2. DIVISIONS
There are two divisions within the Latter
Prophets:
Major Prophets:
Isaiah
Jeremiah
Ezekiel
Daniel
Minor Prophets:
Hosea – Malachi
Known as the Book of Twelve
The only difference being the length of the books. The major prophets all
required their own scroll whereas the minor prophets all fit onto one scroll
together.
3. WHAT IS PROPHECY?
Usually means telling something about the future, but that is
not always the case. Several prophetic books of the Hebrew
Bible tell of past events rather than of present or future events.
Types of Prophecy:
Divination – use of external objects to learn something about the future
(use livers, bones, tarot cards today)
Dream Interpretation – messages from God/gods. The most most well-
known dream interpreters in the Bible are Joseph and Daniel
Ecstatic Behavior – alter state of mind/body to experience encounter with
God by use of drugs, music, dance, etc.
4. PROPHETS? AND THEMES
Who are prophets? Prophets believed themselves to be the
“mouthpiece of God.” They usually have a formulaic introduction
such as “Thus says the LORD…”
Three Themes in the prophetic books:
1) Covenant Faithfulness: Israelites needed to worship God alone.
Many prophets chastised the people for worshipping multiple gods
or the gods of their enemies
2) Judgment: Prophet was to correct the ways of the people when they
had veered from their path with God. To do this, many of the
prophets issued judgments if the Israelites did not correct their
errors
3) Hope: Hope that judgment will be averted and hope for the future
(restoration after punishment – that God does not abandon them
altogether)
6. ISAIAH
Most quoted book in the New Testament
First clear statement of monotheism in the Old Testament (Isaiah
44:9-20)
Several messianic passages purported in Isaiah – Christians later
attribute these passages as a foretelling of Jesus (Isaiah 52:13 –
53:12)
Scholars believe that Isaiah is actually written by three separate
authors (not a unified book). Isaiah is broken up into three different
sections (1st, 2nd, and 3rd Isaiah). These sections were written at
different times and by different people, but probably from the same
school/camp of thought/theology.
7. ISAIAH
1st Isaiah:
Isaiah 1-39 (8th cent B.C.E)
Deals with Israel’s judgment for their sins
2nd Isaiah:
Isaiah 40-55 (end of the exile – approx. 539 B.C.E.)
Cyrus is mentioned and restoration is possible)
3rd Isaiah:
Isaiah 56-66 (510 B.C.E.)
Talks about the second temple being rebuilt so dated to when the temple
is known to have been completed
8. JEREMIAH
Jeremiah lived in Jerusalem during the Exile
Considered a very pessimistic book
Jeremiah recounts that all the other prophets were
prophesizing that Israel would be spared since they
are God’s people. However, Jeremiah prophesizes that
if Israel did not turn from its evil ways, the Lord would
certainly punish Israel/Jerusalem. (Jeremiah 18:1-12)
Jeremiah ends up being beaten and put on trail for
his prophecies.
9. EZEKIEL
Ezekiel is taken into exile in 597 B.C.E. Prophetic activity
occurs in the exile (Babylon)
Begins with a symbolic vision of God on a throne – at the end
God actually departs from the temple symbolizing that he has
withdrawn his protection from Jerusalem and his people
Although Ezekiel prophesizes the destruction of the temple,
Ezekiel still holds out for hope that the exiles will be restored to
Israel.
10. AMOS
Oldest prophetic book (probably early 8th cent. B.C.E.
in the northern kingdom)
Focuses on social justice
“Day of the Lord” – God will come to judge not just
the nations that abused Israel, as many Isaelites
thought, but would also judge the Isrealites
themselves if they did not live up to the level of justice
and holiness God expected of them (Amos 5:18 – 6:7)
11. HOSEA
Criticizes the northern kingdom for
worshipping Baal
Uses popular imagery:
God as loving husband – Israel as unfaithful,
adulterous wife (Hosea 2:2-5, 16-20)
God as parent – Israel as a disobedient child (Hosea
11:1-11)
In both cases God still loves his wife and/or child and takes them back
even after their unfaithfulness or disobedience
