Pre-Exilic Prophets to Southern Kingdom Pt. 1
Prophets Overview
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Pre-Exilic Prophets to Southern Kingdom Pt. 1
• Joel - 835 BC
• Isaiah - 740 BC
• Micah – 735 BC
Joel – 835 BC
Joel was prophesying about the coming Day of the Lord in a few contexts. First, Joel mentioned the current plague of locusts. Next, the coming locust-like army that was to invade in the near-future. And lastly, Joel mentioned the coming far-future day of judgment of the nations.
Main Idea: The Day of The Lord Brings Cursing and Blessings
● Ch 1 – Current Plague of Locusts
○ 1:2-4; 1:10-11; 1:13-15
● 2:1-17 – Future Locusts-like Plague
○ 2:1-2; 2:3; 2:8-9; 2:11; 2:14a
● 2:18-3:21 – End times Locust-like Plague
○ 2:18; 2:20; 2:25; 2:30-32; 3:1-2; 3:14; 3:16-17; 3:19-21
Isaiah – 740 BC
Isaiah’s ministry as a prophet to Israel and Judah lasted over 50 years. The 66 chapters of this book has 2 major sections that somewhat mirror the Old Testament (39 books) and New Testament (27 books) of the Bible. Isaiah chapters 1-39 is a message of condemnation for sin. Isaiah confronts the sin and coming judgment for Israel, the surrounding nations as well as the whole human race. Chapters 40-66 is a message of the comfort and future salvation the Messiah would bring for the Jews, but also for the world.
Main Idea: Salvation comes from God
● Ch 1-39 – MAN’S NEED FOR SALVATION
o Ch 1-6 – The Sin of Judah
▪ 1:4 Sins
▪ 1:16-20 Plea to return to God
▪ 5:20-21 Upside down world
▪ 6:1-7 God Calls Prophet – Contrast Holiness - Sin
o Ch 7-12 – King Ahaz Rejects God
▪ 7:10-14 God will send a new king
▪ 9:6-7
o Ch 13-23 – Sin of Surrounding Nations
● God will also bring judgment on Gentile Nations
▪ 13:1; 13:11; 13:17-19 – Babylon, Assyria, Philistia, Moab, Damascus, Ethiopia, Egypt, Tyre
▪ God’s Holy standard will be upheld
o Ch 24-27 - The Day of the Lord
● Change perspective to Whole earth
● From Near term to long term
▪ 24:17-21 Judgment
▪ 25:8; 26:3-4 Peace
o Ch 28-35 – The Sin of the Leaders
● Woe – Warning of judgment
▪ 28:7 Lead people away from God
▪ 28:14-16
▪ 31:1-3 Failed to trust God
o Ch 36-39 – King Hezekiah Trusts God
▪ 37:16-20; 37:36
● Ch 40-66 – GOD’S PROVISION OF SALVATION
o Ch 40-48 – Coming Redemption from Babylon and Redemption for all Mankind
▪ 40:1-2; 40:28-31; 44:22 Comfort
o Ch 49-57 – The Deliverer
▪ 52:6-7; 53:1-9; 53:10-12; 55:6-8; 57:15
o Ch 58-66 – God’s Reign
▪ 59:20; 65:17; 65:25; 66:1-2
Micah – 735 BC
During the days of Micah, the society was full of injustice and mistreatment of people. Greed, corruption, abuse, and deceit were predominant. God looks out for the defenseless and sent Micah to address the sin of the culture in Judah.
Main Idea: Who is like the Lord?
● Ch 1-2 – Judgment will Come
○ 2:1-2; 2:9
● Ch 3-5 – Blessing will Come After Judgement
○ 3:5; 3:11; 4:1; 4:6-7; 5:2; 5:4
● Ch 6-7 – Call for Repentance
○ 6:6-8; 7:18-19