Old Testament Prophets — Teacher Helps

16.10.2026

Teacher Comments

Part I: Overview

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Introduction

Last week dealt with the prophetic calling itself; this week’s lesson describes the characteristics of the prophetic gift in the Old Testament as a context for understanding Ellen G. White’s prophetic ministry. The prophetic books of the Old Testament occupy a portion of the Bible roughly equivalent to the entire New Testament. Their messages were timely and significant for their various audiences. There is much we can learn from the experience of the Old Testament prophets in their ministries and how these experiences may help us to understand the prophetic ministry of Ellen G. White.

Part II: Commentary

Although the prophets experienced an extraordinary gift, they were still human.

The prophetic tradition in the Old Testament begins with Moses, the fountainhead of biblical prophecy. Moses acted as God’s direct spokesperson, mediating the covenant between Yahweh and Israel and interceding for the people (, ). His unique relationship with God, speaking “face to face,” set the standard for prophetic authority. Following Moses, Samuel formalized the prophetic office, bridging the era of the judges and the monarchy. As both judge and prophet, Samuel served as God’s spokesperson to the kings, notably anointing Saul and David ( Sam. 16:1–13), establishing the prophet’s role as a guiding and corrective voice to Israel’s rulers.

Elijah introduced the role of covenant prosecutor. Unlike Moses, who often interceded for Israel, Elijah directly confronted the nation and its leaders, accusing them of covenantal unfaithfulness. His challenge on Mount Carmel (“ ‘How long will you go limping between two different opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him’ ” [, ESV]) illustrates his prosecutorial role. Elijah combined messages of judgment with hope, calling Israel to repent and return to Yahweh. Thus, he introduced a new era that set the stage for all the prophets after him who delivered the prophetic message to kings and to the people (see Willem A. VanGemeren, Interpreting the Prophetic Word [Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1990], pp. 28–38).

Despite their divine authority, the prophets’ humanity was evident. Moses doubted his speaking abilities (), Samuel mourned Saul’s failure (), and Elijah despaired, even wishing for death after Jezebel’s threats (). These struggles show that prophets, despite their calling, were still humans subject to fear, doubt, and emotional turmoil. This thought reminds us of God’s grace in using ordinary people to deliver extraordinary messages.

Old Testament prophets functioned according to a specific pattern.

outlines the role of a prophet, emphasizing his or her function as God’s chosen messenger. A true prophet is called directly by Yahweh, not through personal ambition. This divine calling is crucial, as the prophet’s role is to speak God’s words, not his or her own. Many prophets, such as Moses, Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Amos, initially resisted their calling, feeling inadequate or fearing rejection. Yet, they were compelled to speak, often describing God’s Word as an irresistible force ().

A true prophet comes from within the covenant community, “ ‘from your brothers’ ” (, ESV), ensuring a connection to God’s people. Although God can speak through anyone, as with Balaam’s donkey (), He typically raises prophets from within His faithful community. Prophets acted as messengers, conveying God’s commands without adding personal opinions. The word “messenger” best captures this role, as prophets delivered God’s authoritative word, expecting it to be obeyed (see Eric J. Tully, Reading the Prophets as Christian Scripture: A Literary, Canonical, and Theological Introduction, pp. 58–62).

For Further Study: Read Edward J. Young, My Servants the Prophets (Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1952), pp. 20–37.

Believe in true prophets and distinguish them from false prophets.

The Old Testament provides clear criteria for distinguishing true prophets from false ones. A true prophet’s message must be fulfilled () and align with God’s commandments, promoting exclusive worship of Yahweh (). Even if a sign or wonder is fulfilled, a prophet is false if he or she leads people toward idolatry or away from God’s covenant. True prophets never contradict God’s established Word; their personal lives reflect holiness and integrity. False prophets, by contrast, were condemned for immoral behavior ().

True prophets often faced opposition and rejection, as their messages confronted sin and warned of judgment, unlike false prophets who offered comforting but deceptive words (). A true prophet’s authority is confirmed through fulfilled prophecies, fidelity to God’s law, moral integrity, consistency with prior revelation, and a willingness to speak hard truths, even when they are unpopular.

Women played a significant role in the Old Testament manifestation of the prophetic gift.

