Bible study.......... Old Testament Prophets
Syllabus for the Bible Study of Old Testament Prophets;
Old Testament Prophets Course Objectives:
The study of the Old Testament Prophets are an important part of Four Soils Ministry’s Bible teaching program. There are more individual books of the Bible under the heading “Prophets” than any other heading. The Old Testament books classified as prophets were written between 760 and 460 BC. Four of these books are called “major” and the other ones called minor. They are called “Minor Prophets” are “minor” in size only, not in terms of their importance or value.
We will look at the major prophets individually and the minor prophets will be studied in groups that pertain to their audience (Judah, Israel or both) and time period of before, during or after period of captivity.
Prophet’s primary function was to speak for God to their contemporaries. In one sense the Prophets were “Covenant Enforcement Mediators”.
God’s covenant with His people sets expectations for both parties. It defines right behavior (ie., following the rules) by Israel and specifies certain protections and benefits (blessings). Conversely, failure by Israel leads to punishment (curses).
Most of the announcements by the prophets will be God’s curses because the writings come primarily from a time (ie., 700-500 BC )when Israel is failing to obey God and is therefore heading towards punishment. As an instructor with “Walk Thru the Bible” we were trained to use the phrase “shape up or ship out” as the message of the prophets.
In other words if Israel would not shape up they would receive the curse of the covenant which was they would lose the “land of promise”.
The period of the sixteen prophets was a period characterized by unprecedented political, military, economic and social upheaval and an enormous level of religious unfaithfulness and disregard for original Mosaic covenant resulting not only in Israel being destroyed and Judah being carried into captivity but also ending with the Prophet Malachi speaking of the Messiah.
Shortly after Christ death the Biblical nation of Israel was totally destroyed and never existed again until established nearly 2000 years later in 1947.
The study of the Prophets are much like a ribbon on a present they complete the package. The study of the prophets will complete the movement of God’s revelation from creation to the coming of the “Seed” that will crush Satan’s head, the perfect revelation.
God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by [his] Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; (Hebrews 1:1-2)
Our study of the Old Testament history books are divided into the following ten lessons:
In our study we will continue to see that the Bible is one message. As Paul said he wanted to preach nothing but “Jesus and
Him crucified.” Just as Jesus told the two on the road to Emmaus on the day of His resurrection, that all the Old Testament is about Him.
This view of God, from the beginning until the end, Alpha and Omega, is essential in both Judaism and Christianity.
Much can be learned by Christians from the study of God's workings with Israel. The writer of Hebrews tells us that all these
things happened to Israel for the benefit of the Christian, for our example. Just as God was leading them, so we can find
assurance that God is always at work, accomplishing His will and leading His people.
Each lesson of the study of the Prophets of Old Testament contains ten questions, with most questions requiring a written
response of 250 words or less. If a person is familiar with the Old Testament, most lessons can be completed in a few hours.
Students should set a goal of at least one lesson per week, however this is not mandatory.
Each student can proceed at their own desired rate of speed.
Course Procedures:
(1) Each Lesson of the study of the Old Testament Prophets will be sent by email to the student. Students can
ask questions by the Internet.
(2) Each Lesson of the study of the Old Testament Prophets when completed will be returned to Four Soils Ministry by the
Internet for grading.
(3) The Lesson of the study of the Old Testament Prophets will be graded pass or fail, comments will be sent back to the
student.
(4) The next Lesson of the study of the Old Testament Prophets will be sent to the student after a passing grade is
obtained on the previous Lesson. In the case of a student not passing an assignment, the student will be notified and given
suggestions on how to obtain a passing grade. The student cannot receive the next Lesson until a passing grade is achieved.