Who's Who In OT Prophecy Before, During, And After The Babylonian Exile

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It's good to have this information at our fingertips and at our disposal.

Quote regarding the Pre-exilic Prophets and their ministry.
Let’s explore the pre-exilic prophets and their order of ministry. These prophets played a crucial role in Israel and Judah’s history, foretelling events that would significantly impact their people.

1. Jonah: Jonah’s ministry occurred during the pre-Assyrian period, around 734 to 722 BC. He warned of the Assyrian empire’s impending conquest, which eventually led to the exile of the northern tribes of Israel in 722 BC1.
2. Amos: Amos also ministered during the pre-Assyrian era, alongside Jonah. His prophecies emphasized social justice and God’s judgment against Israel’s injustices. His ministry spanned from around 760 to 750 BC1.
3. Hosea: Hosea’s prophetic work overlapped with Amos. He focused on Israel’s unfaithfulness and used his own troubled marriage as a symbol of God’s relationship with His people. Hosea’s ministry took place around 750 to 725 BC1.
4. Micah: Micah’s prophecies occurred during the pre-Assyrian period, aligning with the ministries of Jonah, Amos, and Hosea. He emphasized justice, humility, and the coming judgment. Micah ministered from around 735 to 700 BC1.
5. Isaiah: Isaiah’s extensive ministry spanned several decades, covering both the pre-Assyrian and pre-Babylonian periods. His prophecies warned of Assyria’s invasion and later Babylon’s conquest. Isaiah ministered from around 740 to 686 BC1.
6. Nahum: Nahum prophesied during the pre-Babylonian era, specifically addressing the fall of Nineveh (the capital of Assyria). His ministry occurred around 663 to 612 BC1.
7. Zephaniah: Zephaniah ministered during the pre-Babylonian period, emphasizing repentance and God’s judgment. His prophecies date back to around 640 to 609 BC1.
8. Habakkuk: Habakkuk’s ministry also took place before the Babylonian exile. He questioned God’s justice and received answers regarding the impending Babylonian invasion. Habakkuk ministered around 605 to 597 BC1.
9. Jeremiah: Jeremiah’s prophetic career spanned both the pre-Babylonian and exilic periods. He warned of Babylon’s invasion, witnessed the fall of Jerusalem, and continued to minister during the exile. Jeremiah’s ministry extended from around 627 to 586 BC1.
10. Ezekiel: Ezekiel prophesied during the pre-Babylonian and exilic times. His visions and symbolic actions conveyed messages of hope, restoration, and judgment. Ezekiel ministered from around 593 to 571 BC1.

These pre-exilic prophets played a vital role in shaping Israel and Judah’s destiny, providing warnings, comfort, and hope amidst challenging circumstances. Their messages continue to resonate throughout history.

 

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Quote regarding the Exilic Prophets and their ministry.
Let’s explore the exilic prophets and their order of ministry. These prophets played a significant role during the Babylonian exile and the subsequent restoration period. Here’s a chronological overview of their ministries:

