The Minor Prophets

Question 1

Hosea

Answer 1

Author/Date: Hosea (8th Century)
Theme: God’s judgment and redeeming love in response to Israel’s Unfaithfulness

1. Hosea’s Marital Metaphor (1-3)
2. Hosea’s Message: Unfaithfulness (4-14)
   A. Idolatry in Worship (4-5)
   B. Breaking Covenant (6-9)
   C. God’s Judgment (11-14)

Question 2

Joel

Answer 2

Author/Date: Joel (maybe post-exile, 586 BC)
Theme: The salvation and judgment of the Day of the LORD

1. Repent before the Day of the LORD (1-2:17)
2. Hope from the Spirit of the LORD (2:18-3)

Question 3

Amos

Answer 3

Author/Date: Amos (8th Century)
Theme: The judgment of God on all but especially His own people

1. Thus says the Lord: Judgment on all (1-2)
2. Hear this Word: Judgment on Israel (3-6)
3. The Lord showed me: Impending Judgment (7-9)

Question 4

Obadiah

Answer 4

Author/Date: Obadiah (586 BC)
Theme: God’s Judgment on Edom

1. Edom… you will be humbled (1-14)
2. Jacob… you will be restored (15-21)

Question 5

Jonah

Answer 5

Author/Date: Unknown
Theme: Repentance and the Mercy of God

1. Jonah flees but is delivered (1-2)
2. Jonah complies but is rebuked (3-4)

Question 6

Micah

Answer 6

Author/Purpose: Micah (Late 8th Century)
Theme: Although God is witness and judge, He will preserves a remnant

1. Judgment and Remnant (1-3)
2. Rule and Remnant (4-5)
3. Repentance and Remnant (6-7)

Question 7

Nahum

Answer 7

Author/Date: Nahum (7th Century)
Theme: Judgment on Ninevah

1. Ninevah’s Judge (1:1-14)
2. Ninevah’s Judgment (1:15-2:13)
3. Ninevah’s Destruction (3)

Question 8

Habakkuk

Answer 8

Author/Date: Habakkuk (Late 7th Century)
Theme: Where is God’s justice?

1. Do the wicked go unpunished? Babylonians! (1:1-11)
2. Babylonians are more wicked! All are accountable (1:12-2:20)
3. God, save your people and crush the wicked (3)

Question 9

Zephaniah

Answer 9

Author/Purpose: Zephaniah (~600 BC)
Theme: The Day of the Lord is judgment for rebels and blessing for followers

1. Judgment Coming (1:1-1:6)
2. The Day of the Lord (1:7-3:8)
3. Hope Anticipated (3:9-20)

Question 10

Haggai

Answer 10

Author/Date: Haggai (520 BC)
Theme: The Lord of Hosts stirs His people to rebuild His temple and restore His presence among them

1. First message: Rebuild the temple (1)
2. Second message: God’s greater temple (2:1-9)
3. Third message: Defiled People Blessed (2:10-19)
4. Fourth message: Other Kingdoms Overthrown (2:20-23)

Question 11

Zechariah

Answer 11

Author/Date: Zechariah (520 BC)
Theme: Covenant Renewal and the Messianic King

1. Present encouragements (1-8)
   A. Eight Night Visions (1-6)
   B. From fasts to feasts (7-8)
2. Future through the Messianic King (9-14)
   A. The Coming King becomes a rejected shepherd (9-11)
   B. Renewal and Judgment by a stricken shepherd (12-14)

Question 12

Malachi

Answer 12

Author/Date: Malachi (5th Century)
Theme: A Call to Renewed Covenant Fidelity

1. Remember the Law of Moses (1:1-2:16)
   o Disputation #1: Does God Love Israel? (1:1-5)
   o Disputation #2: Has Israel Despised God? (1:6 - 2:9)
   o Disputation #3: Has Israel Been Unfaithful? (2:10-16)
2. Remember the promise of Elijah (1:17-4:6)
   o Disputation #4: Has Israel wearied God? (2:17 - 3:5)
   o Disputation #5: Has Israel Robbed God? (3:6-12)
   o Disputation #6: Does God judge the wicked? (3:13 - 4:6)