The Prophet and His Message: Reading Old Testament Prophecy Today

by Michael James Williams

Demonstrates that a correct understanding of the prophet's role elucidates the entire Old Testament, explains Christ's person and work, and informs Christians of their personal responsibilities.

Genres: Theology, Old Testament, Nonfiction

234 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2003

About the author

Michael Williams (PhD, University of Pennsylvania) is Professor of Old Testament at Calvin Theological Seminary and a member of the NIV Committee on Bible Translation. He is the author of Deception in Genesis and The Prophet and His Message, and editor and contributor of Mishneh Todah. His passion is to equip students with knowledge of the Old Testament and its languages so that they may grow in their comprehension and appreciation of redemptive history and be adequately prepared to promote and defend the faith through word and action. Michael resides in Grand Rapids, MI, with his wife, Dawn.

Also writes under the name Michael James Williams, Michael J. Williams, and Michael Williams.

Reviews

[Kim N' · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was very accessible to the lay reader. It is well laid out and logical. It very helpfully lays out the over role of the prophets and this helps to apply the individual messages properly to our prophetic functions today both individually and as the church. Discussion questions included at the end of each chapter for group study too!

[Aijalon Church · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a fabulous and very accessible discussion of Old Testament Prophecy/Prophets. Its major strength lies in its forceful application of the prophetic call to Christians and the Christian Church today. Not only does it give new meaning to your reading of Old Testament Prophecy, it also develops prophecy as a powerful redemptive theme that exhorts us to proclaim the name of Christ through our words, actions, and emotions.

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good, with the exception of several places where he seems to be saying that God has emotions.

[Parker · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5, really. A fair introduction to the function and ongoing significance of the prophetic office. I'm not sure how far I agree with his central thesis that a prophet is essentially a representative of God to humanity and of humanity to God. He makes reasonable arguments to support his case -- and although this book is written at a very introductory level he is still thorough -- but I struggle to see how this definition really differs from a good definition of the priesthood.

The author is repetitive at times. I also think his lack of attention to how the church represents humanity to God is surprising, given the general trajectory of the book.

There's plenty of good nuggets to be found here. I find especially helpful (at a time when classical theism is rightly reasserting itself) that Williams reminds us the prophets' affective behavior reveals God to us as much as their verbal messages did. Impassibility, rightly understood, does not exclude genuine sorrow, wrath, and joy in the heart of God. Another helpful point is his insistence that many of the unimpressive jobs in church service (such as teaching children) are integral parts of the church's prophetic role.

On the whole, the book is absolutely worth reading for people with shaky or non-existent theological backgrounds. The writing is easy to follow and the theology is good.

[Tyler Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved reading this book. A simple thesis (that the essence of the office of prophet is to be a representative) with a clear structure (looking how he represents God to the people and the people to God. This work points to Christ as the great prophet and expounds the prophetic call of the church.

[Katie Larson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great introductory book for any church member looking to learn more about the prophets.

This book was helpfully informative about the prophetic office and its implications for the church today. It was also personally edifying, with questions and application.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

[Grace · Rating 3 out of 5]

Solid content. Not the best writing.

[sarah · Rating 1 out of 5]

Redundant and uninteresting. I should have just read the Bible.

[Bauer Evans · Rating 4 out of 5]

A concise, clear, and Christ centered introduction to the Old Testament prophets. Dr. Williams is an engaging writer, who Christ centered accents do not come at the expense of digging into the nuances of the texts before. He is an engaging writer too, who held my attention, during this journey into a fascinating genre in Old Testament scripture. A 'must' read for every student of the Old testament.

[Brandon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good treatment of the role of prophets in Old Testament Israel. Williams lays out the material clearly and in a compelling way. The chapter titles will tell you exactly where he is 'going' in the book.

Chapter 1: What a Prophet is Not.
Chapter 2: What a Prophet Is.
Chapter 3: What a Prophet Does.
Chapter 4: The Prophetic Role of [Old Testament] Israel.
Chapter 5: The Consummate Prophet: Jesus Christ.
Chapter 6: The Prophetic Role of the Church.

A recurring theme throughout the book is that the office of prophet is a whole-souled endeavor: it is verbal, behavioral, affectional (emotional), and complete. The final chapter (6), argues that the church, every Christian, has a prophetic role in the world.

This book is good for church teachers. It is meaty, so you will have to think and work a bit, but it is clear enough and interesting enough that lay readers might find it enjoyable too.

[Jeff Boettcher · Rating 4 out of 5]

A must read book written in a very accessible style. Not only does Williams unpack how to read the Old Testament prophets, but even more importantly he makes the connection to how the prophetic typology is fulfilled by Jesus and now commissioned to the church. My only knock against it is that it is too short. I wished he had gone into even more detail.

[Matt Chapman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting introduction to the role of the prophet as a representative of both God and his people. Helpful insights on the prophetic ministry of the local church too.

[Ben Kreps · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful primer on the nature and activity of OT prophets and the practical continuity into our own day

[Ian Hammond · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very enriching read.

[Daniel Scheiderer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good first half; second half had typical Presbyterian shortcomings (wrong application of typology). I think the book would have been better if he just left off the second half.

[Wesley Dennard · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty strong. I underlined the first 3/4 (see book). The last 1/4 was on the (present-day) church as a prophet and its prophetic role today. Good stuff.