THE BIBLE IN A DAY

SESSION 4: Prophecy

#5 - PROPHETIC LITERATURE

Amos 3:8 The lion has roared—so who isn’t frightened? The Sovereign Lord has spoken—so who can refuse to proclaim his message?

Jeremiah 20:9 But if I say I’ll never mention the Lord or speak in his name, his word burns in my heart like a fire. It’s like a fire in my bones! I am worn out trying to hold it in! I can’t do it!

God gives the Law and he ______it.

UNDERSTANDING THE PROPHETS

A common problem we have in understanding the prophetic literature is that we focus on too narrow of a definition of the word “prophecy.”

Less than 2% of OT prophecy is Messianic Less than 5% specifically describes the new-covenant age Less than 1% specifically concerns events yet to come in our time

“Generally in the narrative books of the OT we hear about prophets and very little from prophets. In the Prophetic Books, however, we hear from God via the prophets and very little about the prophets themselves. This single difference accounts for most of the problems people have in making sense of the Prophetic Books in the OT.” -Gordon Fee

Historical context is key:

“God spoke in history and about history. To understand God’s Word we must know something of that history.” -Gordon Fee

THREE GROUPS OF PROPHETS

In this study, we’re going to look at the prophets in chronological order, because a familiarity with their historical backdrop will aid in understanding message. The prophets can be grouped easily according to three major time periods.

The Assyrian Prophets (during the divided kingdom before the fall of Israel) Jonah, Amos, Hosea, Micah, Isaiah

The Babylonian Prophets (between the fall of Israel and Judah) Zephaniah, Habakkuk, Jeremiah, Nahum, Ezekiel, Obadiah, Lamentations

The Persian Prophets (during the exile) Daniel, Haggai, Zechariah, Joel (?), Malachi

FORMS OF PROPHETIC UTTERANCE

 The Lawsuit In this type of oracle, the prophet describes a courtroom scene where a nation is on trial and God is the persecuting attorney and judge. These texts make a case against Israel, convicting the people for not following the covenant previously accepted.

 The Woe In this type of oracle, the prophet announces destruction and doom that is coming upon a nation for (usually) a specific reason.

 The Promise (or Salvation Oracle) In this type of oracle, the prophet holds out the hope that deliverance will come, and that the Lord has not totally forgotten his people.

PROPHECY GROUP EXERCISE #1 (PT. 1) Take the next few minutes to read the following passages and answer the questions.

Habakkuk 2:6-8 “But soon their captives will taunt them. They will mock them, saying, ‘What sorrow awaits you thieves! Now you will get what you deserve! You’ve become rich by extortion, but how much longer can this go on?’ Suddenly, your debtors will take action. They will turn on you and take all you have, while you stand trembling and helpless. Because you have plundered many nations; now all the survivors will plunder you. You committed murder throughout the countryside and filled the towns with violence.”

What type of oracle is this? Circle your answer: lawsuit woe promise

Underline the words and phrases that support your choice.

Make a list of all the things the prophet says the people have done wrong.

PROPHECY GROUP EXERCISE #1 (PT. 2)

Amos 9:11-15 “In that day I will restore the fallen house of David. I will repair its damaged walls. From the ruins I will rebuild it and restore its former glory. And Israel will possess what is left of Edom and all the nations I have called to be mine.” The Lord has spoken, and he will do these things. “The time will come,” says the Lord, “when the grain and grapes will grow faster than they can be harvested. Then the terraced vineyards on the hills of Israel will drip with sweet wine! I will bring my exiled people of Israel back from distant lands, and they will rebuild their ruined cities and live in them again. They will plant vineyards and gardens; they will eat their crops and drink their wine. I will firmly plant them there in their own land. They will never again be uprooted from the land I have given them,” says the Lord your God.

What type of oracle is this? Circle your answer: lawsuit woe promise

Underline the words and phrases that support your choice.

Make a list of all the things the prophet says the people have done wrong.

