- Many scholars believe God is a loving being who did not wish to see his children suffer unnecessarily. While threats were made throughout the Old Testament, it is shown that chosen prophets carried God's message to remind them of their Heavenly Father's love for them. Often this resulted in a reformation of sinful behaviors (albeit temporary). These scholars have also said man was born in a constant state of sin, which supports the claim of God loving mankind regardless.
- Another common belief is God sent prophets to warn mankind of his displeasure with their sinful nature. Commonly these warnings were accompanied by plagues or other disaster's to show God's anger toward his children's sinful behavior. This supports claims by some scholars that God is filled with anger and wrath. Furthermore, it supports the belief that God should be feared, not loved and adored. An example of this would be God warning Noah of the Great Flood coming.
- In conjunction with the previously mentioned reasons, religious leaders also state God sent prophets to tell the future. The most common event that shows in Old Testament prophecies is the coming of the Son of God, which is revealed in the New Testament to be Jesus Christ. Other events, such as the Great Flood and other plagues, are also predicted in the Old Testament.
- Awakening a relationship with God is also a reason quoted in conjunction with the first two reasons. Often God's prophets awaken feelings of guilt and shame within others because they have abandoned God in favor of worldly pleasures. The result of this awakening of guilt within mankind is a renewal of the relationship with their Heavenly Father.
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