In this case, he was an octogenarian. There, he spent an unknown number of years before his return to Judea and his discovery of the abuses described in chapter 13. 5. What archaeological evidence implies Isaiah was a unified book? The prophetess Huldah was a relative and contemporary of In so doing we shall be secure against the fanciful explanations sometimes given certain Old Testament prophecies. God designed that Israels experience should prove to be a warning to Judah (see Hosea 1:7; 4:15-17; 11:12; Jeremiah 3:3-12; etc.). These observations seem to place Zephaniah in the early years of Josiahs reign, perhaps about 630 B.C., as a contemporary of Habakkuk. The prophets vivid description of the catastrophe that had befallen Thebes leaves the impression that the event was still fresh in the memory of the people, whereas Assyrias power, although waning, was not yet near its end. Yet many of the promises, particularly those concerning the giving of the gospel to the nations and the establishment of the Messianic kingdom, could not be fulfilled to them because of their unfaithfulness, but would be fulfilled to the church on earth preparatory to Christs return, particularly to Gods remnant people, and in the new earth. The book makes no reference to the fall of Samaria, which took place in 723/22 B.C., and it can therefore be concluded that the prophets last message was given prior to Samarias destruction. If Jeremiah had been writing a novel, he would have been the hero of his own story. Jeremiah sank into the mud, according to the biblical account. By divine appointment the sacred writings were preserved, century after century, and Israel became their custodian (Amos 3:7; Romans 3:1, 2). Nation after nation would come over (Isaiah 45:14), that is, be joined with and cleave to the house of Jacob (chapter 14:1). The day, before, He had called it my house (chapter 21:13), but henceforth He no longer owned it as His. By Which king? At Mt. One of the main objectives of the Bible commentator is to reconstruct the historical setting in which the declarations of the prophets were originally made. At times they had an import, not only for the age in which the prophet lived, but also for a day far future; in other words, they had a dual application. They looked for Messiah to reign as a temporal prince (cf. With the call of Abraham, God set in operation a definite plan for bringing the Messiah into the world and for presenting the gospel invitation to all men (Genesis 12:1-3). His word endureth for ever (1 Peter 1:25). The blessings thus assured to Israel are, on the same conditions and in the same degree, assured to every nation and to every individual under the broad heavens. However, all his messages were addressed to the northern nation. Ezekiel 38:16, 18-23; 39:1-7). It is not known whether Malachi is the name of the author or simply the title of an otherwise anonymous author, since Malachi means my messenger. If it is the latter, his is the only anonymous work among the prophetic books of the Old Testament. This leads us to conclude that Malachis work may have followed Nehemiahs first term as governor, but preceded his return to Jerusalem from the Persian capital. 2. Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel, however, did. Spiritual prosperity was to prepare the way for material prosperity. It is thought that Isaiah and Micah lived at the same time and addressed different audiences. Paul makes it clear beyond argument that when he speaks of Israel as the chosen people of God he means it in this sense. In Him I have placed my trust, and He is the Lord of the Great Throne. (Q. Nehemiah 12:12, 16). WebFrom the time of King Josiah, Jeremiah was the Lords prophet in Jerusalem. The following brief summaries contain the evidence on which the various prophets have been entered in the chronological positions in which they are found in the chart. Nevertheless, Isaiah believed that Judah was Gods chosen nation and they would be vindicated by God. Although no chronological data are found in the book, certain statements permit a comparatively exact dating of Habakkuks prophecies. When the probationary period of 490 years ended, the nation was still obdurate and impenitent, and as a result forfeited its privileged role as His representative on earth. Jer 31:35. The various abuses rebuked by Malachi are mostly the same as those Nehemiah found when he returned to Jerusalem for his second term of governorship (Malachi 3:8, 9; cf. WebIn Jeremiah, Yahweh is portrayed as one who reveals himself primarily through his word, whereas in Ezekiel, Yahweh is presented in visions of God (pp. During the reign of Zedekiah, Judahs last king, Jeremiah was thrown into prison, being considered a traitor to his country (chapter 37:11-16) because he advised his people to surrender to the Babylonians. This period spanned the reigns of five kings of Judah: Josiah, Jehoahaz, Jehoiakim, Jehoiachin, and Zedekiah. Ninevehs destruction, which came in 612, is referred to as a future event, indicating that Zephaniahs work preceded this date. Ezekiel blames the people for ritual misbehavior. Practice all cards Practice all cards Practice all cards done loading. What is fascinating is that the prophets Isaiah, Amos, Hosea, and Micah were all contemporaries. A less-well-defined school of interpretation bases its approach to the prophetic portions of the Old Testament on the theory that the prophet, while bearing messages to the people of his day, also took occasional excursions into the distant future, with the result that many of his forecasts did not apply to literal Israel at all, but were intended exclusively for Israel after the spirit, that is, for the church today. It was ordained of God to meet the needs of His people at the time it was given and to remind them of the glorious destiny that awaited them as a nation, of the coming of the Messiah, and of the establishment of His eternal kingdom. It