WHAT IS THE NATURE OF PROPHETIC LITERATURE?
Primarily, each prophetic book is the compilation of a prophet’s sermons, delivered either in Judah or Israel. (After Solomon’s death, the kingdom was divided into two nations – northern tribes went by the name “Israel” and southern tribes went by the name “Judah.”) And what was the prophet’s text? Answer – the Law of Moses! Yes, according to some students of the Bible, only a small fraction of the prophetic writings (less than 10%) contains prediction of the end times. The prophets spent the vast majority of their time expounding the law God had given them through Moses, reminding the people of the covenant between God and themselves. If they broke the covenant, God will punish them (cf Leviticus 26:14-39; Deut 4:15-28; 18:15-32:42); if they kept it, God will bless them (cf Leviticus 26:1-13; Deut 4:32-40; 28:1-14). It is because of this that some Old Testament scholars believe God used the prophets to “enforce” the covenant. Thus, the prophet’s message isn’t original, but is essentia
