A brief Review of where we are in the minor Prophets.

If we look at a map of the land of Palestine or the Palestine area at the time of Jesus one will notice that there was ' no Israel' but only Judah. The nation of Israel as known in the Bible cease to exists in the year 722 B.C. and the “remnant of Israel” is the church (what we call the church or assembly). The Apostle Paul writing to the church at Rome reminds them that they are the 'remnant' (Romans the 11^th chapter). To a great extent the message of the Minor Prophets is moving the Israel of the OT to such a point that Israel includes the Gentiles.  While we may be critical of their behavior (they were some bad boys) we should be reminded that 'God hardened their hearts' so the Gentiles might come in (Rom. 11: 25ff). Therefore, the Minor Prophets are the story of God making room for me and you. With that in mind, let us do a brief review.

Amos and Hosea were the last Prophets to ever prophesy in Israel. Israel fell and was carried into captivity by Assyria in 722 B.C. The Book of Micah mentions Israel but is focused mainly on Judah. I am convinced that by the time Micah wrote, Israel had already fallen. Judah will fall in 586-587 to Babylon. By the time that Zephaniah wrote, Israel had been gone about 96 years. Micah and Isaiah were contemporaries as later (some 100 years later) were Jeremiah and Zephaniah.

The Fall of Israel in 722 B.C. to Assyria as written in the the Kings and Chronicles accounts.

(1) Jehu walks in the sins of Jeroboam (2 Kings 10:29, 2 Kings 10:31)

(2) The “Cutting Short” (i.e. Cutting off) of Israel: 2 Kings 10: 32, 33.

(3) Israel oppressed by the Syrians ( 2 Kings 13: 22,3)

(4) Syria reduces Israel to a rubble ( 2 Kings 13:7)

(5) Judah tires to hire men from Israel but warned that she should not since the “Lord is not with Israel”

(2 Chron. 25: 6-10).

(6) War Between Israel and Judah ( 2 Chron. 25: 17-24) also (2 Kings 14: 8-14).

(7) The Continued Apostasy of Israel ( 2 Kings 13:6)

(8) The Invasion of Israel by Pul (Tiglath-Pileaser) I Kings 15:19, 20 and I Chron. 5:26a.

(9) Israel carried away captive by Tiglath-Pileaser in 722 B.C. (I Chron. 5)

(10) The Beginning of the End for Israel ( 1 Chron. 5: 25a, 26b, 25b, 26a, [6c, 6a,6d])

(11) Samaria (the Capitol of Israel) Falls to the Assyrians (2 Kings 17:5, 2 Kings 18:9)

(12) The Fall of Samaria (2 Kings 17:6, 2 Kings 18: 10,11)

(13) Assyria puts the King of Israel in Jail (2 Kings 17: 4b).

The Nation of Israel fades from history in 722 B.C. Now only Judah is left. The Fall of Israel in 722 B.C. is recorded outside of the Bible in the Assyrian Records.

The Fall of Judah to Babylon in 586-587

The Reign of Hezekiah (lasted 23 years)

(1)Hezekiah pays tribute to Sennacherib, (the Assyrians) His first sin against God (2 Kings 18: 13-16)

(2) Hezekiah sins against God with the reception of the Babylonian Embassy (2 Kings 20: 12-19, 2 Chron. 32: 31, 25,26).

(3) Sennacherib's second invasion of Judah (2 Chron. 32:1)

(4) Rabshakeh's message to Hezekiah and Isaiah (2 Kings 18: 17-25; 2 Chron. 32: 9-15; also read Isaiah chapter 37).

(5) Hezekiah's Message to Isaiah ( 2 Kings 19:1-15).

(6) Hezekiah's answer (2 Kings 19: 6,7)

(7) Rabshakeh's departure (2 Kings 19:8)

(8) Sennacherib's letter to Hezekiah ( 2 Kings 19: 9-13 and 2 Chron. 32:17).

(9) Hezekiah's Prayer ( 2 Kings 19: 14-19)

(10 YHWH answers through Isaiah ( 2 Kings 19: 20-34)

(11) The Reign of Manasseh [the worst Kings ever], 2 Kings 20: 21b; 21:1 and 2 Chron. 32:33b; 33:1)

(12) The death of Sennacherib (2 Kings 19: 37a and 2 Chron. 32: 21b).

(13) Esar-Haddon, New King of Assyria (2 Kings 19: 37b).

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(14) Manasseh the criminal ( 2 Kings 21:16)

(15 Manasseh carried away to Assyria (2 Chron. 33:11).

(16). Manasseh repents (2 Chron. 33: 12,13).

(17) Amon (named after an Egyptian god) ascends to the throne (2 Kings 21: 18b, 19, 2 Chron. 33: 20b.

(18) Amon almost as bad as his father Manasseh ( 2 Kings 21: 2-22)

(19) Amon dies (2 Kings 21: 25, 23, 26a).

(20) Josiah Ascends to the throne (2 Kings 21: 26b; 22:1).

(21) Josiah seeks and pleases God (2 Kings 22:2; 23:25).

(22) Josiah's Reforms ( 2 Chron. 34: 3-7).

(23) Josiah finds the book of the law ( 2 Kings 22:8 and 2 Chron. 34:14-15).

(24) Josiah Killed at the Battle of Armageddon (2 Kings 23: 28-30a and 2 Chron. 35:26, 27, 2-25).

(25) Josiah was the final 'Good King' and after Josiah there were many 'Bad Kings.'

(26) Finally we read in 2 Kings 24: 13-16 of the Great deportation to Babylonian and the end of Judah (586-587 B.C., or the final deportation of 603-605).

A remnant of Judah will return but things will never be the same. There are two sections of text that ought to mentioned.

Micah 5: 2-5. Micah states that Israel and Judah were to be 'given up' until the time of Christ.

During the Fall of Jerusalem in 586-587, or some date it 603-605, 'The Spirit of God' left the Temple' (abandoned Judah[Ezekiel 10:18ff]) and we are not told He ever returned. (He didn't according to Micah).

by Lane Rogers