Lesson 1 An Introduction To The Minor Prophets

Lesson 1 An Introduction To The Minor Prophets

Introduction Why bother teaching from the Old Testament especially unfamiliar minor prophets? Not under the Law of Moses today But, Old Testament including minor prophets great value to us today to encourage our faith and hope in the Lord

Introduction Also, we can be encouraged to faithfully stand for God’s Word as the prophets did although persecuted, some even to death Increase appreciation for God’s plan of redemption in Christ

Old Testament Valuable To Our Faith Today
Rom 15:4 For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. 1Co 10:11 Now these things happened to them as an example, and they were written for our instruction, upon whom the ends of the ages have come.

2Ch 36:15 The LORD, the God of their fathers, sent word to them again and again by His messengers, because He had compassion on His people and on His dwelling place; 2Ch 36:16 but they continually mocked the messengers of God, despised His words and scoffed at His prophets, until the wrath of the LORD arose against His people, until there was no remedy.

2Ch 36:17 Therefore He brought up against them the king of the Chaldeans who slew their young men with the sword in the house of their sanctuary, and had no compassion on young man or virgin, old man or infirm; He gave them all into his hand.

Heb 11:32 And what more shall I say? For time will fail me if I tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets, Heb 11:33 who by faith conquered kingdoms, performed acts of righteousness, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions,

Heb 11:34 quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, from weakness were made strong, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. Heb 11:35 Women received back their dead by resurrection; and others were tortured, not accepting their release, so that they might obtain a better resurrection;

Heb 11:36 and others experienced mockings and scourgings, yes, also chains and imprisonment. Heb 11:37 They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were tempted, they were put to death with the sword; they went about in sheepskins, in goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, ill-treated

Heb 11:38 (men of whom the world was not worthy), wandering in deserts and mountains and caves and holes in the ground. Heb 11:39 And all these, having gained approval through their faith, did not receive what was promised, Heb 11:40 because God had provided something better for us, so that apart from us they would not be made perfect.

1Pe 1:10 As to this salvation, the prophets who prophesied of the grace that would come to you made careful searches and inquiries, 1Pe 1:11 seeking to know what person or time the Spirit of Christ within them was indicating as He predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories to follow.

1Pe 1:12 It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves, but you, in these things which now have been announced to you through those who preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven--things into which angels long to look.

Introduction Prophets are “minor” because of length of their writings compared to the “major” prophets (Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel and Daniel) Like the prophets, we need to stand for God’s Word, no matter what may come to our nation, trusting His rule and mercy Like them, we need to trust in the Lord who provides our only true hope, eternal life

An Introduction To The Minor Prophets
What is a prophet? How can we distinguish between true and false prophets? Who are the minor prophets? What information can help us better understand the minor prophets? What did the minor prophets preach?

What are some of the themes found in the minor prophets? Strategy for studying each minor prophet

What Is A Prophet? Origin uncertain
Understood to mean bubble or boil up Bible description – a prophet is a spokesman for God, forthtelling His Word revealing past, present and future

What Is A Prophet? Exo 4:16 "Moreover, he shall speak for you to the people; and he will be as a mouth for you and you will be as God to him. Exo 7:1 Then the LORD said to Moses, "See, I make you as God to Pharaoh, and your brother Aaron shall be your prophet. Exo 7:2 "You shall speak all that I command you, and your brother Aaron shall speak to Pharaoh that he let the sons of Israel go out of his land.

What Is A Prophet? 2Pe 1:19 So we have the prophetic word made more sure, to which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your hearts. 2Pe 1:20 But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one's own interpretation,

What Is A Prophet? 2Pe 1:21 for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.

What Is A Prophet? Jer 20:7 O LORD, You have deceived me and I was deceived; You have overcome me and prevailed. I have become a laughingstock all day long; Everyone mocks me. Jer 20:8 For each time I speak, I cry aloud; I proclaim violence and destruction, Because for me the word of the LORD has resulted In reproach and derision all day long.

