Old Testament Survey:Minor Prophets

(Hosea – Malachi)

“For prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved

by the Holy Spirit.” (2 Peter 1:21)

God’s Prophets

• Warned of false prophets– Deuteronomy 18:9-12

• Gave additional information

• Defined as:– A person who serves as a mouth for another– Exodus 4:16; 7:1

• God put His words in the prophet’s mouth– Deuteronomy 18:18

• This required inspiration--direct revelation from God—to the preacher or teacher!

• Failure to listen—person cut off!– Deuteronomy 18:19; Acts 3:22,23

God’s Prophets

• Prophets spoke of the past– Moses, creation, flood, promises to Abraham

• Prophets spoke of the present– Conditions of the people at time of writing

• Prophets spoke of the future– Foretold future events

God’s Prophets

Different Prophets

• Period of judges—few prophets; not writing prophets.

• Kingdom divided after Solomon’s death

• Both nations, Israel and Judah, began to practice idolatry. God sent His prophets to turn the people back to Him.

Minor Prophets

• Period of Minor Prophets—845 BC—432 BC (approx. 400 years)

• Four great world empires– Egypt—southwest– Assyria—northeast– Babylon or Chaldea—the east– Medo-Persia—to northeast (east of Palestine)

Purpose and Mission of the Prophets

• Point the people back to God and His righteousness.– Departed from God into idolatry– Led to decay of political affairs– In social life and moral standards– People left God out of their thinking– Prophets preached oneness, holiness, and

God’s righteousness; punishment awaited them!

• Point the people back to God and His righteousness.– Spoke of the emptiness and nothingness of

the idols.– The people did not hear; rather, they

persecuted the prophets.– Prophets condemned the people’s sins.– Warned of captivity if they failed to repent!

Purpose and Mission of the Prophets

• The prophets also showed that God uses the heathen nations to accomplish His purposes.– Raise up one nation—destroy another.– Unless Israel and Judah repented and

returned, He would bring the heathen nations against them.

Purpose and Mission of the Prophets

• Because of their wickedness, Israel and Judah would finally fall. The prophets spoke of the coming of a new Spiritual Kingdom.– This kingdom would not fall—everlasting– Only one King--a Righteous King– Establishment of the church– Cut off all implements of carnal warfare– Would be defended by the Spirit of God

Purpose and Mission of the Prophets