Exploring the Prophets (25 Day Schedule)

Day 1: Isaiah 1 thru 10

Isa 1 Isaiah cries out against the sorry condition of Israel and their appalling wickedness Isa 2 Vision of the dawn of the age to come; Zion to be the center of world civilization Isa 3 Judgment proclaimed against Judah and Jerusalem Isa 4 Foretelling of the coming of “the branch” (Jesse’s shoot; i.e. the Messiah) Isa 5 Judgment of the vineyard (prophetic symbol of Israel) for its fruitlessness Isa 6 Vision of the Lord enthroned; Isaiah’s calling to the prophetic ministry Isa 7-8 Ahaz assured of safety from Syria & Israel and of the eventual fall of Israel Isa 9 Foretelling of the coming Messiah and his reign; the Fall of Naphtali & Zebulun Isa 10 Future punishment promised to Assyria; remnant of Israel will return to the Land

Day 2: Isaiah 11 thru 20

Isa 11-12 The nation of Israel will reform under the Messiah at the end of the age Isa 13-14 Judgment will also fall on Babylon, Assyria and Philistia at the Day of the Lord Isa 15-16 Isaiah decrees judgment against Moab (children of Lot; enemies of Israel) Isa 17 Isaiah decrees judgment against Damascus (capital of enemy Syria) Isa 18 Isaiah decrees judgment against Ethiopia (called Cush) Isa 19 Isaiah decrees judgment against Egypt Isa 20 Isaiah walks naked as a sign of the stripping of Egypt when they are judged

Day 3: Isaiah 21 thru 30

Isa 21 The Fall of Babylon, prophesied again, though differently then the first (see Isa 13) Isa 22 Assault on Jerusalem; its inhabitants get drunk as Assyria surrounds them to fight Isa 23 City of Tyre to be struck by Assyria, then taken by Babylon but restored in 70 yrs. Isa 24 Judgment on the whole earth; having to do with the end of the age Isa 25 The consummation; marriage supper of the Lamb; death swallowed, no more tears Isa 26 A song of triumph in God; prophecy of resurrection of all God’s people Isa 27 Satan (Leviathan) is destroyed; revival of God’s vineyard (Israel, see Isa 5) Isa 28 Samaria (capital of northern kingdom) is destroyed; Judah mocks Isaiah Isa 29 Jerusalem is rebellious; the city is under siege, but Assyria will be stopped Isa 30 Judah seeks Egypt for help against Assyria despite Isaiah’s warnings not to

pg. 1 Day 4: Isaiah 31 thru 40

Isa 31 Isaiah prophecies Judah’s triumph in the midst of the Assyrian crisis Isa 32 Messiah’s reign foretold after Jerusalem is rescued Isa 33 Though Assyria seems terrifying, Isaiah promises that Judah will be protected Isa 34 Edom becomes a picture of God’s wrath against the nations (end time theme) Isa 35 The day of the Church triumphant; captive people of God journey home to Zion Isa 36-37 Assyria routed at the walls of Jerusalem by the Angel of the Lord Isa 38-39 Hezekiah’s Sickness and Recovery; Babylon hears of Hezekiah’s recovery Isa 40 Voices of comfort to Zion in her rescue from Assyria

Day 5: Isaiah 41 thru 50

Isa 41 God promises protection for Israel from the “god’s” of other nations Isa 42 Israel would have to be chastised over and over again for their wrongdoing Isa 43 Though Israel had been disobedient, God promises his good care for them Isa 44-45 Isaiah predicts both Babylonian captivity and King Cyrus’s deliverance of Israel Isa 46-48 Fall of Babylon against Assyria; future fall of Babylon against Persia Isa 49-50 Messiah will one day bring all nations to God

