Chapter 5: The Minor Prophets

IN THIS CHAPTHER, you will discover:   

Hosea's love for his adulterous wife Gomer.   

The reason Jonah ran away from Nineveh.   

Joel, the prophet of Pentecost.   

The apocalyptic visions of Zechariah.    

AS A RESULT, you will be able to:   

Respond to God's unfailing love in a new way.   

Understand divine judgment in the history of nations.     

Prepare yourself for the next Day of the Lord.   

Receive a full blessing by honoring God.

Reading: Talk Thru the Bible, pp. 227-38, 244-49.

Key Words: Love, Judgment.

Key Verses: "'The days are coming,' declares the Sovereign Lord, 'when I will send a famine through the land - not a famine of food or a thirst for water, but a famine of hearing the words of the Lord. Men will stagger from sea to sea and wander from north to east searching for the word of the Lord, but they will not find it'"(Amos 8:11-12).

Key Chapters: Hosea 4, Amos 9.

The Minor Prophets

Although extremely succinct, the messages of the minor prophets are no less powerful than those of the major prophets. Before the time of Christ, the twelve books were joined together in one scroll called "The Twelve." For a period of four hundred years, the twelve prophets spoke at various times - ministering before, after, and during the Assyrian, Babylonian, and Persian Empires. 

Their messages were preached to the northern kingdom of Israel (Hosea, Amos), the gentile nations of Edom and Assyria (Obadiah, Jonah, and Nahum), the southern kingdom of Judah (Joel, Micah, Habakkuk, Zephaniah), and the remnant in Jerusalem (Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi). The minor prophets shared the same basic themes as the major prophets: 1) the exposing of sinful practices, 2) the calling back to the laws of God, 3) the warning of coming judgment, and 4) the foretelling of the Messiah. 

Key Concepts:

1. The seventeen __________________ books are known as the "dark continent of Scripture."
    [229]
2. They are called minor prophets because they are generally __________________ than the major prophets.  [229]
3. The combined length of the writings of the minor prophets is about equal to the one book of ________________. [229]
4. Which prophecy was written first? _____________________.[229]
5. The three postexilic prophets were Haggai, __________________ and ________________.[230] Hosea

Israel, like a saucy adulteress, has flaunted her sin in the face of the Almighty. She enjoys running after other gods and has no intention of changing her ways. On the surface, Israel seems to be very prosperous-and growing. But inside, her foundations are eaten away by moral decay. Her religious rituals are empty and meaningless, and she has become hardened by her corruptness. God abhors what he sees in his betrothed. Because he is holy, God must discipline Israel; because he is merciful, he will give her every opportunity to repent.

God uses Hosea his prophet as an object lesson to wayward Israel (Ephraim). He calls Hosea to a life that will demonstrate Israel's adulterous affairs with other gods. Hosea marries Gomer, who bears him three children. But his great love for her cannot keep Gomer from chasing after other men. She deserts him and runs away to enjoy all the pleasures of life. Finally, like the prodigal son, she spirals into total degradation. Gomer is about to be sold as a slave when Hosea rescues her. He buys back his wayward wife, redeeming her from a life of slavery. Gomer returns home as a forgiven woman.

Hosea's personal tragedy parallels Israel's national tragedy. It is the story of one-sided love and faithfulness that represents God and Israel. Because of his own hurt and humiliation, Hosea can identify with our Lord when we deliberately turn away from him to run after other gods. Throughout the book, God shows us that his forgiveness is great and that he longs for restoration.

Key Concepts :

1. The idolatry of Israel is portrayed as spiritual __________________. [234]
2. Hosea's passionately delivered words were tempered with __________________.[234]
3. Under King ______________________, Israel was prospering economically and politically. [235]
4. The degradation of Hosea's wife __________________ represents the judgment of Israel. [235]
5. "My people are destroyed for lack of ____________________." [235]
6. Christ's work of ___________________ is seen in Hosea's rescue of Gomer from the slave market. [236]

Amos

A period of prosperity is sweeping over Israel. Business is booming and everyone is optimistic; that is, everyone except the prophet Amos Just recently, he has left his country home in Judah to come to Beth el, the home of King Jereboarn II and the national center of idolatry Amos sees the nation filled with hypocrisy and spiritual indifference standing like a basket of rotting fruit ready for judgment. Though well educated in the Scriptures, Amos is very unpopular. The Israelites will not tolerate a Judean farmer who openly attacks their greed, injustice and self-righteousness.

