The Minor Prophets

Part 1
Hosea Obadiah
Joel Jonah
Amos Micah
For a Timeline of the prophets and their
location, etc. Refer to your textbook.
Page 152-153, Box 14.1
Your textbook will be KEY in learning the
12 Minor Prophets (Chapters 14-19)
 Hosea
Structure and Outline
• The Prophet and His Family Chapters 1—3
– Marriage and Children Chap. 1
– Legal Proceeding Against Gomer Chap. 2:1-13
– God’s Mercy Promised Chap. 2:14-23
– Hosea Buys Gomer Back Chap. 3

• The Prophet and His Oracles Chapters 4—14

– Spiritual Adultery and Consequences Chap. 4-5
– God’s Plea for Israel to Return Chap. 6:1-3
– Unfaithfulness & Consequences Chap. 6:4-13:16
– Final Plea to Return to the LORD Chap. 14
 Hosea
• What Is Hosea?
Hosea is a fascinating and at times disturbing book. God’s
people had incorporated Baal worship and its accompanying
debauched lifestyle into their community. Therefore, God
raised up the Assyrian empire to conquer Israel (northern
kingdom). Through Hosea, God issues His plea for His people
to return to Him. He does so by using Hosea as a living
parable of His relationship with His people, then by
elaborating on the truths of that parable through the use of
numerous analogies that portray the horrible reality of Israel’s
unfaithfulness.
 Hosea
• Who Is Hosea?
Not much is known about Hosea. He is identified in the
opening verse of the book as the son of Beeri, but Beeri is
otherwise unknown. Hosea prophesied during the reigns
of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, who were kings
of Judah (the Southern Kingdom), and of Jeroboam II,
king of Israel (the Northern Kingdom, which Hosea calls
“Ephraim”). Therefore, his ministry would have begun
around 745 B.C. (the last year of Jeroboam’s reign) and
lasted at least until around 725 B.C. (the first year of
Hezekiah’s reign). Israel fell to Assyria in about 722 B.C.
 Hosea
• Why Was Hosea Written?
The Israelites had become so hard of heart that they
failed to see the error of their ways. God uses shocking
language and the vivid illustration of Hosea’s family to
reveal to them the seriousness of their unfaithfulness.
In fact, the kind of language God uses in Hosea,
Jeremiah, and others might be a distraction to modern
readers. However, the main point of Hosea is not
Israel’s unfaithfulness (though that is significant), but
rather the extent of God’s relentless love. God’s harsh
treatment of His people is only meant to bring them
back into a right relationship with Him (6:1).
 Joel
Structure and Outline
• Locust Invasion Chapter 1