What Is A Prophet? Jer 20:9 But if I say, "I will not remember Him Or speak anymore in His name," Then in my heart it becomes like a burning fire Shut up in my bones; And I am weary of holding it in, And I cannot endure it.

How Can We Distinguish Between True And False Prophets?
Fulfillment test – does what he predicts come to pass? Consistency test – is his teaching in harmony with what God previously revealed?

Does What He Predicts Come To Pass?
Deu 18:21 "You may say in your heart, 'How will we know the word which the LORD has not spoken?' Deu 18:22 "When a prophet speaks in the name of the LORD, if the thing does not come about or come true, that is the thing which the LORD has not spoken. The prophet has spoken it presumptuously; you shall not be afraid of him.

Contrast Jeremiah With Hananiah
Jer 28:1 Now in the same year, in the beginning of the reign of Zedekiah king of Judah, in the fourth year, in the fifth month, Hananiah the son of Azzur, the prophet, who was from Gibeon, spoke to me in the house of the LORD in the presence of the priests and all the people, saying, Jer 28:2 "Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, 'I have broken the yoke of the king of Babylon.

Jer 28:3 'Within two years I am going to bring back to this place all the vessels of the LORD'S house, which Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon took away from this place and carried to Babylon.

Jer 28:4 'I am also going to bring back to this place Jeconiah the son of Jehoiakim, king of Judah, and all the exiles of Judah who went to Babylon,' declares the LORD, 'for I will break the yoke of the king of Babylon.'" Jer 28:13 "Go and speak to Hananiah, saying, 'Thus says the LORD, "You have broken the yokes of wood, but you have made instead of them yokes of iron."

Jer 28:14 'For thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, "I have put a yoke of iron on the neck of all these nations, that they may serve Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon; and they will serve him. And I have also given him the beasts of the field."'" Jer 28:15 Then Jeremiah the prophet said to Hananiah the prophet, "Listen now, Hananiah, the LORD has not sent you, and you have made this people trust in a lie.

Jer 28:16 "Therefore thus says the LORD, 'Behold, I am about to remove you from the face of the earth. This year you are going to die, because you have counseled rebellion against the LORD.'" Jer 28:17 So Hananiah the prophet died in the same year in the seventh month.

Jer 22:24 "As I live," declares the LORD, "even though Coniah the son of Jehoiakim king of Judah were a signet ring on My right hand, yet I would pull you off; Jer 22:25 and I will give you over into the hand of those who are seeking your life, yes, into the hand of those whom you dread, even into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon and into the hand of the Chaldeans.

Jer 22:26 "I will hurl you and your mother who bore you into another country where you were not born, and there you will die. 2Ki 25:8 Now on the seventh day of the fifth month, which was the nineteenth year of King Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard, a servant of the king of Babylon, came to Jerusalem.

2Ki 25:9 He burned the house of the LORD, the king's house, and all the houses of Jerusalem; even every great house he burned with fire. 2Ki 25:10 So all the army of the Chaldeans who were with the captain of the guard broke down the walls around Jerusalem.

2Ki 25:27 Now it came about in the thirty-seventh year of the exile of Jehoiachin king of Judah, in the twelfth month, on the twenty-seventh day of the month, that Evil-merodach king of Babylon, in the year that he became king, released Jehoiachin king of Judah from prison; 2Ki 25:28 and he spoke kindly to him and set his throne above the throne of the kings who were with him in Babylon.

2Ki 25:30 and for his allowance, a regular allowance was given him by the king, a portion for each day, all the days of his life.

Is His Teaching In Harmony With What God Previously Revealed?
Deu 13:1 "If a prophet or a dreamer of dreams arises among you and gives you a sign or a wonder, Deu 13:2 and the sign or the wonder comes true, concerning which he spoke to you, saying, 'Let us go after other gods (whom you have not known) and let us serve them,'

Deu 13:3 you shall not listen to the words of that prophet or that dreamer of dreams; for the LORD your God is testing you to find out if you love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul. Deu 13:4 "You shall follow the LORD your God and fear Him; and you shall keep His commandments, listen to His voice, serve Him, and cling to Him.

