Old Testament- The Prophetic Books & Regarding Specifics within the Prophetic Books (Review)
What are the themes of Ezekiel
-God's holiness -Sin -Restoration -Leadership (the failure of the "bad shephards") -Worship
What are the themes of Isaiah
-Remnant -Sovereignty of God -Servant -Holy One of Israel -Messiah
Characteristics of Apocalyptic Literature: Daniel
1. Contains a Vision 2. Initial Vision is Symbolic 3. Interpretation is needed 4. Name of the author is pseudonym 5. Concerned with the Future 6. History is Divided into Periods 7. History Culminate sin a Final Judgment 8. Author Speaks as a Predictive Prophet
What are the visions of Amos
A. Locusts, 7:1-3 B. Fire, 7:4-6 C. Plumbline, 7:7-9 D. Basket of Ripe Fruit, 8:1-2 E. The Lord at the Altar, 9:1-4
Key concerns: Malachi
A. _Impure Sacrifices_ B. _Tithing_ C. _Divorce_
The Book of Nahum
About 125 years after Nineveh repented under the preaching of Jonah, Nahum predicted the imminent destruction of the same city. The people in the Assyrian capital have reverted to idolatry and brutality, and holiness and power, Nineveh will surely be destroyed in spite of its apparent invincibility.
The book of Malachi
By the time of the last Old Testament prophet, the spiritual and moral climate of the people has grown cold. Their worship is meaningless and indifferent, and as they grow more distant from God, they become characterized by religious and social compromise. A terrible day of judgment is coming when "all the arrogant and every evildoer will be chaff" to be burned, "But for you who fear My name the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings" (4).
The Book of Micah
The prophecy of Micah begins with a word of divine retribution against _Israel_ and _Judah_ because of the radical corruption on every level of society: rulers, prophets, priests, judges, businessmen, and landlords. But God's covenant promises will be fulfilled in the future kingdom of Messiah. Judgment will ultimately be followed by forgiveness and restoration, and the book ends on a strong note of promise.
The Book of Lamentations
This beautifully structured series of five lament poems is Judah's _ funeral______ for the fallen city of Jerusalem. After his forty years of warning, Jeremiah's awful words came true. His sorrow is obvious in his vivid description of the defeat, destruction, and desolation of Jerusalem.
Character of the Book: Habakkuk
**This is a conversation between Habakkuk and God: -Habakkuk approaches God with various complaints; -God responds with answers to Habakkuk's complaints.
What are the themes of Daniel
-Sovereignty of God -Self-destructive prideof hummankind -Ultimate victory of God's kingdom
What are the themes of Hosea
-Spiritual adultery -Knowledge of God -God's Frustrated Love
Judah's Condition: Jeremiah
1. Judah had turned away from God 2. Judah had substituted idol worship for a relationship with God 3. Judah was judged for wickedness and was exiled 4. Judah's society was thoroughly corrupt 5. Judah's public worship was worthless 6. Judah ignored God's laws
The Profile: Jeremiah
Meaning of name: _"Yahweh Establishes"__ Place of ministry: __Judah____ World Power: __Assyria / Babylon_ Dates: __7th- 6th Century___ Theme of message: _Sorrowful service___
Overview of the book Lamentations
I. Jerusalem's Lament 1:1-22 II. Jerusalem's Angry God 2:1-22 III. Judah's Lament 3:1-66 IV. Judah's Utter Ruin 4:1-22 V. Judah's Plea 5:1-22
Acrostics in Lamentations
**An important feature in Lamentations is the use of acrostic.** • Chapters 1, 2, 4 are full acrostics. Each has 22 verses with each of the 22 Hebrew letters. • Chapter 3 has 66 verses. Each of the 22 Hebrew letters is repeated three times in succession.
The Book of Zephaniah
In no uncertain terms, Zephaniah develops the theme of the coming day of the Lord as a day of awesome judgment followed by great blessing. Zephaniah begins with the coming judgment of Judah and broadens his scope to include the Gentiles as well. Because Judah refuses to seek the Lord, it stands condemned. But a Remnant will exult when God restores the fortunes of His people.
The Book of Obadiah
This obscure prophet of the southern kingdom directs his -brief oracle to the nation of (Edom) that bordered Judah on the southeast. Edom (descended from Esau) refused to act as his brother's keeper toward Judah (descended from Jacob). Because they gloated when Jerusalem was invaded, their judgment would be nothing less than total destruction.