Amos' basic theme is the coming judgment of the Lord. At this time both Israel and Judah are prospering economically and militarily. Assyria, Babylonia, and Syria are relatively weak, so it is hard for Israel or Judah to imagine imminent disaster. Even though the people continue to break God's covenant, he graciously sends Amos to plead for repentance.  But because they reject his plea, the course of judgment cannot be altered. Nevertheless, the book of Amos ends with God's promise to reinstate the Davidic line, to renew the land, and to restore his people.

Key Concepts :

1. Amos had a knowledge of the wilderness because he was both a ________________ and a grower of __________________. [245]
2. An ________________, which probably made an impression on Amos' hearers, took place in Israel on June 15, 763 B.C. [245]
3. Ironically, ________________ only increased the materialism, immorality, and injustice in Israel. [246]
4. Whereas Hosea preached against idolatry, Amos preached against __________________.[247]
5. "I will send a ___________________," God said seven times to warn them of coming judgment. [248]

Life Application: Have you stored up spiritual food in the event of a famine of the Word? If your Bible and church were suddenly taken away, would you starve spiritually? Begin today to memorize Scripture to feed not only yourself but also to bless others at your spiritual table. Memorize the Key Verse of this lesson (and other lessons). Write it below, and recite it to a friend or family member.

Reading: Talk Thru the Bible, pp. 250-260, 266-71.

Key Words: Judgment, Revival.

Key Verses: "The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him, but with an overwhelming flood he will make an end of Nineveh; he will pursue his foes into darkness." (Nahum 1:7-8).

Key Chapters: Jonah 3, Nahum 1.

Obadiah

"Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall" (Proverbs 16:18), and Edom is ready for a big one! The nation is extremely arrogant because of its secure position in Mount Seir. Having such great natural protection has made Edom overconfident. 

Obadiah makes it quite clear that Edom's fate is a certainty and not a condition. In fact, he carries one of the strongest messages of judgment in the Old Testament. Edom's fate is sealed; there is no chance for deliverance. As Obadiah predicts, they will be "cut off forever" and "no survivors shall remain of the house of Esau" (v. 18). Israel is consoled by Obadiah's assurance of her own future restoration, for Yahweh is faithful to his covenant promises.

Descended from Esau (twin brother of Jacob), the Edomites have a history of either ignoring Israel or participating in outright rebellion against her. When Israel asks to pass through their land on the way to Canaan, the Edomites adamantly refuse. Later, the nation rebels against the kings of both Israel and Judah. In 586 B.C. Edom applauds the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple. Ironically, much later in A.D. 70, the Edomites attempt to defend Jerusalem from attack, but after that time, are never heard from again. God's punishment of Edom has been caused by their mistreatment of his chosen ones. His justice will prevail!

Key Concepts:

1. The Edomites were descendants of __________________, Jacob's brother. [251 ]
2. Herod the Great, the King of Judea when Jesus was born, was an ________________, a later name for the Edomites. [252]
3. Obadiah is the (shortest, longest) book in the Old Testament. [253]
4. The worst thing Edom ever did was to gloat over the looting of __________________ by a foreign power. [253]
5. Obadiah prophesied that Israel would possess not only their own land but also that of Edom and ________________.[254 ]

Jonah

An evangelist's dream - revival sweeping a whole city - and after the world's shortest sermon! What prophet would not be ecstatic? Why, Jonah, of course! But let's not get ahead of ourselves.

God has called Jonah out of the northern kingdom to go to the gentile city Nineveh in Assyria. Jonah is privileged to break new ground-to go where no Hebrew prophet has ever gone. But Jonah, a true nationalist, does not want to preach repentance to such a cruel, heathen people. So instead of going five hundred miles northeast to Nineveh, Jonah heads for Tarshish (Spain) over two thousand miles away. But God has other plans for his prophet.

When a huge storm suddenly threatens to capsize the ship, the sailors cast lots to see who has offended his god. The lot falls on Jonah, who is then tossed overboard. Jonah should have drowned, but God saves him by preparing a big fish. Being swallowed by a fish is certainly traumatic, but the experience provides Jonah with a safe "prayer closet" where he can think about what he has done.

As a result of his side trip, Jonah obeys God's call to Nineveh. When Jonah proclaims judgment, the whole city repents-and God turns away from the disaster he has planned for them. Instead of rejoicing over this glorious revival, Jonah sulks because Nineveh is not destroyed.

In a rather humorous way, using a vine and a gourd, God reveals that Jonah himself is the one in great need of repentance.

Some great spiritual truths are taught in four short chapters:

• You can not run away from God.
• God can use anything to get your attention.
• Failure does not disqualify you for God?s service.
• Disobedience to God causes turmoil in a believer's life.
• God's plan is more important than patriotism.

