Interpreting the Prophetic Word Quotes

“The prophetic word has a bearing on the historical context of the prophet, but its relevance goes far beyond what the prophet said and how it was fulfilled. Davidson comments, “Consequently, to expect fulfillment in the exact terms of the prophecy is to mistake its nature.”21 The prophetic oracles are God’s word to each new generation in its own historical context. Each generation can find its identity in the history and progression of fulfillment while living in the hope of the great future God has prepared for his people. Each generation must get involved in the interpretation and application of the prophetic word so that it, too, may contribute to the progress of redemption.”
― Willem A. Vangemeren, Interpreting the Prophetic Word: An Introduction to the Prophetic Literature of the Old Testament

“The false prophets belonged to the socially and religiously acceptable institution of “professional” prophets who responded to the needs of their time. They operated from within the limited perspectives of their contemporaries: Realpolitik and vox populi.”
― Willem A. Vangemeren, Interpreting the Prophetic Word: An Introduction to the Prophetic Literature of the Old Testament

“The postexilic people were no saints, but they did respond to the challenges of the prophets and the theocratic leaders. The prophetic works (Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi, and Joel) together with Chronicles and Ezra—Nehemiah attest to the radical transformation of God’s people after the Exile.”
― Willem A. Vangemeren, Interpreting the Prophetic Word: An Introduction to the Prophetic Literature of the Old Testament

“In spite of the variety of prophetic phenomenon in space (north, south, exile) and in time (premonarchial, monarchial, exilic, and postexilic), the prophets enjoyed the common bond with the past (the Mosaic revelation) and the future acts of God: the new era of God’s coming, the transformation of all things, the judgment of the wicked, and the vindication of the righteous.”
― Willem A. Vangemeren, Interpreting the Prophetic Word: An Introduction to the Prophetic Literature of the Old Testament

“If Moses is the fountainhead and Samuel the rapids of the prophetic stream, then Elijah shaped the course of the classical prophets.”
― Willem A. Vangemeren, Interpreting the Prophetic Word: An Introduction to the Prophetic Literature of the Old Testament

“The Mosaic revelation embodied within it the hope that the Lord would raise up an eschatological prophet like Moses.70 The final epitaph (Deut. 34:10 – 12) was a reminder that the godly were to live in the hope of God’s raising up a prophet like Moses to do mighty wonders and be able to lead God’s people into the promised rest (Heb. 3:1 – 4:13). The godly received encouragement in the prophetic ministry of Samuel, in the royal counselor-prophets, in Elijah, and in the literary prophets. But Moses finds his counterpart and fulfillment in Jesus, whose words and signs attest that he is greater than Moses (John 1:14 – 18; 21:25; Heb. 3:1 – 6).”
― Willem A. Vangemeren, Interpreting the Prophetic Word: An Introduction to the Prophetic Literature of the Old Testament

“Literary prophecies were rare in the ancient Near East. The intuitive prophets gave isolated oracles, unlike Israel's prophets. In this regard the prophetic movement in Israel is unique.”
― Willem A. Vangemeren, Interpreting the Prophetic Word