I. Introducing the Old Testament Prophets

The Prophets 1

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Why do we have the Bible?

Why do we have the Bible? So that we can know God

Why do we have the Bible? So that we can know God … and know how to respond to God

GOD us

GOD them us

How do you feel about the prophets in the Old Testament? 6

How do you feel about the prophets in the Old Testament? What do you ﬁnd difﬁcult about them? Why is it important to study them? 6

difﬁculties with the prophets 7

They have a queer way of talking, like people who, instead of proceeding in an orderly manner, ramble off from one thing to the next so that you cannot make heads or tails of them or see what they are getting at. 8

They have a queer way of talking, like people who, instead of proceeding in an orderly manner, ramble off from one thing to the next so that you cannot make heads or tails of them or see what they are getting at. Martin Luther 8

to g s in r d r t a s ie n r a b r n d e u

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Culture Language Religion History Geography 10

Core Themes 11

What are the main themes which run throughout the whole Bible? 12

salvation history 13

. . . the Lord God banished them from the Garden of Eden . . . Genesis 3:23 14

He will strike your head, and you will strike his heel. Genesis 3:15 15

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 16

I saw a vast crowd, too great to count, from every nation and tribe and people and language, standing in front of the throne annd before the Lamb. They were clothed in white robes and held palm branches in their hands. And they were shouting wth a great roar, ‘Salvation comes from our God who sits on the throne and from the Lamb!’ Revelation 7:9–10 17

covenant

‘I will be your God and you will be my people’ 19

I will make you into a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and you will be a blessing to others. I will bless those who bless you and curse those who treat you with contempt. All the families on earth will be blessed through you. Genesis 12:1–3, NLT

Now if you will obey me and keep my covenant, you will be my own special treasure from among all the peoples on the earth; for the earth belongs to me. . . . ‘Look, this blood conﬁrms the covenant the Lord has made with you in giving you these instructions.’ Exodus 19:1; 24:8 21

Don’t you realise that the Lord, the God of Israel, made a lasting covenant with David, giving him and his descendants the throne of Israel forever? 2 Chronicles 13:5 22

‘This is my blood, which conﬁrms the covenant between God and his people. It is poured out as a sacriﬁce for many.’ Mark 14:24 23

kingdom 24

God’s people

God’s people God’s place

God’s rule God’s people God’s place

God’s rule God’s blessing God’s people God’s place

Four stages in the OT

Adam and Eve

Adam and Eve Eden

God’s words Relationship Adam and Eve Eden

Under God’s curse Excluded

Moses 29

There has never been another prophet in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face. Deuteronomy 34:10 30

Israel

Israel Canaan

God’s law Covenant Israel Canaan

What other nation is so great as to have such righteous decrees and laws as this body of laws I am setting before you today? Deuteronomy 4:8 32

CANAAN

Jericho CANAAN

Reuben

Gad Reuben

Manasseh (half) Gad Reuben

Manasseh (half) Gad Judah Reuben

Manasseh (half) Gad Judah Reuben Simeon

Manasseh (half) Gad Benjamin Judah Reuben Simeon

Manasseh (half) Ephraim Gad Benjamin Judah Reuben Simeon

Manasseh (half) Ephraim Dan Gad Benjamin Judah Reuben Simeon

Manasseh Manasseh (half) (half) Ephraim Dan Gad Benjamin Judah Reuben Simeon

Issachar Manasseh Manasseh (half) (half) Ephraim Dan Gad Benjamin Judah Reuben Simeon

Zebullun Issachar Manasseh Manasseh (half) (half) Ephraim Dan Gad Benjamin Judah Reuben Simeon

er Ash Zebullun Issachar Manasseh Manasseh (half) (half) Ephraim Dan Gad Benjamin Judah Reuben Simeon

li hta er Ash Nap Zebullun Issachar Manasseh Manasseh (half) (half) Ephraim Dan Gad Benjamin Judah Reuben Simeon

li ARAM hta er Ash Nap Zebullun Issachar Manasseh Manasseh (half) (half) Ephraim Dan Gad AMMON Benjamin ES IN Judah Reuben T IS Simeon IL MOAB PH EDOM MIDIAN AMALEK

Covenant blessings 35

Covenant blessings • Life 35

Covenant blessings • Life • Health 35

Covenant blessings • Life • Health • Abundance 35

Covenant blessings • Life • Prosperity • Health • Abundance 35

Covenant blessings • Life • Prosperity • Health • Security • Abundance 35

Covenant blessings • Life • Prosperity • Health • Security • Abundance • Respect 35

