Final answer:
The primary messages of the prophets include a call for repentance from breaking the covenant, a warning of judgment for lack of repentance, and the proclamation of hope for a future restoration. These themes reflect the responses of the prophets to the people's deviation from their covenant with Yahweh, illustrating a cycle of transgression, consequence, and the potential for redemption.
Step-by-step explanation:
The primary messages of the prophets encompass a three-fold theme: repentance, judgment, and hope for restoration. First, the prophets proclaimed that the people had strayed from their covenant with Yahweh, urging them to repent to avoid divine wrath. This theme is evident as the prophets in Judah interpreted the destruction of Israel as punishment for forsaking the covenant. They exhorted the need for religious reforms to spare Judah from a fate similar to Israel's. However, despite incorporating into empires and facing challenges, messages of judgment followed when repentance was not heeded, leading to punitive actions like the deportations and the destruction of Jerusalem and its temple.
Yet, within this context of reprimand and consequence, the prophets also offered a vision of hope. They foresaw a glorious restoration beyond the judgment—a future where the adherence to Yahweh's commandments would lead to a reestablished and prosperous community. The Prophetic Movement was not just about critiquing the present but was also a beacon of light as they asserted the exclusive worship of Yahweh and His still accessible promises.