OT Final Study Guide
Jeremiah (dates)
627-586 BCE
Fall of Samaria (date)
722 BCE
The Syro-Ephramite War (dates)
734 BCE
1 Isaiah (dates)
742-01 BCE
Hosea (dates)
745-25 BCE
Amos (dates)
760-45 BCE
Assyrian Hegemony (dates)
900-600 BCE
Jeremiah the message
God as the potter who destroys and builds up; the law in the heart; God's bringing an enemy against Israel; covenant violation; appoints God over nations
(ECCLESIASTES) In what way does Ecclesiastes question the assumptions of Proverbs, and what is this book's answer to the problem?
It asks the meaning of life; it takes Proverb's A+B=C and says A and B are all that matter; enjoy what God gives as best as possible (no matter what he gives) and fear God;
(JEREMIAH) Discuss 31:31-34. How is it similar to or different from the Sinai Covenant?
It is similar i that it is God's covenant but this time it is written on their hearts instead of on stone.
(AMOS) The first section consists of "oracles against the nations." What is unexpected about the final oracle in this section?
?????????has to do with israel; Punishment is longer; longest oracle
Nehemiah
A "cupbearer to the persian king"; he returned to the homeland to oversee the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem
Ezra
A priest and a scribe who taught his people "the statutes and ordinances of Israel" after the return from exile
Ezekiel the context
Ministry started 5 years after the exile into israel;
"Prophet" (the word) origins
Nabi = one who is called Roehz = seer
Amos The Context
Doesn't say much about the Assyrians, so most scholars believe he was before TP3's rising. Date of his book is revealed by a massive earthquake. Rich time during the Golden Era of Northern Israel.
(HOSEA) Despite the prosperity of the 8th century when Hosea ministered, the prophet maintained that society was disintegrating (7:1-7). Why?
Same with Amos. Israel was being defiled by the money and the lifestyles that it creates.
Ezra the man
Scribe/council for Jewish affairs; skilled in the torah; name means help; He also is believed to have lead a council of 120 men who began the process of determining the limits of the OT canon.
Isaiah The message
similar to Amos and Hosea in their observation of the oppression of the poor; everyone is turning everywhere for help except the Lord; the Lord is active because Israel has gone too far; focuses on God's hand for the entire world; Isaiah 1 focuses on indicment and judgement;
Daniel (dates)
First Half: late persian or Greek period Second Half: 167-64 BCE
Jeremiah The man
"the Lord exalts"; From a small town; God told him to write down his words, he hired a scribe; We know more about his personal struggles more than any other prophet, he felt crushed under the weight of knowing he was Israel's last chance
Temple Rebuilt
516 BCE
Briefly discuss the Deuteronomistic History
-Babylon defeats Assyria -Fall of Jerusalem (Daniel in Babylonian court since he was in the first exilic group) -Nebuchadrezzar -Two bad successors -persia welcomed -538 Cyrus -> Babylon tells people to go home -535 Sheshbezar and Zerubbabel (haggai and Zechariah's ministry) -516 = Temple was finished = was a representation of God's presence. It says that you are taking back territory <- Esther -458 Ezra - torah -444 Nehemiah - walls
Haggai (dates)
520 BCE
Zechariah (dates)
520-18 BCE
End of the exile by decree of Cyrus
538 BCE
First Wave of the return from exile under Sheshbazzar and Zerubbabel
538 BCE
Fall of Jerusalem
586 BCE
Ezekiel (dates)
593-63 BCE
Psalms (random facts)
150 poems, most similar; hebrew for praises, greed for instruments; contains subscriptions; grouped according to the pentateuch; lots of repitition
(2 ISAIAH) Give one of the four Servant Songs and comment on its content
42:1-7 is the first; it talks about justice and promises Israel to be free from its prison; the subject of the servant song is either Israel itself, Cyrus, or a Davidic messiah (depends on your point of view)
Third Wave of the return form exile under Nehemiah
444 BCE
Ezra (dates)
458 BCE
Second Wave of the return from exile under Ezra
458 BCE
Latter Prophets
All prophets who appear in the books after them
Former Prophets
All prophets who appear in the historical books section of the Catholic and Protestant bible (Joshua, Judges, 1&2 Samuel, and 1&2 Kings)
Hosea the Message
Almost like a lawsuit from God; discussed God's loving compassion, fidelity, and the knowledge of God (unlike other covenant prophets);
(DANIEL) What is Apocalyptic Literature? List several important characteristics and discuss how this medium was an effective literary technique under oppressive regimes
Apocalyptic literature stems from apocalypse meaning revelation; it is a code for communicating a message to a targeted people; it uses items with cultural connotations and uses it to say something else; characteristics= 1) Uses famous names so people read, author remains anonymous 2)words are secret and coded; meant for a target audience 3) It is bold in its topic
Compare and contrast the military policies for dealing with conquered peoples of the Assyrians, the Babylonians, and the Persians. Discuss how these policies impacted the course of biblical history.
