Prophet As Foreteller

A prophet is commonly thought of by some people as a man of God who is inspired to predict the future. In this light he is thought of as a divine fortune-teller or soothsayer, foretelling future events in human history. In this sense anyone who predicts the future in business, politics, or even sports is called figuratively a prophet.

As a matter of fact this predictive insight and ability is one function of the prophetic calling. We have a number of illustrations in scripture of prophets predicting specific events which were to take place to individuals and nations, and which did at a later time. Amos clearly foresaw the downfall of Israel to Assyria, which took place in 722 B.C. Isaiah and Jeremiah predicted the captivity of Judah, which took place in 586 B.C.

The Book of Deuteronomy proposes the predictive content of a prophet's message as a test of a prophet's divine calling and inspiration:

And if thou say in thine heart, How shall we know the word which the Lord hath not spoken? When a prophet speaketh in the name of the Lord, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the Lord hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him. (Deut. 18:21, 22)

A prophet of God ought not to be thought of, however, as a fortune teller. And though, on occasion he has predicted the specific blessing or the sure doom of individuals, his main interest has always been focused on larger and more universal issues. His predictions have been concerned with the welfare of all his people, and the welfare of other nations and even of mankind. Under the inspiration of God he has been led to understand the great moral laws of life and to see the consequences of people's obedience or disobedience to them in the life of individuals and nations.