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Old Testament Survey
Eight Century Prophets
Rick Walker

1. Eight Century Prophets. Classical prophecy began in the 8th century B.C.
   with Amos, Hosea, Isaiah and Micah.
   A. All four of these prophets did their work within the historical context
      of the rise of the Neo-Assyrian empire, which served as God's instrument
      of judgment against many nations, including the Jews.
      1. The Assyrians came to power in the 9th century B.C., but by the beginning of
         the 8th century, they had lost much of their power.
         a. For the first fifty years of the eight century (c. 800-750 B.C.),
            there was a period of prosperity and peace for the Northern and Southern
            Kingdoms.
         b. Also a time of moral degeneracy.  
      2. In 745 B.C. the Assyrian general Tiglath-pileser III overthrew the king and
         took Assyria under his control.
         a. He began a program of expansion that would threaten the Israel and the rest
            of the A.N.E.
         b. Assyrian policies were different.  
            1. the entire population of a rebellious city was held responsible for its
               actions, rather than just the king.
            2. policy of deportation to weaken conquered peoples.
   B. Eight century prophets must also be read against the historical backdrop of
      the degeneracy of Israel, both in the north and south.  
      a. Amos and Hosea warned the Northern Kingdom of God's coming judgment before
         the Assyrians came.
      b. Isaiah and Micah warned the Southern Kingdom of fate similar to that of the
         Northern Kingdom.

         Neo-Assyrian Empire 745 B.C.
         Fall of Samaria 722 B.C.

c. The rise of the Assyrians was the means of God's judgment.