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. question. 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). WebIsaiah lived about 100 years before Jeremiah. Jer 2 - 6 2, 3 God sends Jeremiah to Jerusalem to give a series of messages to the people of Judah. Isaiah 2:2-4). Prophets: Isaiah Jeremiah Ezekiel Examine the prophecy in its entirety. It is important to note that all the Old Testament promises looking forward to a time of restoration for the Jews were given in anticipation of their return from captivity (see Isaiah 10:24-34; 14:1-7; 27:12, 13; 40:2; 61:4-10; Jeremiah 16:14-16; 23:3-8; 25:11; 29:10-13; 30:3-12; 32:7-27, 37-44; Ezekiel 34:11-15; 37; Amos 9:10-15; Micah 2:12, 13; etc.). 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. WebIsaiah 65:12 I will destine you for the sword, and you will all kneel down to be slaughtered, because I called and you did not answer, I spoke and you did not listen; you did evil in My sight and chose that in which I did not delight." These promises of prosperity and a successful mission were to have met fulfillment in large measure during the centuries following the return of the Israelites from the lands of their captivity. Jeremiah 49:14, 16), and Joel (Obadiah 15, 17; cf. Only when its leaders formally rejected the Messiah and declared before Pilate their allegiance to no king but Caesar (John 19:15) did Israel as a nation irrevocably withdraw from the covenant relationship and the theocracy. He was sawed in half, Menessah killed him. did isaiah and jeremiah live at the same time The glorious promises originally made to literal Israel are meeting their fulfillment today in the proclamation of the gospel to all men (Revelation 14:6, 7). 1 Peter 2:6-8; 1 Corinthians 1:23) but this need not mean that they are to fallGod forbid, he exclaims (Romans 11:1, 22). He had told them that He would progressively diminish their strength and honor as a nation until they should all be carried away into captivity (Deuteronomy 28:15-68; 2 Chronicles 36:16, 17). These are followed by chapters 7, 8, 9, 10. The kingdom was divided following Solomons death (see 1 Kings 11:33-38). Unparalleled prosperity, both temporal and spiritual, was promised them as the reward for putting into practice the righteous and wise principles of heaven (Deuteronomy 4:6-9; 7:12-15; 28:1-14). WebIsaiah, the first of the prophets considered "major," had an active ministry that centered in Jerusalem. During the siege, reprobate Israelites would be slain by their foes (Zechariah 13:8; 14:2). Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel 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. We shall be protected against the grossly literal explanation of some expositors concerning the return of literal Israel to literal Palestine to rule the world for a thousand years prior to the close of human probation, and also against other equally unscriptural interpretations that propose to apply allegorically to the church all the details of the promises originally made to literal Israel. Church tradition suggests that Jeremiah was stoned to death in Egypt by the Jews. On the other hand, the destruction of Nineveh is described as an event still future (chapter 3:7). The success of Israel was to be based on and to include: 1. ), those pointing forward to the eternal rest in Canaan (Isaiah 11:6-9; 35; 65:17-25; 66:20-23; Jeremiah 17:25; Ezekiel 37; 40-48; Zechariah 2:6-12; 14:4-11), and those promising deliverance from her enemies (Isaiah 2:10-21; 24-26; Ezekiel 38; 39; Joel 3; Zephaniah 1; 2; Zechariah 9:9-17; 10-14; etc. See Exodus 31:2-6; 35:33, 35. In Him I have placed my trust, and He is the Lord of the Great Throne. (Q. The following discussion sets forth the principles of interpretation described under 5, and followed by this commentary, together with the scriptural basis on which these principles rest. For example, the judgment that came upon Sodom and Gomorrah, literal cities of the ancient past, is used by Bible writers as descriptive of the judgment God will eventually bring upon all the world. 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). The blessings of health. Furthermore, the rise of the Chaldeans and their invasion of the West is predicted, but this seemed at that time completely incredible (chapter 1:5-7). New King James Version 1-39 40-55 56-66. 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. They were doing no positive good; therefore they were doing incalculable harm, and their influence became a savor of death. Quiz #6 Flashcards These observations seem to place Zephaniah in the early years of Josiahs reign, perhaps about 630 B.C., as a contemporary of Habakkuk. 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. All Israel consists of both Jews and Gentiles, thus all Israel shall be saved (Romans 11:25, 26). They would send messengers to Israel with the declaration, We will go with you: for we have heard that God is with you (Zechariah 8:23). Timeline: Prophets in the Reigns of Kings of Judah and Israel A study of the Old Testament prophets that consists primarily of lifting selected passages here and there out of their historical context and arbitrarily applying them to our dayas if the prophet spoke exclusively for our benefitis fraught with grave danger. 