In the first place, we must be quite clear that a prophet is anyone who “speaks forth truths for another”, taken from the word meaning “to bubble forth as a fountain”; and in our considerations means a mediator for God to man.
Prophecies were intentionally made up of many parts, fragmentary and figurative, the temporary and local fulfilment often foreshadowing the Messianic fulfilment. The obscurities in some parts of prophecies, of which other parts have been plainly fulfilled, are designed to exercise our faith; for example, those combining the first and second coming of Christ. Many prophecies, too, had reference to events at that time, but also had a further fulfilment to come; for instance, the deliverance from Babylon by Cyrus and the deliverance of Judah from Rezin and Pekah.
The prophets did many things for God, pleading for or against the people, interceding reproving, encouraging, setting up or putting down kings, and in times of apostacy, strengthening the faith of the scattered remnant of believers.
1 Peter 1:9-10 provides us with a purpose in the work of prophets. “Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls, of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you.” As we shall have gathered from Peter’s words, the prime reason for all prophecies is “the salvation of YOUR souls”. God speaks to us through the Scriptures so that, at whatever period the Scriptures are read, the message is applicable, for God has been in touch with the ones who will hear since the beginning of time. If, therefore, we remember nothing else, do remember this — God is actually speaking to you and me NOW.
What are we interested in then? — our salvation in Christ! So let us assess our knowledge and realise that without the prophets we would not have had any. Each generation makes clear a little more of God’s plan and also says things which need clarifying. Why?
Because God only gives sufficient light to guide those willing to show faith; darkness enough to confound the wilfully blind. If prophecies had been plain declarations, attempts could have been made to frustrate them; if times had been plainly stated, believers would have been less in a state of continued expectancy.
This small review demonstrates some information given by way of prophecy — the coming of a man who would be injured by sin yet give sin a mortal blow; in Abram all families of the earth would be blessed; the land of Canaan would be given to Abram and his seed for an everlasting possession, with the Creator of the plan entering into a new covenant with Abram, and circumcision, the outward sign of belonging to God; from Judah would come Shiloh, he who should come; from Joseph, the stone of Israel, the shepherd. Balaam revealed that a Star would come out of Jacob and a Sceptre out of Israel. Moses tells us that a prohpet would arise like unto him.
David was told that the everlasting ruler would be descended from him, and would be God’s son. In his Psalms, David enlightens us on many points. Zion is the chosen place for the king’s throne; the nations of the world will resist, but will eventually be overcome by the Messiah. Not only would the Promised One be a king; but he would be a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek. Many details of Messiah’s sufferings are given in Psalm 22 and Isaiah 53. Isaiah 42 tells us of his humble and persistent adherance to His calling and chapter 61 tells of His work.
Daniel’s visions of the history of the world are well-known to us, but let us reflect for a moment upon our indebtedness to Ezekiel and Daniel for their wonderful revelations of God’s glory and majesty, as well as His over-ruling power both over nations and individuals. Isaiah makes known the beauties of the age to come, the great mercy of God to the penitent and the wonderful promise of the gospel: his pen pictures are perfect.
Nevertheless, God knew that an indefinite period would never attract men; and so Ezekiel and Daniel were given far-reaching historical details to serve generations to come. When Daniel prayed for enlightenment, he was virtually told that they were not for him: “Go thy way, Daniel; for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end”.
Matthew’s gospel in particular, brings to our notice how many details of Christ and his mission are revealed in what we call the minor prophets. He makes 62 references to them, either directly or indirectly. How very, very thankful we must be for this far-sighted provision for our needs in these last days. Without such a background Jesus’ teaching would have had much less force, like putting a beautiful roof on a non-existent building.
Faussett’s Bible Encyclopaedia says, “The details as to Messiah are scattered through so many prophets, yet all converging in him, are so numerous that their minute conformity with the subsequent fact can only be explained by believing that the prophets were moved by the Holy Spirit to foretell the event. What is overwhelmingly convincing is that the Jews are our sacred librarians, who attest the prophets as written ages before, and who certainly would not have corrupted them to confirm Jesus’ Messianic claims which they reject. The only key which opens an immensely complicated lock is the gospel narrative of Jesus, written ages after the prophets”.
Romans 15 opens with an exhortation that each should please others rather than himself, the great example being Jesus. It would seem that the very use of this Scripture suggests another example of selfless service — that of the prophets. “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.”
This same truth is expressed in 1 Cor. 10. Here the apostle gives an urgent exhortation against fleshly confidence, based upon the history of Israel’s failure and powerfully reinforced by the remark, “Now all these things happened unto them as ensamples: and are written for our admonition upon whom the ends of the world are come”. We must not be a people who hear but do not understand. for as Jesus said to the disciples long ago, “Many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear and have not heard them” and he then proceeded with the parable of the sower. Peter reminds us that the word of God liveth and abideth forever. We must always hear the voice of God as we read, for this is akin to worship and praise. “Today if ye will hear His voice, harden not your heart”.
Jacob’s Prophecy in Gen 49 and Other Discussion Questions