7773 prophets, role of

As agents of God, prophets acted in various capacities, as was required of them, in order to carry out his will and fulfil his purpose.

Prophets as God’s spokesmen

They heralded impending judgment Jnh 3:4 See also 1Ki 16:7; 2Ki 22:15-17 pp 2Ch 34:23-25; Jer 1:14-16; Jer 5:14-17; Eze 5:8-12; Eze 38:17

They advocated repentance 2Ki 17:13 See also 2Ch 24:19; Jer 3:12-13; Jer 35:15; Jer 44:4; Zec 1:3-6

They conveyed messages from God to the nations Eze 25:8-11 See also Jer 46:13; Jer 47:1; Jer 49:34; Jer 50:1; Eze 25:2,12-14; Eze 26:3; Am 1:9; Eze 29:2; Am 1:3,6,13; Am 2:1

The supernatural activities of prophets

They revealed future events Eze 17:16-21 See also 1Ki 11:29-31; 1Ki 20:13; Isa 7:13-14 the birth of Immanuel; Jer 29:10; Da 2:38-44; Da 9:2; Mt 2:15; Hos 11:1 Herod’s slaughter of the infants in Bethlehem: Mt 2:17-18; Jer 31:15
Mt 8:17; Isa 53:4; Ac 3:18; Ac 11:27-29; Ac 21:10-11

They received dreams and visions Nu 12:6 See also Eze 7:26; Da 7:1; Da 8:1; Hos 12:10

They worked miracles 2Ki 5:3 See also 1Ki 17:13-24; 2Ki 4:3-6,15-17,32-35,40-44; 2Ki 6:5-6

Prophets as intermediaries

Between God and the people Dt 18:16-18 See also Ex 6:30-7:1; 2Sa 7:4-7; 2Sa 12:7-14,24-25; 2Sa 24:11-12; 1Ki 20:42; 2Ki 20:1 pp Isa 38:1; 2Ch 12:5; 2Ch 28:9-11

Between the people and God 1Sa 7:9 See also Ge 20:7; 2Ki 20:11; 2Ch 32:20; Jer 11:14; Jer 27:18; Eze 14:7

Their responsibility as watchmen Eze 3:17-21 The intermediary role of the prophet is highlighted by the image of a watchman who receives messages from God and conveys them to the people. See also Eze 33:1-7; Hos 9:8

Prophets as leaders in the community

They gave advice Zec 7:2-3 See also 1Sa 9:6; 1Ki 22:6; 2Ki 3:11; 2Ki 6:8-10; 2Ki 22:14 pp 2Ch 34:22; 2Ch 29:25; Isa 37:2

They gave encouragement Ac 15:32 See also Ezr 5:1-2; Jer 29:4-7; Eze 11:17-21; Hag 1:13; Hag 2:4

They led the people Hos 12:13 See also Dt 18:15; 1Sa 7:6; 1Ki 18:40

They appointed kings and leaders 1Sa 10:1 See also 1Sa 16:13; 1Ki 1:34,38; 1Ki 19:15-16; 2Ki 9:6

Prophets as writers

1Ch 29:29 See also 2Ch 9:29; 2Ch 13:22; 2Ch 26:22; 2Ch 32:32; Isa 30:8; Jer 30:2; Jer 36:4; Jer 51:60; Eze 43:11; Hab 2:2

See also