Expert: Pastor Don Carpenter - 11/3/2010

Question
Hello and thankyou for taking my question.

I would like to know if when the prophets spoke, in particular when they expressed sadness over Israel, were they expressing their own feelings, or GOD'S feelings?

Answer
Hi Pete,

Thanks for this great question.  The Old Testament prophets would sometimes speak directly for God with sayings like "Thus saith the Lord" and then would communicate God's distress directly to the people of Israel and Judah.  Jeremiah, known as the "weeping prophet" was personally moved by the rebellious attitude of God's people.  So to put it simply, both are true... God expressed distress and so did his prophets.  One can just read the context to see who is talking for each particular prophecy.

I hope that this helps you.

In Christ
Pastor Don