PROPHETS

AND THEIR
VOCATION
GROUP 9 – CAINGHOG, LEGASPI, SISBREÑO, SUANSON, UD
 PROPHECY IN THE ANCIENT
NEAR EAST
1.1 In a recovered Moabite
stone, the following words
were engraved: “Chemosh
said to me, ‘Go, take Nebo
from Israel’… Chemosh said
to me, Go down, fight
against Hauronen’
1.2 The account of a “possessed”
boy witnessed by Wen-Amon, and
Egyptian emissary at the port of
Byblos, which was considered as
an instance of “ecstatic prophecy
in eleventh century Phoenicia, and
the display of ecstatic prophecy of
the prophets of Baal against Elijah
as recorded in 1 Kings 18.17-40.

1.3 In Babylon, prophecy was manifested using liver divination

wherein the priest slay an animal and take the liver for signs of
the divine message, a practice considered by kings when they
intend to go to war or attack a city in order to ensure divine favor
and victory in war. Like the Canaanites, the Babylonians also had
“ecstatic” prophecy wherein the will of gods was revealed
through a “divine possession”.
 PROPHECY IN ISRAEL
Background
Some scholars proposed
that Moses himself was
truly a prophet because
he spoke and
communicated YHWH’s
will to the Israelites
• Samuel
• Nathan
• Balaam
• Balak of Moab
Certain variations of prophecy
in
Israel.
◻ Jeremiah and Micah –
audible encounter
◻ Ezekiel, Isaiah and Daniel
-- vision
Prophecy: Its
Etymological Meaning
Etymology – the study of the origin
of words
• Hebrew - Nabi (literally
prophet)
• Greek - Prophetes
(proclaimer)
- one who speaks in
behalf of god and
goddess
The Bible also uses the word “seer”
▪ In Israel, Prophets were called
and appointed by YHWH as
communicators as his will to
Israel particularly reminding
them of their covenant
relationship with God.
▪ They received their calling
through visions, dreams, and
Calling of a Prophet
• Prophets are those who
humble themselves before
God
• They deliver not from their
own opinion.
• Thus it is always preceded
with words like “Thus says
the Lord” or “Thus says the
God, our lord”.
Marks of a Prophet
• Zeal for God’s will
• Foresight into God’s plan
• Insight into God’s plan
Example:
The calling of the prophet
 PROPHECY IN ISAREL
Prophecy and Divination The Importance of Prophecy
Distinguished
* Prophecy The Prophets of Israel and Judah
- legitimate institution The 8th Century: The Amos Isaiah of
recognized in Israel. Assyrian Crisis Jerusalem
Hosea Micah
- dependent on YHWH wherein
He gratuitously reveals himself to
persons and people. The 7th Century: The Zephaniah Habakkuk
Decline of Assyria and the Nahum
- strictly prophetic function. Rise of Babylon
* Divination
- a practiced to consult the The 6th Century: The Jeremiah Second Isaiah
Babylonian Exile and the Obadiah Haggai
gods, to seek assistance and help Partial Restoration of Ezekiel Zechariah
and to know the will of the god in Judah
war or battle through rituals and
prayers. The Late 6th or 5th Third Isaiah Malachi
- associated with Paganism and Century: The Postexilic Joel Jonah
linked to the worship of Pagan Adjustment
gods.
 HISTORICAL HIGHLIGHTS OF THE
PROPHETS OF JUDAH AND ISRAEL
● Simple
introduction
about the Old
Testament

● The prophets
of the given
era and it
states the
important
themes
relative to
their period
KEY PROPHETIC THEMES IN 9-8 BCE

AMO HOSE
S A

ISAIAH OF MICAH
KEY PROPHETIC THEMES IN 7 BCE
● ZEPHANIA ● HABAKKUK ● NAHUM
KEY PROPHETIC THEMES IN 6 BCE
• • • EZEKIEL
JEREMIAH OBADIAH

• SECOND HAGGAI AND

ISAIAH ZECHARIAH
KEY PROPHETIC THEMES IN 6-5 BCE
JOEL MALACHI

JONAH THIRD ISAIAH

CONCLUSION