Lifespan

Uncertain.

Ministry

Jonah was called by God to call to repentance the inhabitants of Nineveh. Some scholars place Jonah’s ministry in the mid-eighth century B.C., others suggest it was closer to the middle of the sixth century, during or after the Babylonian exile.

Preparation and Calling

Little is known about how Jonah was prepared, but his calling is certainly memorable. When God called Jonah to cry repentance to Nineveh, Jonah ran. Other prophets have been hesitant to accept the Lord’s call (for example, Enoch, Moses, Amos, and Jeremiah), but none except Jonah ran to the farthest regions of the known world. After his experience with the fish, Jonah repented and eventually fulfilled his calling.

Interaction with God

Jonah’s relationship with God perhaps is easier for the common man to identify with than for his peers of chosen prophets. Jonah heard and understood the voice of the Lord, but did not want to heed it because he knew doing so would mean giving up some feelings that he just wasn’t ready to give up yet. He tried running, but God found a way to bring him back. Begrudgingly, he saw that God was more powerful than he and would not give up on him, so he eventually did His errand. And then he pouted when God’s will was done rather than his own.

Social Situation

Regardless of the time period in which the book of Jonah is set, Assyria or the later Babylonian dynasty was the enemy-and a significant one at that. To call to repentance the inhabitants of one of the enemy’s largest cities was distasteful at best, for doing so would be to require God’s chosen people to forgive them their atrocities. Hence, Jonah’s call to bring Nineveh to repentance implied that God was the God not only of Israel but also of all people in the world. At this time when each local culture had its own god or gods and defended them fiercely, this was a challenging doctrine for even the most faithful.

Key Teachings

Only one verse of the book of Jonah contains his prophesying (Jonah 3:4), but the teachings are in the story rather than Jonah’s writings or sayings. God is all powerful, and He is indeed the God of all peoples. His love and mercy extends over the enemies of His people as well as His chosen ones.

Prophecies of Christ

“Thou brought up my life from corruption, O Lord my God” (Jonah 2:6).

Living with the Prophet

Jonah’s story is one of the best-known of the Old Testament. When he was in the belly of the fish and thought he would die, his thoughts turned to God, and he prayed. God heard his prayer, and Jonah was saved. Listen well to this part of Jonah’s story, for it testifies that you can never be so far removed from God that He cannot hear your sincere prayers. Think of a time when you have felt that God has answered your prayers, and feel again the comfort that you felt then.

Sources

The Learning Bible, the book of Jonah

Holy Bible, the book of Jonah

Oxford Companion to the Bible, s.v. “Jonah, the Book of”

Lifespan

Uncertain, but he may have lived as early as the reign of Joash (before 850 B.C.) or as late as the return of Judah from Babylonian captivity and the restoration of Jerusalum in mid-400 B.C. (some scholars even push the date for Joel to 300 B.C.).

Ministry

Joel’s ministry took place in the land of Judah, the southern kingdom.

Preparation and Calling

Unknown

Interaction with God

Joel’s connection with God is most evident in his prophecies. Little else is known about how he communicated with the Lord.

Social Situation

Because of the difficulty in placing Joel’s writing in a particular time period, it is also difficult to determine what the social and political issues of the day were.

Key Teachings

Joel essentially teaches that Judah and Jerusalem will be restored and Israel will triumph over its enemies.

Living with the Prophet

Joel taught that God said to him: “I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions” (Joel 2:28). Sometimes people have closed minds about whom God can touch with His Spirit. Joel taught here that all people, both old and young, can receive messages from their loving Heavenly Father. How can you prepare yourself to both hear God’s message for you personally, and to recognize it when it comes to others?

Sources

Holy Bible, the book of Joel

Learning Bible, book of Joel

Lifespan

Jeremiah lived at the time of the turn of the sixth century B.C.

Ministry

Jeremiah’s ministry lasted in Judah for 40 years, from the thirteenth year of the reign of Josiah  in 627 B.C. until 586 B.C.

Preparation and Calling

Jeremiah was ordained in his premortal existence to become a prophet (Jeremiah 1:4-5).

Interaction with God

Jeremiah’s principle recorded interactions with Deity seem to come in the form of his prophecies. The book does contain several instances in which Jeremiah bares his soul as he questions the effectiveness of his work, however, that may have a parallel to the laments of Nephi, the son of one of Jeremiah’s contemporaries (Jeremiah 11-12; 15; 17; 18; 20; 2 Nephi 4).

