Understanding the Prophet-Seer Office
A prophet in the Old Testament was someone who was used by God to communicate His message to the world. Prophets were also called "seers" because they could "see," spiritually speaking, as God gave them insight (1 Samuel 9:9).
The prophets can be divided into the "writing prophets" such as Isaiah, Daniel, Amos, and Malachi; and the "non-writing prophets" such as Gad (1 Samuel 22:5), Nathan (1 Chronicles 17:1), and Elijah (1 Kings 18:36). There are also some anonymous prophets in the Old Testament, such as the unnamed prophet in Judges 6:7–10.
The prophets came from a variety of backgrounds, spoke to different audiences, possessed unique styles, and used assorted methods. Most of the Old Testament prophets' messages concerned the people of Israel. Most prophets of God were men, but the Old Testament also mentions prophetesses such as Miriam (Exodus 15:20), Deborah (Judges 4:4), and Huldah (2 Kings 22:14).
A prophet was called by God to be a prophet. Isaiah and Ezekiel were given visions of God's glory. God told Jeremiah: 'Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations' (Jeremiah 1:5).
The prophet Micaiah put it well: 'As surely as the Lord lives, I can tell the king only what the Lord tells me.' Those who tried to keep silent found they could not (Jeremiah 20:9). Those who tried to avoid their responsibility were corrected (Jonah 1:3–4).
Elijah was known for wearing 'a garment of hair and had a leather belt around his waist' (2 Kings 1:8). Elijah's mantle that he left for Elisha was seen as a symbol of the prophetic office (2 Kings 2:13–14).
Isaiah was sent to a people 'ever hearing, but never understanding.' Ezekiel ministered to 'a rebellious people.' Jeremiah was thrown into a cistern. Jesus spoke of Jerusalem as those 'who kill the prophets and stone those sent to them' (Luke 13:34).
Often, a prophet in the Old Testament predicted the future. Joseph predicted seven years of plenty followed by seven years of famine. Many of Daniel's and Zechariah's prophecies concern the second coming of Christ and end-times events.
The Old Testament also mentions false prophets — liars who claimed to speak for God but were intent upon deceiving the people or serving their own interests. Ahab had nearly four hundred such false prophets in his employ (1 Kings 22:6, 23).
The test of a prophet was 100 percent accuracy in what he said (Deuteronomy 18:22). If a prophet's predictions did not come true, then he could not have been speaking for God, since God never lies (Numbers 23:19).
"The role of Old Testament prophet reached its consummation in the person of John the Baptist, who was predicted in Malachi 4:5; and in Jesus Christ, who was the Prophet 'like Moses' predicted in Deuteronomy 18:15 (cf. Acts 3:22)."