The Book of the Twelve (or “Minor Prophets” as we know it) consist of twelve prophets raised up in times of disobedience and dissonance among God’s people. Their messages were delivered over more than three centuries, from approximately 780 to 420 BC. During this time God’s people were divided into northern (Israel) and southern (Judah) kingdoms. The people of God would face opposition internally and particularly externally, from the likes of the Assyrians, Babylonians and Persians. In fact, two major historical events occur during this period: the Assyrian conquest of Israel culminating in 722 BC and the Babylonian destruction of Judah in 586 BC.

What Paul said to Timothy is no less true of the Book of the Twelve: “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

As prophetic books they exhibit all the characteristics of the other prophets (known as Major Prophets). While their messages exposed disobedience and called the people of God (and others) to repent, a goal of the prophets was to comfort God’s people.  More than that, their primary goal is to make the Israelites (and us) uncomfortable with lives lived outside the will of God.

From April 12th through the end of June we’ll be covering one of the twelve each week. To supplement your understanding, we’ve created a simple reading plan for you to ‘go deeper’ each week. You can do this on your own, in your Life Group, or with some friends and family.

What a gift we have in this book - the Bible! While it wasn’t written to us, or in this generation, or even in our culture… it was written for you and I. And every book within it, every chapter, every line - even every word! - is inspired by God for you and I - that we could be complete, equipped for every good work.