Adult Bible Study

Major Themes from the Minor ProphetsAn overview of the general content, insights, and lessons from

The scroll of "The Twelve"

Cover photo:, "omepage.mac.com/ ...IMedia/scroll.j "

Prepared by Stephen J. Nunemaker D MinTri-M Africa

MOBILE MODULAR MINISTRY

Mobile Modular Ministry

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Major Themes from the Minor ProphetsAn overview of the genera~ content, insights, and iessons from the scroll of "The Twelve"

Stephen J. Nunemaker, D Min

OUTLINE OF STUDY

Introduction:• The Writing Prophets of the Old Testament• General Themes of the O.T. Prophetic Message

Lesson One: Obadiah - Am I my Brother's Keeper?

Lesson Two: Joel- You ain't seen nothin' yet!

Lesson Three: Jonah - Salvation is of God

Lesson Four: Amos - What's it going to take?

Lesson Five: Hosea - Unrequited Love

Lesson Six: Micah - Light at the End of the Tunnel

Lesson Seven: Nahum - Does God's Patience have Limits?

Lesson Eight: Zephaniah - The Two Sides of Judgment

Lesson Nine: Habakkuk - Theodicy: How Can God Use Evil to Accomplish His Purpose?

Lesson Ten: Haggai - Nice Paneling, but...

Lesson Eleven: Zechariah -If you build it, He will come ...

Lesson Twelve: Malachi - He will come, but are you ready?

Recommendations for Study:

• Please bring your Bible and your notes to each session. (A good study Bible isrecom mended).

• Memorize the names of the 12 Minor Prophets (Canonical Order);• Read the entire Minor Prophet under study (or a significant portion), prior to

advancing to the next lesson;• Complete the Q & A sections of the lesson series.

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INTRODUCTION

The Writing Prophets of the Old Testament

Normally, the writing prophets ofthe Old Testament are divided into two major groups:

• The 4 major prophets-Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Daniel

• The 12 minor prophets-Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk,Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi.

• Lamentations is considered part of the major grouping because of its association withJeremiah. 1

• Other (non-writing) prophets of the Old Testament include: Gad, Nathan, Ahijah, lddo,Jehu, Elijah, and Elisha, among others. Since the historical period covered by the 4Gospels is considered part of the O.T. dispensation, John the Baptist would also beincluded with the prophets belonging to that period. 2

• The terms "major" and "minor" do not refer to the importance of the writings butrather to the length. Compared to Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel, the writings of the 12Minor Prophets are much shorter. These twelve books were designated the "MinorProphets" late in the 4th century A.D., not because they were considered less importantor less inspired, but because of their comparative brevity. 3

• "Before the time of Christ these twelve books were joined together to make one scrollknown collectively as "The Twelve." Their combined length (sixty-seven chapters) isabout equal to that of Isaiah. The only chronological significance of the order of theMinor Prophets in the English Bible is that the first six were written before the lastsix ..." 4

• The Minor Prophets cover a period of history of 400 years, encompassing the Assyrian,Babylonian, and Persian empires, and their respective captivities (of Israel and Judah).According to general consensus, two of the prophets prophesied to the northernkingdom, Israel (Amos, Hosea), four to the southern kingdom, Judah (Joel, Micah,Zephaniah, Habakkuk), one to Edom (Obadiah), and two to the Assyrian Empire (Jonah,Nahum). The remaining three prophesied to post-exilic Jews that had returned toPalestine (Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi).

I John MacArthur, Introduction to the Prophets, MacArthur Study Bible, NKN, Nashville: Thomas Nelson,1997;p.9.2 Ibid.3 Bruce Wilkinson, Kenneth Boa, Talk Thru the Bible, Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1983, p.229.4 Ibid.

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Prophets Organized by Date and Direction of Ministry

Prophet Ministered To Dates

Obadiah Edom 850-840 B.C.Joel Judah 835-796 B.C.Jonah Nineveh 784-760 B.C.Amos Israel 763-755 B.C.Hosea Israel 755-710 B.C.Isaiah Judah 739-680 B.C.Micah Judah 735-710 B.C.Nahum Nineveh 650-630 B.C.Zephaniah Judah 635-625 B.C.Jeremiah Judah 627-570 B.C.Habakkuk Judah 620-605 B.C.Daniel Babylon 605-536 B.C.Ezekiel Babylon 593-570 B.C.Haggai Judah 520-505 B.C.Zechariah Judah 520-470 B.C.Malachi Judah 437-417 B.C.

