The Prophetical Books
The Major Prophets
Isaiah
Prophecies against Jerusalem; a forecast of Messianic days; the relation of the Jewish nation to its enemies; the disappearance of national distinctions, and the great future of the church.
Jeremiah
Warnings to the Jews; a survey of all nations; a promise of return from exile; prophecies regarding Egypt.
Lamentations
A pathetic ode, expressing Jeremiah's grief over the destruction of Jerusalem and its Temple, and the miseries of slavery and famine.
Ezekiel
Prophecies before and after the destruction of Jerusalem, exhorting to repentance; pronouncing God's judgment on the surrounding nations; and visions of the final glory of God's people in a new Jerusalem.
Daniel
The story of Daniel in Babylon, and particularly noteworthy because of its Messianic predictions.
The Minor Prophets
Hosea
Points out the unfaithfulness of Israel; the necessity for punishment; the final restoration of Israel.
Joel
A prophetical description of locusts, drought, and invasion, with exhortation to fasting, prayer, and repentance; a promise of blessing; a warning of the destruction of Jerusalem; a foretelling of the founding of Messiah's Kingdom.
Amos
Denounces sins of nations around Israel and Judah; describes the state of the two kingdoms, and pictures the coming of the Messiah and restoration of the people.
Obadiah
Predicts annihilation of Edom, and contrasts it with the future restoration of Israel, who are to possess Edom and Philistia, and enjoy the promises of the Messiah.
Jonah
The story of Jonah's mission to the Ninevites, his wilfulness, and God's love for the nations.
Micah
Depicts the fall of Israel and Judah; the better things to come; foretells invasions of Sennacherib and Shalmaneser, the dispersion of Israel, destruction of Jerusalem and Assyria, and the birthplace and kingdom of Christ.
Nahum
A consoler from Jehovah, foretelling the downfall of Assyria, and repeating Jonah's denunciations of Assyria.
Habakkuk
Foretells destruction of the Chaldeans; utters song of praise for the power and mercy of Jehovah, with confidence in his mercy on his people.
Zephaniah
Prophetic warnings against Judah, and the Baal and Moloch worship, ending with reproofs to Jerusalem, and promise of final restoration.
Haggai
An arousement of the people to support Zerubbabel and Joshua (the high priest) in building the Temple.
Zechariah
Encourages the Jews to push on in building the Temple; foreshadows national history and the coming of the Messiah.
Malachi
Reproves the profanation of the priests in the New Temple, and foretells the appearance of the Messiah to purify the Temple.