Not the God I Thought: The Good Company of Habakkuk--The Role of the Prophet

A prophet is an “authorized spokesman”. The “prophet” proclaimed the message given to him by God; he spoke in God’s name and by his authority. What the prophet says is not of man but of God.

Future-telling was only a small part of the prophet’s message. As God’s spokesman, their message can be seen in a three-fold function they had among the people of God:

First, they were preachers. Prophets expounded and interpreted the Mosaic Law. As they proclaimed the Word of God, they would admonish, reprove, denounce sin, call to repentance, or bring consolation and pardon. In this capacity, their role is that of a prosecuting attorney.

Second, they were predictors. In addition to preaching, prophets announced judgment, deliverance, and events relating to the Messiah and His kingdom. Predicting the future was never intended merely to satisfy curiosity, but was designed to demonstrate that God knows the future, and to give revelation. The failure of a prediction to be fulfilled would identify the speaker as a false prophet.

Third, they were watchmen. Prophets served over the people of Israel, practically and symbolically. In practical terms, they warned against poor political decisions, idolatry, false worship, and the error of religiosity. The lives of the prophets serve as symbolic images of God’s relationship with his people. Not only were they watchmen for God, but they were watched by God.

(Click Here to read the Book of Habakkuk)