The Book of Zechariah
A contemporary of Haggai, Zechariah also exhorts the Jews to complete the construction of the temple. Zechariah's method of motivating them is one of encouragement—the temple is central to Israel's spiritual heritage, and it is related to the coming of Messiah. Zechariah's series of visions, messages, and burdens offer some of the clearest messianic prophecies in Scripture. God reveals that His program for his people is far from completed.
Highlights from specific chapters: Jeremiah
A. Call of Jeremiah, 1 ("Before I formed you in the womb . . .") B. Prediction of length of exile, 29 (_70 years_) (Promise of new covenant.) C. Book of Consolation, 30-33, esp. 31:31-34 // Hebrews 8 (Israel will be restored; Promise of new covenant) D. Example of Recabites, 35 (Their faithfulness over against Israel's unfaithfulness.) E. Baruch, Jeremiah's scribe, 36 (Baruch helps rewrite Jeremiah's scroll that was destroyed.) F. Jeremiah thrown into cistern, 38
Highlights of specific key chapters: Isaiah
A. Isaiah's call, 6 B. A virgin shall be with child, 7 C. A child is born, he will lead, 9 D. Little Apocalypse, 24-27 E. God's servant, 40 (See vv. 3ff, quoted at the beginning of Mark, describing the ministry of John the Baptist) F. Interpretation of the Suffering Servant, 52:13-53:12
Outline of the Book (Key Events):
A. Preparation of Daniel and his friends, 1:1-21 B. Nebuchadnezzar's dream, 2 C. Fiery furnace, 3 D. Nebuchadnezzar's dream and Daniel's interpretation, 4 E. The writing on the wall, 5 F. The lion's den, 6 G. Vision of four beasts, 7 H. Vision of the kingdoms, 8 I. Daniel's prayer and vision of the seventy weeks, 9 J. Message of encouragement, 10-11 K. Troubles and victory, 12
Ezekiel the prophet:
A. Priest by training, prophet by God's call B. Received vivid visions and delivered powerful messages C. Served as God's messenger during Israel's captivity in Babylon D. Became a tough and courageous man so he could reach a hard and stubborn people
Key Truths/Ideas: Jonah
A. The Character of Jonah: His obedience was not _immediate__ and even after God spared Nineveh, Jonah remained _angry__ and _selfish_. B. The message to Israel. 1. God's grace extends to _to all peoples_. 2. Jonah is a call to the people of Israel not to be selfish with God's offer of salvation.
The Identity of the Suffering Servant in the book of Isaiah?
A. The nation of Israel in general____ B. Isaiah the prophet himself____ C. The Remnant of those who would remain faithful_______ D. The Messiah, Jesus Christ-The Christian interpretation_
What two books are not in the prophet section of the Hebrew Bible?
Lamentations and Daniel
The Profile: Amos
Meaning of Name: "Burden" ____________ Place of Ministry: Israel______________ World Power: Assyria_______________ Dates: 8th Century___________________ Theme of Message: Social Justice______
The Profile: Joel
Meaning of Name: "Yahweh is God" Place of Ministry: _Judah_ World Power: Either Assyria, Babylon, or Persia Dates: Unknown: Anywhere from 8th to 5th Century Theme of Message: The Day of the Lord
The Profile: Habakkuk
Meaning of Name: Unknown, possibly _"Embrace"___________________ Place of Ministry: _Judah___________________ World Power: _Babylon___________________ Dates: _7th-6th Century___________________ Theme of Message: _Questioning God's Judgment___________________
The Profile: Nahum
Meaning of Name: _"Comfort"___________________ Place of Ministry: _Judah___________________ World Power: _Assyria___________________ Dates: _7th Century___________________ Theme of Message: _Judgment upon Nineveh___________________ **NOTE: Bear in mind that Nahum preached after Jonah. Nineveh had reverted to its old ways.