The Old Testament prophets may also be categorized according to their relationship to thecaptivities of Israel (ca. 722 B.C.) and Judah (ca. 586 B.C.), as in the following chart: 5

Prophets Organized with Reference to the Captivity

Pre-Exilic

ObadiahJoelJonahAmosHoseaIsaiah

MicahNahumZephaniahJeremiahHabakkuk

Exilic

DanielEzekiel

Post-ExilicHaggaiZechariahMalachi

MacArthur Note on the Old Testament Prophets: 6

God's dealing with Israel dominated the pages of the major and minor prophets, but severalbooks-Daniel, Obadiah, Jonah, and Nahum-have as their subjects God's working in Gentileworld history. The other prophetic books look beyond Israel from time to time to note howGod's chosen nation will impact the rest of the nations (e.g., Is. 52:10, 15) or how God willjudge the nations.

5 MacArthur, p. 9.6 Ibid. p. 12

General Themes of the D.T. Prophetic Message

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The Hebrew Bible was divided up into three major sections: The Law (Pentateuch), the Prophets, andthe Writings (some of the historical books and the wisdom literature). The Hebrew canon containedeither 22 or 24 books, depending on how the books were listed, corresponding to the 39 books ofour Old Testament Canon. In the 22-book Hebrew canon Jeremiah and Lamentations werecombined, as were Judges and Ruth. The following table shows the Old Testament canon, containingthese three divisions, as it would have appeared at the time of Christ. 7

The Hebrew Old Testament

Law Prophets

A. Former Prophets6. Joshua7. Judges8. Samuel (1 & 2)9. Kings (1 & 2)

B. Latter Prophets10. Isaiah11. Jeremiah12. Ezekiel13. The Twelve

(minor prophets)

1. Genesis2. Exodus3. Leviticus4. Numbers5. Deuteronomy

Writings

A. Poetical Books14. Psalms15. Proverbs16. Job

B. Five Rolls (Megilloth)17. Song of Solomon18. Ruth19. Lamentations20. Ecclesiastes21. Esther

C. Historical Books22. Daniel23. Ezra-Nehemiah24. Chronicles (1 & 2)

The second division of the Hebrew Scriptures was broken down into two sections: The FormerProphets and the Latter Prophets. The Former Prophets were actually comprised of the historicalbooks of Joshua, Judges, Samuel, and Kings, which recounted God's dealings with Israel from theconquest of Canaan until the Babylonian captivity. The Latter Prophets include Isaiah, Jeremiah,Ezekiel, plus the twelve Minor Prophets. (Daniel was placed with the "Writings" division).

Who were they?

They were called "prophets" (Hebrew nabi, "prophet", over 300 times); also "seers"; "messengers";and "servants of the Lord". The English word "prophet" comes from two Greek words that, together,literally mean "to speak for". Thus, they were appointed by God Himself to be his spokesmen, and todeliver warnings of judgment as well as revelation of things to come. Hence, the two importantcharacteristics of the ministry of the prophets: foretelling (revealing future events) and forth telling(pronouncing messages of warning or consolation from God).

7 John MacArthur, How We Got the Bible, MacArthur Study Bible, NKN, Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1997; p.xv.

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Bruce Wilkinson and Kenneth Boa provide a useful summary of the major themes of the propheticmessage as follows (emphasis added): 8

1. The prophets exposed the sinful practices of the people. It requiredconsiderable courage to tell the people what they needed to hear instead ofsuccumbing to the temptation of telling them what they wanted to hear. God'smessengers could not compromise their harsh treatment of sin as sin, knowingthat the only hope for the people was a humble turning to the Lord andacknowledgment of their guilt...

2. The prophets called the people back to the moral, civil, and ceremonial law ofGod. They reminded the people about the character of God and urged them totrust Him with all their hearts. God has a rich purpose for them, but they mustbelieve and obey Him.

3. They warned the people of coming judgment. God must condemn the nation I Amos [Tissot]if its princes, priests, and people continue to arrogantly reject [God's] moraland spiritual principles. They are responsible for their disobedience to their covenantcommitment with God. Yahweh is the sovereign Lord of history, and the gentile nations willalso be judged if they rebel against His dominion.

4. The prophets anticipated the coming Messiah. History is linear, not cyclical. It has a definitegoal, and God will sovereignly move all things to a consummation in the messianic age.

