Preschool
A righteous man hateth lying (Proverbs 13:5).
God Speaks Through Prophets
Memory Verses
Primary
A righteous man hateth lying: but a wicked man is loathsome, and cometh to shame (Proverbs 13:5).
Junior
A righteous man hateth lying: but a wicked man is loathsome, and cometh to shame (Proverbs 13:5).
Background Scripture: Hosea 8-12
Lesson Scripture: Jeremiah 25:4-7; Hosea 12:10, 13; Hebrews 1:1-3; 2:1-3
Introduction
This set of lessons is taken from the books of the minor prophets and Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther. We know the writers and characters of these books of the Bible not only by what they wrote but also by what they did.
“For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ” (2 Cor. 2:17). Can we as individuals also say this with those of the past who have kept the faith in sincerity and honesty of heart? In order to be saved and keep the faith in a way that is pleasing to God, we will need to prove our own sincerity. The lessons in this quarter will touch on how this is done if we will direct our attention to them and allow God’s Holy Spirit to give us an application of truth.
The lukewarm church was judged in the Bible (Rev. 3:14-22), and insincerity and half-keeping the doctrines of the Word today will be judged likewise. The prevalence of a casual, worldly approach to keeping the faith today should alarm every God-fearing and truth-seeking member of God’s church. What has happened to the careful, conscientious approach to living, the close-minded, not-for-us sentiment toward the way worldly Christianity operates? Gravity, sobriety, and simplicity have marked the people of God in generations past; if these are no longer applicable, how is sincerity to be demonstrated today?
We now have the opportunity to study the lives of a number of people whose sincerity has been recorded for our pattern, example, and instruction. We will consider the zeal of Nehemiah, the repentance of Ezra, the life-and-death commitment of Esther, and Jonah’s own personal story of learning about mercy. The prophets Micah, Haggai, Zephaniah, Hosea, Nahum, Zechariah, and Amos unflinchingly delivered God’s message to those who were consistently insincere and unwilling to hear it. Their faithfulness in the delivery of God’s message bears record to their sincerity—now it’s time to examine ours. “In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity” (Titus 2:7).
God Speaks Through Prophets
Lesson 1
September 7, 2025
Background Scripture: Hosea 8-12
Lesson Scripture: Jeremiah 25:4-7; Hosea 12:10, 13; Hebrews 1:1-3; 2:1-3
Introduction
God primarily uses those who are willing to be of service to Him to speak to his people; however, there are also other ways God expresses Himself to us. His voice is still heard through the prophecies of the Old Testament as well as the rest of the Bible, by the still, small voice of the Comforter, and by way of a revelation of Himself through nature.
This lesson will especially focus on how God uses people to speak for Him. Jesus noted that prophets do not receive honor in their own country (Matt. 13:57). Old Testament prophecies were generally conditional, and humility and obedience were necessary to hear and understand. Let us humbly obey God today as He speaks through the brethren.
Key Verse
That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour (2 Pet. 3:2).
Lesson Scripture
Jeremiah 25:4 And the Lord hath sent unto you all his servants the prophets, rising early and sending them; but ye have not hearkened, nor inclined your ear to hear.
5 They said, Turn ye again now every one from his evil way, and from the evil of your doings, and dwell in the land that the Lord hath given unto you and to your fathers for ever and ever:
6 And go not after other gods to serve them, and to worship them, and provoke me not to anger with the works of your hands; and I will do you no hurt.
7 Yet ye have not hearkened unto me, saith the Lord; that ye might provoke me to anger with the works of your hands to your own hurt.
Hosea 12:10 I have also spoken by the prophets, and I have multiplied visions, and used similitudes, by the ministry of the prophets.
13 And by a prophet the Lord brought Israel out of Egypt, and by a prophet was he preserved.
Hebrews 1:1 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,
2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;
3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high.
2:1 Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip.
2 For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward;
3 How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him.
Studying the Lesson
The vocation of an Old Testament prophet was, in many instances, a thankless and dangerous job. Being ridiculed, mishandled, or even killed was a real possibility. The writer of the book of Hebrews stated, “They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth” (Heb. 11:37-38). This was written of the heroes of faith and included the prophets. Besides unpopularity and persecution, they also had to guard against deception, pride, envy, and other temptations, yet they were able to live faithfully, and their legacy blesses us today.
