Scripture Catechism: What are the Books of the Old Testament Major Prophets?
Cathecism | Sunday's Sermon
Q8: What books are included in the Old Testament Major Prophets?
A8: Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, Daniel
This section of Scripture is designated “major prophets” not because they are more important that the section known as the “minor prophets,” but because of their size. Isaiah has 66 chapters. Jeremiah is the largest of all books in the OT other than the Psalms, even though it has 52 chapters. Initially, Jeremiah and Lamentations (the latter also written by Jeremiah) were one collection. Ezekiel has 48 chapters.
Daniel is the interesting one in regard to size. Numbering only 12 chapters, it has fewer chapters than the “minor” prophets Hosea and Zechariah, both at 14. Yet, the content of Daniel covers some major topics regarding their interaction with the rulers in Israel’s exile as well as the apocalyptic nature of showing scenarios of the eventual end times.
This section also includes Israel’s exile into captivity—both showing the disobedience that led up to their removal from their Promised Land as well as their life in captivity in Babylon and Persia. Included are some heart-breaking reactions from Isaiah and especially Jeremiah, who has been tagged with the moniker, “The Weeping Prophet,” likely due to the heart-wrenching lines he penned in Lamentations.
But this section is also replete with hope. Yes, the Israelites were in exile. Yes, it was because of their own disobedience and rebellion against God, but also there was hope of their deliverance and how God would bring that deliverance even to the Gentiles. Isaiah 53 is one of the clearest prophecies out of 300 other prophecies of the coming Messiah, Jesus. In Isaiah 6, the high and exalted King that Isaiah saw in the Temple was none other than the pre-Incarnate Jesus who would come 700 years later (see John 12:37-42).
And lest we forget passages like Ezekiel 37 and the Valley of Dry Bones, foreshadowing the new people that God would make as He resurrected them from the dead into a vast army, reminding us that Jesus creates a people who are “dead in their trespasses and sins… but God made alive in Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 2:1, 4).
In fact, the Magi that trekked across the Fertile Crescent when they saw the star while they were “in the east” was known because of the presence of Daniel and his friends (Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednago) who heard of the promises of the coming Messiah. They knew of Numbers 24:17 and followed the promise that star represented. Five hundred years later, they show up in Jerusalem asking where the King of the Jews was located so they would worship him (Matthew 2:1-2).
One last matter
When reading the OT, we as Christian Westerners often struggle because the immediate cultural and spiritual understanding of the accounts and poetry are not immediately perceived. Therefore, whether it is due to a lack of patience or a belief that “Old” means irrelevant, we miss out on much of God’s activity in this historical-redemptive narrative.
The Old Testament is a decidedly Christian book. St. Augustine rightly said, “The Old Testament is the New Testament concealed; and the New Testament is the Old Testament revealed.” The Old Testament is about promises made; the New Testament is about promises kept.
Sunday's Sermon: How Patiently Jesus Teaches His Own (Mark 8:1-21)
You may have sensed this as a parent: “Why don’t they get it?” But then that can also happen as a teacher, a supervisor, pet owner, or, yes, a pastor. You can teach, lead, train, and preach over and over but can get frustrated that it seems to take longer than your internal clock to get someone where they need to be.
If that’s you, let me offer you some perspective. When you’re laying on your pillow at night, when no one is around, no phone or television to distract you--are you learning the lessons that someone is trying to teach you? Are you “getting it”? Or do you keep falling short? No wonder Scripture says, “All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). No wonder Scripture says, “Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord” (Hebrews 12:14). When put against the standard of our holy God, who can stand? He would have every reason to chuck the whole lot of us and say, “I’ve had enough. If you won’t listen to what I’ve said by now, then why should I go on?”
And yet, here is Jesus with His disciples. Similar situation to something that happened earlier (recorded in Mark 6:30-44), Jesus brings them to the same spot with a few differences but enough similarities to where they should have remembered the lessons, but didn’t.
Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, God has been patient with us. He loves you enough to bring you back to the same spot over and over until you quit relying exclusively on your intellect, your strength, your reputation, or anything else you may rely on to get you through. He’ll bring you to the same spot again and again until you say, “Lord, I don’t get it. I’m going to quit fighting and hear what you have to show me.”
