Our Prophets: The Guides of Our Belief System

Nadene Goldfoot                                           

Assyria and Babylon are Syria, Iraq and Iran
Beyond Iran lie Afghanistan and Pakistan where 10 Lost Tribes
were settled. 

Two attacks on the 12 Tribes of Israel

 800 BCE: 700 BCE: 600 BCE: 500 BCE: 400 BCE: 300 BCE: 200 BCE: 100 BCE: 100 CE; 200 CE                                             
                                                                               

722 BCE-721 BCE ASSYRIAN ATTACK ON ISRAEL -led to captivity-

taking 10 of the 12 tribes (Lost 10 Tribes of Israel) 

597-586 BCE BABYLONIANS ATTACKED JUDAH using Nebuchadnezzar-

taking Judah and some of 2 others

First; an introduction to the Chaldeans.  They were a Semitic tribe which migrated to Southern Babylonia and adopted the ancient Babylonian culture.  They gained power over the natives and gave their name to the entire area.  They finally overthrew Assyria and succeeded in the 7th century BCE                                                             

                                                                     

 with  Nabopolassar and his son, NEBUCHADNEZZAR who established an empire extending from ASSYRIA to the Egyptian border.  This was then conquered by the Persians in 539. Chaldeans gained fame from their astrology and this was remembered long after their empire had vanished.

      Our Prophets 

 -Someone designated by G-d to convey His message to men and to give guidance for the future.  

The gift of prophecy was an ancient institution originating in ancient times.  It appeared among early Semitic people in Mesopotamia, Phoenicia, and Canaan, but in Israel it took on a distinctive form.  

The Hebrews believed that they had been chosen by God who had sent them prophets to point out the right path.  They were the protagonist of monotheism and morality.  
                                                                         

Moses-1391-1271 BCE This period determined the content of the late prophecies and also by means of the Torah-the nation's spiritual content, way of life, and mission.  His characteristic of prophecy was that it was continuous and not the result of sudden inspiration.  He took illiterate slaves of 400 years who had been a part of Egyptian culture and beliefs and it took years of prophets toiling to shape these slaves into a monotheistic and righteous belief system.  To do so he gave them 613 laws to follow, and the 1st 10 are still hard for today's people to follow.  However, the following prophets give us hope after a much deserved scolding.  

                                               

 

Joshua-(Hoshea, Yehoshua) b: c1361 BCE, Successor of Moses, led Exodus into Canaan, from tribe of Ephraim; brought back encouraging report as a spy with Caleb.  Book of Joshua is 1st of former Prophets, divided into 24 chapters. He showed with his last breath that he radiated the wisdom and holiness of Moses.  He was brave and trusted G-d and in Moses' leadership.                                                       

Samuel annointing David

Samuel-b: 1000 BCE, last Israelite Judge, from tribe of Levi on Mt Ephraim; mother consecrated him before his birth as a Nazirite, served at Shiloh, received the Divine call as a child, foretold the destruction of the House of Eli; restored traditional religious worship, prophets under him were formed to guide the people.  Chose Saul to be 1st king.  Later anointed David as Saul's successor.
                                                                                 

Amos-c 3rd Minor Prophet, 799 BCE, from tribe of Judah, a herdsman of Tekoa, and sycamore tree pruner near Bethlehem, Active in  the northern kingdom of Israel-then under Jeroboam II (785-745 BCE) and prosperous, sensed the calm was temporary, grave danger threatened from Assyria, conscious of internal corruption from antagonism between the rich upper classes and the exploited masses; prophesied at Bethel.  He foretold destruction of the land of Ephraim, its shrines, royal house.  Amaziah, the priest of Bethel, thought this was treason and ordered Amos to return to Judah, but he didn't, saying this was his Divine mission of warning them.  Amos saw visions concerning Israel, in the days of Uzziah (Azariah (780-740 BCE) , king of Judah  and in the days of Jeroboam (785-745 BC) , son of Joash(800-785 BCE) , king of Israel, 2 years before the earthquake.
                                                                         

Hosea-Minor Prophet from 8th century BCE, son of Beeri in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah, the kings of Judah, and in the days of Jeroboam son of Joash(800-785 BCE), king of Israel.  from kingdom of Israel's reign of Jeroboam II (744-722 BCE), wrote about relationship between G-d and Israel; rebuked Israel, promise of consolation and salvation, sees a bond between G-d and Israel, compares Israel's defection with wife's marital unfaithfulness, forecasts Israel's exile, has visions of restoration after the people's repentance.Israel's "mother" is a metaphor for the nation.  Individuals will be exiled and the "Congregation" of Israel will cease to exist." The people believe idols made of wood and rods.  Because the men are disloyal to G-d, the women are disloyal to their husbands.  Gilgal and Bethel-here contemptuously called Beth-even-were centers of idol worship. Like a bird blown off course by a strong wind, you will be driven into exile, ashamed that your gods could not save you.
                                                                             