Day 6: Isaiah 51 thru 60

Isa 51-52 Promise of God’s intent to redeem his people from suffering and restore them Isa 53 Isaiah foretells the suffering of Jesus on the cross as also part of God’s plan Isa 54 Through suffering, Jesus will restore and expand Zion’s glory Isa 55 Call to return to the Lord Isa 56 Isaiah denounces Israel for profaning the Sabbath Isa 57 Isaiah denounces Israel’s idolatry Isa 58 Isaiah denounces Israel’s fasting as empty religion Isa 59 Isaiah denounces Israel’s flagrant injustice and oppression of her people Isa 60 Isaiah foretells the coming of Zion’s redeemer

Day 7: Isaiah 61 thru Jeremiah 4

Isa 61 Messiah is pictured as the anointed one who will rebuild the earth after the End Isa 62 For the sake of the beatification of Zion, Isaiah sees watchmen who cry out to God Isa 63-64 Prophecy of Jesus warring activities when he returns to kill his enemies Isa 65-66 Foretelling of the New Heaven’s and the New Earth Jer 1 Jeremiah called to prophecy Jer 2 Jeremiah rebukes Judah for her shameless idolatry Jer 3 Judah rebuked for not being warned of Israel’s destruction for their idolatry pg. 2 Jer 4 Jeremiah foretells the devastation of Jerusalem at the hand of Babylon

Day 8: Jeremiah 5 thru 14

Jer 5 Jeremiah cries out against the total, universal depravity of Judah Jer 6 Jeremiah warns that Babylon will destroy Jerusalem coming from the north Jer 7 Judah, now practicing idol worship in the Temple is denounced Jer 8 Jeremiah denounces false prophets and foretells of future desolation Jer 9 Jeremiah now becomes a weak, broken hearted prophet (weeping prophet) Jer 10 Babylon invasion seen; Judah manufactures more idols to save the city Jer 11 Judah break covenant after Josiah had called the nation to reform its ways Jer 12 God teaches Jeremiah that Judah is as useless as a marred girdle Jer 13 Jeremiah complains to God because of his hardship Jer 14 Jeremiah intercedes for his people

Day 9: Jeremiah 15 thru 24

Jer 15 God promises judgment; Jeremiah complains to God because of his hardship Jer 16 Jeremiah is forbidden to marry because of the impending doom of Judah Jer 17 Judah will fall, but if they would only repent, God would save them Jer 18 House of Israel compared to clay in a potter’s hand Jer 19 Jeremiah breaks expensive bottle to demonstrate the doom of Judah Jer 20 Jeremiah imprisoned and put in stocks because of his harsh predictions Jer 21 Last days of Jeremiah’s life; Jerusalem is now under siege Jer 22 King Jehoiakim of Judah warned of his future captivity; later died miserably Jer 23 False prophets call Jeremiah’s message a lie. Jeremiah contends Jer 24 Judah deported to Babylon in 2 phases; here likened to 2 baskets of figs

Day 10: Jeremiah 25 thru 34

Jer 25 Jeremiah foretells that Judah would be in captivity to Babylon for 70 years Jer 26 Jeremiah tried before Judah by priests and false prophets Jer 27-28 Jeremiah puts on a yoke symbolizing Judah’s future bondage to Babylon Jer 29 After Judah’s first deportation to Babylon, Jeremiah writes letter to captives Jer 30-31 Promise of restoration, a new convenant, and future messianic hope Jer 32 Jeremiahs buys a field to symbolize that land will be bought in Judah again Jer 33 The Messiah is called “the Branch” (i.e. Jessie’s shoot); fulfilling God’s word Jer 34 Zedekiah (last king of Judah) frees all slaves to curry God’s favor, but fails

pg. 3 Day 11: Jeremiah 35 thru 44

Jer 35 Jeremiah tells Judah to follow the faithful example of the Rechabites Jer 36 King Jehoiakim burns Jeremiah’s prophesies, flagrant disobedience to God Jer 37-38 Jeremiah accused of treason and imprisoned by King Zedekiah Jer 39 Jerusalem burned; Jeremiah praised by Babylon for speaking against Judah Jer 40-41 Gedaliah is appointed by Babylon over Judah; assassinated 3 months later Jer 42-43 Conspirators against Gedaliah flee from Babylon to Egypt taking Jeremiah along Jer 44 In Egypt, the remnant continued to worship idols, despite Jeremiah’s warning

