Old Testement

How the Prophets Still Apply to the Modern Age

Mike Fowler

Liberty University Online

How the Prophets Still Apply to the Modern Age

The prophetic books, while dry at times, contain a wealth of knowledge that is still practical in today’s culture. Many seem to believe that the Bible is old fashioned; that is doesn’t matter to those living in the modern era. However, the books speak a lot on topics that can still be applied, specifically, idolatry, social injustice, and religious ritualism. Through the teachings of Micah, Jeremiah, and Zephaniah, the concepts mentioned will be discussed and shown how they still relate to the modern age.

The first prophet that will be discussed is Micah. Micah is an eighth-century prophet who spoke mostly against false worship and social injustice. In Micah 6:7-8 Micah says to his home nation of Judah, “Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousand rivers of olive oil. Shall I offer my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? 8 He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”(NIV). This was Micah’s words to many of the religious and government officials, speaking against their uses of sacrifices without having a firm, loving relationship with the Lord. The religious leaders and government officials at that time were who set the tone for the rest of the people, and Micah knew how important this was for the city Judah. The lesson of focusing on the core aspects of Christianity, like to love one another, is a lesson that everyone should follow.

The second prophet, Jeremiah, spoke against the entirety of Judah’s wickedness, in Jeremiah 7:9-10 he states “Will ye steal, murder, and commit adultery, and swear falsely, and burn incense unto Baal, and walk after other gods whom ye know not;

10 And come and stand before me in this house, which is called by my...