God’s Message
To understand the life and times of these prophets read the following passages:
- Micah – 2 Chronicles 21-32, 2 Kings 15
- Nahum – 2 Chronicles 24, 2 Kings 21
- Habakkuk – 2 Chronicles 34-35, 2 Kings 22-23
- Zephaniah – 2 Chronicles 34-35, 2 Kings 22-23
The people of God drifted away from Him. No longer acknowledging their need of Him, they worship idols and welcomed false prophets. God warned them of coming disaster if they didn’t return to Him, the God who was “merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth.” (Exodus 34:6)
Micah –Mourning and warning for Israel’s sin; Israel’s restoration For your convenience – Bible online
Ch.1 Micah mourns the coming disaster of Israel and Judah Ch.2 Other prophets speak falsely Ch.3 Leaders and prophets are evil Ch.4 Future Israel Ch.5 Messiah is prophesied Ch.6 God questions their evil ways Ch.7 Micah confesses the sins of Israel
Questions
Who was Micah’s contemporary? (Jeremiah 26:18)
How did Micah describe the Lord’s displeasure? (1:2-4)
Why was God angry at the prophets? (3:5)
He spoke of a future time. How did he see the future? (4:3)
How was the future Messiah mentioned? (5:2; see Luke 2:4-7; Matthew 2:1-6)
BethlehemDid God want sacrifices from the people? (6:6-7)
What did God require of His people? (6:8)
When Micah saw the evil in his people, what did he do? (7:7)
What is God like in the end? (7:18-19)
Nahum – Prophecy against God’s enemy, Nineveh For your convenience – Bible online
Ch.1 Who is as powerful as God? Ch.2 A display of God’s power Ch.3 God is against Nineveh
Questions
This prophecy is against what place? (1:1)
God is jealous and avenges, but…? (1:3)
God can be fiercely angry, but…? (1:7)
Why woe to Nineveh? (3:1-4)
Habakkuk – Habakkuk questioned God and politely waited for God’s response For your convenience – Bible online
Ch.1 God is sovereign Ch.2 Trouble for those who cause trouble Ch.3 In spite of coming doom, Habakkuk trusts God
Questions
What were the questions Habakkuk has for God? (1:1-4)
How did God answer? (1:5-11)
What were Habakkuk’s next questions? (1:12-17)
Describe Habakkuk’s attitude. (2:1)
God answers in 2:2-20 woes to five different people. What have they done wrong?
Compare 2:3-4 with Hebrews 10:37-38. How are they alike?
Although much devastation is coming, what did Habakkuk say? (3:17-19)
Zephaniah – Prophecy of impending judgment and God’s future world For your convenience – Bible online
Ch.1 The day of the Lord’s wrath Ch.2 Those who trust in false gods will be punished Ch.3 Those who are loyal to God are encouraged to wait on Him
Questions
How is he related to Hezekiah? (1:1)
Who was he angry with? (1:6,12,17)
Zephaniah called the people to do what? (2:1-3)
Woe to those who have not done what? (3:2)
God will restore how? (3:8,9,12,13)
A note from your Bible study mentor –
Wow! You have completed one-fourth of this study. Take a minute to consider all you now know. Amazing, right?!
The next few lessons will be about two major prophets—major because of the size of their books.
Isaiah is the first prophet you will study. What an awesome book! There is much treasure in this book.
In lesson sixteen you will read prophecies concerning a coming Messiah, experience what Isaiah felt when he had a spectacular vision, and even get a quick glimpse of how Satan started out as an angel.