THE MINOR PROPHETS

List in the Bible Hosea Joel Amos Obadiah Jonah Micah Nahum Habakkuk Zephaniah Haggai Zechariah Malachi

Chronological List of the Minor Prophets Early ( ) Obadiah Joel Jonah Middle ( ) Hosea Amos Micah Judah ( ) Nahum Zephaniah Habakkuk Post Exile ( ) Haggai Zechariah Malachi

Early Prophets Obadiah (1 chapter) prophesied against Edom Joel prophesied against Judah after a locust plague, warns of greater national judgment, and foresees a restoration before the final end of the Jewish system 2:28-32 Jonah prophesied against Nineveh (capital of Assyria) story more about Jonah than Nineveh Because of their repentance, God spared Nineveh

Middle Prophets Hosea prophesied against Israel and the Assyrian captivity; God told Hosea to marry a woman predisposed to harlotry as a parallel of Israel’s unfaithfulness to Him. Restoration is also foretold in Hosea’s redemption of his wife from prostitution. Amos was from Judah but sent to prophesy against Israel; he also prophesied against Israel’s neighbors; a short passage of hope fulfilled in Christ and the church 9:8-15 parallel with Obadiah Micah prophesied against Israel (Assyrian captivity) and Judah (6:8); had much to say about spiritual restoration 4:1-4; 5:2-4

7 th Century B.C. Prophets Nahum prophesied against Nineveh (Assyria); they fell to Babylon in 612 B.C. Zephaniah prophesied against Judah, then switched to judgments against neighboring nations and even Babylon. Chapter 3 is prophecy of restoration in context of Josiah’s reforms Habakkuk complained to God about Judah’s wickedness; God promised to send Babylon to punish Judah; then he wondered how God could use a more wicked nation to punish His people; God assures him of His justice and mercy 2:4

Post (after) Exile Prophets Haggai prophesied in 520 B.C.; he rebukes their priorities of building their houses and neglecting God’s house; they rebuilt the temple 70 years after Babylon destroyed it in 586 B.C. 1:5 Zechariah was with Haggai. He has many Messianic prophecies pointing to fulfillment in Jesus Christ 6:12-13 Malachi confronted the spiritual indifference of the Jews in the 5 th Century B.C.; many good spiritual lessons and two prophecies about John the Baptist 3:1; 4:5-6, Luke 1:16-17

All Prophets All of the prophets have foretold “these days” the days of the first century Acts 3:24 Jesus is the center of God’s plan of salvation v He is the servant of the Lord (Isaiah 40-66) He is the seed of Abraham Gen. 22:18, Gal. 3:16,26-29 He blesses us by forgiving us v.26 When we believe, repent, and are baptized v.19, 2:38