Bible Survey Lesson 8 - Pre-exilic and Exilic Prophets

Bible Survey Lesson 8 - Pre-exilic and Exilic Prophets Joel 1. The Summary Joel uses the calamity of locusts to warn of a greater judgment yet to come. 2. The Author Joel The only other reference to Joel in the Bible is in Acts 2:16, which confirms that he was a prophet. In addition to that the only other thing we know about Joel is the name of his father (1:1). 3. The Date No date is given. There is no mention of any kings, nor is there any mention of Assyria or Babylon. Israel s enemies are said to be Tyre, Sidon, Philistines, and Egypt (3:4,19). Therefore, Joel may have been the first of the Minor Prophets. Joel was probably written somewhere around 838-756 BC. 4. The Recipients Evidently all the inhabitants of the land (1:2), but especially Judah (3:1) 5. The Theme The Day of the Lord 65

6. The Key Verse 2:31 7. The Outline I. The Present Day of the Lord (1) II. A Possible Future Day of the Lord (2) III. The Promise of The Day of the Lord (3) 66

Jonah 1. The Summary Instead of being devoted to direct prophecy, this prophecy gives a personal history of Jonah s dealing with God. It shows the importance of obedience and God s love and mercy for Gentiles as well as Israel. 2. The Author Jonah 3. The Date There is no date given in the book, but from information in 2 Kings 14:25-27 we know that he ministered during or before the reign of Jeroboam II (782-753 BC). The period of Jonah coincides with historical conditions at Nineveh under Semiramis (810-782 BC). Jonah probably ministered around the year 800 BC. 4. The Recipients The recipients are not specifically stated but the ministry described in the book was to Nineveh. 5. The Theme The Grace and Mercy of God Extended to Jonah and Nineveh 6. The Key Verse 4:2 (2:10; 3:1,10; 4:11) 7. The Outline A. Jonah s 1 st Commission and Disobedience 1,2 1. Jonah Flees (1) 2. Jonah Prays (2) 68

B. Jonah s 2 nd Commission and its Results 3,4 1. Jonah Preaches (3) 2. Jonah Complains (4) 69

Hosea 1. The Summary Hosea ministered from 785-725 BC. It had been nearly 200 years since the split of the kingdom. During this time Israel had worshipped the Golden Calf as its official national god. God had sent Elijah, Elisha, Amos and Micah to warn them of this sin, but they had not repented. Hosea is called on to announce that Jehovah is going to chasten His unfaithful wife, but that eventually He will buy her back and restore her to her place of blessing. 2. The Author Hosea 3. The Date Approximately 785-725 BC (could have been longer or shorter). He wrote before the Assyrian Captivity (722 BC). 4. The Recipients Primarily Israel (Northern Kingdom) Some warning to Judah (4:15; 5:5,10,12-14) 5. The Theme Unfaithfulness, Chastisement and Restoration of Israel 6. The Key Verses 3:4,5 (4:6; 14:4) 7. The Outline A. Israel s Unfaithfulness Illustrated (1-3) B. Israel s Unfaithfulness and Chastisement Described (4-13) 71

Amos 1. The Summary Israel was experiencing a time of material prosperity (7:10-17). Amos warns of judgment to come because of their sin (4:6,8,9,10, 11,12) 2. The Author Amos (1:1) He was a layman (7:14,15). 3. The Date During the reign of Uzziah in Judah and Jeroboam II in Israel (767-753 BC). This was before the Assyrian Captivity. Amos was a contemporary of Hosea. 4. The Recipients Primarily Israel (Northern Kingdom) 1:1; 2:6,11; 4:12; 5:1,4 But also Judah 2:4,5; 3:1 5. The Theme Judgment Because of Sin 6. The Key Verses 3:1-2 7. The Outline A. Judgment on the Nations 1:1-2:3 B. Judgment on Judah and Israel 2:4-16 C. Judgment of the Whole Family of Jacob 3:1-9:10 D. Final Restoration 9:11-15 73

Micah 1. The Summary Micah explains the sins of Israel and the judgment that would come as a result of their sins and the restoration that would follow through God s grace. 2. The Author Micah (1:1) A native of Moresheth-gath (1:1,14); a town about 20 miles southwest of Jerusalem 3. The Date Micah prophesied during the reigns of Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah (c749-700 BC). Micah was contemporary with both Hosea and Isaiah. 4. The Recipients Both the northern and southern kingdoms (1:1,5,6,9) 5. The Theme Judgment on all of Israel and Future Restoration 6. The Key Verses 1:5-9 with 4:1-4 5:2 only place in Old Testament it is specifically stated that Christ would be born in Bethlehem. 7. The Outline A. Proclaiming Sin and Judgment 1-3 B. Prophesying Grace and Future Restoration 4,5 C. Pleading for Repentance 6,7 75

