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Introduction to next two slides
In the olden days prophets were called ‘seers i.e. see-ers, people who SAW into the beyond. This is a phenomenon found in many cultures.In the Old Testament we hear of small communities of such seers or prophets.
Introduction to next six slides
We start with Samuel who was not an apprentice prophet but an apprentice priest.He was heavily involved politically.Prophets were often consulted by kings and others but sometimes they took the initiative and spoke out without being asked. That is when they really functioned as ‘prophets’, or spokesmen for God.
SUMMARY
Background in tradition of Seers
Individuals called by God
Involved in the politics of the day
Consultants to kings
Taking God’s messages to kings
A number of them appear in the Historical books of 1 & 2 Samuel and 1 & 2 Kings
Later prophets have books of their own
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Introduction to next three slides
The great prophets had a strong sense of being called and sometimes tell us about their call
Introduction to next six slides
We are interested to hear how prophets got their messages.Amos seems to have looked at and meditated on quite ordinary things, e.g. a plumb-line and a basket of fruit.He also saw locusts. Maybe as he looked at them they morphed into armed men. He saw disaster coming and turned to prayer. Prophets were not just seers and spokesmen. Sometimes they were intercessors.
“What do you see ?”‘A plumb-line.’“I am setting a plumb-line in the midst of my people.”
“What are you looking at?”‘A basket of summer (qais) fruit.’“The end (qes) has come upon my people.”
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