Introduction to the Old Testament Prophetic Writings 15

Introduction to the Old Testament Prophetic Writings 15 April 2008 1

Prophecy in the Bible Ø The Bible includes about 10, 000 prophecies Ø About 1/3 of the Bible is directly or indirectly related to prophecy Ø 51 of the Bible's 66 books were written by people called prophets or who made prophetic statements or had visions or dreams inspired by God Ø 57 of the books mention prophets Ø 49 contain prophecies Ø 47 show fulfilled prophecies Ø All 66 books are somehow related to prophets or prophecy 2

Old Testament Prophets Ø Oral prophets – left no records that survived § Nathan, Iddo, Jehu, Elijah, Elisha, … Ø Writing prophets – left writing that survived § Major – Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel § Minor – had shorter writings – Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi 3

O. T. Prophets’ Ministry Ø Foretelling – telling what God was going to do Ø Forth-telling § Exposed sinful practices § Urged people to obey the Law & trust God § Warned the people of coming judgment § Anticipated the coming Messiah § Offered a future hope 4

O. T. Prophets’ Qualifications Ø Called by God Ø Could not just be a good guesser Ø Had to be 100% accurate If what a prophet proclaims in the name of the Lord does not take place or come true, that is a message the LORD has not spoken. That prophet has spoken presumptuously. Do not be afraid of him. – Dt. 18: 22 NIV 5

The Law and the Prophets “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. ” (Mt. 5: 17 NKJV) 6

Hebrew Bible (Tanakh) The Law Torah The Prophets Nevi’im The Writings Ketuvim 7

Hebrew Bible (Tanakh) The Law Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy The Former Joshua, Judges, Samuel, Kings Prophets The Latter Prophets Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel and the Twelve Prophets The Writings Psalms, Proverbs, Job, Song of Solomon, Ruth, Lamentations, Ecclesiastes, Esther, Daniel, Ezra-Nehemiah, Chronicles 8

Prophetic Writings Before the Exile Dates Audienc e World Power Theme Obadia Unknown h 848 -841 Edom Assyria Doom of Edom 1 Joel Unknown 835 Judah Assyria Coming judgment 3 Jonah Unknown 782 -753 Assyria Salvation to Gentiles 4 Author Backgrou nd Ch. 9

Prophetic Writings Before the Exile Author Backgrou nd Dates Audienc e World Power Theme Amos Farmer 760 -753 Israel Assyria Judgment on Israel 9 Hosea Citizen of Israel 755 -715 Israel Assyria Loyal love of God 14 Isaiah Noble, scholar 740 -680 Judah Assyria Salvation is of the Lord 66 Micah Unknown 735 -700 Judah Assyria Injustice and justice 7 Ch. 10

Prophetic Writings Before the Exile Author Backgrou nd Dates Audien ce World Power Nahum Unknown 664654 Assyria Theme Ch. Destruction of Nineveh 3 Judah Assyria & Coming Babyloni judgment a 57 632628 Judah Babyloni a The Day of the Lord 3 609605 Judah Babyloni a The just shall live by faith 3 Jeremiah Priest 627580 Zephania Unknown h Habakku Unknown k 11

Prophetic Writings During the Exile Autho Backgroun Dates r d Audienc World e Power Theme Ch. Danie Civil l servant 605535 Jews in Babylon & Babylon Medoia Persia Sovereignty of God 12 Ezeki el 593571 Jews in Babylon ia Glory of the Lord 48 Unknown 12

Prophetic Writings After the Exile Author Haggai Zechari ah Malachi Backgrou nd Dates Audienc e World Power Theme Unknown 520 Jews in Jerusale m Medo. Persia Rebuilding the temple 2 Unknown 520480 Jews in Jerusale m Medo. Persia Future blessing for Israel 14 Unknown 432424 Jews in Jerusale m Medo. Persia Appeal to backsliders 4 Ch. 13