Perhaps we may picture the prophets as wise, charismatic, or powerful men. Prophecy is defined as “the function or vocation of a prophet—specifically: the inspired declaration of divine will and purpose.” 1 When seeking to understand the importance of the Old Testament books of prophecy, remember that the first commandment is to love the Lord with all the heart, soul, mind, and strength. The holy men of old spoke with this firmly in place. When a prophet seeks for self-exaltation and power, the door closes for him to truly declare the will of God. The Old Testament prophets were not motivated by an internal fire of righteous indignation or a grandiose, charismatic ego of self-promotion, nor should we frame them with such. In the religious arena of today, some religious leaders seem to be driven by these motivations. God’s true people, including his prophets, will need to embody that humility in heart and spirit that is part of the divine character.
Fidelity is a requisite for true prophets. The Bible tells us of not only false but also unfaithful prophets. The law declared a death sentence upon a prophet who led people astray (Deut. 13:1-5). It also warned of those who prophesied of things which the Lord had not spoken (Deut. 18:20-22). Prophecy in New Testament worship is for edification and is often referred to as exposition, which means explaining a meaning and purpose. Paul noted that “the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets” (1 Cor. 14:32). A prophet’s faithful life and walk with God are more important than the words he says.
One feature often overlooked in the reading of biblical prophecy is the message of hope. Because of idolatry and unfaithfulness among the people, the prophets’ message of judgment is readily apparent, yet interspersed throughout the warnings of judgment is a message of hope for those who heed the warning and return to God. In fact, by focusing on the messages of hope, we find that the books of prophecy, like the gospel, are positive in nature.
Practical Truths for Today
How important are the books of the prophets for us today? If a person is unconvinced that the Bible is divinely inspired, perhaps the best proof is in the number of prophecies given by various individuals in different eras that were fulfilled in Christ’s coming. The Creator not only devised salvation’s plan to reach fallen man but also communicated with his creation by various means, including messages by the prophets. Through miraculous ways, God gave us the Scriptures and preserved them throughout the ages. Besides the books that we refer to as books of prophecy, we can read messianic prophecies given by Abraham, Jacob, Moses, David, and other heroes of faith. Although these messages were given and received by people who lived millennia ago, they speak to us yet today. Can we innocently plead ignorance if we do not listen to what God has recorded in his Word?
Today, we seldom refer to fellow Christians as prophets. This is partially due to our perception of a prophet being one who foretells future events. However, we need not think that a prophet is limited to that sphere. Divine inspiration guides the child of God in a humble, faithful way, which can inspire others to follow God as well. A living example is often superior to a written or spoken explanation. By the same token, the evil one can use a hypocritical witness to destroy the faith of a struggling soul.
Let us consider the mantle of responsibility worn by a prophet. Although it may seem honorable to possess a degree of knowledge and the ability to dispense it to others, a true prophet realizes that he, too, is in need of wisdom. What he has been given is not only for the benefit of others but principally for himself. The apostle Paul said, “For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!” (1 Cor. 9:16). Neither God nor man is able to bless someone who has been charged with a responsibility and is derelict in his duty. Although we may infer responsibility primarily upon those who have been called to leadership positions, a commitment is a responsibility that rests upon all followers of Christ. Faithful, unswerving commitment receives a reward just as infidelity invariably carries negative consequences.
The testimony of faithful brethren throughout the ages is of immeasurable benefit to us today. We are blessed with the writings of early church fathers, the accounts of those who endured persecution, and the records of spiritual forefathers who faced the challenges of daily life. Although not everyone is an avid student of history, we must not quickly disregard the examples of faithfulness in those gone on before. Much inspiration can be gleaned from those testimonies, which evidence a true, meaningful relationship with God. The love placed by God in the hearts of parents desires the best for their children. Godly parents seek to embrace a faith that will benefit their children and grandchildren. Sacrifices have often been made that would seem meaningless except in the light of future generations. As we face tomorrow, let us appreciate our heritage from the past.
Questions
- Is it necessary to understand the historical context of the minor prophets in order to benefit from them?
- The prophets embraced a faith worth dying for. How do we embrace a faith worth living for?
- Proclaiming the word of the Lord must be done in humility. How can we keep this vision clear?
- How can we guard against the message of a false prophet?
- 1 Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary
Source: COGICM Daily Bible Readings (Daily Bible Readings, PO Box 124, Glenn, CA 95943).