THE STORY Job to Malachi

THE STORY Job to Malachi I. HEBREW WISDOM LITERATURE SESSION I Wisdom Literature & the Psalms The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom Proverbs 9:10 Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to turn away from evil is understanding Job 28:28 The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man Ecclesiastes 12:13 1) PROVERBS was written mostly by Solomon, and the book aims to teach people to fear Yahweh, value His wisdom, and navigate the complexities of life with skill. 1. God is to be feared 2. God alone is the source of wisdom Study Proverbs to learn to navigate life with skill in the fear of the Lord Study Proverbs if you want to know the will of God Study Proverbs if billboard revelations aren t quite working out for you Study Proverbs if you re tired of opening up to the wrong verse 2) JOB is a long narrative that describes the suffering of a man from the land of Uz, which is east of Israel. Job clarifies that life doesn t always follow the pattern described in the book of Proverbs, and it shows us that the righteous do suffer. Job also demonstrates that Proverbs (wise sayings) must be used wisely. 1. God is sovereign 2. We have a mighty adversary, but God is almighty 3. Suffering well is worship 4. God alone is the source of wisdom Study Job to develop a view of God that sustains in your deepest loss 3) ECCLESIASTES was possibly written by Solomon and describes the vanity of living life apart from God. 1. God is to be feared

2. God is to be obeyed 3. God is just Study Ecclesiastes if you or a friend is struggling with atheism Study Ecclesiastes if you ve never seriously contemplated your own death Study Ecclesiastes if you don t want to waste your life 4) SONG OF SOLOMON or Song of Songs was written by Solomon to highlight the beauty of the sexual relationship between a man and a woman. 1. God is so good 2. Christ and the Church Study Song of Songs a month before you get married Study Song of Songs to celebrate Yahweh s good gifts Study Song of Songs in view of God s intent to correct our perversion of sex 5) THE PSALMS are a collection of 150 poems written over a very long period of Israel s history, possibly from the time of Moses until after the Babylonian exile. The Psalms reflect the progression of Israel s national history and are intended to be sung. The book has been known as the hymnbook of Israel. 1. God is the sovereign creator 2. God is good 3. God is just 4. God is faithful 5. God will save his people Study the Psalms to search for Jesus Study the Psalms to sing praises appropriate for every circumstance Study the Psalms to explore what God s relationship is like with his people - shepherd, warrior, father, mother, king, husband SESSION II Introducing the Prophets The Major Prophets Like Moses, Elijah, and Elisha - all prophets to Israel before them - the written prophets communicate God s word to Israel and Judah during a time of severe covenant unfaithfulness. I. REASONS TO STUDY THE PROPHETS: 1) Give us Yahweh s perspective 2) Use piercing imagery 2) Show us God s white-hot glory a) He is to be feared 3) Show us God s love 4) Challenge our assumptions about sin and judgment a) Is all of that really necessary?

b) Intellectual interest in depravity 5) They frustrate us 6) Announce the coming Messiah 7) Motivation and power in missions a) God is sovereign b) Revealed they were not serving themselves c) Evangelism 8) They fuel persevering faith 9) They are great for cozy quiet times 10) They give us hope - Romans 15 II. INTRODUCING THE PROPHETS A. Broad Historical Points 1) 750-450 BC: 300 Years of great national and international upheaval a) Transition from Assyrian to Babylonian to Persian dominance b) Modern Middle East 2) Divided kingdom 3) Time of great unfaithfulness to covenant 4) 722 BC - Israel destroyed by the Assyrians 5) 612 BC - Nineveh falls to the Babylonians 5) 609 BC - Judah weakened by Egyptians 6) 586 BC - Judah conquered by the Babylonians a) Jerusalem destroyed b) Babylonian exile - critical loss of promised land 7) 539 BC - Persians conquer Babylon 8) Exiles return after 70 years in Babylonian captivity The Prophets and Dominant Empires Assyrian Dominance 745-612 BC Babylonian Dominance 612-539 BC Persian Dominance 539-336 BC The Hebrew Prophets ministered in Israel and Judah for about 300 Years from approximately 750-450 BC ISAIAH Hosea Joel Amos Obadiah Jonah Micah Nahum JEREMIAH EZEKIEL DANIEL Habakkuk Zephaniah Haggai Zechariah Malachi Pre-exilic Prophets Exilic Prophets Post-exilic Prophets MAJOR PROPHETS Minor Prophets

