The Major Prophets

Lesson 1

 

                                                 MEET THE MAJOR PROPHETS

                                                      Bright Lights In Dark Places

 

 

1.                  Servants for all seasons

a.                   Beginning to decline from corruption within and enemies arising on the horizon

b.                  Too late to avoid disaster but time to submit to the judgment of the Lord

c.                   Already in exile with people back home thinking all is secure

d.                  In exile for the long term but expecting a restoration

 

2.                  Four men, two hundred years, four empires

a.                   Isaiah was active from about 740-700 B.C.

b.                  Jeremiah worked from at least 627-586 B.C.

c.                   Ezekiel prophesied from 593-570 B.C.

d.                  Daniel lived for the Lord from 606-536 B.C.

 

3.                  “The Major Prophets”

a.                   First of the last 17 books of the O.T.

b.                  Not that they are more the word of God than the others, but that the books are longer

c.                   Allows an extended view of their interaction with their times

d.                  Makes them crucial for understanding the N.T.

 

4.                  The work of a prophet

a.                   The key terms: spokesman, seer, man of God

b.                  The best example: Exodus 4:10-16; 7:1

c.                   The working definition: one whom God used as a mouthpiece to pass on a message (Jer. 1:7, 17; Ezek. 3:4)

d.                  The parallel functions: servant, messenger, watchman, used by God to cause his people to understand why events were happening

e.                   The prophets were covenant enforcers (2 Kings 17:13), instruments the Lord used to call his people to truth and loyalty, righteous men of bold and independent spirit who challenged both kings and the common people to do right.

 

5.                  The messages of the prophets

a.                   Not simply wise men who gave good advice (2 Pet. 1:21)

b.                  Spoken at many times and in many ways (Heb. 1:1)

c.                   Lead ultimately to Christ (Acts 3:24)

d.                  Always subject to tests (Deut. 13:1-5; 18:20-22)

i.                    Must speak in the name of the Lord

ii.                  What he says must come to pass

iii.                Must be in agreement with previous revelations