THE MINOR PROPHETS

 

Introduction

Lesson #1

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

 

A.     Today we begin a 13-lesson study of the Minor Prophets.

 

Hosea              Obadiah          Nahum                       Haggai

Joel                  Jonah              Habakkuk                   Zechariah

Amos              Micah              Zephaniah                  Malachi

 

B.      Because there are twelve books that make up the Minor Prophets, sometimes they are simply referred to as “The Twelve.”

 

C.     These books are not studied very often. 

1.       Some have the idea that they are too difficult.

2.       Others believe the messages of the books are not relevant to issues of today.

 

D.     There are many different ways to study these books.

1.       We could study them solely in light of their historical background.

a.       Every one of these books was written during the time of the Divided Kingdom.

1)      Most of the books were addressed to the Southern Kingdom of Judah.

2)      One, Hosea, was specifically designed for the Northern Kingdom of Israel.

b.      There are a couple of the books that are written to nations other than Jewish nation: Obadiah, Jonah, and Nahum.

c.       If we looked at the books historically, we would pay attention to the kingdoms being addressed, their leaders, and the major issues of the day.

2.       It is fun to study the Minor Prophets by looking solely at their major theme.

a.       A theme is the “golden strand” that runs through the entire book.

b.      The theme is the idea that ties the entire book together.

3.       We could examine the books by doing a survey of each book. 

a.       In surveys, the teacher attempts to cover the entire book.

b.      It is overviewed by several different sections that are found in the book.

4.       We could simply look at the numerous prophecies that are found in these books. 

a.       There are prophecies about people.

b.      There are prophecies about nations.

c.       There are prophecies about events.

d.      There are prophecies of doom and destruction.

e.       There are prophecies about the coming kingdom.

f.        There are prophecies about the Messiah.

5.       Another way to study the books is by doing a verse-by-verse study. 

 

E.      This is a Ladies’ Bible class.

1.       Ladies have certain issues that apply directly to them.

2.       In this class, I hope to take the Minor Prophets and make them as applicable as possible to you. 

 

F.      However, before we look at a specific book, we need to briefly introduce the Minor Prophets to you.

I.                    THE OFFICE OF A PROPHET

 

A.     The office of a prophet was created by God.

1.       When God spoke to a man and asked him to communicate His message to others, the office of a prophet was established

a.       Verses:

1)      Amos 3:7

 

Surely the Lord God will do nothing but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.

 

2)      Hebrews 1:1

 

God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in times past unto the fathers by the prophets…

 

3)      2 Peter 1:19

 

We have a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in darkness, until the day dawn, and the daystar arise in your hearts.

 

b.      The office of a prophet was one of three positions that involved an anointing by God: 

1)      Priests (Ex., Aaron, Exo. 29:5-7)

2)      Kings (Ex., Saul, 1 Sam. 10:1)

3)      Prophets (Ex., Elisha, 1 Kings 19:16)

4)      NOTE:  Jesus is a prophet, priest, and king. 

a)      He is referred to as “the Lord’s anointed” (Ps. 2:2; Acts 4:27; 10:38).

b)      The word “Christ” means “anointed one.

 

B.      The first and last prophets.

1.       The first prophet according to Jesus was Abel (Luke 11:50-51).

a.       We do not have recorded for us the words of the prophet, Abel.

1)      Some believe that his only proclamation came through his death (Heb. 11:4).

 

By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts:  and by it he being dead yet speaketh.

 

2)      God could have revealed messages to him that are not recorded for us.  We do know that Cain and Abel spoke with each other in the field (Gen. 4:8).  Could Abel have had a message from God for his brother?

2.       The first man who is said to be a prophet in the Old Testament is Abraham (Gen. 20:7).

 

Now therefore restore the man his wife; for he is a prophet…

 

3.       However, there was another prophet in the Old Testament who came after Abel and before Abraham. 

a.       In Genesis 5, we read of a man called Enoch. 

b.      Enoch did not die.  God translated him from the earth (Gen. 5:24).

c.       In the book of Jude, however, we learn that Enoch was a prophet (Jude 14-15).

