Many people think prophecy (and, by extension, the role of a prophet) is to predict the future. While that is a function, it is not the only function. As an Evangelical Protestant work notes:
Types of Prophecy
The
two major categories of divine message are:
1. Prediction,
or the foretelling of future events
2. Admonition,
which can be either accusatory or exhortatory
These
categories often overlap. Yahweh’s accusations could be coupled with the
prediction of disaster, and comfort often came in the form of a prediction of
divine salvation.
Prophecy as Prediction. Prophecy is most
commonly viewed as prediction or foretelling. Biblical examples of predictive
prophecy are the oracles against the nations. These prophecies, which appear in
Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel, among others, predict the fall of various
nations. Biblical predictions of disaster may be addressed to the king (Jer
35:2–5), civil or religious leaders (Jer 5:5–6, 30–31; Hos 5), or the nation as
a whole (Jer 5:1–4, 7–29; Hos 4). The Bible also contains examples of prophets
predicting divine salvation (Hos 2:14–23) or military victory (Judg 4:4–9).
Prophecy as Admonition. Prophecies of
admonition can take two forms:
1. divine
messages of accusation and impending judgment due to the hearer’s
rebelliousness
2. divine
messages of comfort and exhortation that divine salvation is at hand
Examples
of accusation or impending judgment are the prophetic “woes” (e.g., Isa 3:9,
11; 5:8–30; Amos 5:18–24), or the highly stylized oracles of judgment in Amos
1:3–2:16. This kind of prophecy was dominant in the period of the “writing
prophets” (eighth and seventh centuries bc).
Biblical prophets are often described as arbiters of the covenant in that they
brought accusations from Yahweh regarding Israel’s infidelity to the covenant
(e.g., Hos 6:4–7:16). Similarly, although many of the oracles preserved from
Assyria and Mari are concerned with royal legitimation or military victory,
some challenge the king’s behavior or chide him over his lax duties in
ministering to the deity (De Jong, Isaiah,
309).
Prophecies of admonition may also be exhortative or
conciliatory in nature, and sometimes overlap with the announcement of
impending salvation. For example, Isaiah 40–55 begins with the words “Comfort,
comfort, my people says your God” and continues with the echoed refrain, “do
not fear” (Isa 41:10, 13–14; 43:5; 44:2; compare Isa 49:8; 50:9). Oracles of
judgment and salvation often go hand in hand: the prophesied judgment will not
last forever. Additionally, prophetic condemnation could be coupled with a
promise that Yahweh would relent if the king or people changed their behavior
(2 Chr 7:14). Yahweh’s judgment was not immutable, at least at first. It was only
when king and people consistently rejected his warnings that the prophets
foretold punishment for the people’s stubborn refusal to change (Isa 6:9–10).
Prophetic admonition had a preventative function.
Ancient Israelites and near eastern people considered prophets to be the
safeguards of the state and people (De Jong, Isaiah, 311–13). Announcement of disaster could lead either to
repentance (e.g., Jonah 3:6–10; Joel 2:12–14) or the fulfillment of that
disaster. Nevertheless, Yahweh always promised that restoration and renewal
would come after a time of suffering (e.g., Isa 40–55; Hos 14; Joel 2:18–3:21). (Gretchen Ellis,
"Prophecy" in John D. Barry et al. eds., The Lexham Bible
Dictionary [Bellmingham, Wash.: Lexham Press, 2016])
Too often people suppose that the only function of a prophet of God is to predict future events. As a matter of fact, a search of the scriptures will indicate that most prophets have done relatively little predicting. Their primary purpose was to speak forth the word and will of the Lord to the contemporary world. Sometimes their utterances were designed to clarify past events. Most of their work was directed toward the improvement of day by day living. And as the Lord willed, they projected their teachings into the future. The following very significant declarations, some of which have been fulfilled in the century since they were given, are among the most prominent predictions of Joseph Smith that can be found in the Doctrine and Covenants. (T. Edgar Lyon, Introduction to the Doctrine and Covenants and Pearl of Great Price [Salt Lake City: LDS Department of Education and Deseret News Press, 1948], 115)
