The Smallest Books in the Old Testament Quiz

Answer: True

All prophets in the Bible carried important messages for God's people, called prophecies. Minor prophets are called "minor" because they have smaller book sizes, but they all did important things. Minor prophets prophesied to kings, nations, and individuals about God's love, forgiveness, and (sometimes) punishment if people did not listen to God's warnings when their actions hurt others.

They also gave promises that God would give a Messiah, or deliverer, to save His people from their sins.

Answer: Joel

Joel preached in a time when crops and food had been destroyed by bugs; there was great hunger because the farmers could not produce any crops and people had nothing to trade. God wanted his people to know that they were not alone and there was hope. Joel prophesied that God was going to do something miraculous and they would know that He was in the midst of them. Joel also told them a day was coming when God would pour out His spirit inside them and upon all people. (Joel 2:27-29 KJV) As a sign, their old men would dream dreams and their young men would see visions.

Their sons and their daughters would prophesy.

Answer: a shepherd

Amos was a shepherd and a farmer that lived in Judah and preached messages to Israel. He was grieved with how wealthy Israelites treated the needy and the poor. They were very cruel to their neighbors and each other. (Amos 2:6-7 KJV) They also had forgotten who God was and served idols of other nations. Israel was very rich and had very little problems during Amos' time, but Amos warned them that God would clean them up and punish them for their wickedness. (Amos 5:21-24, KJV)

Eventually the people of Israel would be taken away by other nations that treated them as badly as they treated their own people. When they returned, they learned to be kind to other nations and show mercy the way God wanted.

Answer: Jacob

Obadiah is the shortest of all the Old Testament books, with twenty one verses. Obadiah's message goes back to the Edomites' ancestor, Esau, and his brother, Jacob. Esau and Jacob were both sons of Abraham. The Edomites were the children of Esau and the Israelites were the children of Jacob.

The Edomites lived in the mountains and cliffs. They were fierce warriors and travelers were afraid of them. When the Israelites were attacked and hurt by other nations, the Edomites did not come to their rescue; they stood by and did nothing. Obadiah warned the Edomites God would punish them for not doing what was right when their neighbor needed help. (Obadiah 10-14, KJV)

Answer: Jonah

When God told Jonah to tell the city of Nineveh to repent (change from their wickedness), Jonah decided to take a boat trip in the opposite direction. (Jonah 1;1, KJV) God sent a storm and Jonah realized he made a mistake. He had the sailors throw him overboard to stop the storm (Jonah 1:15, KJV), but God was merciful and saved Jonah's life with a huge fish. After three days in the fish's stomach, Jonah told God he was sorry (Jonah 2, KJV)and the fish barfed him on Nineveh's shores.

The people of Nineveh were surprised at Jonah (and the smell) when he told them God was going to destroy them in three days.(Jonah 3:4-5, KJV) The king told everyone not to eat or drink until God changed his mind. God forgave Nineveh and the city was saved. Jonah was very mad! (Jonah 4:1, KJV)) God told Jonah to care for the city and show mercy like He showed him.

Later Nahum, another minor prophet, reveals Nineveh turned back to their bad ways. God eventually did punish them.

Answer: Hosea

Hosea's name means "salvation". God's people had been running away from Him and serving other false gods. Many of these false gods and idol religions had cruel practices that hurt people and children. Hosea had a wife that kept running away to people that hurt her, leaving him with three children. Every time she ran away, Hosea would bring her back home and love her.

Then one day Hosea found his wife Gomer being sold as a slave. He gave all the money he had for her and brought her home again. He forgave her and loved her.

She never left him again. God told Hosea He loved His people the same way. He would forgive them and bring them back with so much love they would never want to leave again. (Hosea 2:14-17, Hosea 3:4, KJV)

Answer: He knew God would answer his prayers.

Habakkuk was sad because the people around him were doing very bad things. He knew stealing, murder, and lying made God angry because it hurt people. (Habakkuk 1:3, KJV) When he asked God why it was allowed to happen, he was surprised by God's answer. (Habakkuk 1:5-6, KJV) God told him that a very wicked nation was coming to judge Habakkuk's people and would take them away from their homes. Habakkuk asked why it had to happen that way.

Then he responded he would watch and wait because he knew God would do the right thing.

He trusted in God because God would hear his prayers and work all things out. (Habakkuk 2:1, KJV)

Answer: a temple

The temple had been burned with fire and destroyed by other nations when the Israelites were taken away as many years before. God had allowed them to be taken away by their enemies because they did many wicked things and turned their backs on Him. However God kept His promise to bring them back to their homes after seventy years. Zechariah reminded them of God's promises, love and forgiveness.

He encouraged God's people to rebuild their homes and build a house for God known as the temple. (Zechariah 1:2-6, Ezra 5:1-2, KJV) The temple would be a place where they could worship the Lord and thank Him for what He had done. Zechariah told them of the coming of the Messiah, and a day when God would set up his kingdom over the whole world.

Answer: New Jerusalem

Zephaniah's great great grandfather was King Hezekiah, a king that loved the Lord with all his heart. Many kings in Judah had been very wicked and had forgotten God. Zephaniah told his people that there was coming a day when God would destroy all wickedness and set up a kingdom that where he would rule as a great king forever. Jerusalem was the Judah's capital city and the city of King David, the Jews' great ancestor. Zephaniah promised God would set up his kingdom and build a New Jerusalem, and people from around the world would come and praise Him. (Zephaniah 3:16-20, KJV)

Answer: Malachi

Malachi's name means "My Messenger". After this man prophesied, there would not be another prophet for four hundred years.

When Malachi delivered his message, the temple had been rebuilt but many people were still struggling with their faith and trust in God. (Malachi 1:2, KJV) Malachi reminded them God never forgets His promises. Malachi also reminded them they had forgotten to keep their part of the deal by honoring God's temple and sacrifices. He told them if they give God what is His, God will bless them. He also gave them hope by telling them the Messiah was coming soon and a messenger. (Malachi 3:1, KJV) The next prophet would be John the Baptist.