Pre-Exilic Prophets to Southern Kingdom Pt. 1

Prophets Overview

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Pre-Exilic Prophets to Southern Kingdom Pt. 2

● Zephaniah – 632 BC

● Jeremiah – 627 BC

● Habakkuk – 609 BC

● Lamentations – 586 BC

Zephaniah – 632 BC

In Judah’s history, they had periods of reform from time to time. Zephaniah’s bold prophecy may be a factor in the reforms that took place in the days of King Josiah. But those proved to be temporary changes, and the evil reigns of Josiah’s predecessors, Manasseh and Amon (total of 55 years) had such a profound impact, that Judah never recovered. God sent Zephaniah with a message of the coming day of judgment for Judah and the world – no one will escape giving an account to God. He also gives the hope of the day of blessing for all who call on Him.

Main Idea: The Judgment and Restoration of the Lord

● Ch 1-3:8 – The Day of the Lord Brings Judgment

○ 1:14-15; 2:3; 3:2

● 3:9-20 – The Day of the Lord Brings Salvation

○ 3:18-20 – “I will …” statements of God.

Jeremiah – 627 BC

Jeremiah prophesied over a 40 year period—during the reign of Judah’s last 5 kings: Josiah, Jehoahaz, Jehoiakim, Jehoiachin, and Zedekiah. Josiah was the last good king then the nation moved in a continual slide and their pending judgment was unavoidable. Jeremiah faithfully proclaimed the message of God to a people who rejected the message and opposed him personally. He mourned over the rebellion of the people and the downfall of the nation.

Main Idea: Judah’s Last Hour

● Ch 1 – The Call of Jeremiah

o 1:4-8

o “The Weeping/Rejected Prophet” – 13:17; 18:18; 20:1-3; 38:4, 6

● Ch 2-45 – Prophecy to Judah

o Example of the importance of Context – 29:11 (vs 10-14)

o Jeremiah Preached 12 “Sermons”

▪ The Potter and the Clay – you have to turn to God before it is too late. 18:1-4; 19:10-11

o 30:15-18 – Key Chapter

● Ch 46-51 – Prophecy to Surrounding Nations

● Ch 52 – The Fall of Jerusalem

Habakkuk – 609 BC

Habakkuk’s prophecy was in the form of a discussion between God and the prophet. Habakkuk questioned why God would allow the Chaldeans (Babylon), a wicked nation, to judge His people Judah. Habakkuk’s question was: can God use the unrighteous to accomplish His righteousness? Habakkuk ultimately trusted the Lord even though he did not fully understand what God was doing.

Main idea: God Can Use the Wicked, but They are not Free from Later Judgment

● 1:1-2:2 – God’s justice questioned

○ 1:1-4; 1:5-6; 1:10-11; 1:12-13; 1:15-17; 2:1-2

● 2:3-20 – God’s justice promised

○ 2:3-4; 2:5b-8; 2:9-11; 2:12-14; 2:15-17; 2:18-20

● Ch 3 – Habakkuk’s prayer of deliverance/trust in God’s strength

○ 3:1; 3:2; 3:4; 3:6; 3:7-15; 3:16; 3:18-19

Lamentations – 586 BC

Lamentations was written by Jeremiah as he saw Jerusalem captured and destroyed by Babylon. The 5 chapters are 5 poems, 5 funeral dirges mourning the loss of the city. Nebuchadnezzar laid siege to Jerusalem beginning in January 588 BC to July 586 BC It fell on July 19 and the city and temple were burned on August 15. This broke Jeremiah’s heart because he has invested more than 40 years warning of this coming judgment.

Main idea: Weeping for Jerusalem

● Ch 1 – The Destruction of Jerusalem

○ 1:1-3

● Ch 2 – The Anger of God

○ 2:5-6

● Ch 3 – The Prayer for Mercy

○ 3:19-20, 3:21-24

● Ch 4 – The Siege of Jerusalem

○ 4:18-19

● Ch 5 – The Prayer for Restoration

○ 5:21