The ProphetThe Lordship over Nature in

Judaism and ChristianityThe Lordship over Nature in

Judaism and Christianity

Genesis

Genesis 1:26-1:27 Describes the creation of life Man is created in God’s image “Let us create man in God’s image”

(Genesis 1:26)

Michelangelo’s ‘The Creation of Adam’

Psalm 8 Describes Man as the original supreme

ruler of nature “You made him ruler over the works of

your hands” (Psalm 8:9)

Is a Prophet a ‘mage’ in the popular sense? How is he similar or different?

The Lord of Nature

In the monotheistic religions, in the beginning, God created man in his own image as the lord of nature

But this authority was mostly lost when Adam and Eve rebelled against God (to be considered later)

Yet in the Jewish and Christian tradition, a chosen few, out of free will and working in a mysterious union with God, were empowered to command the forces of creation

These were the great Prophets of Judaism and Christianity

Characteristics of a prophetic miracle The prophet does not work using his

own ‘magical power’ Nor does he fulfill his own will The power that work miracles and

command nature is unequivocally the power of God, the word of God

At the same time, it is not only God who works, but the prophet who freely chooses to work together with God, his friend and Lord

The Prophet

In Hebrew, the word traditionally translated as prophet is ִב:יא< which likely means ,(nevi) ְנ"proclaimer". (Wiki)

The meaning of nevi is perhaps described in Deuteronomy 18:18, where God said, "I will put my words in his mouth and he will speak to them all that I command him." Thus, the nevi was thought to be the "mouth" of God

A standard prophetic proclamation: Jeremiah 2:4 Hear the word of the LORD, O

house of Jacob, all you clans of the house of Israel.

The word of God

11 So is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.

Isaiah 55:11

Creation and the Word

1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

2 Now the earth was [a] formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.

3 And God said, "Let there be light," and there was light. 4 God saw that the light was good, and He separated the light from the darkness.

(Genesis 1:1-4)

Creation and the Word 1In the beginning was the

Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2He was with God in the beginning.

3Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.

4In him was life, and that life was the light of men. 5The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood[a] it. (John 1:1-4)

Why do you think ancient cultures place such an enormous importance on the word and the name?

Great Prophets and their miracles Moses

Miracles include: The Ten Plagues of Egypt Dividing the Red Sea Releasing water from a rock

A Mosaic miracle Moses performs many miracles in the Bible, as

seen here where he makes hail/rain fall over Egypt

“Then the LORD said to Moses, "Stretch out your hand toward the sky so that hail will fall all over Egypt” (Exodus 9:22)

Great Prophets and their miracles Elijah (Book of Kings)

Strike Israel with a 3 year drought Multiplying food and drink for a widow Raising the widow’s son from the dead Calling down divine fire from heaven Dividing the waters of Jordan river with

his mantle Ascending to heaven without dying in a

chariot of fire

Great Prophets and their miracles Elisha (disciple of Elijah)

Cursing certain naughty boys who were then promptly eaten by bears

Multiplying food to feed a hundred men Raising the dead Healing the leprous Syrian

Miracle of the Prophet Ezekiel Was led to a pile of bones in the valley Asked if the bones could live again Commanded to tell the bones to “Hear the

word of the LORD!” Through God’s power and will, brought

them back to life

Restoration of the Image

The word and power of God worked through the prophets

Thus by divine grace, the great prophets shared in the power of God over creation, and were partially restored to the original Image of man