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). 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. 4. The older generation place him in the 9th century B.C., whereas most commentators are now inclined to assign him either to the time of King Josiah or to the postexilic period. Through Israel of old, God planned to provide the nations of earth with a living revelation of His own holy character and an exhibit of the glorious heights to which man can attain by cooperating with His infinite purposes. The earth would thus be rid of those who opposed God (Zechariah 14:12, 13). Also, Jeremiah (chapter 26:18), quoting Micah (chapter 3:12), testifies that Micah ministered during Hezekiahs time. Those in Israel who put forth their best efforts to cooperate with the revealed will of God realized, personally, a measure of the benefits He had promised. His work is characterized by skill in the use of language, a well-balanced syntax, and a lively and impressive poetry. WebIsaiah's time, Babylonian exile, and return to exile 21 Q Where did Jeremiah live when he was called to be a prophet? 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. At the time of Isaiahs ministry, Judah was a sinful and unjust nation. All who turned from idolatry to the worship of the true God, were to unite themselves with His chosen people. 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. The Babylonian Captivity Dead sea scrolls. 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. He dies while in Egypt. The Bible contains more information about his life and times than any other prophet. But Judah failed to learn the lesson, and a little more than a century later her apostasy, also, was complete (see Jeremiah 22:6, 8, 9; Ezekiel 16:37; 7:2-15; 12:3-28; 36:18-23). The fundamental principle by which we can tell unerringly when any particular promise or prediction of the Old Testament made originally to literal Israel is to meet its fulfillment with respect to spiritual Israel iswhen a later inspired writer makes such an application of it. Jeremiah Having begun his ministry in the time of Uzziah, king of Judah, and Jeroboam II, king of Israel (chapter 1:1), Hosea continued until the time of Hezekiah, king of Judah (chapter 1:1). Who Wrote the BibleGod, Men, or Both? When Messiah came, His own people, the Jews, received him not (John 1:11). WebWhat are the common divisions of Isaiah made by contemporary scholars? (chapter 5:14), after which he was recalled to Persia. Both of these extreme methods wrest the obvious intent of the Scriptures and render a sound understanding of the messages of the prophets for the church today unattainable. The prophet Daniel later prayed for more understanding about Jeremiahs time prophecy. did This period spanned the reigns of five kings of Judah: Josiah, Jehoahaz, Jehoiakim, Jehoiachin, and Zedekiah. Zechariah probably belonged to a priestly family (chapter 1:1; cf. Nehemiah 13:23-27). See Deuteronomy 7:13; 28:2-8; Malachi 3:8-11. 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. Aha was used as an expression of malicious joy. Jeremiah 12:14-16). For these reasons Daniels extended prophetic ministry can be dated approximately from 603 to 535 B.C. Pests and diseases, flood and drought, crop failureall these would eventually disappear. COMPARISON BETWEEN THE PROPHETS ISAIAH, DANIEL, AND ZECHARIAH Jeremiah Nick Baumgardner, a senior writer from the same publication, predicts Notre Dames all-time sack leader will fall to the early third round in his latest mock draft.. Daniel Jeremiah, a draft analyst for the NFL Network, concurs. The prophet Ezekiel, a priest, was one of the 10,000 Jews taken into exile by Nebuchadnezzar in 597 B.C., when King Jehoiachin was carried to Babylon. The Temple is mentioned as still existing (chapter 2:20), which shows that the book was written before Nebuchadnezzars destruction of Jerusalem in 586 B.C. 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. Through His people Christ is to manifest His character and the principles of His kingdom. What archaeological evidence implies Isaiah was a unified book? Superior intellect. He is the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever (Hebrews 13:8). Post Exile c. 530 BC First view (and traditional one) is that Daniel was written immediately after the Babylonian exile ended and many Jews returned to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple. The sons of the stranger [or Gentile, 1 Kings 8:41; see on Exodus 12:19, 43] would join themselves to the Lord, to serve him, and to love the name of the Lord (Isaiah 56:6; Zechariah 2:11). He saw the destruction of Jerusalem and of the Beth Hamikdosh, after his warnings and prophecies fell on deaf ears. 2. Yet, since Gods purposes are immutable (Psalms 33:11; Prov. He will listen to the prophet speaking to Israel of old and endeavor to understand what his words meant to the people who originally heard them. Ninevehs destruction, which came in 612, is referred to as a future event, indicating that Zephaniahs work preceded this date. Between the first invasion of Nebuchadnezzar in 605 B.C. Most of them are mentioned in the Bible, in either the prophetic or the historical books. 