The Profile: Jonah
Meaning of Name: _"Dove"______________ Place of Ministry: _Was from Israel but preached to Assyria____ World Power: _Assyria___________________ Dates: _8th Century___________________ Theme of Message: _Compassion for Nineveh_______________
The Profile: Haggai
Meaning of Name: _"Festival Child"____ Place of Ministry: _Post-Exilic Israel_____ World Power: _Persia___ Dates: _6th Century_ Theme of Message: _The Lord's House___
The Profile: Ezekiel
Meaning of Name: _"God has strengthened"___ Place of Ministry: _Judah / Exiled in Babylon___ World Power: _Babylon____ Dates: __6th cnetury_________ Theme of Message: _Judgment and Restoration____
The Profile: Malachi
Meaning of Name: _"My Messenger"___ Place of Ministry: _Post-Exilic Israel_____ World Power: Persia_____ Dates: _5th Century____ **Theme of Message: _Return of Pure Religion__
The Profile: Hosea
Meaning of Name: _"Salvation"_________ Place of Ministry: _Israel_____________ World Power: _Assyria_______________ Dates: _8th Century________________ Theme of Message:_God's Covenant Love
The Profile: Obadiah
Meaning of Name: _"Servant of Yahweh"_______ Place of Ministry: _Exile___________________ World Power: _Babylon___________________ Dates: _6th Century___________________ Theme of Message: _Edom Will Fall_____________
The Profile: Micah
Meaning of Name: _"Who is like Yahweh?"______ Place of Ministry: _Judah___________________ World Power: __Assyria__________________ Dates: __8th Century__________________ Theme of Message: Against Israel and Judah____________________ **NOTE: The urgency of Micah's message is punctuated by the repeated commands, "_Attention___," "_Listen___." **Messianic reference: 5:2, birth in Bethlehem (see Matthew and Luke).
The Profile: Zephaniah
Meaning of Name: _"Yahweh Hides"_ Place of Ministry: _Judah__ World Power: _Assyria__ Dates: _7th Century__ Theme of Message: _Judgement for the Whole World_
The Profile: Zechariah
Meaning of Name: _"Yahweh Remembers"_ Place of Ministry: _Post-Exilic Israel__ World Power: _Persia___ Dates: _6th Century___ Theme of Message: _The Present and Future of the Israel_______ Messianic scripture: 9:9, the Messiah riding on a donkey (see Jesus' triumphal entry).
The Profile: Daniel
Meaning of Name: __"God is Judge"__ Place of Ministry: _Exiled in Babylon__ World Power: __Babylon____ Dates: _6th Cenury___ Theme of Message: _God's plan for the nation and Israel_____
The Profile: Isaiah
Meaning of Name: __Yahweh Saves___________ Place of Ministry: __Judah____ World Power at the Time: _Assyria______ Date of Ministry: __8th Century BC______ Theme of Message: _Condemnation and Consolation____
Book Facts: Ezekiel
Purpose: To announce God's judgment on Israel and other nations and to foretell the eventual salvation of God's people Author: Ezekiel, son of Buzi, a Zadokite priest Written to: The Jews in captivity in Babylon and God's people everywhere Date: App. 551 BC
Book Fact: Isaiah
Purpose: To call the nation of Judah back to God and to tell of God's salvation through the Messiah Author: The prophet Isaiah, son of Amoz Setting: Isaiah is speaking and writing mainly in Jerusalem Date: The events of ch. 1-39 occurred during Isaiah's ministry, so they were probably written about 700 BC. Ch. 40-66, however, may have been written near the end of his life, about 681 BC.
The Book of Amos
The northern kingdom was in its heyday when Amos warned the people of their coming doom. In eight pronouncements of judgment, Amos spirals around the surrounding countries before landing on Israel. He then delivers three sermons to list the sins of the house of Israel and call for repentance. The people reject Amos' warnings and their coming judgment is portrayed in a series of five visions. But Amos closes his book with a brief word of future hope.
The Book of Ezekiel
The prophet Ezekiel ministered to the Jewish captives in Babylon before and after the fal of Jerusalem. Like Jeremiah, he had to convince the people that the city was doomed and that the Captivity would not be brief. Ezekiel also described the fate of Judah's foes and ended with a great apocalyptic vision of Judah's future.
The Book of Hosea
The unhappy story of Hosea and his faithless wife Gomer illustrates the loyal (love of God) and the spiritual (adultery of Israel). Hosea exposes the sins of Israel and contrasts them to God's holiness. The nation must be judged for its sins but it will be restored in the future because of the love and faithfulness of God.
The Book of Joel
This book looks back to a recent (locust plague) that decimated the land of Judah to illustrate the far more terrifying day of the Lord. The land will be invaded by a fearsome army that will make the locusts seem mild in comparison. Nevertheless, God appeals to the people to repent in order to divert the coming disaster. Because the people will not change, judgment will come, but it will be followed by great blessing.
The Book of Daniel
This crucial book abounds with detailed prophecies and visions of the future. It outlines God's sovereign plan for the gentile nations (2-7) and moves on to a portrait of Israel during the time of gentile domination (8-12). At a time when the Jews had little hope, Daniel provided encouragement by revealing God's power and plans for their future.
