Introduction

We conclude our study by examining four prophets ministering during the post-exilic period of Persian rule. In Haggai, God rebukes the remnant's spiritual apathy, reminding them that covenant obedience will bring covenant blessing. Zechariah uses a series of visions and oracles to assure God's people of their future restoration, rescued from their enemies and redeemed from their sin. In Joel, a recent locust plague prompts God's warning that His people must repent to escape His retribution and participate in His restoration. Finally, with his unique form of disputation and exhortation, Malachi urges the remnant toward covenant faithfulness, obeying God and waiting for His coming.

 Readings

The Bible: Haggai (review), Joel, Zechariah, and Malachi.

Fuhr and Yates, The Message of the Twelve, pp. 89-109, 253-268, 269-301, and 303-325.

Course Notes, pp. 18-20.

 Optional Readings

Chisholm, Robert B., Jr. "Does God Change His Mind?" Bibliotheca Sacra 152 (1995): 387-99.

Boda, Mark J. "Terrifying the Horns: Persia and Babylon in Zechariah." Catholic Biblical Quarterly 67 (2005): 22-41.

 Guiding Questions

As you read, consider the following questions:

• What historical circumstance prompted Haggai's message, and how does the prophet connect the present to the future?
• What are the three main sections of Zechariah, and which two characteristics of a biblical prophet are chiefly reflected?
• What historical circumstance prompted Joel's message, and how did this key event shape the prophet's message, both for the present and the future?
• How is Malachi's literary form unique, and for what sins does God's prophet rebuke the people?

 Lectures

Haggai

• The Haggai lecture/PPT won't be available until the due date passes for Assignment 7b: Synthetic Chart.

Joel

• Lecture 27 | PPT 27 | Audio 27

Zechariah

• Lecture 28 | PPT 28 | Audio 28
• Lecture 29 | PPT 29 | Audio 29

Malachi

• Lecture 30 | PPT 30 | Audio 30

 Suggested Work Order

Below is a step-by-step guide for what to do when during this unit. Note that while the lectures and readings are described in detail above, assignments have their own pages.

Key:

• MP = Message of the Prophets (Hays)
• MT = Message of the Twelve (Fuhr and Yates)