Prophets
107 study questions and answers, quoted from the Revised Version (1885/1895).
What distinguishes the Major from the Minor Prophets?
Length only — Isaiah through Daniel are longer books, not more important ones.
Isa-Mal
What did Isaiah see in the year King Uzziah died?
The Lord high and lifted up, with seraphim crying "Holy, holy, holy."
Isa 6:1-3
How did Isaiah respond to that vision, and how was he cleansed?
"Woe is me! for I am undone" — then a live coal from the altar touched his lips.
Isa 6:5-7
What names does Isaiah 9 give the promised child?
Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
Isa 9:6
What comes forth from the stem of Jesse?
A rod and a Branch, on whom the Spirit of the LORD shall rest.
Isa 11:1-2
What are the four "Servant Songs" of Isaiah?
Isaiah 42, 49, 50 and 52:13-53:12 — portraits of the LORD's suffering, obedient Servant.
Isa 42; 49; 50; 53
What does Isaiah 53 say the Servant bore?
Our griefs and sorrows; he was wounded for our transgressions, and with his stripes we are healed.
Isa 53:4-5
What promise does Isaiah 40 give the weary?
They that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength and mount up with wings as eagles.
Isa 40:31
How old was Jeremiah when called, and what was his objection?
A youth — "I cannot speak: for I am a child."
Jer 1:6
When did God say he knew Jeremiah?
Before he formed him in the belly, and sanctified him before birth.
Jer 1:5
Why is Jeremiah called the weeping prophet?
He wept over Judah's obstinacy and the coming destruction of Jerusalem.
Jer 9:1
What did the potter's house teach Jeremiah?
That God as potter may reshape a nation as clay in his hand.
Jer 18:1-6
How long did Jeremiah say the Babylonian exile would last?
Seventy years.
Jer 25:11
What is the New Covenant Jeremiah foretold?
God's law written on the heart, all knowing him, and sins remembered no more.
Jer 31:31-34
What great affirmation stands at the centre of Lamentations?
"His compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness."
Lam 3:22-23
What did Ezekiel see in his opening vision?
The glory of God on a heavenly throne-chariot with four living creatures and wheels within wheels.
Ezek 1
What was Ezekiel called to be, and what did it require?
A watchman to the house of Israel, accountable to warn them.
Ezek 3:17-19
What did the vision of the valley of dry bones signify?
The resurrection and restoration of the whole house of Israel by God's Spirit.
Ezek 37:1-14
What heart transplant does Ezekiel promise?
A new heart and a new spirit — the stony heart removed, a heart of flesh given.
Ezek 36:26
Why did Daniel and his friends refuse the king's food?
Daniel purposed not to defile himself with the king's meat and wine.
Dan 1:8
What did Nebuchadnezzar's statue dream represent?
Four successive kingdoms, struck by a stone cut without hands — God's everlasting kingdom.
Dan 2:31-45
Who appeared with the three Hebrews in the furnace?
A fourth, whose form was "like a son of the gods."
Dan 3:25
What words appeared on Belshazzar's wall, and what did they mean?
MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN — numbered, weighed, and divided.
Dan 5:25-28
How often did Daniel pray, even under the death decree?
Three times a day, toward Jerusalem, with his windows open.
Dan 6:10
Who is the "Son of man" of Daniel 7?
One coming with the clouds of heaven, given everlasting dominion by the Ancient of Days.
Dan 7:13-14
What did God tell Hosea his marriage would picture?
Israel's spiritual adultery, and God's costly, pursuing covenant love.
Hos 1:2; 3:1
What does God desire more than sacrifice, per Hosea?
Mercy, and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.
Hos 6:6
Which prophecy of Joel did Peter cite at Pentecost?
"I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy."
Joel 2:28; Acts 2:16-17
What does Amos demand instead of empty worship?
"Let judgement roll down as waters, and righteousness as a mighty stream."
Amos 5:24
What nation does Obadiah address, and why?
Edom, for its pride and its gloating over Jerusalem's calamity.
Obad 1:3, 12
Why did Jonah flee from God's call?
He knew God was gracious and feared Nineveh would repent and be spared.
Jonah 4:2
Where did Micah say the Messiah would be born?
Bethlehem Ephratah, "whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting."
Mic 5:2; Matt 2:5-6
What does the LORD require of you, according to Micah?
To do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with thy God.
Mic 6:8
What phrase from Habakkuk became a Reformation watchword?
"The just shall live by his faith."
Hab 2:4
How does Habakkuk end?
With a resolve to rejoice in the LORD even if fig tree and flock fail.
Hab 3:17-18
What did Haggai rebuke the returned exiles for?
