The Purpose of the Prophets

            “And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel." (Genesis 3:15) And thus it began.

            Sin entered into the world at the very beginning of creation. Salvation, however, was God’s plan before the world began. Paul states it better, “Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began”. Prophecy has always been an integral part of how God communicates with His creation. If we’re not careful we tend to focus on the prophets of Isaiah’s day and forget about Moses and Samuel altogether.

            Prophets like Isaiah and Micah spoke of the coming of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Who can forget Isaiah 53:6, “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him [Jesus] the iniquity of us all.” Micah said, "But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.” (Micah 5:2) When one compares these verses with what actually happened in the New Testament in the life of Jesus Christ one quickly realises what’s happening. Jesus Christ is spoken of in both Old and New Testaments.

            However, these prophets did not just speak of the coming Messiah. They also warned the nation of Israel and Judah of coming judgement for their continued sinful disobedience. "Come now, let us reason together, says the LORD: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.” (Isaiah 1:18) The Book of Isaiah is replete with warnings to the rebels coupled with promises to the repentant. We also see a kind and loving God who is patiently working His plan to redeem His chosen people along with the rest of His creation.

“And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men everywhere to repent” (Acts 17:30). Mankind has been rebellious sinners from the beginning. God knew this and planned for it before creation. He then began working His plan to restore His relationship with His creation. The prophets were a part of the implementation of God’s plan. Mankind is the recipient of God’s amazing grace and wonderful love. We owe a debt of gratitude to the men of God chosen by our heavenly Father to boldly proclaim His coming judgement and the means with which to escape that judgement, Jesus Christ.