Old Testament Exam 3

Mesha (of the Mesha Stele)

A monument written for, MESHA king of MOAB. Accounts the victories of the Moabite king over the king of ISRAEL. It narrates events in 2 KINGS , however, it is in conflict with the BIBLICAL NARRATIVE.

Universality

All people will now be included in the Covenant.

Call Narrative

Used TO PROVE THAT THE PROPHET IS LEGITIMATE: 1. PRELUDE: CRISIS 2. SOME TYPE OF ENCOUNTER WITH GOD (I.E. BURNING BUSH - THEOPHANY) 3. OBJECTION OR CLAIM OF UNWORTHINESS 4. REASSURANCE 5. THE COMMISSION/CALL

Gomer

Wife of Hosea who was a prostitute and cheated on her husband. Used as a metaphor of how Israel has cheated and turned its back from God.

Prophet Characteristics

1. They claim to speak for God, often introducing their sayings with formulas like "thus says the Lord." 2. They were courageous persons, unafraid to deliver their message, regardless of the personal danger involved. 3. They will moral persons who preached a message that demanded the highest moral living from their hearers. 4. They were compassionate persons, sensitive to the difficulties of the poor and the oppressed. 5. They were sensitive people, aware of what was happening in the world around them in convinced that the Lord was in control of all events. 6.The profits were primarily concerned with their own time and what was about to happen to their people. 7. Time is a sure test of the of the validity of profits message.

597

1ST EXILE - LEADERSHIP (1% OF POPULATION) -Jehoiachin

587

2ND - MAJORITY OF PEOPLE, MIDDLE CLASS, CRAFTSMAN. - Zedekiah

583

3RD EXILE - LOWER-CLASS AND POOR. - Gedaliah

Isiah's Oracles

4 distinct ideas in 1st Isaiah's prophecy: Holiness of God: - Focuses on holiness as an idea of MORALITY. God is a MORAL BEING who demands morality from worshippers (Isa 6:3) Attacked the HYPOCRISY OF THE LEADERS. Faith in God: - Proper WORSHIP and fidelity to Yahweh—not foreign gods. The notion that faith in God is faith in a TRUSTWORTHY God and that thepeople should trust GOD rather than MILITARY POWER (Isa 7:4, 15; 30:15). Remnant of Israel: - JUDGEMENT coming upon the people. Intent is not to DESTROY the nation but to PURIFY it. A group of HOLY people would survive and a NEW and RIGHTEOUS society will be built on them (Isa 7:3; 10:20-23). Coming of the Messiah: - The new age would be ruled by an ideal DAVIDIC Messiah, Mashiah, or "ANOINTED ONE" Applied to all DAVIDIC KINGS. A messiah should ensure God's JUSTICE on earth and be FAITHFUL to God. People are looking for a messiah NOW to restore Judah. When no Messiah materialized, Isaiah looked to the future for God's CHOSEN ONE (Isa 9:2-7; 11:1-9).

Prophet

A SPOKESPERSON FOR GOD. CAN BE EITHER A MAN OR WOMAN, HOWEVER, THE BOOKS WERE ALL WRITTEN BY MEN. Their messages usually contained advice on NATIONAL SECURITY, WAR, PLAGUES, and other WARNINGS.

Woe Oracle

A WOE OF DOOM, THREAT, AND WARNING. A PROPHECY OF THE DEVASTATION AND GRIEF TO COME.

Hezekiah (COMPLETE APPROVAL)

Abolishes the HIGH PLACE related to BAAL and ASHERAH. Smashes poles and sacred pillars associated with Asherah. Destroys the BRONZE SERPENT (PEOPLE WORSHIPED IT) that Moses had fashioned in the desert to cure people bitten by the poisonous snake. RECEIVED COMPLETE APPROVAL FROM GOD. Rebels against ASSYRIA after the destruction of Samaria. Because he refuses to pay tribute, SENNACHERIB (RULER OF ASSYRIA) invades Judah and captures important cities and levies a FINE. In order to make payment, must strip the TEMPLE of its TREASURES. His reign ends with an IMPOVERISHED nation and SMALLER TERRITORY. Receives COMPLETE approval from 2 Kings narrator because of his RELIGIOUS FAITH IN GOD.

Isaiah

Active as a prophet between 742 and 701BCE. Witnessed the destruction of SAMARIA and the Assyrian assault on JUDAH. His book contains mostly advice to KINGS during the Assyrian threat and warnings of JUDGEMENTS against Judah for its sins.