Living in panelled houses while the house of the LORD lay waste.
Hag 1:4
What word did Zechariah give Zerubbabel?
"Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts."
Zech 4:6
What king does Zechariah 9 foretell?
One coming lowly, riding upon an ass and upon a colt.
Zech 9:9; Matt 21:5
What price of betrayal does Zechariah name?
Thirty pieces of silver, cast to the potter in the house of the LORD.
Zech 11:12-13; Matt 27:9-10
With what promise does the Old Testament close?
The sending of Elijah the prophet before the great and dreadful day of the LORD.
Mal 4:5-6
Which four kings of Judah span Isaiah's ministry?
Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah.
Isa 1:1
What invitation opens Isaiah's argument in chapter 1?
'Come now, and let us reason together... though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow.'
Isa 1:18
What will the nations beat their swords into?
Plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks.
Isa 2:4
What sign was given to Ahaz?
'A virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.'
Isa 7:14
What does Isaiah say about those who wait upon the LORD?
They renew their strength, mount up with wings as eagles, run and not be weary.
Isa 40:31
What does God say about his glory and graven images?
'My glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images.'
Isa 42:8
What does Isaiah 55 say about God's thoughts and ways?
They are higher than ours as the heavens are higher than the earth.
Isa 55:8-9
What does Isaiah say God's word will not do?
It shall not return unto him void, but shall accomplish that which he pleases.
Isa 55:11
Which Isaiah passage did Jesus read at Nazareth?
'The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me... to preach good tidings unto the meek.'
Isa 61:1-2; Luke 4:18-19
How does Isaiah describe our righteousnesses?
'All our righteousnesses are as filthy rags.'
Isa 64:6
What two evils did Judah commit, per Jeremiah?
They forsook the fountain of living waters and hewed out broken cisterns.
Jer 2:13
What does Jeremiah say about the human heart?
'The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?'
Jer 17:9
What did God promise in Jeremiah 29:11-13?
Thoughts of peace and an expected end, and that seeking him with the whole heart would find him.
Jer 29:11-13
What name is given to the righteous Branch?
'THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS' (Jehovah Tsidkenu).
Jer 23:6
Who rescued Jeremiah from the miry dungeon?
Ebed-melech the Ethiopian.
Jer 38:7-13
What is new every morning, per Lamentations?
The LORD's mercies — 'great is thy faithfulness.'
Lam 3:22-23
What did Ezekiel eat, and how did it taste?
A roll of a book; it was in his mouth as honey for sweetness.
Ezek 3:1-3
What departed from the temple in Ezekiel's vision?
The glory of the LORD, moving by stages from the threshold to the mountain east of the city.
Ezek 10-11
What proverb about sour grapes did God forbid?
That the children's teeth are set on edge — 'the soul that sinneth, it shall die.'
Ezek 18:2-4
Who are rebuked as shepherds feeding themselves?
The shepherds of Israel, replaced by God himself as shepherd.
Ezek 34:2-15
What is the closing name of the city in Ezekiel?
'THE LORD IS THERE' (Jehovah Shammah).
Ezek 48:35
What were the Hebrew names of Daniel's three friends?
Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah — renamed Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.
Dan 1:6-7
What was the three friends' answer about deliverance?
'Our God is able to deliver us... but if not, we will not serve thy gods.'
Dan 3:17-18
What humbled Nebuchadnezzar for seven times?
He was driven from men to eat grass as oxen until he acknowledged heaven rules.
Dan 4:32-33
What is the prophecy of the seventy weeks about?
Seventy sevens decreed to finish transgression, make reconciliation, and bring in everlasting righteousness.
Dan 9:24-27
Whom did Hosea marry, and at what cost did he redeem her?
Gomer; he bought her for fifteen pieces of silver and an homer and a half of barley.
Hos 3:2
What do Hosea's children's names mean?
Jezreel ('God scatters'), Lo-ruhamah ('not pitied'), Lo-ammi ('not my people').
Hos 1:4-9
What does Joel call locust years?
'The years that the locust hath eaten,' which God promises to restore.
Joel 2:25
What plumbline vision did Amos see?
A plumbline set in the midst of Israel, measuring the nation for judgment.
Amos 7:7-8
What famine did Amos foretell?
'Not a famine of bread... but of hearing the words of the LORD.'
Amos 8:11
How long was Jonah in the fish, and what did Jesus make of it?
Three days and three nights — the sign of Jonah, pointing to his own burial and rising.
Jonah 1:17; Matt 12:40
What plant sheltered Jonah, and what did God teach by it?
A gourd; God taught Jonah to pity Nineveh's 120,000 as Jonah pitied the plant.