• The Day of the Lord Chapters 2:1—11

• The Call to Return Chapters 2:12—17

• Mercy and Restoration Chapters 2:18—22

• Judgment of the Nations Chapter 3

 Joel
• What Is Joel?
The book of Joel begins, “The word of the LORD that came to
Joel, the son of Pethuel.” Then comes a strong call for people
to return to God, accompanied by a repeated reminder about
the coming “day of the LORD.” An interpretive difficulty
exists in attempting to understand the first two chapters, which
both speak of a great national calamity. Chapter 1 describes a
terrible locust infestation, and interpretations vary on whether
it is to be taken literally or as a metaphor for a military
invasion. Similarly, some see chapter 2 as a further description
of the locust infestation, while others see it as some sort of
coming military invasion. The most natural and likely
interpretation is to see chapter 1 as describing an actual past
locust infestation that served as a forerunner for a coming
military offensive.
 Joel
• Who Was Joel?
Little is known about Joel or his times. His repeated
references to Judah and Jerusalem, and his knowledge of
temple activities, indicate that he was probably from
Judah and possibly even from Jerusalem. Dating
estimates range from the 9th to the 4th centuries B.C., but
the most common and accepted conclusion places the
book sometime after the exile (586 B.C.) since 3:2-3
refers to the exile as a past event, 3:17 refers to the
conquest of Jerusalem, and nowhere in the book is a
king mentioned.
 Joel
• Why Was Joel Written?
Judah had experienced a national calamity, so through
Joel, God issues a call for the people to lament and
return to Him. The major theme centers on “the day
of the LORD,” which is a time that God appears to
bring judgment and/or deliverance. In that time, the
wicked will be destroyed, while God’s people will be
rescued. This can be both the time of final judgment
as well as other times of God’s intervention. People
are called to get their hearts right with God in order
either to avert or to survive the coming calamity.
 Amos
Structure and Outline
• Judgment Oracles Chapters 1—4
– Judgment on Israel’s Neighbors Chap. 1:1—2:5
– Judgment on Israel Chap. 2:6-4:13
• Call to Repentance Chapter 5
• Judgment and Warning Chatpers 6:1—7:9
– Woes Chap. 6
– Warning Visions Chap. 7:1-9
• Attempt to Silence The Prophet Chapters 7:10—17
• Coming Judgment Chapters 8:1-9:10
• Hope of Restoration Chapters 9:11—15
 Amos
• What Is Amos?
The prophecy that comes through Amos is a message of
judgment grounded in God’s universal justice. An
extended time of peace and prosperity had led to the
spiritual decline of Israel. The book, however, begins
with pronouncements of judgment against Israel’s
neighbor’s, including Judah. Then the focus turns on
Israel. Beginning in chapter 2, the remainder of the book
lays out the transgressions of Israel, including their
missed opportunities for repentance. Judgment is certain,
but as always God provides a message of hope and
restoration once His judgment is complete.
 Amos
• Who Was Amos?
The first verse of the book identifies Amos as one “who
was among the shepherds of Tekoa.” Little more is
known about him except what he says about himself in
7:14-15. There, when Amaziah was trying to silence
him, he claimed that his message was divine. He says
that he was neither a prophet, nor the son of a prophet,
but rather a “herdsman and a dresser of sycamore figs,”
whom God called and entrusted with a message for
Israel. Since Amos says that his ministry was during the
reigns of Uzziah of Judah and Jeroboam II of Israel, he
would have prophesied sometime between 793 and 740
B.C. (Israel fell in 722 B.C.).
 Amos
• Why Was Amos Written?
The peace and prosperity that Israel was experiencing had
bred pride and complacency. Their worship had become
nothing more than hollow ritual, as their lives reflected
moral and spiritual decline. Moreover, while they indeed
prospered during this time, the prosperity had come at the
expense of the poor, whom the rich and powerful
exploited and oppressed for their own gain. Despite
repeated warnings, Israel had failed to repent. Therefore
certain judgment was coming.
 Obadiah
Structure and Outline
• The Humbling of Edom Verses 1—9

• Edom’s Offenses Verses 10—14

• The Day of the LORD Verses 15—18

• The Coming Kingdom Verses 19—21

 Obadiah
• What Is Obadiah?
The short book of Obadiah (the shortest book in the Old
Testament) records a prophetic vision given by God
through Obadiah. Primarily, the prophecy announces a
judgment against Edom for their mistreatment of
Israelites fleeing Judah when Jerusalem fell to the
Babylonians. Moreover, the prophecy declares that all
nations will be judged by God, who is sovereign over all
the earth. Eventually God will establish His Kingdom
and rule over all the nations that currently oppress His
people.
 Obadiah
• Who Was Obadiah?
Nothing is known about the prophet Obadiah except that
his name means “one who serves Yahweh.” In fact,
Obadiah is a fairly common Old Testament name, and the
author of the book should not be confused with the royal
official mentioned in 1 Kings 18. The two actually lived
about three centuries apart. The message of Obadiah the
prophet dates to sometime after the fall of Jerusalem in
586 B.C., but before the fall of Edom in 553 B.C.
 Obadiah
• Why Was Obadiah Written?
When Jerusalem fell in 586 B.C., the people of Edom
gloated over their suffering (v. 12). In addition, when
Israelites fled into Edom’s territory, the Edomites actually
captured them and handed them over to the Babylonians
(v. 14). God makes clear through Obadiah that even though
His people were suffering justly under His judgment, all
those allied against them would face retribution. Though
Edom was strong and fortified, God would bring them down
on “the day of the LORD,” which is coming for all nations.
Pride and violence would lead to Edom’s destruction, but
God would also bring salvation to His people and establish
His eternal kingdom.
 Jonah
Structure and Outline
• The Reluctant Prophet Chapter 1
• The Repentant Prophet Chapter 2
• The Reclaimed Prophet Chapter 3
• The Remorseful Prophet Chapter 4