Huldah exemplifies the significant role women played in Old Testament prophecy. During King Josiah’s reign, when the “book of the law” was discovered in the temple, Josiah sought divine guidance. He consulted Huldah, even though Jeremiah was active at the time (). This choice highlights the authority and respect Huldah held as a true prophet of Yahweh. Her message, delivered in two oracles, conveyed judgment and hope. She confirmed that the curses from Deuteronomy 28 would fall upon Judah because of persistent idolatry (). Still, Huldah assured Josiah that his humility and repentance would spare him from witnessing the coming disaster ().

Huldah’s role demonstrates how female prophets were entrusted with authoritative, divine messages that guided the nation’s leaders. Though her prophecy did not introduce new doctrinal truths, it applied existing Scripture to the current situation, reinforcing God’s covenantal principles of judgment and mercy. Huldah’s example reflects the respected role women could hold in the transmission of Old Testament prophecy, serving as vital messengers of God’s truth.

Ellen G. White’s experience of the prophetic gift had many similarities to the Old Testament prophets.

Ellen G. White’s experience with the prophetic gift shares similarities with Old Testament prophets. In her second vision in December 1844, she foresaw the trials and opposition that she would face and initially resisted the call. Yet, the words “Make known to others what I have revealed to you” echoed in her mind.—Ellen G. White, Spiritual Gifts, vol. 2, p. 36. Naturally timid and shy, she was terrified of publicly sharing her visions. She sought prayer and encouragement from friends, feeling overwhelmed by the responsibility.

During one prayer session, she recounted a transformative experience: “While praying, the thick darkness that had enveloped me was scattered, a bright light, like a ball of fire, came towards me, and as it fell upon me, my strength was taken away. I seemed to be in the presence of Jesus and of angels. Again, it was repeated, ‘Make known to others what I have revealed to you.’ ”—Ellen G. White, Spiritual Gifts, vol. 2, p. 37. Although this experience greatly encouraged her, she begged for humility, fearing self-exaltation, and was assured she would be afflicted with sickness if pride arose. This moment solidified her commitment to God’s call.

Throughout her long ministry, Ellen G. White described herself as a “messenger,” emphasizing her role in conveying God’s messages rather than in holding a specific office. In 1903, she wrote: “From the year 1844 till the present time I have received messages from the Lord and have given them to His people. This is my work—to give to the people the light that the Lord gives me. I am commissioned to receive and communicate His messages. I am not to appear before the people as holding any other position than that of a messenger with a message.”—Testimonies for the Church, vol. 8, p. 237.

Despite her extraordinary gift, Ellen G. White remained deeply aware of her humanity. Her struggles mirrored those of biblical prophets who faced fear, doubt, and suffering in their ministries. She consistently shunned self-exaltation, focusing on faithfully delivering God’s messages, even when they brought criticism or hardship.

In both the Old Testament and in Ellen G. White’s experience, the prophetic gift was a profound calling, often accompanied by personal trials and deep humility. Though chosen for an extraordinary task, these messengers remained human, relying on God’s strength to fulfill their divine mission.

Part III: Life Application

The following life application questions, drawn from the commentary of this lesson, are offered to enrich your class discussion. Choose from among them, and from those in the lesson, the ones that will best engage your class in meaningful reflection.

The prophets called people back to faithfulness during spiritual decline. What are some areas today where prophetic voices are needed?
How can we cultivate a heart that listens, and responds, to God’s message, rather than resists it, as many in Israel did?
In the prophets’ lives, what personal lessons can we find regarding perseverance, faith, and obedience to God’s calling?
God uses imperfect people to carry out His divine mission. How does this truth affect how we view our weaknesses and limitations in serving God?
Many prophets initially resisted their calling, yet God compelled them to speak. Have you ever felt called to do something but hesitated? What helped you move forward?
False prophets in the Old Testament often told people what they wanted to hear instead of what they needed to hear (). How can we ensure that we seek truth rather than just comforting messages?
Like Huldah, how can we apply God’s Word to our present situation and guide others toward truth?
Ellen G. White initially resisted her calling, much as Moses and Jeremiah did. Have you ever felt God leading you to something outside your comfort zone? How did you respond?
Ellen G. White referred to herself as a messenger rather than as a prophet, focusing on delivering God’s messages rather than claiming a title for herself. In what ways was she a messenger? What can we learn from her attitude of humility in ministry?