The Book of Isaiah
This pinnacle of the prophets has a twofold message of _condemnation___ (1-39) and __consolation____ (40-66). Isaiah analyzes the sins of Judah and pronounces God's judgment on the nation. He broadens his scope to include judgment on the surrounding nations and moves to universal judgment followed by blessing. After a historical parenthesis concerning King Hezekiah, Isaiah consoles the people with a message of future salvation and restoration. Yahweh is the sovereign Savior who will rescue His people.
Placement of Lamentations
English Bible: immediately after _Jeremiah_______, due to the tradition that Jeremiah wrote it. Hebrew Bible: the _Writings_____, more specifically it is among five books known collectively as the _Megilloth________ (Ruth, Song of Songs, Ecclesiastes, Esther, and Lamentations), with each book connected with a specific festival in the Jewish calendar. Song of Songs with Passover Ruth with the Feast of Weeks Lamentations with the Feast of the 9th of Ab** Ecclesiastes with the Feast of Tabernacles Esther with the Feast of Purim ** "The feast of the 9th of Ab, the fifth month of the Jewish calendar, commemorates, among other things, the destruction of both First and Second Temples, and is regarded by the Talmud as equal in importance to the Day of Atonement."
Titles of Lamentations
Hebrew title is: _'ekah___ and it means "how!" It is the first word of chapters 1, 2, and 4. It is known in Jewish tradition as qinot, meaning lamentations. Thus, the Greek and Latin below. Greek LXX: _threnoi___ Both the Greek and Latin words mean: wailings or dirges Latin: threni ___ indicating the sorrowful tone of the work. English: Lamentations (from the subtitle of the Latin Vulgate by Jerome). Translated the subtitle says: This is the lamentations of Jeremiah the prophet.
Compare Isaiah 53 to Passages from the New Testament
Verse The Servant's Description Fulfillment in Christ 52:13 Raised, lifted up, exalted God exalted him and will exalt him fully at the second coming (Phil. 2:9-11) 52:14 Appearance disfigured Received beating at his trial (Mt 26:67) 52:15 Sprinkled many nations Sprinkling of his blood brings forgiveness (1 Pt 2:9) 53:3 Despised and rejected Many rejected him, especially the leaders (Jn 11:47-50) 53:4-6 Suffered for our sin; stricken by God Died for our sin according to God's plan (1 Cor 15:3) 53:7 Silent before oppressors Silent before accusers at his trial (Mk 14:60-61) 53:8 Killed for the people's sin Died for our sin (2 Cor 5:14-15) 53:9 Assigned a grave with the wicked Crucified between two robbers, buried in a rich council member's tomb (Mk 15:27-28, 43-46) 53:10 Lord's will to crush him; he will see his offspring God prepared him as an offering for sin (Rom 5:9) 53:12 Receive great reward because he poured out his life Receives great reward because he poured out his life (Phil 2:9-11; Heb 1:3-4)
The Book of Habakkuk
Very close to the end of the kingdom of Judah, Habakkuk asks God why He is not dealing with the wickedness of his nation. When God tells him He is about to use the Babylonians as His rod of judgment, Habakkuk asks a second question: How can He judge Judah with a nation that is even more wicked than they? After the Lord's second response, the prophet magnifies the name of God for His power and purposes.
Isaiah the Man: • Life Facts
Where: Jerusalem Occupations: scribe, prophet Relatives: Father: Amoz. Sons: Shear-jashub, Maher-shalal-hash-baz Contemporaries: Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, Hezekiah, Manasseh, Micah • Strengths and Accomplishments -Considered the greatest OT prophet -Quoted 50 times in the NT (more than any other book in OT) -Powerful messages of judgment and hope -Carried out a consistent ministry with little positive response -Spanned the reign of five kings
The Book of Jonah
With a prophetic message of only one line, Jonah is the _most biographical _ of all the prophets. The repentant response of the people of Nineveh to Jonah's terse oracle causes the God of mercy to spare the city. But the central teaching of the book is the lesson on compassion God has to teach His reluctant prophet. Jonah learns to look beyond his nation and trust the Creator of all people.
