The Pre-Exilic Prophets

General Overview The Old Testament prophets spoke into the life situations of their day. They called the people of God back to faithfulness to the Covenant. They pronounce judgement on individuals and nations. They offered hope and future blessing for a restored people of God.

The Prophets Elijah & Elisha (Kings) Pre-Exilic Jonah (2 Kings 14:25) - Ninevah Amos, Hosea - Israel Micah, Isaiah – Judah Prophesied during fall of Northern Kingdom Zephaniah, Habakkuk - Judah

The Prophets (cont) Preceding or During fall of Jerusalem (587) Jeremiah (Lamentations), Ezekiel, Daniel Nahum – against Ninevah Obadiah – against Edom Restoration – 1st wave (538BC) Haggai, Zechariah – Ezra 5:1; 6:14 Post-Restoration Joel, Malachi

Timeline of the Prophets Jonah 770 B.C. to Ninevah Amos 760 to Israel Hosea 760 - 730   Isaiah 740 - 700 to Judah Micah 737 - 690 Habakkuk   630 Zephaniah   627 Jeremiah 627 - 580 Daniel 605 - 530 Ezekiel 593 - 570 Nahum Haggai 520 Zechariah 520 - 518 Joel 500 Obadiah 587? to Edom Malachi 515 B.C.

Jonah Prophet to Ninevah During reign of Jeroboam II of Israel Outline of Book The disobedient prophet (1) Jonah’s Prayer (2) Ninevah Repents (3) Jonah’s Reaction (4) Judgement on Israel delayed

Jonah – Key Themes The book contrasts Jonah’s hatred of Israel’s enemies and God’s compassion for them. It reminds us that God’s concerns are greater than ours. Jonah’s disobedience leads to judgement His obedience leads to revival Jonah opens up the question of foreign missions. The book challenges our attitudes to ethnicity, persecutors and faith for revival.

Jonah in the New Testament Jonah is one of four Old Testament prophets referred to by Christ Christ uses Jonah as a “sign” in reference to His death and burial (Matt Jesus is the greater Jonah The repentance of the Ninevites in Jonah’s day is used to critique the Israelites of Jesus’ day. Matt 12:39–41; Luke 11:29–32

Case Study - Jonah 4 What reasons did Jonah have for being upset? How would the history of Assyria and Israel have affected Jonah’s attitudes? What does the story of the worm and vine reveal about Human and divine priorities? In what ways might Christians today be “selfish with God’s grace”?

Eighth Century Prophets This was a period in the history of the two kingdoms when the Assyrian threat loomed large. Isaiah and Micah prophesied in Judah Amos and Hosea prophesied in the north

Amos - Times Jeroboam II of Israel & Uzziah of Judah An era of peace, prosperity and stability A consumer society with its luxury goods A divided society – “haves” and “have nots” The rich had second homes Moral decline & Injustice Financial scandals, bribery and corruption Seven day trading. Permissiveness. Rising alcohol consumption

Amos – the man and message A poor southerner preaching in the north. Preached 30 years before fall of Samaria Key Themes The plight of the poor Judicial corruption Idolatry

Amos – Overview Judgements against nations (1:1-2:15) Concerning Israel Three oracles of judgement (3:1-5:17) Three oracles of woe (5:18-6:14) Five visions of judgement (7:1-9:10) Promise of restoration (9:11-15)

Amos in the New Testament There are two New Testament quotations from Amos, both in the speeches of Acts. Acts 7:42-43 Amos 5:25-27 Acts 15:16-17 Amos 9-11 Note the points Stephen and James respectively are making: (Those who reject Christ are like) The Israelites disobeyed God in the past The Old Testament prophets affirmed that God would seek a people from among the Gentiles

Case Study – Amos 7 Two key points from chapter 7 His praying affected God (7:1-9) His preaching angered men (7:10-17) Questions: What two forms of destruction did Amos save Israel from? What did God decide to do against Israel? Where did Amaziah tell Amos to go? What lessons do we learn from this chapter?

