ABSTRACT
A prophet is usually called to do something, such as proclaim a religious doctrine or divine commandment. The Jewish prophet Jeremiah, for instance, calls for a new covenant (31.31-34) that would fulfill the intention of the original Sinai covenant made with Moses that is now broken. It is important to recognize that the prophet is conscious of being the organ, instrument, or mouth piece of the divine will (Sam. 28.6, 15). This implies that a prophet’s authority is secondary or derived from a higher source. During the process of receiving a message, prophets encounter visions, voices, dreams, and trances, which can be revelations that arise spontaneously and are received passively by the prophet. The Islamic prophet Muhammad, who is considered the seal of the prophets after having received the final and most perfect revelation according to the Islamic tradition, even refers to messages deposited on his heart. Whatever the modes of message, they are not self-induced by the prophetic figure. And unlike a priest, a prophet receives no monetary rewards for his work, propagating ideas for their own sake.