Social Situation

The people were in a severe downward moral slide, and Jeremiah rose up to combat the trend from his role as prophet-relentless in his warnings against the idolatry and immorality that was rampant in Judah (Jeremiah 3:1-5; 7:8-10).

Key Teachings

From Jeremiah we have a witness of man’s premortal existence, the gathering of Israel one and two at a time, and a prophecy of the Lord’s missionaries going out into the world as fishers and hunters of men.

Jeremiah’s ministry paralleled that of other local prophets, such as Lehi. Some of Jeremiah’s prophecies were contained in the brass plates, and he is quoted in the nearly contemporary but nonbiblical records of 1 Nephi and again later in the book of Helaman.

Prophecies of Christ

“Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth” (Jer. 23:5).

Living with the Prophet

Have you ever done something right and found that others made fun of you-or worse-because of your good actions? The Prophet Jeremiah understood what it felt like to be rejected for standing up for God and His message. He was beaten, thrown in jail, and even left in a well to die-all for delivering what he felt was God’s message to His people. Resolve today that you will be willing to stand as a witness for God in all places, despite the consequences.

Sources

Learning Bible

Holy Bible, book of Jeremiah

Oxford Companion to the Bible, s.v. “Jeremiah, the Book of”

Encyclopedia of Religion, s.v. “Jeremiah”

Lifespan

Unknown (approximately 2000 B.C.?)

Ministry

Jacob is a pastoral man who spent most of his life in Canaan, except for 14 years working in Mesopotamia in order to win Rachel as wife, and some time in Egypt towards the end of his life when his son Joseph brings the family down to avoid starvation. The time frame is quite uncertain, but many scholars estimate in the vicinity of 2000 B.C.

Preparation and Calling

Jacob’s early years in preparation for serving as a patriarch and high priest present him in a double light. Yes, he is the younger of two twins, but he tricks Esau, his older brother, into giving him his birthright, and then tricks his father into giving him the birthright blessing. The Bible does not seem to condemn these actions, however, and attribute to Jacob the greater righteousness. After getting married and returning home to Canaan, Jacob has an experience which is described as “wrestling” with an angel. At this occasion, he receives the new name of Israel and gains special favor with God.

Interaction with God

Aside from gaining blessings through trickery, little is said about Jacob’s interaction with God until he wrestles with God Himself (Genesis 32). This is obviously a sacred theophany that changes Jacob’s life forever. Unfortunately, little is known of Jacob for the rest of his life, except as he appears in stories about his children.

Social Situation

Jacob is the younger twin to his brother Esau, sons of Isaac and Rebekah. He and his brother were rivals from birth, and this rivalry makes its way throughout the biblical record of his life. He tricked his brother into giving him his birthright and his father into giving him the blessing that should rightfully have gone to his brother Esau as the firstborn. Eventually, he and Esau do become reconciled with each other.

Jacob is also a righteous leader, and God himself gives him the new name of Israel after “wrestling” with the Lord at Penuel. His search for and ultimate marriage to Rachel, for which he himself was tricked into fourteen years of service, is one of the great love stories of the Old Testament. He fathered twelve sons, who became in turn the heads of the twelve tribes of Israel. Most of the scriptural record of his later years deals with him only as he appears in stories of his children.

Key Teachings

Jacob’s life is hallmarked by a firm commitment to do whatever the Lord asked of him. He is also possessed of a quick mind, which he uses sometimes to “bend the rules” a bit to obtain righteous ends.

Living with the Prophet

One of Jacob’s most obvious legacies that he left was as the father of twelve sons. These sons became significant leaders in the history of Israel. It is often within the walls of our own homes that the greatest battles are won, for the family provides the best situation for living God’s teachings. How can you make a difference to the members of your own family?

Prophecies of Christ

“The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come” (Gen. 49:10).

“Joseph is a fruitful bough . . . (from thence is the shepherd, the stone of Israel:)” (Gen. 49:22, 24).

Sources

Oxford Companion to the Bible, s.v. “Jacob”

Encyclopedia of Religion, s.v. “Jacob”

Holy Bible, book of Genesis

Lifespan

7??-701 B.C.

Ministry

For forty years Isaiah served as a prophet in Jerusalem (740-701 B.C.). He was chief adviser to King Hezekiah and had significant influence on the national religious and political scene.

