Overview
As covenant failure leads to exile, God raises up prophets with messages of judgment AND hope. They announce a New Covenant that will solve the problem of the human heart. The Suffering Servant of Isaiah 53 will bear the people's sins. The exile ends, but the prophetic promises await their fulfillment.
The Sign
Prophetic Word
The Promise
God will make a New Covenant—not like the old one Israel broke. He will write His law on their hearts, forgive their sins, and pour out His Spirit on all flesh.
The Breaking
Israel and Judah break the Mosaic covenant so thoroughly that God allows them to be conquered and exiled. The Temple is destroyed.
The Hope
Through the prophets, God promises restoration: a new exodus, a new covenant, a new heart, a new Temple, a suffering servant who will bear sin, and a Messiah who will bring justice and peace.
Why Amber?
Amber represents the burning words of the prophets and the purifying fire of exile that refined God's people.
Key Figures
Key Events
Fall of the Northern Kingdom (Israel) to Assyria (722 BC)
Isaiah's vision of the Lord in the Temple
Jeremiah's prophecy of the New Covenant
Fall of Jerusalem and the Temple's destruction (586 BC)
Ezekiel's vision of the valley of dry bones
Daniel's visions of world empires and the Son of Man
Cyrus's decree: Jews may return home
Rebuilding the Temple (516 BC)
Nehemiah rebuilds Jerusalem's walls
Malachi: 400 years of prophetic silence begin
Books to Read
Main Narrative
Supplemental Reading
Catholic Connection
The prophets prepare the way for Christ. Isaiah 53's Suffering Servant finds fulfillment in Jesus' Passion. Jeremiah's New Covenant is established at the Last Supper ('This cup is the new covenant in my blood'). The outpouring of the Spirit (Joel 2) happens at Pentecost. The Church reads the prophets in light of Christ—they spoke better than they knew.
Quick Overview
Israel kept breaking their promises to God, so they lost their land and Temple. But God sent prophets with good news: 'I'll make a NEW covenant—this time I'll change your hearts!' They also described a mysterious 'suffering servant' who would die for people's sins. All these promises point to Jesus!
In the Liturgy
Isaiah's Suffering Servant passages are read during Holy Week. Advent is filled with prophetic readings. The prophets shape the Church's understanding of Messiah.