Lesson Fifteen: The Twelve Prophets (Part 1)
“Who is a G-d like You, pardoning iniquity and passing over the transgression of the remnant of His heritage? He does not retain His anger forever, because He delights in mercy. He will again have compassion on us, and will subdue our iniquities. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea. You will give truth to Jacob and mercy to Abraham, which You have sworn to our fathers
from days of old.”
Micah 7:18-20
Introduction
- The Twelve Prophets are often called the “Minor Prophets” but this is a complete misnomer. Their message is hardly of a minor consequence.
- The message of redemption in TaNaKh is one of progressive revelation:
- Problem: man is separated from G-d by sin.
- Answer: G-d will provide a Seed that will crush the Serpent’s head
- The Seed was promised and traced through Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob…
- Redemption was promised through the Seed, and pictured in every interaction between G-d and His people.
- The principle message after the Torah is that man should repent and return to G-d.
- The message of way of life in the Seed, and the message of repentance and return to G-d are one and the same – a return to the “Garden” and eternal fellowship with HaShem.
- The Prophets’ message of repentance is this: Israel must repent because the day of redemption is coming – that day ushers in the Kingdom of G-d upon the earth.
Hosea
- Hosea’s life is an object lesson in and repentance forgiveness. Repeatedly, Israel is reminded that they have sinned against the Almighty. He compares her to a wayward wife.
- Hosea 5:15-6:4: The time of spiritual drought is not forever – a day is coming when all Israel will repent and be revived.
- Chapter 14 reminds us that a complete repentance for Israel is coming.
- Hosea 14: Repentance, and complete restoration. This is the Ultimate Redemption, the future return of Messiah.
Joel
- Joel begins with the horror of a people who have been dealt with by G-d.
- Joel 1:13-15: What should the response be to revealed sin? Repentance will reveal redemption.
- Joel 2:1-2; 11-16: The Day of the L-RD – a time of horror, and ultimately redemption.
- 2:17-25: Because of His promises, Israel will repent and HaShem will restore what was lost.
- 2:28-3:2; 9-18: The future weighing of the nations – and Israel’s restoration.
Amos
- Amos details the judgment of the nations around Israel for their sins against HaShem’s people. It also details the judgment of Israel for the disobedience to the Torah of HaShem.
- Amos 9:8-10: Israel sifted among all the nations, and yet He will not destroy Israel.
- Amos 9:11-15: A prophesy of the future restoration of righteous Israel – and a glimpse Gentiles “called by My Name.”
Obadiah
- Obadiah prompts repentance by example: The judgment of specific nations that sinned against Israel.
- Obadiah 1:21: This promise of the coming Kingdom of HaShem’s mirrors Jude 1:14 and Enoch.
Jonah
- This book is repentance from start to finish. It not only exemplifies how Gentiles too can repent and be redeemed, it characterizes Israel’s initial unwillingness to bring the Good News of repentance to Gentiles.
Micah
- Repentance leads the way back to G-d.
- Micah 4:1-8: The Ways of HaShem revealed from Mt Zion, in His Torah. All nations drawn to Him.
- An eternal Kingdom of HaShem. Repentance precedes the Kingdom.
- Micah 5:2: The promise of Messiah.
- Micah 7:18-20: Because He promised, He will redeem Israel, and forgive her sin.
Summary
- The Twelve Prophets speak largely of the Ultimate Redemption, at the return of Messiah. We are encouraged to repent because this future coming Kingdom will begin with Messiah’s righteous wrath being poured out.