Article,
Prophecy from the eighth through the fifth century.
Interpretation, 32 (1): 17 - 30 (1978)
Abstract
Classical prophecy envelops chronologically the 8th through
the 5th centuries and literarily the collections of sayings in the Book of
Jesaja through Malachi (without the later additions). These collections
arose from oral speech to Israel in its historical situation. Yahweh's
call alone put the prophets into action. The call legitimates them, not a
cultic office which they often oppose, but it also isolates them and
causes suffering. Prominent is the word about the future, warrented by
Israel's guilt, announcing the end of the former
salvation-and-election-history. Guilt is explained by concrete reproaches
concerning the whole social, political and cultic environment and focusses
on Israel's forgetting God and rejecting Yahweh's offer of salvation. The
concept of "the new covenant" as well as talk of the turning point in the
relationship between God and Israel begins with the exile. Even God's
punishment serves his intention of final salvation.
