Sabbath: The Prophetic Writings
Daily Lesson for Sabbath 31st of October 2026
Image © Pacific Press
Read for This Week’s Study
Exodus 17:14; Isaiah 13:1; Jeremiah 36:17-18; Romans 16:22; Luke 1:1-4; Jude 1:14-15; 2 Corinthians 4:7.
Memory Text:
“For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope” (Romans 15:4, NKJV).
How would you like to be taught a song that God Himself composed? In Deuteronomy 32:1-52, the lyrics were written down by Moses at God’s direction (Deuteronomy 31:19-22). We don’t usually think of songs when we think of prophetic writings, though many of the psalms are, indeed, inspired songs, even if the lyrics themselves were not dictated directly by the Lord Himself.
The Bible describes three major ways that prophets communicated God’s messages: (1) orally, (2) through writing, and (3) through symbolic actions or dramatizations. This week we will focus on the writings in the Scriptures. The Bible records the Word of God, as expressed through the words of His messengers, including sermons and speeches of the prophets.
Think of the variety of writing styles and genres in the prophetic writings: narrative, history, poetry, lament, and letters, just to name a few. Chosen men and women put into human language what they were led by the Holy Spirit to communicate. This week we will look at their writing, the use of literary assistants (secretaries), and at things to keep in mind when studying challenging passages.
I have mentioned before that the connection between prophesying and music is well documented in the Old Testament. Look at these verses:
Even in the New Testament we have references to singing closely associated with the idea of inspiration. The Greek words for “spiritual song” mean a Spirit-led or -inspired song.
The implication is that much of the general prophecy referred to in the Bible was associated with Spirit-inspired music and singing that praised God. Do we look for that quality in our modern music and singing?
My wife and I have begun singing a hymn acapella every morning. It seems like singing acapella helps one to concentrate on the words. Many of the old hymns are like sermons or prayers. Here is one we sang this morning:
1 My faith looks up to Thee,
Thou Lamb of Calvary,
Savior divine!
Now hear me while I pray,
take all my guilt away;
O let me from this day
be wholly Thine.
2 May Thy rich grace impart
strength to my fainting heart,
my zeal inspire;
as Thou hast died for me,
O may my love to Thee
pure, warm, and changeless be,
a living fire.
3 While life’s dark maze I tread,
and griefs around me spread,
be Thou my Guide;
bid darkness turn to day,
wipe sorrow’s tears away,
nor let me ever stray
from Thee aside.
[Google Translation from Indonesian – Moderator]:
The primary purpose of the Holy Scriptures is educational. God inspired the Bible not merely to provide historical data or theological information; He gave it to teach us.
What does it teach us? The Bible teaches us about the unchanging character of God, the reality of human sin, the pattern of God’s faithfulness within His covenant, and the ultimate trajectory of history. When we read about the failures and restoration of David, or the exile and return of the nation of Israel, we are learning the “grammar” of how God interacts with His people.
——– Original Message ———–
Tujuan utama dari Kitab Suci adalah bersifat mendidik. Allah menginspirasikan Alkitab bukan sekadar untuk memberikan data sejarah atau informasi teologis semata; Ia memberikannya untuk mengajar kita.
Apa yang diajarkannya kepada kita: Alkitab mengajarkan tentang karakter Allah yang tidak berubah, realitas dosa manusia, pola kesetiaan Allah dalam perjanjian-Nya, serta arah akhir dari sejarah. Saat kita membaca tentang kegagalan dan pemulihan Daud, atau pembuangan dan kepulangan bangsa Israel, kita sedang mempelajari “tata bahasa” tentang bagaimana Allah berinteraksi dengan umat-Nya.
We need to remind ourselves again that prophetic writings are messages in the Bible that God communicated under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit to reveal His character and will, expose humanity’s spiritual condition, and ultimately call for repentance. Therefore, prophetic messages prepare humanity for the grand finale of the greatest chapter in human history: the second coming of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. The diverse prophetic messages collectively envisage the blessed hope when the Son of God will usher in a new dispensation of the New Heaven and the New Earth. Studying prophecy is simply a small endeavour to prepare ourselves to be part of those who will take part in the first resurrection.