Isaiah 1. The Summary Isaiah was a prophet of God who was active in Judah from about 740 to 701 BC (possibly to 680 BC). His ministry covered at least 40 years. He lived during the reigns of the Judean kings Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, Hezekiah, and perhaps the first years of Manasseh. He was contemporary with the last four kings of Israel: Menahem, Pekahiah, Pekah, and Hoshea. The Northern Kingdom of Israel fell to the Assyrians during his ministry (722 BC). King Ahaz was very wicked. He led Judah into the worst excesses of idolatry for 16 years. Many of Isaiah s prophecies of doom were given during this period. Isaiah warns Judah to repent and turn back to God or be driven from the land. Though the indictments were severe, Isaiah offered hope of forgiveness to those who would repent (Isa. 1:18-31) and spoke of a time when God would establish peace (2:1-4; 4:2-6). He prophesied their return from captivity (10:20-27) and the coming of the Messiah, the Son of David, who would fulfill the promises of the Abrahamic and Davidic Covenants (9:2-7; 11:1-9). Isaiah s prophecies describe many aspects of the person and work of Christ in both His first and second advents: His birth 7:14; 9:6 His family 11:1 His anointing 11:2 His character 11:3-4 His simplicity of life 7:15 His gentleness 42:1-4 His death ch. 53 His resurrection 25:8 His glorious reign and 2 nd Coming 11:3-16; ch. 33 2. The Date From the closing days of Uzziah s reign through the reigns of Jotham, Ahaz and most of Hezekiah s reign (740-700BC). 77

3. The Recipients Judah and Jerusalem (1:1; 2:1; 3:1; etc.) There are isolated words of warning to the Northern Kingdom (28:1) and to other Gentile nations such as Babylon, Moab, Damascus, etc. 4. The Theme The Salvation of Israel through the Holy One of Israel 5. The Key Verses 12:1-6 6. The Outline A. Looking Toward the Captivities 1-35 1. Prophecies mainly concerning Judah and Jer. 1-12 2. Prophecies concerning surrounding nations 13-23 3. Prophecies of worldwide outlook 24-35 B. Historical Interlude 36-39 1. Sennacherib s invasion 36 2. Hezekiah s prayer and deliverance 37 3. Hezekiah s sickness and recovery 38 4. Hezekiah s folly 39 C. Looking Beyond the Captivity 40-66 1. Comfort predominant 40-48 2. Suffering Servant predominant 49-57 3. Future glory (millennial glory) predominant 58-66 78

Nahum 1. The Summary Nahum ministered about 100 years after Jonah. Like Jonah, his prophecy is to Nineveh, the capital city of Assyria. As a result of Jonah s message the city repented and God stayed His judgment. But the Assyrians forgot their repentance and returned to their sinful ways (ch.3). Nahum s job was easier than Jonah s was. He was not called to preach repentance to Nineveh. This time God does not give them the opportunity to repent but uses Nahum to announce His final condemnation upon the city (1:8-9). Nahum s purpose is to announce this judgment of God and to show the reason for it. 2. The Author Nahum (1:1) This is the only reference to Nahum in the Bible. 3. The Date Nahum was written after the destruction of No-Amon (Thebes) in Egypt, 661 BC (3:8-10) and before the destruction of Nineveh, 612 BC. About 630 BC 4. The Recipients Nineveh (1:1,9; 3:5) 80

5. The Theme The Destruction of Nineveh 6. The Key Verse 3:6-7 7. The Outline IV. Doom Declared (1) V. Doom Described (2) VI. Doom Deserved (3) 81

Zephaniah 1. The Summary Zephaniah prophesied to Judah and Jerusalem warning them about the coming day of the Lord. He also spoke of a final restoration of Israel. 2. The Author Zephaniah (probably a prince in Judah 1:1,4,10,11). Evidently Zephaniah was a great-great grandson of Hezekiah 1:1. 3. The Date During the days of Josiah (1:1 640-608 BC) Evidently before Josiah s religious reforms in 621 BC (2 Chron. 34:8) because there are hints of the presence of foreign cults (1:4). Zephaniah probably had some influence on Josiah in causing the religious reforms to come about. He was a contemporary of Jeremiah and Nahum. Suggested date about 630 BC 4. The Recipients Judah and Jerusalem (1:4) 5. The Theme The Day of the Lord (Present and Future) 6. The Key Verse 1:14-18; 3:14-18 83