Assyrians: disperse people among the whole empire Babylonians: all people back to babylon Persians: Let them be. Get cooperation by letting them worship who they want and still pay taxes
(ISAIAH) In 7:1-17, why does the prophet criticize foreign alliances?
Because they are placing their trust in others and not God. Ahaz is example of bad king, placing trust in Assyria. Hezekiah trusted in God.
Artifacts of the OT
Black Obelisk of Shalmaneser III (859-824 BCE) = King Jehu of the north bowing to Assyrian of the north. It shows that Israel fears the Assyrians and subjugated themselves to them.
Hosea The Man
Born, raised, and ministered in the north, thus he is unique among the prophets as the only "pure-blood" northern prophet
(DANIEL) Discuss two of the following: chapter 2 (Nebuchadnezzar's dream of the statue), 3 (the fiery furnace), 5 (Belshazzar's feast), or 6 (Daniel in the lion's den).
Ch 2; Shows God honoring daniel in his act of faith. God's soverignty is evident in giving Daniel the interpretation to the dream. We can see a succession of kingdoms, none of which are israel. This tells them that it is not their time but it shows that God is in control and his kingdom will not be destroyed, which is hope in itself. Ch 3: Like ch 2, We see God honoring an act of faith with deliverance. (told in 3:17-18 ->) God may choose to provide deliverance or he may not, but his soverignty is in no way threatened if he should not deliver in that particular instance.
(AMOS)Discuss how Amos initiates an ongoing prophetic concern about injustice in society. Are any other prophets interested in this issue? Give examples.
Concerned with the poor; describes YAHWEH's empassioned pleas for the socially disadvantaged and denounced their opressors; like Isaiah
Nehemiah the man
Cup bearer for the king;
The fathers ate sour grapes, but the children's teeth are set on edge
Ezekiel
Ezra the context
Ezra begins where Chronicles leaves off;
(EZRA) What are the problems that the Jews encounter in the book of Ezra during the first two waves of the return? Why does Ezra go to Jerusalem, and what does he discover when he gets there?
Ezra came to find an Israel that had abandoned their religion; they were threatened by the surrounding nations who had previously controlled the area; the temple serves as a mere monument of a messiah to come, not a religious center;
(EZEKIEL) Discuss life in exile in Babylon.
First few months were difficult for Israel;
(2 ISAIAH) List two reasons why Second Isaiah is considered to be a separate from First Isaiah.
First, the subject completely changes. They never bring up Assyria again. They focus mainly on Babylon even after all that has happened. Also, the theme changed. It now focuses on the deliverance of the exiles, the worthlessness of idols, and about a servant who will act out God's plan.
Foretelling vs forthtelling
Foretelling = the ability to accurately predict the future; telling before something happens Forthtelling = warnings, rebukes, promises made by God in consiquence of something (this is most prophecy); telling forth God's perspective on the current state of affairs
(3 ISAIAH) How does the message of Third Isaiah differ from that of Second Isaiah?
He talks about upright living, the future glory of Jerusalem, and God's vengeance on his enemies. Yahweh laid out before Israel his agenda so that the people might understand and affirm his holiness, sovereignty and faithfulness. God as the redeemer
Ezra the message
He used the torah as a document for personal growth; he reestablished the Jewish religious traditions;
(ZECHARIAH) Discuss Zechariah's use of apocalyptic language and imagery. Why is this something new and different from earlier prophecies?
His visions are much more mystical and symbolic than earlier prophetic language. They could only be comprehended by those who knew what the prophet was talking about. They were talking about the end of days. It is the basis fro which we understand the old Jewish end times beliefs.
(ISAIAH) What was Isaiah's special name for God
Holy one of Israel; portrays reconciliation as the ultimate goal of God
(PSALMS) List two different types of Psalms and explain how they are different.
