Faith & Reason Nexus

Understanding the Major and Minor Prophets in the Bible:

The five books of the Major Prophets are Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, and Daniel. These books are called Major Prophets not because they are more important or the prophets are more anointed than the 12 Minor Prophets, but simply because these books are longer. In the Hebrew Bible, the twelve Minor Prophets, from Hosea to Malachi, are grouped together as one book called “The Twelve.” In our Bibles, they appear as twelve separate books, making them relatively shorter compared to the Major Prophets. Lamentations, despite having only five chapters, is associated with Jeremiah and is thus considered part of the Major Prophets. So, the terms “major” and “minor” refer to the length of the books, not their spiritual significance.

1) The book of Isaiah

The Life and Times of the Prophet Isaiah

Isaiah, a significant prophet from the southern kingdom of Judah, lived around 700 years before Jesus. He played a crucial role during a turbulent era in Israelite history. After the united kingdom split following King Solomon’s reign, Isaiah witnessed the fall of the northern kingdom of Israel to the Assyrians in 722 BC. The Assyrians, having destroyed Israel, then attempted to conquer Jerusalem. During this period, King Hezekiah of Judah sought Isaiah’s counsel. Isaiah assured Hezekiah that God would protect Jerusalem, and indeed, an angel struck down 180,000 Assyrian soldiers in one night. This miraculous event forced the Assyrian king, Sennacherib, to retreat to Nineveh, where he was eventually killed by his own people.

Isaiah’s influence extended through the reigns of several kings, including King Hezekiah and King Uzziah. The first five chapters of the book of Isaiah address the sins of Judah during Uzziah’s prosperous reign. However, after Uzziah’s death, Isaiah experienced a profound vision of God, leading him to recognize that God was the true king. This vision, detailed in chapter 6 of Isaiah, was a pivotal moment in his prophetic ministry, revealing his own unworthiness and sinfulness and delivering a powerful message of divine sovereignty.

The Legacy of the Prophet Isaiah

Isaiah also lived during the reign of King Uzziah. The first five chapters of the book of Isaiah address the sins of Judah during Uzziah’s prosperous reign. After Uzziah’s death, Isaiah had a profound vision of God, recognizing God as the true king. This vision, detailed in Isaiah 6, marked a pivotal moment in his prophetic ministry.

The book of Isaiah is often compared to a mini Bible. Just as the Bible contains 66 books, Isaiah contains 66 chapters. Scholars typically divide Isaiah into two parts: Proto-Isaiah (chapters 1-39) and Deutero-Isaiah (chapters 40-66), with the latter further divided into Trito-Isaiah (chapters 56-66).

Isaiah’s book is like a condensed version of the entire Bible, with each chapter corresponding to a book of the Bible. For instance, Isaiah 1 aligns with Genesis, Isaiah 2 with Exodus, and so forth. The 66th chapter, akin to the book of Revelation, speaks of the new heavens and new earth.

Isaiah’s prophecies are remarkable, including a prediction about the Persian king Cyrus, made 200 years before his time. While some scholars debate the authorship of the entire book, traditional belief holds that Isaiah wrote all 66 chapters, showcasing the power and inspiration of the Holy Spirit. The book also features the “Servant Songs,” with Isaiah 53 being a notable example, highlighting the suffering and redemption of the Servant of the Lord.

The Prophetic Poetry of Isaiah

Isaiah 53 contains some of the “Servant Songs,” which poetically predict how Jesus would come as a servant. Though Isaiah is not a book of poetry, it includes poetic elements. In these songs, Isaiah describes the coming of Jesus, who, according to the Gospel of Mark, is depicted as a servant.

Isaiah 53 famously says, “He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities, and by His stripes we are healed.” This is a powerful prophetic description of Jesus’s suffering and its redemptive purpose.

Another significant prophecy is found in Isaiah 9:6: “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” This verse, often heard during Christmas, highlights the divine nature of the coming child, identified as the mighty God Himself. This prophecy underscores the belief in Jesus’s divinity and messianic role.

The Profound Theology and Prophecy of Isaiah

Isaiah 9:6 in the New International Version (NIV) reads: “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” This verse illustrates the unity of Jesus and the Almighty God, showing their divine connection.

