RETURN TO ME: INTRODUCTION TO THE MINOR PROPHETS

• From Hosea to Malachi, the last book of the Old Testament, are the twelve minor prophets.
• They are not minor because they are unimportant, but because their books are shorter than those of the major prophets.
• Every book in the Bible is important and communicates God’s truth.
• The Bible is a Jewish book. The Jews are God’s chosen people, and as believers in Jesus, the Messiah, we are grafted into faith.
• Romans 11:17-18 But some of these branches from Abraham’s tree—some of the people of Israel—have been broken off. And you Gentiles, who were branches from a wild olive tree, have been grafted in. So now you also receive the blessing God has promised Abraham and his children, sharing in the rich nourishment from the root of God’s special olive tree. 18 But you must not brag about being grafted in to replace the branches that were broken off. You are just a branch, not the root.
• Apriest represented the people before God through sacrifice, worship, and teaching.
• A prophet represented God before the people by proclaiming His revealed message. “This is what God says.”

• Romans 12:2 Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
• Hebrews 4.12 For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.
• To understand any book of the Bible, begin with this fact: God wrote it; it’s perfect, without error, and eternal.
• A strong concern runs through the Twelve Minor Prophets. It’s the importance of aligning inner reality with outward behavior.
• James 2:18 Now someone may argue, “Some people have faith; others have good deeds.” But I say, “How can you show me your faith if you don’t have good deeds? I will show you my faith by my good deeds.”
• Amos 5:21-24 “I hate all your show and pretense—the hypocrisy of your religious festivals and solemn assemblies. 22 I will not accept your burnt offerings and grain offerings. I won’t even notice all your choice peace offerings. 23 Away with your noisy hymns of praise! I will not listen to the music of your harps. 24 Instead, I want to see a mighty flood of justice, an endless river of righteous living.
• God says to stop the show, stop your attempted worship, and get your heart right.
• What is God looking for? Amos 5:24 Instead, I want to see a mighty flood of justice, an endless river of righteous living.
• People in the Bible and people today share this common trait. We love our own way, which can lead us to make up our own beliefs contrary to our CREATOR.
•  A true prophet cared more about the Word of the Living God than about human words or opinions.

• Although the prophets express a wide range of differences, they all point to God’s words, wisdom, and ways.
• Reject God and face the consequences.
• The 12 prophets offer a unique and cohesive perspective on how the Lord accomplishes His purposes through both judgment and salvation.
• Prophets were God’s prosecuting attorneys, bringing one indictment after another. They held the people accountable to the Mosaic law.
• The prophets of God were sent by God to the people of God with this three-word message: RETURN TO ME

Merciful God,

I acknowledge that I am a sinner and cannot save myself. I repent of my sin and ask You to forgive me. I believe that Jesus bled, suffered, and died on the cross for my sins, and that You raised Him from the dead. Today, I place my faith in Jesus alone—not in good works or a religion, but in a relationship.

Jesus, I confess You as my Lord and Savior. Please forgive me. I surrender my life to You and ask You to help me follow and obey You from this day forward. Thank You for Your mercy, Your grace, and the gift of eternal life.

In Jesus’ name, amen.

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