How did God speak to the prophets?

[upbeatjonm]

I have often wondered when reading the old testament books, and it will often say “thus says the Lord…”. It is as if the writers are taking dictation. I don’t believe that is the case. So, how do we generally believe that the writers heard the word of God so clearly?

 

[juliamajor]

I have often wondered when reading the old testament books, and it will often say “thus says the Lord…”. It is as if the writers are taking dictation. I don’t believe that is the case. So, how do we generally believe that the writers heard the word of God so clearly?

Usually mode of transmission from God to the prophets was visions and dreams.Joseph in Genesis was a prophet and obtain his information in dreams,Isaiah1:1, Jeremiah 1:4-12 with Ezekiel having the granddaddy of all vision ezekiel 1-3 To get the real feel of the transmission -I would suggest reading them. Start with major and go to the minor ones. Happy Reading

 

[scottm]

I am friends with people who get messages from God on occassion. It’s sentences and/or phrases and/or just a statement that comes into their head. Sometimes they have precise words, and sometimes they just have a message that they can put into their own words. Perhaps that’s how the OT prophets got their messages.

In Pentecostal circles this is a very common occurrence, but, if you consider Pentecostals heretical that won’t mean anything.

 

[drafdog]

How did the prophets know that it was really the voice of God? We will never know. All we can know is that they believed it was God. Like so much else in church teaching, it comes down to personal belief. The more people who believe, the more it is deemed likely to be true.

Matthew

 

[Deacon_Joseph]

I have often wondered when reading the old testament books, and it will often say “thus says the Lord…”. It is as if the writers are taking dictation. I don’t believe that is the case. So, how do we generally believe that the writers heard the word of God so clearly?

A prophet had to build a reputation with the people. That meant what the prophet would say, would have to occur. This is how the people would know the message came from God. Prophetic words were written down to verify the course of events and to show the prophet’s authority.