B. Broad Theological Currents 1) Look for the Messiah 2) Broken covenant 3) Sin: Idolatry, social injustice, religious ritualism 4) Present and future judgment 5) Present and future restoration 6) Two stories: God of Israel; God of the nations III. THE MAJOR PROPHETS 1) ISAIAH lived and prophesied in Jerusalem during Assyria s rise to power and subsequent conquest of Israel. He lived through the Assyrian siege of Jerusalem and also addressed Jews in Babylonian exile. Isaiah s Message 1. Judah has broken the covenant 2. Yahweh is the God of all nations 3. Judgment and promised restoration intertwined 4. The New Heaven and the New Earth 5. The Messiah - Servant Songs 6. Yahweh s people will be marked by Yahweh s holiness 1. God is holy 2. God is gracious 3. God will keep the covenant 4. God saves 5. The Messiah - a Suffering Servant 6. The Messiah - Immanuel Study Isaiah to explore the holiness of God; search for holy Study Isaiah if your response to God s glory is that He is too great to care Study Isaiah to learn the riches of the Gospel Study Isaiah to illuminate truth about the Messiah to Jews and Muslims 2) JEREMIAH prophesied in Judah during the time of Assyrian expansion and eventual decline, but he also lived and ministered in Jerusalem during the Babylonian invasion / destruction of Jerusalem. Jeremiah s Message 1. Jeremiah s testimony a) Calling b) Suffering c) Vindication 2. Sin: Temple worship is not necessarily true worship 3. Judgment on Judah for breaking covenant 4. The New Covenant 5. Judgment on the nations 6. The final days of Jerusalem 1. God is longsuffering 2. God will keep the covenant 3. God is just

Study Jeremiah if you want to be a missionary to an obstinate or hostile people group Study Jeremiah if you go to church Study Jeremiah to marvel at the New Covenant Study Jeremiah to weep over sin 3) LAMENTATIONS is a collection of five poetic laments over the destruction of Jerusalem. It was likely written by Jeremiah himself. The Message 1. Yahweh s judgment is severe and painful 2. Yahweh s wrath is terrible 3. There is always, always hope Study Lamentations to combat a mere intellectual interest in the doctrine of depravity Study Lamentations to know there is always, always hope. Study Lamentations chapter 3 for its tremendous expression of faith Study Lamentations as powerful literature 4) EZEKIEL was taken into exile about 10 years before the final destruction of Jerusalem. His primary audience was Jewish exiles, and he did prophesy Judah s eventual destruction. Ezekiel s Message 1. Judgment - exile and destruction of Jerusalem 2. Jerusalem is a prostitute 3. Judgment against the nations 4. Future restoration - Yahweh s presence 1. God is sovereign 2. God is glorious 3. God is faithful Study Ezekiel to feel the tension between God s promises and their fulfillment Study Ezekiel to explore harlot imagery in the prophets Study Ezekiel to explore the depravity in Judah - 16:20, 20:31, 23:37-39 Study Ezekiel chapters 1-3 alongside Isaiah 6 5) DANIEL was one of the young men of the Hebrew upper-class that was taken into captivity prior to the final Babylonian destruction of Jerusalem. He is in Babylon when Jerusalem is destroyed. The book s primary audience is the exiled Hebrews. Daniel s Message 1. God is sovereign, and he rules over all people and kingdoms despite present appearances. 2. God is more powerful than the rulers of Babylon 3. Apocalyptic description of future world events 4. God has a plan to supplant all kingdoms with His own 1. God is sovereign over all people and kingdoms

