The Story of the Prophets

Through the prophets, God speaks to His people.

Before You Listen

After you listen

Memory Verse

Surely the Sovereign Lord does nothing without revealing his plan to his servants the prophets.

Audio Icon   Amos 3:7

Quiz

Reflect

Isaiah, Jeremiah, or Malachi? Have you tried to read parts of the fifteen Bible books of the prophets? They can be very hard to understand because of the poetry and strange imagery. Yet, these books are essential parts of God’s big story.

Prophets were Israelites whom God sent out to speak on his behalf. They often started speaking to the people, saying, “Thus says the Lord.” What they talked about most often was what God cared about the most: his relationship with his people. In Genesis 17:8, God made a special promise called a covenant. This covenant made a mutual partnership where God commanded Israel to be a nation of justice and faithfulness. Israel would show other nations how to follow God. Unfortunately, Israel and its leaders broke God’s covenant again and again. And that’s where the prophets came in. They reminded the people to stay faithful to their promises to God. They did this in three ways.

  • First, like covenant lawyers, the prophets held Israel responsible for breaking the terms of the covenant. Israel sinned and failed to trust God; they broke the Ten Commandments, they worshiped other gods, and they mistreated each other.
  • Second, the prophets called the Israelites to repent, to turn back to God. But Israel and its leaders didn't change. Things went from bad to worse.
  • Third, the prophets spoke about God’s judgment and God’s hope. They told the Israelites what would happen if they didn’t change their ways. But the prophets also spoke about God’s promise to send a Messiah to save the world from sin.

During the time of the prophets, God’s people didn’t want to be reminded of their sins or told to change their ways and follow the Ten Commandments. The people didn’t listen to the prophets' warnings about punishment until it was too late. Then, they listened and heard the messages of hope that God would save his people and the Messiah would come.

Today, you and I might not want to hear about our sins. We might turn our backs to God. Still, God is faithful and full of mercy. He loves us so very much and forgives our sins when we ask. Prophets also spoke about the Messiah returning one day to establish his kingdom, which would last forever. That’s a beautiful promise for us from God, and God will always keep his promises.

Challenge

Want to dig deeper and learn more about what the prophets said to God’s people? Read some or all of these selected passages from the fifteen books of the prophets and do this Bible study to learn more about them.