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The Major Prophets

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9:6

Watch Week Four: Old Testament: Major and Minor Prophets

This week, we are going to look at the last category of Old Testament books: the prophets. Each prophet is widely accepted as the author of the book named after him. The specific role of the prophets was to call Israel to repentance when they sinned. The prophets warned God’s people of judgment if they didn’t stop turning their back on God, all while reminding them that God will extend them mercy and hope and future restoration.

Today, let’s look at an overview of the books that make up the major prophets:

isaiah

From this book, we learn that Isaiah was married and had two sons (Isaiah 7:3, 8:3). Isaiah prophesied from 739–681 BC during the reign of four kings of Judah—Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah. By the time he started prophesying, the people of Judah were worshipping God on the surface, but inwardly they had abandoned their faith. Through Isaiah, God prophesied a series of judgments to turn the heart of his people back to himself, as well as predictions about the future savior of Israel. Of all of the Old Testament books, Isaiah gives the clearest picture of the future Messiah’s birth (7:14) and his death (52:13–53:12).

jeremiah and lamentations

Jeremiah’s ministry began in 627 BC and lasted until around 582 BC. His prophecies included the prediction of the Babylonian captivity, during which the Jews would be carried to Babylon as exiles because of their rebellion against God (Jeremiah 25). In spite of this, God promised to return them to the land and to give them a good future. That future included a time when God would make a new covenant with the nation in which his laws would be written on their hearts (Hebrews 8:10–12). In addition to the book that bears his name, Jeremiah also likely wrote Lamentations. In Lamentations, the author wept over the city of Jerusalem, which had been invaded in 586 BC. Deeply anguished, he lamented over Judah’s sin that resulted in the destruction of its land. In the midst of his sorrow, the author still expressed hope in a faithful God whose mercies are new every morning (Lamentations 3:23).

ezekiel

Ezekiel prophesied during Judah’s exile in Babylon and lived in Tel-Abib, nearly one hundred miles south of Babylon. Many of Ezekiel’s prophecies concerned judgment for the sins that God’s people had committed as well as judgment against the nation’s enemies. The latter half of Ezekiel includes prophecies of Judah’s restoration and the return of God’s glory among his people.

daniel

Like Ezekiel, Daniel also lived in Babylon during the Jews’ exile. Daniel can be divided into two sections. The first section is narrative, recounting the encounters of Daniel and his three friends with the powerful kings of Babylon, Media, and Persia (Daniel 1–6). The second half of the book contains visions of the future, as it relates to Israel and the world (Daniel 7–12).

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Daily Question

God used prophets such as Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Daniel to deliver messages of warning, comfort, hope, and restoration to his people. In what ways does God communicate with you?

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Comments (6)

Through His word. I am so thankful for it. Also through a sense that he gives me in my spirit, sometimes by a recurring message in my day to day life. But He never tells us anything that contradicts His Word.

Aside from His word I often hear from Him through a devotional that I have read. It always seems when I ask God a question I open up a devotional book or open my email to read a devotional from someone I subscribe to and my question is answered plain and clear (although I will admit I still keep questioning it to be certain of the answer). For instance, we are fostering an 11 year old who is a friend of the family, we never planned to foster but this need was put into our laps. Fast forward 6 months and it’s been a tumultuous ride, so much so that we question if we should continue on. Last week we were doing lots of praying and as I opened these words popped out to me "While we may feel overwhelmed by the needs of the whole wide world, God’s Spirit compels us to do something – to step in, to love, and to rescue. We are strategically placed to be salt and light to those around us." The author of the devotional shared Isaiah 1:17 "Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow." So, long story short…God spoke to me through this devotional.

God communicates through His word. I have to be regularly coming to Him to learn what He has for me. I have to be obedient and love mercy, justice and strength of humility. If I was showing that more in my life oh what a difference it would be to others. May I listen and humbly obey what God wants me to do His way not my way.

He communicates by Gods people and His Holy Spirit. A lot of times I wake up in the middle of the night with someone on my heart to pray for them, He communicates in the Still of the day be still and know I’m Gods Isaiah

Amen ❤️ yes GOD just woke me up this morning at 2:30 am to pray for my daughter. I’m waiting on Him, praying for direction

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