ONE Sign Given, the Sign of Jonah - Part 2
ONE Sign Given as Proof of Our Redeemer - The Sign of Jonah, Part 2
Minor Prophets 101: A Beginner’s Guide for Christians
Have you ever flipped through your Bible, landed on the Minor Prophets, and thought, “These tiny books can’t be that important, right?” If so, you’re not alone! Many Christians are familiar with the “big names” like Isaiah and Jeremiah, but the twelve Minor Prophets often get overlooked.
Here’s the thing: “Minor” doesn’t mean insignificant. It simply refers to the length of these books—they’re short but packed with power. Think of them as spiritual espresso shots: small, intense, and designed to wake you up! These prophets deliver messages that are as relevant today as they were thousands of years ago.
In this series, we’ll dive into each of these twelve prophets, uncovering their timeless messages and discovering how their words speak directly to the challenges, struggles, and triumphs we face in our modern lives.
What Exactly Is a Prophet, Anyway?
Let’s clear up a common misconception: Prophets are not fortune-tellers or crystal-ball gazers. Sure, they sometimes predicted future events, but their primary role was to be God’s messengers. They were truth-tellers, called to deliver God’s words to His people—whether those words were warnings, encouragement, or promises of hope.
Imagine them as God’s megaphones, amplifying His heart to a world that often forgot Him. They called out injustice, challenged complacency, and reminded God’s people of His covenant promises. As Amos 3:7 says, “Surely the Sovereign Lord does nothing without revealing his plan to his servants the prophets.” Their messages weren’t just for their time; they were for all time, pointing us toward God’s redemptive plan.
Why Are the Minor Prophets Important?
You might be wondering, “Why should I care about these ancient, short books?” Here’s why: the Minor Prophets are like hidden gems in the Bible. They reveal the heart of God in ways that are both profound and practical.
For example:
- Hosea tells a heartbreaking story of love and forgiveness that mirrors God’s relentless pursuit of us.
- Micah predicts the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem hundreds of years before it happens.
- Amos challenges us to live justly and love mercy, calling out hypocrisy and injustice in ways that still sting today.
These prophets remind us that God is always reaching out to His people, calling us back to Him when we stray. Their messages aren’t just ancient history—they’re invitations to live faithfully, justly, and mercifully in our own lives.
The World the Prophets Inhabited (Historical Context)
To truly understand the Minor Prophets, we need to step into their world. These prophets lived during some of the most turbulent times in Israel’s history. Their messages were delivered against the backdrop of political upheaval, social injustice, and spiritual decline.
After King Solomon’s reign, the united kingdom of Israel split into two: Israel in the north and Judah in the south. Both kingdoms faced constant threats from powerful empires like Assyria, Babylon, and Persia. Israel fell to Assyria in 722 BC, and Judah was later exiled to Babylon in 586 BC.
The prophets spoke into these chaotic times, addressing issues like:
- Idolatry: The people of Israel and Judah were constantly tempted to worship the gods of neighboring nations, like Baal and Asherah. This wasn’t just a religious issue—it was a betrayal of their covenant with God (Hosea 4:12-13).
- Social Injustice: The wealthy often exploited the poor, and the courts were corrupt. Prophets like Amos and Micah called out these abuses, demanding justice and righteousness (Amos 5:11-12, Micah 6:8).
- Foreign Threats: The looming presence of empires like Assyria and Babylon created fear and uncertainty. The prophets reminded the people that God was still in control, even when the world seemed to be falling apart (Habakkuk 1:5-6).
Despite the darkness, the prophets also brought hope. They spoke of a future restoration, a time when God would make all things right.
Who Are the 12 Minor Prophets?
Here’s a quick overview of the twelve prophets we’ll explore in this series:
- Hosea—A story of unfaithfulness and relentless love.
- Joel—A call to repentance in the face of disaster.
- Amos—A fiery demand for justice and righteousness.
