The Hebrew Prophets
The Hebrew Prophets figure in a major way in the Bible and in Christian tradtion. They represent the tradition of ethical reflection and moral striving apparent in the Old Testament. Oertel was aware of their importance and painted several prophets, both known and unidentified, that are on display at St. James Episcopal Church.
The largest of these paintings is The Prophet Jeremiah, from 1893. This prophet is depicted in the act of preaching, apparently from a scroll in his left hand.
Several smaller paintings line the walls of the St. James sanctuary. For example, the prophet Joel is depicted as a grizzle-haired older prophet. He is tearing his shirt apart with both hands. Joel 2:12-13 states, "Yet even now, says the Lord, return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; rend your hearts and not your clothing" (NRSV).
Finally there are two unidentified prophets. One clutches a scroll in his left hand and raises his right hand as if he is preaching. Another is a painting of a feminine-looking prophet, who also appears to be preaching. He clutches a partially unfurled scroll in his left hand and raises his right hand.