THE “MINOR PROPHETS”

By:          ADEOYE, EMMANUEL (EVANG.)

Download Lesson

The Hebrew word “NABHI”, the most common word for the prophet is now taught to designate one who have been called to his task. The prophet is also called “a seer”, “a man of the spirit”, “a man of God” and derogatorily spoken of as being crazy. Amos, Isaiah, Jerimiah and Ezekiel all narrate experiences that might be designated their “call” to service. A variety of men from the shepherd, the priest to the courtier called and equipped for their tasks.

The prophet was a man through whose organ of speech God spoke to his people. God placed his message in the prophet mouth (ex 4:15f 7:1) and the prophet spoke to the people. “Thus says the Lord”,(Ez 6:11),the spirit of the Lord is upon me (Isa 61:1), the word of God came  upon me (ez 3:16),  “the hand of the Lord was upon me” (Ez 3:14), and “says the Lord” (Amos 4;6; etc) are some of the common ways of expressing the prophetic impulse.

Abraham and Moses are called prophet it is Samuel who begin a new period of prophetic activity. At his time they appeared groups of prophet in Elijah and Elisha time groups are called “sons of the prophet” and from his time many distinctive personalities are seen. About the early prophets the bible relates episode in which the prophet were active but preserves very little of their actual oracles. In this group we encounter men like Samuel, Nathan, Elijah, Elisha, and Micaiah  ben Imlah. Their activities centers in the northern kingdom until its demise  than to the southern kingdom.

OCCUPATIONS OF THE MINOR PROPHET

The Minor Prophets, while all divinely inspired messengers, had diverse occupations before their prophetic ministries. Some were priests, others were shepherds, and still others were farmers or simple villagers.

Here’s a breakdown of the known or presumed occupations of the Minor Prophets: 

HOSEA: No specific occupation is mentioned in the Bible, but he is known for his symbolic marriage and family life, used as a moral example for Israel.

JOEL: Thought to have been a priest.

AMOS: A shepherd, though he was also a fig dresser.

OBADIAH: The book of Obadiah identifies him as a prophet without a specific occupation.

JONAH: Not explicitly mentioned in the Bible, but he was likely a fisherman.

MICAH: A simple villager.

NAHUM: No specific occupation is mentioned.

HABAKKUK: Appears to have been a priest.

ZEPHANIAH: The great-grandson of King Hezekiah.

HAGGAI: No specific occupation is mentioned.

ZECHARIAH: No specific occupation is mentioned.

MALACHI: No specific occupation is mentioned

THE “MINOR PROPHETS,“

 THE “MINOR PROPHETS, “a collection of twelve shorter prophetic books in the Old Testament, offer a powerful message of God’s judgment and hope, urging repentance and reminding people of God’s covenant faithfulness, with messages relevant to both ancient and modern contexts.

Here’s a deeper look at the Minor Prophets, their context, and their significance:

WHAT ARE THE MINOR PROPHETS?

The Minor Prophets are the books of Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi.

They are called “MINOR” not because their message is less important, but because the books themselves are shorter than the “Major Prophets” (Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Daniel). The Hebrew Bible refers to these books as “The Twelve”.

CONTEXT AND HISTORICAL BACKGROUND:   

These prophets spoke during a time of great turmoil and crisis in Israel’s History, addressing issues of Social Injustice, Religious Hypocrisy, and the Nation’s Disobedience to God.

Their prophecies often warned of impending judgment and called for repentance, but also offered hope for restoration and the coming of God’s kingdom.

The Minor Prophets span a period of roughly four centuries, encompassing the disobedience of the Israelites, their exile to Babylon, and their eventual return to rebuild the temple

KEY THEMES AND MESSAGES

GOD’S JUDGEMENT

The Minor Prophets frequently highlight God’s Righteous Judgment against sin and Injustice, warning of Consequences for Disobedience.

CALL TO REPENTANCE: The Minor Prophets consistently urge the people to turn away from sin and return to God.

WARNING OF JUDGMENT: They warn of the consequences of disobedience and the need for true repentance.

