1
Why did the kings and people of Israel and Judah need prophets to speak the word of the Lord to them?
The kings and people were not fulfilling the requirements of the covenants God had made with them. They needed reminders of how they were supposed to live.
What does "context" mean?
When and where something happens. The circumstances that form the setting for an event.
What tragedies happened in Hosea's life?
His wife was unfaithful to him and his country was being destroyed because of their wickedness.
Which of the following would be considered a miracle? Pharaoh's servants turning staff's into snakes; a baby being born; feeding of the 5000
Feeding of the 5000
Where was Amos from?
Tekoa, a little town in Judah south of Jerusalem.
What did Israel think the Day of the Lord was?
The Israelites thought it would be a day of blessing when God would defeat all of their enemies.
What was the role of a true prophet of the Lord?
They spoke for the Lord and acted as His mouthpieces on Earth.
Why are the context and setting of a prophet’s message important?
It helps us understand why the specific messages from the prophets were necessary for God’s people in that time and place.
The Israelites were wrong about what the Day of the Lord actually was. What was it?
It was actually going to be a day of darkness and judgement where God would allow the Assyrians to defeat them.
What is a good image or symbol to illustrate what the book of Hosea is about?
A broken heart/marriage broken by adultery.
Were “speaking” or “writing” prophets more important than the other? Why or why not?
No. Both speaking and writing prophets brought messages from God to his people.
Who are some examples of speaking prophets?
Nathan, Ahijah, Shemaiah, Michaiah, Elijah, Elisha
Give an example of a miracle from Elijah's life and explain why it is considered a miracle.
Elijah calling down fire from heaven. This is considered a miracle because 1) fire coming down from heaven is supernatural 2) It confirmed that Elijah had been sent by God to speak to Ahab and his prophets 3) It showed God’s faithfulness to people who put their faith in Him (like Elijah) 4) It encouraged faith in the people who witness the event.
Who are some examples of writing prophets?
Jonah, Jeremiah, Daniel, Haggai, Amos, Hosea, Isaiah, Habakkuk, Ezekiel
Give an example of a miracle from Elisha’s life and explain why it is considered a miracle.
Raising widow's son back to life, floating axehead, "death in the pot", flour and oil not running out, clean water, feeding 100 people with 20 small loaves, healing of a man with leprosy...
What were the 2 primary evils that Amos preached against?
What were the context and setting of Amos’ ministry?
Amos prophesied in the northern kingdom of Israel during a time of power and prosperity, near the time of defeat by Assyria.
What was the context of Elijah and Elisha’s ministries?
They prophesied during the reign of Ahab and his sons. Many people of Israel were worshiping Baal rather than remaining faithful to God’s covenants.
What were the context and setting of Hosea’s ministry?
Similar to Amos- prophesied in the northern kingdom during a time of power and prosperity.
What does the name Elisha mean?
God saves
What are the 3 main aspects of most Old Testament prophetic messages?
How was Hosea able to use his own personal life experience in his preaching?
Hosea had an unfaithful wife, Gomer, whom he compared to Israel. Gomer’s unfaithfulness to Hosea was an image of Israel’s unfaithfulness to God.
What are the 4 parts of the definition given for a miracle?
Name a major and minor prophet.
Major: Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel
Minor: Hosea, Amos, Jonah, Nahum, Zephaniah, Zechariah, Joel, Obadiah, Micah, Habakkuk, Haggai, Malachi
What does the name Elijah mean?
Yahweh is my God.