- Obadiah—A warning against pride and arrogance.
- Jonah—A reluctant prophet and a lesson in God’s mercy.
- Micah—A promise of a coming ruler from Bethlehem.
- Nahum—A declaration of God’s judgment on evil.
- Habakkuk—Wrestling with God’s plans in hard times.
- Zephaniah—A call to seek the Lord in the midst of judgment.
- Haggai—Encouragement to rebuild God’s temple.
- Zechariah—Visions of hope and restoration.
- Malachi—A final plea for faithfulness before 400 years of silence.
Each of these prophets has a unique message, but they all point to the same truth: God is faithful, and His plans for redemption are unstoppable.
How Do the Minor Prophets Point to Jesus?
One of the most exciting aspects of the Minor Prophets is how they point to Jesus. These books are filled with prophecies that foreshadow His coming:
- Micah predicts His birth in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2).
- Zechariah describes His humble entry into Jerusalem on a donkey (Zechariah 9:9).
- Malachi speaks of a messenger who will prepare the way for the Lord (Malachi 3:1).
These glimpses into the future remind us that God’s plan has always been about redemption and restoration.
Why Should Christians Study the Minor Prophets Today?
The Minor Prophets matter because they reveal what matters most to God: faithfulness, justice, mercy, and a humble relationship with Him. They challenge us to examine our own lives and ask:
- Are we living justly and loving mercy?
- Are we trusting God or chasing after idols?
- Are we listening to His voice, even when it’s uncomfortable?
These books aren’t just ancient texts; they’re God’s words to us today.
Ready to Learn More?
Curious about the shocking request God made of Hosea and how it mirrors our own journey with Him? In our next article, we’ll dive into Hosea’s extraordinary story and uncover its profound implications for our lives today.
Has the Time Come for the End of Sound Doctrine?
Has the time come for the end of sound doctrine? Today, sin and evil are rapidly taking over the world, while darkness has descended over our governmental decisions, banking crimes are being ignored, and our election system is proven to be a complete farce, Are we also, calling ourselves believers, joining in the parade of lawlessness and turning to teachers who teach what we want to hear? Why is it we jump on those who bring truths that are proven solely from scripture and at the same time defend others who teach from mere books written by men?
We have been charged to carry the true gospel that Jesus (Yeshua) taught, one of repentance, to the ends of the earth. Yet we have been hijacked by those false teachers who bring a completely different message than the message that Yeshua (Jesus) taught us and followed while he walked among us. Is this part of a greater plan, even unannounced to those false teachers, by Satan himself to attempt to deceive the elect? Can we stand up and find and follow sound doctrine before it is too late?
Our charge
2 Timothy 4:1 I solemnly charge you before God and the Messiah Yeshua, who will judge the living and the dead when he appears and establishes his Kingdom: proclaim the Word! Be on hand with it whether the time seems right or not. Convict, censure and exhort with unfailing patience and with teaching. For the time is coming when people will not have patience for sound teaching, but will cater to their passions and gather around themselves teachers who say whatever their ears itch to hear. Yes, they will stop listening to the truth, but will turn aside to follow myths. But you, remain steady in every situation, endure suffering, do the work that a proclaimer of the Good News should, and do everything your service to God requires. For as for me, I am already being poured out on the altar; yes, the time for my departure has arrived. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. All that awaits me now is the crown of righteousness which the Lord, “the Righteous Judge,” will award to me on that Day – and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for him to appear. (CJB 2 Tim 4:1-8)
Sound Doctrine
This is an interesting choice of words used by Paul in placing a charge on Timothy as well as us today. Paul warned Timothy and in doing so spoke prophetically to us in this very age, that people word turn away from truth and follow myths. Not only do they turn away from truth today, but will violently persecute those who are purveyors of truth. These two words, Sound Doctrine, are from the Greek as follows:
<5198> ὑγιαίνω hugiaino
Meaning: to be sound, healthy
Origin: from 5199
Usage: good health(2), safe and sound(1), sound(8), well(1).
