The Narrative Context of the Prophets

Purpose of this teaching

The Minor Prophets are often overlooked, yet their messages are profound and relevant. This teaching aims to illuminate the historical and narrative context that brings their words to life.

Abraham to the monarchy

God’s relationship with the nation of Israel begins with Abraham. God promised to restore blessing to the rest of creation through Abraham's lineage. From Genesis 12 to the end of the book, we have the account of Abraham and three generations of his descendants.

God later freed Abraham’s descendants from slavery in Egypt through Moses and established a covenant with them at Mount Sinai. The rest of the Pentateuch outlines the terms of this covenant and details their journey through the wilderness. Joshua led the Israelites into the Promised Land, conquering some of the land's occupants, but not all as the Lord instructed.

After settling in the land and Joshua died, they were led by tribal leaders known as judges.

Too long, please open your Bible Judges 2: 6-23

In 1 Samuel, the nation transitioned to a centralized kingdom after demanding a king like the other nations. Saul became the first king, followed by David and Solomon.

The divided kingdom

Solomon’s story ended on a very sad note, with his heart turned from God. Most significantly, the nation was divided after his death

Too long, please open your Bible 1 Kings 11: 9-13, 12: 1-24
Kingdom
Capital
First King
Tribes
Northern (Israel)
Samaria
Jeroboam, son of Nebat
Reuben, Simeon, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, Asher, Issachar, Zebulun, Ephraim, Manasseh
Southern (Judah)
Jerusalem
Rehoboam, Solomon’s son
Judah, Benjamin

The northern kingdom

The Northern Kingdom (referred to as Israel or Ephraim in prophetic literature) had 20 kings from 9 families. All their kings were idolatrous and evil.

Jeroboam built two sanctuaries for idol worship in Bethel and Dan. It is in this context of Idol worship that prophets Elijah and Elisha were sent to the Northern Kingdom.

Too long, please open your Bible 1 Kings 12: 25-29
From there Elisha went up to Bethel. As he was walking up the path, some small boys came out of the city and jeered at him, chanting, “Go up, baldy! Go up, baldy!” He turned around, looked at them, and cursed them in the name of the LORD. Then two female bears came out of the woods and mauled forty-two of the children. 2 Kings 2: 23-24

The Northern kingdom was eventually taken into exile by Assyria, a powerful, violent nation.

In the days of King Pekah of Israel, King Tiglath-pileser of Assyria came and captured Ijon, Abel-beth-maacah, Janoah, Kedesh, Hazor, Gilead, and Galilee—all the land of Naphtali—and deported the people to Assyria. 2 Kings 15:59
Too long, please open your Bible 2 Kings 17: 1-23

The southern kingdom

The Southern Kingdom (referred to as Judah in prophetic literature) had 20 kings, and only 8 of them walked in the way of the Lord.

As a consequence of their sin and allegiance to idols, they too were taken into exile, but by Babylon.

Too long, please open your Bible 2 Kings 24: 1, 10-16, 25: 1-21

Return from exile

Persia took over world power, and they permitted the Jewish people to go back to Jerusalem to rebuild Israel’s walls and the temple. (More on the return from exile later in the series).

The Minor Prophets in relation to the exile

Category
Prophets
Focus of Their Messages
Pre-Exilic Prophets
Hosea , Joel, Amos , Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum , Habakkuk, Zephaniah
These prophets warned of impending judgment due to sin and called for repentance. They addressed both Israel (Northern Kingdom) and Judah (Southern Kingdom), as well as surrounding nations.
Exilic Prophets
(None among the Minor Prophets)
The Minor Prophets do not include any whose primary ministry occurred during the exile itself. Their writings either precede or follow the exile.
Post-Exilic Prophets
Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi
These prophets ministered after the return from exile, encouraging the rebuilding of the temple and covenant faithfulness while pointing to future restoration.