B102 Helyer Worksheet 3.2
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Old Testament Survey II
Helyer Worksheet #3
Text:
Yesterday, Today and Forever: The Continuing Relevance of the Old Testament
,
by Larry Helyer (second edition).
Instructions:
1.
Read All of the Assigned Chapter
.
2.
After downloading and saving this file to your computer/laptop, answer the first
question about your reading.
3.
Complete the following worksheet by typing your responses underneath each
question.
4.
Save your finished worksheet in a Word or PDF file format, and upload it to the
course home page by clicking on the applicable assignment link.
Student Name:
Joseph Mora
Date:
11/11/23
Reading
:
Have you read the entirety of the assigned chapter in preparation for answering the
questions on this worksheet (Type ‘Yes’ or ‘No’)? Yes
***If you have not read the entire chapter, there is no need for you to submit the
worksheet. You must read the entire chapter and answer the questions below to
have your worksheet graded.
Questions
:
The following questions can be sufficiently answered in one small paragraph, 3-5
sentences, unless otherwise stated. If the question requires answers with sub-points,
1-2 sentences will be sufficient.
1.
What are the major terms and titles given to the prophets? Provide a sentence
definition of each term.
a.
One term used is seer (ro’eh) which refers to physical sight, however in some
contexts it refers to mental perception
b.
Another term used is prophet (navi) which is used most frequently and refers to
an authorized spokesperson.
c.
A third term is seer (hozeh) which has an intensified visionary aspect apart from
ro’eh and things such as trances and visionary experiences used being experienced.
d.
One title used is “man of God” which was never used by a prophet themselves
but used by others to refer to the prophet.
e.
Another title is “servant of the Lord” which was the most honorable and stresses
the close and holy relationship between God and the prophet.
f.
A third title is “messenger of the Lord” which defines a prophet in functional terms
in which the role of the prophet is summed up as.
2.
What passage provides what is nearly a formal definition of a prophet?
Jeremiah 1:7 provides a formal definition of a prophet. It defines the role and
function of a prophet. It sums up that a prophet was supremely the spokesperson for
God.
3.
What are six aspects of the position of the prophet in Hebrew society? Provide a
brief explanation of each aspect.
a.
One aspect is that the position was not hereditary, prophets were called from
different tribes and families of the Hebrew society unlike its kings and priests.
b.
Another aspect is that the position is not elective, the prophet themselves are
not actively seeking to be a prophet for God but are called by God.
c.
A third aspect is that the position is not confined to men, which is worth noting
that Deborah, Huldah, and Noadiah were female prophets on the OT. Truly shows
that God will use whoever for His purposes.
d.
A fourth aspect is that the position is determined by a divine call, it is God who
calls His prophets and not a man requesting of God to be a prophet for with the role
comes many discouraging moments that one could easily turn from the role. It can
only be withheld by the power of God.
e.
A fifth aspect is that the position served as a check on the power of kings, the
prophet had the duty of confronting, aiding and guiding those who were in power to
adhere to the stipulations of God’s covenant with His people.
f.
A final aspect is that the position has an international scope to ministry, meaning
that the messages were not limited to Israel, but shows God’s concern for all His
creation.
4.
In what ways did ancient pagan prophets attempt to “tip the hands” of their gods?
Pagan prophets attempted to “tip the hands” of their gods by means of divination
techniques. These techniques fall into two categories; observation of nature and/or
manipulatory techniques. In light of observation of nature, this would include
movements of heavenly bodies, solar/lunar eclipses, animal behavior, and weather
behavior. A few manipulative techniques are rhabdomancy, hydromancy, and
necromancy.
5.
In what ways was the literature that the Hebrew prophets produced distinct from the
pagan prophets’ literature?
The literature that the Hebrew prophets produced differed from pagan prophets
literature in a few ways. Unlike Hebrew literature, pagan literature does not have
evidence of urgent exhortation for repentance or parallels to God’s glowing promises
for His people. Hebrew literature is marked by unity and cohesion, whereas pagan
literature lacks unity and is diverse.
6.
What were the seven stages of Hebrew prophetism? Give a brief summary of each
stage.
a. The first stage is the Primeval period, in which we see Noah exercising the gift of
prophecy and see the curse of Canaan and the blessing of Shem.
b.