And
<1319> διδασκαλία didaskalia
Meaning: instruction (the function or the information)
Origin: from 1320
Usage: doctrine(9), doctrines(3), instruction(1), teaching(7), teachings(1).
Thus Paul is saying that people are turning away for the sound, healthy teaching and instructions of Jesus (Yeshua) who told us to obey his instructions, those very commands we say were nailed to the cross. How can we claim that Jesus (Yeshua) is the Word or Scripture or the spoken words of YHVH (the LORD) and then follow the myth of them being done away with?
Let us return to healthy instruction
Just as Paul cried out and warned Timothy from his captivity in Rome, let us too, return to the healthy instructions the Yeshua (Jesus) laid down for us and do what Jesus (Yeshua) did while on this planet. We have to sift through and test every doctrine with logic and scripture. This means digging into the same scriptures that the Bereans, who were acclaimed for searching out truth, used to adhere to sound doctrine. Remember after Jesus (Yeshua) had risen from the dead, taken the first fruits from among the dead as commanded by YHVH (the LORD) in scripture, he met two disciples on the road to Emmaus. How did Jesus (Yeshua) teach them the truth, sound doctrine?
And He said to them, “O foolish men and slow of heart to believe in all that athe prophets have spoken! “aWas it not necessary for the 1Christ to suffer these things and to enter into His glory?” Then beginning 1with aMoses and 1with all the bprophets, He explained to them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures. (Luk 24:25-27 NAU)
Return to Moses (starting in Genesis which he penned) and the Prophets and use “all the Scriptures” to test all doctrines. Discard things that can not be proven so you won’t be discarded in the end. Hold on to and be a doer of the WORD (made flesh) so that when the day comes for judgment you will be held on to by Yeshua (Jesus) our redeemer.
The Bible and the Transitive Property of Equality
The Bible and the Transitive Property of Equality is a relationship that is so ignored by most Christians today. I know your eyebrows are raised, mouth and lips forming a circle and saying what! Since when did our mighty creator ask us to stop using the logic and principles that HE created? Why is it that when we read the bible we are to drop logic and all other correlations of algebra and mathematics? Do we disengage our brain to read the bible or should we read using what we have learned?
I believe that we are commanded to gain wisdom, knowledge and understanding in all that we do. We have been given the blessings of a sound mind and good knowledge from the Word of YHVH (the LORD). Wisdom is given freely just as stated in James:
If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. (Jam 1:5 KJV)
Understanding comes from practical application, just as we all did in science class. James also speaks of this telling us to not just be hearers of the word (knowledge) but to be doers of the work (understanding) in our lives. Continue Reading →
Consider It All Joy
Breaking News: The market just crashed, ISIS has taken over the world, your car was just stolen, and scammers have helped themselves to your life savings, but consider it all joy… How does that work for you? It seems that the insurmountable world is so far stacked against us that this verse of scripture is almost unrealistic in our lives today.
Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. (Jam 1:2-4 NAS)
The ONE Sign Given for Proof of our Redeemer – The Sign of Jonah, Part 2
In review from Part 1 of our single sign for proof of our redeemer we looked at what Jesus (Yeshua) said would be the sign of Him being who he said he was. We also looked at the sign he spoke of, the sign of Jonah from the book of Jonah, chapter 1. We left off with the counting of three days and three night, the ONE sign given and the time line. Here it is as review and the scripture we are looking at:
“For by your words you shall be justified, and by your words you shall be condemned.” Then some of the scribes and Pharisees answered Him, saying, “Teacher, we want to see a sign from You.” But He answered and said to them, “An evil and adulterous generation craves for a sign; and yet no sign shall be given to it but the sign of Jonah the prophet; for just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the sea monster, so shall the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. (Mat 12:37-40 NAS)