Individual lament (51): david for Bethsheba Hymn of praise (96): meant for a congressional setting
"Comfort, comfort my people," says your God. "Speak tenderly to Jerusalem. Tell her that her sad days are gone and her sins are pardoned. Yes, the Lord has punished her twice over for all her sins."
Isaiah (2nd part)
(ISAIAH) Discuss the significance of chapter 6 to Isaiah's ministry
It came to the conclusion that the people were not going to pay any attention to Isaiah's ministry.
Today I appoint you to stand up against nations and kingdoms. Some you must uproot and tear down, destroy and overthrow. Others you must build up and plant."
Jeremiah
(JEREMIAH) How did Jeremiah's position with regard to the Babylonian attack and possible control of Judah differ from the other prophets ministering during the same period?
Jeremiah says to surrender. The prophets are saying the covenant will protect them. Habakuk is also mad that God will gave this right to gentiles.
(PROVERBS) Discuss biblical Wisdom Literature. What books are considered to be Wisdom books, what is "wisdom," and list some of the recurring themes?
Job, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes; wisdom = application of knowledge to your advantage/knowledge tempered by experience; Family relationships and good friends are recurring themes
3 Isaiah (dates)
Just after 539 BCE, early post-exilic period
2 Isaiah (dates)
Just before 539 BCE, near the end of the exile
Major Prophets
Long Prophetic books (Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel)
(JOB) What is "disinterested righteousness" and why is it an important concept to understanding Job?
Loving God and doing what he says whether we get anything out of it or not; because Job proves that A+B does not always mean C is going to happen;
(JEREMIAH) Discuss Jeremiah's interaction with other prophets of his time (e.g., chapters 23, 28).
Other prophets were telling messages of prosperity and peace; Jeremiah was the one being accused of the false prophet;
(PSALMS) What is Hebrew Parallelism and why is it important to studying biblical poetry?
Parallelism is a logical repitions; a, whats more, b; "For 3 transgressions of edema and 4 transgressions of menorah, i will not remove the punishment"; Second half serves as a commentary for the first half
Jonah (dates)
Post-exilic
Preclassical vs Classical (Function, audience, purpose)
Pre = mouthpiece of God, advisor to king and court; military advice, pronouncement of rebuke or blessing Classic = Mouth piece of God concerning social/spiritual status of the people; Rebuke concerning current condition of society leads to warnings of captivity, destruction, exile and promise of eventual restoration, Call to justice and repentance.
Isaiah The person
Prophesized for 40 years under Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah; Name means Lord is Salvation; wife = the prohpetess; beleived to be written by 3 different authors;
(JOB) In what way does Job question the assumptions of Proverbs, and how is his problem answered?
Proverbs says A+B=C. Do good and this will happen to you, aka the Retribution principle. Job was good and got wrong done to him
Haggai the context
Same time as Ezra; there was a massive famine; Israelites were getting comfortable not being in exile
Zechariah the context
Same time as Haggai; Selfishness criples community and the general mood was dismal
(HAGGAI) What are the two chief issues for this prophet?
Rebuild the temple and awaken the Israelites to their responsibilities, obligations and privileges of their covenant heritage.
Zechariah the message
Rebuilding the temple; messages about the temple being completed/ rebuilding the community; rebuke -> exhortation -> enouragement;
(ISAIAH) What extra-biblical archaeological discoveries are important to the modern study of Isaiah and why?
Sennacherib's throne room; Taylor Prism: an account of the battle against Hezekiah at Jerusalem, very close to the biblical account (2 Kgs 18:13-16); Siloam Inscription: a wall carving found in a tunnel (1777 ft. long through solid rock) commemorating the completion of a water tunnel as part of Jerusalem's defense against Sennacherib's attack; dead seas scrolls
(JEREMIAH)Discuss the context of Jeremiah's ministry. Who was in power at the beginning of his work, and who was in control at the end?
Started with Josiah, then his sons were in control, then Nebuchadnezzar took over and destroyed Jerusalem
Jeremiah the context
Started with Josiah, then his sons were in control, then Nebuchadrezzar took over and destroyed Jerusalem;
Amos The Message
Stressed 4 things in his message: God's moral rule over the whole world (universalism)= god is in charge of everywhere, 2 kinds of judgements: for Israelite and non, God demands justice for all, Unending concern for the poor. Prophet of Doom: "Luxury Defiles" Yet also spoke of the responsibilities of the israelites
Ezekiel the man
Taken into exile along with the 10000 first Israelites; visionary;
(ZECHARIAH) What is the main issue for this prophet?