was His purpose to set them on high above all nations of the earth (Deuteronomy 28:1), with the result that all people of the earth would recognize their superiority and call them blessed (Malachi 3:10, 12). Revelation 17:13, 14, 17). Hence, the year 603 can be considered as the beginning of Daniels ministry as a prophet. He probably died in the Nile country. The Christian church is a spiritual nation scattered all over the world, and such details obviously could not apply to it in a literal sense. I will call them my people, which were not my people (Romans 9:25, 26). By Which king? Nothing is known concerning the prophet Habakkuk beyond his name. Jer 2 - 6 2, 3 God sends Jeremiah to Jerusalem to give a series of messages to the people of Judah. Without this, the many advantages would only result in harm to themselves and to others. What archaeological evidence implies Isaiah was a unified book? Nehemiah 13:23-27). When Gedaliah is assassinated, the Jews flee to Egypt and force Jeremiah to go with them. In Abraham God found a man ready to yield unqualified obedience to the divine will (Genesis 26:5; Hebrews 11:8) and to cultivate a similar spirit in his posterity (Genesis 18:19). Ambassadors from one foreign country after another would come to discover, if they might, the great secret of Israels success as a nation, and its leaders would have the opportunity of directing the minds of their visitors to the Source of all good things. Webcation of Jeremiah as a true prophet. Strangely, no evidence suggests that any of these knew in person any of the others. These repeated Messianic predictions were designed to lift the eyes of the people from the transitory events of their own time to the coming of Messiah and the establishment of His eternal kingdom, in order to afford them a view of the things of time in the light of eternity. Since Jothams sole reign began after the death of his father Uzziah in 740/39, the initial date for Micahs prophetic ministry should probably be placed after that date. Yet not If these rules are consistently followed the resulting interpretation can be accepted with confidence. Isaiah 2:2-4). Acts 1:6), to appear as a liberator and conqueror, and to exalt Israel to dominion over all nations (see on Luke 4:19). The futurist school of interpretation contends that the many promises of restoration and world leadership made to ancient Israel are yet to be fulfilled in connection with the establishment of the modern state of Israel in Palestine. Gods word is sure (Isaiah 40:8; 55:11; Romans 11:29), and His plan for the salvation of man will ultimately prevail (Isaiah 46:10). In the lives of Gods people the truths of His word are to reveal their glory and excellence. They grasped at the material blessings so generously offered them, but refused the spiritual graces that would have transformed their lives and fitted them to be His representatives. Prophecies of the former classification cannot now be fulfilled because they were strictly conditional in nature and limited in scope, by their very nature, to literal Israel. But maybe it wasnt at that spot. This article surveys the fundamental problem of the interpretation of the prophetic portions of the Old Testament in terms of their message to Israel of old and to the church today. Had Israel measured up to the noble ideal, all of the promises contingent upon obedience would long since have been fulfilled. But the manner in which it is carried out may change because man may change. A Nebuchadnezzar 59 Q As the numbers of Israel increased, they were to enlarge their borders, until their kingdom should embrace the world (cf. WebThe great prophet Jeremiah lived during one of the most critical periods in Jewish history. 2. They brought forth wild grapes rather than the mature fruit of a Godlike character (Isaiah 5:1-7; cf. 6465). Discover what application later inspired writers make of the prophecy, and on this basis determine its possible significance for Gods people in this time. What Is the Significance of the Interjection Aha? All Israel consists of both Jews and Gentiles, thus all Israel shall be saved (Romans 11:25, 26). They eagerly sought the power of His kingdom, but were unwilling to be guided by its principles. 4:3 with Amos 8:8; Hosea 4:15 with Amos 5:5; and Hosea 8:14 with Amos 2:5). Daniel 2:35). The book of Haggai contains four addresses, each bearing a precise date giving the day, month, and year of Darius reign. WebIsaiah's time, Babylonian exile, and return to exile 21 Q Where did Jeremiah live when he was called to be a prophet? 1-39, 40-55, 55-66. In other words, they prophesied and ministered about the same time. chapter 11:9, 10). Even the heathen would recognize the superiority of those who served and worshiped the living God. Thus. WebWhat are the common divisions of Isaiah made by contemporary scholars? So early a date for Jonah1s ministryabout 790 B.C.fits well into Assyrian history. No more shall every man teach his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, Know the L ORD , for they all shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them, says the L ORD. That the Bible really does claim that the stretching out of the heavens is both finished and ongoing is made all the more evident in Isaiah 40:22. 3. Jeremiah 12:14-16). However, there is also no reference made to Persia, which would be expected if the book was of so late a date. The earth would thus be rid of those who opposed God (Zechariah 14:12, 13). See on Zechariah 1:8. Aha was used as an expression of malicious joy. It is thought, furthermore, that his ministry fell in the years when the high priest Jehoiada acted as regent for the child king Joash (2 Kings 11:17 to 12:2), which fact would explain why the king is not mentioned anywhere in the book, while at the same time the Temple service flourished. Any interpretation that fails to give these matters due consideration does violence to the Scriptures.