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What is a prophetic book?

A book that was recorded by a Prophet. According to AmericanBible.org a prophet is someone is called to speak for God and deliver His message to people. Usually we think of a prophet as someone who can see the future, but that is not necessarily true here. Many times in these books they simply observed what was going on in society a the time and provided Godly advice and solutions. The prophets called attention to political, social, and/or religious issues of the time. They spoke in poetic ways to grab the attention of society. For example: Jeremiah placed a wooden yoke around his neck to represent the flimsy power of a foreign nation (Jer 27:1-11). Ezekiel sketched a picture of Jerusalem on a brick to warn the people of a coming attack on the city (Ezek 4:1-8). Hosea uses the image of the prophet’s marriage to a prostitute to compare Israel’s relationship to God, who continually forgives an unfaithful wife (Israel) (AmerianBible, 2023).

These books are a recording of messages, visions, and experiences of prophets. The messages in these books range in topic. These prophets spoke for God but usually began with “The Lord says” to ensure the general public knew the words they were speaking were not their own, but God’s.

Unfortunately sometimes we avoid or struggle with these books because we do not understand the cultural or historical references, have a hard time following the context and/or structure, and our misunderstanding of prophecy. Yes it is critical that we read and struggle through these books. As a society we struggle with some of the same sins as these prophets spoke of. We are also going to be judged by God the same way. But we read over and over again in these books that “the word of the Lord came to” one of these prophets. They recognized the voice of God. It is critical that we do the same.

God still speaks to us today, not just old testament prophets. He is revealing himself to us everywhere we look, but we have to be looking and listening.

Isaiah

Author: Isaiah

Background: Isaiah prophesied from 739–681 BC to a nation that had turned a deaf ear to the Lord. Instead of serving Him with humility and offering love to their neighbors, they offered meaningless sacrifices in God’s temple at Jerusalem and committed injustices.

Quick Summary: God sends the prophet Isaiah to warn Israel of future judgment—but also to tell them about a coming king and servant.

Main Themes: Prophecy of destruction, reassurance, and the coming Messiah

Purpose: Isaiah’s prediction of Jesus coming as the Messiah, who would redeem us of our sins.

Popular verses:

• 9:6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
• 40:31 But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
• 55:8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD.

How does Job apply to our lives today:

• Gives us comfort in God’s plan
• Provides hope through Jesus and the cross
• Reminds of of God’s holiness
• Keeping us aware of sin around us

Jeremiah

Author: Jeremiah

Background: Jeremiah’s ministry began in 627 BC and ended sometime around 582 BC with his prophecy to the Jews who fled to Egypt.

Quick Summary: God sends a prophet to warn Israel about the coming Babylonian captivity.

Main Themes: False religion, idolatry, struggles, and restoration

Purpose: God’s judgment because of disbelief and disobedience  

Popular verses:

• 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
• 33:3 Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.
• 1:5 Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.
• 1:8 Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the LORD.

How does Job apply to our lives today:

• Keep idols away
• Stay away from false worship
• God will restore us if we trust him

Lamentations

Author: Jeremiah

Background: Jeremiah walked through the streets and alleys of the Holy City and saw nothing but pain, suffering, and destruction in the wake of the Babylonian invasion 586 BC or early 585 BC.

Quick Summary: A collection of dirges lamenting the fall of Jerusalem after the Babylonian attacks.

Main Themes: Exile, suffering, sin, justice and judgment

Purpose: Turn and look to God, suffering, asking God for help  

Popular verses:

• 3:22 The Lord’s lovingkindnesses indeed never cease,For His compassions never fail.
• 1:5 Her foes have become her masters; her enemies are at ease. The LORD has brought her grief because of her many sins. Her children have gone into exile, captive before the foe.

How does Job apply to our lives today:

• Provides hope
• You push God away when you sin
• Hope and compassion
• Allow God to use you for his purpose
• God offers forgiveness and restoration when you repent

Ezekiel

Author: Ezekiel

Background: Ezekiel was one of the Jewish exiles in Babylon. The invading Babylonians brought about ten thousand Jews to the village in 597 BC, including Ezekiel and the last king of Judah, Jehoiachin

Quick Summary: God chooses a man to speak for Him to Israel, to tell them the error of their ways and teach them justice: Ezekiel.

Main Themes: God’s glory, God’s character, restoration, responsibility, sinfulness, and God’s wrath

Purpose: Israel’s restoration and return from exile

Popular verses:

• 37:1 The hand of the Lord was upon me, and He brought me out by the Spirit of the Lord and set me down in the middle of the valley; and it was full of bones.
• 18:20 The person who sins will die. The son will not bear the punishment for the father’s iniquity, nor will the father bear the punishment for the son’s iniquity; the righteousness of the righteous will be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked will be upon himself.

How does Job apply to our lives today:

• Don’t forget to share the gospel with others
• God hold us accountable
• Be obedient to God

Daniel

Author: Daniel ( as well as others)

Background: Written in the sixth century BC. It records the events of Daniel’s life and the visions that he saw from 605 BC until 536 BC.

Quick Summary: Daniel becomes a high-ranking wise man in the Babylonian and Persian empires, and has prophetic visions concerning Israel’s future.

Main Themes: Faithfulness, God is in control, suffering

Purpose: God’s kingdom is eternal

Popular verses:

• 7:13 In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence.
• 12:3 Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever.
• 10:12 Then he continued, “Do not be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them.

How does Job apply to our lives today:

• Respect the government (God placed them there) but also be sure to keep your values
• God is in control
• When you obey God, His sovereignty is magnified
• Watch out for temptations in society

Sources:

• American Bible Society (2023) https://bibleresources.americanbible.org/resource/prophetic-books
• Guthrie, Nancy. (2014) The Gospel Coalition