When my kids were young, I endeavored to build them a treehouse. I’m not what you would call “handy,” but with the help of YouTube videos and friends, we were on our way. My then 5-year-old was often up in the treehouse “helping me.” One day I looked over and he was trying to use a hammer to bang in a screw. I could see he was growing frustrated, so I stopped what I was doing, grabbed a drill, and twisted that screw right in. He looked at me and said, “Daddy, you are so smart!” To which I jokingly responded, “Yes, son, I sure am.”
Now, it doesn’t take a licensed contractor put a screw into a board. It just takes having the right tool. Sometimes a similar principle is at work with understanding our Bible. Much of Scripture is clear, and the average reader doesn’t need help to understand what’s going on. But there are parts of the Bible—like the prophets—that can be confusing without certain tools at our disposal.
There are parts of the Bible—like the prophets—that can be confusing without certain tools at our disposal.
When I say, “the prophets,” I’m talking about the books of the Bible from Isaiah to Malachi. These aren’t usually the first books someone sits down to read. The average Christian might read the New Testament multiple times before wading into Nahum. Why is that? Because most Christians think the prophets are confusing at best and irrelevant at worst.
Applying the Covenant
Much of the ancient world strove to hear from their gods by manipulating objects or people. They practiced divination and made sacrifices—even human sacrifices—and they consulted mediums and necromancers. God, by contrast, spoke to the Israelites. His revelation was given to men like Abraham, Moses, and the prophets, and it was usually backed by miraculous signs and wonders that confirmed its authenticity.
There’s one big difference, though, between the prophets and the other patriarchs. While God established his covenants with Israel through Abraham and Moses, the prophets applied the covenant. They communicated to the people, priests, and even kings about whether Israel had kept the covenant or was in breach of it. The stipulations of Moses’s covenant were laid out in Exodus, Leviticus, and Deuteronomy. The prophets were sent by God to apply these terms.
The key that unlocked the prophets for me was understanding this role they played as covenant prosecutors—a term I first heard from Richard Belcher. The prophets were sent to prosecute the Israelites for their success or failure in carrying out the terms of their covenant with God. Sometimes they came to proclaim covenant blessings (Deut. 28:1–14; Lev. 26:1–13). Then, Israel and Judah would experience God’s presence and favor in battle or at harvest time. Often the prophets came to proclaim curses (Deut. 4:25–28; 28:15–68; 29:16–29; 32:15–43; Lev. 26:14–39), and the people would be disciplined.
Aim of Prophecy
Many Christians think the main function of the prophets was to predict the future, but it wasn’t. The role of the prophets wasn’t prediction, but proclamation. God moved them to preach about his people’s status in the context of his covenant demands.
Sometimes this meant announcing an imminent blessing or curse, but sometimes their announcement was conditional, based on the Israelites’ response. The goal of this proclamation was not to punish, but to vindicate God, the author of the covenant, and to help his people course correct.
The role of the prophets wasn’t prediction, but proclamation. God moved them to preach about his people’s status in the context of his covenant demands.
God also gave the prophets words that addressed more than their immediate context. Prophets like Isaiah foretold details about the coming Messiah, Jesus, who would be the ultimate covenant prosecutor. Jesus came to announce to the world that our sin merits eternal punishment. He came to take that punishment on himself on the cross. In doing so, he simultaneously pronounced both curses and blessings, and he ushered in the new covenant.
Applying the Prophets
How does this affect the way we read the prophets? Here are five simple but faithful steps. First, look for how Israel or Judah transgressed the covenant. Second, hear the judgment for that transgression as it was proclaimed to the original audience. Third, pray that God would help us to see whether we are guilty of the same transgression. Fourth, look to Jesus, and in deep awe and gratitude, celebrate the removal of the wrath we deserve and his gift of unmerited grace. Finally, respond by making changes in your life that honor the status you’ve been given as participants in his new covenant.
Reading the prophets doesn’t have to feel like building a treehouse by hammering in screws. Just as a drill transforms a building project, understanding the prophets’ role as covenant prosecutors can transform your reading, making it both more enjoyable and more effective. As a by-product, you’ll be able to help others too.
The Gospel Coalition