What did the major prophets want to accomplish?

Bible Question:

What were the major prophets trying to accomplish?

Bible Answer:

The Old Testament contains four books that are called the major prophets. It also contains twelve books called the minor prophets. The major prophets have that descriptive title not because they are more important but because the books are longer than the minor prophets. The books known as the major prophets are Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Daniel. So, what did the major prophets want to accomplish?

Major Prophets — Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Daniel

God Called the Prophets

These four men became prophets because God selected them to speak for Him. For example, Isaiah 6:8-13 records God’s call to Isaiah so serve Him. Verse 8 says,

Then I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?” Then I said, “Here am I. Send me!” Isaiah 6:8 (NASB)

Then Isaiah served Him. Jeremiah 1:9-10 records God’s call to the man we know as the prophet Jeremiah.

Then the LORD stretched out His hand and touched my mouth, and the LORD said to me, “Behold, I have put My words in your mouth. See, I have appointed you . . . Jeremiah 1:9-10 (NASB)

Then in verse 17, God told him to arise and speak for Him. In Ezekiel 2:1-3, God called the prophet Ezekiel. The book of Daniel never records God calling the young man, Daniel, to be His prophet; but it is very clear that he was a prophet. These men did not become prophets because they decided to become a prophet or applied for the position of prophet. In fact, God personally called every one of His prophets.

Ministry of the Prophets

The primary ministry or function of the prophets was to speak for Him. Much of the Old Testament was written by various prophets. Phrases such as “God said,” “God says” and “thus says the Lord” are common throughout their writings. God gave the message that He wanted each prophet to communicate.

The New Testament gives us examples how God spoke through the prophets. Here are some examples,

But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God. 2 Peter 1:20-21 (NASB)

These verses state that God moved the prophets to write Scripture. Romans 1:1-2 says the prophets recorded God’s promises or prophesies. Here is one example,

Paul, a bond-servant of Christ Jesus, called as an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, which He promised beforehand through His prophets in the holy Scriptures . . . Romans 1:1-2 (NASB)

The next example tells us the prophets spoke in many portions and ways. Many portions refers to the books they wrote, and many ways refers to writings, verbal communication, and the skits that the prophet Ezekiel performed.

God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, in these last days has spoken to us in His Son . . . Hebrews 1:1-2 (NASB)

God called the prophets to obey Him and to be faithful. But the prophet Jonah learned that lesson the hard way. He did not want to obey God on one occasion and attempted to flee from God (Jonah 1:1-3). In response, God motivated a crew of seamen to throw Jonah out of a boat (Jonah 1:4-17). When that occurred, Jonah was swallowed by a great fish. Jonah repented and did as God had asked (Jonah 2-3). He went to Nineveh and warned those living in that city to repent and they did. God had called him to preach a message of warning. God also used His prophets to warn the ancient Jews in the northern kingdom of Israel and the southern kingdom of Judah to turn from their sin and live in obedience to God’s law from the heart.

The prophets suffered for their obedience to God. Hebrews 11 provides a short summary of the horrible persecution endured by both the minor and major prophets.

And what more shall I say? For time will fail me if I tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets, who by faith conquered kingdoms, performed acts of righteousness, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, from weakness were made strong, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. (NASB) Heb. 11:32-34

Accomplishments of the Prophets

1 Peter 1:10-11 reveals the prophets did not always understand the meaning of what they were writing. Since they wanted to know more about Jesus Christ, the promised Messiah, they searched the Scriptures.

As to this salvation, the prophets who prophesied of the grace that would come to you made careful searches and inquiries, seeking to know what person or time the Spirit of Christ within them was indicating as He predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories to follow. 1 Peter 1:10-11 (NASB)

Then verse 12 reveals they were serving believers.

It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves, but you, in these things which now have been announced to you through those who preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven — things into which angels long to look. 1 Peter 1:12 (NASB)

That is also the message of Ephesians 4:11-12. They helped to equip the saints or believers for the various ministries and to build them up in the faith. Ephesians 4:11-12 is a summary of the purpose of the major and minor prophets.

And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ . . . Ephesians 4:11-12 (NASB)

Here is a summary of the books written by the major prophets.

Book of Isaiah — 740-681 B.C.

Isaiah was a prophet who warned the northern kingdom of Israel to repent or be defeated by the Assyrian empire and taken captive (chapter 1-39). Through Isaiah, God warned other nations of future judgment. In chapters 40-66 God encouraged Judah that He would eventually rescue and restore them. Israel was warned of judgment, given promises of salvation and of the first and second advents of the Messiah.

Jeremiah and Lamentations — 586-570 B.C.

Jeremiah was also a prophet commissioned by God to warn the southern kingdom, Judah, that judgment was certain. Judah rejected his warnings. Eventually, the Babylonian army invaded the land and conquered the nation. The Israelites were deported to Babylon. Jeremiah also prophesied of the future restoration of Israel. God promised that some day He would put a new spirit in them. Jeremiah also wrote the book of Lamentations which mourns the destruction of Jerusalem.

Ezekiel — 590-570 B.C.

The book of Ezekiel was primarily about the decline and fall of Judah and the eventual restoration of Israel, including the future millennial kingdom. Ezekiel warned the Israelites in Judah and Jerusalem to repent of their wickedness. He was a contemporary of Jeremiah. He warned that if the people did not repent, the city and temple would be burned and the city would be leveled to the ground and the people would be taken captive to Babylon. Starting with chapter forty, Christ’s future earthly kingdom temple is described.

Daniel — 536-530 B.C.

Daniel is a series of prophecies about the rise and fall of kingdoms. He starts with the Babylonian empire, followed by the Medo-Persian, Grecian, and the Roman empires. The prophecies provide a timeline of God’s plan for Israel from the days of Israel’s captivity in Babylon to the millennial kingdom and into the eternal state in heaven. Daniel 7 provides details of the prophecy of Daniel 2. Daniel 9:24-27 provide the timeline to the death of Christ and verse 27 is about the tribulation. Daniel 11:21-45 is about the antichrist.

Conclusion:

The above passages have provided an overview of the call, ministry, and accomplishments of the major prophets. Everything the prophets did was for the benefit of others. God gave them a message and they communicated that message to others. They also functioned as leaders. Moses was a prophet (Deuteronomy 34:10) who led the Jewish people out of Egypt and toward the Promised Land. Daniel was a prophet who ruled in Babylon under Nebuchadnezzar. Samuel was asked to select and anoint the first two kings of Israel: Saul and David. Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Elijah, Elisha, Malachi, Jonah, and many other prophets spoke and acted on behalf of God. God asked them to submit, obey, and speak for Him and they did.