1. Jeremiah:
   • Ministry: Jeremiah’s prophetic career spanned both the pre-Babylonian and exilic periods.
   • Approximate Time Period: 627 to 580 BC.
   • Scripture References: Jeremiah 1:2-3; 3:6; 11:21-23; 21:1; 22:11; 24:1; 25:1-3; 25:8-12; 26:1; 27:1, etc.; Jeremiah 37-40; Jeremiah 52:31-33.
   • Kings Under Whom He Served: Josiah, Jehoahaz, Jehoiakim, Jehoiachin, Zedekiah (and Gedaliah after the fall of Jerusalem).
2. Ezekiel:
   • Ministry: Ezekiel prophesied during the pre-Babylonian and exilic times.
   • Approximate Time Period: 592 to 570 BC.
   • Scripture References: Ezekiel 1:1-3; 24:1-2; 33:21 (Jehoiachin in exile).
   • Place of Activity: Babylon.
3. Daniel:
   • Ministry: Daniel’s prophetic work spanned the Babylonian and Persian periods.
   • Approximate Time Period: 606 to 530 BC.
   • Scripture References: Daniel 1:1-7; Daniel 1-4; Daniel 5:1ff; Daniel 6:1ff; Daniel 10:1.
   • Kings Under Whom He Served: Nebuchadnezzar, Belshazzar, Darius, Cyrus.
4. Haggai:
   • Ministry: Haggai prophesied during the post-exilic period.
   • Approximate Time Period: 520 to 516 BC.
   • Scripture References: Haggai 1:1; 2:10; 2:20; Ezra 5-6.
   • Kings Under Whom He Served: Darius I.
   • Context: Haggai encouraged the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem.
5. Zechariah:
   • Ministry: Zechariah also ministered during the post-exilic era.
   • Approximate Time Period: 520 to 518 BC.
   • Scripture References: Zechariah 1:1; 7:1.
   • Kings Under Whom He Served: Darius I.
   • Context: Zechariah’s prophecies focused on restoration and hope.
6. Malachi:
   • Ministry: Malachi prophesied during the post-exilic period.
   • Approximate Time Period: Around 430 BC.
   • Scripture References: Malachi 1:7, 8, 10; 3:1.
   • Kings Under Whom He Served: Artaxerxes I.
   • Context: Malachi addressed issues of faithfulness, priesthood, and God’s messenger.

These exilic prophets played a crucial role in shaping the spiritual landscape during a challenging period of Israel’s history. Their messages continue to resonate today.

The Book of Obadiah contains a brief oracle against the nation of Edom. However, the exact date of Obadiah’s ministry remains uncertain due to historical ambiguities in the book itself. Scholars propose various dates, but here are the primary arguments:

1. Early Date (840s BC):
   • Context: Obadiah’s prophecies likely occurred during the reign of Jehoram of Judah.
   • Evidence: Obadiah 1:10–14 describes an Edomite invasion of Jerusalem.
   • Contemporary: He was a few years prior to Joel and a contemporary of Elisha1.
2. Later Date (586 BC):
   • Context: This period corresponds to the Babylonian exile of Israel.
   • Contemporary: Obadiah would have been a contemporary of Jeremiah.
   • Interpreters’ Bible: Suggests a time after the Exile, likely in the mid-fifth century BC2.
3. Rabbinic Tradition:
   • According to the Talmud, Obadiah converted to Judaism from Edom.
   • He hid the “hundred prophets” from Jezebel’s persecution.
   • His fear of God was esteemed even higher than that of Abraham2.
4. Christian Tradition:
   • Some Christian traditions place his birth in Shechem and identify him as the third captain sent against Elijah by Ahaziah.
   • The exact date of his ministry remains unclear but is believed to be around 586 BC23.

Obadiah’s message, regardless of the specific date, emphasizes God’s justice and judgment upon Edom. His words continue to resonate, reminding us of God’s sovereignty and faithfulness.

 

[Stumpmaster]

Quote regarding the Post-exilic Prophets and their ministry.
Let’s delve into the post-exilic prophets and explore their ministries. These prophets played a crucial role during the Babylonian exile and the subsequent restoration period. Here’s an overview of their ministries:

1. Haggai:
   • Ministry: Haggai’s prophetic mission began after the exiles returned from Babylon. They faced bitter disappointments, despite the help from Cyrus, the Persian ruler. The land was neglected, buildings were in disrepair, and the people were indifferent to their religious obligations.
   • Message: Haggai’s primary message was one of reproof. He urged the people to rebuild the Temple, emphasizing that Yahweh’s presence would dwell among them. Despite limited resources, they worked diligently to reconstruct the Temple, and Haggai assured them of Yahweh’s continued presence and future blessings.
2. Zechariah:
   • Ministry: Zechariah, contemporary with Haggai, brought a more profound analysis of the situation. He recognized that rebuilding the Temple alone wouldn’t suffice. A moral transformation within the people was essential, cleansing them of their evil nature.
   • Message: Zechariah conveyed his messages through a series of eight visions, each symbolizing different aspects of Israel’s future. He emphasized both internal transformation and the eventual subduing of foreign aggressors by Yahweh’s intervention.
3. Malachi:
   • Ministry: Malachi prophesied during the post-exilic period, around 430 BC.
   • Message: Malachi addressed issues related to faithfulness, priesthood, and God’s messenger. His prophecies encouraged the people to remain faithful and highlighted the importance of true worship.
4. Joel (Possibly):
   • Although not explicitly named in the Old Testament, some scholars attribute the book of Joel to this period.
   • Message: Joel’s prophecies centered on repentance, the outpouring of the Spirit, and the coming Day of the Lord. His vivid imagery conveyed hope and restoration.

