Should I care about the old prophets

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As Catholics, should we care about the old prophets. I really don’t think if these people where alive today that they would give me any respect for not being Jewish. I know, I’m comparing a 5000 year time span of a nomadic desert African culture to right now in the USA but still come one. What relevance does Moses, Abraham, Isaac, or Jacob ect. ect. have in my life compared to Jesus Christ in the matters of faith. I don’t really see them having any more value then mace windu or Kit fisto from the Jedi council.
I think their time had come gone and is over. What part do they play in Christian faith that is relevant?
 
Jessup said:
As Catholics, should we care about the old prophets. I really don’t think if these people where alive today that they would give me any respect for not being Jewish. I know, I’m comparing a 5000 year time span of a nomadic desert African culture to right now in the USA but still come one. What relevance does Moses, Abraham, Isaac, or Jacob ect. ect. have in my life compared to Jesus Christ in the matters of faith. I don’t really see them having any more value then mace windu or Kit fisto from the Jedi council.
I think their time had come gone and is over. What part do they play in Christian faith that is relevant?
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Jesus thought it was necessary to show his glory by conversing with Moses and Elijah at the Transfiguration. I don’t see why we should think they are no longer necessary. They are revered as saints in many Churches.
 
The Old Testament prophets have a lot to teach us. They responded to God’s call to speak out what the people needed to hear, and ended up being persecuted and most were put to death because the people did not want to hear their message from God.

Much of what was written about the prophets foreshadowed things about our Lord who was to come in the future.
The prophets are very much a part of the foundation of our faith.
 
Well, Moses was given the Ten Commandments, and some of the figures in the Bible are prefigures of Christ, like Moses. Jesus Christ Himself did say that He did not come to destroy the old prophets but to fulfill them (something like that). So, we do keep the old prophets and their prophecies but we have Christ as the complete and true Fulfillment of those prophecies.

If they were alive today, they would be Christian just like you. At that past time, there was only Judiasm (and some others that do believe in our God yet Judiasm was the proper one so to speak), but now that Christ has come, they would be following Catholicism because He was the fullfillment of their prophecies and beliefs of the Messiah that was soon to come in their times. Hope I helped.😃
 
From the Catechism:

839 “Those who have not yet received the Gospel are related to the People of God in various ways.”
The relationship of the Church with the Jewish People. When she delves into her own mystery, the Church, the People of God in the New Covenant, discovers her link with the Jewish People, “the first to hear the Word of God.” The Jewish faith, unlike other non-Christian religions, is already a response to God’s revelation in the Old Covenant. To the Jews “belong the sonship, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises; to them belong the patriarchs, and of their race, according to the flesh, is the Christ”, “for the gifts and the call of God are irrevocable.”

1096 Jewish liturgy and Christian liturgy. A better knowledge of the Jewish people’s faith and religious life as professed and lived even now can help our better understanding of certain aspects of Christian liturgy. For both Jews and Christians Sacred Scripture is an essential part of their respective liturgies: in the proclamation of the Word of God, the response to this word, prayer of praise and intercession for the living and the dead, invocation of God’s mercy. In its characteristic structure the Liturgy of the Word originates in Jewish prayer. The Liturgy of the Hours and other liturgical texts and formularies, as well as those of our most venerable prayers, including the Lord’s Prayer, have parallels in Jewish prayer. The Eucharistic Prayers also draw their inspiration from the Jewish tradition. The relationship between Jewish liturgy and Christian liturgy, but also their differences in content, are particularly evident in the great feasts of the liturgical year, such as Passover. Christians and Jews both celebrate the Passover. For Jews, it is the Passover of history, tending toward the future; for Christians, it is the Passover fulfilled in the death and Resurrection of Christ, though always in expectation of its definitive consummation.
 
Yes, if only for the simple reason that many of those prophets prophesied the coming of Christ himself! Do you think those prophets would not have been given the grace to recognize the fulfillment of their own visions?
 
One can never fully understand the Gospels without a full understanding of the New Testament.

Much of the Gospels, expecially the Gospel of Matthew, portrays Jesus’ life as a recapitulation of the life of Israel in which Jesus lives the 1500 year life of Israel in his own life and ministry. Jesus is shown to be the “New Moses” who completes what Moses and the nation of Israel were not able to do.

Way back in Genesis, Joseph is called into Egypt with his Father Jacob, who is also named Israel after which the nation of Israel is named. Jesus’ human father, also named Joseph, takes his family to Egypt at the command of God.