PROPHECY GROUP EXERCISE #1 (PT. 3)

Isaiah 3:13-26 The Lord takes his place in court and presents his case against his people! The Lord comes forward to pronounce judgment on the elders and rulers of his people: “You have ruined Israel, my vineyard. Your houses are filled with things stolen from the poor. How dare you crush my people, grinding the faces of the poor into the dust?” demands the Lord, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.

The Lord says, “Beautiful Zion is haughty: craning her elegant neck, flirting with her eyes, walking with dainty steps, tinkling her ankle bracelets. So the Lord will send scabs on her head; the Lord will make beautiful Zion bald.”

On that day of judgment the Lord will strip away everything that makes her beautiful: ornaments, headbands, crescent necklaces, earrings, bracelets, and veils; scarves, ankle bracelets, sashes, perfumes, and charms; rings, jewels, party clothes, gowns, capes, and purses; mirrors, fine linen garments, head ornaments, and shawls.

Instead of smelling of sweet perfume, she will stink. She will wear a rope for a sash, and her elegant hair will fall out. She will wear rough burlap instead of rich robes. Shame will replace her beauty. The men of the city will be killed with the sword, and her warriors will die in battle. The gates of Zion will weep and mourn. The city will be like a ravaged woman, huddled on the ground.

What type of oracle is this? Circle your answer: lawsuit woe promise

Underline the words and phrases that support your choice.

Make a list of all the things the prophet says the people have done wrong.

Make a list of all the things the prophet says will happen as a result of the people’s actions.

PERSONAL REFLECTION FROM THE PROPHETS

JONAH

Jonah’s message of destruction was given to the “great city” of Nineveh, the capital of the Assyrian Empire. The Assyrians were brutal conquerors, which is probably why Jonah ran in the opposite direction; he wanted them to be destroyed.

Do you ever find yourself becoming selfish with God’s love, not wanting people you don’t like to experience God? Do you ever let your personal feelings get in the way of serving others?

AMOS

Amos was a shepherd and fig tree farmer from a town called Tekoa, located near Jerusalem. Amos wasn’t educated or trained to be a priest; he was a blue-collar guy whom God used to change a nation.

During the time of Amos, Israel was all talk but no action. Does your life ever fall into this trap? It’s easy to tell others that we believe in Jesus; it’s difficult to live it in our everyday lives.

HOSEA

Like many of the prophets, Hosea had a tough call to fulfill. In the midst of a period of Israel’s prosperity, he delivered God’s message of anger with Israel’s unfaithfulness—a message the Northern Kingdom wasn’t willing to accept.

Hosea’s life also communicated his message of his words: God commanded Hosea to marry a prostitute, Gomer, and to remain faithful to her despite her unfaithfulness.

Why do you think God demands to be the first priority in our lives? What are the results when a person has divided loyalties? In your own life, do you have people, priorities, or possessions that hinder your pure worship of God?

MICAH

God is both merciful and righteous. God continually offered his forgiveness, and it was God’s desire to accept back his disobedient people. However, Israel and Judah would have nothing to do with God, and Micah told them of the coming destruction.

In light of the definition of justice given above, what do think would be “just” in your life? How does the reality of Jesus affect justice?

ZEPHANIAH

The fall of Samaria should have been a constant reminder of God’s power, but an evil king (Manasseh) ruled in Jerusalem after Hezekiah (the godly king who saved Jerusalem from the Assyrians).

Josiah followed Manasseh and began a widespread series of religious and social reforms. Zephaniah began his ministry before Josiah reformed the kingdom. His message focused primarily on Judah but also included words against some surrounding nations.

A major cause of judgment for Judah was that the people had chosen to “sit complacent in their sins” (1:12), yet God made a promise: “With his love, he will calm all your fears” (3:17). In your life, what makes the difference between being complacent and being calm? How do God’s promises in Zephaniah calm your heart?

HABAKKUK

Habakkuk’s prophecy was delivered during the decline of Judah, before the destruction of Jerusalem in 586 B.C. Conditions during the life of the prophet would have progressed from excellent—with considerable material prosperity and even the promise of spiritual revival—to the height of desperation as the net was drawn around the hapless capital [Jerusalem].

God didn’t strike Habakkuk down for his questions; instead, God answered them. How does this give you confidence in your prayers? What will you ask God during your next time of prayer and quiet reflection?

