1. Kingdom of God in the Prophets

2. Introduction A prophet was a spokesman for God; he spoke in Gods name and by his authority (Ex. 7:1). he is the mouth by which God speaks to men (Jer. 1:9; Isa. 51:16), and hence what the prophet says is not of man but of God (2 Pet. 1:20, 21; comp. Heb. 3:7; Acts 4:25; 28:25).

3. Prophets according to scripture Enoch, Abraham, and the patriarchs, as bearers of Gods message (Gen. 20:7; Ex. 7:1; Ps. 105:15), Moses (Deut. 18:15; 34:10; Hos. 12:13) is ranked among the prophets. The seventy elders of Israel (Num. 11:16–29), when the spirit rested upon them, prophesied; Asaph and Jeduthun prophesied with a harp (1 Chr. 25:3). Miriam and Deborah were prophetesses (Ex. 15:20; Judg. 4:4). The title thus has a general application to all who have messages from God to men.

4. Literary Prophets The sixteen books come from four different periods. The earliest Obadiah, Joel, and Jonah appeared in the late 9th and early 8th centuries B.C. The second three Amos, Hosea, Micah come from the 8th century B.C. The third group Nahum, Zephaniah, Habakkuk, Isaiah comes from the 7th century B.C. The three prophets- Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel- wrote in 6 th century B.C The last three Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi wrote in the 5 th and 4thcenturies B.C.

5. Background history Prophetic literature - began to be produced in the days when the two Jehorams (Jorams) ruled, one in the north and the other in the south. (2 kings 9; 2 Chron. 21 and 22) Elisha was still active in the kingdom of the ten tribes. The Joram of Israel (852–841 B. C.) was dominated by his mother Jezebel who was doing all within her power to convert the northern kingdom to the worship of Baal. Joram of Judah (848–841 B. C.) had married Athaliah, the daughter of Ahab and Jezebel.

6. Purpose of Literary Prophets non-literary prophets focused on events of their own day. The literary prophets were more future oriented. The most important contribution of the literary prophets was to recognize two important truths. First, due to their disobedience and stubbornness, Israel and Judah must politically cease to exist AND Second, God would establish a new kingdom based on different principles of worship, a kingdom which would eventually include all peoples. At the head of that kingdom would be that glorious king, priest and prophet who from the dawn of history had been promised.

7. Purpose of Literary Prophets The spoken words of prophets were committed to writing in order that, when fulfilled, these predictions might prove to future generations the righteousness and faithfulness of Yahweh. The Lord intended that these writings might serve as a lamp to the remnant of the faithful during the dark days of judgment and long years of waiting until the manifestation of the Sun of Righteousness (2 Pet 1:19). This makes us more sure about the message the prophets gave. It is good for you to follow closely what they said as you would follow a light shining in a dark place, until the day begins and the morning star rises in your hearts.(NCV )

9. Obadiah-The Message A Tale of Two Mounts. Mt. Zion (house of Jacob) represents the people of God. Mt. Esau (house of Esau) represents the adversaries of Gods people. For the first group the present is bleak, but the future is bright. On the other hand, the adversaries of Gods people have no future at all.

10. Obadiah-The Message Some predictions are these: (1) Edom will be brought low: Though you soar aloft like the eagle, though your nest is set among the stars, from there I will bring you down, declares the Lord. (2) Edom will be permanently cut off: Because of the violence done to your brother Jacob, shame shall cover you, and you shall be cut off forever. (3) in due time Yahweh will be sole ruler over all: Saviors shall go up to Mount Zion to rule Mount Esau, and the kingdom shall be the Lords.

11. Joel- The Message pleaded for genuine repentance. paints picture of the messianic age from its beginnings to its culmination in the Kingdom of God. the day of Yahweh is the centerpiece of Joels prophecy. Alas for the day! For the day of the Lord is near, and as destruction from the Almighty it comes. (Joel 1:15)

12. Predictions (1) And I will show wonders in the heavens and on the earth, blood and fire and columns of smoke. The sun shall be turned to darkness, and the moon to blood, before the great and awesome day of the Lord comes (2) I will gather all the nations and bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat. And I will enter into judgment with them there, on behalf of my people and my heritage Israel, because they have scattered them among the nations and have divided up my land, (3) And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved. For in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there shall be those who escape, as the Lord has said, and among the survivors shall be those whom the Lord calls. (4) And in that day the mountains shall drip sweet wine, and the hills shall flow with milk, and all the streambeds of Judah shall flow with water; and a fountain shall come forth from the house of the LORD and water the Valley of Shittim.

