Encountering the Old Testament, 3rd Edition
A Christian Survey
series: Encountering Biblical Studies
Materials available for professors by request only
Chapter
33. Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, and Zephaniah: God's Plan for the Nations
Discussion Questions
- How effective was Obadiah in accomplishing his purpose in Edom?
- What examples can you cite in which someone has disobeyed God and gone to “Tarshish” instead of going to God’s “Nineveh”?
- How much is a prophet like Micah needed today?
- How would a message like Nahum’s be received today?
- How much do Christians today get confused and struggle with God’s purpose in their lives? What examples can you give?
- Did the message of hope with which Zephaniah closed his book affect the judgment he prophesied through most of the book of Zephaniah?
Class Activities
- Have the story of Jonah read aloud with emphasis on its dramatic elements.
- Divide the class into six groups. Assign one of the prophets—Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, and Zephaniah—to each group. Ask the group to identify the key characteristics of the prophet as found in his book. Close with a feedback of all the conclusions reached by the groups. Class time allowed: 20 minutes.