Reception of Prophetic Oracles in Ancient Israel and the Nigerian Context
Scholars in biblical studies are divided into camps on the source(s) of prophetic oracles by prophets in ancient Israel and contemporary Nigerian society. This is because the prophets at one time or the other labeled one another true or false prophets based on the claim that the oracles of some of their colleagues did not come from God. Biblically speaking, an oracle is a divine message to a person or a group of persons through an appointed person. The thrust of the chapter is to investigate the source(s) of prophetic oracles in ancient Israel with the view of establishing its parallel in the prophetic ministry in the contemporary Nigerian society. Historical method was used for the research. It was discovered that prophets in both contexts claimed to have received their oracles from Yahweh. Also, true and false prophets are found in both contexts. Other sources of prophetic oracles are Satan, self, and circumstances. It is crucial that a prophet as God's mouthpiece receives his oracles from God before delivery.