8 Wilkinson, Boa, Talk Thru the Bible, p. 186.

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Introduction Q&A

1. Can you write the names of the 12 Minor Prophets below (in canonical order)?

2. Can you name two prominent Old Testament prophets for whom we have no record ofwritings?

3. What is the meaning of the word "minor" with reference to the Minor Prophets?

4. Wilkinson & Boa summarize four major themes of the prophetic message:

a. The prophets exposed the _

b. The prophets called the people back to the moral, civil, and ceremonial

c. They warned the people of .

d. The prophets anticipated the .

5. Please read Obadiah and Joel before the next class session.

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LESSON ONE: OBADIAHAm I My Brother's Keeper?

• The struggle actually began in Rebekah's womb, prophesied bythe LORD (Gen. 25:22-23). The struggle would be more thanbetween her sons Jacob and Esau but extend to their Photowww.chandlerschool.orgdescendants and the two nations that would come from them:Israel and Edam.

"Was not Esau Jacob's brother?" says the LORD. "Yet Jacob I have loved; ButEsau I have hated, and laid waste his mountains and his heritage for thejackals of the wilderness." - Malachi 1:2-3

Historical Background:

To understand the context of the prophecy of Obadiah, you have to go backto Genesis Chapters 25 - 27, the story of Jacob and Esau and the history ofthe bitter enmity between their descendants:

• Jacob, the "supplanter" (literally, one who takes the heel), convinces his brother Esau tosell him his birthright for a bowl of red stew (hence the name Edom = "red" attributed toEsau; Gen. 25:29-33).

Note verse 34: "Thus Esau despised his birthright." (To despise, in Biblical terms, meansto consider of little value).

• In another crafty coup-aided and abetted by his mother, Rebekah-Jacob deceives hisaged father Isaac and steals Esau's blessing as the firstborn (Gen. 27).

• Jacob's deceptions and Esau's spiritual dullness and passivity ultimately result in Esau'sjealousy and violent hatred of his brother and desire to murder him (Gen. 27:41), whichin turn results in Jacob's fleeing to Haran.

• Twenty years later, while fleeing his Uncle Laban to return to Palestine, accompanied byhis two wives and eleven children (Gen. 31), Jacob finds himself once more in a potentialconfrontation with his brother Esau (Gen. 32). Following his wrestling with God at Peniel(Gen. 32), God miraculously brings about a conciliatory meeting between Jacob and hisbrother (Gen. 33).

• Nevertheless, a perpetual enmity remained between the descendants of Esau and theIsraelites, and when Israel came out from Egypt, Edom denied their brother Jacobpassage through their land, located south ofthe Dead Sea (Numbers 20:14-21).

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• "The Edomites opposed Saul (ca. 1043-1011 B.c.) andwere subdued under David (ca. 1011-971 B.c.) andSolomon (ca. 971-931 B.c.);

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Later History: 9

• "They fought against Jehoshaphat (ca. 873-848 B.c.) andsuccessfully rebelled against Jehoram (ca. 853-841 B.c.).They were again conquered by Judah under Amaziah(ca. 796-767 B.C.), but regained their freedom underAhaz (ca. 735-715 B.c.).

• "Edom was later controlled by Assyria and Babylon;

• "In the 5th Century B.C. the Edomites were forced by theNabateans to leave their territory; they moved to thearea of southern Palestine and became known as Photo: www.sakom.pl/wiki/EdornitesIdumeans. Herod the Great, an Idumean, became king ofJudea under Rome in 37 B.C.

• "In a sense, the enmity between Esau and Jacob was continued in Herod's attempt to murderJesus.

• "The Idumeans participated in the rebellion ofJerusalem against Rome and were defeated alongwith the Jews by Titus in A.D. 70.

Background for Obadiah:

Obadiah received a vision from God to pronounce judgment(total destruction) upon Edom because of their hatred andmistreatment of Israel-not only when Israel was passingthrough their territory on the way to the Promised Land,but much later, when they came to the aid of Israel'senemies at a time when Jerusalem itself was in peril: The Roman Carda (city street) at Petra. Photo: Sasa

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"For their unwillingness to serve as their brothers' keeper, the Edomites would one day becomeextinct. Obadiah, an obscure prophet of unknown background, describes how Edom would be 'cut offforever' (v. 10), God's people would be vindicated, and God would be recognized as Judge over all theearth." 10

John MacArthur comments:

"Ironically, the Edomites applauded the destruction of Jerusalem in 586 B.C. (d. Ps. 137:7)but died trying to defend it in A.D. 70. After that time they were never heard of again. As

9 MacArthur, Introduction to the Book of Obadiah,p.1288.10 Wilkinson & Boa, p. 250

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Obadiah predicted, they would be 'cut off forever' (v. 10); and 'no survivor shall remain ofthe house of Esau'" (v. 18). 11

The Prophet and His Writing:

• The book is ascribed the name of the prophet who received the vision (1:1). The Hebrew nameObadyah means "Worshiper of Yahweh" of "Servant of Yahweh". The name occurs numeroustimes in the Old Testament with reference to as many as 13 individuals.

