Introduction to the Old Testament Prophets

Introduction to understanding the prophets and their role.

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What is a prophet?

1. Prophets were successors to Moses (Deuteronomy 18:9-22). They mediate the Lord’s will to the people and they function as his spokesmen.
2. Prophets were guardians of the theocracy. They were sent by God to remind the kings of their covenant obligations (Deuteronomy 17:14-20).
3. Prophets were covenant prosecutors. They brought the covenant to bear on the people (e.g. Hosea 4:1).
4. Prophets were witnesses to God’s sovereign rule over history. They give a word of warning. They say when this comes to pass, you will know that God is sovereign over history. For example, Ezekiel says “Then you will know that I am the Lord” over 65 times.
5. Prophets were intercessors. They pray to God for their people (e.g. Genesis 20:7; 1 Samuel 12:23).
6. Prophets were “forth-tellers.” They were preachers to their contemporaries. Prophet were not primarily “fore-tellers” (predicting the future).

Function of Prophets

• “Covenant enforcement mediators” between God and the people
• Primary function: speak for God to their contemporaries about covenant status. They explain and clarify the blessings of obedience and the consequences of disobedience (See Lev 26; Dt 4; Dt. 28-32). Blessings: life, health, prosperity, agricultural abundance, respect and safety. Curses: death, disease, drought, dearth, danger, destruction, defeat, deportation, destitution, disgrace
• Convey God’s message (“Thus says the Lord”)
• Speak an unoriginal message; They are not inspired to announce any new doctrines. They uphold everything Moses taught and apply it to the people in their culture.

Speaking vs Writing Prophets

• Speaking prophets (e.g. Elijah and Elisha); Most prophets were only speaking.
• 16 Writing prophets (4 major; 12 minor)
• Nature of ministry is the same for writing and speaking prophets.
• Samuel became a leader of a group of prophets. He established the role and office of prophet.

Modes of prophetic inspiration

• Direct, personal awareness (e.g. “The Word of the Lord came to me…”)
• Dreams and visions
• Both of these are through the Spirit of God
• Mode of Communication: Oracles

Genre: Interpreting Prophecy

Who are the prophets?

Many people in Scripture prophesy occasionally but not all who do so hold the office of prophet. Therefore, scholars count the prophets differently.

• Major Prophets: Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel
• Minor Prophets: Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi
• Jews count 48 male and 7 female prophets but the list is debated.

The classification between “major” and “minor” refers to the size of the book, NOT the significance of the message.

Prophet	Approximate Date	Kings of Judah	Kings of Israel	Foreign Kings
Obadiah	845 BC?	Jehoram	Joram
Joel	835 BC?	Joash	Jehu
Jonah	782 BC		Jeroboam II	Shalmaneser (Assyria)
Hosea	760-720 BC	Uzziah; Jotham; Ahaz; Hezekiah	Jerobam II; Zechariah; Shallum; Menahem; Pekahiah; Pekah; Hoshea
Amos	760 BC	Uzziah	Jeroboam II
Isaiah	739-685 BC	Uzziah; Jotham; Ahaz; Hezekiah; Manasseh	Fall of Israel 722 BC
Micah	739-685 BC	Jotham; Ahaz; Hezekiah;	Pekah; Hoshea
Nahum	650 BC	Manasseh		Ashurbanipal (Assyria)
Zephaniah	640 BC	Josiah
Jeremiah	627-580 BC	Josiah; Jehoahaz; Jehoiakim; Jehoiachin; Zedekiah; (Gedaliah)		Babylon: Nabopolassar; Nebuchadnezzar
Habakkuk	609 BC	Jehoiakim		Nabopolassar (Babylon)
Daniel	606-530 BC	Jehoiakim; Jehoiachin; Zedekiah;		Babylon: Nebuchadnezzar; Neriglissar; Labashi-Marduk; Evil-Merodach; Nabonidus. Cyrus (Medo-Persia)
Ezekiel	593-570 BC	Zedekiah;		Babylon: Nebuchadnezzar
Haggai	520 BC	Governor: Zerubbabel		Medo-Persia: Dairus I
Zechariah	520 BC	Governor: Nehemiah		Medo-Persia: Dairus I
Malachi	433 BC	Governor: Nehemiah		Medo-Persia: Dairus IL

Note: The dates of Obadiah and Joel are unknown.

Chart: Israels King’s & Prophets

BibleGateway: Chart of Kings & Prophets

The Minor Prophets and their Message

1. Hosea  – The Lord loves Israel despite her sin.
2. Joel – Judgment precedes Israel’s future spiritual revival. 
3. Amos – God is just and must judge sin.
4. Obadiah – Sure retribution must overtake merciless pride.
5. Jonah – Divine grace is universal in its sweep.
6. Micah – Bethlehem-born Messiah will be mankind’s Deliverer.
7. Nahum – Doom is to descend on wicked Nineveh.
8. Habakkuk – Justification by faith is God’s way of salvation.
9. Zephaniah – The Day of the Lord must precede kingdom blessing.
10. Haggai – The Lord’s Temple and interests deserve top priority.
11. Zechariah – The Lord will remember His people Israel.
12. Malachi – Let the wicked be warned by the certainty of judgment.

-adapted from The New Unger’s Bible Handbook

Series: Bible Study 101

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