Minor Prophets Hosea-Micah

What is the historical and political context for the MPs (P2)?

- Assyria weakens slightly and Judah expands under Josiah. Josiah dies and Babylon takes over. Jerusalem and Temple destroyed in 586 B.C. 10,000s killed or exiled.

What is the historical and political context for the MPs (P3)?

- Cyrus takes over Babylon in 539 B.C. and lets Jews return with new Medo-Persia. 50,000 return in 538 B.C. to build new Temple (completed in 516). Century passes with little glory; final prophet.

Describe the role and function for Israel's prophets and compare and contrast Israel's role of prophecy with ANE.

- Definition: someone who meditates between the divine world and human society. GOD to PROPHET to COVENANTAL COMMUNITY/PERSON. (3 parties) - Both gave council and encouragement; also rebuked for moral error. - Didn't offer PROBABILITIES, but CERTAINTIES from God. - Not for MANIPULATION, but for SUBMISSION to Sovereign God. - Preached that God required Israel to reflect His holiness and obey Mosaic covenant, rather than using corruption to manipulate the gods on their side.

What is the historical and political context for the MPs (P1)?

- Israel and Judah began strong, but power faded because Israel was corrupt and evil (God warned them of punishment) when Assyria took the fertile crescent in 721 B.C. (Jerusalem was spared).

Obadiah: prophet, background, content, themes, 1 application.

-Prophet: Common name, meaning Servant of Yahweh. Nothing else known of prophet. -Background: Book addressed to Edom, but intended for Judah. Edomites had taken over Judah, but once Edom had misfortune, Judah benefited. -Content: Edom's pride (vs.1-9), Mistreatment of brothers (vs.10-14), Day of the Lord (vs. 15-21). -Themes: Edom's pride, nation too sure of defenses. Mistreatment of brother nations. Day of the Lord, reversal to come; Judah restored, Edom destroyed. -Application: God's plans will certainly come to pass.

Amos: prophet, background, content, themes, 1 application.

-Prophet: From Tekoa, Judah. Farmland owner or shepherd. Nipper of sycamore figs. Prophesied at Bethel. No religious pedigree, challenged for lack of credentials by priest @ Bethel. Length of ministry unclear. -Background: 2 years before "the earthquake", 760-750 B.C. Setting similar to Hosea. Wealth, power, corruption. Onslaught of Assyria not far away. -Content: Judgment against nations (ch.1-2), Judgment against Israel (ch.3-6), Vision reports and restoration (ch.7-9). -Themes: Judgment against nations. Not caring for poor and powerless: Poor, unjust, immoral, idolatrous. Nation is delivered. -Application: God is a sovereign and patient judge. Moral God to judge all nations.

Hosea: prophet, background, content, themes, 1 application.

-Prophet: Hosea, means salvation. Early prophet, to northern kingdom;maybe only northern prophet besides possibly Jonah. Commanded by God to marry an unrighteous woman and have failed marriage (illegitimate children?). - Background: 753-715 B.C. Recorded after fall of Israel? Major shifts in power (6 kings in 25 years). Time of wealth, power, corruption, and evil. Bloodshed, greed, injustice. Violations of Mosaic covenant, which motivated his writing. -Content: Broken and restored marriage (ch. 1-3), judgment and restored covenant (ch. 4-14). -Themes: Common theme of restoration. Exclusive covenant -> grevious violation ->Painful result -> Gracious restoration. Displayed both in the marriage and in Israel's violation of Mosaic covenant. God's love and commitment. God will judge, then restore. - Application: Redeeming and restoring relationships. Human relationships get broken. What do YOU do about it? God is good at restoring relationships.

Joel: prophet, background, content, themes, 1 application.

-Prophet: Name meaning YHWH is God. He is familiar with the world in Judua/Jerusalem -> Judean? Possibly. -Background: Date uncertain, possibly 6th or 9th century B.C., but not important to understand message. Setting follows locust plague. -Content: Locust plague warns the Day of the Lord, army in 2:1-11 (possibly human or locust), Day of the Lord. -Themes: Day of the Lord, destruction. Disaster warns of judgment, followed by restoration. Nation is judged for mistreating Judah, but promises everlasting blessings and protection. -Application: Trust in God's sovereignty. God controls nature, history, nations, etc. Do you REALLY trust God? -> peace. If not, worry and frustration.

Micah: prophet, background, content, themes, 1 application.

-Prophet: Name means "Who is like God?" from Moreshah. -Background: About 10 years before fall of Samaria (721 B.C.). Setting similar to Hosea and Amos. Wealthy and corrupt Israel about to fall to Assyria. Judah is also guilty and will fall later. Ministry to both north and south. -Content: Judgment and Restoration. Round 1: Judgment (ch. 1-3), restoration (ch.4-5). Round 2: Judgment (ch. 6), Restoration (ch. 7). -Themes: Recurring theme of judgment and restoration of Judah/Israel. -Application: God's predictions may take a LONG TIME to happen. Some events prophesied happened, some partially happened, some have yet to happen.

Jonah: prophet, background, content, themes, 1 application.

-Prophet: Name means Dove, from Gath-hepher in Galilee. He is a disobedient prophet with a bad attitude. -Background: Important in comparison/contrast to Jesus' ministry. During reign of Jeroboam II (793-753 B.C.). There was an earlier Assyrian threat, in which Assyria expanded and threatened Israel. -Content: Jonah runs and is disobedient (ch.1), Jonah repents and God delivers (ch. 2), God relents (ch.3), Jonah pouts, God rebukes (ch.4). -Themes: Disobedient, God punishes the disobedient, can't run from God or His plans. -Application: Avoid whales. God can easily chastise disobedient followers. Better to be obedient and with the right attitude.