Deu 13:5 "But that prophet or that dreamer of dreams shall be put to death, because he has counseled rebellion against the LORD your God who brought you from the land of Egypt and redeemed you from the house of slavery, to seduce you from the way in which the LORD your God commanded you to walk. So you shall purge the evil from among you.

Moses, Micah and Jeremiah Agree
Deu 28:47 "Because you did not serve the LORD your God with joy and a glad heart, for the abundance of all things; Deu 28:48 therefore you shall serve your enemies whom the LORD will send against you, in hunger, in thirst, in nakedness, and in the lack of all things; and He will put an iron yoke on your neck until He has destroyed you.

Mic 3:11 Her leaders pronounce judgment for a bribe, Her priests instruct for a price And her prophets divine for money. Yet they lean on the LORD saying, "Is not the LORD in our midst? Calamity will not come upon us."

Mic 3:12 Therefore, on account of you Zion will be plowed as a field, Jerusalem will become a heap of ruins, And the mountain of the temple will become high places of a forest.

Jer 26:4 "And you will say to them, 'Thus says the LORD, "If you will not listen to Me, to walk in My law which I have set before you, Jer 26:5 to listen to the words of My servants the prophets, whom I have been sending to you again and again, but you have not listened;

Jer 26:6 then I will make this house like Shiloh, and this city I will make a curse to all the nations of the earth."'" Jer 26:17 Then some of the elders of the land rose up and spoke to all the assembly of the people, saying,

Jer 26:18 "Micah of Moresheth prophesied in the days of Hezekiah king of Judah; and he spoke to all the people of Judah, saying, 'Thus the LORD of hosts has said, "Zion will be plowed as a field, And Jerusalem will become ruins, And the mountain of the house as the high places of a forest."'

Jer 26:19 "Did Hezekiah king of Judah and all Judah put him to death? Did he not fear the LORD and entreat the favor of the LORD, and the LORD changed His mind about the misfortune which He had pronounced against them? But we are committing a great evil against ourselves."

Who Are The Minor Prophets?
They were 12 prophets who spoke and wrote probably between 845 BC and 432 BC Nation divided in 931 BC with 10 tribes forming Israel, northern kingdom Judah and Benjamin remaining in Jerusalem forming Judah, the southern kingdom

They prophesied to idolatrous nations, Israel (northern kingdom) and Judah (southern kingdom) Most prophets appeared during or after two major crises Crisis BC – Israel (northern kingdom) taken captive by Assyria

Crisis BC – Judah (southern kingdom) taken captive by Babylon with Jerusalem and Temple destroyed From different backgrounds teaching with different styles, they all spoke forth God’s Word to the people Not in chronological order in Old Testament Will try to list in chronological order

Major Prophets Not Covered In This Study Isaiah Jehovah Saves
Messianic Prophet BC Jeremiah May Jehovah Lift Up Warning of captivity but future hope BC

Major Prophets Not Covered In This Study Ezekiel God Will Strengthen
Judah’s judgment and restoration BC Daniel God Is Judge God’s rule above the nations and hope of a Messianic kingdom BC

Obadiah Servant of Jehovah Proud Edom Falls 845 BC? Joel
The Minor Prophets Obadiah Servant of Jehovah Proud Edom Falls 845 BC? Joel Jehovah is God Judgment and blessings 830 BC? Jonah Dove Warning to Nineveh BC Amos Burden Bearer Israel’s just punishment 755 BC

Adulterous Israel judged 750-725 BC Micah Who is like Jehovah?
The Minor Prophets Hosea Salvation Adulterous Israel judged BC Micah Who is like Jehovah? Judah’s sins rebuked BC Zephaniah Jehovah Hides Judah’s coming judgment BC Nahum Consolation Nineveh’s final destruction BC

Righteous live by faith
The Minor Prophets Habakkuk Embrace Righteous live by faith BC Haggai Festival Finish the temple 520 BC

Zechariah Whom Jehovah Remembers Finish the temple 520-518 BC
The Minor Prophets Zechariah Whom Jehovah Remembers Finish the temple BC Malachi My Messenger Corrupt worship rebuked BC