*Then he said: "I am God, the God of your father. Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for there I will make you a great nation. Not only will I go down to Egypt with you; I will also bring you back here, after Joseph has closed your eyes." So Jacob departed from Beer-sheba, and the sons of Israel put their father and their wives and children on the wagons that Pharaoh had sent for his transport.(Genesis 46:3-5)

When they had departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I tell you. Herod is going to search for the child to destroy him.” Joseph rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed for Egypt. (Matthew 2:13-14)*

The nation of Isreal passes through waters of the Red Sea as they leave Egypt and Jesus is baptised in the waters of the Jordan as he starts his ministry.

*Thus the LORD saved Israel on that day from the power of the Egyptians. When Israel saw the Egyptians lying dead on the seashore and beheld the great power that the LORD had shown against the Egyptians, they feared the LORD and believed in him and in his servant Moses. (Exodus 14:30-31)

After Jesus was baptized, he came up from the water and behold, the heavens were opened [for him], and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove [and] coming upon him. And a voice came from the heavens, saying, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” (Matthew 3:-16-17)*

The nation of Israel then wandered and were tested in the desert for 40 years. Jesus too, wanders in the desert and is tested for 40 days. Was a number which represented testing.

*And you shall remember all the way which the LORD your God has led you these forty years in the wilderness, that he might humble you, testing you to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep his commandments, or not. (Deuteronomy 8:2)

Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil. He fasted for forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was hungry. (Matthew 4:1-2)*

In fact, Satan tempts Jesus with the three same issues that faced Israel in the desert.


  1. *]Lack of Provisions: Israel grumbled about food and water in the desert and Jesus was tempted by Satan to turn the stones into loaves.
    *]Filial Relationship: Israel is called God’s firstborn son (singular) but they do not trust God their father. Satan questions Jesus’ relationship with his Father by saying, “If you are really the son of God, throw yourself down.”
    *]Temptation to worship someone other than God: Isreal worships the calf at Mt. Sinia but Jesus refuses Satan’s offer for all the land in the world in exchange for worshipping him.

    Israel then enters the promised land at Jericho in Southeast Israel, when they cross the Jordan River. Jesus starts his ministry in this same exact spot where Israel crossed the Jordan. That is the exact same spot on earth where Jesus is baptized and thereby starts his public ministry.

    The parallels go on and on and on. Here is something which most people miss.

    About eight days after he said this, he took Peter, John, and James and went up the mountain to pray. While he was praying his face changed in appearance and his clothing became dazzling white. And behold, two men were conversing with him, Moses and Elijah, who appeared in glory and spoke of his exodus that he was going to accomplish in Jerusalem. (Luke 9:28-31)

    Luke is the only one who records that Jesus was to accomplish a new exodus. The exodus from Egypt, the passover and the covenant God made with the Israelites at Mt. Sinia were the central events in Jewish history, what defined them as Jews and set them apart from all the other nations. Luke records that Jesus was to establish a new exodus, and this is remarkable.

    The first exodus was a flight from physical slavery to Pharoah, but the Israelites kept falling back into sin. They were commanded under the Mosaic law to let their own slaves go free every seven years but they even failed at that. Jesus however, accomplishes what Moses and the first exodus was unable to do. Jesus’ exodus frees Israel from slavery to sin. Moses never entered the promised land but Jesus ascends to heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father. All the animal sacrivices of the Old Testament could not take away sin but Jesus’ one perfect sacrifice has the power to take away sin for all time. Jesus is clearly the new Moses

    John the Baptist is the new Elijah.

    They replied, “He wore a hairy garment with a leather belt around his waist.” “It is Elijah the Tishbite!” he exclaimed. (2 Kings 1:8)

    John wore clothing made of camel’s hair and had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey. (Matthew 3:4)

    The ark of the covenant forshdows Mary. The manna in the desert and the Bread of the Presence which was kept on the table in the Holy Place in the tabernacle forshadows the Eucharist. Noah, Abraham, Moses, Joshuah, Sampson, David, Solomon, Bathsheba and all the prophets forshadow, point to, and give us clues about what lies ahead - Christ, his ministry, his teaching, and his holy Church.

    Even the Book of Revelation, which everyone thinks is so mysterious, is based mostly on the writings in the Old Testament. Someone with a decent understanding of the Old Testament can get the general gist of what is happening in Revelation. There is a reason why Revelation is last - you are supposed to have read and understand everything that came before it.

    The Old Testament is rich, and it is Catholic. This is why Bible study is so important.

    -Tim-
 
ConstantineTG said:
Jesus thought it was necessary to show his glory by conversing with Moses and Elijah at the Transfiguration. I don’t see why we should think they are no longer necessary. They are revered as saints in many Churches.
Click to expand...
Jesus is the New Moses.