Preparation and Calling

Although little is known about Isaiah’s preparation, his calling is recorded in dramatic fashion. Isaiah 6 chronicles the vision that Isaiah had, in which he was lifted up into heaven. Here he saw angels, confessed his sins, went through a symbolic cleansing, and saw and heard the Lord, who called him to “Go, and tell this people” a message of repentance.

Interaction with God

Isaiah is known for his gift of seeing and poetically describing multiple future eras simultaneously. But in addition to the gift of prophecy, through which Isaiah hears the voice of God speaking to him, he also has visions (including seeing and conversing with God Himself) and writes inspired verse.

Social Situation

Two major social situations are addressed in Isaiah: the first, covering chapters 1-39, focuses on the immorality of the leaders in Jerusalem, while the second, covering chapters 40-66, concentrates on the plight of the exiled Jews in Babylon.

Key Teachings

Isaiah is known for his complex prophecies and their layered meanings. They frequently deal with events of his own day while having meaning also for the First and Second Comings of Jesus Christ. He is the most quoted prophet in all the Bible. Specifically, Jesus, Paul, Peter, and John all quote Isaiah more than any other Old Testament prophet.

Despite the fact that he is quoted so often, his writings can be difficult to understand. Isaiah seems to have been well educated, and his writing style involves a great deal of symbolism. The text is dense and packed with layered interpretations.

Key concepts that Isaiah weaves throughout his writings include holiness, peace, justice, righteousness, salvation, and faith in the coming Messiah, the notion of becoming holy or being holy having perhaps the highest frequency. Many of his prophecies focus on the Savior, with layered images addressing both His first and second coming. Isaiah’s testimony of the Redeemer of all is undeviating.

Modern sacred texts continue this emphasis, as the Book of Mormon and the Doctrine and Covenants both refer to Isaiah more than any other prophet. These two books also provide helps to the modern reader for improving understanding through diligent study.

Prophecies of Christ

Isaiah’s writings are filled with prophecies of the coming Christ. Here are but a few:

“Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel” (Isa. 7:14).

“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace” (Isa. 9:6).

“I the Lord have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles; to open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of th prison house. I am the Lord: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images” (Isa. 42:6-8).

“I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off my hear: I hid not my face from shame and spitting” (Isa. 50:6).

“For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him. He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he hath borne our griefs, and caried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the inquity of us all” (Isa. 53:2-6).

Living with the Prophet

Isaiah was well educated, highly literate, and firmly devout in his belief in God. Some people feel that as they become better educated, their belief in God wanes. Have you ever been challenged by intellectual issues that have complicated your belief in God? How can you use your mind to support your belief in God?

Sources

Oxford Companion to the Bible, s.v. “Isaiah, the Book of”

Encyclopedia of Religion, s.v. “Isaiah”

The Learning Bible, the book of Isaiah

Holy Bible, the book of Isaiah

Encyclopedia of Mormonism, s.v. “Isaiah”

Isaac

Lifespan

Uncertain (approximately 2000 B.C.?).

Ministry

We know little about Isaac’s adulthood, but he seems to have been a peaceful, family-oriented shepherd.

Preparation and Calling

The “miracle” child of Abraham and Sarah born to them after they had well passed their childbearing years, Isaac later became the father of Esau and Jacob. The most famous story surrounding Isaac, aside from his birth, concerns a commandment that his father, Abraham, received to sacrifice this promised son when he was apparently still in his youth. After Isaac helped gather the wood for the sacrifice, just as Abraham was preparing to take his son’s life, the Lord provided a ram in a nearby thicket as a substitute sacrifice, and an angel declared Abraham’s obedience sufficient for the test of faith that the Lord had given him.

Interaction with God

Little is know of Isaac’s adult life and ministry. He seems to be a faithful, pastoral man, content to lead his family and provide for them.

Social Situation

Isaac’s life seems to center on rearing his family and attending to local matters more than rising to any sort of national prominence on the political or religious scenes.

Key Teachings

Though Isaac serves a key role in the history of the development of the house of Israel, the scriptures record little of Isaac’s actions or teachings.

Living with the Prophet

Much is made of Abraham being asked to sacrifice Isaac, his son. Not much is known of Isaac and his life, but he seemed to trust his father totally. When our parents or others we respect ask difficult things of us, how do we react?