Day 12: Jeremiah 45 thru Lamentations 2

Jer 45 Jeremiah exhorts his trusted scribe Baruch, not to seek after worldly honor Jer 46 Reminder of Egypt’s past defeat and prophecy that Babylon would destroy Egypt Jer 47 Prophecy against Philistia 20 years earlier fulfilled by Babylon who destroyed them Jer 48 Moab who had helped Babylon against Judah is now destroyed by Babylon Jer 49 Prediction that Babylon would conquer Ammon, Edom, Syria, Hazor and Elam Jer 50-51 Future fall and perpetual devastation of Babylon is predicted at the hands of Persia Jer 52 Fall of Jerusalem recounted, Temple burned and people exiled to Babylon Lam 1 Jeremiah mourns that Zion is Desolate and destroyed Lam 2 Jeremiah states that Jerusalem was destroyed because of God’s wrath for their sin

Day 13: Lamentations 2 thru Ezekiel 7

Lam 3 Jeremiah’s grief for the situation though realizing that Jerusalem deserved worse Lam 4-5 Jeremiah surrounded by unspeakable horrors; the sufferings of the siege Ezek 1 Ezekiel, exiled to Babyon (1st wave) sees visions of God’s throne while in captivity Ezek 2 -3 Ezekiel called to prophesy against the persistent idolatry of Judah Ezek 4 Ezekiel called to prophesy that a siege would come against Jerusalem Ezek 5 Ezekiel called to prophesy that Jerusalem would surely fall and be burned Ezek 6 Ezekiel called to speak judgment against the idolatry of Jerusalem Ezek 7 Ezekiel sings a funeral dirge for the falling of Jerusalem

Day 14: Ezekiel 8 thru 17

Ezek 8 Ezekiel’s visionary journey to Jerusalem to see their idolatry being practiced Ezek 9 Ezekiel permitted to see the destruction of Judah from God’s perspective Ezek 10 Re-appearance of the Cherubim (ch. 1) superintending the destruction of the City Ezek 11 Vision of the future restoration of the exiles, now cured of idolatry Ezek 12 Ezekiel’s symbolic act of King Zedekiah’s capture and transport to Babylon Ezek 13 Ezekiel complains of the false prophets in Jerusalem and in captivity with him pg. 4 Ezek 14 Ezekiel speaks against the hypocritical inquirers who seek his prophetic counsel Ezek 15 Jerusalem compared to a fruitless vine; good for nothing but to be burned Ezek 16 Judah is compared to an unfaithful wife and is now a prostitute Ezek 17 1st Eagle (Babylon) 2nd Eagle (Egypt); 1st twig (King Jehoiachin) 2nd twig (Jesus)

Day 15: Ezekiel 18 thru 27

Ezek 18 Ezekiel speaks against those who blame Jerusalem’s fall on their father’s sins Ezek 19 Funeral dirge over the fall of David’s house at the dethroning of Zedekiah Ezek 20 Rehearsal of Jerusalem’s idolatry and promise of its restoration Ezek 21 A sword is prophesied to be unsheathed against Jerusalem Ezek 22 Jerusalem full of idolatry, Sabbath breaking, robbery, and crooked leadership Ezek 23 Parable: Oholah (Samaria capital of Israel); Oholibah (Jerusalem capital of Judah) Ezek 24 Death of Ezekiel’s wife was to represent the fall of Jerusalem to the exiles Ezek 25 Ammon, Moab, Edom and Philistia rejoiced when Jerusalem fell, but will be judged Ezek 26 Prophecy that commercially prosperous Tyre, would be destroyed Ezek 27 Lament for the destruction of Tyre

