As we begin to read the prophets, it will be helpful to bear in mind the following:
- “Israel” and “Jacob” are synonymous
- “Israel” (or “Jacob”) may refer to the entirety of the Hebrew people (i.e., all 12 tribes) or may indicate only (or primarily) the Northern Kingdom
- Although “Ephraim” may refer to that specific tribe, it usually means the Northern Kingdom as a whole (i.e., synonymous with “Israel”)
- “Joseph” (being the father of Ephraim) is likewise often synonymous with the Northern Kingdom
- “Judah” generally means the Southern Kingdom
- Israel and Judah have a long history of (mostly) adversarial relationships with surrounding nations:
- Edom (= Esau = Seir)
- Ammon
- Moab
- Syria
- Philistia (Ashdod, Ashkelon, Ekron, Gath, Gaza)
- Phoenicia (Tyre and Sidon)
- Capital cities are often used as synonyms for their respective nations:
- Samaria = the Northern Kingdom of Israel
- Jerusalem (or Zion) = the Southern Kingdom of Judah
- Damascus = Syria
- Nineveh = Assyria
- Etc.
- The cities of Bethel and Dan are corrupt centers of worship, homes of Jeroboam’s golden calves that are falsely worshipped as “the LORD”
More importantly, we should recognize that the prophets each preach into their own historical and geographical context. Reading these prophets chronologically, together with the corresponding historical narratives, should help us understand that context and thus gain a better appreciation for their message. But we should not then think that their message is limited to their immediate context. We, too, have much to learn from them.
Oftentimes the prophets preach a message of God’s judgment and wrath, which we may be tempted to hear simply as condemnation. But that misses the point. These messages should instead be seen as warnings and as calls to repentance. For those who heed that call, there is also hope — hope of redemption, of restoration, of grace, and of mercy. God is — always has been and always will be — a God of steadfast love. Were it not for God’s love and mercy, we would get no such warnings through the prophets, no such pleading to turn back to God.
So let’s receive what the prophets have to say to us. Let’s heed their call.