OR

• Running From God Chapter 1

• Running to God Chapter 2
• Running with God Chapter 3
• Running Ahead of God Chapter 4
 Jonah
• What Is Jonah?
Jonah is an interesting book among the prophets. Typically, it
is classified as prophetic narrative since it provides both a
narrative account of Jonah’s ministry as well as the prophetic
message he was given to deliver to Nineveh. Essentially, Jonah
was told to proclaim a message of judgment to the Assyrian
city of Nineveh. However, as an act of rebellion, he fled to the
city of Tarshish. On the way, because of a great storm, Jonah
was thrown into the sea where he was swallowed by a big fish.
He remained there for three days until he relented and was
expelled onto dry ground. When he went to Nineveh and
prophesied, the city repented and was spared by God. The
story ends abruptly with Jonah sulking outside the city.
 Jonah
• Who Was Jonah?
The only other reference to Jonah in the Old Testament is
in the book of 2 Kings 14:23-28 where he is introduced
as a prophet during the reign of king Jeroboam II of
Israel (782-753 B.C.). Aside from the fact that he was
the son of a man named Amittai, nothing else is known
about him. The author of the book of Jonah is
anonymous, though at least initially the story was likely
recounted by Jonah himself.
Because of an obscure reference in a source outside the
Bible in the 2nd century B.C., we can only conclude that
it was written sometime between the 8th and 2nd
centuries B.C.
 Jonah
• Why Was Jonah Written?
Jonah lived during a time of great favor from God toward
rebellious Israel. Nevertheless, Jonah rebelled against
preaching to the pagans in Nineveh. The book, then,
demonstrates the compassionate character of God and
His love for all people.
Comparatively, Jonah does not reflect God’s character.
This leads many modern readers to consider
themselves as being in the proverbial shoes of the
prophet being sent to share God’s Word and love with
a people he or she does not love or care for.
 Micah
Structure and Outline
• Judgment and Restoration Chapters 1—2
– Judgment Chap. 1:1—2:11
– Promise Chap. 1:7—16
• Injustices and Restoration Chapters 3—5
– Leaders Denounced Chap. 3
– Messianic Promise Chap. 4—5
• Indictment and Restoration Chapters 6—7
– Indictment and Consequences Chap. 6
– Deliverance and Grace Chap. 7
 Micah
• What Is Micah?
Micah is a book of prophecy that contains both oracles of
judgment and oracles of salvation. Micah prophesied to
Judah, the Southern Kingdom, to rebuke the people for their
violations of the covenant with both civil and religious
corruption. The advancing Assyrian army is seen as not only
a threat to Israel to the north, but to Judah as well.
Nevertheless, Micah speaks of the certainty of God’s
faithfulness in that He will preserve a remnant of His people
and punish the foreign aggressors. While there is promise of
the restoration of the Jews to the promised land, Micah’s
message is laced with the hope of the coming Messiah and
the ultimate salvation to be revealed in the last days.
 Micah
• Who Was Micah?
Though Micah’s call is not recorded, and though he is
never directly referred to as a prophet, Micah 3:8 says
that he was “filled with power, with the Spirit of the
LORD . . . to declare to Jacob his transgression and to
Israel his sin.” His ministry was during the reigns of the
Judean kings Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, which would
place his ministry as beginning no later than 735 B.C.
and ending no sooner than 714 B.C. Therefore, he
would have prophesied during the fall of Israel to
Assyria and possibly even during the near fall of Judah
to Assyria in 701 B.C.
 Micah
• Why Was Micah Written?
Through Micah, God lists the transgressions of His people—
transgressions which justify His striking and scattering them.
Idolatry, injustice, oppression, and the perversion of the
religious system had incited his anger. Nevertheless, God’s
love and faithfulness are seen in His repeated promises of
restoration and salvation. God promises to restore His people
to their land, to bring the Messiah out of Bethlehem, and to do
away with sin. Micah’s name means “Who is like Yahweh?”
and indeed the foundational truth in his message is that there
is no one like God who not only hates and rightly punishes
sin, but who also takes care of the true problem of sin because
of His grace and mercy (7:18-20).