Page 3 - The Minor Prophets - Student textbook

Study Section 1: A Study of the Minor Prophets

1.1 Connect

The Minor Prophetic Books are probably the most neglected books in the Bible when it
comes to everyday reading and devotions. Some people think that because they are called
the Minor Prophets, they are of minor importance in God’s Word. Nothing could be farther
from the truth. They are filled with spiritual gems directly from God. But because we
consider them minor in importance, we often neglect to read them. We tend to pass over
them to concentrate on “more interesting” books. But as you will find out in taking this
course, you will glean a bundle of truths from the Minor Prophets which will impact your life. There are
promises that you can claim as well as insight into future events. So, let’s get started on our study of
the Minor Prophets by first studying the history and culture during the time when the prophets wrote.

1.2 Objectives

1. The student should be able to trace the history of Egypt and Assyria as they relate to Israel
from 900 BCE to around 400 BCE.

2. The student should be able to carefully describe the Assyrian empire and how it treated
those whom it brought under subjugation.

3. The student should be able to describe how God used both of these empires to forward his plans for
the development of Israel.

1.3 Welcome

Welcome to a course studying the Minor Prophets. In the Hebrew Bible, the “Twelve
Minor Prophets” is the eighth and last “book” in the second section of their Bible called
“Prophets.” It is, as its name implies, not a unified whole but a collection of 12
independent books, by 12 different prophets.

“Minor” refers not to their importance but to their length: All were considered important
enough to enter the Hebrew Bible, but none was long enough to form an independent book. One of
these, Obadiah, is only a single chapter long, and the longest (Hosea and Zechariah) are each 14
chapters. They range in time from Hosea and Amos, both of whom date to the middle of the eighth
century B.C.E., to parts of the books of Zechariah and Malachi, which are probably from the beginning
of the fourth century B.C.E.

One theme that unifies the 12 prophets is Israel’s relationship with God. What does God demand of
humans? How do historical events signify God’s word? These are questions that appear throughout
Biblical prophecy. But nowhere in the Bible does a single book present as wide a variety of views on
these subjects as does the collection of the Twelve Minor Prophets.

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