Prophecy in israel and prophecy in surrounding areas_125123.pptx

Biblical Studies
CIE 9484

1. Prophecy in israel and prophecy in surrounding areas. discuss Letisiah Mujuru Nomcebo phiri

2. What is prophecy? Prophecy is the power to predict the future interpret the present events and mediate through divine inspiration. In Ancient Israel, religious experience, inspiration and revelation are closely bound up with prophecy The word ‘prophet’ comes from the Greek prophêtês , meaning ‘one who speaks out (proclaims)’.

3. Characteristics of a prophet in israel They were supposed to predict the future – they we supposed to be able to foretell events that would happen in the near future e.g. wars, famine, floods etc They were supposed to be the custodians of social justice – they were supposed to stand up for the rights of the oppressed citizens. They were supposed to advise kings – this means they would guide kings to ensure that they made the right decisions They were supposed to ensure the people did not practice any other religion besides Yahwism – this was making sure that the people would not worship any other Gods besides Yahweh

4. Prophecy In Israel The so called founder of prophecy, Moses was said to have all the qualities that a prophet should have. It is believed that prophecy started in Israel with Moses being the founder during the Exodus period. Moses was declared as a prophet when God called him at the burning bush Some scholars believe that prophecy did not begin with Moses in Israel, because Moses was appointed as a prophet during the Exodus and Israel only became a nation when the Israelites reached the promised land but Moses was not able to reach Canaan. This is why they believe that the first prophet of Israel was Samuel.

5. Prophet Samuel Samuel also possessed all the qualities that were expected of a prophet in ancient Israel. He was a seer and he possessed the gift of second sight He was an intercessor between the people and God and he would take their complains to God whenever there was an issue in Israel. Samuel also anointed the first king of Israel, King Saul as well as his son, King David

6. PROPHECY in surrounding areas Prophecy did not only exist in israel but it existed in other nations as well such as Asia, Minor, Africa and also in the orgies of Dionysius etc. There have been records of prophets that were found in nations such as France for example the legend of Zimri-Lim. Zimri-Lim was a seer and he delivered an oracle to his people and it is believed that he was in ecstasy when he wrote this oracle. Ecstasy was believed as a way of delivering a prophetic message to the people

7. Zakir from Syria was also considered a prophet as he ha a personal interaction with his deity when he was at war and he was surrounded by his enemies Abraham was also considered a prophet because he had an encounter with Yahweh