7. The Outline A. Predicted judgment of Judah 1:1-2:3 B. Predicted judgment of nations 2:4-15 C. Predicted judgment of Jerusalem and cities of nations 3:1-7 D. Predicted judgment of Gentiles followed by restoration of Israel 3:8-20 84

Jeremiah 1. The Summary Jeremiah s prophecies are directed as a stern warning to Judah and Jerusalem to turn away from idolatry and iniquity in order to avoid the inevitable punishment of the Seventy Years Captivity in Babylon. Jeremiah faithfully proclaimed his message despite persecution and danger of death. There is a dominant note of doom pervading his messages. On the other hand, Messianic passages of hope flash through his prophecies pointing to a better day (23:5ff; 30:4-11; 31:31-34; 33:15-18). Final restoration will be accomplished after a period of unparalleled tribulation (30:3-10). 2. The Author Jeremiah is known as The Weeping Prophet. He was probably under 25 (1:6, translated young man in 2 Samuel 18:5). Jeremiah remained unmarried at the command of the Lord (16:1-2) 3. The Date Jeremiah prophesied to Judah and Jerusalem from the 13 th year of the good king Josiah through the end of the reign of Zedekiah (626-586 BC). He prophesied in Egypt after the Captivity for perhaps as long as 26 more years to 560 BC. This was about 100 years after Isaiah. Jeremiah called 626 BC Jeremiah lived Jerusalem partly destroyed 606 BC through these Jerusalem further devastated 597 BC terrible 40 years! Jerusalem burned & desolated 586 BC Contemporaries of Jeremiah: Ezekiel preached the same things in Babylon that Jeremiah was preaching in Jerusalem. Daniel preached in the palace of Nebuchadnezzar. Habakkuk and Zephaniah helped Jeremiah in Jerusalem. Obadiah was predicting the ruin of Edom during this time. 86

Daniel was taken captive in the 1 st siege Ezekiel was taken captive in the 2 nd siege 606 BC 597 BC 4. The Recipients The main body of the book was written to Judah and Jerusalem (2-45). There are also prophecies to 10 other nations (46-51). 5. The Theme Jeremiah Announces the Babylonian Captivity 6. The Key Verses 21:3-7 7. The Outline A. Jeremiah s Call 1 B. Prophecies Against Judah & Jerusalem 2-44 C. Prophecies Against Gentile Nations 45-51 The contents of the book are not completely chronological: Josiah 1 Zedekiah 21 Jehoiakim 22 Zedekiah 24 Jehoiakim 25-26 Zedekiah 27-34 Jehoiakim 35-36 Zedekiah 37-44 Jehoiakim 45 Zedekiah 49-51 87

Habakkuk 1. The Summary The events recorded in the book of Habakkuk take place just prior to the fall of Judah. It is not addressed to any particular person or group. It is a dialogue between Habakkuk and God. Habakkuk asks God how long He is going to tolerate the hard heartedness of Judah. God replies that He is going to use the Babylonians to chasten them. Habakkuk had a difficult time with this because it didn t seem fair since the Babylonians were more wicked than the Judeans. God s answer is that is true, but don t worry the just shall live by faith (2:4). Habakkuk never got a real answer. God, in effect, said, Don t worry about it. Trust Me. 2. The Author Habakkuk 3. The Date No reference is made to the Northern Kingdom, or to the Assyrians. The Babylonian threat is pictured as imminent. Therefore, this book must have been written between the time of Hezekiah and the overthrow of Jerusalem, possibly during the reign of Jehoiakim (610-599 BC). 4. The Recipients Habakkuk is not addressed to any particular person or group. The prophecy concerns Judah, so the book may have been presented to Judah just before the Babylonian invasion. 5. The Theme The Just Shall Live By Faith 89

