The Old Testament Prophets Then and Now

The Old Testament Prophets Then and Now

The prophets were a major segment of the religious development of the Hebrew people as reflected in the writings of the Old Testament. Their insights, their sensitivities, and their close relationship with God make the study of them and their teachings one of the most fascinating and enjoyable of any of the biblical literature. It is my hope that something of the prophetic fire and commitment may be rekindled by those who study these faithful men of God. This volume is an attempt to explain the complexities, both historical and literary, of the prophetic books for persons who have had no formal training in biblical studies. It is designed for use by individuals and/or groups. This book begins with an explanation of certain matters which must be understood before one attempts to interpret the prophetic writings. Secondly, there is a brief sketch of the historical period in which the prophetic movement began and ended; no biblical book can be fully understood apart from the historical context in which it originated. The bulk of the book, however, is concentrated in the examination of each prophetic book. In these discussions there is a definite order to the presentation of the material. First, I give a brief overview of the historical background and problems relating to the prophet and the book. Secondly, I provide a short outline of the material to be studied. You are urged to read the prophetic material carefully, keeping in mind what has been discussed and using the outline as a guide. After reading the biblical text, read the remainder of my discussion. Following that, I highly recommend a rereading of the biblical material because the purpose of this volume is for you to understand the biblical revelation as precisely and deeply as possible. You will find at the conclusion of the discussion of each prophetic collection some suggestions and questions which should stimulate thinking as to how these great teachings may be applied to our world and our society. James M. Efird is Professor of Biblical Languages and Interpretation at Duke Divinity School. Having served on the Duke Divinity School faculty since 1962, Professor Efird has concentrated on making biblical scholarship understandable and useful for men and women preparing primarily for parish ministry. In addition, he has taken this approach to the laity of the Church in many different denominations. Professor Efird's teaching, research, and writing cover the broad spectrum of both the Old and the New Testaments and are reflected in thirteen books and in over fifty articles in various journals and Bible dictionaries.