What Information Can Help Us Better Understand The Minor Prophets?
Political, social and religious conditions at the time of the prophet God’s relationship with and rule over the Gentile nations Teaching of Messianic hope in His coming kingdom

What Did The Minor Prophets Preach?
Need for people to confess sins, repent and return to Law of Moses God is the ruler and controller of history Coming of the Messiah and His kingdom

What Are Some Of The Themes Found In The Minor Prophets?
Main ideas are repeated throughout the minor prophets We will list some of them that we will see throughout our study

God’s Unchanging Perfect Character
Nah 1:2 A jealous and avenging God is the LORD; The LORD is avenging and wrathful. The LORD takes vengeance on His adversaries, And He reserves wrath for His enemies. Nah 1:3 The LORD is slow to anger and great in power, And the LORD will by no means leave the guilty unpunished. In whirlwind and storm is His way, And clouds are the dust beneath His feet.

Hos 11:8 How can I give you up, O Ephraim? How can I surrender you, O Israel? How can I make you like Admah? How can I treat you like Zeboiim? My heart is turned over within Me, All My compassions are kindled. Hos 11:9 I will not execute My fierce anger; I will not destroy Ephraim again. For I am God and not man, the Holy One in your midst, And I will not come in wrath.

Mal 3:6 "For I, the LORD, do not change; therefore you, O sons of Jacob, are not consumed. Heb 13:8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

God Rules All Nations By His Word
Jehovah is the Lord of history carrying out His purpose Stated more completely by Isaiah but found in pieces throughout the Minor Prophets He rules over all nations, not just Israel and Judah

Although people have their free choice, His will is ultimately done Today, this power is given to Jesus to rule over all nations

Isa 44:24 Thus says the LORD, your Redeemer, and the one who formed you from the womb, "I, the LORD, am the maker of all things, Stretching out the heavens by Myself And spreading out the earth all alone, Isa 44:25 Causing the omens of boasters to fail, Making fools out of diviners, Causing wise men to draw back And turning their knowledge into foolishness,

Isa 44:26 Confirming the word of His servant And performing the purpose of His messengers. It is I who says of Jerusalem, 'She shall be inhabited!' And of the cities of Judah, 'They shall be built.' And I will raise up her ruins again. Isa 44:27 "It is I who says to the depth of the sea, 'Be dried up!' And I will make your rivers dry.

Isa 44:28 "It is I who says of Cyrus, 'He is My shepherd! And he will perform all My desire.' And he declares of Jerusalem, 'She will be built,' And of the temple, 'Your foundation will be laid.'" Isa 45:1 Thus says the LORD to Cyrus His anointed, Whom I have taken by the right hand, To subdue nations before him And to loose the loins of kings; To open doors before him so that gates will not be shut:

Isa 45:2 "I will go before you and make the rough places smooth; I will shatter the doors of bronze and cut through their iron bars. Isa 45:3 "I will give you the treasures of darkness And hidden wealth of secret places, So that you may know that it is I, The LORD, the God of Israel, who calls you by your name.

Isa 45:4 "For the sake of Jacob My servant, And Israel My chosen one, I have also called you by your name; I have given you a title of honor Though you have not known Me. Isa 45:5 "I am the LORD, and there is no other; Besides Me there is no God. I will gird you, though you have not known Me;

Isa 45:6 That men may know from the rising to the setting of the sun That there is no one besides Me. I am the LORD, and there is no other, Isa 45:7 The One forming light and creating darkness, Causing well-being and creating calamity; I am the LORD who does all these.

God Punishes Sins Of All Nations
Amo 1:3 Thus says the LORD, "For three transgressions of Damascus and for four I will not revoke its punishment, Because they threshed Gilead with implements of sharp iron. Amo 1:6 Thus says the LORD, "For three transgressions of Gaza and for four I will not revoke its punishment, Because they deported an entire population To deliver it up to Edom.