Authorship of Isaiah
• Argument 1: Time span of the book is too long • Response: God knows the future and reveals it to prophets • Argument 2: Subject matter is different • Response: There are many common themes • Argument 3: The vocabulary and literary style vary • Response: Writers use different vocabulary and style • Argument 4: King Cyrus is mentioned by name • Response: God gave the name to Isaiah • Other Responses: There is textual evidence for one author There is New Testament evidence
Features of Ezekiel's Prophetic Ministry
A. Visions (ch. 1): The first three visions, individually, are difficult to interpret; however, all four collective are symbolic of God's presence. Four wheels in the Air Creatures in the Air A Voice A Throne with a Radiant Being B. Four symbolic actions (4-5): 1. Wrote "Jerusalem" on a brick and then laid siege to it. 2. Lay on his left side for 390 days and on his right side for 40 days The left side symbolized Israel; the right side symbolized Judah. There is disagreement, however, as to the meaning of the number of days. Were the numbers representative of the length of their iniquity or the length of their period of judgment respectively? 3. Cooked small rations and used human dung for fuel (symbolizing that Judah's food supply would be cut off) 4. Divided his hair into 3 parts: he burned 1 part (death by fire), he chopped 1 part with a sword (death by sword), and he tossed 1 part in the wind (the remnant). C. Analogies used of God's People (15-17) 1. A vine: symbolizing Jerusalem, a charred vine unable to support 2. An unfaithful wife: they had spurned God's love (increasingly effective in light of the promiscuous religions they went after) 3. Two eagles (each taking a vine): First eagle, Babylon deported some Jews with Jehoiachin in 597 BC (along with Ezekiel); second eagle, Egypt, for Zedekiah this became a place of escape and support against Babylon, but it was futile for Jerusalem was destroyed. D. God's signs to Ezekiel (36 and 38): 1. _Dry Bones_____ (36): restoration of people to the land (a dead nation being brought back to life) 2. _Two sticks_____ (38): restoration of people to the land united (Israel and Judah) E. Interpretations of 40-48, Ezekiel's vision of the New Temple: 1. Prophecy only partially fulfilled in the time of the return from exile when the new temple was built because of Israel's lack of faith. 2. Prophecy of God's future kingdom, Christ's millennial reign with a literal temple and re- instituting the sacrificial system as memorial to Christ's atoning work. 3. Prophecy spiritually fulfilled either in the form of the church or with reference to God's heavenly kingdom. 4. Combination of (1) and (3): partially fulfilled in the second temple period; the rest fulfilled in the church age or millennium. 5. Apocalyptic interpretation: Ezekiel expressed important spiritual truths about God and his kingdom through tangible terms his readers would understand.
The Book of Haggai
After the Babylonian exile, the Jews began to rebuild the temple but allowed the work to stop while they rebuilt their own houses instead. Because of their failure to put God first, they were not enjoying His blessing in the land. Haggai urges the people to finish the temple because God's promise that it would be filled with glory. After chastening the people for their contamination, Haggai closes with a promise of future blessing.
The Book of Jeremiah
Judah had reached the depths of moral and spiritual decay, and Jeremiah was called to the heartbreaking and unpopular ministry of declaring the certain judgment of God against the nation. Jeremiah faithfully ministered in spite of rejection and persecution, and the dreaded day finally came. Judah's defiance of God's holiness led to her downfall, but God graciously promised to establish a new covenant with His people.
Book Facts: Daniel
Purpose: To give a historical account of the faithful Jews who lived in captivity and to show how God is in control of heaven and earth, directing the forces of nature, the destiny of nations, and the care of his people. Author: Daniel, the main character also Written to: Captives in Babylon and God's people everywhere Date: App. 535 BC (The date is disputed. Many believe it was written about second century. In this scenario the phrase "abomination of desolation" used in Dan. 9:27 is considered a reference to Antiochus Epiphanes' desecration of the Temple by sacrificing a pig on the altar 167 B.C.) Note also that even the Jews placed this book in its third section: The Writings. Languages: Hebrew (1:1-2:4a; 8-12) and Aramaic (2:4b-7) Famous stories: Nebuchadnezzar and the fiery furnace, 3 Handwriting on the wall, 5 Darius and the den of lions, 6
Book Facts: Jeremiah
Purpose: ____To urge God's people to turn from their sins and back to God Author: Jeremiah, son of a priest________ To Whom Written: Judah and Jerusalem____ Date Written: During Jeremiah's ministry, about 627-586 BC Setting:__ Jeremiah ministered under Judah's last five kings. The nation was sliding quickly toward destruction and was eventually conquered by Babylon in 586 BC. The prophet Zephaniah preceded Jeremiah, and Habakkuk was Jeremiah's contemporary.___ • Strengths and Accomplishments-> -Wrote 2 OT books, Jeremiah and Lamentations -Ministered during the reign of 5 kings -Catalyst for great spiritual reformation under King Josiah -Faithful despite attempts on his life -Became known as the Weeping Prophet
Conclusion: Ezekiel
Regardless of interpretation, the response should be one of expectancy because God has planned a glorious future beyond description.
