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Biblical Literature

Claflin UniversityDr. Battle

Prophetic Literature

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Southern Wesleyan University

Dr. David Battle

The Prophets

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Prophetic Literature

Grouping Time Examples Literature

Non-writingProphets

Judges intoearly Monarchy

Deborah,

Samuel, Elijah,

and Elisha

Mostly narratives

describing what the

prophets did.

Writing

(Classical)

Prophets

Late Monarchy

to the Return

Isaiah,

Jeremiah,

Ezekiel

Mostly oracles spoken by

the prophets.

Literary Divisions

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Survey of the Prophetic Books

Tanak

Former Prophets: Joshua,

Samuel-Kings

Latter Prophets:

The Three Major:

Isaiah, Jeremiah and

Lamentations, & Ezekiel

The Twelve:

Christian Bible

Major Prophets:

Isaiah, Jeremiah and

Lamentations, Ezekiel, and

Daniel

Minor Prophets:

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The Major Prophets

God brings devastating judgment but graciously

restores blessings in the end.

Isaiah

Jeremiah with Lamentations

Ezekiel

God is faithful to His people in a hostile world.

Daniel

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The Minor Prophets or the Twelve

Eighth Century: Rise of Assyria

Hosea, Joel*, Amos, Obadiah*, Micah, Jonah*

Seventh Century: Assyrian Dominance

Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah

Sixth Century: Post Exilic

Haggai, Zechariah, & Malachi

*Unknown Date

Joel, Obadiah, Jonah

Jonah

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Biblical Literature

Claflin UniversityDr. Battle

Prophetic Literature

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Forms of Prophetic Speech

Claus Westermann (1909-2000)

Basic Forms of Prophetic Speech (English translation 1967)

Covenant Lawsuit

Announcement of Judgment

Woe Oracle Salvation Speech

Prophetic Enactment

Claus Westermann

1906-2000

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Common Forms of Prophetic Speech

Woe Oracle (Hab. 2:6-8)

Interjection: Woe (hoy)

Identification of condemned

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Common Forms of Prophetic Speech

Covenant Lawsuit (Hos. 4:1-14)

Presents a case for the violation of the Covenant.

Summons:

Case Argued:

Verdict:

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Common Forms of Prophetic Speech

Announcement of Judgment (Jer. 28:13-16)

Announces the judgment for sin, typically in

terms of Covenant Curses.

Summons: Now hear the world of the LORD

Indictment: (Reasons)

Verdict or Judgment: therefore

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Common Forms of Prophetic Speech

Promise or Salvation Oracle (Jer. 28:2-4)

Description of Status

Announcement of deliverance

Resolution

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Common Forms of Prophetic Speech

Prophetic Enactment

or Symbolic Act (Jeremiah 27)

A narration of the prophet symbolically enacting

the message.

Commission to act

Description of act

Interpretation of act

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Biblical Literature

Claflin UniversityDr. Battle

Prophetic Literature

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Prophetic Ministry:

Covenant Enforces

In Judah, the prophet ministry was a quiz

official status.

Prophets served at the pleasure of God. God determined the appointment, tenure, and task. God determined the message.

Foretelling Forthtelling

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Standards for Prophets

Didache, Book 11

If he asks for money, he is a false prophet.

If he prophetically requests a meal and eats it, he

is a false prophet.

If he teaches the truth but dose not live the truth,

he is a false prophet.

If a tested prophet acts mysteriously, he is not to

be judged. But if he teaches other to do the same,

he is a false prophet.

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The Prophetic Status

The concept of a prophet is important to thedoctrine of inspiration and the writing ofScripture.

God selected only certain Apostles and Prophets towrite Scripture.

God selected them because they were godly men whoknew Gods Word and because their personal style and

abilities matched the message. God required that they internalize the message that He

wanted them to give.