4 Major Prophets (Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel)
There are 4 Prophets but 5 books.

Isaiah - Worked for 58 years, talked about the coming of the Messiah. He is the main figure in the Biblical Book of Isaiah and is traditionally considered to be its author.

Jeremiah - is the author of the book of Jeremiah and Lamentations. He foretold 70 years of captivity. The book of Jeremiah depicts a remarkably introspective prophet, a prophet struggling with and often overwhelmed by the role into which he has been thrust. Jeremiah interspersed efforts to warn the people with pleas for mercy until he is ordered to "pray no more for this people" (Jeremiah 7:16, 14:11). Jeremiah's example inspires Christians to persevere in proclaiming the gospel even when it is not popular, and even when being ridiculed, as well as to trust that even when disaster strikes, God has long-range plans for the restoration of his people. Jeremiah, like Ezekiel, is said to have been a descendant of Joshua by his marriage with the proselyte Rahab.

Lamentations - Jeremiah wrote Lamentations, which means mournful complaint, in 586 BC (in dispute), in which the prophet mourns over the desolations brought on Jerusalem and the Holy Land by the Chaldeans. The book consists of five separate poems.

Ezekiel - Ezekiel was a prophet and priest in the Bible who prophesied for 22 years sometime in the 6th century BC in the form of visions while exiled in Babylon. Ezekiel's visions are about the fate of Israel at the time. Ezekiel, like Jeremiah, is said to have been a descendant of Joshua by his marriage with the proselyte Rahab.

Daniel - After the Persian conquest of Babylon, Daniel held the office of the first of the "three presidents" of the Persian empire under the reign of the obscure figure of Darius the Mede, and was thus practically at the head of state affairs, with the ability to influence the prospects of the captive Jews (Daniel 9), whom he had at last the happiness of seeing restored to their own land; although he did not return with them, but remained still in Babylon. Daniel's fidelity to God exposed him to persecution by jealous rivals within the king's administration. Daniel's ministry as a prophet began late in life. Whereas his early exploits were a matter of common knowledge within his community, these same events, with his pious reputation, serve as the basis for his prophetic ministry. The recognition for his prophetic message is that of other prophets like Isaiah, Jeremiah and Ezekiel whose backgrounds are the basis for their revelations.

Twelve Minor Prophets

Hosea - Hosea prophesied during a dark and melancholy era of Israel's history, the period of the Northern Kingdom's decline and fall in the 8th century BC. The religious renunciation of the people was rampant, having turned away from God in order to serve the calves of Jeroboam and Baal, a Canaanite god of fertility.

Joel - Joel was probably a resident of Judah. He made a prophecy of a great public calamity then impending over the land, consisting of a want of water and an extraordinary plague of locusts. Joel then calls on his countrymen to repent and to turn to God, assuring them of his readiness to forgive, and foretelling the restoration of the land to its accustomed fruitfulness. Joel foretells portents and judgments as destined to fall on the enemies of God.

Amos - Much of the prophecy of Amos is directed at the heartlessness of wealthy merchants who ignore the plight of the poor, the lack of justice for righteous, and the emptiness of religious ritual apart from true faith. Amos is a classical prophet, concerned with the well being of the people and the purity of the faith.

Obadiah - The overwhelming theme found in Obadiah is the destruction of enemies of God's people as foretold by the prophet Obadiah.

Jonah - The Book of Jonah is primarily a story about the character of God. As such, it can be divided into four sections, roughly divided by each chapter: (1) God's sovereignty, (2) God's deliverance, (3) God's mercy, and (4) God's righteousness.

Micah - The purpose of Micah's teachings was to express disdain for the corruptions and pretensions of Jerusalem and its leaders.
Nahum - The subject of this prophecy is the approaching complete and final destruction of Nineveh, the capital of the great and at that time flourishing Assyrian empire. Jonah had also made this prophesy. The destruction of Nineveh (625 BC) led to the end of the Assyrian empire.

Habakkuk - Prophet sees the injustice among his people and asks why God does not take action. The major theme of Habakkuk is trying to grow from a faith of perplexity and doubt to the height of absolute trust in God.

Zephaniah - Zephaniah is the son of Cushi, and great-grandson of Hezekiah, ninth in the literary order of the Minor Prophets. He prophesied in the days of Josiah, king of Judah (B.C. 641-610), and was contemporary with Jeremiah, with whom he had much in common. This prophet spoke boldly against the religious and moral corruption, when, in view of the idolatry which had penetrated even into the sanctuary,

Haggai - The book of Haggai was written by the prophet Haggai. It was written in 520 BC some 18 years after Cyrus had conquered Babylon and issued a decree in 538 BC allowing the captive Jews to return to Judea. He saw the restoration of the temple as necessary for the restoration of the religious practices and a sense of people hood after a long exile.

Zechariah - The book of Zechariah was written by the prophet Zechariah. The main emphasis is that God is at work and plans to live again with His people in Jerusalem. He will save them from their enemies and cleanse them from sin.

Malachi - The book of Malachi was written by the prophet Malachi. The book of Malachi was written to correct the lax religious and social behavior of the Israelites, particularly the priests, in post-exilic Jerusalem.

Reverend George V. Schubel
Interfaith Minister