Day 16: Ezekiel 28 thru 37

Ezek 28 Lament for the Tyre’s king and Sidon; Israel promised her future restoration Ezek 29 Ezekiel prophecies Egypt’s destruction (see Jeremiah also) Ezek 30 Ezekiel laments for Egypt Ezek 31-32 Pharaoh will be destroyed and Egypt reduced to obscurity, no longer a superpower Ezek 33 News of Jerusalem’s fall comes; Ezekiel’s first utterance since the death of his wife Ezek 34 Cause of Israel’s captivity - cruel shepherds; Ezekiel foretells a better shepherd Ezek 35 Edom wanted to take Judah’s empty land; Ezekiel predicts their future destruction Ezek 36 Ezekiel prophecies that one day, Israel will become like the Garden of Eden Ezek 37 Ezekiel prophecies national resurrection of scattered Israel (vision of dry bones)

Day 17: Ezekiel 38 thru Daniel 6

Ezek 38-39 Prophecy of great End Time battle with Gog, king of Magog against Israel Ezek 40-48 Future rebuilding of the New Temple Dan 1 Daniel, taken in the first wave of exiles to Babylon to work for the king Dan 2 Daniel explains king’s dream of Babylon, Persia, Greece, Rome, and Anti-Christ Dan 3 Famous story of Shadrach, Meschach and Abednego and the fiery furnace Dan 4 Pompous king of Babylon is driven insane by God for a time to be humbled Dan 5 Babylon’ second king seeks Daniel’s help to interpret the handwriting on the wall Dan 6 Babylon overthrown; Persia in power; famous story of Daniel and the Lions Den

pg. 5 Day 18: Daniel 6 thru Hosea 4

Dan 7 Daniel’s vision of 4 beats (4 kingdom’s) and future reign of the Messiah on earth Dan 8 Vision of the future history of Persia (Ram) and Greece (He-Goat) and anti-christ Dan 9 Daniel prays after Israel’s seventy years; Gabriel responds with end time prophecy Dan 10 Daniel permitted to see Angelic powers fighting against the return of Israel Dan 11 Continuation of prophecies about 4 kingdoms (Persia thru the End) in more detail Dan 12 Daniel told final word about the End Times but is told it is “sealed” until the end Hos 1 Hosea called to prophecy and to marry Gomar the Prostitute to have children Hos 2 Israel is an unfaithful wife to the Lord; she will be punished but forgiven Hos 3 Hosea redeems his wife and takes her back to his home Hos 4 God accuses Israel of the her idolatry

Day 19: Hosea 5 thru 14

Hos 5 God accuses the Priests, king, and people of revolting against him Hos 6 The Priests murder and commit lewdness but God promises restoration Hos 7 The Lord laments the adultery of the people Hos 8 Because of her many sins, Israel will reap a whirlwind of trouble Hos 9 Hosea prophecies of Israel’s return to bondage to sin (Egypt) for her abominations Hos 10 The glory of bethel (Jacob’s latter) is departed; the idols at Bethel will be broken Hos 11 The Lord promises to call Israel out of Egypt (bondage to sin); Jesus childhood… Hos 12 Israel makes agreement with Assyria and Egypt; Bethel the center of their idolatry Hos 13 Hosea cries out because Israel has yolked itself to Baal Hos 14 Hosea’s final prophecy that the Lord will restore Israel if they would only turn

Day 20: Joel 1 thru Amos 7

Joel 1-2 Terrible plague of locusts hits Judah (probably); end out pouring of Holy Spirit Joel 3 Vivid description of the Day of the Lord Amos 1-2 Amos prophecies the doom of 8 nations before turning to speak to Israel & Judah Amos 3 Samaria, capital city of Israel (Northern Kingdom) denounced for her wickedness Amos 4 Amos prophecies of Israel’s coming captivity to Assyria; lead away “with hooks” Amos 5 Amos laments over the coming fall of Jerusalem, but again speaks against Israel Amos 6 Samaria had been built on the back of the poor; Amos foretells suffering for Israel Amos 7 Amos sees three vision (locusts, fire and destruction) and intercedes