Covenant curses 36

Covenant curses • Disease 36

Covenant curses • Disease • Drought 36

Covenant curses • Disease • Drought • Dearth 36

Covenant curses • Disease • Drought • Dearth • Danger 36

Covenant curses • Disease • Drought • Dearth • Danger • Death 36

Covenant curses • Disease • Defeat • Drought • Dearth • Danger • Death 36

Covenant curses • Disease • Defeat • Drought • Destruction • Dearth • Danger • Death 36

Covenant curses • Disease • Defeat • Drought • Destruction • Dearth • Deportation • Danger • Death 36

Covenant curses • Disease • Defeat • Drought • Destruction • Dearth • Deportation • Danger • Destitution • Death 36

Covenant curses • Disease • Defeat • Drought • Destruction • Dearth • Deportation • Danger • Destitution • Death • Disgrace 36

God’s law Covenant Israel Canaan/Israel

God’s law Covenant Canaan/Israel

The enemy within 38

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Read Deuteronomy 18:9–22 What are the people of God to avoid? Why? What is the purpose of these pagan practices? What is the only valid option for God’s people? Why? 40

When the Lord your God eliminates the nations from the place where you are headed and you dispossess them, you will settle down in their land. After they have been destroyed from your presence, be careful not to be ensnared like they are; do not pursue their gods and say, ‘How do these nations serve their gods? I will do the same.’ . . . 41

You must not worship the Lord your God the way they do! For everything that is abhorrent to him, everything he hates, they have done when worshipping their gods. They even burn up their sons and daughters before their gods! Deuteronomy 12:29–31 (NET) 42

When you enter the land the Lord your God is giving you, you must not learn the abhorrent practices of those nations. There must never be found among you anyone who sacriﬁces his son or daughter in the ﬁre, anyone who practices divination, an omen reader, a soothsayer, a sorcerer, one who casts spells, one who conjures up spirits, a practitioner of the occult, or a necromancer. . . . 43

Whoever does these things is abhorrent to the Lord and because of these detestable things the Lord your God is about to drive them out from before you. You must be blameless before the Lord your God. Those nations that you are about to dispossess listen to omen readers and diviners, but the Lord your God has not given you permission to do such things. . . . 44

The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you – from your fellow Israelites; you must listen to him. . . . I will raise up a prophet like you for them from among their fellow Israelites. I will put my words in his mouth and he will speak to them whatever I command. I will personally hold responsible anyone who then pays no attention to the words that prophet speaks in my name. Deuteronomy 18:9–15,17–19 45

A downward spiral (Judges 2:6 – 16:31) 46

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Turning from God 47

Turning from God Oppression 47

Turning from God Oppression Crying to God 47

Turning from God Oppression Rescuer Crying (Judge) to God 47

Turning from God Peace Oppression Rescuer Crying (Judge) to God 47

The state of the nation

The state of the nation JOSHUA: JUDGES:

The state of the nation JOSHUA: JUDGES: • Israel united • Factions/rivalry

The state of the nation JOSHUA: JUDGES: • Israel united • Factions/rivalry • Concerned for • Self-interest and God’s glory self-indulgence

The state of the nation JOSHUA: JUDGES: • Israel united • Factions/rivalry • Concerned for • Self-interest and God’s glory self-indulgence • Led by God’s • Slide into anarchy appointed leader and idolatry

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• Failure to deal with pagan nations 49

• Failure to deal with pagan nations • Failure to live by God’s standards 49

• Failure to deal with pagan nations • Failure to live by God’s standards • Failure to have God at the centre of life and worship 49

In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as he saw ﬁt. Judges 17:6; 18:1; 19:1; 21:25 50

Saul

Saul • 1 Samuel 9–31

Saul • 1 Samuel 9–31 • Reigned 1050–1010 (approx.)

Saul • 1 Samuel 9–31 • Reigned 1050–1010 (approx.) • Rejected because he rejected the word of the Lord (1 Samuel 15:23 )

David

David • ‘The Lord has sought out a man after his own heart’ (1 Samuel 13:14)

David • ‘The Lord has sought out a man after his own heart’ (1 Samuel 13:14) • 1 Samuel 16 – 1 Kings 2 / 1 Chronicles 29

David • ‘The Lord has sought out a man after his own heart’ (1 Samuel 13:14) • 1 Samuel 16 – 1 Kings 2 / 1 Chronicles 29 • Reigned 1010–970 (approx.)

