The Minor Prophets
I. Prophet The prophet is a speaker of or for God. His words are not the production of his own spirit, but come from a higher source. In both the Old and the New Testaments, a prophet is one who, under the influence of the Holy Spirit speaks the words and the thoughts of God, whether they relate to the past, to the present, or to the future. (Hailey)
The Pre-Literary (Oral) Prophets (Hailey) 1. Period of Patriarchs: Founders of the Hebrew Nation A. Abraham, Isaac, Jacob (Genesis 20:7, 17; Psalm 105:15) B. Moses, Lawgiver (Deuteronomy 18:15-18; 34:10) C. Miriam, a prophetess (Exodus 15:20) 2. Period of the Judges A. Deborah, a judge as well as a prophetess (Judges 4:4) B. “Sons of the prophets” (1 Samuel 10:5-13; 18:13; 22:6) C. Samuel (1 Samuel 1:1-25:1) 3. Period of the Kings A. Nathan, Gad, Ahijah, Shemaiah B. Jehu, Eliezer, Micaiah, Jonah, Elijah and Elisha
The Literary Prophets in Chronological Order Northern Kingdom Southern Kingdom Obadiah—845 B.C. Joel—830 B.C. Jonah—790–750 B.C. Amos—755 B.C. Isaiah—740–700 B.C. Hosea—750–725 B.C. Micah—735–700 B.C. Taken by Assyria—721 Jeremiah—626–586 B.C. Zephaniah—630–625 B.C. Nahum—625–612 B.C. Habakkuk—625–605 B.C.
Taken by Babylon—586 Ezekiel—593–570 B.C. Daniel—605–536 B.C.
Return from Exile—536 Haggai—520 B.C. Zechariah—520–518 B.C. Malachi—440 B.C. (Note: Historians do not always agree on exact dates. Particularly, Obadiah and Joel are the most debatable.)
II. The Minor Prophets If a prophet is one who received direct revelation from the Lord, then all the writings of the Old Testament were composed by prophets. Yet within the sacred canon are two sections of seventeen books which are designated “prophets” by modern students. The first five are designated Major Prophets because of their size. The twelve smaller books are called Minor Prophets. The “minor prophets” are not minor in the sense of being less important than Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, or Daniel. Their messages are very important in God’s program of prophecy. (Smith)
THE GIST OF THE MINOR PROPHETS (Smith and Wiersbe) Book Name Theme Key Key Messianic Verse Thought Portrait Hosea “Salvation” or God’s love for 14:9 Return Second Moses, “Deliverance” backsliders. David, Israel Joel “Jehovah is God” The day of Yahweh is 2:13 Repentance Teacher for coming. Righteousness Amos “Burden-bearer” or Prepare to meet your 5:24 Justice Occupant of the “Burdened” God! Tent of David Obadiah “Servant of The kingdom shall be v. 21 Pride Savior & Judge Jehovah” Yahweh’s. Humbled par excellence Jonah “Dove” Prejudice conquered. 4:11 Judgment Resurrected Postponed Prophet Micah “Who is like The triumph of hope. 6:8 Divine Ruler from Jehovah” Expectation Bethlehem Nahum “Consolation” or The overthrow of 1:15 Nineveh Bringer of Good “Consoler” oppressors. Doomed Tidings Habakkuk “Embrace” or Walking by faith. 2:4b Faith Conqueror of “Ardent embrace” Satan Zephaniah “Jehovah Hides” The day of Yahweh’s 1:4 Remnant Witness against Wrath. the Nations Haggai “Festival” Courageous strength 1:8 Build! Desire of all in discouraging Nations times. Zechariah “Whom Jehovah Present distress and 4:6b Visions Enthroned Priest- remembers” future glory. King Malachi “My messenger” Divine love offended. 3:8 Robbery Sun of Righteousness
BIBLIOGRAPHY 1. Wiersbe, W. W. (1993). Wiersbe’s Expository Outlines on the Old Testament. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books. 2. Hailey, H. (1972). A Commentary on the Minor Prophets. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House. 3. Smith, J. E. (1994). The Minor Prophets. Joplin, MO: College Press. 4. Languages: Hebrews: Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia (1996)