The short book of Obadiah, consisting of only 21 verses, is not dated and its chronological setting is uncertain. Daniel 2:35). 740-680 BC (8th Century) question. 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. 3. (27-3) Ezekiel 25:3. 9:129) This verse first For a graphic picture of how one nation would have responded to the irresistible appeal radiating from an Israel faithful to God, see Isaiah 19:18-22; cf. Superior intellect. They were the most influential prophets to appear on the scene, and their many prophecies have been preserved in the sacred Scriptures. 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. 19:21; Isaiah 46:10; Acts 5:39; Hebrews 6:17; etc. WebIn Isaiah, we read about God's unbroken relationship with His people both the promise and its fulfillment in an ongoing pattern that's visible throughout history. 3:5). Daniel was taken to Babylon in 605 B.C., during the accession year of Nebuchadnezzar (see on chapter 1:1). What Is the Significance of the Interjection Aha? Though the prophet looked at events about him, he also could see far beyond his own day. All nations of earth were to share in the blessings so generously bestowed upon Israel. 4:14; Colossians 2:2-4, 8; 2 Peter 1:16; Revelation 22:18). Predictions of national disgrace, rejection, and woe that were to result from apostasy would never have been realized. Thus Israel was to blossom and bud, and fill the face of the world with fruit (Isaiah 27:6). WebBefore we begin our review of the parts of Jeremiahs early ministry, let us first set out the usual and customary picture of it. It was to be the result of wholehearted cooperation with the will of God as revealed through the prophets, and of divine blessing added to human efforts. Along with his contemporary, the prophet Micah, Isaiah served the southern kingdom of Judah under the reigns of four kings. It is thought that Isaiah and Micah lived at the same time and addressed different audiences. However, 2 Kings 14:25 states that Jonah also pronounced a prophecy concerning the expansion of Israel that was fulfilled by Jeroboam II. Without this, the people of Israel would not qualify to receive the material blessings God designed to bestow upon them. For instance, the prophecy of the battle of Gog and Magog in Ezekiel 38, 39 was never fulfilled to literal Israel; but John the revelator assures us that in principle, though not necessarily in all details (such as those of Ezekiel 39:9-15), this battle will occur at the close of the millennium (Revelation 20:7-9). No, there were three prophets of God who followed Isaiah. But he will listen also for the further import the prophets words may have for later times, particularly, our time. Jesus own verdict was, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof (Matthew 21:43; cf. ), success must and will comethrough Israel after the spirit. All who have faith in Christ are one in Him, and, as a the spiritual seed of Abraham, are heirs according to the promise (Galatians 3:9, 28, 29). or during the early years of his reign. In spite of Israels ultimate failure, a limited knowledge of the true God and of the Messianic hope was widespread when the Saviour was born (see on Matthew 2:1). If chapter 52, a historical appendix, was written by the prophet, he must have lived until 561, when Jehoiachin was released from prison by King Evil-Merodach of Babylon (see chapter 52:31). Church tradition suggests that Jeremiah was stoned to death in Egypt by the Jews. The last part of the lecture turns to Second Isaiah and the famous servant songs that find a universal significance in Its messages show that it was written after the time of the kingdom of Judah, when a governor ruled over the country (chapter 1:8), a fact that points to the Persian period. Acts 13:22). God did not forsake His people, even during the Captivity. As the numbers of Israel increased, they were to enlarge their borders, until their kingdom should embrace the world (cf. 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. chapter 11:18). Mark 7:9). Thus, for more than 1,500 years, a great experiment designed to test the relative merits of good and evil was conducted before the world. However, there is also no reference made to Persia, which would be expected if the book was of so late a date. Paul makes it clear beyond argument that when he speaks of Israel as the chosen people of God he means it in this sense. Consideration is given to the role of literal Israel as Gods chosen people, to the way His plan for them was to have been accomplished, to the way in which it actually did work out, and to the eventual transfer of the privileges and responsibilities of literal Israel to spiritual Israel, that is, to the Christian church. The completeness and finality of this rejection is evident from chapter 8:19, 20: As the nations which the Lord destroyeth before your face, so shall ye perish; because ye would not be obedient unto the voice of the Lord your God. The rejection of Jesus by the leaders of Israel (cf. However, there is no valid reason why Malachi should not be considered a proper name. They blindly overlooked those scriptures that point to the humiliation of Christs first advent, and misapplied those that speak of the glory of His second coming. This form literally means that the stretching of the heavens was completed or finished some time ago. He would be king over all the earth verses (3, 8, 9), and His dominion from sea even to sea, even to the ends of the earth (chapter 9:9, 10). Paul emphasizes the fact that the rejection of literal Israel as Gods chosen instrument for the salvation of the world does not mean that individual Jews can no longer be saved (chapters 9:6; 11:1, 2, 11, 15), for he is a Jew himself (chapters 9:3; 10:1; 11:1, 2). Had Jerusalem known what it was her privilege to know, and heeded the light that Heaven sent her, she would have stood forth in magnificent prosperity, the queen of kingdoms, the mighty metropolis of the earth, and would, like a noble vine, have filled the face of the world with fruit (Isaiah 27:6). The formal rejection of Jesus by the Jews, as a nation, marked the close of their last opportunity as the special agents of God for the salvation of the world. Our study of messages originally proclaimed by holy men of old to the people of their day is not to become an end in itself, but a means of discovering the will of God for all who would render Him truehearted service now, at the climax of the ages. Matthew 19:16, 17; 22:36-40). 