Immerse: Prophets - Flipbook - Page 11
Introduction to
PROPHETS
of how God chose the people of Israel for
the sake of restoring the whole world. He entered into a series of covenants with Abraham and his descendants in order to move them closer
and closer to this goal of being a life-giving blessing to all peoples.
But over and over again, the ancient Israelites failed to honor their
covenant obligations to God. The Law of Moses insisted that they give
the Lord their exclusive allegiance, but they repeatedly turned to worship other gods. The Law provided numerous safeguards for the poor
and vulnerable, but the people frequently exploited the weakest of
their citizens. In short, Israel failed to be the light to the nations that
God was calling them to be.
But God was determined to keep working with this imperfect nation
to achieve his goal. So God sent special messengers—the prophets—to
call the people back to him. The messages of many of these prophets have been collected and preserved for us, and they now comprise
nearly a third of the Bible’s First Testament.
The prophets play the role of covenant mediators, calling the people
to be loyal to their covenant with the Lord . Many of the prophets
frame their arguments as “covenant lawsuits” against the people. The
prophet Micah, for example, announces at one point, “Listen to the
Lord ’s complaint! He has a case against his people.” The prophets
establish in their arguments that the people have become unfaithful to
God by failing to keep their covenant commitments.
This is why the prophets typically begin their messages with warnings, followed by the announcement of necessary consequences for
disobedience. But judgment is never the Lord ’s final word for Israel.
Difficult messages of correction and judgment transform into visions
of restoration and flourishing life. The prophets see a new future for
THE BIBLE TELLS THE STORY
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