Did God send Israel prophets to keep them close to him and to guide them?

Answer 1

Yes. The prophets were Jehovah God's means of not only communicating with the nation, but keeping them on track spiritually. (Jeremiah 37:6-7; 2 Kings 3:11; 19:1-7) Jehovah even spoke out against the prophets that tried to mislead His people. (Jeremiah 23:9-17)

(New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures)

Answer 2

In the context of the Abrahamic religions, such as Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, it is believed that God did send prophets to the people of Israel to keep them close to Him and guide them. These prophets were seen as messengers of God, delivering His divine messages and teachings to the people. The prophets were instrumental in reminding the Israelites of their covenant with God and guiding them towards righteousness and obedience.

Answer 3

Israel and Judah had many prophets, some of whom even at times disagreed with each other. An example is when the prophet Jeremiah spoke in support of Babylon while wearing a yoke around his neck to reinforce his message, the prophet Hananiah stepped forward and broke Jeremiah's yoke, prophesying that God would likewise "break the yoke of King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon from the neck of all the nations within two years" (Jeremiah 28:11). History proved Hananiah wrong, so the record shows Jeremiah as the better prophet, but had events turned out otherwise it would be Hananiah that we read about, not Jeremiah.

Many scholars believe there was a school for prophets in Jerusalem, so it was no so much that God sent prophets as that prophets were made.

Answer 4

That is correct.

The Israelite prophets were extremely learned and pious individuals, both men and women, whose superlative level of piety merited them with visions from God. They had to be humble, yet speak with authority. They had to love their people, yet not hesitate to rebuke with caustic words if commanded to by God. (See: Why did the Prophets rebuke? And see: Why did some people not listen to them?)
The prophets were called upon by God to guide the people and to guide the king. While the king had authority in national matters of state, and the Sanhedrin (Sages) had say in Torah-rulings and halakha (law), the prophets spoke in matters of ethics, of belief, of loyalty to God, and behavior. They rebuked the people at God's command, they predicted events which God revealed to them, they taught through Divine inspiration, and they provided optimism and hope with the prophecies of eventual Redemption.

Some of the prophetical chapters (or books) detail Israelite history and past events, some exhort the people to improve their spiritual level, some predict events and/or warn (especially concerning the First Destruction), some serve to comfort the nation, some speak of prayer and love of God, and some speak of life, experience and wisdom.

See also:A list of the Israelite prophets

Why did prophecy end?

History of the Hebrew Bible

Some fulfilled prophecies

Answer 5

Yes, in the Old Testament, God sent prophets to Israel to communicate His will, warn them of dangers, and guide them in obeying His laws. The prophets helped the Israelites stay connected to God and navigate challenges by calling them back to righteousness and a deeper relationship with God.