Nebuchadnezzar

King of Babylon, defeats Pharaoh Necho at the Battle of Carchemish. Takes Judah and disperses the people.

Jehoash/Joash (qualified evaluation)

Known as the "Boy King" his long reign was peaceful except for an attack by Syria, in which Joash used Temple money to bribe them to leave. He was labeled as a qualified king. NOTE: He was the first "Boy King"

Diviners

Prophets who read the signs of nature, such as the patterns of clouds or the patterns of the internal organs of animals, somewhat like the reading of palms tea leaves today.

Ecstatics

Prophets whose prophecy came as of an altered physical state, such as a trance or a frenzy.

Asherah (goddess)

She was considered a CONSORT (LOVER) of Yahweh in among the populace. Some believed her to be married to God himself and the goddess of fertility.

Elijah

Significantly expanded the role of the prophetic figure, and in later Jewish tradition became the symbol of the ideal profit, as Moses was the symbol of the ideal lawgiver. He separated the institutions of the palace in prophecy and created a distinct and independent role of the prophets and the story of Israel. He'd appear, given Oracle (Pronouncement) and disappear. He was a prophet of doom and a man who could be both courageous and cowardly. His first confrontation was with Ahab. He appeared before Ahab to warn him about the 3-year drought in Israel. When the drought worsened Ahab went out with Obadiah in search of water. While they were searching for water this prophet ran into Obadiah and asked him to take him to Ahab. There he challenged Ahab and his people to follow either Baal or the Lord. He told the 450 Baal prophets prepare a sacrifice. They called on Baal to ignite the fire, and Elijah would do the same thing with God. The god who answered by fire would be the winner. The people agreed to follow the god whose power was revealed. The Baalites prepared their sacrifice and began a long ritual designed to get Baal's attention. When evening came, the exhausted Baalites gave up with their futile efforts. Then this prophet leapt into action he built an altar prepared a sacrificial bull (which, ironically, was the symbol of Ball) and then soaked everything thoroughly in water and then pray to God who answers the largest prayer and sent fire down upon his sacrifice. The Baalites the followed God. Hearing of these events, Ahab's have's wife, Jezebel, decided that he would kill him for his actions. Being cowardly, he fled and eventually ended up at Horeb on Mount Sinai. There, the Lord appeared to him in a Theophany and asked him what he was doing there. It was then that he realized he needed to go back to Israel where he found his new disciple named you Elisha. He passed his mantle to him as he ascended into heaven. Who is this prophet?

Josiah, AKA: the Boy King - (COMPLETE APPROVAL)

Son of Anon. Placed on the throne at the age of eight. Also known as the Boy King, (the second one) He was considered the GREATEST KING of the Davidic monarchy. Influenced at a young age to follow God by the High Priest Hilkiah and to destroy pagan worship. While he was renovating the Temple, the book of DEUTERONOMY was found and sent to the PROPHET HULDAH to verify and interpret what he has found. When he discovers what the book is, he enacts sweeping REFORMS. He INFLUENCES THE NORTH AND TEARS DOWN THE TEMPLE AT BETHEL. Destroys all idols and kills all pagan priests. He Holds a COVENANT RENEWAL and PASSOVER ceremony. He extends reforms into part of the NORTHERN kingdom. Moves all priest to Jerusalem and centralize worship in the temple. this causes the idea that Jerusalem will never fall because the temple is God's dwelling place. Died on the battlefield of Megiddo at the hands of Egypt. His death would mark the fall of the nation itself. He receives COMPLETE approval.

Jehoiachin (Negative evaluation)

Son of Jehoiakim. Came to power as the Babylons took the city. He and his mother along with the leading, wealthy class were taken back to Babylon. Judah fell in 597 BCE. Received a negative evaluation.

Cyrus the Great of Persia

______________ the ____________ of ______________ is God's instrument to deliver Israel. 2nd Isaiah refers to him as a MESSIAH in restoring Jerusalem. He spoke REASSURANCE to a conquered nation. Defeats the Babylons in 539 BCE.

722

Israel is left weak from abusive monarchy and ASSYRIA conquers Israel and begins to deport the North THROUGHOUT THE EMPIRE in order to PREVENT REVOLT.

Mashiah/messiah

It means, "ANOINTED ONE," and was applied to all DAVIDIC KINGs, even when they did not act like one. A ______________ should ensure God's JUSTICE on earth and be FAITHFUL to God. The people were looking for a ______________ to restore Judah. When he did not materialize, Isaiah looked to the future for God's CHOSEN ONE (Isa 9:2-7; 11:1-9).