 

And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints, to execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him.

 

4.       The last prophet was the apostle John (See Rev. 22:18-19).

5.       There were two main groups of prophets in between these two men.

a.       The oral prophets.  These individuals made prophetic utterances, but they did not write their messages in books.

b.      The writing prophets.  These men recorded their messages for us in the pages of God’s holy Word.

6.       Other ways of contrasting the prophets:

a.       Men prophets and women prophetesses (Miriam, Deborah, Huldah, Isaiah’ wife, Anna)

b.      Old Testament prophets and New Testament prophets

c.       Named prophets and unnamed prophets

d.      True prophets and false prophets

e.       Major and minor prophets

1)      They are “major” prophets only in that they are longer books of prophecy.

2)      They are “minor’ prophets only in that they are shorter books of prophecy.

 

C.     In the days of Samuel, a school of prophets was established. 

1.       “A group of prophets” (1 Sam. 19:18-24).

2.       “Sons of the prophets” (2 Kings 2:5; 4:38-44).

3.       This school of the prophets was designed for several purposes.  “The school of the prophets was established by Samuel to protect the nation against corruption. It was designed to promote the mental and spiritual welfare of the youth. It aimed at furnishing the nation with godly men equipped to lead spiritually (www.bibleaks.org, “What was the school of the prophets?”, February 23, 2020).

 

D.     In the first century church, there were nine miraculous gifts that was given by the laying on the apostles’ hands.  One of these was the gift of prophecy (See 1 Cor. 12:7-11).

 

II.                 THE NAMES OR TITLES OF THE PROPHETS

 

A.     The earliest name for a prophet was “seer” (1 Sam. 9:9).

 

(Beforetime in Israel, when a man went to inquire of God, thus he spake, Come, and let us go to the seer:  for he that is now called a prophet was beforetime called a Seer.)

 

B.      Prophet (2 Kings 3:11)

 

C.     Spokesman (Exo. 4:16)

 

D.     Man of God (1 Sam. 2:27)

 

E.      Messengers (2 Chron. 36:15)

 

F.      Watchman (Ezek. 3:17)

 

G.     My servants the prophet (Jer. 7:25)

 

III.              WHAT DID THE PROPHETS DO?

 

A.     The prophets were spokesmen for God.

1.       They spoke by the Spirit of God.

a.       David (2 Sam. 23:2)

 

The Spirit of the Lord spake by me, and his word was in my tongue.

 

 

b.      Jeremiah (Jer. 1:7)

 

…for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak.

 

c.       2 Peter 1:21

 

For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man:  but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

 

d.      The apostles (Matt. 10:19-20)

 

But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak:  for it shall be given you in the same hour what ye shall speak.  For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you.

 

2.       These men could speak about three things:  the past, the present, and the future.

 

B.      God revealed His message to them in many ways:

1.       Plain words (Acts 26:25)

2.       Highly figurative words:  apocalyptic language (Rev. 1:1)

3.       Visions (1 Sam. 13:15)

4.       Dreams (Gen. 37:5)

5.       The use of the prophets as illustrations (Ex., Hosea’s marriage, Hos. 1:2)

6.       Objects used as illustrations (Ex., a yoke, Jer. 28:10-11)

 

C.     The life of a prophet was very difficult.

1.       Their messages were often rejected (Isa. 30:10; Jer. 36:23)

2.       They were mocked (2 Chron. 36:16)

3.       They were persecuted (Matt. 5:12)

4.       They were arrested (Jer. 37:15-16)

5.       They were tortured (Jer. 38:6)

6.       They were killed in all kinds of horrible ways (Matt. 23:37)

 

CONCLUSION

 

A.     We have a lot to cover in the next twelve (12) sessions of our study, 67 chapters.

 

B.      We will be focusing on one to two aspects of each book and applying them to our lives today.

 

C.     It is hoped that this study of the Minor Prophets will make us betters servants in the Lord’s kingdom.