Introduction to the Prophetic books


Facts and principles to be borne in mind.
  1. None of the prophets from Solomon to the time of written prophecy, that is, about two centruies, made any mention of the Messiah or His Kingdom.
  2. A probable reason for this is that the moral conditions were lacking because of the unfaithfulness of the people.
  3. The immediate duty of the prophets of that period was to convince people of sin and lead the people to repentance. In the case of individuals this was successful but not in the case of the nation as such. The histories of Elijah and Elisha witness to failure in these respects.
  4. Written prophecy which began about the eighth century B.C. was not in accord with a true idea of the theocracy. That idea carried with it the thought of God's presence with his people conveying His spoken messages to them through his prophets. Ex 25:22; Deut 18:18-22.
  5. Hence when His spoken words assumed the written form, it meant that the permanent was subsituted for the transient. This indicated a future withdrawl of God's presence and hence a delay of the Messianic Kingdom.
  6. Therefore, the prophets of the written word had a two fold mission:
    1. one for the immediate present like the former prophets;
    2. and the other for the remote future.
  7. For this reason their messages revolved around three points;
    1. The temporal and spiritual blessing which would be given to the people if they were faithful.
    2. The penalties to fall upon them if unfaithful.
    3. The renewed favor of God when they became penitent.
  8. There is great variety in their messages as they revolve around these three points, but they all agree on the following:
    1. a day of righteous retribution is coming.
    2. this retribution will affect not only Israel, but the Gentile nations also.
    3. The tribes of Israel will ge gathered and a purified remnant will form the nucleus of a new nation of israel with which Jehovah will dwell.
    4. This new nation will be the germ of the Messianic Kingdom to extend over sll the whole earth.


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