Hosea Prophet to Northern Kingdom - 760-730BC Hosea – The prophet whose persistent love models God’s and ultimately wins through. Gomer – The unfaithful wife whose choices lead to deeper degradation, until helpless, she is recognised by her abandoned husband. The Book abounds in metaphors and similies to bring home the message – husband, father, healer, fowler, lion, leapard, bear, dew, rain, tree, moth, rot, heifer, vine, wine, grapes, figs.

Hosea - Outline An Unfaithful Wife (1-3) An Unfaithful People God’s Lawsuit again Israel (4-7) Warnings of Divine Judgement (8-10) God’s Love for Israel (11) The Broken Covenant – Judgement (12-13) Restoration (14)

Hosea – Key Themes God’s covenant with Israel forms the basis of Hosea’s message There is only one God for Israel; there is no place for other gods. This God loves Israel But, their sin demands judgement God has not given them up He will restore them to Himself again

Hosea in the New Testament Matthew 2:14 Hosea 11:1 Matthew 9:13 and 12:7     Hosea 6:6 Luke 23:30                        Hosea 10:8 Romans 9:25-26               Hosea 2:23; 1:10 1 Corinthians 15:55          Hosea 13:14 1 Peter 2:9-10                   Hosea 2:23, 1:10

Case Study – Hosea 4 What were some of the sins in the land? What did the prophets and priests reject and not give to the people? What will happen to those who have no understanding of God? How might the Book of Hosea speak into our circumstances today?

Micah Prophet to Southern Kingdom - 740-686BC A contemporary of Isaiah Oracles delivered by Micah over 20+ years. 1:6-7 given before the fall of Samaria in 722. 1:10-16 - the march of Sennacherib 701 The “Amos” of the South New Testament References Matthew 2:6 Micah 5:2 Matthew 10:35, 36 Micah 7:6

Micah - Outline Impending Judgment (1-2) Rulers and Prophets Rebuked (3) Israel’s Restoration (4) Israel’s Future Ruler and Deliverance (5) The lord’s Case against Israel (6:1-7:6) Future Hope, Prayer and Praise (7:7-20)

Micah – Key Themes Threat of divine judgement for breaking covenant with Yahweh. Yahweh as a God of justice and mercy who pleads for the cause of the poor and requires his people to do the same. God will judge the sin of social injustice! After judgement, Yahweh will restore Jerusalem through the promised Davidic king. Yahweh is the God of all nations.

Case Study – Micah 2 Of what sins were the wealthy in Judah guilty? (1-2) How had the wealthy in Judah treated God’s prophets? What sort of prophets did they desire? (6,11) How do we feel about judgement prophecies? How does that relate to preaching in the church? Is the preacher a prophet?

Zephaniah Prophet to Judah during reign of Josiah (640-609BC) following a prophetic silence of 70 years. Zephaniah was of royal blood, descended from Hezekiah. The two previous kings had brought the religious and moral life of the nation to an all-time low. Before Josiah’s programme of reform in 621, following the discovery of the law-book in the temple. It is possible that Zephaniah’s prophecies prepared the people of Judah for the reforms that were to follow.

Zephaniah - Outline 1:1 Introducing Prophet and his times 1:2-3 Judgement on the world 1:4-2:3 Judgement on Judah The Day of the Lord 2:4-15 Judgement on the Nations 3:1-7 Judgement on Jerusalem 3:8 World Judgement 3:9-20 A Message of Restoration and Hope

Zephaniah – Key Themes More references to the day of the LORD than any other OT book. Obadiah, Joel, Amos, and Isaiah all spoke of this day. Zephaniah emphasized the universality of its judgment. Zephaniah stressed the sovereign justice of Yahweh (1:2-3, 7, 14-18; 3:8) and His willingness to receive the repentant (2:3). He also emphasized the wickedness of man (1:3-6, 17; 3:1, 4). The theme of Yahweh's relationship to Jerusalem is prominent in Zephaniah as well (1:4-13; 3:1-7, 11-17).