Solomon

Solomon • 1 Kings 1 – 11 / 1 Chron. 22 – 2 Chron. 9

Solomon • 1 Kings 1 – 11 / 1 Chron. 22 – 2 Chron. 9 • Reigned 970–931 (approx.)

Solomon • 1 Kings 1 – 11 / 1 Chron. 22 – 2 Chron. 9 • Reigned 970–931 (approx.) • The wisest man (1 Kings 3:12; see Luke 11:31)

Solomon • 1 Kings 1 – 11 / 1 Chron. 22 – 2 Chron. 9 • Reigned 970–931 (approx.) • The wisest man (1 Kings 3:12; see Luke 11:31) • But slipped into idolatry and unfaithfulness (1 Kings 11:31–35)

Jerusalem

Rehoboam Jerusalem

922 BC Jeroboam Shechem Rehoboam Jerusalem

922 BC ISRAEL Jeroboam Shechem Rehoboam Jerusalem

922 BC ISRAEL Samaria Jeroboam Rehoboam Jerusalem

922 BC Rehoboam Jerusalem JUDAH

Saul 1050 55

Rehoboam 931 Saul David Solomon 1050 1010 970 Jeroboam 931 55

1050 Saul 1010 David 970 Solomon Jeroboam Rehoboam 931 931 Abijam 913 Asa 55 911

Jeroboam Rehoboam 931 931 Nadab 910 Abijam 913 Baasha 909 Elah 886 Asa 911 Zimri 885 Omri 885 Ahab 874 Ahaziah 853 Joram 852 Jehu 841 Jehoahaz 814 55 Jehoash 798

Jeroboam Rehoboam 931 931 Nadab 910 Abijam 913 Baasha 909 Elah 886 Asa 911 Asa Zimri 885 911 Omri 885 Ahab 874 Jehoshaphat Ahaziah 853 870 Joram 852 Jehoram 848 Jehu 841 Ahaziah 841 Athaliah 841 Jehoahaz 814 Jehoash 835 55 Jehoash 798

God’s law Covenant Israel

prophets = nabi 57

prophets = nabi called (by God) to call out (for God) 57

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Prophets are called by God 58

Prophets are called by God . . . to speak from God 58

Prophets are called by God . . . to speak from God . . . about God 58

authority 59

uniformity 60

Whether he is discussing the past, present or future, the prophet is seeking to make God the most genuine reality that men can know and experience. A.B. Mickelson Interpreting the Bible, p. 287 61

not foretelling 62

forthtelling 63

Prophecy is essentially a ministry of disclosure, a stripping bare. Israel’s great prophets do not merely lift the veil of the future in order to destroy false expectations; at the same time, they expose the conduct of their contemporaries. . . . Prophets tear the masks away and show the true face of the people behind them. Hans Walter Wolff, Confrontations 64

God’s glory 65

God’s ultimate concern 66

Glory in the Old Testament 67

Glory in the Old Testament • God’s glory revealed in creation 67

Glory in the Old Testament • God’s glory revealed in creation • God’s glory rejected by human rebellion 67

Glory in the Old Testament • God’s glory revealed in creation • God’s glory rejected by human rebellion • God’s glory revived in Israel [nation, temple, king] 67

Glory in the Old Testament • God’s glory revealed in creation • God’s glory rejected by human rebellion • God’s glory revived in Israel [nation, temple, king] • God’s glory defamed by idolatry 67

Glory in the Old Testament • God’s glory revealed in creation • God’s glory rejected by human rebellion • God’s glory revived in Israel [nation, temple, king] • God’s glory defamed by idolatry • God’s glory defended by the prophets 67

The Bible’s Structure 68

Christian Jewish Old Testament Tanak New Testament 69

Old Testament Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Pentateuch Numbers, Deuteronomy Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1–2 Samuel History books 1–2 Kings, 1–2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Wisdom Lit. Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Prophets Ezekiel, Daniel, Minor Prophets 70

New Testament Revelation Matthew Mark, Luke, John History Acts Timeless present Romans – Jude Anticipation Revelations 71

