Bible Basics Major Prophets

The Major Prophets Isaiah Jeremiah Lamentations Ezekiel Daniel

What’s in there? The prophets forewarned Israel of the takeover of Babylon if they did not repent They continued in idolatry, and this came to pass

Isaiah Isaiah is the prophet’s name who wrote the book Written around 700 BC Written to prophesy against Judah, the southern kingdom Judah is threatened by Assyria and Egypt Isaiah portrays God’s oncoming judgment as a “consuming fire” (Isaiah 1:31; 30:33). Focuses on salvation through the coming Messiah The Messiah will one day rule in justice and righteousness (Isaiah 9:7; 32:1). The reign of the Messiah will bring peace and safety to Israel (Isaiah 11:6-9). Through the Messiah, Israel will be a light to all the nations (Isaiah 42:6; 55:4-5)

Jeremiah Jeremiah is the name of the prophet who wrote the book Written between 630 and 580, Babylon takes Judah captive Purpose is a final warning to Judah to turn and repent Jeremiah 1:5, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” Jeremiah 17:9, “The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?” Jeremiah 29:10-11, “This is what the LORD says: ‘When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my gracious promise to bring you back to this place. ‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’”

Lamentations Jeremiah is the author of Lamentations A lament is a “crying out in grief” This particular lament is for the captivity of Israel by the Babylonians Solomon’s temple of 400 years is burned to the ground Key Verses: Lamentations 3:22-23, “Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” Lamentations 5:19-22, “You, O LORD, reign forever; your throne endures from generation to generation. Why do you always forget us? Why do you forsake us so long? Restore us to yourself, O LORD, that we may return; renew our days as of old unless you have utterly rejected us and are angry with us beyond measure.”

Ezekiel Written by Ezekiel between 593 and 565, during Babylonian captivity Ezekiel 2:3-6, "He said: 'Son of man, I am sending you to the Israelites, to a rebellious nation that has rebelled against me; they and their fathers have been in revolt against me to this very day. The people to whom I am sending you are obstinate and stubborn. Say to them, 'This is what the Sovereign LORD says.' And whether they listen or fail to listen-for they are a rebellious house-they will know that a prophet has been among them.'" Ezekiel had to preach to Israel to repent, even after God had already given them Isaiah and Jeremiah

Daniel Written by Daniel during rule by several kings of Babylon and Medo-Persia The time of Daniel was around 600BC Daniel is divided between the narrative chapters 1-6 and the prophetic chapters The fiery furnace and the writing on the wall are both accounts from Daniel Daniel 3:17-18, “If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up."

What else can we say about the Major Prophets? The New Testament contains the revelation of events and the coming of the Messiah as prophesied by these prophets. They are spoken of by name many times: Isaiah is spoken of by name over 20 times in the New Testament. Usually “to fulfill what was said through the prophet Isaiah…” (like Matt 3:3,4:14) Jeremiah is spoken of 3 times (all in Matt), and Daniel once (in Matt). This is in addition to the other quotes that do not specifically mention their names, but quote their prophecy.

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