JEREMIAH

God called Jeremiah to go and speak to the leaders of Judah and Babylon when he was still very young (1:6). Jeremiah struggled inwardly with his call to prophetic ministry, and often found the job to be overwhelming:

My heart, my heart—I writhe in pain! My heart pounds within me! I cannot be still. For I have heard the blast of enemy trumpets and the roar of their battle cries (Jeremiah 4:19).

Despite much hardship and abuse by those he ministered to, Jeremiah remained faithful to God’s calling. Because of this, we think of him as a model of perseverance and devotion.

Jeremiah was the son of a priest and was a contemporary of Zephaniah, Ezekiel, and Habakkuk.

Nobody really listened to Jeremiah, and he was often plunged into situations that he didn’t choose for himself: accused of being a traitor, his intentions misunderstood, thrown into jail, kidnapped to Egypt, and more. Life frequently brings us situations we don’t choose for ourselves. Considering Jeremiah’s life, how can you be encouraged as you plod through these seasons? What sort of strength does knowing the Word of God give to you?

NAHUM

Nahum is virtually unknown as a prophet. Even the location of his birthplace, Elkosh (1:1), is in doubt. It’s thought that he wrote the book under the reform of King Josiah in 622 B.C.

This is the second book of the Bible centered on Nineveh, the capital of Assyria. In the book of Jonah, the people repented when they were warned of God’s judgment, and God demonstrated compassion by not destroying the city. However, their repentance was short-lived, and within the century, evil once again reigned in the city. This time, the people ignored God’s prophet Nahum when he came to warn them.

Consider how the book of Nahum stands alongside Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5–7). Although Jesus spoke of loving our enemies, he also warned of coming judgment. How does this motivate you to develop and display compassion toward people you know who are without God?

EZEKIEL

Ezekiel, the son of a priest, was taken captive to Babylon along with thousands of his countrymen in 597 B.C. He enjoyed a lot of freedom even while in captivity, and we know that he was married and owned a house. Ezekiel spoke in visions, a literary type that was common in Babylon and was familiar to his hearers. He also performed 10 peculiar object lessons in order to get the attention of his hearers, including shaving and burning his hair in thirds, and lying on his side for a total of 430 days while playing with a model city and miniature armies.

It’s easy to blame our leaders for the sins we get involved with, especially when they legitimately are at fault. How can you avoid being led into sin by others?

OBADIAH

The book of Obadiah is addressed entirely to the nation of Edom, the descendants of Esau, who had been feuding since ancient times with Israel, the nation descended from Esau’s twin brother, Jacob. Instead of helping the people of Israel and Judah during their times of distress when Babylon attacked, the people of Edom gloated and raided their homes. Some Edomites even murdered Jewish refugees—their own distant relatives!

The defining characteristic of the nation of Edom was pride. Have you ever hurt somebody by allowing your pride to get the best of you? With God’s help, what steps can you take to make it up to that person?

LAMENTATIONS

Although no author is named for Lamentations, the prophet Jeremiah is traditionally considered to have written the book; he was known as a composer of laments (2 Chronicles 35:25). Jeremiah witnessed the destruction of Jerusalem firsthand and knew the pain of rejection by the people he’d tried to warn.

Because God is faithful, there is always a light at the end of the tunnel of our sorrow. Think about the times that you have come through pain and have been restored.

DANIEL

Daniel was just a young man during the Babylonian invasion of Judah and Jerusalem. He was taken captive along with other Jewish teenagers who were chosen for their nobility, appearance, intelligence, and potential to lead. Upon arrival at their new home in Babylon, these youngsters were enrolled in special training to prepare them for future roles as diplomats and leaders. Daniel and his small group of friends worked diligently and eventually became governors under King Nebuchadnezzar.

Daniel became a close confidant of the king. Later, he gave advice to King Belshazzar. And when the Persians captured Babylon, Daniel served King Darius and King Cyrus closely in official capacities.

Daniel had a huge impact on the spiritual and political direction of the Babylonian government, and he may have been responsible for orchestrating the return of the Jews to their homeland under the rule of Cyrus (see Ezra 1:1-4). God gave Daniel the ability to interpret dreams, boldness to gently confront kings about their pride, and courage to live righteously even when faced with death by lions.

