1. The Prophets
Messengers of God

2. Prophetic Books
18 books of the Old Testament that contain the sermons, dreams and visions of the prophets of God. Prophets were messengers of God that worked to keep the people (king) faithful to the covenant.
These writing prophets are known as latter prophets; The accounts of the former prophets are recorded in the historical books. Former prophets include Samuel, Elijah & Elisha
The terms major and minor refer to the length of the writings of the latter prophets, not the importance of the prophet or his message.
Major prophets: The major prophets are Isaiah, Jeremiah ,Ezekiel and Daniel The book of the prophet Isaiah is the longest prophetic book and was probably written by three different writers, Isaiah, Deutero-Isaiah and third Isaiah. The book of Lamentations is included in this section.
Minor prophets: Include Micah, Amos, Hosea, Habakkuk, Haggai, Zechariah, Jonah, Obadiah, Malachi, Zephaniah, Joel & Nahum
Baruch and Lamentations are prophet related writings

3. What did you learn? What is contained in the Books of the Prophets?
What does the label major or minor mean in reference to the prophetic books?
Who were the major prophets?
Name 5 minor prophets.

4. The Marks & Roles of the Prophets
Call Narrative:
Mysterious setting
God initiates
Resistance to the call
God reassures
Mission is given & accepted
Popularity
Most of the prophets were not popular with the officials of the state or the people because they told the truth about their sinful actions
Jeremiah
Keep the people and the king faithful to the covenant
Spiritual Warrior: make sure the king and people were obeying the Law of Moses
Messenger of God: Spoke the words of God
Social Revolutionary: Spoke out against social injustices

5. Oh! No, More Questions!!
Describe the call narrative of a prophet that follows this sequence.
Who was the prophet who was most unpopular with the officials of Judah?
What was the function of the Old Testament prophet?
What 3 roles did he play to fulfill his purpose?
Briefly explain the job of
Spiritual Warrior
Social Revolutionary
Messenger of God

6. Message of the Prophets
Form:
An Oracle
A message given in the words of God; Prefaced with “Thus says the Lord”, Uses the pronoun “I”
Paraphrase by the prophet
Expression:
Prophecy of Doom
This message was a warning of the disaster that would follow if the King and the people did not change their evil ways
Prophecy of Encouragement
This message offered hope for the future if the King and the people changed their evil ways.
How?

7. Message of the Prophets
Unfaithfulness to God’s Covenant
Idolatry
Worshipping false gods
Putting faith in others rather than Yahweh
Why?
Social Injustice
Oppressing the poor
Adultery
Lying
Cheating
Stealing
Murder
Any practice that took away the human rights of another

8. Why do we read about the prophets? Something to think about!
What do the accounts of the Old Testament prophets tells us about God’s relationship with humankind?
Do the messages of the prophets still speak to us today?
If God sent a prophet to speak to us today what would he say to us?