Isaiah-Prophesied in Jerusalem from 740-701 BCE. From a noble family connected with the royal court under King of Judah: Hezekiah,reign (720-692 BCE put to death by King of Judah: his son,  Manasseh (692-638 BCE) had spent time as a captive in Babylon, pagan innovations were result of Assyrian pressure (?) .  Spoke against moral laxity;  Wanted more kindness, pity, justice for poor and underprivileged;  believed G-d in all historical events; Assyria was instrument of Divine anger; against treaties with neighboring states; trust only in G-d. Israel would be punished, not exterminated, will return and renew link between G-d and Land of Israel.  Israel will be seer of eternal peace at end of days. 
                                         

Faced with caption and a whale

                           

advises repentance 

Jonah-700 BCE; from tribe of Zebulun in Gathhepher , foretold the extension of the frontiers of Israel to be secured by Jeroboam II.(785-745 BCE) shows an evolution of a universalist outlook among the Jews in the Biblical period; illustrates the power of repentance and Divine mercy for all living creatures, even animals with his story of Jonah and the whale.  A 5th book of the minor Prophets.  Had no prophetic material in the Jonah story.  
                                                                              

Micah-the Morashite, in the days of Jotham (740-735BCE), Ahaz(735-720 BCE) and Hezekiah(720-692BCE), kings of Judah, latter 8th century BCE; prophet in Judah from Moresheth-Gath in Shephelah, of peasant stock, spoke for people against the oppression of the ruling-classes, the 1st to threaten them with the destruction of the country and exile to Babylon. Why he prophecied was about Samaria and Jerusalem:  He said that the rulers of Samaria and Jerusalem were responsible for the proliferation of idolatry in the Northern Kingdom and in Judah.  Micah turned his anger to Lachish, urging its people to flee.  Lachish was the first city in Judah that imported the Samarian worship of Baal. Scornfully, Miah suggested that the people send gifts to the Philistines in Moresheth-Gath, in the vain hope that they would come to Judah's defense against Assyria.   Foresaw a future monarch of the House of David who would bring peace to the world.  Based human relations on the quality of mercy and the relations of man to G-d on humility.  His prophecy was already familiar in the reign of Jehoiakim (608-598 BCE) .  
                                                                               

Habakkuk-8th of minor Prophets, prophesied at the time of the Chaldean siege of Nineveh (612 BCE) his words were an outcry against the victory of the Chaldeans, "that bitter and impetuous nation, that will go across the breadth of the earth to possess dwelling places that are not its own,"  and the rule of iniquity in the world;  Writings were G-ds reply; a prayer; and a description of the Day of the Lord.  A commentary on the 1st 2 chapters was found among the Dead Sea Scrolls. He prophesied in the time of the very wicked King Manasseh of Judah(720-692 BCE).  Habakkuk alternates between prayer on behalf of the persecuted Jews and prophecy of the downfall of their future Babylonian conqueror.  He said that the conqueror may attribute his success to an idol;  we however, know that you have allowed Babylonia to punish us; but let us not be wiped out! 
                                                                                  

Nahum,  the Elkoshite, b 600s BCE: 7th century BCE, prophet from El- kosh, possibly near Nineveh- capital of the new Assyrian Empire (1100 BCE) Jonah was sent to Nineveh to persuade its citizens to repent. ; foretold the fall of Nineveh, "the bloody city."  Nahum is one of the great biblical poets, a master of language and of vivid descriptions, ." And now, I will break his yoke from upon you, O Israel, and I will snap your bonds.  And Hashem will decree upon you that your name will never again be sown.  In 3-4 he states that the Assyrians would  seduce nations into making pacts with them, and then dishonor the treaty and conquer their unsuspecting allies.  (Rashi).  
                             

                                           

Zephaniah -7th century BCE: of the noble family of Judah,           

son of Kushi,  prophecied during the early part of King of Judah, Josiah's reign (637-608 BCE) , described the Day of the Lord when God would punish the wicked among the remnant of Israel;  the poor would inherit the land, and the Divinity of G-d will be universally acknowledged. 9th of the minor prophets. Ggrandson of King Hezekiah (720-
692 BCE) who aimed at breaking dependence on Assyria.
Purged the palace and Temple of images and pagan altars,
renewed pure monotheistic religion.  He prophesied in the synagogues.  Some Jews had adopted the degenerate practices of their Canaanite predecessors.
                                                                               

Jeremiah-b: c620- 500 BCE. Belonged to priestly family of Levi, Aaron's line with Anathoth near Jerusalem, prophecied in 625 BCE; rebuked nation for idolatry.  King Josiah had a reform in 621 BCE, had gloomy prophecies, king of Judah, son of Josiah, Jehoiakim reign 608-598 BCE and King of Judah, son of Josiah, Zedekiah reign 597-586 BCE-appointed king by Nebuchadnezzar,  had supporters for him among leading personalities and priests such as Baruch from a prominent family; joined him as a scribe and friend.  Nebuchadnezzar sat on Babylonian throne in 605 BCE and he forecast that he would conquer Judah. This frightened Jehoiakim and ordered Jeremiah arrested but went into hiding until the country submitted to Nebuchadnezzar in 597 BCE.  Zedekiah liked Jeremiah but didn't follow his advice, instead joined an anti-Babylonian alliance.  Jeremiah foretold their defeat and advocated surrender; imprisoned for a time and later put to a pit, saved by Zedekiah's friendship.  Jerusalem fell and Nebuchadnezzar gave him protection but he was forced to go with flight to Egypt after Gedaliah's murder.  Lastly spoke against Egyptian Jews for their idol-worship.  Author of the Book of Kings, and Lamentations.  His prophecies were recorded by Baruch, found in Book of Jeremiah.
                                                                           

