Voices of Hope to a Weary World
The Old Testament is sometimes referred to as The Law and the Prophets. The Law provided a framework by which God’s people should live. Prophets were those who heard from God and relayed what they heard to others. They revealed God’s heart, his nature and his intentions with words that ranged from predictions to warnings to encouragement.
The prophet Jeremiah, for example, gave hope to the Jewish people in Babylonian captivity.
Some prophets were also noted leaders, such as King David, a warrior with a heart for God. Another was Daniel, a gifted advisor to several kings. Others were more obscure, yet influential, like Isaiah and Ezekiel. Their words were often unpopular. Some paid with their lives for speaking hard truths. Perhaps deep conviction has caused you to courageously speak out on an issue. It was lonely, costly, but you paid the price because you knew it was the right thing to do.
“‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’”
(Jeremiah 29:11)
Some Prophets Were Also Noted Leaders
Such as King David, a warrior with a heart for God. Another was Daniel, a gifted advisor to several kings. Others were more obscure, yet influential, like Isaiah and Ezekiel. Their words were often unpopular. Some paid with their lives for speaking hard truths. Perhaps deep conviction has caused you to courageously speak out on an issue. It was lonely, costly, but you paid the price because you knew it was the right thing to do.
God’s primary purpose in sending prophets was to prepare the way for the Messiah, the one who would remedy mankind’s fallen condition. Some prophecies reveal amazing detail about the coming Savior, such as where and when he would be born, what he would encounter and how he would die.
The prophets formed a bridge from the garden to Jesus. They told a wandering and distressed people: God cares, he loves you, he wants the best for you. Endure. The Promise is coming.
As the day drew near, God sent a prophet called John the Baptist. He baptized people with water, calling them to repentance. One day he saw Jesus approach. “Look,” he said, “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” “I have seen, and I testify that this is the Son of God.” (John 1:29, 34)
By providing the law and sending prophets, God forged the way for people to prepare for the watershed event in all history. He knew how capable each of us is of being distracted, at risk of missing the most important thing. Consider, for example, a bride approaching her wedding day.
She could become so consumed with flower arrangements and photographs that she forgets the joy and significance of the marriage itself. Through the prophets God was imploring us, warning us: “Be alert.” “Get ready.” “The Savior is coming!”
All who were alert would soon experience a seismic shift in God’s dealings with his creation. He would come among them in the person of his very own son.
“Look,” he said, “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” “I have seen, and I testify that this is the Son of God.”
(John 1:29, 34)
Dive Deeper
What Does it Mean to Seek God?
What Old Testament Prophecies Predicted Jesus?
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