6. The Key Verse 2:4 7. The Outline A. The Problems 1 B. The Answer 2 C. The Prayer 3 90

Lamentations 1. The Summary The book of Lamentations expresses the sorrow in the heart of the prophet over the destruction of Jerusalem brought about because of the sin and rebellion of God s people. 2. The Author The author is not specifically stated, but strong traditions dating to the 3 rd century ascribe the book to Jeremiah. The Septuagint places this statement at the beginning. It came to pass that, after Israel was taken captive and Jerusalem was made desolate, Jeremiah sat weeping, and lamented with this lamentation over Jerusalem, and said 3. The Date About 586 BC 4. The Recipients Judah and Jerusalem (2:13; 3:40-41) Edom (4:21-22) All who observed the destruction of Jerusalem (1:12) 5. The Theme Lamenting the Destruction of Jerusalem 6. The Key Verses 1:1-5 92

7. The Outline Each chapter is a separate poem containing a different lamentation. The same ideas run through all the chapters. This outline simply attempts to reflect the emphasis of each poem. A. Desolation Deserved 1 B. Desolation Attributed to God s Anger 2 C. Desolation Great But Deserved Worse 3 D. Desolation Enumerated and Summarized 4 E. Desolation Results in Plea for Mercy 5 93

Daniel 1. The Summary Daniel shows that God continues to work in His people even while He chastens them. It seems to have been the purpose of God to give Daniel a comprehensive revelation of His program culminating in the Second Coming. For this reason the book of Daniel has been called The Key to Prophetic Revelation and The Most Important Prophetic Book in the Old Testament. Daniel previews God s program for both Jews and Gentiles up until the time of the Second Coming of Christ. While Judah is still in captivity in Babylon, Daniel announces Babylon s fall to the Persians 12 years before it happened (ch.8). He prophesies the fall of Persia to Greece at a time when Greece was just a group of small and insignificant states. Daniel prophesied this 220 years before it happened. No one but God could have foreseen the union of these states under one great king, Alexander the Great (ch.8). He also spoke of another kingdom that is never named by Daniel, or any other place in Scripture. It is commonly believed that this kingdom is the Roman Empire. It was the Romans who succeeded the Grecian Empire in 63 BC. Daniel even goes further than that and speaks of a kingdom that will exist in the days that God will set up his eternal kingdom (2:44). God reveals his program for Israel through Daniel in chapter 9. The first half of the book is mainly historical. The last half of the book is mainly prophetical. 2. The Author Daniel = God is my judge 98

3. The Date The events of Daniel cover a period of 72 years (606 BC 534 BC). Daniel was a contemporary of Jeremiah and Ezekiel. Daniel was taken captive in the first siege (606 BC) and he ministered in the palace (606-534 BC). Ezekiel was taken captive in the second siege (597 BC) and he ministered among the exiles (592-570 BC). Jeremiah ministered in Jerusalem during this time (626-560 BC). 4. The Recipients Not specifically stated, but definitely written to Israel. Chapters 2-7 are written in Aramaic, which may indicate that they were intended to be read by the Babylonians. 5. The Theme The Most High God Rules in the Kingdom of Men Read 2:21,37; 3:26; 4:2,17,24,25,32,34; 5:18,21; 7:18,22,25,27 6. The Key Verses 4:17,32 7. The Outline I. Mainly Historical 1-6 A. Daniel taken captive 1 B. Daniel interprets Nebuchadnezzar s dream 2 C. Nebuchadnezzar s Golden Image 3 D. Daniel interprets Nebuchadnezzar s second dream 4 E. Daniel interprets handwriting on the wall 5 F. Daniel in the lion s den 6 II. Mainly Prophetical 7-12 A. Daniel s vision of the four beasts 7 B. Daniel s vision of the ram and he goat 8 C. Daniel s vision of the 70 weeks 9 D. Daniel s vision of the glory of God 10-12 99

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Ezekiel 1. The Summary Ezekiel predicts the destruction of Jerusalem to those taken in captivity. His dominant message is one of comfort and exhortation to the discouraged captives. He also shows that God was justified in sending His people into captivity (18:25,29; 33:17,20). Ezekiel shows that God needed to teach Israel To know that He was God. In addition, he explains that the surrounding nations would be judged (25:1-32:32) and that the nation would eventually be restored in millennial blessing (33:1-48:35). The phrase they shall know that I am God occurs over 60 times in the book. The Babylonian Captivity cured the Jews of idolatry. Up to that time they fell into idolatry continually. Since that time they have not been idolaters. 2. The Author Ezekiel God is strong or God will strengthen Ezekiel ministered in Babylon where he had been taken captive in 597 BC. He was probably about 25 when he was taken captive and 30 when he received his call (1:1,2). Ezekiel ministered for at least 22 years (29:17) 6 years before Jerusalem was destroyed and 16 years after. 3. The Date Ezekiel began to prophesy in the fifth year of Jehoiachin s captivity, 592 BC (1:2). The last date in the book is the 27 th year (29:17) of Jehoiachin s captivity. Thus, he prophesied at least 22 years (592-570 BC) during the captivity both before and after the fall of Jerusalem (586 BC). Daniel had been in Babylon for 9 years when Ezekiel arrived. Daniel was in the palace Ezekiel in the country. Ezekiel preached among the exiles while Jeremiah preached in Jerusalem. 102

