Page 85 - Old Testament Survey Student Textbook

Study Section 11: Five Major Prophets (divided into two—pre-exilic
and exilic) (740 BC to 538 BC)

11.1 Connect

As we have learned in the introduction to the Prophetic books, one of the primary tasks
of a Prophet was to warn the people of God. Of the three books of Major Prophets, one
written by Isaiah and the other two written by Jeremiah, stand as warnings to the
nation of Judah before the exile to Babylon. They are called pre-exilic because the
Prophets ministered before the Assyrian and Babylonian captivity.

11.2 Objectives

1. The student should be able to discuss what these three books of the Major Prophets are all
about.

2. The student should be able to discuss the important questions such as: what, when, where,
how.

3. The student should be able to discuss the main message and main divisions of each individual pre-
exilic major prophetic book.

4. The student should be able to discuss the applications from these books.

11.3 Introduction

The Major Prophets are essentially in chronological order and cover a period of over 200 years
of Jewish history starting with Isaiah about 20 years before the fall of Israel through Daniel
who ministered to Judah during the Babylonian Captivity. Three of these Prophetic books
were pre-exilic (Isaiah, Jeremiah/Lamentation) and two were exilic (Ezekiel and Daniel). They
are called Major Prophets because of the length and relative significance of their writings. The
Major Prophets have great theological importance and reveal why God judged his people with
Assyrian and Babylonian captivity. They also reveal God’s redeemed purpose for both Jews and Gentiles
and his eternal plan which is being worked out in human history. The Prophetic books what God is
looking for and expects from his people.

1. Why study Prophecy
The study of Prophecy is important because:
a. 20 to 25% of the Bible was Prophecy when written.
b. Prophecy demonstrates the faithfulness, sovereignty and supernatural power of God.
c. Prophecy encourages believers to have hope.
d. Prophecy motivates believers to godly living.
e. Prophecy discloses God’s truth and the nature and consequences of sin, especially
disobedience to God’s word.
f. Prophecy reveals God’s eternal plan and purpose.

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