Daniel was not called to a special “ministry;” God simply expected him to be faithful and truthful in the situations that life brought him. Because of Daniel’s obedience, powerful kings came to know God. What are simple ways that you can live faithfully and honestly at school, among your social groups, and in your other daily interactions? How does prayer play a part in your witness?

HAGGAI

All of Haggai’s messages were given in the short span of just four months. Haggai is mentioned briefly in the book of Ezra as an associate of the prophet Zechariah (see Ezra 5:1; 6:14). Both men served the Jews who had returned to Jerusalem after the captivity. The name Haggai means “festival,” which is an appropriate meaning considering his primary work of restoring temple worship.

God brought many blessings to the returned Jews after they got their priorities straight and finally began work on the temple. In what ways might you need to reorder your priorities in order to receive God’s blessings?

ZECHARIAH

Zechariah was one of three prophets, along with Haggai and Malachi, who ministered to Jewish exiles returning to Jerusalem. His name means “YHWH remembers,” a powerful phrase filled with hope.

The book of Revelation is full of references to Zechariah’s messages, where he is the second-most quoted prophet, after Ezekiel. His predictions of Christ’s crucifixion are also quoted extensively throughout the four Gospels.

Zechariah encouraged the people to complete the job that God had entrusted to them. In their case, repentance was necessary for their previous negligence. During your next time of prayer or quiet reflection, ask God what job he has for you that you might have missed—and ask for God’s strength to accomplish it.

JOEL

The Day of the Lord is a major topic in Old Testament prophetic literature; 13 of the 16 prophets speak about it, and it is a big focus of Joel’s message. Rather than being a single day or isolated event in history, the Day of the Lord has referred to periods in Israel’s early history, Judah’s invasion by Babylon, the first coming of Jesus, and Jesus’ future Second Coming. Although prophecy about the Day of the Lord typically includes judgment, it also includes promises of deliverance and restoration.

Joel 2 begins with these words: “Sound the alarm in Jerusalem! Raise the battle cry on my holy mountain! Let everyone tremble in fear because the day of the Lord is upon us.” Although there will be judgment and destruction on this day, there will also be blessing and hope for those who love God. How can you be ready for his coming?

MALACHI

By the time of this book, the Jewish people had returned to their homeland and were trying to rebuild their lives. They paid regular taxes to the Persians but were otherwise left alone.

Malachi addresses many of the same issues that were concerns to Nehemiah, who had governed the land about 30 years previously: marriages to foreign women, not paying tithes, neglecting to keep the Sabbath, injustice, and a corrupt priesthood. Once again, the people were spiritually apathetic, and God sent Malachi to rouse them back to true worship.

The only place where God explicitly tells us to test him is in Malachi 3:10. God promises to pour out lavish blessings if we are faithful to give him our best. Do you need to change your habits in order to give God your best?

PROPHECY GROUP EXERCISE #2

Break into four groups. Each group will be assigned one passage. As a group, discuss and create a list that describes the Suffering Servant based on your passage.

Group 1: Isaiah 42:1-7

“Look at my servant, whom I strengthen. He is my chosen one, who pleases me. I have put my Spirit upon him. He will bring justice to the nations. He will not shout or raise his voice in public. He will not crush the weakest reed or put out a flickering candle. He will bring justice to all who have been wronged. He will not falter or lose heart until justice prevails throughout the earth. Even distant lands beyond the sea will wait for his instruction.”

God, the Lord, created the heavens and stretched them out. He created the earth and everything in it. He gives breath to everyone, life to everyone who walks the earth. And it is he who says, “I, the Lord, have called you to demonstrate my righteousness. I will take you by the hand and guard you, and I will give you to my people, Israel, as a symbol of my covenant with them. And you will be a light to guide the nations. You will open the eyes of the blind. You will free the captives from prison, releasing those who sit in dark dungeons.”

