Old Testament Notes ~ Class One

·        Old Testament : three major divisions the law, prophets, writing

I.               The origin of Biblical Prophecy

A.             Biblical prophecy didn’t originate with ancient Canaanite religion (Deut. 12:39-31, Numbers 23:23)

B.             Biblical prophecy has it’s origin in God (Deut. 18:9-22)

1.                God has the capacity to reveal truth about himself

2.                Man has the capacity to receive God’s truth

“The image of God is mans ability to hear the phone ring when God calls.”-Ronnie Owen

II.            The Role of the Prophet

A.             Nabi (Nebiim) - carries the idea of the artesian spring. Isaiah said God has spoken and he has to prophesize.  The prophets are not called to speak out their opinions, but what he had heard. He is a spokesperson, not primary a predictor. His role was to call the people back to God. 

The absolute necessity of obedience to an ethical God.-Dr. Ronnie Owen

B.             Roeh (chozeh)- seer- prophetess- speaks on behalf of another.

a)               What is conditional prophecy?  Certain conditions have to happen before the prophecy will happen.   Jonah is an example.  If the people will repent then God will withhold judgment.

b)               Day of the Lord- the time (could be days, months, years) of God’s judgment- rewarding the righteous and punishes the wicked.

“A prophet is not a foreteller but a forth teller.  Always speaking forth the message of God. “–Dr. Ronnie Owen

A prophet is an individual moved by the Holy Spirit (2 Peter 1:21).God uses both genders to bring forth his message, but calls a man to pastor the church.