Survey of the Old Testament Part 3B: The Minor Prophets in Weymouth Class
In this course at Mountjoy Bible School, you will explore the lesser-known prophets of the Old Testament and gain insights into their messages and relevance. Delve into the prophetic writings, historical contexts, and theological themes to deepen your understanding of Scripture. Join us in an enriching journey through the rich tapestry of the Minor Prophets.
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LESSON FIVE LESSON FIVE SURVEY OF THE OLD TESTAMENT SURVEY OF THE OLD TESTAMENT PART 3B: PART 3B: THE MINOR PROPHETS THE MINOR PROPHETS Mountjoy bible school Weymouth class of 2019 1 Mountjoy Bible School
Twelve Minor Prophets HOSEA OBADIAH NAHUM HAGGAI SALVATION OF JEHOVAH SERVANT OF JEHOVAH COMFORTER MY FEAST JOEL JONAH HABAKKUK ZECHARIAH JEHOVAH / ELOHIM DOVE EMBRACED JEHOVAH REMEMBERS AMOS MICAH ZEPHANIAH MALACHI BURDEN WHO IS LIKE? JEHOVAH HAS TREASURED MY MESSENGER Mountjoy Bible School 2
Hoseas family an object lesson in mercy Hosea (Salvation of Jehovah) Gomer (Complete) Jezreel (God will sow/scatter) Lo-Ammi (Not My people) Lo-Ruhamah (No mercy) Mountjoy Bible School 3
Hosea - the love & mercy of God Hosea loves a woman who is unfaithful and leaves him. He continues to love and constantly seeks her welfare When she falls into slavery he buys her back Mercy is the over-riding characteristic of the book It is an illustration of God s love for Israel Though Israel has pursued other lovers, God has remained constant in His love He brought her back from slavery (captivity) Mountjoy Bible School 4
Hosea - the love & mercy of God Peter sees a wider application Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy . (1 Pet. 2.10) Mountjoy Bible School 5
Amos - the Judgement of God If punishment is absent from Hosea it is uppermost in Amos For three transgressions and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof (1.3; 1.6; 1.9; 1.11; 1.13; 2.1; 2.4; 2.6) The Syrians, the Philistines, the Phoenicians, the Edomites, the Ammonites, the Moabites, the Israelites and the Judeans are all guilty Mountjoy Bible School 6
Amos - the Judgement of God What brings God s anger? Social injustice and unnecessary cruelty because they sold the righteous for silver, and the poor for a pair of shoes (2.6) because he did pursue his brother with the sword, and did cast off all pity, and his anger did tear perpetually, and he kept his wrath for ever (1.11) Mountjoy Bible School 7
Amos - the Judgement of God Sin against man and God marks it! For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not .. Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me. And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal (Matt.25.42 ff) Mountjoy Bible School 8
Amos - the Judgement of God But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; Who will render to every man according to his deeds (Rom.2.5) Social injustice is rooted in alienation from God Sin against God becomes crime against man (the innocent Jesus is killed) Mountjoy Bible School 9
Judgement & Mercy Here is the problem of the prophets Hosea says God s mercy endureth for ever. Amos says God will judge sin and punish the offender. These two aspects of the character of God seem mutually exclusive How can we square the circle? Joel will help us! Mountjoy Bible School 10
Joel (Jehovah/Elohim) Jehovah (used 7600 times in the OT) is the name of God revealed in His relationship with His people, e.g. Jehovah Tsidkeenu, Jehovah Ro-hi, Jehovah Ro-pheca, etc. Jehovah is the Name that holds the truth of mercy Elohim (used 2500 times in the OT) is the name of God revealed as Creator, the Almighty, the Judge of all the earth Elohim is the Name that holds the truth of judgment Joel brings them together in his name and in his prophecy Elijah is the other in Scripture that has the dual name Mountjoy Bible School 11
Joel - Repentance leads to salvation The mercy of God is the result of repentance, and is firmly connected to the Spirit of God and the Saviour I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh ... I will show wonders in the heaven and in the earth, blood and fire, and pillars of smoke ... and it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be delivered (2.28-31) Mountjoy Bible School 12
Joel Jehovah-Elohim Repentance Hosea Jehovah Mercy Amos Elohim Judgement Mountjoy Bible School 13
Obadiah - Judgement Amos spoke of judgement coming to Edom For three transgressions of Edom, and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because he did pursue his brother with the sword, and did cast off all pity, and his anger did tear perpetually, and he kept his wrath for ever (1.11) Obadiah takes this theme further . Mountjoy Bible School 14
Obadiah - Judgement The brother nation does not act in brotherly love - but acted as enemies For thy violence against thy brother Jacob (10) ..in the day that the strangers carried away captive his forces, and foreigners entered into his gates, and cast lots upon Jerusalem, even thou wast as one of them (11) Mountjoy Bible School 15