The book of Isaiah is rich in theology, poetry, prophecy, and history. It recounts events from Isaiah’s lifetime and contains remarkable prophecies, such as the return of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin from exile, described with historical accuracy even before they happened.

Enjoy the 66 chapters of Isaiah slowly, as it is a profound book. Each time you read it, consider it as a condensed version of the entire Bible, which will enhance your appreciation and understanding.

2) The Book of Jeremiah

Jeremiah, another significant prophet, continues the narrative of Judah’s history and prophetic literature. His ministry began in the 13th year of King Josiah’s reign and continued through the fall of Jerusalem and into the Babylonian exile. Jeremiah’s prophecies, like those of Isaiah, blend calls for repentance with promises of restoration and hope for the future.

The Life and Message of the Prophet Jeremiah

Jeremiah, the author of the book bearing his name, is known as the “weeping prophet.” Chosen by God from his mother’s womb for a specific purpose, Jeremiah’s ministry contrasted sharply with that of the false prophets of his time. While they preached messages of positivity and false assurance, Jeremiah delivered stern warnings and calls for repentance, reflecting God’s displeasure with the people’s waywardness.

A central theme in Jeremiah’s prophecies was the misguided belief that material and financial prosperity equated to spiritual blessing. He pointed out that nations like Judah, under kings such as Uzziah and Hezekiah, wrongly interpreted their wealth as a sign of divine favor. Jeremiah emphasized that true spiritual blessing required repentance and obedience to God, not just external prosperity.

Jeremiah faced severe opposition for his messages. His own family and friends rejected him, and even kings resented him because his prophecies often contradicted popular sentiments. He endured significant hardships, including imprisonment and being thrown into deep wells, for faithfully delivering God’s truth.

Despite these challenges, Jeremiah remained steadfast in his calling. God continued to speak to him, providing reassurance and purpose even during difficult times. Jeremiah’s unwavering commitment to proclaiming God’s word, despite personal suffering and rejection, exemplifies his dedication and faithfulness as a prophet.

The Symbolic Actions of Jeremiah in Chapter 13

In Chapter 13 of the book of Jeremiah, the prophet’s actions serve as powerful symbolic messages from God to the people of Judah. God instructed Jeremiah to buy a linen belt (translated as underwear in some versions), wear it, and then embark on a long journey to Babylon, a three-day walk. There, he was to bury the belt near the Euphrates River among the rocks. After some time, God commanded Jeremiah to retrieve the belt, which by then was ruined and worthless.

This symbolic act illustrated a profound message: the belt, once close to Jeremiah like undergarments are to a person, represented the intimate relationship God had with Judah. However, just as the belt became ruined and worthless after being buried, Judah would face ruin and destruction due to their disobedience and idolatry. Jeremiah was to convey this message to the people: despite their close relationship with God, their disobedience would lead to their downfall.

Jeremiah’s willingness to perform such unusual tasks demonstrated his unwavering commitment to delivering God’s messages, even when it made him unpopular and misunderstood. His prophecies about Babylon’s invasion and Judah’s subsequent downfall were fulfilled in stages, as he had warned.

In today’s context, such symbolic actions might be challenging to comprehend or accept, but they played a crucial role in Jeremiah’s prophetic ministry, vividly conveying God’s message to the people of his time.

The Devastation of Jerusalem and Jeremiah’s Choice

In 586 BC, the Babylonians invaded the nation of Judah, ransacking it completely. They burned down Jerusalem, destroyed the temple, and seized all its treasures, carrying them off to Babylon. King Nebuchadnezzar, having heard of Jeremiah and his prophecies, sent a message to the prophet. Nebuchadnezzar offered Jeremiah the choice to come to Babylon as his honored guest, promising him a comfortable life and even a house. Alternatively, he offered to appoint a governor in Judah to look after Jeremiah and his companions if they chose to stay behind.

Jeremiah made the decision not to go to Babylon. Instead, he remained in Judah with a small group of elderly people and children who wished to stay with him. The Babylonians took many people into exile, leaving behind a devastated Jerusalem. Jeremiah, mourning over the city’s destruction, continued his prophetic ministry among the remnants of Judah, steadfast in his commitment to his people and to God’s calling.