SCRIPTURE CLASS
10TH LESSON, THE PROPHETIC BOOKS OF THE SACRED SCRIPTURE [OT] 10/23/25
Today we learn the prophetic books. Before then, kindly learn about a helpful principle,
“The Principle of Divine Order of Gestation”
I chose this term to define a principle that is evident in the books of prophets. The order of God’s way of doing things, which should help everyone of us understand God and live a fervent Christian life. Many have given up or missed the mark because of not knowing this principle. God promises, reveals, and then actualizes. Pray for the ‘staying grace’ of endurance, which is inevitable to see His promises translate into manifest realities.
Isaiah 48
Therefore I declared it to you long ago; I announced it before it came to pass, so that you could not claim, ‘My idol has done this; my carved image and molten god has ordained it.’ You have heard these things; look at them all. Will you not acknowledge them? From now on I will tell you of new things, hidden things unknown to you.…
Habakkuk 2
Then the Lord replied:
“Write down the revelation
and make it plain on tablets
so that a herald[b] may run with it.
For the revelation awaits an appointed time;
it speaks of the end
and will not prove false.
Though it linger, wait for it;
it[c] will certainly come
and will not delay…For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord
as the waters cover the sea.
Mark 4: Parable of the Harvest
Again Jesus began to teach beside the sea. And a very large crowd gathered about Him, so that He got into a boat and sat in it on the sea, and the whole crowd was beside the sea on the land…26 And He said, “The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground. 27 He sleeps and rises night and day, and the seed sprouts and grows; he knows not how. 28 The earth produces by itself, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. 29 But when the grain is ripe, at once he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come.”
Commentary
In an era of high-speed trains, cars, airplanes, internet, supersonic accelerated rockets, fast foods, etc., it is possible to forget that the ways of God are higher than human ways (Isaiah 55.) However, we learned that Abraham was put to test before the promise was granted, we see how the prophecy of the Virgin-birth went through a divine pace before being accomplished. So also, in our relationship with God, this principle of divine gestation should be absorbed in our heart and mind. Many times, the Lord allows us to go through fire and water to prepare us to receive the refinement that births the character to handle the enormous weight of His blessings and influence without crashing like a lifted and fallen star. His promises come to pass in His pace. Rejoice in His ways! We have been talking and praying about unprecedented universal spiritual renewal in Christ, a few days ago while praying with some persons, a flowing golden river dripping from a mountain was in view, and it shall come to pass. Let’s be patient and pray for all as we see sparks of renewal in many places.
THE PROPHECTIC BOOKS (Below is a synthesis from different writers/sources)
Why study prophecy?
The Old Testament books of the prophets address the "classical" period of prophecy — from the later years of the divided kingdoms of Judah and Israel, throughout the time of exile, and into the years of Israel's return from exile. The prophetic books were written from the days of Elijah (874-853 BCE) until the time of Malachi (400 BCE
These texts encourage believers to remain steadfast. They remind us that God is sovereign, even when life feels chaotic…In essence, prophetic books are not just ancient texts. They are alive with meaning and relevance for today. By studying them, we gain insights into God’s heart and His plans for humanity.
What is the Role of a Prophet?
Concerning the roles of the Prophets a writer stated, “Prophets were like spiritual detectives, reporting on the state of God’s people and the nations.” Another writer says, “Take Isaiah, for example. He is like the ultimate alarm clock—ringing loudly to wake Israel from its slumber of sin.” The prophetic books shaped the spiritual landscape of their times with that continue to echo through the ages, reminding us today of the importance of faithfulness to God and the hope of restoration. They reveal God's holiness, justice, and mercy, calling His people to faithfulness and obedience. The Book of Prophecy, as a collective term, highlights the continuity of God's redemptive plan from the Old Testament to the New Testament. The role of the prophets was multifaceted. They were called to deliver God's messages, often addressing the social, political, and spiritual issues of their time.
D. Who are the Prophets
In ancient Israel a prophet was understood to be an intermediary between God and the community, someone called to proclaim the word of God. Prophets received such communications through various means, including visions and dreams, often in a state of transformed consciousness, and transmitted them to the people as God’s messengers through oracular utterances, sermons, writings, and symbolic actions.
The office of the prophet came about as the result of a direct call from God. Unlike that of the priest, the prophetic function was not hereditary and did not correspond to a fixed office. In Israel as elsewhere in the ancient Near East and Levant, there were, however, prophets (nebî’îm in Hebrew) who were employed in temples and at royal courts, and some of the canonical prophets may have started out as “professionals” of this kind.
