THE MINOR PROPHETS
This is a collection of 12 books located at the end of the Old Testament scriptures – from Hosea to Malachi. The designation “Minor Prophets” does not relate to their relevant importance. The term “Minor” refers to the length of the books when compared to the length of the writings of the “Major Prophets“, Isaiah, Jeremeiah, Ezekiel and Daniel.
The books cover a period from about 845BC to 400 BC.
The Role of The Prophets
The prophets (both “Minor” and “Major“) were servants of God, divinely appointed and inspired to proclaim His Word. At times, they were messengers of God’s word as it applied to the present (“forthtelling“), serving as watchmen on behalf of the people of God; other times, God’s message pertained to the future, and as such they were known as “seers” (“Foretelling“) things to come.
They often acted as advisors to the King – directing the monarch to fulfil the will of God – a role not always heeded by the monarch at the time.
Chronological Order of the Prophets
The following is an estimate of the dates during which each of the Prophets ministered. This can be divided into FIVE DISTINCT PERIODS from the time of the DIVIDED KINGDOM through to the POST BABYLONIAN CAPTIVITY period …
9th CENTURY BC
(EARLY ASSYRIAN PERIOD)
1. Obadiah (ca. 845 B.C)
2. Joel (ca 830 B.C.)
3. Jonah (790-750 B.C.)
This was during the period of “The Divided Kingdom” in Israel’s history; to the north and east the empire of Assyria was beginning to make its presence known in Israel, seeking to extend its territory.
8th CENTURY BC
( ASSYRIAN PERIOD)
1. Amos (755 B.C.)
2. Hosea (750-725 B.C.)
3. Isaiah (740-700 B.C.)
4. Micah (735-700 B.C.)
In 721 B.C., the northern kingdom of Israel was taken into Assyrian captivity; these
prophets were proclaiming God’s message as the nation was being threatened and overtaken from the north
7th CENTURY BC
(BABYLONIAN PERIOD)
1. Jeremiah (626-586 B.C.)
2. Zephaniah (630-625 B.C.)
3. Nahum (625-612 B.C.)
4. Habakkuk (625-605 B.C.)
Assyria was eventually defeated by Babylon and the Medes; these prophets served as God’s messengers when the Babylonian empire threatened to invade the Southern kingdom of Judah.
6th CENTURY BC
(BABYLONIAN EXILE)
1. Ezekiel (593-570 B.C.)
2. Daniel (605-536 B.C.)
These prophets were taken into Babylonian captivity, along with many of the population of the Sothern Kingdom of Judah; from Babylon they served as God’s messengers to both captives and kings.
6th & 5th CENTURIES BC
(POST-EXILIC PERIOD)
1. Haggai (520 B.C.)
2. Zechariah (520-518 B.C.)
3. Malachi (ca. 440 B.C.)
After the Jews were allowed to return home from Babylon, God used Haggai and Zechariah to encourage the people to rebuild the temple; later, Malachi was used to reform the priesthood during the time of Ezra and Nehemiah
The Messages of the Minor Prophets
Obadiah
This is where the message of Obadiah goes …
Joel
This is where the message of Joel goes …
Jonah
This is where the message of Jonah goes …
Amos
This is where the message of Amos goes …
Hosea
This is where the message of Hosea goes …
Micah
This is where the message of Micahgoes …
Zephaniah
This is where the message of Zephaniah goes …
Nahum
This is where the message of Nahum goes …
Habakkuk
This is where the message of Habakkuk goes …
Haggai
This is where the message of Haggai goes …
Zechariah
This is where the message of Zechariah goes …
Marachi
This is where the message of Malachi goes …