The Conflict Esau & Jacob struggle in the womb (Gen.25.21-26) Esau & Jacob struggle for ascendancy in the family (The birthright & blessing) Edom refused permission for Israel to pass through their land on their journey to Canaan Mountjoy Bible School 16
The conflict continues Saul fought against them (1 Sam.14.47) David fought against them and put garrisons in Edom (2 Sam.8.13,14) Joab fought against them (1 Kings 11.16) Jehoshaphat fought against them (2 Chron.20) Amaziah fought against them (2 Kings 14) Mountjoy Bible School 17
The conflict continues - The Herods Herod the Great sought to kill the child Jesus For fear of Archelaus the holy family could not return to Bethlehem (Matt.2.22) Antipas (Herod the Tetrarch) imprisoned and executed John the Baptist Agrippa is known for his attack on the apostles (Acts 12.2) Agrippa II is best known for his encounter with Paul Mountjoy Bible School 18
Prophecy of Obadiah Edom s Crimes - Violent Attitudes When other nations went in against Judah Edom stood aside (a) indifferently (b) then gloating over her misfortune (c) then rejoicing over her destruction (d) then seeking her annihilation Remember, O LORD, the children of Edom in the day of Jerusalem; who said, Rase it, rase it, even to the foundation thereof. (Ps.137.7) Mountjoy Bible School 19
Prophecy of Obadiah Edom s Crimes - Violent Action They weren t merely spectators, they joined in They entered the gates of Jerusalem They looted the city They pillaged and burned the temple They killed survivors They watched the fords for those who tried to escape and handed them over to the enemy Mountjoy Bible School 20
Edoms Crimes Violence against her brother Jacob Who did they enter in to a confederacy with to do this? The Philistines & Arabians during the days of Jehoram The Babylonians during the days of Nebuchadnezzar Mountjoy Bible School 21
Micah Micah called to denounce sins of Jerusalem & Judah Again - social sins Small landowners had their lands taken by force (2.1,2; 3.1- 3) Bribery in the courts (3.11;7.3) Dishonesty in business (6.9-12; 7.2-4) Therefore - judgement of God & destruction of the kingdom Mountjoy Bible School 22
Micah (Who is like thee?) Yet God is merciful Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy. He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea . (7.18,19) Mountjoy Bible School 23
Micah (Who is like thee?) Although the mercy is projected into the future, especially . But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting (from the days of eternity) (5.2 quoted in Matt.2.6) Mountjoy Bible School 24
WHO IS A PARDONING GOD LIKE THEE? See Jonah next Mountjoy Bible School 25
Jonah (Dove) Jonah was called to go to Nineveh and preach judgement (1.2) Took a detour via Tarshish & a great fish Recommissioned, Arise, go unto Nineveh, that great city, and preach unto it the preaching that I bid thee .(3.1) Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown. (3.4) Mountjoy Bible School 26
Jonah (Dove) Preaching produced repentance The people of Nineveh threw themselves on the mercy of God So the people of Nineveh believed God, and proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them even to the least of them.(3.5) Mountjoy Bible School 27
Jonah (Dove) Who can tell if God will turn and repent, and turn away from his fierce anger, that we perish not? (3.9) God spared the city, and Jonah summed up God s character, I knew that thou art a gracious God, and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness (3.2) Mountjoy Bible School 28
Jonah Repentance Preaching Obadiah Edom Judgement Micah Judgement Mercy Mountjoy Bible School 29
Nahum - Judgement This book is an oracle against Nineveh They had repented with Jonah, but after relapsed Therefore judgement was only averted for a time. Nahum wrote that Nineveh s end would certainly come because they had conspired against the Lord (1.9-11) Mountjoy Bible School 30
Nahum Nahum s description of the fall of Nineveh is graphic He portrays the siege The fighting in the suburbs The assault upon the walls Then the capture of the city and its destruction it is full of horrors, savagery and without mercy Mountjoy Bible School 31
Nahum Chapter 3 gives the reasons for her overthrow It was a city of blood practices included the cutting off of hands and feet, the gouging out of eyes, beheadings etc. The atrocities committed by Nineveh in the taking of Thebes (eg. The massacre of infants) What they had done to Thebes would be done to them (you reap what you sow) Mountjoy Bible School 32
Zephaniah (Jehovah has treasured) Similar to Micah Josiah (8 years old) inherited a corrupt society Therefore Zephaniah prophesied that the proud and arrogant would be removed. Mountjoy Bible School 33
