In | The Varied Roles of a Prophet | Our Daily Bread University
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Minor Prophets, Part 1: Assyrian Crisis

  1. Lesson One
    Introduction to the Prophets
    21 Activities
    |
    2 Assessments
  2. Lesson Two
    Prophets and Prophecy
    20 Activities
    |
    2 Assessments
  3. Lesson Three
    Amos
    24 Activities
    |
    3 Assessments
  4. Lesson Four
    Hosea
    19 Activities
    |
    5 Assessments
  5. Lesson Five
    Jonah
    18 Activities
    |
    3 Assessments
  6. Course Wrap-Up
    Course Completion
    1 Activity
    |
    1 Assessment

Participants 26

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We might think of the prophets as speaking from the periphery of the community, but their role was to engage people in a variety of ways to get their message heard in the community. They presented an alternative view of the world that contrasted starkly with accepted ideas and behaviors of the times. 

In order to proclaim their message, the prophets assumed many roles. Like good salesmen or teachers, they did whatever was necessary to make their message stick. 

As Bible scholar Greg Mobley puts it: 

[The Hebrew Prophets] were not analogous to preachers in morning suits reading jeremiads from prepared manuscripts or notes. They were more akin to poetry slammers, rappers, performance artists, folk singers, Holiness preachers, merry pranksters, and street performers. The biblical prophetic books represent the scoring of this folk music of prophecy.

Source: Gregory Mobley, The River: An Introduction to Tanakh/Old Testament, 2012, pp. 123-124.