The Major Prophets
Next, we present to you who are the major prophets and their writings in each of their books, so first we begin by pointing out in general terms the meaning of this noble task that was entrusted to them by the Most High from the moment they received the call divine.
The prophet in Hebrew is designated by two very significant names: the first is "nabi" which means "ecstatic" and "inspired" by God. The other mention is "roéh" or "choséh" which is equivalent to "the seer", the one who sees what the Almighty shows him in the form of visions, dreams, among other manifestations. Both names express the idea that the prophet is an instrument and a man of God who does not have to announce his own word, but what the Spirit of God breathes and inspires him.
The major prophets, which are mentioned below, exercised their ministries for about 40 years each after receiving the call from the Most High, to carry out such a noble task for the immense divine love for God and the people.
Isaiah
He is the first major prophet and the reason they were called is because of the length of his writings. Isaiah was called by the Almighty to the ministry during the reign of Uzziah (Isaiah 6). His name means "the salvation of God", aptly describes his service and his message. He prophesied during the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham and Hezekiah and possibly during the reign of Manasseh, between 757 and 697 BC. C. Furthermore, Isaiah was both a statesman and a prophet because he spoke and acted in connection with the public affairs of the nation.
The historical events recorded by this prophet cover a period of about 62 years, from 760 to 698 BC. C. This book is divided into 3 sections (although the second and third go together).
Time:
- First Section of condemnation, mostly containing rebukes for Israel's sins (chapters 1-35).
- Second Historical Section, recounting the invasion of Syria, as well as the Lord's miraculous deliverance of Jerusalem. The healing of King Hezekiah is also related (chapters 36-39).
- Third Section of Consolation, containing words of comfort for punished Israel and promises of restoration and blessing (chapters 40-66).
Topic:
These prophetic writings stand out for being very beautiful, sublime and because in no other book of the Old Testament is such a clear and glorious vision of the Messiah and his kingdom presented. Because of its emphasis on the grace of the Omnipresent and his redemptive work in relation to Israel and the nations, this narrative is called "the fifth gospel" and its author "the evangelist of the Old Testament." The 2 main divisions of these stories help us determine their theme.
The key to the first part (chapters 1 to 39) is condemnation. The reading of this section is based on the wrath of God against apostate Israel and the neighboring idolatrous regions. These chapters prophesy the captivity of the people by the sovereign Nebuchadnezzar, the tribulation and the judgments of the last days.
The key to the second and third parts is consolation. This section contains the prophecies of Israel's return from Babylonian captivity, as well as her restoration and return to her land of Palestine in the last days. With these two divisions, the theme addressed is summarized in that sin brings condemnation, slavery and tribulations to the Hebrew people, while grace produces their salvation and exaltation.
Also, if you want to go deeper into the life of Isaiah, you can check out the article on Isaiah on our site. You can also learn more about the books of the Bible.
Jeremiah
Being very young he dedicated himself to prophesying in a time when seven decades had already passed since the death of the first major prophet, and there were many persecutions against his people and his family of extensive religious training, in fact, his father was a priest, it is believed that due to these pressures he possibly left Anathoth to move to Jerusalem, there and in other cities of Judah he served in his ministry for approximately 40 years.
When Jehoiakim reigned he was imprisoned for prophesying the desolation of Jerusalem, and under the command of Zedekiah he was arrested as a deserter and remained in prison until the capture of the city and released by Nebuchadnezzar, which allowed him to return to Jerusalem. While there he tried to dissuade the people from returning to Egypt to escape what they believed to be imminent danger, but they ignored his message and left, taking Jeremiah with them. Already in Egypt, he tried hard to bring the people to God. Tradition says that, angered by his continual warnings and reprimands, they put him to death.
Time:
He exercised his high ministerial mission in the thirteenth year of King Josiah, which covers a period of more than 40 years, during which time he continued to warn and comfort his people, until the unrepentant city fell into the hands of the Babylonians. His book is divided into two parts, in one the announcements about Judah and Jerusalem are mentioned, and the other contemplates the predictions against other peoples. The first chapter speaks of the call of this man of God and the last is a historical complement.
Topic:
Both Jeremiah and his predecessor sent missives of condemnation to the apostate people, but while the former was vigorous and severe, Jeremiah's was moderate and gentle. The first manifested in his expression the holy wrath of the Almighty against the sin of the Hebrews. The last, an expression of regret and tears for the severe rebuke of the Omnipresent. This major prophet also glimpsed the coming restoration of the people, but it was not enough to wipe away his tears or lift the fog of his anguish over Israel's sin. Because of this last fact he is known as the messenger of tears.
Wailing
Attributed to Jeremiah, it is considered a book of the Old Testament, its content corresponds to the time in which the Prophet lived.
Time:
He exercised his high ministerial mission in the thirteenth year of King Josiah, which covers a period of more than 40 years, during which time he continued to warn and comfort his people, until the unrepentant city fell into the hands of the Babylonians.
Topic:
The Book of Lamentations is an annex to Jeremiah's prediction, exuding the prophet's deep and anguished sorrow for the miseries and desolations of Jerusalem, which resulted from its destruction. The pains and sorrows manifested in Jeremiah's prediction find their end here. The river of tears that flowed there becomes a great torrent in this document.
