The Old Testament Prophets Notes, Quizzes & Revision

1. What is a prophet? What is prophecy?

- Prophet (Hebrew: nabi): A person chosen by God to speak God’s message to people. Prophets could be leaders, teachers, or social critics who represented God’s voice in the nation.

- Prophecy: The message or the act of delivering God’s word. It includes warning, calling to repentance, explaining God’s will, predicting future events when necessary, and pointing to God’s plan (Deuteronomy 18:18–22; Amos 3:7).

2. Categories of Old Testament prophets

• Major prophets: Books with longer writings — Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel.
• Minor prophets: Shorter books — e.g., Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi.
• Non-writing prophets: Spokespeople whose messages are recorded in other books — e.g., Elijah and Elisha (1 & 2 Kings).
• Other categories: Court prophets (advisors to kings), prophetic guilds/schools, and charismatic itinerant prophets.

Tip: "Major" and "Minor" refer to length, not importance.

3. Why were prophets important in Israel?

• God’s messengers — they explained God’s laws and revealed God’s will (e.g., Moses’ role; later prophets continued speaking God’s word).
• Call to repentance and holiness — prophets urged the people to turn back to God (e.g., Jonah, Jeremiah).
• Social justice — prophets defended the poor and criticised corruption (Amos 5:24 — “let justice roll on like a river”).
• Warning and guidance — prophets gave warnings about exile or consequences for sin and gave hope by promising restoration (e.g., Isaiah, Ezekiel).
• Covenant enforcement — prophets reminded Israel of covenant promises and obligations.

In a Kenyan setting, prophets’ messages often spoke to life issues that matter to communities: honesty in leaders, caring for the poor, and faithfulness to God’s commands.

4. Relationship between Old and New Testament prophecies

- Continuity: The NT sees the OT prophecies as part of God’s single plan. Many OT promises point forward to Jesus (Luke 24:27, 44).

- Fulfilment: Jesus fulfilled many OT prophecies (e.g., Micah 5:2 about Bethlehem; Isaiah 7:14 and 53 about the Messiah’s suffering; Psalm 22 in parts).

- Typology and promise: Some OT prophecies are literal predictions, others are patterns (types) that find fuller meaning in Christ. The NT also contains future prophecy (Revelation) and warns about false teachers (2 Peter 1:19–21; Matthew 24:24).

5. Characteristics of true and false prophets

6. Relevance of prophecy to Christians today

• Encouragement and hope — prophecy can strengthen faith and remind believers of God’s promises (1 Thessalonians 4:13–18).
• Warning against sin and injustice — prophetic voices call the church to social responsibility (justice, care for the poor, honesty).
• Guidance for the community — prophetic insight (when tested) helps churches serve their communities wisely.
• Spiritual discernment — learning biblical criteria helps Christians recognise God’s true guidance and avoid deception.

In Kenya, prophecy has practical importance: it can challenge political corruption, encourage community service, and call Christians to live out the Gospel in everyday life — but it must always be tested against Scripture and wisdom.

7. How to avoid being misled by false prophecy — practical steps

1. Check Scripture first: Does the message match the Bible? (Acts 17:11)
2. Test the prophecy: Use Deuteronomy 18:21–22 — if a specific prediction fails, reject the prophet.
3. Look at the fruit: Does the person’s life show humility, honesty, and service? (Matthew 7:15–20)
4. Seek church accountability: Share the message with pastors, elders, or mature Christians for counsel.
5. Beware of money-making claims: Genuine prophecy does not demand payment for a word from God or promise quick riches.
6. Pray for discernment: Ask the Holy Spirit for wisdom (James 1:5) and for protection from deception.
7. Consider context: Prophecies should build up the church, promote godly living, and point to Christ, not self.

Short checklist: ✅ Aligns with Scripture • ✅ Humble life • ✅ Builds the church • ✅ Tested by others • ❌ Not demanding money for a word.

8. Key Bible references to read

• Deuteronomy 18:15–22 — Moses on future prophets and testing prophecy.
• Amos 5:24; Micah 6:8 — prophets on justice and sincere worship.
• Isaiah 7 & 53; Micah 5:2 — Messianic prophecies fulfilled in Jesus.
• Jeremiah and Ezekiel — warnings, exile, and hope for restoration.
• Matthew 7:15–20; 24:24 and 2 Peter 2 — New Testament warnings about false teachers.

9. Quick self-check (Answer in your notebook)

1. Define “prophet” and “prophecy” in one sentence each.
2. Give two examples of major and two of minor prophets.
3. Write two ways a prophet helped Israel and one modern example (in a Kenyan context) of speaking against injustice.
4. List three signs that a prophet might be false.

Summary

Prophets in the Old Testament were God’s spokespeople who called Israel to faithfulness, justice, and obedience. Understanding categories of prophets and testing messages by Scripture helps Christians today to value true prophecy and avoid false teaching. Old Testament prophecies point toward Jesus and continue to speak to the church about holiness and social responsibility.