4. The Recipients The children of Israel 2:3; 3:1,7 Especially those of the captivity 3:11; 11:25 There are also messages for the Gentiles 25:3; 27:3 5. The Theme The Fall of Jerusalem and Israel s Glorious Restoration 6. The Key Verses 36:16-25 7. The Outline E. The prophet s call and commission 1-3 F. The prophecies against Judah and Jerusalem 4-24 G. The prophecies against surrounding nations 25-32 H. The prophecies of the final restoration 33-48 8. The Highlights 103

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Obadiah 1. The Summary Obadiah warns Edom of judgment to come upon them because of their pride and malicious treatment of Judah. 2. The Author Obadiah Nothing is known about him except his name. 3. The Date This book was written after a plundering of Jerusalem in which the Edomites participated. There were four such plunderings: 1. during the reign of Jehoram (848-841 BC) 2 Chronicles 21:8,16,17; Amos 1:6 2. during the reign of Amaziah (796-767 BC) 2 Chronicles 25:11,12,23,24 3. during the reign of Ahaz (732-716 BC) 2 Chronicles 28:16-21 4. during the reign of Zedekiah (597-586 BC) 2 Chronicles 36:11-21 There are various opinions as to which of these Obadiah belongs. Dr. Unger feels that the place of Obadiah after Amos in the canon suggests a pre-exilic origin, probably during the reign of Jehoram (848-841 BC). Others are of the opinion that the destruction of Judah mentioned in verses 11 and 12 refers to the Babylonian destruction under Nebuchadnezzar in 586 BC. Verse 15 seems to favor this date since Edom was destroyed in 582 BC. 4. The Recipients Edom (v.1) south of the Dead Sea The nation of Edom descended from Esau 105

5. The Theme The Doom of Edom 6. The Key Verses 10 and 21 7. The Outline A. The Destruction of Edom Prophesied 1-9 B. The Destruction of Edom Explained 10-16 C. The Future Blessing for Israel 17-21 106

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Things to know about the prophets Joel Remember that Joel is the prophet that uses the plague of locusts to warn of a coming judgment Joel Prophesied to Judah Jonah Jonah prophesied to Nineveh before the fall of the Northern Kingdom Jonah shows that God is interested in the Gentile world Hosea Hosea prophesied to Israel He showed by personal experience the adulterous relationship that existed between Jehovah and Israel Amos Amos prophesied primarily to Israel Amos was a farmer who lived in Tekoa (Judah) Amos is the prophet that was given five visions, including the vision of the plumb line Micah Micah prophesies to both Israel and Judah Micah prophesied that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem Isaiah Isaiah prophesied to Judah Many prophesies concerning the Messiah in Isaiah Isaiah speaks of the Messiah as a Suffering Servant (49-57) Nahum Nahum prophesied against Nineveh 150 years after Jonah Zephaniah Zephaniah prophesied to Judah before the captivity Jeremiah Jeremiah was a contemporary of Ezekiel, Daniel Jeremiah prophesied to Judah He ministered in Jerusalem during the captivity He announced that the Babylonian Captivity would last 70 years (25:8-12) Habakkuk Habakkuk s Problem: He couldn t understand why God would use a nation more wicked than Judah to judge them God s answer: The just shall live by faith Habakkuk prophesied before the captivity Lamentations Jeremiah is expressing his sorrow (lamenting) over the destruction of Jerusalem Daniel Daniel was taken captive in the first invasion of Jerusalem He ministered in the palace in Babylon during the captivity God revealed through Daniel important prophecies concerning the kingdoms of the world culminating in the 2 nd coming. Ezekiel Ezekiel was taken captive during the 2 nd invasion of Jerusalem He prophesied to exiles/captives in Babylon Obadiah Obadiah prophesied to Edom (probably after the fall of Jerusalem) 110