Jonah 4:6-11
What question does Habakkuk open with?
'O LORD, how long shall I cry, and thou wilt not hear!'
Hab 1:2
What does Zephaniah say the LORD does over his people?
'He will joy over thee with singing.'
Zeph 3:17
What did Haggai say the latter house's glory would be?
Greater than the former, and in that place God would give peace.
Hag 2:9
What did Zechariah see in the vision of Joshua the high priest?
Joshua in filthy garments, accused by Satan, then clothed with change of raiment.
Zech 3:1-4
Whom shall they look upon, per Zechariah 12?
'Me whom they have pierced,' and mourn as for an only son.
Zech 12:10
What does Malachi say God hates?
Putting away — treacherous divorce against the wife of one's covenant.
Mal 2:16
What test does Malachi permit concerning tithes?
'Prove me now herewith... if I will not open you the windows of heaven.'
Mal 3:10
What book of remembrance is mentioned in Malachi?
One written before God for them that feared the LORD and thought upon his name.
Mal 3:16
What image does Malachi give the coming Sun of righteousness?
He arises 'with healing in his wings.'
Mal 4:2
What is a prophet's primary function in Israel?
To be a covenant prosecutor, calling Israel back to the Law, not chiefly to predict.
Deut 18:18; Mic 6:1-2
What test did Israel have for a true prophet?
That his word came to pass and that he did not call people to other gods.
Deut 18:22; 13:1-3
What is the 'day of the LORD'?
A coming day of divine intervention, judgment first on the nations and then on Israel herself.
Amos 5:18-20
What is the remnant theme?
That God preserves a faithful minority through judgment.
Isa 10:20-22; Rom 11:5
How does Isaiah describe idolatry's absurdity?
A man burns half a log for warmth and worships the other half as a god.
Isa 44:14-17
What claim does God make in Isaiah 45:5?
'I am the LORD, and there is none else, there is no God beside me.'
Isa 45:5
Who is Cyrus called in Isaiah?
God's anointed — 'his messiah' — though a pagan king who did not know him.
Isa 45:1,4
What does Isaiah 53 say about the Servant's silence?
He opened not his mouth, as a lamb brought to the slaughter.
Isa 53:7
What was Jeremiah's temple sermon?
A warning not to trust the lying words 'the temple of the LORD' as a guarantee of safety.
Jer 7:4
What did Jeremiah advise the exiles to do in Babylon?
Build houses, plant gardens, marry, and seek the peace of the city.
Jer 29:5-7
How does the New Covenant differ from the old, per Jeremiah?
The law will be written on hearts, all shall know the LORD, and sin will be remembered no more.
Jer 31:31-34
What did Jeremiah do to enact hope during the siege?
He bought a field at Anathoth, sealing the deed as a sign of return.
Jer 32:9-15
What does Ezekiel's watchman commission require?
That he warn the wicked, or their blood be required at his hand.
Ezek 3:17-19
What signs did Ezekiel perform with his own body?
Lying on his side for hundreds of days, eating measured rations, and shaving his head and beard.
Ezek 4-5
What restoration does Ezekiel 36 promise?
A new heart and a new spirit, with God's Spirit put within to cause obedience.
Ezek 36:26-27
What is the meaning of Daniel's four kingdoms?
A succession of empires, ended by a kingdom set up by God that shall never be destroyed.
Dan 2:44
What is significant about Daniel's prayer of confession?
He confesses 'we have sinned' though he is among the most blameless figures in Scripture.
Dan 9:5
What did Gabriel tell Daniel about his prayer?
That at the beginning of his supplications the commandment came forth.
Dan 9:23
What does Hosea reveal about God's inner life?
'How shall I give thee up, Ephraim?... mine heart is turned within me.'
Hos 11:8
What is Joel's promise about the Spirit?
That God will pour out his Spirit upon all flesh — sons, daughters, old, young, servants.
Joel 2:28-29
What is Amos' most famous demand?
'Let judgment run down as waters, and righteousness as a mighty stream.'
Amos 5:24
What is Micah's contrast between sacrifice and obedience?
Thousands of rams and rivers of oil are refused; justice, mercy and humility are required.
Mic 6:6-8
How does Habakkuk's argument progress?
From complaint about Judah's sin, to horror at Babylon as the remedy, to worship in the dark.
Hab 1-3
What does Zechariah's night vision of the lampstand teach?
'Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.'
Zech 4:6
How does Zechariah portray the shepherd struck?
'Smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered.'
Zech 13:7
What does Malachi say about the messenger before the Lord?
That he will prepare the way, and the Lord shall suddenly come to his temple.
Mal 3:1