The second stage is the Patriarchal period, where we see Abraham being called
a prophet, intercessory prayer is a hallmark noted in the office of the prophet,
Abraham catches of glimpse of redemption through the near sacrifice of Isaac,
Jacob also has some revelatory experiences.
c.
The third stage is the Mosaic period which would be considered where prophecy
really comes into its own. His life establishes a pattern for his successors. A central
significance is found in his mediatorship of the Sinai covenant.
d.
The fourth stage is Samuel and the school of prophets, in which we see a
transition between tribal federation to monarchy. This was the beginning of the role
of checking the power of the kings and speaking for God in light of a need for
repentance.
e.
The fifth stage is Elijah and Elisha, in which they show up at the time of the
divided kingdom of Israel and Judah. It was in this period that the prophets
challenged the syncretism of their day. In their lives we see association of mount
sinai, challenge of false gods, and the call of God’s people to repent.
f.
The sixth stage is the period of the classical prophets, in which designates the
writing prophets as opposed to the verbal prophets who left no literature left behind.
This period focused more on the nation rather than individuals.
g.
The final stage is the period of malachi and the cessation of prophecy. It is within
this stage that literature came about to aid in guiding the people since there were no
prophets to do so. Some think that this period of silence was a period of preparation
for the ultimate revelation of God’s purpose and design.
7.
What two reasons does Helyer offer for the “cessation of prophecy”?
a.
One reason mentioned is the setting of a stage. Helyer writes of a period of
preparation for the ultimate revelation of God’s purpose and design, which is the
coming of Jesus Christ.
b.
Another reason was that of fulfillment of prophecy. The latest prophecy of the
Messiah and its fulfillment in Jesus validated the prophetic word and displayed it to
be more divine than just “words of men.”
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8.
What is Helyer’s one sentence “answer” to the question:” How did the call and
commission affect the prophet?
The answer, based upon the scriptural evidence, is that the prophets remained
human beings facing problems, pitfalls, and failures of all human beings, even those
deeply committed to the Lord.
9.
What were five different modes of reception of the prophetic message?
a.
The first mode being external voice, which is a rare mode of communication and
mostly happened with the pre-classical prophets.
b.
The second mode being the internal voice, which is probably the most common
mode of communication. It would be defined as an interior experience and would
come by as, “the word of the LORD came to…”
c.
The third mode being the perception of realities, which is basically catching a
glimpse of the spiritual realm. An example of this is found when the LORD opens the
eyes of Elisha’s servant to see the heavenly armies in the mountains.
d.
The fourth mode being a vision or imaginary picture, which can be either an
experience involving what is actual and/or an experience involving what is potential
or symbolic.
e.
The fifth mode being a dream, which the LORD would do on occasion by
revealing Himself through the dream of a prophet. It is God revealing Himself in an
inactive, unconscious state of the prophet.
10.What were four different modes of delivering the prophet’s message?
a.
The first mode being brief oral statements and rejoinders, which may consist of
specific orders or directions.
b.
The second mode being longer oral messages or sermons, in which we find in
the classical prophets used for a larger audience.
c.
The third mode being description of visions, in which a prophet would recieve a
vision from God and be able to recall and orate all the happened in that vision.
Usually used in direction and guidance
d.
The fourth mode being symbolic actions, which can be broken into spontaneous
and arranged. spontaneous refers to an unplanned course of action which provides
a teachable lesson, whereas the other is a premeditated action that symbolized
something to happen.
11. What were the four Biblical criteria for discerning false prophets? Explain briefly.
a.
The first criteria was the empirical test. This test included testing the prediction
and seeing if it came to be or not. It is an appeal to the outcome of a particular
prophecy.
b.
The second criteria was the theological test. This is the focus on the content of
the alleged prophecy and inquires into its conformity with previous revelation. The
touchstone used was the Law of Moses.
c.
The third criteria was the ethical test. This third test focused upon the individual's
lifestyle and behavior. If one was a true prophet they would call for repentance and
obedience from sin rather than contribute to the spiritual and moral decline.
d.
The fourth criteria being the witness of the Holy Spirit. When all else seems to
keep the truth hidden, there is a reliance on the Holy Spirit to aid in the discerning of
false prophecy.