There seems to be a big gap about what the traditional Jewish thinking of what prophecy is verses the chrisitian view of prophecy. The traditional view of Judaism is that a prophet was 'called by god' to lead the nation of Israel back to the path of God when they strayed. It does not involved foretelling, but rather pointing out what the consequences would be if they did not go back to god. This was a "conditional" foretelling, much along the lines of your mother telling you that you will get burnt if you touch the stove.
It seems to me the concept of 'predictions of the future' came about when the expected return within their lifetimes of Jesus did not occur. They had to explain that lack somehow, and came up with the concept of things happening at the end of time,and a day for god is 1000 years. It was an excuse for saying why their original expectations were not met.