4. Weblived and were active as prophets during a time of great catastrophe for the people of Israel, the conquest of Judah and the destruction of the First Tem-ple. Amos presents himself to his readers as a herdsman and a gatherer of sycomore fruit (chapters 1:1; 7:14). For I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more.. Jeremiah 32:17 highlights this point by stating, "O Sovereign Lord! answer. EZEKIEL is born Josiah tries to purify the land 612 Ninevah destroyed according to Nahum's prophecy in the Book of Nahum 1:1-3:19 as prophecied in 663-654BC. Obedience to the law of God would make them marvels of prosperity before the nations of the world, living witnesses to the greatness and majesty of God (Deuteronomy 8:17, 18; 28:11-13). WebThese chapters in Ezekiel are similar to those in Isaiah and Jeremiah where prophetic burdens are pronounced on certain foreign nations (see Isaiah 1323; Jeremiah 4651). In general, Old Testament promises and predictions were addressed to literal Israel and were to have been fulfilled to them, conditional on obedience. 6566). His call came to him sometime in October/November, 520 B.C., in the same year as Haggais first appearance (chapter 1:1). They devised different theologies to respond to the destruction of the Temple. Accordingly, the book can probably be dated about 425 B.C. the ideal selection is option C. Learn more about the Book of Micah here: Baruch, son of Neriah. Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel, however, did. Accordingly, the covenant promises and privileges were all permanently transferred from literal to spiritual Israel (Romans 9:4; cf. Any redistribution or reproduction of part or all of the contents in any form is prohibited other than the following: You may print or download to a local hard disk extracts for your personal use only. Discover what application later inspired writers make of the prophecy, and on this basis determine its possible significance for Gods people in this time. chapter 11:9, 10). WebThe major prophets are Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel, and the other twelve (Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi) are minor. Theoretically, the word minor signifies not lesser moral or religious or literary stature but only lesser length. Hence, he seems to have labored at a time before Assyria played a role in Palestinian affairs. Joel 1:15; 2:1, 32) can hardly serve as evidence for either a late or an early date. 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. Acts 1:6), to appear as a liberator and conqueror, and to exalt Israel to dominion over all nations (see on Luke 4:19). Haggais courageous ministry was responsible for the resumption of the rebuilding of the Temple in the time of Darius I, after the work had ceased for some time (Ezra 4:24; 5:1). Accordingly, what He purposed to do for the world through Israel of old He will finally accomplish through His church on earth today, and many of the promises originally made to literal Israel will be fulfilled to His remnant people at the close of time. It ran from the last year Judah's King Uzziah ruled (740 B.C. They eagerly sought the power of His kingdom, but were unwilling to be guided by its principles. With Him there is no variableness, neither shadow of turning (James 1:17). 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. I will call them my people, which were not my people (Romans 9:25, 26). Isaiah was a prophet for the kingdom of Judah, ca. The life story of Jeremiah is better known than that of any other prophet. 2. In a mysterious way known only to God the prophets words were sometimes intended to meet their fulfillment in the then far-distant future. WebJeremiah is allowed to remain in Jerusalem. In contrast to Isaiah and others, Jeremiah provided more detail about himself in his book than any of the other prophets. 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. In Isaiah Daniel himself so understood these promises (Daniel 9:1-8). WebA radical reinterpretation of the biblical prophets by one of America's most provocative critics reveals the eternal beauty of their language and the enduring resonance of their message. (2 Chron. Accordingly, Abraham became in a special sense the Friend of God (James 2:23) and the father of all them that believe (Romans 4:11). WebEmphasize that when God prompted Isaiah to write about the Lord Jesus it was way before Jesus was born. 