Back to All Categories

Prophets

A series of books from individual prophets that go through the history of Israel.

long_description

Structure of the Prophets

21 Total books - 9,295 Verses - 280,884 Words

The Former Prophets[]

The prophets immediately after Moses and up to David and Solomon.

#1.
Joshua
Moses' successor Joshua leads the Israelites across the Jordan River and into the Promised Land with a bloody military campgain.
#2.
Judges
Covers several generations of "Judges"- or early leaders of Israel before the first king- and how they start a downward decline of Israel.
#3.
1 Samuel
We meet the last judge Samuel, who's also a prophet. The Israelites demand their first king, and God chooses someone named Saul, before replacing them with the great King David.
#4.
2 Samuel
Continues the narrative of King David's rule over Israel. It covers key events, including David's military triumphs and personal life. It covers the establishment of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel during this period.
#5.
1 Kings
Covers the reigns of different kings in Israel, mostly King Solomon, the child of David. It looks at Solomon's wisdom, his construction of the Temple in Jerusalem, and the division of the kingdom after his death. It also covers a few other kings.
#6.
2 Kings
Continues the historical account of the kings of Israel and Judah, starting with the reign of King Solomon's son, Rehoboam. It follows the succession of monarchs, their alliances, conflicts, and the eventual fall of both the northern and southern kingdoms. We also get the prophetic messages delivered by Elijah and Elisha.

The Latter Prophets[]

Prophets who develop the next wave of theology.

#1.
Isaiah
Prophetic writings attributed to the prophet Isaiah. The text addresses a range of themes, including judgment, the restoration of Israel, and Messianic prophecies. It is known for its poetic and symbolic language.
#2.
Jeremiah
Prophecies and reflections of the prophet Jeremiah during a tumultuous period in ancient Israel's history. The text covers themes of divine judgment, repentance, and the eventual restoration of the people. It also provides historical accounts of Jeremiah's interactions with various kings and leaders.
#3.
Ezekiel
The prophetic visions and messages of the prophet Ezekiel during the Babylonian exile of the Israelites. The text includes symbolic imagery, allegories, and detailed descriptions of divine visions, emphasizing themes of repentance, restoration, and the sovereignty of God.

The Minor Prophets[]

Series of 12 prophets, much shorter books, that have a particular message. In the Hebrew version, all 12 books are combined into one.

#1.
Hosea
Narrates the personal experiences of the prophet Hosea. It uses the metaphor of a troubled marriage, including Hosea's relationship with an unfaithful wife, to symbolize God's relationship with the unfaithful nation of Israel. The book employs a blend of poetic language and prophetic messages, urging repentance and highlighting themes of love, betrayal, and mercy.
#2.
Joel
Addresses themes of natural disasters, particularly a locust plague, as well as the call for repentance and spiritual renewal. The narrative combines vivid imagery and poetic language to convey the consequences of disobedience and the hope for restoration.
#3.
Amos
By a shepherd, Amos. It primarily focuses on social justice issues and moral decay within ancient Israel. Amos delivers stern messages about the consequences of oppression, exploitation, and the need for ethical conduct, emphasizing a call to repentance and the pursuit of justice.
#4.
Obadiah
The vision Obadiah recieves condemning a neighboring nation for watching and joining while they were being invaded and attacked.
#5.
Jonah
A story about a reluctant prophet who tries to run away but is swallowed by a big fish, and ends up saving the day.
#6.
Micah
It addresses social injustice, corruption, and moral decay in both Israel and Judah. Using poetic language and vivid imagery, Micah emphasizes the importance of ethical behavior, justice, and the anticipation of a future restoration.
#7.
Nahum
Focuses on the downfall of the Assyrian city of Nineveh, using vivid and poetic language to describe its impending destruction. Nahum's message revolves around divine justice and retribution.
#8.
Habakkuk
A dialogue between the prophet and God, addressing the questions of suffering and the apparent delay of divine justice. Habakkuk's reflections are presented in poetic form, expressing concerns about the wickedness of the time and seeking understanding in the face of adversity.
#9.
Zephaniah
It addresses the theme of divine judgment and the consequences of idolatry and disobedience. Using vivid language and poetic expressions, Zephaniah predicts a day of reckoning but also holds out hope for a remnant that will experience restoration and divine favor.
#10.
Haggai
It centers around the rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem after the Babylonian exile. Haggai encourages the people to prioritize the reconstruction of the sacred structure, emphasizing the importance of renewing their commitment to God.
#11.
Zechariah
It encompasses a series of visions, prophecies, and messages that address the post-exilic community in Judah. Zechariah encourages the people to rebuild the Temple and emphasizes themes of repentance, restoration, and the coming Messianic era. The book combines symbolic imagery with practical guidance for the community during a time of rebuilding and spiritual renewal.
#12.
Malachi
The final prophetic book and addresses a post-exilic community in Judah. It consists of a series of dialogues between God and the people, dealing with issues such as priestly corruption, social injustice, and the people's spiritual apathy. Malachi calls for repentance, emphasizes the importance of sincere worship, and anticipates a future messenger who will prepare the way for God's judgment and restoration.