Its purpose was to teach the Jews to recognize the punitive hand of the Almighty in their calamities and the need to turn to him with sincere repentance. The sadness of the prophet was assimilated by the Jewish nation when he sang this book every Friday in a place of mourning in Jerusalem, and it was read in the synagogue on the fast of August 9, the day set aside for mourning the five great calamities. that fell on the nation.
The theme of Lamentations is summarized as follows: The desolations of Jerusalem as a consequence of their sins, and the punishment of a faithful and merciful Almighty to lead them to repentance.
If you are interested in knowing more about the book of ezekiel, you will find relevant information that complements the work of the major prophets. You can also consult the article on Daniel's life for a better understanding of events.
Ezekiel
Coming from a priestly family, after he was taken captive to Babylon with King Jeconiah of Judah, at the age of 30, he received the divine call to carry out his prophetic work, which he fulfilled among the exiles for 22 years, that is, until the 570 a. c.
Ezekiel is believed to have written the book up to chapter 24. Since Nathan and Gad are mentioned in Early Chronicles as experiencing certain events in David's life, they are considered the authors of the remaining chapters. The task of this major prophet was mainly to fight against idolatry, corruption due to bad behavior and wrong ideas about the next return to Jerusalem.
Time:
From the birth of Samuel to the death of Saul, which covered a period of one hundred and fifteen years, approximately from 1171 to 1056 BC. C. These writings were divided into a prologue, which narrates the call of the prophet, and three main parts. It begins by including the prophecies about the ruin of Jerusalem; continues with the mention of the punishment of the enemy peoples of Judah; and culminates with a reference to the restoration. In addition, his prophecies are distinguished by a wealth of allegories, images and symbolic actions.
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First Samuel is a book of changes. It tells how the command of the administrators of justice was changed by that of the monarchs, and how the leadership of the Most High as the invisible Supreme was transformed by that of a visible monarch, repeating itself in other nations. It is a historical and biographical document.
The document includes the mention of three characters: Samuel, an Israelite of humble and devout sentiments, who faithfully serves the Most High. Saul, an ambitious, jealous, stubborn, fickle and disobedient king. David, a man of God, the quiet singer of Israel. A being of prayer and praise, tested, disciplined, persecuted and finally crowned king of Israel.
You can also explore details to better understand the context of the prophets.
Daniel
He was part of the tribe of Judah, probably of noble descent. In his youth he was taken captive to Babylon in the third year of King Jehoiakim and 8 years before Ezekiel. Along with 3 other young men he was placed in the court of Nebuchadnezzar to obtain special training in the education of the Chaldeans. There he held one of the highest positions in the kingdom, a position he held during Persian rule, which followed Babylonian rule.
He exercised his mission throughout the captivity that would be his last prophecy given during the reign of Cyrus, 2 years before the return of Israel to Palestine. Due to his righteous living amid the corruption of the court, he is one of those mentioned by Ezekiel as examples of piety and wisdom.
Time:
From Nebuchadnezzar to Cyrus, over a period of seventy-three years, from 607 to 534 BC. C. These writings are divided into three parts: narrative, visionary and episodic.
Topic:
It is essentially a prophetic narrative of Gentile power from the reign of Nebuchadnezzar to the next coming of Christ. The prophets in general emphasize the power and sovereignty of the Almighty over Israel and show that the Lord directs the destinies of his chosen people through the centuries until the final restoration.
On the other hand, special emphasis is placed on the sovereignty of the Most High over the nations and shows him as the one who has power and control over them until the moment of their destruction with the coming of Christ. The vision of the major prophet is that of a God and Lord who governs all. Omnipresent and Omnipotent. He has a vision of kings and kingdoms arising and passing away. Empires that rise and fall; while the Almighty on his throne in heaven governs and directs all his movements showing his wonderful sovereignty.
God's Reason for Sending Prophets
We find the answer in Scripture, which says, "Because he had mercy on his people" (2 Chron. 36:15). The context of this passage is very interesting. The kingdom of Judah had lost much and was on the brink of captivity. After a series of notorious kings, Zedekiah, the last king of Judah, all the priestly leaders and the people increasingly invaded the house of the Lord, which had been consecrated in Jerusalem.
Despite all this, he sent all the prophets to speak on his behalf, however, the people responded very badly, they all laughed at him, underestimated his messages and rebuked his chosen ones, then the creator unleashed fury against the people , until there is no amendment.
It is very serious to despise the messages that the creator sent through his prophets. In these cases, there has been the death of young people, old people, even those who have taken refuge in his sanctuary. The treasures of this sanctuary were looted and then burned. The walls of Jerusalem were demolished and the city was completely destroyed. Unfortunately, the Lord's prophets and the messages he sends through them are often rejected, but God has persisted in keeping the messages through them.
Major Prophets and Minor Prophets
When religious scholars recount the prophetic books of the Holy Scriptures, they are referring to the Old Testament and the prophets. These texts are distinguished by what is said between the major and minor prophets. These classifications do not refer to the importance of the prophets, but to the length of the books written by them. The books of the great prophets are long, while the books of the minor prophets are relatively short.
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