I want to challenge ourselves, by God’s mercies: this study of prophecy is not an empty ritual of information gathering but a truly reflective and soul-searching exercise. What are the prophetic messages doing to us?
May our study of prophecy prepare not only our minds to understand what is coming, but also our hearts to meet the One who is coming.
Let us prepare with the highest sense of urgency because He who is coming is coming soon rather than later. (2 Peter 3:10-14)
Prophets were not self-appointed; they were explicitly called by God and entrusted with a clear purpose: to communicate His message and call His people back to Him. We see this in the experiences of Amos (Amos 7:14–15), Jeremiah (Jeremiah 1:4–5) and Isaiah (Isaiah 6:1–8). Sometimes, the prophets expressed reluctance when responding to God’s call. Isaiah recognised his unworthiness, declaring that he was a man of unclean lips (Isaiah 6:5), but after being cleansed, he willingly accepted God’s commission (Isaiah 6:6–8). Jeremiah felt too young and inadequate for the task (Jeremiah 1:6), yet God reassured him and touched his mouth, putting His words in it (Jeremiah 1:7–9). Similarly, Isaiah’s lips were cleansed, preparing him to speak on God’s behalf. These experiences demonstrate that prophetic writings did not originate from human ambition or personal opinions but from God’s initiative and the divine calling of individuals to deliver His message.
The prophetic writings, therefore, were purposeful messages inspired by God to champion obedience, expose disobedience and call people back to their covenant relationship with Him. Through the prophets, God reminded kings and ordinary people to worship Him alone, remain faithful to His commandments and demonstrate love towards their neighbours. Their writings combined hopeful promises of restoration with solemn warnings of judgment, revealing both God’s justice and His enduring love for humanity. God did not judge His people without first giving them a warning, for He revealed His plans through His servants, the prophets (Amos 3:7). Through these prophetic messages, God continually reminded His people of who He was, who they were called to be, and the consequences of turning away from Him. Thus, prophetic writings reveal a God who patiently calls, warns, corrects and offers hope, desiring that His people return to Him.
They’re transferring us molding us mind you. Into what God meant if to be. Be reading and really understanding what the holy Spirit we will grow spiritually. Amen
Apologist:
“Someone who speaks or writes in defense of someone or something that is typically controversial, unpopular, or subject to criticism.” [Merriam Webster]
Christian apologist:
“A Christian apologist ultimately seeks to show that Christian faith is intellectually credible, historically grounded, and spiritually meaningful.” Col.4:2-6
1 Peter 3:15
”Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.”
Not all are called to prophetic writings or to participate in the work of the great messengers of God in times past, but all who believe are called to be prepared to give a reason for their faith.
Considering the ‘prophetic’, spiritually inspired Truth applicable to the life of a Christian through the lens of an apologist, we find ourselves in need to fully accept by FAITH the original Giver as well as His Translator of the message – the Father and the Holy Spirit. Only then can we become an apologist for God’s Truth. The essence of His Truth is simple: accept to “trust/Love God with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding…” Prov.3:5-6.
Thank you it’s clear and understandable messages to me.
The memory text says that scriptures give us hope. Did the scriptures give Jesus hope? Mark 14:26 shares that Jesus sang after eating that final, emotional meal with His disciples. And likely not just any song. Jewish families sang the Hallel Psalms at their Passover tables: a collection of worship songs from Psalms 113 to 118. Among other topics, these words celebrate God‘s faithfulness to His people in times of pain. Listen to Ps. 116:1, 8, 15.
I invite you to read and pray the Hallel psalms with me and imagine how these lyrics playing over in Jesus’ mind gave Him encouragement in the Garden and on the cross. Look at Ps. 118:5-6, 22-23.
It is amazing to connect with the One who knows the future! If I ask for guidance, why wouldn’t He give it?