Zephaniah (Jehovah has treasured) But offers hope to the meek Seek ye the LORD, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought his judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the LORD S anger. (2.3) But I will leave within you the meek and the humble, who trust in the name of the LORD (3.12)(NIV) Mountjoy Bible School 34
Zephaniah (Jehovah has treasured) They will be hid like a treasure Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee: hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast.(Is.26.20) The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing. (3.17) Mountjoy Bible School 35
Habakkuk A man of prayer His problem : why do the wicked prosper? God answers : judgement is coming - the Babylonians Second problem : the Chaldeans were more wicked than the ones they would be used to punish God s reply : their turn would come Mountjoy Bible School 36
Habukkuk In the meantime : exercise faith : the just shall live by his faith (2.4) The just shall live: it is injustice God punishes Repentance and faith are at the heart of this prophecy also. O LORD, revive thy work in the midst of the years, in the midst of the years make known; in wrath remember mercy . (3.2) Repentance in this book is associated with prayer, whereas in Jonah it is associated with preaching. Mountjoy Bible School 37
Habakkuk Repentance Prayer Nahum Ninevah Judgement Zepheniah Judgement Mercy Mountjoy Bible School 38
Haggai/Zechariah/Malachi We leave the Old Testament with a reminder of the triple theme - God s objectives Haggai - the house of God Zechariah - the house and city of God Malachi - the people of God Mountjoy Bible School 39
Haggai He is prophet to the people who had returned from exile in Babylon Under Zerubbabel they had begun building the temple But had been discouraged by opposition Haggai is sent to provoke them to action Is it time for you, O ye, to dwell in your cieled houses, and this house lie waste? (1.4) Mountjoy Bible School 40
Haggai The prophet s message is clear Build the house and I will be glorified (1.8) 2 Objections No resources The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, saith the LORD of hosts (2.8). No defence God is the Lord of Hosts (used 12 times) Mountjoy Bible School 41
Zechariah Contemporary with Haggai Similar message - build the house Behold the man whose name is The BRANCH; .. and he shall build the temple of the LORD: Even he shall build the temple of the LORD (6.12,13) Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Let your hands be strong, . that the temple might be built (8.9) Mountjoy Bible School 42
Zechariah But also sees a city Chapter 8 which speaks of the temple begins with the city Thus saith the LORD of hosts; I was jealous for Zion with great jealousy, and I was jealous for her with great fury. Thus saith the LORD; I am returned unto Zion, and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem: and Jerusalem shall be called a city of truth(8.2-3) Mountjoy Bible School 43
Zechariah And I will bring them, and they shall dwell in the midst of Jerusalem: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God (8.8) Compare ammi in Hosea Zechariah also uses the title Lord of Hosts - 46 times Mountjoy Bible School 44
Malachi (My Messenger) I have loved you, saith the LORD. Yet ye say, Wherein hast thou loved us? Was not Esau Jacob's brother? saith the LORD: yet I loved Jacob (1.2) God has a contention with the sons of Levi They offer the blind and the lame upon His altars Mountjoy Bible School 45
Haggai/Zechariah/Malachi DIVINE OBJECTIVES HAGGAI THE HOUSE OF GOD ZECHARIAH HOUSE/CITY OF GOD MALACHI PEOPLE OF GOD Mountjoy Bible School 46
MERCY JUDGEMENT Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet..and he shall turn the heart of the fathers ... children ... lest I come and smite the earth with a curse HOSEA JOEL AMOS (BURDEN) (SALVATION OF JEHOVAH) (REPENTANCE & THE SPIRIT & SON OF GOD) MICAH JONAH OBADIAH (SERVANT OF JEHOVAH) (WHO IS LIKE THEE?) (REPENTANCE & PREACHING) ZECHARIAH (JEHOVAH REMEMBERS) HABAKKUK (REPENTANCE & PRAYER) NAHUM (COMFORTER) Mountjoy Bible School 47
Prophetic Ministry Word of the Lord (hear it!) (Hosea, Joel, Jonah, Micah, Zephaniah, Haggai, Amos Vision (see it!) (Obadiah, Nahum, Habakkuk) Burden (feel it) (Nahum, Hab, Malachi, Zech) Repentance needs a person to Hear the Word of the Lord See sin as God sees it, and Feel the weight of it ONLY THEN WILL THEY TURN TO HIM Mountjoy Bible School 48
Judgement and Mercy Both the major and minor prophets begin with the Salvation of Jehovah (Isaiah and Hosea) Both the major and minor prophets end with judgement (Daniel and Elijah) God offers salvation, but if it is refused will judge Mountjoy Bible School 49
The Choice Ruhamah (Mercy) or Lo-Ruhamah (no mercy) Ammi (my people) or Lo-ammi (not my people) Jezreel (God will sow = prosper) or (God will scatter = earn money to put in bags with holes) Mountjoy Bible School 50
