1.
Predicting the future was never intended merely to satisfy man’s curiosity, but was designed to demonstrate that God knows and controls the future, and to give purposeful revelation regarding that future.
2.
The prediction given by a true prophet would be visibly fulfilled.
a.
The failure of the prediction to be fulfilled would indicate that the prophet had not spoken the word of Yahweh (cf. Deut. 18:20-22).
b.
In 1 Samuel 3:19 it is said of Samuel that the Lord was with him and let none of his prophetic words fail (lit., “fall to the ground”).
C.
Third, they functioned as watchmen over the people of Israel (Ezek. 3:17).
1.
Ezekiel stood as a watchman on the walls of Zion ready to trumpet a warning against religious apostasy.
2.
He warned the people against political and military alliances with foreign powers, the temptation to become involved in idolatry and Canaanite cultic worship, and the danger of placing excessive confidence in religious formalism and sacrificial ritual.
IV.
Their major role.
A.
While the prophets functioned in various ways as they communicated God’s message, they occupied one major role in Israel’s religious system.
B.
The prophets in Israel occupied the role of a royal diplomat or prosecuting attorney, indicting (accusing, charging) the nation for violations of the Mosaic covenant.
V.
Prophets of the poetical and prophetical books.
A.
In the Poetical Books there was always spiritual aspiration for Christ with the moral foundation being laid in the Law and the national framework being developed in the books of History.
B.
Through the Prophetical Books we have a good picture of how God used the prophets to speak to the nation of Israel as the prophets were looking forward with great expectation to Christ. Examples of how this was done is listed in the following notes about what the prophets did and the ways they did it. These ways are very important. Please do not minimize them.
1.
The earlier prophets (Hosea, Joel, Amos) expected a national restoration by the Messiah.