The Bible gives great importance to the call or commissioning of the prophet, which was often accompanied by visionary or other extraordinary experiences (e.g., Jer 23:21–22; Ez 1–2)… Isaiah in Is 6:1–13), and therefore prophetic speech is often introduced with the form used in the delivery of a message: “thus says the Lord” or some similar formula. Sometimes the prophetic calling could be expected to involve struggle, persecution, and suffering…Prophetic speech is not, however, confined to judgment and condemnation. The prophets also exhort, cajole, encourage; they announce salvation and a good prognosis for the future. Prophetic Books, THE PROPHETIC BOOKS | USCCB
How to Study the Prophetic Books of the Bible
These books tend to be occasional in nature—meaning there is some historical situation that motivated them. Therefore, it is important to consider the background material as much as we can. Was this book written for the Northern Kingdom during the Assyrian invasion? Was it written before the Babylonian exile? Was it written to the people who had returned from exile? …
Research the author’s background, their audience, and the culture of the time. Knowing the circumstances helps unravel the messages. For example, Jeremiah prophesied during Israel’s turbulent times, which colors his urgent calls for repentance.
It's also important when considering the predictive prophecy that we distinguish between that which has already been fulfilled in Christ and that which awaits fulfillment. Some of the literature is conditional and very confined to its time. Consider Jonah’s message that in forty days Nineveh will be destroyed. That didn’t happen because it was conditional. It would be ill-informed to supply your enemy's name into the place of Nineveh and assume that God gave you “a word” that your enemy would be overthrown in forty days…The primary prophetic call was to repent and to trust in God. We see that ultimately fulfilled in the finished work of Jesus Christ. https://www.crosswalk.com/faith/bible-study/what-are-the-prophetic-books-in-the-bible.html/
How Many Prophetic Books do we have in Old Testament (OT)
The 18 of the Prophetic Books divided into major and minor
Major Prophets [These books are termed "major" due to their length and the breadth of their messages, not because their contents are more important that ‘minor’ Prophets.]
Isaiah: Isaiah prophesied about the coming of the Messiah, as seen in Isaiah 9:6 : "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government will be upon His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." This prophecy is a cornerstone of Christian belief in the messianic fulfillment through Jesus Christ.
Isaiah: Known for his vision of the coming Messiah and themes of judgment and hope. Jeremiah:
Jeremiah, known as the "weeping prophet," warned of the impending Babylonian exile due to the people's unfaithfulness, while also offering hope for restoration.
Jeremiah: The ‘weeping prophet’ who warned of impending doom while offering hope of restoration.
Ezekiel provided visions of God's sovereignty and future redemption, with Ezekiel: Unique for his vivid visions and symbolic actions, emphasizing God’s sovereignty
Daniel's prophecies extending into eschatological themes that resonate with the Book of Revelation. He also, like Ezekiel, demonstrated God’s sovereignty over empires and fasle gods.
Daniel: Notable for its apocalyptic visions and prophecies regarding empires.
The book of Baruch is a reflection of a late Jewish writer on the circumstances of Jewish exiles from Babylon, with meditations on the theology and history of Israel, discussions of wisdom, and a direct address to residents of Jerusalem and the Diaspora. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Book_of_Baruch/
Lamentations: The Book of Lamentations is mostly used during the Holy Week Triduum’s Tenebrae service. Tenebrae “is defined in Latin as tenebris, from which we derive the name for the commemoration called Tenebrae.
The Book of Lamentations (Hebrew: אֵיכָה, ʾĒḵā, from its incipit meaning "how") is a collection of poetic laments for the destruction of Jerusalem in 586 BCE
The tone of Lamentations is bleak: God does not speak, the degree of suffering is presented as overwhelming, and expectations of future redemption are minimal. Nonetheless, the author repeatedly makes clear that the city—and even the author himself—has profusely sinned against God, thus justifying God's wrath. In doing so, the author does not blame God but rather presents God as righteous, just, and sometimes even merciful. Hope arises from a recollection of God's past goodness, but although this justifies a cry to God to act in deliverance, there is no guarantee that He will. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Book_of_Lamentations/
Despite the warnings prophetic books bring assurance of God’s mercy and love as seen in Lamentations 3 22 The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; 23 they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. 24 “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in Him.”
[N/B: Please note that the last two books are discussed with the books of major prophets because of the authorship that relates to the major prophets discussed(for instance Lamentations and Baruch relating to Jeremiah.)
Minor Prophets
Hosea: An 8th-century prophet in Israel, Hosea is sometimes referred to as the "prophet of doom" for his predictions that worship of false gods would lead to the fall of Israel.
Hosea: Focuses on God’s love and Israel’s unfaithfulness.
Joel: The dates of Joel's life as a prophet of ancient Israel are unknown since the dating of this Bible book is in dispute. He may have lived anywhere from the 9th century BCE to the 5th century BCE.
Joel: Emphasizes the Day of the Lord and the outpouring of God’s Spirit.
Amos: A contemporary of Hosea and Isaiah, Amos preached from about 760 to 746 BCE in northern Israel on subjects of social injustice.
Amos: Calls for justice and social righteousness.
Obadiah: Little is known of his life, but by interpreting the prophecies in the book he authored, Obadiah likely lived some time in the 6th century BCE. His theme is the destruction of the enemies of God's people.
Obadiah: A short book that prophesies against Edom.
Jonah: A prophet in northern Israel, Johan likely lived in 8th century BCE. The book of Jonah is different from the other prophetic books of the Bible. Typically, prophets issued warnings or gave instructions to the people of Israel. Instead, God told Jonah to evangelize in the city of Nineveh, home of Israel's cruelest enemy.
