by Debbie Wicker BCCC
As we continue walking through the major events of the Bible, we arrive at a pivotal transition: the movement from the Old Testament into the New Testament. This period is marked by the voices of the prophets—men chosen by God to speak truth, warn of judgment, and reveal His future plans.
The prophets were not merely messengers of doom. They were God’s instruments to prepare His people—for both consequences and hope.
Israel’s Disobedience and the Coming Exile
Israel’s repeated disobedience led to devastating consequences. God, in His justice, allowed the nation to be conquered and exiled. Yet even this judgment was not without warning.
Jeremiah Foretells the Babylonian Exile
More than twenty years before it happened, the prophet Jeremiah warned Israel that they would be taken captive by Babylon. His message was clear—but widely rejected. He was mocked, ignored, and even treated as a traitor.
Yet his prophecy came to pass exactly as spoken:
“This whole country will become a desolate wasteland, and these nations will serve the king of Babylon seventy years. But when the seventy years are fulfilled, I will punish the king of Babylon and his nation…”
— Jeremiah 25:11–12
God gave His people advance notice—not to condemn them blindly, but to call them to repentance.
The Promise of a Coming Messiah
Even in the midst of warning and judgment, God never removed hope. In fact, He revealed His greatest promise long before it was fulfilled.
Isaiah Proclaims the Messiah
Over 400 years before the birth of Jesus, the prophet Isaiah described the coming Savior in remarkable detail:
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace…”
— Isaiah 9:6–7
This was no ordinary king. This was God’s solution to humanity’s deepest problem—sin.
God loved Israel enough to prepare them for the Messiah centuries in advance. Yet when He came, many did not recognize Him.
They wanted a political ruler.
God sent a Savior.
Jesus Fulfilled the Prophecies
Jesus did not arrive unexpectedly. He fulfilled hundreds of Old Testament prophecies—over 300 by many counts—yet He was still rejected.
Daniel Predicts the Messiah’s Death
Roughly 500 years before Jesus, the prophet Daniel described not only the timing of the Messiah’s arrival but also His death:
“After the sixty-two ‘sevens,’ the Anointed One will be put to death and will have nothing…”
— Daniel 9:26
This prophecy aligns precisely with what happened. Jesus was crucified, rose again, and within a generation, Jerusalem and the temple were destroyed in A.D. 70.
God revealed these events in advance. Still, many chose not to believe.
Why Does God Give Prophecy?
Nearly half of the Old Testament is prophetic. That raises an important question:
Why does God reveal the future so extensively?
While Scripture does not give a single direct answer, a clear pattern emerges.
God uses prophecy to guide human decision-making.
Time and again, He shows His people the outcome of their choices:
- Obedience leads to blessing
- Disobedience leads to destruction
The prophets were not just predicting events—they were calling people to choose wisely.
The Tragedy of Ignoring God’s Warnings
Despite clear warnings and promises, Israel repeatedly chose its own path. Even when told about the Messiah for centuries, many rejected Him because He did not meet their expectations.
This pattern is not unique to Israel—it is human nature.
We often choose based on what we want, not what God knows is best.
Prophecy and Our Lives Today
The message of the prophets still applies.
God continues to guide us—not always through future predictions, but through:
- His Word
- Wise counsel
- The moral convictions He places within us
He shows us the right path. But like Israel, we often ignore it.
A Real-World Reflection
In my work as a Christian counselor, I see this pattern constantly.
People in crisis often trace their situation back to a series of harmful decisions. Yet many struggle to take responsibility, instead seeing themselves only as victims of circumstance.
I recall one woman who endured a very difficult life. She made several major decisions—entering a harmful marriage, staying in unsafe situations, and later making choices that deepened her struggles. While some circumstances were beyond her control, many outcomes were directly tied to her decisions.
This is not about blame—it’s about clarity.
Our choices matter.
Learning from Israel
Israel’s story is preserved for a reason.
Through their successes and failures, God shows us:
- The consequences of ignoring Him
- The danger of self-centered decisions
- The importance of trusting His guidance
The prophets consistently pointed to the right path. Israel often chose the opposite.
Why Understanding the Prophets Matters
To fully understand God’s message in the Old Testament, we must understand the prophets.
They reveal:
- God’s justice
- God’s patience
- God’s plan for salvation through Jesus
Most importantly, they show us that God does not leave us guessing.
God speaks.
He warns.
He prepares.
The question is not whether God has made the path clear.
The question is whether we will follow it.
About the Author
Debbie Wicker is a Board Certified Christian Counselor who brings a thoughtful mental health perspective to the study of the Bible. With more than 15 years of counseling experience, Debbie helps individuals understand Scripture not only spiritually, but emotionally and psychologically as well.
Before entering counseling, Debbie was a partner in a Big 8 public accounting firm, where she built a successful career in management consulting. After a mid-life career change, she felt called to integrate faith and mental health — equipping others to grow spiritually while addressing real-life struggles with wisdom and compassion.
Through the-Bible.net, Debbie writes to help readers better understand God’s Word, human nature, and the transforming power of Christ.