Hosea

Prophet from the NORTH and prophesies to THE NORTH. Uses a marriage metaphor to describe Yahweh's and Israel's relationship. YAHWEH and HOSEA is the husband, while ISRAEL and GOMER, is the bride. The people were unfaithful because THEY WERE WORSHIPPING OTHER GODS. This resembles metaphorically in Gomer's UNFAITHFULNESS and how that mirrors the nation's UNFAITHFULNESS to God Jezreel: JEHU KILLS BAAL WORSHIPERS WHICH SIGNIFIES HOW ISRAEL WILL BE SLAUGHTERED FOR WORSHIPING OTHER GODS. - Lo-ruhamah: "NOT PITIED, NO MERCY" - Lo-ammi: "NOT MY PEOPLE" There is a promising future of RECONCILIATION (Hos 14). The children are given new name signify a reconciliation with God.Unfaithfulness brings disaster but God responds to REPENTANCE and rewards FAITHFULNESS. - Jezreel: YAHWEH SAVES - Ruhamah: PITY OR MERCY - Ammi: MY PEOPLE

Amos

Prophet from the WORKING POOR. Held two occupations, SHEPHERD/HERDSMAN, and a Dresser of SYCAMORE TREE. Originally from the city of TEKOA in JUDAH, but he prophesized in BETHEL in NORTH ISRAEL. Focuses on ETHICAL ISSUES AND VIOLATIONS OF THE COVENANT.

Jeremiah

Prophet who prophesied during the reigns of Josiah, Jehoiakim, Jehoiachin, and Zedekiah (last 4 kings) and was inspired by Josiah's REFORMS. Condemns those who believe that no HARM will come to them because the TEMPLE. Because of his sermon, he was SEIZED, THREATENED W/ DEATH, then finally, TRIED AND PUNISHED. Jeremiah considered BABYLON the instrument of God because they DESERVED to be PUNISHED. After the first exile, the people's only hope for survival was to REMAIN LOYAL TO BABYLON, but the people REBELLED and claimed the prophets message as TREASON. He survives the destruction of Jerusalem in PRISON (for his 'treason') The Babylonians offer him the option of GOING FREE IN BABYLON OR the option to STAY IN THE LAND (which he does).Continued prophecy: Those who fled were FAITHLESS and those who were exiled or remained in the land were FAITHFUL.Criticised Jehoiakim for giving in to the Babylonians.

Three parts of Isaiah

- 1st Isaiah (1-39) correlates to 700 JERUSALEM - 2nd Isaiah (40-55) correlates to BABYLONIAN EXILE - 3rd Isaiah (56-66) correlates to 3RD PERSON THAT CONTINUES THE MISSION, RETURN HOME

Prophet's Audience

- THE KINGS, PRIESTS, SCRIBES, AND COMMUNITY LEADERS - THE ELITE. - The COMMUNITY/NATION AS A WHOLE. - PROPHET'S MESSAGES WERE DIRECTED DIRECTLY TO WHOM THEY WERE SPOKEN.

Naboth

Ahab, King of Israel, coveted the rich lands of this farmer. The farmer refused to sell his lands because it was his ancestral inheritance, meant for his descendants. Jezebel, the wife of Ahab and Queen of Israel, orchestrated the death of this farmer in order to satisfy Ahab. She bribed witnesses to testify against him. The farmer was charged, convicted of blasphemy, and stoned to death. He Elijah, the prophet, predicted that she would be eaten by dogs. This story illustrates two important matters: 1) The role of the profits as the conscience of the nation. 2) The translation of the Israelite society from a nation of small independent landowners to one in which most of the land was owned by a few wealthy men. This left the rest of the population more or less at the mercy of the rich.

Black Obelisk

An ASSYRIAN monument from the reign of Shalmaneser III (859-824). It depicts JEHU, "son of Omri," paying tribute.

Jehoiakim (Negative evaluation)

Brother to Jehoahaz, (the son of Josiah, taken and imprisoned in Egypt). When he became King, his named was changed from Eliakim to __________________. He paid heavy tribute to the Egyptians during his reign. He spent lavishly and constantly switched sides between Egypt and Babylon. He decides to rebel against King Nebacanezzer. He dies and passes the throne to his son Jehoiachin. Received a negative evaluation.

