There are portions of our Bibles that are “flyover country”. . . you know, the “country” you ignore as you “fly” from one “coast” to the other “coast,” country that you know has some value to it, but perhaps just not enough for you to stop in and take a look around. “Flyover country” in the Bible, however, is not acceptable. Every word of every book in the Bible is God’s word, and nothing should keep us from diving into the riches of even the most obscure passages our Bibles have to offer.
The Minor Prophets are a portion of my Bible that I have recognized as “flyover country” and that became evident to me as I simply looked at the wear on the pages. I have spent significant amounts of time reading and teaching from books like Genesis, Exodus, Joshua, Psalms and Proverbs, Isaiah, Jeremiah and Ezekiel . . . and even some of the “less popular” books of the Old Testament, like Numbers or 1 and 2 Kings. I have spent significant amounts of time studying and teaching from the four Gospels, from Acts and Romans and the letters to the Corinthians. Almost all of the New Testament books of my Bible are dog-eared and well worn. I have turned, countless times to some of my favorite passages in the New Testament–such as Revelation 21–and it literally, physically shows. But, I have neglected the Minor Prophets, and that shows, too. The pages of Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zachariah, and Malachi are pristine. Almost untouched. And that’s a shame.
What lessons have I missed by “flying over” this portion of God’s word and only occasionally stopping by to read what He has in store for His people there? What truths have I missed out on understanding by treating these “minor” prophets as, well, minor? Much, I am quite sure. Their categorical title, “Minor Prophets” has not helped, I am sure. When we give a name to something, that categorizes it in our minds and I am quite sure that, subliminally, I have associated “minor” with “less important”. And I need to remember and be reminded that nothing in God’s word is less important. All of it is not only important but essential to understanding the work and the ways of God. To understanding His plan of salvation and restoration. To understand how He sees sin and rebellion and how much He desires that His people long for and love Him.
One of the reasons I think we, as Christians in general, have neglected the Minor Prophets, is because we have a hard time putting these Prophets and their words into historical context. We know they are speaking God’s prophecies to God’s people, but without study, we don’t know who they were really talking to, what those people’s lives looked like, and how we share in some of the experiences of those who received these Prophet’s messages from God. This post is to serve the purpose of helping put the Minor Prophets into their historical context and give us “keys” to unlock the important truths of God’s word contained in the Minor Prophets. Here’s an outline and historical overview of the twelve “minor” prophets to help us understand their messages and how they might apply to our lives today:
Overview of Hosea. The Book of Hosea contains the prophecies of a man named Hosea who lived during the Divided Kingdom period of Israel’s history, and ministered during the reigns of Uzzah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah in Judah (the Southern Kingdom), and the reign of Jeroboam II in Israel (the Northern Kingdom). Hosea likely lived in the Northern Kingdom of Israel and the dates he ministered likely stretched from around 755 BC to 515 BC. This means Hosea prophesied during the same time period of Isaiah and Micah. God’s people were divided into two kingdoms and there was rampant idolatry throughout the Promised Land. The Northern Kingdom, during the first portion of Hosea’s ministry, had experienced great success under Jeroboam II, partly because Assyria was weakened during this time. Despite the success of the Northern Kingdom and its gains in territory, the moral fabric of the Northern Kingdom was an abomination to God. His people often worshipped Baal and God saw their waywardness and idolatry as spiritual adultery and spiritual harlotry. Hosea prophesied during a time of relative “secular” success but also in a time when God’s people were far from Him and on the verge of His rejection. Despite Hosea’s declaration of God’s imminent judgement and rejection of Israel, Hosea’s message is one of hope: God will redeem those who have rebelled against Him and one day restore them to Himself.
Overview of Joel.
Overview of Amos.
Overview of Obadiah.
Overview Jonah.
Overview of Micah
Overview of Nahum.
Overview of Habakkuk.
Overview of Zephaniah.
Overview of Haggai.
Overview of Zachariah.
Overview of Malachi.