Zephaniah 1 God’s Judgement is coming on Judah because of Idolatry (1:4-6) Alliance with Foreign Powers (1:8) Violence and Lies (1:9) Deism – God is not involved in human affairs (1:12) The Day of the Lord This is a period of time when God is manifestly at work. For many, it was thought to be a time of blessing. However, because of the people’s sin it would be a time of judgement instead.

The Day of the Lord The New Testament writers pick up the phrase in 1 Corinthians 1:8; 5:5; 2 Corinthians 1:14; Philippians 1:6, 10; 2:16; 1 Thessalonians 5:2; 2 Thessalonians 2:2; 2 Peter 3:10, 12; and Rev. 16:14. Introduced in Scripture as a time of judgment (Isaiah 13:6, 9; Joel 1:15; 2:1-2, 11, 31; 3:14; Amos 5:18, 20; Obadiah 15; Zephaniah 1:7, 14). Thus, when the New Testament writers use the phrase, it should be understood as a time of judgment and wrath. Nonetheless, there is hope (2:3; Luke 21:36; Isaiah 26:20-21; 1 Thessalonians 1:10; Revelation 3:10).

Case Study – Zephaniah 3:9-20 In what ways will God purify his people (3:9-13)? What are the blessings experienced by the restored people of God (3:14-20)? What might these verses say to Christians and the Church today?

Habakkuk Prophet to Judah around 612 – 599 BC Unknown apart from this book This was during the later part of Josiah’s reign and into the reign of Johoiakim. This was a time of international upheaval Josiah was killed in a battle against Egypt Johoiakim faced threats from increasingly dominant Babylon and raids from other neighbouring countries (2 Kings 24:1-2) A time of great social injustice

Habakkuk - Outline 1-2 A dialogue between the prophet and God 1:1-4 First complaint – Injustice in the land 1:5-11 God’s answer – Judgment through Babylon 1:12-2:1 Second Complaint - “Can’t use them” 2:2-5 God’s answer – They too will be judged 2:6-20 Woes against Babylon Chapter 3 is the prophet’s prayer. He celebrates God’s deeds in the past while longing for God to work again in similar ways. He submits himself to God affirming he will trust in God no matter what.

Habakkuk – Key Themes Prophetic indignation over God’s apparent toleration of injustice. Confidence in the justice and power of God. The Response of the righteous is faithfulness and trust in God. God’s assurance that the wicked will be punished.

Habakkuk One of the most significant New Testament quotations from the Old Testament comes from Habakkuk 2:4. This quotation appears in Romans 1:17; Galatians 3:11; and Hebrews 10:38. Ellisen notes, “Few verses of the Bible have had such a profound effect in the development of theology and the proclamation of the faith.” Other references to Habakkuk occur in a quotation in Acts 13:41 of Habakkuk 1:5 and allusions in Luke 13:6 (Hab 3:17); 1 Corinthians 12:2 (Hab 2:18–19); and 2 Peter 3:9 (Hab 2:3).

Case Study – Habakkuk Follow through the four sections of the dialogue in 1:1-2:5. Identify the main points made by The prophet? Yahweh? Habakkuk 2:4 is quoted at significant points in the New Testament. What do we learn from its context? What might we learn as 21st century Christians from this passage?

Habakkuk – A Lesson in Prayer Habakkuk’s prayer may be divided into three sections: 3:2. A prayer that God would renew his deeds of old. 3:3-15. A celebration of God’s past victories as the Divine Warrior. 3:16 The prophet’s twofold commitment “to wait patiently for the day of calamity” and to put his trust and hope in God under any circumstances (compare 2:2-4).

Nahum A prophet from Judah. Prophecy against Ninevah, the capital city of Assyria The date is between the fall of Thebes to the Assyrians in 663 BC (Nahum 3:8-10), and the fall of Nineveh to the Babylonians and Medes in 612 BC.

Nahum - Outline 1:1 Title 1:2-15 Nineveh's doom - by the decree of Jehovah 2 Siege and destruction of Nineveh - decreed by Jehovah 3 Nineveh's sins and her inevitable doom,

Nahum – Key Themes The Lord brings punishment upon Assyria because of her gross sin. God is a jealous and avenging God (1:2) He will not leave the guilty unpunished