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. Solomon made his great mistake when he failed to realize the secret of Israels prosperity, and with a few noteworthy exceptions, leaders and people sank lower and lower from generation to generation until apostasy was complete (Isaiah 3:12; 9:16; Jeremiah 5:1-5; 8:10; Ezekiel 22:23-31; Micah 3). WebFrom the time of King Josiah, Jeremiah was the Lords prophet in Jerusalem. It was their unwillingness to submit to the restrictions and requirements of God that prevented them, to a great extent, from reaching the high standard which He desired them to attain, and from receiving the blessings which He was ready to bestow upon them. The state was still to be administered in the name, and by the authority, of God. And the Lord shall scatter thee among all people, from the one end of the earth even unto the other (Deuteronomy 28:63, 64). In the lives of Gods people the truths of His word are to reveal their glory and excellence. God may reject one nation or group of people in favor of another if those first summoned persistently refuse to cooperate with Him (see Jeremiah 18:6-10; cf. Hosea was from the Northern Kingdom, Micah and Jeremiah were from the Southern kingdom. The sixteen prophetsIsaiah to Malachiwhose writings have come down to us lived during four centuries, from about 800 to 400 B.C. Nehemiah 12:12, 16). The book of Haggai contains four addresses, each bearing a precise date giving the day, month, and year of Darius reign. A comparison between some of his prophecies and those of Amos indicates that Hosea was a younger contemporary of Amos (cf. WebIt is the same message as Jeremiah's. Obadiahs prophecy, directed against Edom, presupposes that a looting of Jerusalem and a carrying away of many Jews into captivity had recently taken place. It is impossible to date the devastating plague of locusts that the prophet so vividly describes and compares with the terrors of the coming day of judgment. Hence, Jonah was probably the earliest of the prophets under discussion. The kingdom was overturned (Ezekiel 21:25-32) and the people removed from the land, which had been theirs only by virtue of the covenant relationship (Hosea 9:3, 15, Micah 2:10; cf. WebIsaiah, the first of the prophets considered "major," had an active ministry that centered in Jerusalem. There is no surer protection against the speculative vagaries of religious visionaries than a clear knowledge of the historical context of Scripture. Jerusalem would have become a great missionary center, and the earth would have been set ablaze with the light of truth in one grand, final appeal to those who had not as yet accepted the invitation of divine mercy. Four eminent Hebrew prophets addressed themselves to the people of Israel and Judah in the latter half of the 8th pre-Christian century: Amos, Hosea, Micah, and Isaiah. He belonged to a family of priests whose home town was Anathoth. Then, two months later, the latter died, doubtless unexpectedly; it was the same month when there would have been a septennial reading of the law of Deuteronomy.11 But maybe it wasnt at that spot. All the visions of Daniel recorded in chapters 7-12 were received during the last years of his life, the first one (chapter 7) in Belshazzars 1st year (552 or possibly later), and the last one (chapters 10-12) in the 3rd year of Cyrus, 536/35 B.C. 3. This period spanned the reigns of five kings of Judah: Josiah, Jehoahaz, Jehoiakim, Jehoiachin, and Zedekiah. In Egypt, Jeremiah raised his voice against the idolatries the Jews practiced there (chapters 43; 44). The Bible contains more information about his life and times than any other prophet. Yet the book contains no clear indication of the time in which the prophet lived. This fact weakens the arguments for such a late date. They forgot that God abhors a multiplication of the forms of religion (Isaiah 1:11-18; Hosea 6:6; Micah 6:7; Malachi 2:13), and asks of man nothing but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with his God (Micah 6:8; cf. Daniel 5:25-28; Matthew 21:40-43; 22:3-10; Luke 14:24). 3. If the nation had been faithful to its trust and had appreciated the high destiny reserved for it by God, the whole earth would have awaited the coming of the Messiah with eager expectancy. 9:129) This verse first For two of them (Joel and Obadiah), however, no conclusive evidence as to the time of their work exists, and scholars differ widely in their views concerning this matter. However, these messages pertaining to the then-distant future were intended, not only to inspire patience, comfort, and hope in the day they were first given, but also to provide men of Christs day with confirming evidence of His Messiahship. For these reasons Daniels extended prophetic ministry can be dated approximately from 603 to 535 B.C. National greatness. They rejected the Light of the world, and henceforth their lives were surrounded with darkness as the darkness of midnight. ), through the reigns of Jotham and Ahaz, to the end of King Hezekiah's rule in 686 (Isa. Jeremiah 22:26 I will hurl you and the mother who gave you birth into another land, where neither of you were born--and there you both will die. Some believe that the prophet refers to the conquest of Jerusalem at the time of King Jehoram (2 Kings 8:20-22; 2 Chronicles 21:8-10, 16, 17) in the 9th century; others believe that the prophet is speaking of Jerusalems destruction by Nebuchadnezzar in 586 B.C. We should never forget that whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for the learning of future generations to the end of time, to inspire patience, comfort, and hope (Romans 15:4). He purposed to make them an honor to His name and a blessing to the nations about them. Remember thatgenerally speakingit was originally given with respect to the historical circumstances that called it forth. They were to be far in advance of other nations in wisdom and understanding. Pride obscured their vision [see Luke 19:42]. A clear understanding of these aspects of the problem is essential to the formulation of a valid procedure for interpreting the messages of the Old Testament prophets. In this case, he was an octogenarian. He saw the destruction of Jerusalem and of the Beth Hamikdosh, after his warnings and prophecies fell on deaf ears. This would make Isaiah first cousin to King Uzziah and grandson to The postexilic view.The absence of any reference to a king of Judah or to Assyria or Babylon, the reference to the hostility of Tyre and Sidon, and the mention of Greeks have been taken by some commentators as evidence for a postexilic date for Joel.
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