13. Jonah The Message. The theme of Jonah is Gods concern for the disobedient. Who knows? God may turn and relent and turn from his fierce anger, so that we may not perish. When God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil way, God relented of the disaster that he had said he would do to them, and he did not do it. In the first two chapters God saved Jonah who disobeyed; in the last two chapters he spared a city that disobeyed. And the LORD said, You (Jonah) pity the plant…. And should not I pity Nineveh, that great city, in which there are more than 120,000 persons who do not know their right hand from their left, and also much cattle?

15. Amos The Message. The prophet warms up his hostile audience of Israel by pronouncing doom upon all their enemies one by one. (Damascus, Philistia,Tyre, Edom, Ammon, Moab). Yet, also against Judah For three transgressions of Judah, and for four, I will not revoke the punishment, because they have rejected the law of the Lord, and have not kept his statutes, and against Israel For three transgressions of Israel, and for four, I will not revoke the punishment, because they sell the righteous…. so that my holy name is profaned

16. Future blessings For the Lord God does nothing without revealing his secret to his servants the prophets. The lion has roared; who will not fear? In that day I will raise up the booth of David that is fallen and repair its breaches, and raise up its ruins and rebuild it as in the days of old, that they may possess the remnant of Edom and all the nations who are called by my name, declares the Lord who does this. Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when the plowman shall overtake the reaper and the treader of grapes him who sows the seed; the mountains shall drip sweet wine, and all the hills shall flow with it. I will restore the fortunes of my people Israel, and they shall rebuild the ruined cities and inhabit them; they shall plant vineyards and drink their wine, and they shall make gardens and eat their fruit. I will plant them on their land, and they shall never again be uprooted out of the land that I have given them, says the Lord your God.

17. Hosea The Message. The theme is Gods love for backsliders. striking figures of speech. For example, to depict the instability of Israels foreign policy he pictures a silly dove fluttering back and forth between Assyria and Egypt (7:11). The futility of trusting in human resources is likened to feeding on the wind (12:1). variety of tone and style: language of the law court (4:1), the language of military commanders (5:8). Go, take to yourself a wife of whoredom and have children of whoredom, for the land commits great whoredom by forsaking the Lord.

18. Hosea- some predictions And the children of Judah and the children of Israel shall be gathered together, and they shall appoint for themselves one head. And they shall go up from the land, for great shall be the day of Jezreel. Say to your brothers, You are my people, and to your sisters, You have received mercy. For the children of Israel shall dwell many days without king or prince, without sacrifice or pillar, without ephod or household gods. Afterward the children of Israel shall return and seek the Lord their God, and David their king, and they shall come in fear to the Lord and to his goodness in the latter days. When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son.

19. Isaiah The Message The same as the meaning of this prophets name: Yahweh is salvation. The immediate purpose: teach the truth that salvation is by grace. The long range purpose : show the role of Judah in Gods plan as it relates to Messiah coming into the world. Two major divisions: 1 st division chap. 1-35- two major invasions of Syria/Ephraim and Assyria 2 nd division of chap40-66- designed to give comfort to Gods people

20. Isaiah The Message contd This comfort took the form of (1) explanations of why that terrible judgment was necessary; Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to her that her warfare is ended, that her iniquity is pardoned, that she has received from the Lords hand double for all her sins. and (2) anticipations of a complete restoration of Gods people which would set the stage for the thousand year reign of Messiah. O Jerusalem, herald of good news; lift it up, fear not; say to the cities of Judah, Behold your God! Behold, the Lord God comes with might, and his arm rules for him; behold, his reward is with him, and his recompense before him. He will tend his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms; he will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young.

21. Micah The theme Present judgment but future blessing. Books structure- alternating passages reflecting doom and hope. Chapters 1–3 and 6:1–7:6 spell out doom for Judah; chapters 4–5 and 7:7 – 7:20 offer hope. Outline: imminent judgment declared (chs. 1–3) ultimate blessing promised (chs. 4–5); present repentance pleaded (chs. 6–7).

