Background on Prophetc Books

The Prophetic Books – Consist of 17 books that were written immediately prior to, during and immediately after the exile of the Jews to Babylon – the Babylonian exile. (See timeline chart). Three great Middle Eastern empires are referred to often in the Prophetic Books: Assyrian empire (900 B.C.-612 B.C.), Babylonian empire (612 B.C.-538 B.C.), and Persian empire (538 B.C.-330 B.C.) Each book was named for the prophet who wrote it except for Lamentations which was written by Jeremiah. The Prophetic Books are divided into two categories: Major Prophets and Minor Prophets. They are called “major” prophets and “minor” prophets not because one group of books is more important than the other but because the content of one group is greater than the other.

Major Prophets – consist of five books

23. Isaiah –

Where - Southern Kingdom of Judah.
When – approximately between 740-680 B.C.
Theme – See lesson on prophetic books
Setting – From 800-740 B.C., the Southern Kingdom had experienced 50 years of peace and prosperity. By 740 B.C., peace and prosperity gave way to fear and uncertainty. Their popular king Uzziah died creating a void in leadership. Assyria was more and more becoming a threat. Moreover, the people of Judah had wandered away from God. They walked the path of unrighteousness and idolatry. At this time (740 B.C.), God calls Isaiah to be a prophet and proclaim His word to Judah. Read Isaiah chapter 6. He also had prophetic words for other nations in the region.

Interesting facts – The word “salvation” appears 26 times in Isaiah, more than any other Prophetic Book. Isaiah had two sons whom God gave names to. Their names were to be a … a constant message to the people. The oldest was named Shear-Jashub which means “remnant will return.” His name symbolized the promise of restoration for Judah. The second son was named Mahar-Shalal-Hash-Baz which means “quick to the plunder, swift to the spoil.” His name symbolized the promise of judgment/punishment for the Northern Kingdom of Israel. Read Isaiah chapter 8.

Key verse: But Zion said, "The LORD has forsaken me, and the Lord has forgotten me." Can a woman forget her nursing child and have no compassion on the son of her womb?Even these may forget, but I will not forget you. Behold, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands; Your walls are continually before Me. (Isaiah 49:14-16)

24. Jeremiah -

Where - Southern Kingdom of Judah.
When – approximately between 626-580 B.C.
Theme – See lesson on prophetic books
Setting –After a brief revival of faithful worship to God during the reign of King Josiah, the people of Judah once again walked the path of unrighteousness and idolatry. The Kingdom of Judah got caught in the middle of a struggle between Egypt and Babylonia to determine who would be the dominant power in the Middle East. God calls Jeremiah at a young age (late teens, early twenties) to be a prophet and proclaim His word to Judah. Read Jeremiah chapter 1. For forty years, Jeremiah warned the people about their blatant rejection of God. He told their leaders to listen to God’s counsel and side with Babylonia against Egypt. If they refused, Judah would be destroyed and her people sent into exile to Babylon for seventy years; however, God would bring a remnant back to Judah to worship Him. Unfortunately, the leaders and people rejected Jeremiah’s message. Consequently, Babylon conquered Judah and destroyed the city of Jerusalem including the Temple in 586 B.C. Jeremiah personally witnessed the destruction.

Key verse: This is what the LORD says: "When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my gracious promise to bring you back to this place. For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you," declares the LORD, "and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you," declares the LORD, "and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile.” (Jeremiah 29:10-14)

Interesting facts – Jesus quoted Jeremiah more than any other prophet.

25. Lamentations –

Where - Southern Kingdom of Judah.
When – approximately between 586-580 B.C.
Theme – An expression of grief and despair by Jeremiah over the conquest of Judah and the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple.
Setting –Babylon had conquered Judah and destroyed the city of Jerusalem including the Temple. Jeremiah personally witnessed the destruction.

Chapter 1 – The Price of Sin
Chapter 2 – God Punishes Sin
Chapter 3 – A Personal Cry to God
Chapter 4 – A Graphic Portrayal of Suffering Caused by Sin
Chapter 5 – A Plea to God to Remember His People and Restore Them

Key verse: I remember my affliction and my wandering, the bitterness and the gall. I well remember them, and my soul is downcast within me. Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, "The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him. The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD. (Lamentations 3:19-26)

Interesting facts – Lamentations 3:23 was the inspiration for the hymn “Great Is Thy Faithfulness” by Thomas O. Chisholm, a Methodist minister in the early 1900’s who was forced to leave the ministry due to poor health. In a letter dated 1941, Thomas O. Chisholm wrote that although his income has not been enough due to his impaired health, he must record the unfailing faithfulness of God for the "wonderful displays of His providing care" and for which he is "filled with astonishing gratefulness."

26. Ezekiel –

Where - Babylonia
When – approximately between 593-565 B.C.
Theme – See lesson on prophetic books
Setting –Ezekiel was one of the thousands of people in Judah who were forced from their homeland into exile in Babylon. His exile occurred before the destruction of Jerusalem and the massive exile that took place in 586 B.C. Ezekiel was destined to become a priest in Jerusalem and yet in Babylon God called him to be a prophet. Read Ezekiel chapter 2. Ezekiel was to proclaim God’s words of condemnation to the people of Judah in exile in Babylon. They had yet to repent for the sins they were presently being punished for. Ezekiel also proclaimed words of restoration. Read Ezekiel chapter 37:1-14. Ezekiel also proclaimed words of condemnation and restoration to Gentiles. Ezekiel is a very difficult book to read because it contains a tremendous amount of symbolism and references to End Times events but do not let that discourage you from reading it.

Key verse: Therefore prophesy and say to them: This is what the Sovereign LORD says: O my people, I am going to open your graves and bring you up from them; I will bring you back to the land of Israel. Then you, my people, will know that I am the LORD, when I open your graves and bring you up from them. I will put my Spirit in you and you will live, and I will settle you in your own land. Then you will know that I the LORD have spoken, and I have done it, declares the LORD. (Ezekiel 37:12-14)

Interesting facts – Almost seventy times in Ezekiel, God says “They (Jews & Gentiles) will know that I am God.” Ezekiel chapter 28 is regarded by many Christian scholars as a reference to the origin of Satan.