Amo 1:11 Thus says the LORD, "For three transgressions of Edom and for four I will not revoke its punishment, Because he pursued his brother with the sword, While he stifled his compassion; His anger also tore continually, And he maintained his fury forever.

Amo 2:4 Thus says the LORD, "For three transgressions of Judah and for four I will not revoke its punishment, Because they rejected the law of the LORD And have not kept His statutes; Their lies also have led them astray, Those after which their fathers walked.

Amo 2:6 Thus says the LORD, "For three transgressions of Israel and for four I will not revoke its punishment, Because they sell the righteous for money And the needy for a pair of sandals.

God Demands Repentance And Righteousness
Joe 2:12 "Yet even now," declares the LORD, "Return to Me with all your heart, And with fasting, weeping and mourning; Joe 2:13 And rend your heart and not your garments." Now return to the LORD your God, For He is gracious and compassionate, Slow to anger, abounding in lovingkindness And relenting of evil.

Zec 7:8 Then the word of the LORD came to Zechariah saying, Zec 7:9 "Thus has the LORD of hosts said, 'Dispense true justice and practice kindness and compassion each to his brother; Zec 7:10 and do not oppress the widow or the orphan, the stranger or the poor; and do not devise evil in your hearts against one another.'

Zec 7:11 "But they refused to pay attention and turned a stubborn shoulder and stopped their ears from hearing. Zec 7:12 "They made their hearts like flint so that they could not hear the law and the words which the LORD of hosts had sent by His Spirit through the former prophets; therefore great wrath came from the LORD of hosts.

Mic 6:6 With what shall I come to the LORD And bow myself before the God on high? Shall I come to Him with burnt offerings, With yearling calves? Mic 6:7 Does the LORD take delight in thousands of rams, In ten thousand rivers of oil? Shall I present my firstborn for my rebellious acts, The fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?

Mic 6:8 He has told you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you But to do justice, to love kindness, And to walk humbly with your God?

God Rejects Superficial Worship
Amo 5:21 "I hate, I reject your festivals, Nor do I delight in your solemn assemblies. Amo 5:22 "Even though you offer up to Me burnt offerings and your grain offerings, I will not accept them; And I will not even look at the peace offerings of your fatlings.

God Rejects Superficial Worship
Amo 5:23 "Take away from Me the noise of your songs; I will not even listen to the sound of your harps. Amo 5:24 "But let justice roll down like waters And righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.

Trust In God Above All Hab 3:16 I heard and my inward parts trembled, At the sound my lips quivered. Decay enters my bones, And in my place I tremble. Because I must wait quietly for the day of distress, For the people to arise who will invade us.

Trust In God Above All Hab 3:17 Though the fig tree should not blossom And there be no fruit on the vines, Though the yield of the olive should fail And the fields produce no food, Though the flock should be cut off from the fold And there be no cattle in the stalls, Hab 3:18 Yet I will exult in the LORD, I will rejoice in the God of my salvation.

Trust In God Above All Hab 3:19 The Lord GOD is my strength, And He has made my feet like hinds' feet, And makes me walk on my high places. For the choir director, on my stringed instruments.

Coming Messiah And His Kingdom For Penitent Remnant
Mic 5:1 "Now muster yourselves in troops, daughter of troops; They have laid siege against us; With a rod they will smite the judge of Israel on the cheek. Mic 5:2 "But as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Too little to be among the clans of Judah, From you One will go forth for Me to be ruler in Israel. His goings forth are from long ago, From the days of eternity."

Some Relevant Lessons For Today
God’s unchanging perfect character God rules all nations by His Word God punishes sins of all nations God demands repentance and righteousness God rejects superficial worship Trust in God above all Coming Messiah and His kingdom for penitent remnant

Strategy For Studying Minor Prophets
Background of the prophet Contemporary and historic background Main points of the prophet Practical lessons for today

What is a prophet? How can we distinguish between true and false prophets? Who are the minor prophets? What information can help us better understand the minor prophets? What did the minor prophets preach?

What are some of the themes found in the minor prophets? Strategy for studying each minor prophet

Lesson 1 An Introduction To The Minor Prophets

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