Prophets overview

Amos the Fiery preacher

Amos preached in the 760’s

He was from the Tekoa in Judean wilderness

He was knowledgeable about history and current events Chap. 1 and 2 reveal this

Amos attacked social sins of oppressive people Amos 6.4-7

The Lord made him testify judgement against the house of Isreal. Amos 3.11-15

Hosea the “death-bed prophet of Isreal”

740-720 he delivered his message to Isreal

He had a tragic marriage which displayed the depths of God’s love for his people and the unfaithfulness of his people

He warned against trying to avoid God’s punishment by making alliances. Hosea 8.7

Joel The Bug Man

facts from Joel

835 B.C.is most likely but there is some thought that it could be after 722 B.C.

Political situation of northern and southern kingdom

NO mention of Persia

Amos from the 8th century borrowed from Joel Joel 3.16, Amos 1.2

Joel means Yahweh is God

Joel probably lived nearJerusalem Joel 1.9,13-14; 2.15-17, 23, 32; 3.1, 5-6, 16-17, 20-21

Some think Joel was a priest Joel 1.13-14; 2.17

Theme of Book: Day of the Lord

Key verse: Joel 2.11

Joel 2:11 ESV

The Lord utters his voice before his army, for his camp is exceedingly great; he who executes his word is powerful. For the day of the Lord is great and very awesome; who can endure it?

Key Chapter: Joel 2.13-14

Joel 2:13–14 ESV

and rend your hearts and not your garments.” Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and he relents over disaster. Who knows whether he will not turn and relent, and leave a blessing behind him, a grain offering and a drink offering for the Lord your God?

Focus of the boook

Day of the Lord is real and we can see God’s power through illustrations

The locust Joel.1.1-2

The Drought Joel 1.13-20

Day of the Lord is coming are you ready

It was imminent Joel 2.1-27

It is ultimate Joel 2.29-3.21

Obadiah the blunt and brutal

Obadiah was written in 848-841 BC the first prophet to write he was a contemporary of Elisha

The Philistines had come and invaded Jerusalem and the Edomites did not help their brothers

Theme: Judgement of Edom

Key verse Obadiah. 1.10,21

contents

Prediction of Judgement

Reasons for Judgement

Results of Judgement

The Posession of Edom by Isreal

Jonah a different bird with 2 chances

Lived in 793-753 BC during the time of Jeroboam

John 7.52 Jonah was from lower Galilee

Key verse Jonah 2.8-9; 4.2

Key word Revival in-spite of messenger

Jonah only prophet whom Jesus compared to himself.

THeme:

Power of God 1-2

Mercy of God 3-4

Salvation of God 2.9

Micah and the Justice League

Micah prophesied from 739-686 to mainly Judah but in 1.6 he predicts the fall of Samaria the northern kingdom

Key Verse Micah 6.8; 7.18

Key words Judgement and Restoration

Theme

Indictment of Israel and Judah for sins of oppression, bribery of leaders, exploitation of the powerless, covetousness, cheating violence and pride

The coming unavoidable judgement

The coming hope and consolation of God’s justice and deliverance

Nahum the great comfort

Nahum prophesied after 664 and before 612

Key verse: Nahum 1.7-8; 3.5-7

Key words: Judgement on Nineveh

Theme:

Retribution of God against the wickedness of Nineveh.

Comfort to the remaining nation of Isreal

Habakkuk and his problems

Habakkuk wrote during the rise of the Babylonians 607 BC

Key verse Hab. 2.4; 3:17-19

Key word: Faith

Theme

God allowing sin was a problem in Habakkuk eye

God responded and corrected his perspective Hab. 2.1-20

Zephaniah does not want you to miss the big day

Zephaniah prophesied from 630-625 as a cousin to King Josiah

Key verse Zeph 1.14-15; 2.3

Key word Judgement and Restoration in the day of the Lord

Theme:

The Sovereign God will Judge Isreal

The Sovereign God will Judge all nations

Zephaniah is the first book in the trilogy of the fall of Jerusalem

Zephaniah 630 BC

Habakkuk 607 BC

Lamentations 586 BC

Haggai gives the healthy portion of “get it done”

Haggai prophesied in the fall of 520 BC September- December

Key verse: Hag 1.7-8; 2.8-9

Key words Reconstruction of the temple

Theme: The remnant of Jews that have returned to Jerusalem from exile needed to put their priorities in order. When they did God Blessed.

Zechariah the major in the minors

The first 8 chapters were written 520-528 BC. Chapters 9-14 were written between 480-470 BC. (The latter part was written during the time of Esther)

Key verse Zech. 8.3; 9.9

Key Words: Preparation for the messiah

Key Theme:

Zechariah encourage Israel to complete the work on the temple and right their priorities

Zechariah tells the people the hope that the coming messiah will bring presently and permanently

Malachi down but not out

Malachi Prophesied between the visits of Nehemiah 432 and 425 BC.

Key Verse: Mal. 2:17-3:1; 4:5-6

Key words: Appeal to Backslider

Key Theme: God revealed His continuing love in spite of Israel’s lethargy