There is great uncertainty about the chronology of Obadiah, Joel and
Jonah. There is differences of opinion as to whether certain of the
prophets belong to Judah or Israel. Micah is an example. The teacher
will be able to give reasons for this difference.

The Study of the Prophets. The student should hold in mind that the
prophet deals primarily with the moral and religious conditions of his
own people at the time of his ministry. His denunciations, warnings
and exhortations are, therefore, not abstract principles, but are
local and for Israel. The prophet was then first of all a Jewish
patriot and revivalist filled with the Holy Ghost and with zeal for
Israel.

The predictive elements of the prophetic books must be interpreted in
the light, (1) of a nearby or local fulfillment, such as of the
dispersion and restoration, and (2) of a far off and greater
fulfillment of which the first is only a forerunner, such as the
advent of the Messiah and his glorious reign over the whole earth. The
interpretation of prophecy should generally be in the literal, natural
and unforced meaning of the words. The following passages will show
how prophecy, already fulfilled, has been fulfilled literally and not
allegorically. Gen. 15:13-16; 16:11-12; Dt. 28:62-67; Ps. 22:1, 7, 8,
15-18; Is. 7:14; 53:2-9; Hos. 3:4; Joel 2:28-29: Mic. 5:2; Acts 2:16-
18; Matt. 21:4-5; Lu. 1:20, 31; Acts 1:5; Matt. 2:4-6; Lu. 21:16.17,
24; Acts 21:10-11.

In a given book of prophecy, the book should be read carefully and all
the different subjects treated, noted. This should be followed by a
careful study to find what is said about the several topics already
found. To illustrate, the prophet may mention himself, Jerusalem,