Study Daniel carefully Study Daniel if you think world events seem out of control Study Daniel to explore resurrection in the Old Testament Study Daniel if you want to be a missionary or a bus driver SESSION III The Minor Prophets Sin & Judgment in the Prophets I. INTRODUCING THE BOOK OF THE TWELVE 1) Organization 2) Look for Covenant Themes 3) Look for the Messiah II. THE MINOR PROPHETS 1) HOSEA was a prophet to Israel during the Assyrian rise to power and finished his ministry just after Israel was conquered in 722 BC. Hosea s Message 1. Your sin is like adultery. You have broken the covenant 2. Repent or judgment will follow 3. Yahweh will restore the marriage 1. God is jealous for His people Study Hosea to explore further relational imagery - king/subject and father/child Study Hosea to rightly understand the effects of your sin on God 2) JOEL was likely a prophet to Judah in the time leading up to the Babylonian conquest in 586 BC. Joel s Message 1. Judgment is coming 2. Yahweh promises to restore 3. The Spirit of Yahweh poured out 4. Yahweh will judge the nations 5. The Day of the Lord 1. God is just 2. God is slow to anger Study Joel to explore the Spirit of God in the Old Testament Study Joel and Acts chapter 2 3) AMOS was from Judah but directed his message north to Israel at a time of prosperity before the Assyrian rise to power.

Amos Message Emphasizes Injustice 1. Judgment - Yahweh is like a lion 2. Justice is coming - Exile and The Day of the Lord 3. Restoration of David s fallen tent to rule the nations 1. God is just, and His people will be just - or they will be judged Study Amos to understand the heart of God for the poor and oppressed Study Amos if you want to pursue a career or ministry that serves the poor Study Amos to challenge your response to prosperity Study Amos for its powerful imagery 4) OBADIAH directs his message south of Judah to Edom, a nation with strong mountain fortresses. Edom betrayed Judah and plundered the land after the Babylonian invasion. Obadiah s Message Emphasizes Judgment 1. Edom will be humbled 2. God will judge the nations - The Day of The Lord 3. Although it was plundered, God will rule Judah once again 1. God is the judge of the nations Study Obadiah to be humbled Study Obadiah to explore the Day of the Lord 5) JONAH prophesied to the Assyrian capital of Nineveh, mortal enemies of the Jews. Jonah s Message 1. 40 days and you will be destroyed 2. Nineveh repents after a single warning 1. Yahweh s love extends beyond Israel to the nations 2. God loves even His enemies Study Jonah if your eschatology leads you to believe there are unreachable people groups. Study Jonah if you only share the Gospel with nice people Study Jonah to contrast Nineveh s repentance with Israel and Judah 6) MICAH prophesied against Israel and Judah during Assyria s rise to power. He lived through Israel s destruction and the Assyrian siege on Jerusalem when 185,000 soldiers were killed by the Angel of the Lord. He died before the Babylonian exile. Micah s Message 1. Judgment - Yahweh melts mountains 2. God will bring justice when there is no justice 3. Judgment - Yahweh will plow His field 4. Restoration includes the nations 5. Restoration comes from Bethlehem 6. Restoration fulfills God s promise to Abraham