Group 2: Isaiah 49:1-9

Listen to me, all you in distant lands! Pay attention, you who are far away! The Lord called me before my birth; from within the womb he called me by name. He made my words of judgment as sharp as a sword. He has hidden me in the shadow of his hand. I am like a sharp arrow in his quiver. He said to me, “You are my servant, Israel, and you will bring me glory.” I replied, “But my work seems so useless! I have spent my strength for nothing and to no purpose. Yet I leave it all in the Lord’s hand; I will trust God for my reward.”

And now the Lord speaks—the one who formed me in my mother’s womb to be his servant, who commissioned me to bring Israel back to him. The Lord has honored me, and my God has given me strength. He says, “You will do more than restore the people of Israel to me. I will make you a light to the Gentiles, and you will bring my salvation to the ends of the earth.” The Lord, the Redeemer and Holy One of Israel, says to the one who is despised and rejected by the nations, to the one who is the servant of rulers: “Kings will stand at attention when you pass by. Princes will also bow low because of the Lord, the faithful one, the Holy One of Israel, who has chosen you.”

This is what the Lord says: “At just the right time, I will respond to you. On the day of salvation I will help you. I will protect you and give you to the people as my covenant with them. Through you I will reestablish the land of Israel and assign it to its own people again. I will say to the prisoners, ‘Come out in freedom,’ and to those in darkness, ‘Come into the light.’ They will be my sheep, grazing in green pastures and on hills that were previously bare.”

Group 3: Isaiah 50:4-11

The Sovereign Lord has given me his words of wisdom, so that I know how to comfort the weary. Morning by morning he wakens me and opens my understanding to his will. The Sovereign Lord has spoken to me, and I have listened. I have not rebelled or turned away. I offered my back to those who beat me and my cheeks to those who pulled out my beard. I did not hide my face from mockery and spitting.

Because the Sovereign Lord helps me, I will not be disgraced. Therefore, I have set my face like a stone, determined to do his will. And I know that I will not be put to shame. He who gives me justice is near. Who will dare to bring charges against me now? Where are my accusers? Let them appear! See, the Sovereign Lord is on my side! Who will declare me guilty? All my enemies will be destroyed like old clothes that have been eaten by moths!

Who among you fears the Lord and obeys his servant? If you are walking in darkness, without a ray of light, trust in the Lord and rely on your God. But watch out, you who live in your own light and warm yourselves by your own fires. This is the reward you will receive from me: You will soon fall down in great torment.

Group 4: Isaiah 52:13–53:12

See, my servant will prosper; he will be highly exalted. But many were amazed when they saw him. His face was so disfigured he seemed hardly human, and from his appearance, one would scarcely know he was a man. And he will startle many nations. Kings will stand speechless in his presence. For they will see what they had not been told; they will understand what they had not heard about.

Who has believed our message? To whom has the Lord revealed his powerful arm? My servant grew up in the Lord’s presence like a tender green shoot, like a root in dry ground. There was nothing beautiful or majestic about his appearance, nothing to attract us to him. He was despised and rejected—a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief. We turned our backs on him and looked the other way. He was despised, and we did not care.

Yet it was our weaknesses he carried; it was our sorrows that weighed him down. And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God, a punishment for his own sins! But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed. All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God’s paths to follow our own. Yet the Lord laid on him the sins of us all.

He was oppressed and treated harshly, yet he never said a word. He was led like a lamb to the slaughter. And as a sheep is silent before the shearers, he did not open his mouth. Unjustly condemned, he was led away. No one cared that he died without descendants, that his life was cut short in midstream. But he was struck down for the rebellion of my people. He had done no wrong and had never deceived anyone. But he was buried like a criminal; he was put in a rich man’s grave.

But it was the Lord’s good plan to crush him and cause him grief. Yet when his life is made an offering for sin, he will have many descendants. He will enjoy a long life, and the Lord’s good plan will prosper in his hands. When he sees all that is accomplished by his anguish, he will be satisfied. And because of his experience, my righteous servant will make it possible for many to be counted righteous, for he will bear all their sins. I will give him the honors of a victorious soldier, because he exposed himself to death. He was counted among the rebels. He bore the sins of many and interceded for rebels.

FILL IN ANSWERS enforces