Minor Prophets Quiz: Nahum, Habakkuk, and Zephaniah

1. What is the subject of the entire book of Nahum?

1. The call of the prophet Nahum to preach in the northern kingdom of Israel alongside Amos
2. The fall of Nineveh, the capital of Assyria — Nahum proclaims its coming destruction as divine judgment for Assyria's cruelty and pride. The book is an oracle of comfort for Israel and judgment against the oppressor
3. The repentance of Israel's northern tribes before the Assyrian exile
4. The restoration of the ten lost tribes — Nahum was sent to the exiles to assure them of their return to the land

2. What does Nahum 1:7 declare about God alongside his judgment?

1. 'A jealous and avenging God is the LORD; the LORD is avenging and wrathful. The LORD takes vengeance on his foes and vents his wrath against his enemies'
2. 'I am against you, declares the LORD Almighty. I will lift your skirts over your face'
3. 'See, there on the mountains, the feet of one who brings good news, who proclaims peace!'
4. 'The LORD is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him'

3. What was Habakkuk's first complaint to God, and what was God's answer?

1. Habakkuk complained that his prophetic call was too difficult — God answered by showing him the vision of the divine warrior
2. Habakkuk complained that injustice in Judah went unpunished — 'Why do you make me look at injustice? Why do you tolerate wrongdoing?' God answered: I am raising up the Babylonians to execute judgment on Judah
3. Habakkuk complained that Israel's enemies were too powerful — God answered by promising to defeat Babylon within Habakkuk's own lifetime
4. Habakkuk complained that the temple was in disrepair — God answered that the people's sin was more important to address than the building's condition

4. What was Habakkuk's second complaint, and what famous phrase was God's answer?

1. Habakkuk complained that he could not understand the visions — God answered with a detailed explanation of each image
2. Habakkuk complained that he was the only faithful person left in Judah — God answered that there were 7,000 who had not bowed to Baal
3. Habakkuk complained that prayer was ineffective — God's answer was 'The vision awaits an appointed time; write it down'
4. Habakkuk complained that using Babylon to judge Judah was unjust — Babylon was more wicked than Judah. God's answer included: 'The righteous person will live by his faithfulness (faith)'

5. What is the famous prayer of confidence in Habakkuk 3:17-19?

1. 'I will stand at my watch and station myself on the ramparts; I will look to see what he will say to me, and what answer I am to give to this complaint'
2. 'LORD, I have heard your report, and I fear. LORD, revive your work in the midst of the years; in the midst of the years make it known; in wrath remember mercy'
3. 'Then I said: I will not mention his word or speak anymore in his name, but his word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones'
4. 'Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food... yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Saviour. The Sovereign LORD is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer'

6. What is the theme of the book of Zephaniah, and when did he prophesy?

1. Zephaniah prophesied during the post-exilic period — his theme was the rebuilding of the temple and the restoration of the worship system
2. Zephaniah prophesied during the reign of Josiah — his theme is the coming Day of the LORD, both as judgment on Judah for its widespread idolatry and syncretism, and as future hope for a humble remnant
3. Zephaniah prophesied during the reign of Manasseh — his theme was the spiritual darkness of the worst king in Judah's history
4. Zephaniah prophesied in exile in Babylon — his theme was comfort for the deportees and hope for their eventual return

7. What Latin phrase from Zephaniah 1:15 became an important medieval church text?

1. 'Dies Domini, lux aeterna' — the Day of the Lord, eternal light — used in Easter liturgy
2. 'Dies irae, dies illa' — Day of wrath, that day! — used in the Requiem Mass and describing the terrible nature of the Day of the LORD
3. 'Mors et vita' — death and life — the phrase comes from Zephaniah's description of those who survive the Day of the LORD
4. 'Redemptio mundi' — redemption of the world — the closing promise of Zephaniah was the source of this medieval theological term

8. What is the famous song of joy at the end of Zephaniah, and what does God do?

1. 'How lovely is your dwelling place, LORD Almighty! My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the LORD; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God'
2. 'Praise the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary... Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD'
3. 'Shout for joy to all the earth; worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. Know that the LORD is God. It is he who made us, and we are his'
4. 'Sing, Daughter Zion; shout aloud, Israel! Be glad and rejoice with all your heart, Daughter Jerusalem!... The LORD your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing'

9. What does Zephaniah 2:3 call the 'humble of the land' to do?

1. 'All you humble people, gather yourselves together, before the decree takes effect — for the LORD has prepared a sacrifice; he has consecrated those he has invited'
2. 'Humble of the land, seek the LORD; seek righteousness, seek humility; perhaps you will be sheltered on the day of the LORD's anger'
3. 'Seek me, all you humble of the earth who do his commands. Seek righteousness, seek humility so that you may be hidden in the day of the LORD's anger'
4. 'The humble of the land, clothe yourselves in sackcloth and ashes — your mourning will become your protection on the day of judgment'

10. What unifying theme connects Nahum, Habakkuk, and Zephaniah?

1. All three prophets called for liturgical reform — they wanted to restore the temple worship practices that had been corrupted during the reign of Manasseh
2. All three prophets predicted the coming of Alexander the Great — the Hellenistic conquest is their shared prophetic focus
3. All three prophets were sent to the northern kingdom — their messages addressed the exiled Israelites in Assyria and Babylon
4. All three wrestle with the problem of divine justice in a world where the wicked seem to prosper or the righteous suffer — each answers differently: Nahum (God judges oppressors), Habakkuk (the righteous live by faith; God is sovereign even through confusing instruments), Zephaniah (judgment precedes restoration; God sings over his people)