PROMISE OF RESTORATION: Despite the warnings, the prophets offer hope and promises of future restoration and redemption.

SOCIAL JUSTICE AND COMPASSION: Many of the prophets emphasize the importance of caring for the poor and needy and fighting injustice.

THE SOVEREIGNTY AND LOVE OF GOD: The Minor Prophets Highlight God’s Power, Holiness, And Loving-kindness.

CALL TO REPENTANCE:

They urge people to turn away from their wicked ways and return to God, emphasizing the importance of true worship and justice.

GOD’S FAITHFULNESS AND HOPE:

Despite the Warnings of Judgment, the Minor Prophets also convey God’s Unwavering Faithfulness and his Promise of Restoration and hope for the future.

THE COMING OF THE MESSIAH:

Some of the Minor Prophets, particularly Zechariah and Malachi, speak of a future king (the messiah) who will bring peace and righteousness.

SOCIAL JUSTICE:

Many of the prophets, Such as Amos and Micah, address Issues Of Social Injustice and The plight of the poor and marginalized.

RELEVANCE FOR TODAY:

The messages of the Minor Prophets remain relevant today, challenging individuals and communities to examine their hearts and lives in light of God’s word.

They remind us of the importance of social justice, compassion for the poor, and the need for genuine repentance and faith in God.

The Minor Prophets offer a powerful message of hope and restoration, reminding us that even in times of darkness, God’s grace and love remain steadfast

Their messages continue to resonate with contemporary concerns about social justice, ethical behavior, and the need for a personal relationship with God

WHAT THE MINOR PROPHETS SHARE IN COMMON

The twelve Minor Prophets in the Bible, despite their shorter length, share common themes and purposes. They all deliver messages from God, focusing on the Israelites’ rebellion against Him and calling for repentance and obedience. Their messages, though within an ancient context, remain relevant today, offering knowledge of God’s character, social ethics, and hope for restoration.

HERE’S A MORE DETAILED LOOK AT THEIR SHARED CHARACTERISTICS:

1. GOD’S MESSENGERS: The Minor Prophets, like all prophets, are understood to be God’s messengers, communicating His word to the people.
2. FOCUS ON ISRAEL’S REBELLION: A significant portion of their message addresses the Israelites’ disobedience and idolatry, highlighting their turning away from God.
3. CALLS FOR REPENTANCE AND OBEDIENCE: The prophets consistently urge the Israelites to repent from their sins and return to a relationship with God.
4. WARNINGS OF JUDGMENT: They warn of the consequences of God’s people’s unfaithfulness and the potential for judgment.
5. HOPE AND RESTORATION: While warning of judgment, the Minor Prophets also convey a message of hope and promise of restoration for those who turn to God.
6. DIVERSE LITERARY GENRES: The books of the Minor Prophets contain various literary forms, including poetry, sermons, and prophetic oracles.
7. SHORT IN LENGTH, NOT IN IMPACT: The term “Minor” refers to the length of their books, not the importance of their message. They are collectively a significant voice in the Old Testament, according to the Bible.

INDIVIDUAL PROPHETS AND THEIR MESSAGES:

HOSEA: Uses his own life to illustrate God’s love and faithfulness, even to an unfaithful people.

JOEL: Speaks about the Day of the Lord and the need for repentance and restoration.

AMOS: Condemns social injustice and calls for true worship.

OBADIAH: Focuses on the punishment of Edom.

JONAH: Sends a message of repentance to Nineveh, demonstrating God’s love for all nations.

MICAH: Highlights the importance of justice, mercy, and walking humbly with God.

NAHUM: Delivers a message of judgment against Nineveh.

HABAKKUK: Deals with the problem of suffering and the faithfulness of God.

ZEPHANIAH: Warns of an impending judgment and calls for repentance.

HAGGAI: Encourages the rebuilding of the temple after the exile.

ZECHARIAH: Focuses on the coming Messianic King and the restoration of Jerusalem.

MALACHI: Raises concerns about the people’s faithfulness and prepares for the coming of Elijah 

CONCLUSION

SEND THE LIGHT

HYMN 466

Download Lesson