The Concept of Prophet in the Old Testament

The Concept of Prophet in the Old Testament explains the basic concept of a prophet within the context of the Old Testament.

A prophet is simply a spokesman for God. This is a smaller part of the larger conflict between man and God, which is God’s wrath and condemnation over sin The prophet speaks for God to warn, rebuke, and exhort man to morally change, stop sinning and seek the justice of God.

While it is a blessed sight when God through His prophets rebuke man’s sin, and these sinful men repent, truly change their lives, and response to God, (the prophet is an intermediary, not really the person who originates the message), it is so many times not the case. When the people do not respond to God, do not respond to God’s messenger, then things can get nasty. Jesus remarks about the Jewish nation having killed their prophets.

Matthew 23:37 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!

Matthew 5:12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

Revelation 18:24 And in her was found the blood of prophets, and of saints, and of all that were slain upon the earth.

This follows on the principle that everybody, prophets and believers, but everybody that desires to follow God in the path of holiness will likewise be persecuted by those who are not holy

2 Timothy 3:12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.

Why are the holy Persecuted?

The simple reason is that when somebody is doing wrong, they will have envy and hatred towards those that are not doing wrong, that are living their lives in obedience to God. The holy do not really need to go around preaching holiness, although that is commended. But by the very fact that they are complying with God’s will, that makes them enemies for sinful man.