Week 19 The Prophets The word prophet is Hebrew and in essence means an ____________ spokesman. The Function of a Prophet A Prophet functioned as a “_______________________” for God to his generation. The Prophets also functioned as “_______________________”. Hosea 9:7-8 Characteristics of True Prophets First, whatever they said had to come _________________ – without ________________. Deut. 18:22 Second, whatever they said must have encouraged _________________________ to God. Deut. 13:1-3 Third, nothing they said should have _______________________ God’s Word, because God never __________________________ Himself. Jeremiah 23:16-22 “ The Prophets Used Various Literary Forms They used narrative, poetry, hymns, visions, riddles, drama and symbolism. The Tasks of the Prophets Some are thought of as the ___________________prophets because their authors wrote or recorded their utterances. Then there were other __________________ prophets like Nathan, Ahijah, Iddo, Jehu, Elijah, Elisha, Oded, Shemaiah, Azariah, Hanani, Jahaziel, and Huldah who didn’t write down their utterances but were used mightily of God. The Categories of Prophets The Major Prophets: The term “major” refers to their length, not their importance. Isaiah – Jeremiah - Lamentations (Jeremiah) – Ezekiel - Daniel The Minor Prophets: The term “minor” refers to the books’ lengths, not their importance. Hosea - Nahum - Joel - Habakkuk - Amos - Zephaniah - Obadiah - Haggai - Jonah - Zechariah Micah - Malachi ISAIAH Isaiah’s name means, “salvation is of Yahweh”, and that is the theme of the book. The key word in the Book of Isaiah is _________________. This is most evident by the fact the term “salvation” occurs some twenty-six times in Isaiah. Isa.7:14; Isa. 9:6-7; Isa.53:4-7. JEREMIAH He is often called the “__________________ _____________________.” Two themes are prominent in Jeremiah: 1. __________________________ of God’s judgment against sin A message of ______________ and restoration if the nation would genuinely ____________________. LAMENTATIONS The dominant message of the book is that ___________ ________________ __________ ________________________ Lamentations is a book of consequences. Jeremiah Defeat Lamentations (warning) Desolation of (mourning) Looking _____________ Jerusalem Looking __________ EZEKIEL Along with the terribly painful part of his ministry God blessed him with visions of His glory. Ezekiel saw God’s _______________ Glory. Ez. 1:27-28 Ezekiel also saw God’s _______________ Glory. Ez. 10:18-20 Ezekiel saw God’s _______________ Glory. Ez. 43:1-5 DANIEL Daniel was taken into captivity to Babylon in 605 B.C. by Nebuchadnezzar. Daniel 1:1-2 The theme of the book of Daniel is God’s sovereignty. And the purpose of the book was to encourage the exiles in Babylon by reminding them of God’s ultimate control. One of the biggest lessons we learn from Daniel is that a person of _________________ is a powerful instrument in the hand of a mighty God. .