Timeline Essay of the Prophets
Grand Canyon University
BIB 351
12/11/2011

After having done a great deal of studying of Old Testament passages about the prophets I will explain what a prophet is, how God worked with them and who they were. God stopped talking openly to people after Adam and Eve were driven from the Garden, He then chose specific individuals through whom He would communicate. The prophet must be able to hear the voice of God and bring God’s words to the world. All prophecy will be “as the Spirit gives utterance” (Acts 2:4). In the ministry of a prophet, a called prophet speaks the message the Lord gives him. The first time the word “prophet” is used in the Bible is in the days of Abraham (Gen. 20:7). Each prophet had a specific message for the people of Israel from God. Some messages were warnings to Israel's about punishment if they continued to sin, others were about God's efforts to reconcile himself with Israel after a period of punishment, and prophecies about Israel and the nations it interacted with.
Major Prophets of the Old Testament
Isaiah’s period of prophecy was from 740 to 680 B.C. Isaiah is most often thought of as the greatest of the Old Testament prophets of the Bible. Isaiah prophesied about Israel's judgment and reconciliation with God, the coming savior Christ, and judgment of nations, and the end times. Jeremiah's ministry was from 630 - 585 B.C. In his writing he prophesized of the Israelites’ exile to Babylon, the fall of Jerusalem, and also prophesied against the nations of Egypt. The basic rules for a prophet are in the book of Jeremiah: "Wherever I send you shall go, and what I tell you, you shall say" (Jer. 1:7 [author translation]). Ezekiel’s period of prophecy was from around 590 to 571 B.C. Ezekiel prophesied the permanent destruction of Tyre.(Ezekiel 26:3-14)At the age of 30 with God’s prompting he began to write and speak to the exiled reminding them of their sins, and encouraging them of future blessings. Daniel was faithful to God. He prophesied the most about the antichrist from 605 to 530 B.C. God saved him from the mouths of lions and from the fire in the furnace (Dan. 6).
Minor Prophets
Obadiah prophesized around 850 B.C. his writings were about the destruction of Edom. The main idea of his writing was the fact that God judges those who harm His people. Obadiah prophesized about the deliverance of Israel and the coming day of the Lord in Ob. 1:15-21. Joel prophesized from 835 to796 B.C. to those of the southern nation of Judah. Joel in his writings used a locust plague to illustrate what would happen if the Israelites didn’t repent. His words about the Holy Spirit were quoted by Simon Peter on the day of Pentecost. He writes of the blessings of repentance. Jonah is probably the most well-known prophets of the Bible. He prophesized from 780 to 750 B.C. Jonah's ministry of repentance was to the evil city of Ninevah, the capital of Assyria. Jonah runs away from his calling to the sea where he is swallowed by a whale. He is rescued and repents and is called a second time which he obeys. His message is if you are shown mercy than you should not begrudge mercy to others. Amos was a shepherd turned prophet from 765 to750 B.C. He came from the town of Tekoa. His message was directed to the Northern Kingdom of Israel on the subjects of sin and separation. Hosea also directed his prophecy to the northern kingdom from 755 to 715 B.C. God had often compared his relationship to Israel to that of a marriage, so He instructed Hosea to take a prostitute as his wife. His message was that rebellion against God was spiritual Adultery. Hosea ministered longer than any other prophet, he predicted the Assyrian invasion. Micah was a prophet from about 740 to 690 B.C. He was the only prophet to prophesize both the southern and northern kingdom capitals. Micah told of the fall of Samaria (1:2-16), the invasion of Judah by the Assyrians, the fall of Jerusalem and its Temple, the exile in Babylon, the return from captivity (3, 4), the birth of Christ in Bethlehem (5:2), and the future reign of Christ. Nahum like Jonah also went to Nineveh about 630 to 612 B.C. Nahum predicted the fall of Ninevah and the way it would fall. Zephaniah is the great-great-grandson of King Hezekiah, He ministered in the days of Josiah in 625 to 610 B.C. Zephaniah's message was one of judgment and justice. Habakkuk was the last of the minor prophet writing before the Babylonian captivity in 606 B.C. He prophesized to Judah and Babylon. His main theme was faith and divine intervention.

Other Prophets of the Bible
Elijah prophesized from 875 to 850 B.C. During the reign of king Ahab idolatry was widespread his message was total commitment to God and the commandments. He dedicated his life to opposing the worship of other things especially Baal. Elijah did not die he ascended into heaven on a chariot. Elisha requested a double portion of Elijah's spirit to rest upon him; it was granted as he watched Elijah ascend into the heavens in a chariot of fire. He prophesized from 850 to 800 B.C. Samuel prophesized during 1105 B.C. during this time Israel moved from one system of authority and government to another. Samuel is the bridge from the old system of judges to a new system of kings. In every case it was God who decided who should be prophet. Jonah, Amos, Hosea, Isaiah, Micah, Nahum, covering a period of 102 years. There is now a gap of 70 years. A second group of prophets are Jeremiah, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Daniel, Joel, Ezekiel, Obadiah covering a period of 94 years and there is a break 14 years. a third group of prophets Haggai, Zechariah covering a period of 7 years. There is a gap of 27 years and it ends with Malachi. The Pre-exilic era is dated (930-586 B.C.) before the Babylonian exile. The prophets of this time period were Obadiah (840), Joel (800's), Jonah (760), Amos (760-750), Isaiah (740-680), Hosea (755-710), Micah (735-700), Nahum (663-612), Jeremiah (627-580), Zephaniah (622), Habakkuk (607-605). The Exilic era (586-538 B.C.) is also known as the Babylonian exile the prophets of this time period were Daniel (605), and Ezekiel (593). The Post-exilic era (538-430 B.C.) took place after the Babylonian exile; the prophets were Haggai (520), Zechariah (520), Malachi (430). The prophets of the Bible speak across time with words, and out of their personal experiences. These experiences still have direct influence on lives and meanings for today’s civilization.

Reference:
Life Application Study Bible (NIV), (1997), Tyndale House Publishers, Wheaton, IL
McConville, J., “Exploring the Old Testament: A guide to the prophets”. (2002). Inter-Varsity Press, Downers Grove, IL
Wenhem, G., “Exploring the Old Testament: A guide to the Pentateuch”. (2003). Inter-Varsity Press, Downers Grove, IL
GCU BIB 351 Canyon Connects, modules 1-6