Sources

Oxford Companion to the Bible, s.v. “Isaac”

Encyclopedia of Religion, s.v. “Isaac”

Holy Bible, the book of Genesis

Lifespan

7??-ca. 740 B.C.

Ministry

Eighth century B.C. (the latter part of Jeroboam II’s reign). Hosea was the only northern kingdom prophet who left written prophecies that became part of an Old Testament book. Hosea preceded Isaiah by only a few years.

Preparation and Calling

Unknown

Interaction with God

Hosea seeks and receives revelation from God about his personal life and his prophetic ministry, and they are closely connected. His story is complex and passionate, and so is his relationship with God. But in all things, Hosea is obedient and seeks forgiving above retribution, for he seems to have learned through his experience with God’s instruction that kindness and grace are more powerful than judgment.

Social Situation

Israel is surrounded by two powerful nations, Assyria and Egypt. As a small border country, Israel attempts to survive by negotiation and by playing off one powerhouse against the other. Furthermore, the spiritual foundation of the country is being challenged by the more sensual and earthy Baal worship of local fertility cults. Hosea’s message is that if the people (and their leaders) will just remain true to their God, all will be well. By “prostituting” themselves for political reasons, they reject the one force that can preserve them: their bridegroom, even the great Jehovah.

Key Teachings

Hosea’s principal teachings dealt with the love of God that God has for his people.

Hosea’s writings are in some ways unusual. In them he records God’s commandment to him to marry the adultrous Gomer. They have three children together, who are not unlike their mother. His family relationships form a close allegory to what is going on in the nation, for the people reject God, attempt to repent, fall into Baal worship, and yet God loves His family (Israel) nonetheless, even as Hosea loves his unfaithful wife and children.

Prophecies of Christ

“When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt” (Hosea 11:1).

“I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death: O death, I will be thy plagues; O grave, I will be thy destruction” (Hosea 13:14).

Living with the Prophet

Hosea’s story includes the story of his marriage to a wife who was at times unfaithful to him. Despite her unfaithfulness to him, he loved her. Sometimes those who are close to us do things that may hurt us. How will we react to that? Will we return the hurt, or will we react in a more Christlike way? If you have been hurt by someone you love, resolve to invite God into your heart in determining how you will react to that hurt.

Sources

Oxford Companion to the Bible, s.v. “Hosea, the Book of”

Holy Bible, the book of Hosea

Lifespan

Uncertain beyond 520 B.C.

Ministry

Haggai’s recorded ministry covers only three months (in 520 B.C.) and occurs shortly after Israel’s return from the Babylonian exile. Nothing is known about Haggai either before or after his approximately 90-day recorded ministry. He was an approximate contemporary of Zechariah.

Preparation and Calling

Unknown

Interaction with God

Haggai had a brief ministry in which he encouraged and challenged the recently returned exiles from Babylon to rebuild the temple. His vew was positive and promising, and he prophesied of the value that the temple would have to the community’s spiritual and, perhaps more important to the struggling Judeans, economic prosperity.

Social Situation

The Jewish exiles had recently returned from Babylonian captivity. They were very much in a pioneer mode, rebuilding, planting, struggling with few resources and no established means to turn to. They suffered repeated droughts and failed crops. They were poor, hungry, and struggling to rebuild the glory of yesteryear. And in the center of it all was God’s command to rebuild the temple. The people complained that they did not have the resources, either personally or communally. Haggai responded that they did not have resources because they weren’t faithful in building the temple.

The situation is fascinatingly similar to the beginnings of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the mid-1800s in frontier America. Mormon pioneers suffered failed crops, bitter winters, and poverty, yet their prophet called for the construction of a temple in which God’s spirit could be manifest and where the people could properly worship Him. In response to the people’s questions, the prophet pointed to scriptural promises of the Messiah’s reign among His people. Even as Haggai is compared to a second Moses bringing his people out of exile, so was the modern prophet Brigham Young often called “an American Moses.”

Key Teachings

The book of Haggai contains only two chapters, both of which center on the temple. The first chapter is a challenge to the people to pursue the rebuilding the temple, and the second assures the people that the temple will be restored to a glory exceeding its former state.

Living with the Prophet

When God commanded Haggai’s people to rebuild the temple, they felt they did not have enough money to do so. They did not have the faith to take care of God’s commands first. Do you spend your money on self-satisfying computer games and entertainment, or are you actively committed to supporting God’s cause first? True wealth is not founded on a self-serving accumulation of goods and money.

