Set 10: The Prophets

This week is the last set of readings in the Old Testament! David's descendants ruled Israel for about 300 years, but at the time of the prophets, Israel had split into two kingdoms. The northern Kingdom of Israel had its capital at Samaria, and out of ten tribes the ruling tribe was Ephraim. The southern Kingdom of Judah was led by the tribe of Judah and also contained the tribe of Benjamin, and Jerusalem was its capital. Eventually, the northern kingdom was conquered by the Assyrians and the people were scattered. The southern kingdom lasted about 100 years longer but was eventually overtaken by the Babylonians.

The prophets were sent to specific places at specific times, and it is important to consider the context of the people of Israel at the time. We also see many prophecies that point toward the coming Christ, which was the hope of the people through all of their struggles.

READ

• November 13      The Suffering Servant – Isaiah 51:1-53:12 || LISTEN
• November 14      Jeremiah’s Call and Message – Jeremiah 1:1-3:5 || LISTEN
• November 15      Daniel in the Lion’s Den – Daniel 6:1-28 || LISTEN
• November 16      The Story of Jonah – Jonah 1:1-4:11 || LISTEN
• November 17      The Day of Judgment – Malachi 1:1-4:6 || LISTEN
  
  

Review
Message from Sunday, November 12th

DISCOVER
Major vs. Minor Prophets: The writings of the major prophets are extensive enough that each of these books is contained on its own individual scroll. The minor prophets have a shorter length, so multiple books can fit on a Hebrew scroll.
Major - Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, and Daniel
Minor - Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi

What am I missing - part 2: As we mentioned in Part 8, there are a few books of the Bible that we are not reading from during this series.

Ecclesiastes and Song of Solomon (or Song of Songs): These books considered part of the "Wisdom Literature" of the Bible. King Solomon is recognized as the author of both of them.

The Remaining Prophets: These books contain a combination of narrative and poetry (songs), and several include references to the leaders of other countries, providing the opportunity for cross-references to non-Biblical sources to the truth of these accounts.
Lamentations, Ezekial, Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, and Zechariah

NEXT STEPS

1. What did you find most interesting or thought-provoking?
2. What information would be helpful for you to understand the context of the passage?
3. How do you see God using prophets today?
4. What does this Biblical account invite you to do, think, or believe after reading it?

PRAY
Dear God, King of Kings and Lord of Lords - Your Word is still living and active in our lives today. We thank You for the people You have put into our lives who help us to see Your biblical truths. Like the Israelites, we at times want to reject your scripture as it convicts us and exposes our sin. By Your Holy Spirit, frame our minds to receive your law as readily as we do your Gospel. Guide us to thankfulness for the work of Jesus on the cross, and as we have been forgiven help us to also freely forgive others and ourselves as we live repentant lives. Amen.

You can engage these readings and devotional times individually or as a group. If you want to send an email to Family of Christ with your thoughts and questions, you are invited to click the link below.