22. Micah- predictions It shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the house of the Lord shall be established as the highest of the mountains… and many nations shall come, and say: Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob, that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths. But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, As in the days when you (Israel) came out of the land of Egypt, I will show them (the nations) marvelous things. The nations shall see and be ashamed of all their (Israels) might; they shall lay their hands on their mouths; their ears shall be deaf; He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?

24. Nahum The Message. The ultimate purpose of the book is to set forth Gods vengeance and sovereign righteousness. For the Lord is restoring the majesty of Jacob as the majesty of Israel, for plunderers have plundered them and ruined their branches.

25. Zephaniah The Message. Immediate purpose- warn Judah of approaching doom. The ultimate purpose - warn all sinners and give encouragement to those who repent. The theme of the book is the day of Yahweh.

26. Zephaniah- the Day Zephaniah emphasizes imminence of day Be silent before the Lord God! For the day of the Lord is near; the Lord has prepared a sacrifice and consecrated his guests. Universality I will bring distress on mankind, so that they shall walk like the blind, because they have sinned against the Lord; their blood shall be poured out like dust, and their flesh like dung. Judgment upon the wicked but mercy for the remnant. Seek the Lord, all you humble of the land, who do his just commands; seek righteousness; seek humility; perhaps you may be hidden on the day of the anger of the Lord.

27. Habakkuk The Message. The immediate purpose foretell Judahs punishment and pronounce doom on the Chaldeans. The ultimate purpose to teach the grand truths that the just shall live by faith and that the wicked shall not go unpunished. Two expressions introduce the complaint of the prophet: How long? Why?

28. Habakkuk predictions For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea. God came (will come) from Teman, and the Holy One from Mount Paran … I saw the tents of Cushan (Ethiopia?) in affliction; the curtains of the land of Midian (Arabia?) did tremble. You went out for the salvation of your people, for the salvation of your anointed. You crushed the head of the house of the wicked, laying him bare from thigh to neck. Selah

29. Jeremiah Plan of the Book. Two main divisions. Chapters 2–25 mainly pre-605 B. C. 4 th year of King Jehoiakim of Judah and the first year of Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon. Chapters 26–51 dated after 605 B. C. Babylon is strong and will capture Judah (597 B.C) and destroy Jerusalem (586 B.C) Chapter 52- Appendix Purpose: vindicate Jeremiah

30. Jeremiah predictions the seventy years of service to Babylon This whole land shall become a ruin and a waste, and these nations shall serve the king of Babylon seventy years. the capture of Babylon by Cyrus For many nations and great kings shall make slaves even of them, and I will recompense them according to their deeds and the work of their hands. New covenant with Israel and Judah Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah. New king and security Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. In his days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell securely. And this is the name by which he will be called: The LORD is our righteousness.

31. Ezekiel THE MESSAGE The basic message of Ezekiel is that God is faithful to his eternal purpose. The sinful nation must be destroyed, yet God will not forsake his own. At first Ezekiels messages were not well received. In time(Ezras/Nehemiahs), however, his prophecies brought about a fundamental change in the idolatrous tendencies of the nation.

32. Israels God Three points are especially stressed by this prophet. God is sovereign. God is holy and could not overlook sin. God is very gracious and plenteous in mercy.

33. Messiah in Ezekiel a tender twig Thus says the Lord God: I myself will take a sprig from the lofty top of the cedar and will set it out. I will break off from the topmost of its young twigs a tender one, and I myself will plant it on a high and lofty mountain. Rightful king thus says the Lord God: Remove the turban and take off the crown. Things shall not remain as they are. Exalt that which is low, and bring low that which is exalted. 27 A ruin, ruin, ruin I will make it. This also shall not be, until he comes, the one to whom judgment belongs, and I will give it to him. David II And I will set up over them one shepherd, my servant David, and he shall feed them: he shall feed them and be their shepherd. 24 And I, the Lord, will be their God, and my servant David shall be prince among them. I am the Lord; I have spoken.

34. Man in Ezekiel Man is Gods creature and property (18:4). Man had fallen, hence, he is sinful (18:21–30). His heart needs to be softened and renewed (18:31). Man is held individually accountable (18:4, 13, 18). To those willing to receive it God would give a new heart (11:19; 36:26; 37:23).

