Definitions are key. So what is an oracle. An oracle is a prophetic word from God. And oracles come in two main forms. First is the oracle of weal. It is an announces blessing from God. It is literally a benediction, a good word. Second is the oracle of woe. It is a word of judgment from the Lord, usually delivered via a prophet.

Example of an Oracle of Weal: Many people may be somewhat familiar with the oracle of weal from Jeremiah 29:11: “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope” (ESV). That was where God spoke through Jeremiah to tell the people that his shalom would be experienced by future generations of believers, but that the current generation, due to their recalcitrance and incessant sin, would not. Verse 11 is a prophetic announcement by God through the prophet Jeremiah of future blessing/benediction to subsequent believers. It was good news.

Example of an Oracle of Woe: For an example of an oracle of woe/judgment, we can look at Isaiah: “Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter! Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes, and shrewd in their own sight!” (Isaiah 5:20-21, ESV).

Here Isaiah is addressing the spiritual blindness of those who continually practice evil. And God is pronouncing judgment upon people and cultures who tolerate, encourage, and condone it. God hates evil; therefore, out of his holiness and love, he calls it out. To not call it out would be to condone it.

Encouragement: Oracles are gifts of God. How so? They demonstrate God’s holiness. They demonstrate God’s love for goodness, transparency, humility, and righteousness. Oracles call us to right living, to hearts in sync with God’s call to us who believe. And oracles remind us of the resulting weals and woes–of the goodness of God.