Shepherd's Notes: Jonah/Zephaniah

By Paul Wright

You grew up using the well known black and yellow striped Cliff's Notes to help you grasp everything from great literary works to algebra. Unfortunately, what "Cliff" forgot was the greatest literary work in history: the complete Holy Bible. Enjoy the ease of understanding the Bible like never before, book by book. Shepherd's notes helps reader's learn about the inspired authors of the Bible books and when and where they were first penned. Each Bible book is revealed in simple understandable steps that outline and underscore the focal points and personalities of the biblical text. You'll look to these unique books for their use in Bible studies, teaching, personal devotions and even in sermon preparation! Christian and home schools will find Shepherd's Notes an invaluable resource.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BH Publishing Group
• Release date: Jul 1, 1999
• ISBN: 9781433672323

Paul Wright

Since 1998 I have written many non-fiction print books for other publishers including subjects as varied as military vehicles and coachbuilders, but my specialist subject is the history of the London taxi. After self-publishing a ninth title through my company, Earlswood Press I then took the work of other authors, and published another of my own print books under this imprint. I have ceased to publish the works of other authors and now publish my own work exclusively. I'm married to Karen, and together we enjoy social dancing, walking, swimming and travel

Book preview

Shepherd's Notes Titles Available

SHEPHERD'S NOTES COMMENTARY SERIES

Old Testament

New Testament

SHEPHERD'S NOTES CHRISTIAN CLASSICS

SHEPHERD'S NOTES —BIBLE SUMMARY SERIES

CONTENTS

Foreword

How to Use This Book

Introduction

The Book of Jonah

The Book of Micah

The Book of Nahum

The Book of Habakkuk

The Book of Zephaniah

List of Reference Sources Used

FOREWORD

Dear Reader:

Shepherd's Notes are designed to give you a quick, step-by-step overview of every book of the Bible. They are not meant to be substitutes for the biblical text; rather, they are study guides intended to help you explore the wisdom of Scripture in personal or group study and to apply that wisdom successfully in your own life.

Shepherd's Notes guide you through the main themes of each book of the Bible and illuminate fascinating details through appropriate commentary and reference notes. Historical and cultural background information brings the Bible into sharper focus.

Six different icons, used throughout the series, call your attention to historical-cultural information, Old Testament and New Testament references, word pictures, unit summaries, and personal application for everyday life.

Whether you are a novice or a veteran at Bible study, I believe you will find Shepherd's Notes a resource that will take you to a new level in your mining and applying the riches of Scripture.

In Him,

David R. Shepherd

Editor-in-Chief

HOW TO USE THIS BOOK

DESIGNED FOR THE BUSY USER

Shepherd's Notes for Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, and Zephaniah is designed to provide an easy-to-use tool for getting a quick handle on these significant Bible books’ important features, and for gaining an understanding of their messages. Information available in more difficult-to-use reference works has been incorporated into the Shepherd's Notes format. This brings you the benefits of many advanced and expensive works packed into one small volume.

Shepherd's Notes are for laymen, pastors, teachers, small-group leaders and participants, as well as the classroom student. Enrich your personal study or quiet time. Shorten your class or small-group preparation time as you gain valuable insights into the truths of God's Word that you can pass along to your students or group members.

DESIGNED FOR QUICK ACCESS

Bible students with time constraints will especially appreciate the timesaving features built into the Shepherd's Notes. All features are intended to aid a quick and concise encounter with the heart of the messages of Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, and Zephaniah.

Concise Commentary. Short sections provide quick snapshots of the themes of these books.

Outlined Text. Comprehensive outlines cover the entire text of Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, and Zephaniah. This is a valuable feature for following each book's flow, allowing for a quick, easy way to locate a particular passage.

Shepherd's Notes. These summary statements or capsule thoughts appear at the close of every key section of the narratives. While functioning in part as a quick summary, they also deliver the essence of the message presented in the sections which they cover.

Icons. Various icons in the margin highlight recurring themes in Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, and Zephaniah, aiding in selective searching or tracing of those themes.

Questions to Guide Your Study. These thought-provoking questions and discussion starters are designed to encourage interaction with the truth and principles of God's Word.

DESIGNED TO WORK FOR YOU

Personal Study. Using the Shepherd's Notes with a passage of Scripture can enlighten your study and take it to a new level. At your fingertips is information that would require searching several volumes to find. In addition, many points of application occur throughout the volume, contributing to personal growth.

Teaching. Capsule thoughts designated as Shepherd's Notes provide summary statements for presenting the essence of key points and events. Application icons point out personal application of the messages of the books. Historical Context icons indicate where cultural and historical background information is supplied.

Group Study. Shepherd's Notes can be an excellent companion volume to use for gaining a quick but accurate understanding of the messages of these prophetic books. Each group member can benefit from having his or her own copy. The Note's format accommodates the study of themes throughout Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, and Zephaniah. Leaders may use its flexible features to prepare for group sessions or use them during group sessions. Questions to guide your study can spark discussion of these prophets and their truths to be discovered in these books.

LIST OF MARGIN ICONS USED IN JONAH, MICAH,

NAHUM, HABAKKUK, AND ZEPHANIAH

INTRODUCTION

Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, and Zephaniah are five of twelve books in the Old Testament commonly known as the Minor Prophets. The term Minor Prophets is a bit of a misnomer, for neither these books nor the prophets who wrote them should be thought of in any way as minor or unimportant to the biblical story. Rather, although short in length, the messages of these prophets are a vital link in the chain of God's ongoing communication with His people.

The biblical prophets were God's spokespersons. Their job was to say exactly what God wanted to say to Israel. Their goal was to change human behavior. In order to do so, the prophets spoke about the past, the present, and the future. They sought to make God's standards for human life so relevant to the turbulent times in which they ministered that their listeners would respond and change the ways they lived. In many ways, the biblical prophets are like today's preachers, for they, too, seek to exhort God's people to live rightly.

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Prophet

The Hebrew word which is most often translated in the Old Testament by the English word prophet probably meant either one who is called or one who calls. Both of these ideas are illustrated in the Bible's portrayal of the prophets. The prophets were persons who were called by God, and they typically responded by calling out to the people of Israel on God's behalf (e.g., Jer. 1:4-2:2).

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AUTHORSHIP

Most conservative Christian and Jewish scholars hold that the men who wrote the books of the Minor Prophets were the same individuals whose names appear as the titles of the books. This is a reasonable position to hold even though the books do not explicitly state who their authors were.

The minor prophets first delivered their messages orally, as proclamations or sermons (cp. Amos 7:15; Jon. 3:4, Mic. 1:2). Eventually they saw to it that their messages were preserved in writing (e.g., Isa. 30:8; Jer. 29:1, 29; 30:1-2; 36:1-2, 32; Hab. 2:2). Exactly how and when this took place is difficult to say. While many questions remain, it is clear that the overall process was directed by the Holy Spirit (2 Tim. 3:16).

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All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works (2 Tim. 3:16-17, KJV).

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It is also difficult to say very much about the lives of the minor prophets. Only four of them are mentioned elsewhere in the Old Testament: Jonah (2 Kings 14:25; cp. Matt. 12:39-41; 16:1-4; Luke 11:29-32), Micah