35. Israels Kingdom But I will let a few of them escape…that they may declare all their abominations among the nations where they go, and may know that I am the Lord. For thus says the Lord God: Behold, I, I myself will search for my sheep and will seek them out…I will seek the lost, and I will strengthen the weak. I will feed them in justice. Thus says the Lord God: Behold, I will take the people of Israel from the nations, and will gather, and bring them to their own land. And I will make them one nation in the land, on the mountains of Israel. And one king shall be king over them all. And I will give them one heart, and a new spirit I will put within them. I will remove the heart of stone from their flesh and give them a heart of flesh, that they may walk in my statutes and keep my rules and obey them. And they shall be my people, and I will be their God.

36. Daniels purpose contrast sharply the omnipotence of God vs. impotence of Babylons deities. teach the valuable truth- God frustrates the designs of mighty kings but defends the servants who remain faithful to Him. The course of history is determined by a divine plan. In Gods own time the trials of the saints end. Finally, the Holy Spirit through Daniel outlines the course of world history as it relates to the people of God.

37. Daniel- Two major divisions The first division (chaps. 1–6) six narratives dealing with the experiences of Daniel and his companions under Gentile rulers. In each chapter the Gentile king confesses with ever increasing forcefulness, his conviction that the God of the Hebrews is truly God. The second half of the book (chaps. 7–12) a dream and three visions which he received. These chapters offer a broad perspective on human history from the time of Nebuchadnezzar to the end of the Gentile age. The focus, however, is on events which would occur during the last centuries of the Old Covenant age.

39. Haggai The Message. The key exhortation in the book is consider your ways. The main predictions: For thus says the Lord of hosts: Yet once more, in a little while, I will shake the heavens and the earth and the sea and the dry land. And I will shake all nations, so that the desire of all nations shall come in, and I will fill this house with glory, says the Lord of hosts. The glory of this latter house shall be greater than of the former, saith the Lord of hosts: And in this place will I give peace, saith the Lord of hosts. In that day, saith the Lord of hosts, Will I take thee, O Zerubbabel, my servant, the son of Shealtiel, saith the Lord, And will make thee as a signet: For I have chosen thee, saith the Lord of hosts.

40. Zechariah The Message. 4 parts: (1) Exhortation of return to me, Zec 1:1–6. (2) Symbolical- 1:7 to 6:15, containing nine visions (3) Instructional- chps. 7-8 (4) Prophetic- the ninth chapter to the end.

41. Zechariah predictions Behold, I am about to make Jerusalem a cup of staggering to all the surrounding peoples…On that day I will make Jerusalem a heavy stone for all the peoples. All who lift it will surely hurt themselves. And all the nations of the earth will gather against it. And on that day I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem. when they look on me, on him whom they have pierced, they shall mourn for him, as one mourns for an only child, On that day his feet shall stand on the Mount of Olives that lies before Jerusalem on the east, and the Mount of Olives shall be split in two from east to west by a very wide valley, And the Lord will be king over all the earth. On that day the Lord will be one and his name one.

42. Malachi The Message. The theme the sovereign love of God (1:1–5). I have loved you, says the Lord. But you say, How have you loved us? Is not Esau Jacobs brother? declares the Lord. Yet I have loved Jacob but Esau I have hated. Priests sinned against Gods love A son honors his father, and a servant his master. If then I am a father, where is my honor? And if I am a master, where is my fear? says the Lord of hosts to you, O priests, who despise my name. The people (2:10–4:3) had sinned against that love. You are cursed with a curse, for you are robbing me, the whole nation of you. Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, Then those who feared the Lord spoke with one another. The Lord paid attention and heard them, and a book of remembrance was written before him of those who feared the Lord and esteemed his name.

43. Purpose of Literary Prophets The spoken words of prophets were committed to writing in order that, when fulfilled, these predictions might prove to future generations the righteousness and faithfulness of Yahweh. The Lord intended that these writings might serve as a lamp to the remnant of the faithful during the dark days of judgment and long years of waiting until the manifestation of the Sun of Righteousness (2 Pet 1:19). This makes us more sure about the message the prophets gave. It is good for you to follow closely what they said as you would follow a light shining in a dark place, until the day begins and the morning star rises in your hearts.(NCV )