Old Testament Tanak Pentateuch Law History Prophets Wisdom Writings Prophets 72

Old Testament Tanak Pentateuch Law Instruction History Prophets Wisdom Writings Prophets 72

Old Testament Tanak Pentateuch Law Instruction Torah History Prophets Nevi’im Wisdom Writings Ketuvim Prophets 72

Tanak Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Law/Instruction Numbers, Deuteronomy Former Prophets Joshua, Judges, Samuel, Kings Nevi’im Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Latter Prophets Book of the Twelve Psalms, Job, Proverbs, Ruth, Song Writings Ketuvim of Solomon, Ecclesiastes, Lamentations, Esther, Daniel, Ezra–Nehemiah, Chronicles 73

The Word of the LORD 74

Calling people back to the covenant

Covenant enforcement mediators (Fee and Stuart)

Warning of judgment 76

Promising restoration 77

Restoration

Basic pattern 79

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Identiﬁcation of Israel’s sin 80

Identiﬁcation of Israel’s sin Announcement of judgment 80

Identiﬁcation of Declaration of Israel’s sin God’s love for Israel Announcement of judgment 80

Identiﬁcation of Declaration of Israel’s sin God’s love for Israel Announcement of Announcement of judgment blessing 80

Old Testament Promise

Old New Testament Testament Promise Fulﬁlment

deep focus 82

two horizons 84

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key themes 86

1 God is the ruler of all of history and every nation 87

2 Humanity’s most fundamental need is to be right with God 88

3 Religion, politics and society must all be on a ﬁrm moral base 89

4 God offers us the choice of judgment or hope 90

conditional future? 91

The [Latter Prophets] did not call for reform, for they knew it was too late; the end of the present order was near and could not be averted. Donald Gowan Reclaiming the OT p. 125–6 92

5 The future kingdom of God 93

beacons 94

These distant future events . . . are announced to serve as beacons for God’s people – beacons which will help them get their bearings and set their course in life, beacons which will give direction, hope, and encouragement, even in the darkest hour. Sidney Greidanus, The Modern Preacher and the Ancient Text, p. 235 95

a universal kingdom 96

coming and continuing 97

a coming King 98

6 The glory of God 99

God’s glory in the prophets 100

God’s glory in the prophets • God’s glory revealed as he gathers a people and redeems them. Jer. 31:10–11 100

God’s glory in the prophets • God’s glory revealed as he gathers a people and redeems them. Jer. 31:10–11 • God’s glory revealed in a new Zion. Isaiah 2 100

God’s glory in the prophets • God’s glory revealed as he gathers a people and redeems them. Jer. 31:10–11 • God’s glory revealed in a new Zion. Isaiah 2 • God’s glory revealed in new Davidic king. Jer. 23:5–6 100

God’s glory in the prophets • God’s glory revealed as he gathers a people and redeems them. Jer. 31:10–11 • God’s glory revealed in a new Zion. Isaiah 2 • God’s glory revealed in new Davidic king. Jer. 23:5–6 • God’s glory revealed in a new temple. Ez. 47:1 100

God’s glory in the prophets • God’s glory revealed as he gathers a people and redeems them. Jer. 31:10–11 • God’s glory revealed in a new Zion. Isaiah 2 • God’s glory revealed in new Davidic king. Jer. 23:5–6 • God’s glory revealed in a new temple. Ez. 47:1 • God’s glory revealed in new creation. Isaiah 65:17 100

God’s glory in the prophets • God’s glory revealed in new covenant. Jer. 31:31–33 101

God’s glory in the prophets • God’s glory revealed in new covenant. Jer. 31:31–33 • God will be shepherd Ezekiel 34:11–13, 26–31 101

God’s glory in the prophets • God’s glory revealed in new covenant. Jer. 31:31–33 • God will be shepherd Ezekiel 34:11–13, 26–31 • God’s righteousness revealed in salvation of nations. Isaiah 42:6b–7; 49:6b 101

God’s glory in the prophets • God’s glory revealed in new covenant. Jer. 31:31–33 • God will be shepherd Ezekiel 34:11–13, 26–31 • God’s righteousness revealed in salvation of nations. Isaiah 42:6b–7; 49:6b • The Lord’s anointed will do this. Isaiah 11:1–4; 42:1; 49:1–3; 50:4; 59:21; 61:1 101

Death 102

i o n c t rre e s u R 102

Read Joel and see how these key themes are explored. 103

I. Introducing the Old Testament Prophets

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