How Should We Interpret Prophecy?

The Prophets’ Contexts

The Larger Historical Context

• At this time, Israel was established but spiritually wavering.
• God was using the prophets to call his people back before impending destruction.

The Specific Historical Context

• The prophetic books are not in chronological order.
• All prophets speak to different groups of people in specific contexts (Israel, Judah, Nineveh, etc.)
• It is beneficial to know the date and location from which the prophet was prophesying.
  • Assyria destroyed Israel – 722 B.C.
  • Babylon attacked Judah – 605 B.C.
  • Babylon destroyed Jerusalem (capital of Judah) – 586 B.C.
  • Judah returns from Babylonian exile – 538 B.C.
  • Temple rebuilt – 515 B.C.
  • Jerusalem walls reconstructed – 445 B.C.

Major Prophets

• Isaiah (Yahweh is salvation) – 740-700 B.C.; Israel and Judah
• Jeremiah (Yahweh will lift up) – 627-586 B.C.; Judah
• Lamentations (Passionate expression of sorrow) – 586-575 B.C.; Judah
• Ezekiel (God will strengthen) – Date: approx. 597-574 B.C.; Exiles in Babylon
• Daniel (God is my judge) – 605-539 B.C.; Exiles in Babylon, Babylonians

Minor Prophets

• Hosea (Salvation) – 722 B.C.; Israel
• Joel (Yahweh is God) – approx. 9th-6th century B.C.; Judah
• Amos (Burden) – approx. 793-740 B.C.; Israel
• Obadiah (Worshiper or servant of Yahweh) – after 586 B.C.; Edom
• Jonah (Dove) – approx. 793-753 B.C.; Nineveh, capital of Assyria
• Micah (Who is like the LORD?) – approx. 750-700 B.C.; Judah
• Nahum (Comforting) – approx. 650 B.C.; Judah in their dealings with the Assyrians
• Habakkuk (Embrace) – approx. 640-615 B.C.; Judah
• Zephaniah (Yahweh treasures) – approx. 640-609 B.C.; Judah
• Haggai (Festive) – approx. 538-515 B.C.; Returning exiles to Jerusalem
• Zechariah (Yahweh remembers) – approx. 515 B.C.; Newly returned exiles to Jerusalem
• Malachi (My Messenger) – After 515 B.C.; Judah

The Prophets’ Contents

• Most of the prophets’ messages focused on current disobedience and impending consequential judgment.
• Only a small percentage of Old Testament prophecy foretells future events.
• Instead of providing new commands, the prophets warned about disobedience to the old commands.
• The prophets presented God’s Word to a people in a particular situation.
• In the prophetic books, we hear from the prophet, but we rarely hear about the prophet.
• God commissioned the prophets to serve as covenant enforcement mediators.
• Blessing or cursing depended upon the hearers’ obedience to the Law.
• Obedience brought about life, health, prosperity, agricultural abundance, respect, and safety.
• Disobedience brought death, disease, drought, dearth, danger, destruction, defeat, deportation, destitution, and disgrace.

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