"The Lord warned Israel and Judah through all his prophets and seers: Turn from your evil ways. Observe my commands....' " (2nd Kings 17:13). Who were these prophets? Here are some of those who tried to turn their nations back to God. Predicting the future as revealed by God was just one part of a prophet's job; his main role was to preach God's word to the people - warning, instructing, and encouraging them to live as they ought. The prophets Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi were prophets to the people of Judah after they returned from exile.

<>< <>< ><> ><>

Who?
AHIJAH
When?
(B.C.)
934-909
Ministered during the reign of:
 Jeroboam I of Israel (1 Kings 11:29-39)
Main message:
Said Israel would split in two and stated that God had chosen Jeroboam to lead the ten tribes.  Warned that he should remain obedient to God.
Significance:
We should not take lightly our God-given responsibilities. Jeroboam did and lost his kingdom.

<>< <>< ><> ><>

Who?
ELIJAH
When?
(B.C.)
875-848
Ministered during the reign of:
Ahab of Israel (1st Kings 17:1-2nd Kings 2:11)
Main message:
In fiery style, urged wicked Ahab to turn back to God. On Mount Carmel, he proved who is the one true God (1st Kings 18).
Significance:
Even giants of faith can't force sinners to change. But those who remain faithful to God have a great impact for him.

<>< <>< ><> ><>

Who?
MICAIAH
When?
(B.C.)
865-853
Ministered during the reign of:
Ahab of Israel Jehoshaphat of Judah (1st Kings 22:8; 2nd Chronicles 18:28)
Main message:
Ahab would be unsuccessful in fighting the Arameans.
Significance:
It is foolish to move ahead with plans that are contrary to God's Word.

<>< <>< ><> ><>

Who?
JEHU
When?
(B.C.)
853
Ministered during the reign of:
Jehoshaphat of Judah (2nd Chronicles 19:1-3)
Main message:
Jehoshaphat should never have allied himself with wicked Ahab.
Significance:
Partnerships with immoral people can lead us into trouble.

<>< <>< ><> ><>

Who?
OBADIAH
When?
(B.C.)
855-840(?)
Ministered during the reign of:
Jehoram of Judah (The book of Obadiah)
Main message:
God would judge the Edomites for taking advantage of God's people.
Significance:
Pride is one of the most dangerous sins because it causes us to take advantage of others.

<>< <>< ><> ><>

Who?
ELISHA
When?
(B.C.)
848-797
Ministered during the reign of:
Joram, Jehu, Jehoahaz, and Jehoash, all of Israel (2nd Kings 2:1-9:1; 13:10-21)
Main message:
Expressed by his actions the importance of helping ordinary people in need.
Significance:
God is concerned about the everyday needs of his people.

<>< <>< ><> ><>

Who?
JOEL
When?
(B.C.)
835-796(?)
Ministered during the reign of:
Joash of Judah (The book of Joel)
Main message:
Because a plague of locusts had come to punish the nation, he called the people to turn back to God before an even greater judgment occurred.
Significance:
While God judges all people for their sins, he gives eternal salvation only to those who have turned to him.

<>< <>< ><> ><>

Who?
JONAH
When?
(B.C.)
793-753
Ministered during the reign of:
Jeroboam II of Israel (2nd Kings 14:25; the book of Jonah)
Main message:
Nineveh, the capital of Assyria, should repent of its sins.
Significance:
God wants all nations to turn to him. His love reaches out to all peoples.

<>< <>< ><> ><>

Who?
AMOS
When?
(B.C.)
760-750
Ministered during the reign of:
Jeroboam II of Israel (The book of Amos)
Main message:
Warned against those who exploited or ignored the needy. (In Amos's day, Israel was an affluent and materialistic society.)
Significance:
Believing in God is more than a personal matter. God calls all believers to work against injustices in society and to aid those less fortunate.

