Let's Get Started
Theme: Discovering Wisdom- God Calls His People.
- How do young children respond to a babysitter who reminds them of the promise they made to their parents about being good? Have you been one of those kids? Have you been one of those babysitters?
- In many cultures, when people hear the word "prophet," they think of a fortune teller or someone who predicts the future. In the Bible, even though the prophets sometimes speak about the future, they are more than fortune tellers. God chose the biblical prophets to speak his words to the Israelites. They kept trying to get the Israelites to stay faithful to their promises to God. As you listen, think about how we today also need regular reminders to remain faithful to our promises to God.
After you listen
Memory Verse
Surely the Sovereign Lord does nothing without revealing his plan to his servants the prophets.
Quiz
A: A prophet was someone whom God used to communicate his message.
A: True.
3. Fill in the Blank. From Isaiah 7:14: “The Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name _______________.”
A: Immanuel
4. Fill in the Blank. From Isaiah 9:6: For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government will be upon his shoulders, and he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father,_______ ___ ______.
A: Prince of Peace
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.
- The people’s sin: Jeremiah. 7:1-15; Hosea. 4:2; Amos 4:6-11.
- The people who were faithful to God: Isaiah 4:3; Isaiah 10:20-22.
- God’s judgment: Isaiah 2:12-22; Joel 2:1-11; Zephaniah 1:7-18; Amos 5:18-20.
- God’s Hope: Jeremiah 31:31-40; Ezekiel 36:22-32; Zephaniah 3:14-17.
- The coming of the Messiah: Malachi 3:1; Isaiah. 7:14; Isaiah 9:2-7; Isaiah 11:1-16; Isaiah 52:13-53:12.
- The second coming of the Messiah: Daniel 7:9-14; Isaiah 65:17-25; Isaiah 66:18-24.