The Israelites continued the evil ways (covenant violations) of their preexilic ancestors. He encouraged them to work on the temple
(AMOS)Why does God say that he hates the festivals and offerings of the people in 5:21-7?
The Israelites were still worshiping Baal while sacrificing to God; they were doing actions to please both Gods "just to be safe"
(NEHEMIAH) How does the question of foreign wives in both Ezra and Nehemiah fit into the context of post-exilic debates over foreigners?
The foreign wives bring in their multitudes of Gods; these gods arent accepted by the husbands but kids are exposed; kids follow; bad for the jewish tradition and religion; falling back into preexilic apostacy
(HOSEA) What is one of the main images or metaphors that Hosea uses to describe the relationship between God and Israel?
The illustration of Israel being a prostitute and God being like Hosea, the suitor. This is significant in two ways. The people were not only committing spiritual adultery against Yahweh by turning to Baal but were also literally prostituting themselves in the sex acts associated with the rituals of the Canaanite fertility cults.
(ISAIAH) What was the Syro-Ephraimite War and why is it important to Isaiah?
The north tried to pursuade the south to battle against the Assyrians but the south (judah) decided to make a treaty. This leads to Isaiah ch7 where Isaiah called them out for not trusting in God.
(EZEKIEL) How is the theme of individual responsibility in 18:2 (cf. Jer 31:29-30) a significant development in the tradition of biblical thought, and what purpose does it serve for Ezekiel?
The people of Judah blamed the bad on the idea that it was previous generations sinfulness that caused their persecution; each generation is accountable for its own sin
Discuss the Persian empire. Who were some of its main leaders (including dates)? How did its governmental policies differ from those of Babylon and why was this important for the Jews?
The persian empire was built under Cyrus the great. Cyrus (559-530) -> Darius (522 486) -> Xerxes (486-465) -> Artaxerxes (465-424) Persians let the jews be. Get cooperation by letting them worship who they want and still pay taxes. The even got the funds to go home.
Classical Prophets
The same as latter prophets, specifically the prophets who wrote vs did ministry, any prophet that has a book named after them
Minor Prophets
The twelve short prophetic books plus Daniel
(2 ISAIAH) Discuss 40:1-11 and 44:9-28 as characteristic of Second Isaiah's themes.
This emphasizes the change of tone from Isaiah talking about the Assyrians as a from of punishment for Israel. Now he is saying that the punishment is over and God is calling for them back with open arms. Also, he is calling for them to get rid of their idols. He is their creator and their Lord.
(JEREMAIH) Chapters 30-31 are referred to as the Book of Consolation. Why is this section so important to understanding the essence of Jeremiah's prophetic message?
This is God's promise after Israel's destruction. He says he knows the plans he has for them. He will make a new covenant. The city will be rebuilt. The people will return to God and a Davidic king will sit on the throne.
Hosea The Context
This is a follow up to Amos's message of Israel's self idulgence; Preached the same message of Judgement as Amos;
(NEHEMIAH) Why does Nehemiah go to Jerusalem? What are the problems he discovers when he arrives?
To rebuild the walls; they are being attacked by arabs that are there; led by Sanballat, governer of Samaria;
Isaiah The context
Traditionally one book; more recently it has been divided into 3; TP3 invasion; invasion by Sennacherib.
(EZEKIEL) What are the main points of chapter 37 and why is it important to ministry?
Valley of dry bones, Israel would be restored to her land; but currently they were dead; they needed God in order to receive life; I will be their God and they shall be my people = emblem to show the people that the Lord would unite Judah and Israel
Amos The man
Was a shepherd, Referred to himself as a fig gouger or a fig pincher. Fig was a food of the poor and when you gouged the hard shell, it produced almost twice the crop. Scholars don't know if he was a migrant worker among the figs or if he owned the field. Name means word bearer.
Ezekiel the message
Yahweh's sovereignty over Israel and the nations; Individual responsibility; Wittnesses the departur of God's glory from the Jerusalem temple prior to the fnal phase of Babylonian conquest; offers hope of a return of God's glory
