Lesson Sixteen: The Twelve Prophets (Part 2)
“Remember the Torah of Moses, My servant, which I commanded him in Horeb for all Israel, with the statutes and judgments. Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of HaShem. And he will turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the earth with a curse.”
Malachi 4:4-6
Introduction
- The Prophets’ message of repentance is this: Israel must repent because the day of the HaShem is coming. It is followed by the day of redemption – that day ushers in the Kingdom of G-d upon the earth.
- The Twelve Prophets’ focus is particularly upon the Ultimate Redemption, when Messiah returns to establish His earthly Kingdom.
Nahum
- Nachum = “Comfort.” This book is a prophecy against the Assyrians (“Nineveh”). It tells of their utter destruction.
- At first, it appears that this is a “finished” prophecy, but like all of G-d’s plans, the patterns are repeated.
- Folded within the prophecy against Nineveh are words of comfort for Israel.
- Nahum 1:11-12: “A wicked counselor.”
- 1:15-2:2: “Good news” [m’basar], ie. “The Gospel” that causes one to hear peace [shalom]: Judah, keep appointed feasts and vows. The excellence of Jacob restored (i.e. all Israel, northern and southern).
Habakkuk
- Hab 1:6; Deut 28:49-52; Hab 1:12: Habakkuk prophesied about the Babylonian captivity. Like Nahum, at first it appears to merely be speaking about a past historical set of events. The patterns within it however point to the promises given to Moses and to Abraham.
- Hab 2:2-4: verse 4 is the key verse of all Scripture. The righteous will live by his faithfulness [emunato]. Emunato from the root “aman” to stand, to be steady, unshaken (Rom 1:17; Gal 2:16; 3:11; Heb 10:38)
- Hab 3:12-19: A future hope in the midst of destruction, Messiah comes and destroys the nations that have afflicted. In the midst of despair, rejoice in HaShem, He is our strength.
Zephaniah
- Zephaniah prophesied in the days of King Josiah, in what appears to be a prophecy about the coming Babylonian captivity.
- 1:4; 2:4-7: It starts off as a word against Judah, but quickly turns into a promise for vindication for Judah.
- 1:14-17: A main theme is the “Day of the L-RD” – it is a day of utter destruction, and yet somehow of redemption for Israel.
- 3:8-13: Israel restored.
- 3:14-20: The Messianic Age. “The King of Israel, HaShem, is in your midst.”
Haggai
- Haggai prophesied after the Babylonian captivity, before the rebuilding of the Temple (2nd Temple).
- 2:3-9: The Second Temple’s glory did indeed eventually exceed that of the First. But 2:6-7 is speaking of something that did not already happen. The “glory” of Second Temple did not include HaShem’s abiding Presence. The “Desire of the Nations” appears to be speaking of Messiah.
Zechariah
- Zechariah is a post-exile prophet.
- Zech 1:3-4: Return. Repent.
- 1:8-17: Restoring Jerusalem after the 70 years in Babylon – a pattern to be repeated.
- 2:10-12: Restoration of Israel, the promise of Gentiles joined to His people.
- 5:12-13: Prophecy of the Messianic Age.
- 8:2-8: Gathered back to the Land.
- 8:20-23: Gentiles, grabbing the hem of Jews will go to Jerusalem to pray.
- Chapter 12 begins a view of the “Day of the L-RD” – and the redemption that follows it.
- 14:1-14: The return of Messiah.
- 14:9; 14:16: Messiah’s Kingdom. All nations coming to Jerusalem to celebrate Sukkot. The Temple and the sacrifices restored.
Malachi
- Mal 1:2: Israel is G-d’s sovereign choice. Not because of her righteousness, but because of His faithfulness to His promises.
- Malachi is a call to repentance because the Kingdom is coming.
- 4:4-6: The last words given to us before the birth of Messiah are words that call for repentance. Remember the Torah of Moses, repent, for the Kingdom of HaShem is at hand.
Summary
- The themes of redemption have been played throughout the TaNaKh for us. We end as we began: We were separated from G-d because of our sin, but He has made a way back to Him. We must repent and turn to Him. His Kingdom is coming. Repent!