Journey Through Minor Prophets, Part 2Sample

Intro

Nicole introduces this lesson in which we’ll step back for a big-picture view of prophecy and how we should interpret it.

Interpreting Prophecy: In the Text

There are many ways people interpret prophecy. In this lesson we’d like to have you consider some metaphors for how different prophecies work.

A Voice Calling Out: Arrow

In Isaiah 40:3, the voice is to call for a way to be prepared in the desert. In Matthew 3:3, the voice belongs to a person in the desert crying for the way to be prepared. The arrow of the prophecy becomes clearer as it hits its target in John the Baptist.

Son of Man: Telescope

The language of dying does not match the image of a Son of Man having dominion. It becomes confusing unless one zooms out to see the bigger picture of the end of time.

Psalm 22: Plant

One way to view the psalm is as a plant. The experiences of the psalmist are the roots under the surface that enable the psalmist to give thanks to God. These roots then have shoots that extend into the future for those who are delivered by God in similar situations. One of those shoots is the messianic future that the Gospel of Matthew describes as having occurred during the last few hours of Jesus’ life and right after his death.

Beasts of the Sea: Code

The coded language of beasts and the sea could communicate how the rulers of the empires arose out of international chaos (sea) and came to devour (like beasts) those that were weak. The coded language allows the persecuted to critique the powerful leaders without repercussions.

The Fate of Nineveh: River

Nahum 3 is clear that Nineveh will experience the same violence it has thrust upon others. Thus the prophecy is a river that would flow and rush during Babylon’s rise to power.

How does that compare with what we see in Jonah?

“Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!” …

When God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil way, God relented of the disaster that he had said he would do to them, and he did not do it.

Jonah 3:4b, 10 (ESV)

How do you make sense of the prophecy of Jonah 3 in light of God’s response to the repentance of the Ninevites?

Some prophecies are more like one metaphor than another. There are some other dynamics of prophecy to keep in mind as well.

The 4 P’s of Prophecy

Prophecy is Relational & Predictive