Day 21: Amos 8 thru Micah 3

Amos 8 God tells Amos that Samaria is ripe for ruin (summer fruit) for their sin pg. 6 Amos 9 Future prediction of captivity announced along with future restoration by God Oba 1 Obadiah prophecies the doom of Edom for participating in plundering Jerusalem Jon 1 Jonah is called to prophesy against Nineveh (capital of Assyria) but flees the Lord Jon 2 After being cast into the sea, Jonah is swallowed by a whale and prays to God Jon 3 Jonah preaches to Nineveh who repent in sackcloth and ashes Jon 4 Jonah, who wanted Nineveh to be destroyed, is disappointed; God corrects him Mic 1 Micah prophesies that Samaria (capital of Israel) was doomed to be destroyed Mic 2 Micah decries the merciless treatment of the ruling classes against the poor Mic 3 Micah denounces the prophets who condoned the actions of the ruling classes

Day 22: Micah 4 thru Habakkuk 3

Mic 4 Micah sees end time hope of Zion while aware of the coming Babylonian captivity Mic 5 Micah tells location of Jesus birth, and that a remnant would be delivered Mic 6 Micah decries sins of his day: idolatry, worthless religion and dishonesty Mic 7 Micah promises punishment for sin, but closes with end time hope for Zion Nah 1 100 yrs. after the days of Jonah, Nahum again warns Nineveh of judgment Nah 2 Certain destruction of Nineveh foretold; it happened just as Nahum prophesied Nah 3 Nineveh, known for its brutality and blood thirstiness would be destroyed Hab 1 Judah is destroyed by a nation even more wicked (Babylon); prophet complains Hab 2 Promise that Babylon would be destroyed and God’s people would fill the earth Hab 3 Habukkuk prays for God to do again his wonders as of old

Day 23: Zephaniah 1 thru Zechariah 5

Zeph 1 The prophet foretells the Day of the Lord and the impending destruction of Judah Zeph 2 The Day of the Lord will be a day of wrath against all nations: Philistia and Egypt Zeph 3 The prophet foretells the coming of a pure language (the gospel) to the nations. Hag 1 Israel returns from captivity but neglects the temple; Haggai corrects them Hag 2 Haggai sees the future glory of God’s house in the New Testament age Zech 1 Zechariah warns the people that the captivity was due to their disobedience Zech 2 Zechariah tells of a future glorious Jerusalem with people flowing to it from nations Zech 3 Zechariah sees a vision of Joshua (high priest) with Messianic overtones Zech 4 Vision of Lamp stand (God’s House) and 2 Olive Trees (Joshua and Zerubbabel) Zech 5 Flying Scroll (word of judgment) against evil inhabitants of the land

Day 24: Zechariah 5 thru Malachi 1

Zech 6 Sin (represented by a woman in a basket) is removed from the land Zech 7 Vision of 4 war chariots executing God’s judgments and Joshua’s coronation

pg. 7 Zech 8 The Lord tells of a future for Zion that is glorious after the Messiah comes Zech 9 The Lord foretells Israel’s struggle with the future kingdom of Greece Zech 10 Zechariah is told of future re-gathering of God’s scattered people Zech 11 Parable of the false shepherds and the scattering of the people Zech 12 Judah’s coming struggle with all nations foretold; Jesus manner of death foretold Zech 13 Future of God’s cleansed people because of Jesus sacrifice Zech 14 Description of the Coming Day of the Lord and inauguration of everlasting kingdom Mal 1 Temple has been reopened but is merely become a center for dead religion

Day 25: Malachi 2 thru 4

Mal 2 Priesthood is corrupt; Israel has intermarried with pagan nations; Malachi speaks Mal 3 Malachi decries the withholding of tithes and foretells the coming Day of the Lord Mal 4 Once again Malachi tells of the coming Day of the Lord and Elijah’s re-appearance

pg. 8