INTRODUCTION TO THE MINOR PROPHETS FALL 2015

Transcription

1 INTRODUCTION TO THE MINOR PROPHETS DR. JOE HARVEY JOHNSON UNIVERSITY FLORIDA FALL 2015

2 I, Prophet 1. Chosen by God, they gave away whatever message God gave them (Amos 7:12-15). 2. They acted as judges evaluating the moral behaviors of kings, priest and commoners (Micah 2:8-11). 3. They proclaimed God s judgment on their nation and those surrounding it and so called from repentance. 4. They were not solely social reformer or statesmen. Social and political problems were moral and religious problem. 5. These men were called seers (ro eh) and prophets (nabi ).

3 Minor Prophets (Literary Overview) 1. A single document (4 th Scroll) in the Hebrew Old Testament known as The Twelve which follows Ezekiel in the Later Prophets 2. Called Minor because the combined length of the books is shorter than the smallest of the Major Prophets (Isaiah) by Hebrew word count 3. Part of the second division of the Hebrew text ( Prophets ) 4. Historical narrative with poetic elements 5. Apocalyptic writing in Zechariah 6. Group message: the Northern and Southern Kingdoms will end and be replace by an everlasting one with a glorious king. 7. J. Barton Payne, Encyclopedia of Biblical Prophecy, 647f: of the 636 verses in the Minor Prophets, 61% contain predictive material. Payne counts 263 separate predictions.

4 The Gist of Minor Prophets James E. Smith The Minor Prophets. Joplin: College Press BOOK THEME KEY VERSE KEY THOUGHT MESSIANIC PORTRAIT Hosea God s Love for Backsliders 14:9 Return Second Moses, David, Israel Joel The Day of Yahweh is Coming 2:13 Repentance Teacher of Righteousness Amos Prepare to Meet your God 5:24 Justice Occupant of the Tent of David Obadiah The Kingdom shall be Yahweh s v. 21 Pride Humbled Savior & Judge par excellence Jonah Prejudice Conquered 4:11 Judgment Postponed Resurrected Prophet Micah The Triumph of Hope 6:8 Divine Expectation Ruler of Bethlehem Nahum The Overthrow of Oppressors 1:15 Nineveh Doomed Bringer of Good Tidings Habakkuk Walking by Faith 2:4b Faith Conqueror of Satan Zephaniah The Day of Yahweh s Wrath 1:4 Remnant Witness Against the Nations Haggai Courageous Strength in Discouraging Times 1:8 Build! Desire of the Nations Zechariah Present Distress and Future Glory 4:6b Visions Enthroned Priest- King Malachi Divine Love Offended 3:8 Robbery Son of Righteousness

5 Jonah 790 Amos 760 Hosea 725 Micah 725 Nahum 654 Zephaniah 636 Habakkuk 612 Obadiah 586? Haggai 520 Zechariah 520 Joel 444? Malachi 420 Minor Prophets (Historical Overview) World Powers Assyria Babylonia Persia O.T. Periods Years United Monarchy Divided Monarchy: Israel (North) Divided Monarchy: Judah (South) Judah Alone 70 years of Exile Exile Reflection Writings

6 Neo-Assyrian Neo-Babylonian Persian Minor Prophets (Historical Overview) Anticipating the Destruction of the Northern Kingdom in 722 B.C. Jonah, Amos, Hosea & Micah Anticipating the Destruction of the Southern Kingdom in 586 B.C. Zephaniah, Habakkuk, Nahum & Obadiah Anticipating Future Hope, historically related to the Decree of Cyrus In 538 B.C. Haggai, Zechariah, Joel & Malachi

7 Minor Prophets (Geographical Overview)

8 Israel s Prophets Israel s Prophets includes the writing prophets known as the Minor Prophets. The map shows places of importance, birthplaces and cities of residence for the Minor Prophets.

9 Minor Prophets (Geographical Overview) Because this land formed the fulcrum point for both land and sea interaction in antiquity, it also became an international cultural bridge. Its strategic location makes it the place where East met West and where North met South. Since high antiquity, mighty powers with international political and economic aspirations have been poised at its borders. Historically speaking, what happened in this land was almost always a function of what was occurring or had recently occurred in the domain of one of its neighbors. Rare indeed have been those moments in time when citizens of this land were masters of their own destiny. -Moody Bible Atlas

10 Minor Prophets (Theological Overview) Covenant Temple Idolatry Messiah Theocracy Social Contract Presence and Protection Political Leverage (high places) Religions (Baal & Asheroth) Political Alliances Isaiah s Suffering Servant Answer to Political Conflict