Athaliah (NOT CONSIDERED FOR EVALUATION/NEGATIVE)

Daughter of AHAB (granddaughter of OMRI) Marries JEHORAM, a Judean king. Son, AHAZIAH, is killed by Jehu and she becomes the only Queen to ever rule in Judah. To ensure her rule, she starts killing anyone who can take her throne, including her family and Ahaziah's sons. Executes AHAZIAH's sons. One son, JEHOASH (JOASH), saved and hidden in the TEMPLE by the high priest, JEHOIADA, who revolts and places the lone son on the throne. she ruled for six years but not considered a LEGITIMATE ruler because SHE IS A WOMAN AND NOT A MEMBER OF THE DAVIDIC DYNASTY. She is the only interruption of the DAVIDIC dynasty. Not considered a legitimate ruler of Israel and therefore not evaluated.

Jehu (Negative evaluation)

Elijah anointed the former captain in AHAB's guard as the next king of Israel. He immediately begins to establish his power by killing anyone who could threaten his throne. He murdered Jehoram (Joram) king of Israel and king Ahaziah of Judah. He continued his bloodthirst by assassinating Jezebel, Ahab's wife, by throwing her out a window and leaving her for the dogs. He systematically slaughtered all the relatives of Ahab and his closest advisors, including hos own family. He also purged all who are related to the BAAL cult, however, he did not institute YAHWISTIC worship only. He lost territory to Assyria and was forced to paid tribute to Shalmaneser III of Assyria in 841 B.C.E. Negative evaluation.

Prophet's Call

Experience a VISION or visited by GOD. Purpose is so that God could COMMISSION the prophet for God's purposes.

Holiness Codes

FAIRNESS, LOVE FOR OTHERS, RIGHT/JUST: Lev 19:1-2, 9-10: BE HOLY FOR I AM HOLY; LEAVE GRAINS FOR THE POOR AND ALIENS (FOREIGNERS) 19:11-13: DONT STEAL; BE HONEST WITH YOU NEIGHBOR AND DON'T DEFRAUD HIM 19:17-18, 33-34: LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AND THE ALIENS, DON'T OPPRESS ALIENS. 19:35-36: FAIR IN JUDGMENT AND BE HONEST IN YOUR SALES

The 12 minor Prophets

Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi.

Suffering Servant

Four poems that introduce the Lord's SERVANT (Isa 42:1-4; 49:1-6; 50:4-11; 52:13-53:12) The 1st poem describes the Servant's Mission: to Bring JUSTICE IN A QUIET, GENTLE MANNER. The 2nd poem describes the Servant's responsibility Responsibility: Bring ISREAL back to God and in doing so, he will be a LIGHT to the nations. The3rd poem describes his Submission: Comforts and encourages the WEARY and DOWNTRODDEN. But his work is facing OPPOSITION The 4th poem describes his Trial and Death: Hated and shunned and rejected by people. His suffering is as an INNOCENT suffering for another. Unjustly killed and buried along with the WICKED AND RICH. His death is an OFFERING for the SINS of the people The servant is ISREAL (YOU). Christianity's view: Prophecies about JESUS CHRIST.

Jezebel (Negative evaluation)

Married to Ahab to renew alliances with Phoenicia. She was a princess from Tyre (a Phoenician city) and an ardent worshiper of the Canaanite god, Baal. She convinced Ahab to build idols and altars to Baal and Baal's mistress, Asherah. Ordered the death of Elijah after he proved the Baal did not exist and then called upon the people who the killed its prophets. Her husband coveted the rich lands of Naboth. In order to appease her husband, she orchestrated the death of a farmer who had wealthy land coveted by Ahab. She bribed witnesses to testify against him. Naboth was charged and convicted of blasphemy. Elijah, the prophet, predicted that she would be eaten by dogs.

Pharaoh Necho

NEBUCHADNEZZAR, king of Babylon, defeats this Egyptian Pharo at the Battle of Carchemish (605 BCE). Responsible for the death of King Josiah.

Oracles Against the Nations

NEGATIVE MESSAGES AGAINST OTHER NATIONS.

Gedaliah

Nebuchadnezzar appoints ___________ as GOVERNOR. Babylon returns and exiles more people in 583 BCE, BECAUSE OF the governor's ASSASSINATION. Only POOREST OF THE POOR REMAIN and those that can, flee to EGYPT.

Zedekiah

Nebuchadnezzar appoints _____________ as KING but he REBELS as well. Babylon returns and destroys CITY and TEMPLE. The majority of the people taken into exile in 587 BCE.

