Old Testament
The Prophets
God judges rebellion and promises forgiveness, renewed hearts and His coming King.
Where the Prophets sit
- In the Bible
- Old Testament, 17 books and 250 chapters
- In the story
- Act IV, Israel
What the Prophets are about
- Covenant unfaithfulness exposed
- The Day of the LORD
- Judgment and exile
- Repentance and return
- A remnant and a new covenant
- The coming King and Servant
How they point to Christ
All the prophets testify about Him (Acts 10:43).
The books of the Prophets in order
- Isaiah The Holy One saves His people66 chapters
The Holy One judges rebellion and gathers a redeemed people through His promised King and suffering Servant into a renewed creation.
- Jeremiah Judgment and a new covenant52 chapters
The LORD judges Judah’s persistent rebellion but promises to gather His people, forgive their sins and renew their hearts through a new covenant.
- Lamentations Grief and hope before the faithful LORD5 chapters
Jerusalem’s grief confesses the LORD’s righteous judgment, finds hope in His enduring mercy and asks Him to restore His people.
- Ezekiel The glory departs and returns48 chapters
The LORD judges His people's rebellion, makes His holiness known among the nations and restores a renewed people to dwell with Him.
- Daniel An everlasting kingdom amid passing empires12 chapters
God rules over the kingdoms of men, preserves His people through trial and gives everlasting dominion to the Son of Man.
- Hosea Faithful love calls the faithless home14 chapters
The LORD exposes Israel's covenant unfaithfulness, judges its false securities and promises mercy that restores His people.
- Joel Return before the day of the LORD3 chapters
The LORD calls His people to heartfelt repentance, promises His Spirit and brings judgment and salvation on His day.
- Amos Seek the LORD and let justice flow9 chapters
The LORD judges Israel's oppression and false worship, calls for repentance and promises restoration under David's renewed rule.
- Obadiah The kingdom will belong to the LORD1 chapter
The LORD will humble Edom for its pride and violence against Judah, judge the nations and restore His people under His reign.
- Jonah Mercy for people the prophet resents4 chapters
The LORD saves a fleeing prophet, spares repentant Nineveh and exposes Jonah's resistance to mercy for others.
- Micah The just God gathers and pardons His people7 chapters
The LORD judges corrupt rulers and false worship, yet gathers a remnant under His promised King and pardons their sins.
- Nahum The oppressor cannot withstand the LORD3 chapters
The LORD brings Nineveh's cruel power to an end and assures His afflicted people that He is their refuge.
- Habakkuk Faith waits for the righteous God3 chapters
The LORD answers the prophet's grief over injustice, promises judgment on proud violence and sustains those who live by faith.
- Zephaniah Seek the LORD and rejoice in His presence3 chapters
The LORD judges pride and idolatry, purifies a humble people from the nations and rejoices over those He saves.
- Haggai Rebuild in the strength of God's presence2 chapters
The LORD calls His returned people to rebuild His house, assures them of His presence and pledges greater glory and enduring rule.
- Zechariah The LORD returns to cleanse and dwell with His people14 chapters
The LORD calls His people to return, promises cleansing through His coming King and Shepherd, and brings the nations into His holy dwelling.
- Malachi The faithful LORD calls His people to return4 chapters
The LORD confronts contemptuous worship and covenant betrayal, promises His messenger, and separates the faithful from the wicked.