The average length of the minor prophets: 5.6 chapters
The average length of a haiku: 17 syllables
I am thinking about using this as a teaching resource in the future. What do you think on a scale from #lame to #mindblown? Any suggestions?
Hosea (which means “salvation”) is concerned that prosperity is bringing spiritual decline. It was written 750-720 BCE to the northern kingdom of Israel before the exile.
an unfaithful wife
like an unfaithful people
yet God remains true
Joel (which means “Yahweh is God”) is probably the trickiest book to date accurately because it was either written around 800 BCE or 350 BCE to either the pre-exile Judah or the post-exilic community.
locusts and the drought
the Day of the Lord is near
judgment then blessings
Amos (which means “burden-bearer”) was formerly a herdsman and dresser of sycamore trees. This book was written 760-750 BCE to the northern kingdom of Israel before the exile.
warning the people
five visions future judgment
a message of hope
Obadiah (which means “servant of Yahweh”) is one of the three minor prophets to speak against a specific nation and this one speaks again Edom. Written 586-550 BCE after the fall of both kingdoms during the exile.
Edom gloated first
Edom invaded second
Zion delivered
Jonah (which means “dove”) is the only one written as a narrative and so it also hard to date. It was either written around the 8th century BCE for Israel or as late as the 4th century BCE to the post-exilic community.
reluctant prophet
tells Nineveh to repent
they do, he complains
Micah (which means “who is like Yahweh?”) gets angry at the exploitation of the poor. Written 759-687 BCE to the southern kingdom of Judah before the exile.
message of judgment
to Israel and Judah
Messiah coming
Nahum (which means “comfort” or “consolation”) is one of the three minor prophets to speak against a specific nation and this one speaks against Assyria. It was written around 612-609 BCE to the southern kingdom of Judah before the exile.
speaks to Nineveh
who returned to evil ways
destruction ahead
Habakkuk (which means “to embrace”) is one of the three minor prophets to speak against a specific nation and this one speaks against Babylon. Written late 7th century BCE to the southern kingdom of Judah before the exile.
Judah liable?
God will send the Chaldeans.
why them? stand in awe.
Zephaniah (which means “he whom Yahweh has protected”) was both a prince and a prophet. This book is dated around 7th century BCE and for the southern kingdom of Judah before the exile.
impending judgment
the coming Day of the Lord
remnant will be blessed
Haggai (which means “festival”) was born during the exile and probably during an Israelite festival. Written 520 BCE to the post-exilic community in restoration.
rebuilding temple
stopped to rebuild their houses.
first temple, then homes.
Zechariah (which means “God has remembered”) is mentioned in Nehemiah 12:16 and was probably written in two parts around 520 and 330 BCE to the post-exilic community in restoration.
rebuild the temple
eight visions, four messages
coming Messiah
Malachi (which means “my messenger”) appeals to reason and logic in what he says. Written around 450-400 BCE to the post-exilic community in restoration.
people grow distant
reminder of past blessings
the Lord will soon come