through the Bible and Your Story, now available on Amazon.
As Israel’s story unfolded—from triumphs in the Promised Land to spiritual drift during the Divided Kingdom—God did not remain silent. From 931 to 586 BC, the Lord raised up prophets: men and women called to speak His truth to a people losing their way.
The Hebrew word for prophet, navi, means “mouthpiece”—and that’s exactly what these faithful servants were. Whether speaking aloud, writing, acting out God’s message, or receiving visions, they served as living conduits of His heart, His warnings, and His promises.
These prophets weren’t self-appointed. They were chosen, often reluctantly, to remind Israel and Judah of their covenant with God. Their primary role was not to predict the distant future, but to confront present rebellion. They called kings and commoners alike to repentance—pointing the people back to the blessings of obedience and the consequences of turning away, as described in Deuteronomy 28.
Their voices thundered against idolatry, injustice, and hypocrisy. Many boldly condemned the mistreatment of the poor and the perversion of worship, speaking out against societal decay with holy clarity. Still, even their most severe warnings were laced with hope—because the heart of God always leans toward restoration.
Scripture gives us a way to discern true prophets. A real prophet’s message always aligns with God’s Word (Deuteronomy 13), proves accurate (Deuteronomy 18), flows from a life of godliness (Matthew 7), affirms Jesus as Lord (1 John 4), and comes from a divine calling (Jeremiah 1). These standards separated God’s messengers from imposters.
Of the 39 books in the Old Testament, 17 are classified as prophetic—divided into Major Prophets and Minor Prophets, not based on importance, but on length.
The Major Prophets—Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, and Lamentations—cover deep themes like judgment, exile, and the coming Messiah.
The Minor Prophets—from Hosea to Malachi—bring powerful, often urgent messages in more compact form. Hosea reveals God’s heartbreak over Israel’s unfaithfulness; Amos cries for justice; Micah foretells the Savior’s birthplace.
Importantly, God called women too: Miriam, Deborah, Huldah, and even Isaiah’s wife are named among the prophets—reminders that God speaks through whomever He chooses.
The prophets’ legacy is profound. They were not merely predictors of future events but passionate advocates for holiness, justice, and covenant faithfulness. Their voices still echo today, reminding believers of God’s unchanging truth and His desire to lead His people toward righteousness and redemption.