Ezekiel-b: c590 BCE, member of priestly family of Levi, Aaron's line with Zadok, most likely in Temple before its destruction in 586 BCE.  With exiled in Babylonia, prophecied for 22 years(592-570 BCE) Rebuked Jews still in Judah for evil ways in resisting Babylonians; foresaw utter destruction of Jerusalem but said Israel would rehabilitate itself.  Consoled and encouraged survivors of Jerusalem destruction, saw the Temple being rebuilt and becoming a redeemed nation, saw destruction as a moral purpose-re-establishment in the world of the rule of justice which had been weakened by the sins of Israel. Redemption would happen to prevent desecration of G-d by the nations.  Every generation was responsible only for its own deeds, not responsible for ancestors' behaviors.
                                       

                                           

Obadiah

Obadiah-4th Minor Prophet, c590 BCE, during period following the destruction of the 1st Temple (586 BCE by Nebuchadnezzar) he severely condemned Edom for having refused to help Jerusalem in her hour of calamity; one chapter only.
                                                                                     

Haggai- a 520 BCE post-exilic prophet, 10th of the minor Prophets, made prophecies in the 2nd year of Darius I(522-486 BCE) who inherited the throne from Cyrus, permitted Zerubbabel and Jews to rebuild the Temple.  He calls for the rebuilding of the Temple, questions the priests regarding the laws of uncleanness, and foretells the glory of the Temple and the greatness of Zerubbabel (b: c480 BCE grandson of Jehoiachin, one of first Jews to return to Judah from Babylon with the okay of Cyrus.                                                                     

                                                                         

                                                                                

Joel-2nd Minor Prophet, thought to have lived in times of 9th Century but more likely down to 4th Century BCE; spoke of G-d restoring his people from captivity and punish their enemies in the plain of Jehoshaphat.  It is where HaShem will gather all nations and plead with them for His people, Israel.  It's the central part of the Kidron Valley which contained the CAVE OF JEHOSHAPHAT.  He had described a locust plague.  "Awaken, you drunkard, and weep, and wail all you wine-drinkers, over the fine wine that has been eliminated from your mouths.  For a nation has come up against My land, mighty and without number; its teeth are the teeth of a lion, and it has the molars of a lion cub.  It has rendered my vine desolate and my fig tree a source of despair;  it has stripped it of its bark and discarded it;  its branches have turned white.  ..gird yourselves with sackcloth and lament, O Kohanim;  wail, O ministers of the Altar;  "  Joel was sent to elaborate upon the 7 year famine foretold by Elisha.  Joel prophesied about a devastating plague of locusts, in the hope that the people would take the impending disaster to heart and avert it by repenting as he exhorts them in the next chapter.(Rashi). 

Zechariah- 500s, 1st half of 6th century BCE; prophet living during the period of the return from the Babylonian Exile; probably a priest of tribe of Levi from Aaron, with prophecies concerned with the contemporary events and foretell material prosperity, the in-gathering of the exiles, liberation from foreign yoke, and the expansion of Jerusalem.  He describes his visions and their interpretation by an angel.  He encouraged the people to finish the rebuilding of the Temple.  The spirit of prophecy stopped with the last prophet, Zechariah.  The spiritual role of the prophet thereafter was assumed by the "Men of the Great Synagogue" and the sages who succeeded them.  They had the faculty of interpreting the Bible prophecies.  "A Sage is higher than a Prophet."  In the Messianic Age, however, the faculty of prophecy would be renewed. 

Malachi -460-450 BCE, name means "My messenger," has been identified with Ezra.  The prophet protests against transgressions in matters of sacrifice and tithes.  The priest must turn the multitude from sin and himself maintain a high level of morality..  He also complains of mixed and broken marriages.  His teachings contains an important and influential innovation, the vision of the "Day of the Lord" receded by the advent of Elijah.   He prophecized that Elijah will draw people's hearts back to G-d before Judgement Day, to increase the number of people who will survive His judgment.  

Prophecy was revealed both in waking and sleeping hours, and the prophet later recapitulated the message before the people.

The charismatic prophets who followed Moses were religious leaders guiding the nation in times of difficulty.  Deborah and Samuel are examples.  With Saul, the 1st king, policy was handled by rulers and ministers and the prophet became inceasingly prominent as a fighter for social morality and rebuker for moral lapses.  

Resource:  The Stone Edition of Tanakh, the Torah and prophets, writings
The New Standard Jewish Encyclopedia