Key Concepts:

1. Because ________________ himself supported the historical accuracy of the book, we know for certain that Jonah is not fictional or allegorical. [256]

2. Jonah feared the Assyrians because of their reputation for ________________ to their captives. [257]

3. Two ________________ and a solar eclipse may have prepared the Ninevites for Jonah?s message. [257]

4. Jesus likened Jonah?s time in the belly of the fish to his ________________ days in the tomb. [257-58]

5. ___________________ does not disqualify a person from God?s service. [258]

6. What was the text of Jonah's one-sentence sermon found in 3:4? 

Nahum

"The Lord is slow to anger and great in power; the Lord will not leave the guilty unpunished" (1:3).

For one hundred years, the Lord has watched Nineveh (Assyria) gradually change from the repentant city who recognized him as the one true God (see Jonah) to an arrogant, cruel, and impregnable city. The walls are one hundred feet high and wide enough for three chariots driving side by side. A moat 150 feet wide and 60 feet deep surrounds the mighty city. By all outward appearances, it can withstand attack and a very long siege. Assyria strikes terror in the heart of Judah, who lives in constant fear of a brutal attack and takeover.

Finally, God decrees Nineveh's well-deserved destruction, and he raises up Nahum the prophet to declare it. Nahum, unlike Jonah, never visits the city, for the people of Nineveh have already gone beyond the point of repentance. It is hard for Judah to comprehend Nahum's prophecy of Assyria's destruction, which is to come by a great flood and a fire. While Judah may see Nineveh as all-powerful, none of its resources can deter God's judgment.

Key Concepts :

1. Nineveh's judgment was deferred for ________________ years after Jonah's preaching. [267)
2. Ninevah was destroyed by the Babylonians in __________ B.C. [267]
3. The Assyrian king ________________ nearly captured Jerusalem during Hezekiah's reign in 701 B.C. [267]
4. Nineveh was so well-fortified that the city could withstand a __________ year siege. [268]
5. By the time of Nahum's prophecy, ________________had already been swallowed up by Assyria. [268]
6. Nahum's message comforts rather than condemns the nation of _________________.[269]

Life Application: Like Jonah, have you ever run from a situation to f which God has called you? As you recall the reasons for your failure, it may not be too late to obey. If possible, write a letter or make a phone call that will bring reconciliation and restoration. Above all, remember that God is a God of second chances.

Reading: Talk Thru the Bible, pp. 239-43, 261-65, 272-81. 

Key Words: Day of the Lord, Restoration, Faith, Judgment.  Key Verse: "He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God" (Mic. 6:8}. 

Key Chapters: Joel 2, Micah 6- 7, Habakkuk 3, Zephaniah 3. 

Joel 

Locusts! The word itself brings visions of horror! It is difficult to imagine anything worse than a land totally devastated by locusts -- grapevines stripped clean, grain fields laid bare, fruit trees totally leafless. Not enough grain can be found to make a grain offering to the Lord. Barrenness abounds! Joel uses this calamity to get his hearers' attention. He warns that the devastation to come will make the present seem pale by comparison. 

The next plague will be an army from the north sent by God himself. They, like the locusts, will gobble up the land and its people. Referring to the coming Day of the Lord, Joel asks, "Who can endure it?" (2:11). Even so, the people have one last hope -- to turn humbly to God in complete repentance. Joel reminds them that "everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved" (2:32). 

Joel prophesies that God will someday pour out his Spirit on all people-a foreshadow of Pentecost. Peter proclaims its fulfillment in his sermon on Pentecost Sunday. On that day, three thousand people are baptized, and the New Testament church is born! 

Key Concepts: 

1. God's judgment upon Judah resulted in a plague of ________________.[240]
2. ___________________, an eighth-century prophet, borrowed material from Joel. [241]
3. The coming Day of Judgment will culminate in great blessing and ________________ for all who trust in the Lord. [241] 
4. Joel prophesied the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the Day of ________________.[242] 
5. Joel was the first prophet to develop the biblical theme of the ___________________of the Lord. [242] 
6. God alone controls the course of ___________________.[243] 

Micah 

You never know where God will call you to serve. It may be simply to your own family or to the neighbors across the street. Maybe you will be one of the select few who is chosen to go to a hidden tribe somewhere in the depths of the jungle. Micah, a country fellow, is called from his rustic home to the city of Jerusalem, the political and religious capital of Judah. Many princes, merchants, influential people, politicians and the religious hierarchy reside within its walls. 

