The Old Testament ends with the prophets. The works of the prophets will show each and every one of use the direct direction and punishment for those whom have come in contact with the Lord. There are three topics that will be discussed here in this essay. Idolatry, Social injustice and religious ritualism. It will not only teach us but will make us aware of the benefits for obedience and the punishment for disobedience. The Prophets were experts and had a lot of wisdom concerning the expectation of the Lord of those who knew him in the life were living in they had to deal with Social Injustice, religious rituals and idolatry. This issue we will have to be dealt with in today’s life as well as in the Old Testament.
Idolatry was a big problem with the people in the Old Testament. In the book of Exodus 20:4-6. We already have learned that if we are to follow the Lord we must totally give our attention to be in line with what the lord has said. Consider Hosea who was commanded to marry an unfaithful wife to represent Israel’s covenant unfaithfulness towards God (Hindson, Edward E. and Gary Yates. The Essence of the Old Testament: A Survey. Nashville:
B&H, 2012. p. 371.)
Hosea taught through his marriage the extent of unfaithfulness the Jews had in their relationship with God. Hosea compared Israel to spoiled grapes, a wild vine, a trained heifer, and a rebellious son and led into God to lay ruin to a large portion of His people causing the remnants to seek repentance before Him (Ibid., p. 375)
Hosea, through using a marriage metaphor, showed the Jews how deep God’s love for them truly was and still is. ( ] Ibid. p. 376.)
Amos was a prophet with a lot to say about social injustice. He preached of a coming judgment against Israel for (among other things) oppressing their people.