1. There is none like Yahweh 2. God is longsuffering and forgives the sins of His people Study Micah to explore the Shepherd who will establish peace Study Micah to explore what future restoration will be like Study Micah to contrast the Messiah with Israel s current leaders 7) NAHUM prophesied against Nineveh during Assyria s rise to power. Despite the renewal that occurred under Jonah, Nineveh s repentance was short lived and Nahum prophesied its destruction. Nahum s Message Emphasizes Judgment 1. Yahweh is patient 2. Yahweh is great 3. Judgment - Nineveh will not go unpunished for its cruelty 1. God is full of wrath Study Nahum and Jonah together, exploring Nineveh s short lived repentance 8) HABAKKUK prophesied in Judah just prior to the Babylonian invasion and subsequent exile of the Hebrew people. Habakkuk s Message Emphasizes Judgment 1. Is Yahweh just? Look among nations 2. Yahweh responds with Babylonian conquest 3. Is that just? 4. Judgment - God will judge Judah and the Babylonians 5. The righteous live by faith and will be preserved 5. Restoration - Yahweh s glory will cover the earth 6. Yahweh s judgment is severe 7. Rejoice in the Lord and His judgment 1. God is full of wrath 2. God is patient 3. God is glorious Study Habakkuk with Romans 1:17 and Galatians 3:11 to explore Paul s use of Habakkuk when discussing justification. Study Habakkuk for its picture of God s glory 9) ZEPHANIAH prophesied in Judah under the rule of Josiah, the only Jewish king to institute large scale religious reform. Josiah s reforms were short lived, and Zephaniah Zephaniah s Message Emphasizes Judgment 1. Idolatry, injustice, ritualism 2. The Day of the Lord will bring judgment to both Judah and the nations 3. The Day of the Lord will bring restoration to both Judah and the nations (3:17) 4. Yahweh sings over His people

1. The Day of the Lord - God is full of wrath. God is full of love. Study Zephaniah to burn powerful restoration language into your mind 10) HAGGAI prophesied among the Jewish exiles that returned from Babylon, primarily exhorting them to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem. Haggai s Message Emphasizes Restoration 1. Rebuild the temple that was destroyed by the Babylonians 2. The glory of this temple will be greater than the first 3. The Lord will bless you 4. The signet ring of the Davidic King: Judgment and Restoration 1. God keeps his promises Study Haggai for its beautiful picture of present and future restoration 11) ZECHARIAH was a contemporary of Haggai and prophesied among the Jewish exiles that returned after the Persians conquered Babylon. Zechariah s Message Emphasizes Restoration 1. Yahweh has not forgotten his people 2. Repent; Return to the covenant 3. Eight night visions 4. Repeats pre-exilic prophets - Justice, not ritual 5. Restoration of the nations 6. The Righteous King 7. The Day of the Lord - Justice and Restoration (13:9 / 14:1-21) 1. God is faithful Study Zechariah to explore the coming Messiah 12) MALACHI prophesied in Israel after the Jewish exiles returned home and rebuilt the temple in Jerusalem. Malachi s Message Emphasizes Restoration 1. Yahweh loves Israel - 1:2 2. Sin: Repent 3. The Day of the Lord 4. Robbery 5. Elijah will appear, signaling the coming of The Day of Yahweh 1. God is love and has not abandoned His people. 2. God has (through Israel) and will continue (through the Messiah) to move the world toward final redemption Study Malachi to explore The Day of the Lord

Study Malachi to understand what areas of continuity exist between Malachi / returned exiles and Malachi / modern believer III. THEOLOGICAL CURRENTS IN THE PROPHETS Sandwiched between the Pentateuch and the Prophets, we see a lot of narrative that expresses history as it is. The prophets, on the other hand, illuminate God s perspective by recasting the Old Testament narrative in vivid and poetic terms. Yahweh speaks for himself in provocative language, often describing what sin and judgment are like from His perspective. A. Sin: The Glory of God Despised 1) Idolatry, social injustice, and religious ritualism 2) Imagery of Sin a) Adultery b) Prostitution B. Judgment: The Glory of God Vindicated 1) Yahweh judges Israel 2) Yahweh judges the nations 3) Present judgment a) Loss of God s presence b) Exile from the Promised Land 4) Future judgment a) The Day of the Lord - The Day of Yahweh 5) Imagery of judgment SESSION IV Restoration in the Prophets As much as the prophets employ wild imagery to describe sin and judgment, vivid promises of restoration are always quick to follow. I. THEOLOGICAL CURRENTS IN THE PROPHETS A. Restoration: The Glory of God in Salvation B. Conclusions 1) Present Restoration a) Return from exile b) Temple Rebuilt c) Incomplete 2) Future Restoration a) I will be your God b) You will be My people c) I will dwell with you - Person - Place d) Restoration Imagery