Micah, though not keenly aware of the political situation, has a deep concern for the sufferings of his people. He sees them being oppressed, cheated, and exploited in every way. His righteous indignation, which has arisen out of his deep compassion for the poor and powerless, causes Micah to rebuke the corrupt "rich and famous" of both Israel and Judah. He denounces those who use their social or political power for personal gain. No group escapes his watchful eye. Judges, priests, and prophets especially are singled out for their corruptness. 

In the last part of the book, there is a courtroom scene in which God calls the mountains and hills to serve as his jury. The case is against his people. Because they have divorced spirituality from their daily dealings, they are found guilty. Through Micah, God tells them of the coming judgment. But Micah also offers good news: God's justice will triumph. Restoration and real peace will come when the Messiah reigns! 

Key Concepts :

Matching: 

Isaiah                                         A. Who Is Like God [262] 

Moresheth Gath                         B. Micah's hometown [262] 

Messiah                                     C. King who reformed nation [262] 

Micah                                         D. Contemporary of Micah [262] 

Hezekiah                                   E. Divine Deliverer [263] 

Habakkuk 

God really is in control! Sometimes the circumstances of life appear to contradict that fact. God has revealed his power and purposes; yet daily God's laws are flagrantly violated through distorted justice and oppression. By letting iniquity go unpunished, God allows humanity to believe that there will be no penalty. In fact, as Habakkuk looks around, it seems as if the wicked are flourishing. Being a free-thinking individual, Habakkuk is not afraid to question God about the matter. He openly directs his questions and then waits to see how God will respond. 

The answer startles him, for Habakkuk has anticipated God's punishment of individuals. Instead, God is going to use the Babylonians (Chaldeans) to punish all of Judah. At first, Habakkuk argues that God should not punish Judah by using a people more wicked than she is. While Habakkuk is still reeling, God strikes a second blow when he announces five woeful areas in which Judah has sinned: 1) greed and aggression, 2) exploitation and extortion, 3) violence, 4) immorality, and 5) idolatry. 

Yahweh concludes with the statement, "But the LORD is in his holy temple; let all the earth be silent before him" (2:20). God is indeed worthy of our praise, and our faith is in him alone. This revelation causes Habakkuk to say, "Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior" (3:18).   

Key Concepts : 

1. The _________________ will be God's chastening rod, even though they were more wicked than Judah. [274] 
2. Yahweh may be slow to __________________, but all iniquity will eventually be punished. [274] 
3. God's glory in past and future ________________ encourages Habakkuk. [274] 
4. That "the just shall live by ________________" (2:4) was central to the argument of Habakkuk. [275] 
5. Habakkuk concludes with a psalm of ________________,one of the most majestic passages in Scripture. [276] 

Zephaniah  

"I will sweep away everything from the face of the earth" (1 :2) - quite an introduction from the mouth of Almighty God! Zephaniah ministers during the reign of King Josiah. Because he is a descendant of good King Hezekiah, Zedekiah may have freer access to the king's court. Very likely, he plays a significant role in preparing Judah for the revivals under the last good king, Josiah. Unfortunately, the evil reigns of Manasseh and Amon have made such a mark on Judah that Josiah's reforms are too little and too late. Although demonstrating outward change, Judah has an inward heart of corruption. 

Zephaniah's great theme is the coming Day of the Lord when all will be called unto account. The sovereign God will not only judge his own people but also the whole world. Abruptly, Zephaniah changes the tone from judgment to blessings, true worship, and rejoicing. 

"The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing" (3:17). What joy! What hope! The Lord God of Israel will sing over YOU! 

Key Concepts:

1. Because Zephaniah was descended from ________________, he was probably the only prophet of royal lineage.  [278]
2. Zephaniah prepared Judah for the reforms of ________________, the nation's last good king. [278]
3. God will not only judge his own people but also the ________________.  [279]
4. Wrath and mercy, severity and kindness cannot be separated in the _________________ of God.  [279]
5. (Zephaniah, Habakkuk, Lamentations) happens just before the fall of Jerusalem.  [280]
6. (Zephaniah, Habakkuk, Lamentations) prophecies the day of the Lord. [280]

Reading: Talk Thru the Bible, pp. 282-99.

Key Words: Reconstruction, Appeal, Backsliders.

Key Verse: "Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and having salvation, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey" (Zech. 9:9).

Key Chapters: Haggai 2, Zechariah 14, Malachi 3.

Haggai

What a blessing to see the fruits of your labor! Haggai is one of the few prophets privileged to see quick and tangible results. His messages are concise and often austere. They ring with divine authority, punctuated frequently with "Thus says the LORD." Therefore, when Haggai speaks, everybody listens!