• Obadiah was an obscure prophet apparently belonging to the southern kingdom, given hisreferences to Jerusalem and Judah (e.g. vv. 10-12, 17, 21). He may have been a contemporary ofElijah and Elisha. Nothing else is known, for certain, about the author.

• Obadiah is the shortest book of the Old Testament and is not quoted in the New Testament.

Date and Setting:

1. Shishak of Egypt invaded and plundered the temple and the palace of Jerusalem in 926B.C. during the reign of Rehoboam (1 Kings 14:25-26).

• Obadiah mentions no kings, so the date of writing is difficult to determine. Verses 10-14(concerning an Edomite attack on Jerusalem) provide the only historical context to help indetermining the date and circumstances of the prophecy. Scholars disagree as to which invasionof Jerusalem Obadiah has in mind, but history records 4 major invasions:

Note: During this time Edom was subject to Judah, which does not fit vv. 10-14, whichimply that Edom was independent of Judah.

2. The Philistines and Arabians invaded Judah during the reign of Jehoram (848-841 B.c.),and looted the palace (2 Chronicles 21:16-17). Edom revolted during Jehoram's reignand became a bitter adversary (2 Kings 8:10-22; 2 Chronicles 21:8-20).

3. King Jehoash of Israel invaded Judah in 790 B.C (2 Kings 14; 2 Chronicles 25).

Note: verse 11 calls the invaders "strangers" and "foreigners", which seems odd ifObadiah were referring to the northern tribes of Israel.

4. Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon invaded, defeated, and destroyed Jerusalem in 586 B.C (2Kings 24-25), carrying many of the survivors away captive.

• Many scholars believe that (2) and (4) best fit the context of Obadiah. Of these, (2) is preferredsince Obadiah does not mention a total destruction of the city, nor the destruction (burning) ofthe temple. It is also doubtful that Nebuchadnezzar would have "cast lots" (v. 11) for Jerusalemwith anyone else. Finally, in other prophecies concerning the destruction of Jerusalem in 586B.C, Nebuchadnezzar and the Babylonians are named, whereas Obadiah does not identify theenemy.

11 MacArthur, p. 1289.

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• In favor of the 586 B.C. date of writing (4), Obadiah does speak of the "captivity" of theinhabitants of Jerusalem (v. 11-12), and the "day of their destruction" (v. 12).

• Regardless of which invasion best fits Obadiah's description, that specific historical context willdetermine the date of writing-whether earlier, making Obadiah the first of the writingprophets, or later, making Obadiah a contemporary of the prophets of the southern kingdomprior to the Babylonian captivity.

Purpose and Theme:

1. Judgment: The primary purpose of Obadiah is the pronouncement of God's judgment on Edombecause of its arrogance and hatred toward Israel (Judah). The language of Obadiah towardEdom is severe:

"I will make you small among the nations ..." (v. 2)"You shall be greatly despised" (v. 2)"I will bring you down" (v. 4)"Oh, how you will be cut off!" (v. 5)'''Willi not in that day', says the LORD,'even destroy the wise men from Edom...?'""Your might men, 0 Teman, shall be dismayed, to the end that everyone from themountains of Esau may be cut off by slaughter.""Shame shall cover you, and you shall be cut off forever."

God's righteous judgment against Edom is warranted, not only because the descendants of Esauwere blood brothers of Jacob and hence, they were in fact their "brother's keeper", but evenmore so because of God's specific promise and warning concerning those who would "bless" or"curse" Abraham (or his descendants).

2. Hope: The secondary purpose of Obadiah was to prophesy the future restoration of Israel inkeeping with the covenant promises of God. This was a message of hope delivered to Judahduring a dark time of oppression, reminding them of God's faithfulness to His promises, and thatGod's purpose and justice will ultimately prevail.

Key verse: "Then saviors [deliverers] shall come to Mount Zion to judge the mountains of Esau,and the kingdom shall be the LORD's" (v. 21).

Outline of Obadiah: 12

I. God's Judgment on Edom (1-14)A. Edom's Punishment (1-9)B. Edom's Crimes (10-14)

II. God's Judgment on the Nations (15, 16)III. God's Restoration of Israel (15-21)

12 MacArthur Study Bible (NKN), p. 1289.

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