BIB525 Prophets to the Southern Kingdom

The Prophets to the Southern Kingdom (Joel, Micah, Zephaniah, and Habakkuk) spoke many promises of Israel’s return to the land, Christ’s second coming, and the overall time line from Babylon all the way through the Millennium. In a time of great turmoil, these men focused on the hope of the coming Messiah and His Kingdom. 

The book of Joel is a neglected book among Bible scholars. It’s an important book because it records Israel’s place in God’s program: from Babylon all the way through the Millennium. Micah’s message was heeded, repentance followed, and disaster was postponed for a century. Here was a prophet that changed history! One man can make a difference. Both Zephaniah and Jeremiah prophesied to a politically prospering people of coming judgment. Habakkuk means to embrace. Habakkuk’s main theme is God’s consistency with Himself in view of permitted evil. Why do bad things happen to good people? Habakkuk is among the last of the minor prophets to preach in Judah before the Babylonian captivity.

Course Objectives:

• Understand the much anticipated “Day of the Lord”
• Explore the foretelling of Israel’s regathering and return to pure Hebrew
• Examine the call to true spirituality

Required Materials:
1) Expositional Commentary on The Prophets to the Southern Kingdom (MP3 CD-ROM or DVD is recommended as they include computer-aided visuals)
2) A good Bible translation (not a paraphrase).

Duration: 13 sessions
Credit: 3 credit hours      REGISTER HERE

BIB523 Prophets to the Northern Kingdom:  Hosea & Amos

Hosea, a contemporary of Isaiah (for most of his ministry) and Amos (in his earlier years) was the Jeremiah of the Northern Kingdom. His main target was the Northern Kingdom, yet his message was for the people of God.

When Solomon died, Jeroboam rebelled and plunged the Northern Kingdom into a prosperous but idolatrous separation. After two centuries of abandoning their heritage, God sent Hosea to present His indictment and declare that He would use their enemies as His judgment.

Amos was sent to Israel at a time when the nation feels militarily secure and prosperous, yet is turning to idolatry and abandoning their heritage. Misplaced confidence; false sense of security; abandonment of the greatness of their nation… (Sounds familiar, doesn’t it?)

Course Objectives:

• Explore insights into God’s unique relationship with Israel, a time when they would not “be His people,” and the purpose of the Great Tribulation
• Examine why many rank Hosea’s intense self-disclosure as one of the greatest in the Bible
• Discover how Hosea and Amos complement each other, providing perspective on the plight of Israel and how that parallels the predicament of our country today

Required Materials:
1) Expositional Commentary on The Prophets to the Northern Kingdom (MP3 CD-ROM or DVD is recommended as they include computer-aided visuals)
2) A good Bible translation (not a paraphrase).

Duration: 13 sessions
Credit: 3 credit hours     REGISTER HERE

BIB524 Prophets to the Gentiles

Prophets to the Gentiles: Jonah, Nahum & Obadiah are three small books of the Bible that contribute a critical perspective for all of us.

Jonah, the reluctant prophet, was called to prophesy against the pagan capital of the world, Nineveh. He attempted to shun the assignment until God explained it to him a little more clearly! His message to Nineveh: 40 days and you get yours! The greatest miracle in the book of Jonah was Nineveh’s repentance, within the allotted 40 days, on speculation! They reasoned that maybe, if they repented, God might change His mind. They did. And He did.

Nahum was sent a century later to ask them to repent and Nineveh failed. Judgment resulted.

Obadiah prophesied against Israel’s enemies. His book provides insights into the 2nd Coming of Jesus Christ and why some countries will apparently escape the rule of the Antichrist.

Course Objectives:

• Explore the authenticity, historical, and prophetic aspect of each book
• Examine the question asked by many, “How can a loving God even permit such a place as Hell to exist, let alone send people there?” which reveals the lack of understanding on God’s love or the wickedness of sin
• Understand the present-day scenario of Israel being surrounded by those committed to “wiping her off the map,” and what is on the horizon

Required Materials:
1) Expositional Commentary on The Prophets to the Gentiles (MP3 CD-ROM or DVD is recommended as they include computer-aided visuals)
2) A good Bible translation (not a paraphrase).

Duration: 8 sessions
Credit: 2 credit hours       REGISTER HERE

BIB526-1 Prophets of the Post Exile: Zechariah

It is an unfortunate misconception that because these books are called “The Minor Prophets,” their relevance to our lives seems to be minor. This couldn’t be further from the truth. The richness of life’s lessons and our prophetic hope permeate every word. Don’t be tricked into missing these overwhelmingly rich studies. Post Exile Prophets – Unit 1 will examine Zechariah and Post Exile Prophets – Unit 2, will examine Haggai and Malachi.

Zechariah: Often called the Apocalypse of the Old Testament, this most challenging little book is second only to Isaiah in its distinctiveness and importance as a Messianic prophet. It also focuses on the Day of YHWH; the return of Israel in unbelief; their passing through the Great Tribulation; the siege of Jerusalem by the confederated Gentile powers; and, their deliverance by King Messiah. (Zechariah also gives us the only physical description of the Antichrist in the Scripture.) It also may hold the solution to the enigma of “Mystery Babylon” and its relation to literal Babylon in prophecy. 

Required Materials:
1) Expositional Commentary on The Prophets of the Post Exile (MP3 CD-ROM)
2) A good Bible translation (not a paraphrase).

Duration: 14 sessions
Credit: 4 credit hours      REGISTER HERE

BIB526-2 Prophets of the Post Exile: Haggai/Malachi – Unit 2

It is an unfortunate misconception that because these books are called “The Minor Prophets,” their relevance to our lives seems to be minor. This couldn’t be further from the truth. The richness of life’s lessons and our prophetic hope permeate every word. Don’t be tricked into missing these overwhelmingly rich studies. 

Haggai: The believing remnant is told about the rebuilding of the Temple after the return from Babylon. These were the right people, in the right place, wanting to do the right work, for the right reasons, yet their priorities were not right. They lived for themselves rather than for God. 

Malachi: This is the prophet through which God actually dares us to put Him to a test! He closes the Old Testament with a prophecy of a return “in the spirit of Elijah.”

Required Materials:
1) Expositional Commentary on The Prophets of the Post Exile (MP3 CD-ROM)
2) A good Bible translation (not a paraphrase).

Duration: 6 sessions
Credit: 2 credit hours      REGISTER HERE