Haggai's task is to get the people back to the reconstruction of the temple. God has graciously led his remnant back to Jerusalem under Zerubbabel for the specific purpose of rebuilding it. At first, the people are enthusiastic, but their initial optimism is dampened by multiple hardships. The pessimistic attitude of the people turns to spiritual lethargy. For fourteen years they find every excuse imaginable to leave the temple unfinished. But just twenty-three days after Haggai's first oracle, the people begin to rebuild.

After a while, Israel realizes that the new temple can never compare with Solomon's, and loses hope again. Haggai reminds the people of God's promise of a greater temple than the former one. He assures them that God will presently bless the nation because of their obedience in building. And future blessings will come when God overthrows the other nations. He will also honor Zerubbabel, a symbol of the Messiah.

Key Concepts:

1. In 538 B.C. ________________ of Persia issued a decree to rebuild the temple. [283]
2. The _________________, who were enemies of Israel, hindered the building of the temple. [283]
3. Before receiving God's blessings, the remnant must reorder its priorities and complete the __________________. [284]
4. Haggai describes __________________ as a signet ring, sealing both branches of the messianic line together. [285]
5. ________________ was the high priest who worked with Zerubbabel. [286]

Zechariah

To call Zechariah a "major Minor Prophet" may seem contradictory. But compared with the other minor prophets, his book is the longest. He also shares more messianic prophecies than any other prophet except Isaiah.

Zechariah's name means "God Remembers," and this theme dominates his book. Israel will be blessed because God remembers his covenant. It is amazing how so many prophets live up to their names. Yet, God's plan for each has been put into motion before his birth. What hope this knowledge instills in us! Using our personalities, talents, and gifts, God perfectly tailors his plan for each individual.

Although Haggai and Zechariah are given the same task, each pursues it in different ways. Both prophets have returned from exile along with Zerubabbel for the purpose of rebuilding the temple. While Haggai tersely rebukes the people to begin, Zechariah's appeal is in the form of encouragement. He spends eight chapters doing just that. The last six chapters, written after the completion of the temple, anticipate the Messiah's coming. Zechariah has the happy duty of prophesying not only the first advent of the Messiah (9:9) but also his second coming (14:4).

Key Concepts:

1. The temple must be built, for one day the glory of the ________________ will inhabit it. [288]
2. Zechariah pictures Christ as both the ________________ and the ________________ Shepherd. [290]
3. Motivating the remnant to build the temple was the task of both Zechariah and ________________. [290]
4. Zechariah experienced eight ________________ _________________ in one troubled night. [291]
5. The golden lampstand symbolizes God's ________________ who empowers Zerubbabel and Joshua. [291]

Malachi

More than eighty-five percent of the book of Malachi is spoken by God himself. No other prophetical book even comes close to that percentage. Malachi is outstanding for several other reasons:

• He gives a dramatic prophecy of the coming Messiah and his messenger, John the Baptist.
• He ends his prophecy with judgment, not consolation.
• His book is a prelude to a four hundred year prophetic silence.

"You rob me," says God. "How do we rob you?" Israel asks. "In tithes and offerings" is his answer (3:8). This exchange illustrates a recurring cycle of accusation, interrogation, and refutation, which forms the structure of the book. Israel?s underlying attitude is a sneering and arrogant challenge to the character of God. Rather than rebelling openly, they quietly settle into materialism and externalism.

Malachi tries to pierce the insensitivity of these backsliders by reminding them that Israel is a privileged nation. While wallowing in the problems of the present, they are forgetful of God?s great works for them in the past. They wonder why God is not blessing them. They never seem to understand that they have dishonored God by giving diseased animals as sacrifices, by divorcing their wives and marrying foreign women, and by robbing God of the tithes and offerings due him.

Malachi closes his prophecy (and the Old Testament) with the promise of Elijah's coming. If Israel fails to respond to the prophet's message of family reconciliation, God will strike the land with a curse.

Key Concepts :

1. Malachi uses the ___________________ method to probe deeply into the problems of Israel. [295]
2. Name two problems faced by both Nehemiah and Malachi. ________________________ and _____________________. [295]
3. After the book of Malachi, there was a prophetic silence of __________ years. [296]
4. ____________________ fulfilled the prediction of a messenger who would prepare the way for the Lord. [296]
5. Malachi is the only prophet who ends his book with __________________. [297]

Life Application: Have God's blessings been absent from your job, relationships, or finances recently? If so, review the reasons Malachi gives Israel for her problems. Do any of these relate to you? List son steps you can take to correct your actions in these areas. As you change, expect God to restore his blessings.