Prophetic Books In The Bible: Overview
Prophetic books in the Bible (Isaiah-Malachi in the Table of Contents) seem to be neglected
by many Christians, but they don’t have to be! They might seem too hard to understand or
too distant from the world in which we live, talking about people, places, and cultural
practices that seem strange to us. Don’t fear! The other books of the Bible were written to
people in a specific time and place too. We may have to work harder with prophetic books
than we do with some other sections of Scripture, but it is worth the effort.
In prophetic books, like in all other Biblical books, God tells us who He is and what He
desires. They are written to rebuke, correct, and train us in righteousness so that we are
equipped for everything God calls us to do (2 Tim. 3:16-17). They are written so that
through the endurance taught and the encouragement given in them, we may have hope
(Rom. 15:4). We need to go beyond casually reading and engage our mind and heart.
Prophets of God were men who spoke for God to people. They delivered messages that God
wanted the people to hear, so the messages are true and have authority. God told some to
act out messages and others to say just what He said. Prophetic messages were based on
what God had already said in the books of the law (Genesis-Deuteronomy) about how he
would respond to the obedience or disobedience of his chosen people. True prophets
always reinforced and enforced what God said; they didn’t make stuff up.
Even though most people think about prophecy being a prediction for the distant future, it
was mainly intended to be truth for the listeners who heard it right there in the present.
Most of the prophecies you read in the Bible have already been partly or completely
fulfilled in the past, which confirms that we can take God at His Word. Some of the things
you read in prophetic books will still be fulfilled in the future.
“The prophets did indeed announce the future. But it was usually the immediate future of
Israel, Judah, and other nations surrounding them that they announced rather than our
future. One of the keys to understanding the prophets, therefore, is that for us to see their
prophecies fulfilled, we must look back on times that for them were still future but for us
are past” (How To Read the Bible For All It’s Worth, Fee and Stuart, 182).
When you read a prophetic book of Scripture, you might feel like you entered a foreign
country. The culture, values, and geography from the historical periods when the Bible was
written help us understand what was happening then and where that fits in God’s bigger
story. We need to learn what the passage means and how it applied to them before
we can learn how that same meaning applies to us.
Like every book of the Bible, context is key. You need to know which part of the story you
are dropping into so that you know what relates to what and why it matters. Looking at the
introduction in your study Bible or getting an overview from a book like How To Read the
Bible Book By Book by Fee and Stuart can be helpful. You may also be surprised how much
you do understand by reading the Bible itself. Try it! Start with Habakkuk, Jonah or Amos.
A. Tyson, Real Women, 1-31-13
Tips for How To Read Prophetic Books of the Bible
Pray first. Always ask the Holy Spirit to help you understand and apply what you will read.
Observe: The main question for learning to observe is: “What do I see?”
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What does the passage tell you about the
prophet who is speaking?
To whom is he talking? What can you learn
about the people?
“What do I see?”
Do you notice any patterns with repeated
words or ideas?
What does it say about God?
What do you see about the geography, politics, or historical setting in this passage?
Are there words or figures of speech you don’t understand?
Observation
Fee and Stuart suggest this: “As you read prophetic books, look for this simple pattern:
(1) an identification of Israel’s sin or of God’s love for his people;
(2) a prediction of curse or blessing, depending on the circumstance” (H2RB, 186).
Interpretation: The main question for learning to interpret is: “What does it mean?”
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What do the words mean?; look up
definitions or search the context for clues.
What message was the author intending to
give to the original audience?; do the
“What does it mean?”
repeated words or ideas help you know?
Do the passages that come before or after
the one you are looking at help you understand what the author is saying?
Interpretation
In prophetic books especially, you may want to look at a Bible dictionary, Bible handbook,
or commentary to help you understand the meaning. With careful observation, you can
probably see a pattern or know a word seems important but still not know why or what it
means. Consulting outside helps can bring clarity that will help you apply it more carefully.
Application: The main question for application is: “What must I do?”
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Do you need to confess & turn from sin?
What principle or command applies under
the new covenant as well?
Are there examples to follow or avoid?
“What must I do?”
Does anything point you toward Jesus or
cause you to love God more?
Is there something about God or His plan
that you need to remember?
“So what?” Today, what difference will this make in my life? Pray. Live it. Give it.
Application
A. Tyson, Real Women, 1-31-13