1. THE MINOR PROPHETS

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

3. Chronological List of the Minor Prophets Early (850-750) Obadiah Joel Jonah Middle (750-700) Hosea Amos Micah Judah (700-600) Nahum Zephaniah Habakkuk Post Exile (520-400) Haggai Zechariah Malachi

4. 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

5. 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 19-21 Micah prophesied against Israel (Assyrian captivity) and Judah (6:8); had much to say about spiritual restoration 4:1-4; 5:2-4

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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. 25-26 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