Omri

Northern king. Only king with a dynasty. Under his dynasty, Israel's relations with Judah changed for the better. The two kingdoms became allies, with Israel being the dominant party. He organized his kingdom along the lines of the Davidic and Solomonic kingdoms. He renewed old alliances, began building programs and moved the capital to the hill of Samaria. He had sound judgment, especially in regards to building. Samaria was well built and withstood attacks. This king was powerful and held influence over the land. Israel was known in the Assyrian record as the "land of Omri." Despite his many achievements, biblical writers only mention that he built Samaria and he, "did more evil than all of those who were before him" (1 Kings 16:25 - 28). He was the father of Ahab and grandfather to Athaliah. He founded the capital of Samaria but was given a negative evaluation. named the worst king because he worshiped outside of Isreal.

Ahab (Negative evaluation)

Northern king. Son of Omri, who took over his throne. Father to Jehoram, he was worse than his father. Married JEZEBEL, a princess from Tyre (a Phoenician city) to renew alliances with Phoenicia. She was an ardent worshiper of the Canaanite god, Baal, and he worshiped her gods. Ahab also built altars to Baal and made an idol that represented Asherah, Baal's mistress. It is also implied that he approved of human sacrifice (1 Kings 16:31-34) He was also a prodigious builder. Coveted the rich lands of Naboth. Elija, the prophet, predicts he will die in battle; which he does. Received a negative evaluation.

THIRD ISAIAH

Oracles are now focused on the return from exile as they are about a RESTORED people. Jerusalem is being depicted as being RESTORED and she will be a LIGHT to the nations. Introduces the concept of UNIVERSALITY: ALL people will now be included in the covenant.

Vision Report

PROPHETS SEE A VISION, AND THEN REPORT IT

Symbolic Acts

PROPHETS WHO ACTED OR SIGNED OUT WHAT WAS GOING TO HAPPEN (SIGN-ACTS or PANTOMIME).

Asa (Qualified evaluation)

Southern King that ruled between 908-867 B.C.E. and was marked as a qualified ruler. Son of Abijam. Evaluated positively more because of his religious reforms than his military success. He was able to to draw the invading Israelites away from Mizpeh and Geba by bribing to Ben-hadad to attack Israel. he then used Israel's fortifications at Ramah, to strengthen and save the two towns.

Deuteronomic Reformation

Sweeping reformation and application of the Mosaic Law during the reign of King Josiah.

Oracle

THE MESSAGE SPOKEN.

Messenger Formula

THUS SAYETH THE LORD

Prophet's Miracles

TO PROVE THAT THEY WERE THR TRU LEGITIMATE PROPHETS OF GOD.

Baal (god)

The god of fertility, storms, and fires. Symbolized by a bull. The people worshiped him and many other gods like him. This particular god was tested by Elija, who proved that he did not exist. (See Elija)

Hoshea (Negative evaluation)

The last king of Israel. He became king by murdering Pekah. He had chosen Egypt (which was not equipped to fight) as his ally to help in a rebellion against Syria. Shalmaneser V of Assyria struck Samaria in 725 B.C.E. and took three years to force Israel to surrender. Israel fell in 722 B.C.E. Assyria began to relocate the people to prevent rebellion. Negative evaluation.

Ezekiel

The prophet who was taken into exile during the first siege of Jerusalem in 597 BCE because HE WAS THE PRIESTLY CLASS (POWER AND MONEY). He was settled at Tel-abib on Chebar River, near Nippur. He was by the river, a great STORM came out of the north. Four CREATURES, EACH WITH FOUR HEADS AND FOUR WINGS on Four WHEELS in a construction similar to a gyroscope, appeared before him. Above the entire vision is the THRONE of GOD. God commands this prophet to eat a SCROLL that tastes like honey. It symbolizes THE MESSAGES THE EZEKIEL WILL PREACH. He is then spirited away to the Temple, where PEOPLE ARE WORSHIPPING OTHER GODS.

Huldah

The prophetess that spoke of the Lord's displeasure at idol worship in Judah. interpreted the scrolls found in the cleaning of the Temple.

Manasseh

This king believed in: - AUGURY - READING OF ANIMAL GUTS... - MEDIUMS - ONES WHO CONTACT THE DEAD - WIZARDRY - WHICHCRAFT - HUMAN SACRIFICE - WORSHIPING BAAL AND ASHERAH (MANASSEH PUTS HER IMAGE IN THE TEMPLE, SHE WAS THE FERTILITY GODDESS, SOME BELIEVED THAT SHE WAS MARRIED TO GOD) He also Erects a carved image of ASHERAH in the Temple, who was considered a CONSORT (LOVER) of Yahweh in among the populace. Singled out as the PRIMARY CAUSE of Judah's exile