About eight days after he said this, he took Peter, John, and James and went up the mountain to pray. While he was praying his face changed in appearance and his clothing became dazzling white. And behold, two men were conversing with him, Moses and Elijah, who appeared in glory and spoke of his exodus that he was going to accomplish in Jerusalem. (Luke 9:28-31)

Many miss that little part, recorded only in Luke, where it says that Jesus was going to accomplish a new exodus in Jerusalem. Jesus did in Jerusalem on the Cross what Moses and the first exodus could not.

This is an example to the OP of why the Old Testament is so important.

The people who wrote the New Testament were Jewish, and the New Tesament can only be understood correctly in the context of the Jewish Old Testament Scriptures. That’s why so many religions make so many mistakes, because they interpret Scripture in light of modern society only and don’t take into account the meaning of the words on the page as the Jews who wrote it meant and how their Jewish audience would have understood it.

That’s why the prophets are so important, because much of the Gospels are about Jesus being the new Moses who leads his Church on a new exodus, this time accomplishing what Moses and the first exodus was not able to accomplish.

-Tim-
 
“All scripture, inspired of God, is profitable to teach, to reprove, to correct, to instruct in justice, that the man of God may be perfect, furnished to every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

There are so many riches in the Old Testament, and they teach us a great deal about Christ and the New Testament. The idea of original sin is rooted in Genesis, and we see the promise of the Saviour in various places in those books. Why wouldn’t we keep and treasure something that we know is inspired by God? It’s the truth that God gave us - it’s going to be important.

It’s also a wonderful resource to see why Christ is the true Saviour, because of all the prophecies He fulfilled.

“For from the rising of the sun even to the going down, my name is great among the Gentiles, and in every place there is sacrifice, and there is offered to my name a clean oblation: for my name is great among the Gentiles, saith the Lord of hosts.” (Malachias 1:11) - in so many places there are Catholic churches offering the Sacrifice of the Mass.

“For a CHILD IS BORN to us, and a son is given to us, and the government is upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called, Wonderful, Counsellor, God the Mighty, the Father of the world to come, the Prince of Peace. His empire shall be multiplied, and there shall be no end of peace: he shall sit upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom; to establish it and strengthen it with judgment and with justice, from henceforth and for ever: the zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.” (Isaias 9:6-7) - Christ multiplied his empire, the Church, so it embraces such a great number of people. Christ strengthens the same kingdom so the gates of hell will never prevail against it.

Anyway, since the prophets followed God’s revealed truth, they would be Catholics today.
 
Jessup said:
As Catholics, should we care about the old prophets. I really don’t think if these people where alive today that they would give me any respect for not being Jewish. I know, I’m comparing a 5000 year time span of a nomadic desert African culture to right now in the USA but still come one. What relevance does Moses, Abraham, Isaac, or Jacob ect. ect. have in my life compared to Jesus Christ in the matters of faith. I don’t really see them having any more value then mace windu or Kit fisto from the Jedi council.
I think their time had come gone and is over. What part do they play in Christian faith that is relevant?/quote

Why do I feel like we are being bated here?
Click to expand...
 
Jessup said:
As Catholics, should we care about the old prophets. I really don’t think if these people where alive today that they would give me any respect for not being Jewish. What part do they play in Christian faith that is relevant?
Click to expand...
Isaiah 42: 6 I the Lord have called thee in justice, and taken thee by the hand, and preserved thee. And I have given thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles: 👍
 
Chatter163 said:
Jessup;9641874:
As Catholics, should we care about the old prophets. I really don’t think if these people where alive today that they would give me any respect for not being Jewish. I know, I’m comparing a 5000 year time span of a nomadic desert African culture to right now in the USA but still come one. What relevance does Moses, Abraham, Isaac, or Jacob ect. ect. have in my life compared to Jesus Christ in the matters of faith. I don’t really see them having any more value then mace windu or Kit fisto from the Jedi council.
I think their time had come gone and is over. What part do they play in Christian faith that is relevant?
Click to expand...
Code: 
 No, i'm not bating, I have just reached a point in my life where faith is less to me now. I honestly question the relevence of church, I respect John the Baptist, and Jesus Christ but I hear about these old testement prophets and realize that if they where standing right here as I type this, I would be below them because I'm a " Dirty  Gentile  "  They seem like the type to look their nose down at everyone who isn't  in their desert tribe.
I also realize I am cross examining 5000 year old desert nomadic cultures to mine on a modern computer.
Click to expand...
 
