It is a proclamation of God’s message.  It is a proclamation of God’s message.  Prophets are certain persons who receive communication from God through inspiration and transmit it to the people.

The prophets of Israel were not simply mouthpieces of God, but were also quite human as their own sensitivity and consciousness were at work. They were able to recognize problems of their time and perceived them in a divine perspective.

This divine perspective caused an effect as a direct verbal communication with God. The prophets were men of courage who speak up against authority and power, pointing out the problems, solutions and consequences.

They spoke about the future but were not unrelated to the present; they preached concerning the here and now. They were not fortune tellers with crystal balls or tarot cards.

Former Prophets: Judges  Judges  Ruth  Joshua

Latter Prophets  Isaiah; Jeremiah; Ezekiel ;  and the 12 Minor Prophets: Hosea; Joel; Amos; Obadiah; Jonah; Micah; Nahum; Habakkuk; Zephaniah; Haggai; Zechariah; Malachi

Isaiah..means “God will give us salvation” The prophet brought the message of God’s judgment on the nations, pointed to a future king like David, and promised a time of comfort and peace.

Through the mouth of Isaiah, God proclaims His redemptive plan for all history. Israel, the community of God’s people yesterday and today, is described as the recipient of both divine judgment and forgiveness.

EMMANUEL, YHWH is with us … The Emmanuel is the Messiah foretold in the other prophecies of Isaiah. In Isaiah 8:8, Palestine is called the land of Emmanuel, though in other passage it is termed the land or the inheritance of Yahweh Emmanuel and Yahweh are identified together

Jeremiah Was God’s spokesman for Judah but nobody listened to him Was put to prison and to a cistern then brought to Egypt against his will He was not a success in the world but in God’s eyes he was one of the most successful regardless of opposition

Lamentations Written by Jeremiah to teach people that to disobey God is invite disaster and to show that God suffers when his people suffer.

Baruch Secretary of Jeremiah, addressed all God’s people everywhere Secretary of Jeremiah, addressed all God’s people everywhere Expressed sentiments of exalting the law of Moses as a gift of God, the observance of which is s the way to life and peace. Expressed sentiments of exalting the law of Moses as a gift of God, the observance of which is s the way to life and peace.

Ezekiel Son of Buza, a priest, who announced God’s judgment on Israel and other nations. Son of Buza, a priest, who announced God’s judgment on Israel and other nations. He was a Jewish “street preacher” He was a Jewish “street preacher” Spoke about repentance and obedience, challenged people to turn from their wicked ways. Spoke about repentance and obedience, challenged people to turn from their wicked ways. the book concludes with message of hope and foretells of future blessings for them. the book concludes with message of hope and foretells of future blessings for them.

Daniel centers on the profound truth --- the sovereignty of God It tells about his three friends, Hananiah, Mishael, and Abednego It tells about his three friends, Hananiah, Mishael, and Abednego He gave a preview of God’s redemption He gave a preview of God’s redemption

HOSEA : Prophet of Love An 18 th century B.C. prophet, was influenced by his personal marital experience. His wife, Gomer was a prostitute and was unfaithful. She symbolized faithless Israel.

Hosea’s love was so profound that he could not abandon Gomer or stop loving her, so likewise God’s love for faithless Israel was so unfathomable that he would seek to bring her back. To recapture the love of their early days, God longed for a return to their desert experience.

Joel Prophesied from BC, warned the people of Judah of God’s impending judgment because of their sins and urged them to go back to God. Prophesied from BC, warned the people of Judah of God’s impending judgment because of their sins and urged them to go back to God.

AMOS : Prophet of Social Justice He is a mid-8 th century B.C. prophet, delivered his oracles in the northern kingdom of Israel. Called and sent by God, he denounced the widespread social injustices, which were violations of the Mosaic covenant.

He was a shepherd from the south, preached briefly,with fine, rural imagery against the corruptions of wealth, luxury, perversion of justice and external religion. When the punishment of the Day of the Lord was looming, Amos was the first to teach that a faithful remnant will survive—unless this one ray of hope was added later.

Obadiah The shortest book in the Old Testament to show that God judges those who have harmed his people

JONAH : Prophet of Committment The Book of Jonah describes the adventures of a defiant prophet. He was told to go and preach to the Ninevites, Israel’s traditional enemy. Jonah sought escape He boarded a ship, was tossed overboard, swallowed and rescued by a large fish, and sent to Nineveh. Jonah sought escape He boarded a ship, was tossed overboard, swallowed and rescued by a large fish, and sent to Nineveh.

who wanted to limit God’s mercy and salvation exclusively to the chosen people. To his way of thinking, God’s mercy should not extend to other nations, especially to the hated Ninevites … who wanted to limit God’s mercy and salvation exclusively to the chosen people. To his way of thinking, God’s mercy should not extend to other nations, especially to the hated Ninevites This Book reveals the universality of God’s offer of mercy and salvation.

Micah A contemporary of Isaiah and Hosea A contemporary of Isaiah and Hosea Addressed the people of Judah, he presents the true picture of God -- who hates sin and loves sinner. Addressed the people of Judah, he presents the true picture of God -- who hates sin and loves sinner.

Nahum Addressed the people of Nineveh and Judah to pronounce God’s judgment on Assyria, the most powerful nation on earth. Addressed the people of Nineveh and Judah to pronounce God’s judgment on Assyria, the most powerful nation on earth.

Habakkuk Troubled by what he observed in the world, he addressed his complaints directly to God Troubled by what he observed in the world, he addressed his complaints directly to God God’s answers are recorded in this book which ends with a prayer of triumph God’s answers are recorded in this book which ends with a prayer of triumph

Zephaniah contemporary of Jeremiah, spoke the truth clearly His prophecy is filled with terror about God’s wrath but in the end, declares hope for those who are faithful to Him

Haggai addressed the people in Jerusalem to rebuild the Temple, the symbol of God’s presence in them destroyed, by the armies of Babylon

Zechariah Ministered to a small remnant of Jews who returned to Judah to rebuild the Temple Ministered to a small remnant of Jews who returned to Judah to rebuild the Temple The book gives detailed Messianic references fulfilled in the life of Jesus. The book gives detailed Messianic references fulfilled in the life of Jesus. Proclaimed a message of hope for the “great deliverer “ of Israel. Proclaimed a message of hope for the “great deliverer “ of Israel.

Malachi Confronts s the people with their sins and to restore their relationship with God Confronts s the people with their sins and to restore their relationship with God The book concludes with a promise of another prophet who will offer God’s forgiveness through repentance and faith. The book concludes with a promise of another prophet who will offer God’s forgiveness through repentance and faith. It connects the Old and the New Testaments It connects the Old and the New Testaments