These post-exilic prophets played a vital role in shaping Israel’s spiritual landscape during a challenging historical phase. Their messages continue to resonate, offering insights and encouragement to believers across generations. CliffsNotes) Westminster Seminary California) Bible Study) Bible.org) Ligonier Ministries)

 

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[Davy]

You are trying to be specific, but you are not covering specific differences in prophecy to the two 'houses' ("house of Judah" vs. "house of Israel", after the 1 Kings 11 split of old Israel).

In most of the Book of Hosea, God is addressing the ten northern tribe "kingdom of Israel" as the "house of Israel", and "Judah" put for the southern "kingdom of Judah".

Hos 11:12
12 Ephraim compasseth me about with lies, and the house of Israel with deceit: but Judah yet ruleth with God, and is faithful with the saints.
KJV

By that time, God had already split old Israel in Solomon's days into 2 separate kingdoms (1 Kings 11 forward). The ten northern tribes God gave to Jeroboam of the tribe of Ephraim to reign over, and was called the "kingdom of Israel" and "house of Israel".

The southern "kingdom of Judah" was only 3 tribes of Israel in the southern lands of Judea-Jerusalem, and above just called "Judah".

God was giving Hosea especially a prophecy of how He was going to destroy the "kingdom of Israel" (ten northern tribe kingdom at Samaria), but the "kingdom of Judah", or "Judah", would remain.

God would bring the kings of Assyria in stages to the holy land take the ten northern tribes captive to Assyria and the lands of the Medes (2 Kings 17). That was Israel's captivity, not the Jews whose captivity to Babylon would be around 120 years later. (There were 2 separate captivities of the children of Israel taken out of the holy land, at 2 separate times, covering 2 separate groups of the children of Israel, not counting the later diaspora of just the house of Judah by the Romans).

Hos 1:4-7
4 And the LORD said unto him, "Call his name Jezreel; for yet a little while, and I will avenge the blood of Jezreel upon the house of Jehu, and will cause to cease the kingdom of the house of Israel.

Jehu was one of the kings of northern kingdom of Israel. That is about the ten northern tribe "kingdom of Israel" only, not the southern "kingdom of Judah". The "house of Israel" title at that time only pointed to the northern ten tribe kingdom of Israel, not Judah. Only... the northern ten tribe kingdom which God gave to Jeroboam to reign over was known as Israel by that time. Those who do not understand this difference reveal they have not studied the 1 Kings 11 thru 2 Kings 17 history.


5 And it shall come to pass at that day, that I will break the bow of Israel in the valley of Jezreel."

Jezreel was one of king Ahab's residences. Again, this "Israel" is about the northern ten tribe kingdom, not the southern kingdom of Judah.

6 And she conceived again, and bare a daughter. And God said unto him, "Call her name Lo-ruhamah: for I will no more have mercy upon the house of Israel; but I will utterly take them away.
7 But I will have mercy upon the house of Judah, and will save them by the LORD their God, and will not save them by bow, nor by sword, nor by battle, by horses, nor by horsemen."
KJV

Note the distinction above that God makes between the 10 tribe northern "house of Israel" kingdom, vs. the 3 tribe southern "house of Judah" kingdom. The "house of Judah" would get their punishment later, as written later in Hosea. But this particular prophecy here is God speaking to the northern ten tribe kingdom of Israel, via His prophet Hosea.

My point -- it is not Biblical to throw around the title Israel as if it always means all 12 tribes together in one kingdom and people. That is not what God's Word shows that happened in Old Testament history.