AuditVocemMeam said:
“All scripture, inspired of God, is profitable to teach, to reprove, to correct, to instruct in justice, that the man of God may be perfect, furnished to every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

There are so many riches in the Old Testament, and they teach us a great deal about Christ and the New Testament. The idea of original sin is rooted in Genesis, and we see the promise of the Saviour in various places in those books. Why wouldn’t we keep and treasure something that we know is inspired by God? It’s the truth that God gave us - it’s going to be important.

It’s also a wonderful resource to see why Christ is the true Saviour, because of all the prophecies He fulfilled.

“For from the rising of the sun even to the going down, my name is great among the Gentiles, and in every place there is sacrifice, and there is offered to my name a clean oblation: for my name is great among the Gentiles, saith the Lord of hosts.” (Malachias 1:11) - in so many places there are Catholic churches offering the Sacrifice of the Mass.

“For a CHILD IS BORN to us, and a son is given to us, and the government is upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called, Wonderful, Counsellor, God the Mighty, the Father of the world to come, the Prince of Peace. His empire shall be multiplied, and there shall be no end of peace: he shall sit upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom; to establish it and strengthen it with judgment and with justice, from henceforth and for ever: the zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.” (Isaias 9:6-7) - Christ multiplied his empire, the Church, so it embraces such a great number of people. Christ strengthens the same kingdom so the gates of hell will never prevail against it.

Anyway, since the prophets followed God’s revealed truth, they would be Catholics today.
Click to expand...
thank you for the detailed post, I will read those versus this weekend.
 
Don’t stop at Moses and the prophets - you also need to ponder Adam (and Eve, too). If it is important to understand that Christ is the Second Adam (as in the readings today), then it is important to consider the first Adam, too.
 
St. Faustina

331

I will mention just one incident out of a thousand that have happened to me. As I usually do, I asked the Lord Jesus one evening to give me the points for next day’s meditation. I received the answer: Meditate on the Prophet Jonah and his mission.
 
If you throw out the Old Prophets you are really throwing some rich beautiful stories and precursors to Christ. For example, Jonah in the belly of the whale for three days, Ezekiel and Daniel and their visions which prefigure Revelation,

Yes, John the Baptist was the forerunner of Christ, but so were the Old Testament prophets. Jesus quoted them. As someone mentioned, Elijah and Moses were with Christ at the transfiguration. Jesus took the many of the Old Prophets to Heaven when he harrowed Hell after his death.

Yes, you should care about them, and study them.
 
The Canon of Sacred Scripture contains both the approved books of the Old Testament and the Approved Books of the New Testament. If we were not to be concerned with the Old Testament, it would not have been included. God can speak to us during Lectio Divina from all of Sacred Scripture.
 
Luke 24: 25 Then he said to them, “What little sense you have! How slow you are to believe all that the prophets have announced! Did not the Messiah have to undergo all this so as to enter into his glory?” Beginning, then, with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted for them every passage of Scripture which referred to him. …verse 32: “Were not our hearts burning inside us as he talked to us on the road and explained the Scriptures to us?”

verse 44: “Recall those words I spoke to you when I was still with you: everything written about me in the law of Moses and the prophets and psalms had to be fulfilled.”

If you read the battle of Amalek, Exodus 17:8-15, you will recognize Christ upon the Cross with the man on each side of him, up on a hill. A great battle goes on below him and as long as Moses is there with arms outstretched, the battle goes well. This image tells us something about Christ who is yet to come.

The miraculous manna, a foreshadowing of the greater Holy Eucharist…Exodus 16:13 on…

If you are interested, Jeff Cavins and Scott Hahn have an excellent study of the Old Testament. They will reveal Christ along the way…

ewtn.com/vondemand/audio/seriessearchprog.asp?seriesID=-306548622
 
Ignorance of Scripture is Ignorance of Christ

BY St. Jerome,
Early Church Father and Doctor of the Church

This famous excerpt from Jerome’s Commentary on Isaiah (Nn. 1.2: CCL 73, 1-3) is used in the Roman Office of Readings for the Feast (liturgical memorial) of St. Jerome on September 30. In it, St. Jerome firmly insists that ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ. A strong exhortation from a Father and Doctor of the Catholic Church to Christians urging all to recognize that serious Bible study is a necessity, not an optional luxury. The author, St. Jerome, was a monk and bible scholar of the 5th century, a contemporary of Saint Augustine.

crossroadsinitiative.com/library_article/257/ignorance_of_scripture_is_ignorance_of_christ__st._jerome.html
 
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