Jonah: Tells the story of God’s mercy towards Nineveh.
Micah: He prophesied from approximately 737 to 696 BCE in Judah, and is known for predicting the destruction of Jerusalem and Samaria.
Micah: Proclaims judgment and hope, including the prophecy of Bethlehem.
Nahum: Known for writing about the fall of the Assyrian empire, Nahum likely lived in northern Galilee. The date of his life is unknown, although most place authorship of his writings at about 630 BCE.
Nahum: Predicts the fall of Nineveh.
Habakkuk: Less is known about Habakkuk than any other prophet. The artistry of the book he authored has been widely praised. Habakkuk records a dialogue between the prophet and God. Habakkuk asks some of the same questions people are puzzled by today: Why do the wicked prosper and good people suffer? Why doesn’t God stop the violence? Why doesn’t God punish evil? The prophet gets specific answers from God.
Habakkuk: Questions God’s justice and receives reassurance.
Zephaniah: He prophesied during the same time as Josiah, from about 641 to 610 BCE, in the area of Jerusalem. His book warns about consequences of disobedience to God's will.
Zephaniah: Warns of judgment and offers hope for the remnant.
Haggai: Little is known about his life, but Haggai's most famous prophecy has been dated to about 520 BCE, when he commands Jews to rebuild the temple in Judah.
Haggai: Encourages rebuilding the temple after exile.
Zechariah: The name "Zechariah" means "God remembered." Zechariah may have been a priest as well as a prophet. This is supported by Zechariah's interest in the Temple and the priesthood. The main emphasis is that God is at work, and all his good deeds, including the construction of the Second Temple, are accomplished "not by might nor by power, but by [his] Spirit".[20] Ultimately, YHWH plans to live again with his people in Jerusalem. He will save them from their enemies and cleanse them from sin. However, God requires repentance, a turning away from sin towards faith in Him.
Zechariah: Contains apocalyptic visions and Messianic prophecies
Malachi: There is no clear consensus on when Malachi lived, but most Bible scholars place him at around 420 BCE. His primary theme is the justice and loyalty that God shows to mankind.
Malachi: Addresses the people’s apathy and foretells the coming of Elijah. https://www.learnreligions.com/prophetic-books-of-the-bible-70027
Major Themes of Prophetic Books
One of the most significant themes is the Day of the Lord. This concept emphasizes God’s judgment and intervention in human affairs. Prophets like Amos and Joel warned of impending disaster while also promising restoration. They conveyed a dual message: repentance leads to salvation.
Another central theme is restoration. After the Israelites faced judgment, the prophets consistently pointed to a future where God would heal and restore His people. For instance, in Ezekiel, God promises to bring His people back to their land and give them a new heart. This theme serves as a beacon of hope, reminding us that God’s grace is always available, even after we stray.
Judgment is another recurring motif. The prophets were not afraid to call out sin, whether it was idolatry, oppression, or injustice. Micah, for example, famously declared that God requires us to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly.
Lastly, the messianic hope permeates the prophetic literature. Prophets like Isaiah and Zechariah foretold the coming of a savior who would bring peace and redemption. This expectation of a Messiah fuels the Christian faith, as believers see its fulfillment in Jesus Christ.
Symbolism and Imagery Used in Prophetic Books
Common symbols include beasts, locusts, and mountains. Beasts often represent kingdoms or rulers. For instance, in Daniel, four beasts emerge, each symbolizing a different empire.
Locusts are another striking symbol. They usually signify judgment or destruction. In Joel, locusts represent an invading army, causing devastation across the land.
Mountains appear frequently in prophetic literature. They symbolize stability and divine presence. In Isaiah, a mountain is depicted as the place where God’s kingdom will be established. This imagery conveys hope and strength amidst turmoil.
Why is it important to study prophecy today?
Studying prophecy remains relevant for several reasons: 1. Understanding God’s Character: Prophetic literature reveals God’s nature, justice, and mercy. It helps believers grasp His plans for humanity. 2. Guidance in Uncertain Times: In a world filled with chaos, prophetic messages offer hope and assurance of God’s ultimate plan. 3. Encouragement for Faith: Prophecy strengthens believers’ faith by affirming that God is actively involved in history and future events. 4. Moral and Ethical Standards: Prophets called for righteousness and justice. Their messages challenge believers to align their lives with God’s standards. 5. Preparation for the Future: Understanding prophecy equips believers to navigate current events in light of biblical truths, fostering spiritual preparedness
Course Materials Used
Prophetic Books, THE PROPHETIC BOOKS | USCCB
https://newbookrecommendation.com/study-guide-to-the-prophetic-books-of-the-bible/
. https://biblehub.com/topical/t/the_book_of_prophecy.htm/
https://www.learnreligions.com/prophetic-books-of-the-bible-70027
. https://www.learnreligions.com/prophetic-books-of-the-bible-70027
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Book_of_Baruch/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Book_of_Baruch/