William H. Barnes, Th.D.


                          NOTES ON THE MINOR PROPHETS


NOTE: The following entries represent a very simplified treatment of 
these important prophets (which are "minor" only in length); they are 
arranged according to the order of presentation found in Samuel J. 
Schultz, The Old Testament Speaks, 4th ed. (HarperSanFrancisco, 1990).


JONAH--a northern prophet (cf. 2 Kgs 14:25), sent to prophesy against 
Nineveh, the capital city of the feared and hated Assyrians. He dates to 
around 750 BCE, during the time of Jeroboam II. Note his poignant prayer 
of thanksgiving in ch. 2, rejoicing in his deliverance from the watery 
grave (contrast his petulant prayer for death in 4:2-3).

AMOS--a prophet sent from Tekoa of Judah (the southern kingdom) to 
prophesy against the north, again during the time of Jeroboam II. He 
reminded his audience that "the Day of Yahweh is darkness, instead 
of light" (5:18-20), an example of God's characteristic mode of activity: 
reversals. In ch. 4, the pampered, well-fed women of Samaria are likened 
to the "cows of Bashan," both in appearance, apparently, as well as in 
regard to their ultimate fate.

HOSEA--"the prophet of steadfast love." A northern prophet, during and 
after the time of Amos, he was asked to marry Gomer, "an adulterous 
wife," symbolizing Israel's spiritual adultery and unfaithfulness to 
Yahweh her God. Hosea's children had symbolic names: Jezreel--"may El 
(God) sow, make fruitful"; Lo-Ruhamah--"not pitied"; and Lo-Ammi--
"not my people." In 4:1-3, Hosea invokes a RIB, or "covenantal lawsuit" 
indicating Yahweh's legal indictment of his people Israel. But throughout 
the book, God still seeks reconciliation with them (cf. chs. 6, 11).

JOEL--a southern prophet, date essentially unknown. Famous for references 
to an immense locust plague as a sign of Yahweh's judgment against 
his people (1:2-2:17), but then promise of complete restoration of the 
damage, culminating with the "pouring out" of God's spirit on all people 
(see 2:28-32)--democratization in the sense of both males and females 
of all ages and all ethnic and economic groups will be included in 
this group.

MICAH--a southern prophet from Moresheth Gath, and a contemporary of 
the prophet Isaiah (Micah 4:1-3 = Isa 2:1-4). A RIB is found in ch. 6, 
culminating with the famous words of v 8 concerning true religion. 
The name "Micah" means "Who is like [Yahweh]?"; wordplay on his name 
may be found in 7:18-20.

ZEPHANIAH--a southern prophet, contemporary with King Josiah of Judah, 
whose time of restoration and revival (cf. his famous passover of 622) 
may well have been largely initiated by this prophet. In ch. 3, we read 
about the city of Jerusalem called "the city of oppressors," whose 
leaders are "evening wolves" leaving nothing for the morning. Yet Yahweh 
remains in her midst, faithfully dispensing justice "morning by morning."

OBADIAH--a prophet concerned with the foreign nation of Edom. Vv 15-18 
serve as a paradigm (or pattern) for all nations--God's acts of reciprocity 
concerning any nation or people who acts in pride, arrogance, and unconcern.

NAHUM--a sharp word directed against the foreign nation of Assyria, 
and especially against her capital city of Nineveh (which fell to the 
Babylonians in 612). Like the Egyptian city of Thebes (No Amon), which 
had been defeated by the Assyrians some years prior, Nineveh's own 
downfall is certain; all who hear of it will rejoice (ch. 3).

HABAKKUK--again, directed against a foreign nation (here, Babylonia), 
but mainly concerned with the issue of theodicy (the justice of God). 
Two complaints are answered by two words from Yahweh (1:2-2:5), culminating
in the famous words, "the righteous will live by faith." Cf. also the 
analogous "words of faith" found in 3:16-19.

HAGGAI--a post-exilic prophet, contemporary of Zechariah (cf. Ezra 5:1); 
may be closely dated to 520 (2nd year of Darius). Zerubbabel was governor, 
and Joshua was high priest—and the Jerusalem temple needed to be rebuilt. 
Largely under the inspiration of Haggai and Zechariah, construction 
resumed within that very year (cf. 1:14).

ZECHARIAH--as noted above, contemporary of Haggai. Some eight night 
visions encompass chs. 1-6, many geared to the rebuilding of the temple 
(e.g., the famous words, "not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit" 
[4:6]). The second half of the book (chs. 9-14), sometimes known as 
"second Zechariah," are largely apocalyptic in tone (cf. the reference 
to the future earthquake on the Mount of Olives just before the coming 
of the Messiah in ch. 14).

MALACHI--another post-exilic prophet, coming after Haggai and Zechariah. 
Name (or title?) means "my messenger," or "my angel" (cf. 3:1). Bitterly 
denounces the lax priests, and elevates the Levites (especially as 
teaching Torah). His reference to the "storehouse tithe" for the poor 
(widow, orphan, alien, Levite) in 3:6-12 is well known (cf. Deut 14:28-29; 
26:12-15). Ends with apocalyptic references to Moses and Elijah, presaging 
the Day of the Lord.