A Survey of the Prophets - Introduction
<<...Intro <...Previous Next...> Epilog...>>
Introduction. The purpose of this survey is to examine a somewhat "dustier" part of the Bible's library of books. While religious people in general are somewhat familiar with the historical books in the Old Testament (Genesis, Exodus, Judges, 1&2 Samuel, 1&2 Kings, etc.), many people have limited or no familiarity with some of the prophetic works in the OT.
The Books. This survey will cover what is commonly known as the Major and Minor Prophets of Isaiah through Malachi. The first five books (Isaiah through Daniel) are commonly described as "major" simply due to their length relative to twelve, shorter prophetic books (Hosea through Malachi). The following dates are approximate.
The Books. This survey will cover what is commonly known as the Major and Minor Prophets of Isaiah through Malachi. The first five books (Isaiah through Daniel) are commonly described as "major" simply due to their length relative to twelve, shorter prophetic books (Hosea through Malachi). The following dates are approximate.
|
Old Testament Order
|
The Major and Minor Prophets cover over a 400 year span from roughly 850 B.C. to 425 B.C.:
|
Chronological Order
|
Historical Background of the Books. The nation of the Israelites was unified under the kingship of Saul, David, and Solomon between roughly 1050 B.C. and 930 B.C. (described in 1 & 2 Samuel, 1 Kings 1-11). With the death of King Solomon, the nation divided along tribal boundaries (1 Kings 12). Roughly ten tribes in the northern part of the nation aligned to form the Northern Kingdom, often referred to as "Israel" in the scriptures. Roughly two tribes in the southern part of the nation aligned to form the Southern Kingdom, often referred to as "Judah" in the scriptures.
Over the centuries, both kingdoms suffered from external military threats from surrounding Gentile kingdoms, including Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, and Persia. Around 720 B.C., the nation of Israel fell to the Assyrian Empire and was scattered throughout their Empire never to return (2 Kings 17). The nation of Judah fell to the Babylonian Empire around 600 B.C. (2 Kings 25). Much of the nation was taken into captivity by the Babylonians, but allowed to return to their lands starting around 540 B.C. (Ezra 1) after the Babylonians were conquered by the Medes/Persians (Dan. 5).
The Authors and the Audiences. Each of the 17 books is entitled with the person's name normally credited with writing the book (Lamentations also written by Jeremiah is the exception). These 16 men all appear to be of Jewish descent, although we know little about most of them. 15 appear to have been from the Southern Kingdom while one was from the Northern Kingdom (Hosea).
Most of these prophetic works were written to address the spiritual apostasy of the Jews. Such apostasy often took the form of disregard for the Law of Moses and overt idol worship of pagan gods. Most of the books were addressed to the Southern Kingdom with two of the books being addressed primarily to the Northern Kingdom (Hosea, Amos).
Interestingly, three of the books were addressed to Gentile nations (Jonah, Obadiah, Nahum). This shows God held Gentile nations accountable for their actions, although they were not subjects of the Law of Moses.
The Authors and the Audiences. Each of the 17 books is entitled with the person's name normally credited with writing the book (Lamentations also written by Jeremiah is the exception). These 16 men all appear to be of Jewish descent, although we know little about most of them. 15 appear to have been from the Southern Kingdom while one was from the Northern Kingdom (Hosea).
Most of these prophetic works were written to address the spiritual apostasy of the Jews. Such apostasy often took the form of disregard for the Law of Moses and overt idol worship of pagan gods. Most of the books were addressed to the Southern Kingdom with two of the books being addressed primarily to the Northern Kingdom (Hosea, Amos).
Interestingly, three of the books were addressed to Gentile nations (Jonah, Obadiah, Nahum). This shows God held Gentile nations accountable for their actions, although they were not subjects of the Law of Moses.
|
Outline/Major Themes. These books employed two forms of prophecy: 1) informing the audience of their current spiritual condition in the eyes of God ("forth-telling") and 2) making predictions for their future ("fore-telling"). These two forms were used to communicate five reoccurring themes found throughout many of the books:
|
|
Messages for Christians. While the books of the Major and Minor Prophets were written to predominately Jewish audiences over 2500 years ago, many of their messages are echoed in the books of the New Testament written for Christians. Hence, we can obtain spiritual value by becoming familiar with these ancient books. We can also gain a greater appreciation for the interaction of God with both Jew and Gentile peoples as well as improve our knowledge of the overall historical framework of ancient events in the Middle East.
Approach. This survey takes a historical-chronological approach. The sequence of books in our Bibles is not based entirely on the chronology of when they were written. Although there is some uncertainty regarding dates of authorship, each book is addressed in somewhat chronological order and within its historical setting. At the end of the survey is an epilogue bridging the time between the last prophet, Malachi, and the New Testament.
The discussion of each book is organized similarly to this Introduction and addresses the following topics:
Approach. This survey takes a historical-chronological approach. The sequence of books in our Bibles is not based entirely on the chronology of when they were written. Although there is some uncertainty regarding dates of authorship, each book is addressed in somewhat chronological order and within its historical setting. At the end of the survey is an epilogue bridging the time between the last prophet, Malachi, and the New Testament.
The discussion of each book is organized similarly to this Introduction and addresses the following topics:
- Historical Background of the Book
- The Author and the Audience
- Outline/Major Themes
- Messages for Christians
- "A Book-by-Book Study of the Old Testament" by Rubel Shelly
- "The Pulpit Commentary" by Hendrickson Publishers
- www.bible-history.com for maps of the Middle East
<<...Intro <...Previous Next...> Epilog...>>