<>< <>< ><> ><>

Who?
HOSEA
When?
(B.C.)
753-715
Ministered during the reign of:
The last seven kings of Israel; Azariah (Uzziah), Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah of Judah (The book of Hosea)
Main message:
Condemned the people of Israel because they had sinned against God as an adulterous woman sins against her husband.
Significance:
When we sin, we sever our relationship to God, breaking our commitment to him. While all must answer to God for their sins, those who seek God's forgiveness are spared from eternal judgment.

<>< <>< ><> ><>

Who?
MICAH
When?
(B.C.)
742-687
Ministered during the reign of:
Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah of Judah (The book of Micah)
Main message:
Predicted the fall of both the northern and southern kingdoms. This was God's discipline on the people, actually showing how much he cared for them.
Significance:
Choosing to live a life apart from God is making a commitment to sin. Sin leads to judgment and death. God alone shows us the way to eternal peace. His discipline often keeps us on the right path.

<>< <>< ><> ><>

Who?
ISAIAH
When?
(B.C.)
740-681
Ministered during the reign of:
Azariah (Uzziah), Jotham, Ahaz, Hezekiah, and Manasseh of Judah (The book of Isaiah)
Main message:
Called the people back to a special relationship with God—although judgment through other nations was inevitable.
Significance:
Sometimes we must suffer judgment and discipline before we are restored to God.

<>< <>< ><> ><>

Who?
NAHUM
When?
(B.C.)
663-654
Ministered during the reign of:
Manasseh of Judah (The book of Nahum)
Main message:
The mighty empire of Assyria that oppressed God's people would soon tumble.
Significance:
Those who do evil and oppress others will one day meet a bitter end.

<>< <>< ><> ><>

Who?
ZEPHAIMIAH
When?
(B.C.)
640-621
Ministered during the reign of:
Josiah of Judah (The book of Zephaniah)
Main message:
A day will come when God, as Judge, will severely punish all nations; but afterwards, he will show mercy to his people.
Significance:
We will all be judged for our disobedience to God, but if we remain faithful to him, he will show us mercy.

<>< <>< ><> ><>

Who?
JEREMIAH
When?
(B.C.)
627-586
Ministered during the reign of:
Josiah, Jehoahaz, Jehoiakim, Jehoiachin, Zedekiah of Judah (The book of Jeremiah)
Main message:
Repentance would postpone Judah's coming judgment at the hands of Babylon.
Significance:
Repentance is one of the greatest needs in our world of immorality. God's promises to the faithful shine brightly.

<>< <>< ><> ><>

Who?
HABAKKUK 612-589
When?
(B.C.)
612-589
Ministered during the reign of:
Josiah, Jehoahaz, Jehoiakim, Jehoiachin, Zedekiah of Judah (The book of Habakkuk)
Main message:
Habakkuk couldn't understand why God seemed to do nothing about the wickedness in society. Then he realized that faith in God alone would one day supply the answer.
Significance:
Instead of questioning the ways of God, we should realize that he is completely just, and we should have faith that he is in control and that one day evil will be utterly destroyed.

Who?
DANIEL
When?
(B.C.)
605-536
Ministered during the reign of:
Prophesied as an exile in Babylon during the reigns of Nebuchadnezzar, Darius the Mede, and Cyrus of Persia (The book of Daniel)
Main message:
Describes both near and distant future events - throughout it all, God is sovereign and triumphant.
Significance:
We should spend less time wondering when these events will happen and more time learning how we should live now so we won't be victims of those events.

<>< <>< ><> ><>

Who?
EZEKIEL
When?
(B.C.)
593-571
Ministered during the reign of:
Prophesied as an exile in Babylon during the reign of Nebuchadnezzar (The book of Ezekiel)
Main message:
Sent messages back to Jerusalem urging the people to turn back to God before they were all forced to join him in exile. After Jerusalem fell, Ezekiel urged his fellow exiles to turn back to God so they could eventually return to their homeland.
Significance:
God disciplines his people to draw them closer to him.