Sources

Oxford Companion to the Bible, s.v. “Haggai, the Book of”

Holy Bible, the book of Haggai

Lifespan

Exact dates are uncertain, but scholars estimate that he wrote his book between 609-598 B.C.

Ministry

Little is known about the prophet Habakkuk. His ministry took place in Judah in approximately 600 B.C., although exact dates and ranges cannot be fixed. He was a contemporary of Jeremiah and Ezekiel.

Preparation and Calling

Unknown

Interaction with God

Interestingly, the book of Habakkuk is addressed to God rather than being written as a history of God’s dealings with His children. As a result, we see Habakkuk complaining to God about the challenges of life, and we then get to read His answer. The prophet complains again, and God answers again. Finally, Habakkuk writes a powerful song of faith in God, expressing his belief that all will be well in the end.

Scome scholars have noted with interest that the insights gained in reading of Habakkuk’s struggles to understand God’s purposes in letting His people suffer have strong parallels to the writings of the modern prophet Joseph Smith as the fledgling Mormon church was being driven from community to community while Joseph himself was being held captive in deplorable conditions in a Missouri jail (Doctrine and Covenants 121-123).

Social Situation

The Babylonian armies were on their way to overwhelm and bring away Judah into captivity. The Judeans were of course fearful and questioning God about what would happen and why. The book of Habakkuk is insightful because it captures a central question of religion in general: what is God’s purpose or intent with me, and what am I to do?

Key Teachings

His central message was that regardless of what might happen, happiness and joy can be obtained through faithfulness to God.

Prophecies of Christ

“Thou wentest forth for the salvation of thy people, even for salvation with thine anointed” (Hab. 3:13).

Living with the Prophet

The book of Habakkuk is unusual in that it is addressed to God rather than being a historical narrative of a series of events. He complains to God about his challenges, and God responds. He complains again, and again God responds. Does this sound familiar relative to your own relationship to God? Resolve to follow Habakkuk’s example of coming to a strong faith in God that all will be well in the end-and quit complaining to God about your problems. He is aware of everything you experience and will ensure that you receive the challenges and successes you need to grow. Have faith in that, and be grateful for a God who cares!

Sources

Oxford Companion to the Bible, s.v. “Habakkuk, the Book of”

Book of Doctrine and Covenants

Lifespan

During the early sixth century B.C., probably in the vicinity of 620-570 B.C.

Ministry

A prophet of priestly lineage, Ezekiel received his calling while in Babylonian deportation at approximately 593 B.C. He prophesied for 22 years. Ezekiel’s wife died while they were in exile.

Preparation and Calling

Ezekiel came from a priestly heritage. He seems to have received a good education and proved himself wise, for he was consulted by the Jewish leaders and writes as a man of significant learning.

Interaction with God

Ezekiel received many revelations and had a firm belief in the restoration of Israel and the temple.

Social Situation

Ezekiel was among the vast numbers of Judeans who were deported to Babylon at the beginning of the sixth century B.C. As such they were subjected to living among people who did not worship nor believe as they did. His people (the Jews) longed for their homeland and their temple, and they saw the exile as a heavy burden. Nonetheless, they did not always choose to obey their God. Like children, they longed for what they could not have, but did not choose wisely among the options that they did have.

Key Teachings

Ezekiel taught firmly individual responsibility (Ezekiel 18). Regardless of circumstance, whether in captivity or freedom, each person was to choose his behavior. He was not always optimistic that the people would choose correctly, but he taught clearly of their responsibility to do so.

He also taught that God would be faithful and show boundless grace to those who chose to follow Him. God was holy and devoted to His chosen people.

His vision of the valley of dry bones (Ezekiel 37) provides a clear testimony of the resurrection.

Prophecies of Christ

“Thus said the Lord God; Behold, O my people, I will open your graves, and cause you to come up out of your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel” (Ezek. 37:12).

Living with the Prophet

In chapter 18 of his book, Ezekiel teaches that we are each responsible for our actions. We are not responsible for our ancestors’ sins, nor must we be punished for our children’s decisions. Each person must stand up and be accountable for his choices and behavior. Neither family nor society nor God Himself forces you to choose evil! In what areas of your life can you assume greater responsibility? How can you invite God into your life to help you from blaming others for your actions?

Sources:

Oxford Companion to the Bible, s.v. “Ezekiel, the Book of”

Holy Bible, book of Ezekiel