OTBS 205: Minor Prophets

Understanding the Twelve Voices of Judgment and Hope

Course Description

Welcome to OTBS 205! This course surveys the final 12 books of the Old Testament, a collection known collectively as the Minor Prophets or “The Twelve.” While these books are shorter than their “Major Prophet” counterparts, their message is no less powerful or significant. We will journey through the prophetic messages of Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi. Set against the backdrop of political turmoil, foreign invasion, and spiritual apathy, these prophets delivered urgent words from God to His people. You will explore the profound themes of God’s unwavering holiness, His righteous justice against sin, His passionate call to repentance, and His faithful, covenant-keeping love that always preserves a remnant and promises future restoration through the Messiah. Get ready to hear the vital and enduring voices of The Twelve.

Course Structure

This course is composed of five chapters, each building upon the last to provide a comprehensive overview of the Minor Prophets. Each chapter includes a detailed summary, five in-depth lessons, a chapter test, and an optional “Deep Dive” for further study. The course culminates in a final course test.

• Course: Syllabus + Interactive Syllabus + 5 Chapters + Course Test
• Chapter: Summary + 5 Lessons + Chapter Test + Deep Dive

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Identify Historical Contexts: Situate each of the twelve Minor Prophets within their correct historical setting (e.g., the Assyrian, Babylonian, or Persian periods).
• Articulate Central Messages: Explain the primary theme and message of each of the twelve books, distinguishing their unique contributions.
• Analyze Key Themes: Define, trace, and analyze major prophetic themes such as the Day of the LORD, social justice, covenant faithfulness, idolatry, and remnant theology.
• Recognize Messianic Prophecy: Identify and interpret key passages throughout the Minor Prophets that point forward to the person and work of Jesus Christ.
• Apply Prophetic Truth: Draw relevant applications from the prophets’ messages of judgment and hope to the life of the contemporary believer and the Church.
• Appreciate The Twelve as a Unity: Understand the intentional literary and theological connections that bind the twelve books together as a single, coherent collection.

Course Outline

Chapter 1: Early Prophets to a Divided Kingdom

• Lesson 1: Introduction to Prophecy & The Book of the Twelve
• Lesson 2: Jonah – The Reluctant Prophet & God’s Mercy on the Nations
• Lesson 3: Amos – The Lion Roars: A Call for Justice and Righteousness
• Lesson 4: Hosea (Part 1) – God’s Unfailing Love for an Unfaithful People
• Lesson 5: Hosea (Part 2) – Judgment, Repentance, and the Promise of Restoration

Chapter 2: Prophets During the Assyrian Crisis

• Lesson 1: Joel – The Day of the LORD: A Locust Plague and a Call to Lament
• Lesson 2: Obadiah – Judgment on Edom: The Consequences of Pride
• Lesson 3: Micah (Part 1) – Judgment on Injustice and a Prophecy of the Ruler from Bethlehem
• Lesson 4: Micah (Part 2) – What the LORD Requires: Justice, Mercy, and Humility
• Lesson 5: Nahum – The Burden of Nineveh: The Fall of an Arrogant Empire

Chapter 3: Prophets During the Babylonian Crisis

• Lesson 1: Zephaniah – The Great and Terrible Day of the LORD
• Lesson 2: Habakkuk (Part 1) – The Prophet’s Complaint: Why Does God Allow Evil?
• Lesson 3: Habakkuk (Part 2) – The Just Shall Live by Faith
• Lesson 4: The Theological Significance of the Exile
• Lesson 5: Comparing the Prophetic Calls for Repentance

Chapter 4: Post-Exilic Prophets of Restoration

• Lesson 1: The Historical Setting of the Return from Exile
• Lesson 2: Haggai – Consider Your Ways: A Call to Rebuild the Temple
• Lesson 3: Zechariah (Part 1) – The Eight Night Visions of Hope and Encouragement
• Lesson 4: Zechariah (Part 2) – The Coming Shepherd-King and His Rejection
• Lesson 5: Zechariah (Part 3) – The Final Victory of God and His Messiah

Chapter 5: The Final Prophetic Word and Thematic Synthesis

• Lesson 1: Malachi (Part 1) – A Disputation with a Disillusioned People
• Lesson 2: Malachi (Part 2) – Robbing God and the Book of Remembrance
• Lesson 3: Malachi (Part 3) – The Coming Messenger and the Return of Elijah
• Lesson 4: Thematic Review: The Day of the LORD Across The Twelve
• Lesson 5: The Enduring Message: How The Twelve Point to Christ and the New Covenant

Assessments & Grading

• Chapter Quizzes: Short quizzes will follow each lesson to assess comprehension.
• Chapter Tests: A test at the end of each of the five chapters will review the material covered.
• Final Course Test: A comprehensive final exam will cover the key ideas from all five chapters.
• Passing Requirement: To successfully complete this course, you must achieve a score of 80% or higher on each of the five Chapter Tests and the Final Course Test.