2. WebEmphasize that when God prompted Isaiah to write about the Lord Jesus it was way before Jesus was born. They cherished the idea that they were favorites of Heaven, and were ungrateful for the opportunities so graciously afforded them. same time What Is the Significance of the Interjection Aha? One column provides a list of certain special events of this periodsome of a political nature, concerning the nations surrounding Israel and Judah, others of a domestic nature. Prophecies that fall into the latter classification are to be fulfilled in principle but not necessarily in every detail, owing to the fact that many details of prophecy were concerned with Israel as a literal nation situated in the land of Palestine. Under Nebuchadnezzars successors Daniels service seems not to have been desired. Even to the time of the fall of Jerusalem, Jeremiahs message remained the same: submit to the yoke of Babylonia. 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. 1-39 40-55 56-66. Prophecies that Inspiration clearly applies to our day were designed of God to inspire us with patience, comfort, and the hope that all things foretold by these holy men of old will soon meet their final and complete fulfillment. Accordingly, the book can probably be dated about 425 B.C. 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. 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). Nabopolassar 626 B.C. Ezekiel 38:16, 18-23; 39:1-7). The gates of Jerusalem would be open continually to receive the wealth contributed to Israel for the conversion of still other nations and peoples (Isaiah 60:1-11, RSV; Psalms 72:10; Isaiah 45:14; Haggai 2:7, RSV). 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. As the nations of antiquity should behold Israels unprecedented progress, their attention and interest would be aroused. A Nebuchadnezzar 59 Q I will call them my people, which were not my people (Romans 9:25, 26). Acts 13:22). In that day every one that is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall even go up from year to year to worship the King, the Lord of hosts (Zechariah 14:16; cf. In spite of the bold and zealous efforts of such prophets as Elijah, Elisha, Amos, and Hosea, the northern kingdom rapidly deteriorated and was eventually carried into Assyrian captivity. chapter 11:18). At the same time, He permitted the heathen nations to walk in their own ways (Acts 14:16), to furnish an example of what man can accomplish apart from Him. Nahum is called the Elkoshite (chapter 1:1), but Elkosh is unknown as a place name, although commentators have tried to identify it with Elkesi in northern Galilee, Alkush near Mosul, and a town near Eleutheropolis in Judah. chapter 9:7; Isaiah 66:23). He was therefore a somewhat younger contemporary of Isaiah, to whose vocabulary and terminology his prophecies show great similarity (Micah 4:1-4; cf. The only period in which the mission of Jonah to Nineveh, with its results, seems to fit is the reign of Adad-nirari III (810782). WebIsaiah, Jeremiah, and Lamentations 82 cards. seem to refer to those recorded in 2 Kings 8:20-22 and 2 Chronicles 21:8-10, 16, while nothing points to the troubles caused by Hazael, as narrated in 2 Kings 12:17, 18 and 2 Chronicles 24:23, 24, it has been concluded that Joel gave his messages during the time lying between these two events. The Assyrian capital city of Nineveh was captured and destroyed by the combined forces of Media and Babylonia in 612 B.C., which is, accordingly, the latest possible date for Nahum. 6566). Spiritual Israel includes both Jews and Gentiles (verse 24). Jeremiah His presence is here, worship with us at Summer Ramp now! Cooperation with the natural laws of body and mind would result in ever-increasing mental strength, and the people of Israel would be blessed with vigor of intellect, keen discrimination, and sound judgment. However, when we read his Deported to Babylon, they were to learn in adversity the lessons they had failed to learn during times of prosperity (Jeremiah 25:5-7; 29:18, 19; 30:11-14; 46:28; Ezekiel 20:25-38; Micah 4:10-12), and to impart to the heathen Babylonians a knowledge of the true God. Isaiah and Jeremiahs preaching against false idols and false prophets, mutual oppressions between nations, and against general injustice remains timely. Their own characters were to be progressively ennobled and elevated, and to reflect more and more perfectly the attributes of the perfect character of God (Deuteronomy 4:9; 28:1, 13, 14; 30:9, 10). 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. A Anathoth 51 Q Who became king of Babylon about the same time as Jeremiah was called by God? They were to show forth His praise (chapter 43:21), to declare His glory among the heathen (chapter 66:19), to be a light to the Gentiles (chapters 49:6; 42:6, 7). The people might approach God personally and through the ministry of a mediating priesthood, their representatives before Him; He would direct the nation through the ministry of prophets, His appointed representatives to them. There are 12 minor prophets: the last 12 books in the Old Testament. Tools. Nations that had known nothing of the true God would run to Jerusalem because of the manifest evidence of divine blessing that attended Israel (chapter 55:5). Isaiah was best known as the Hebrew prophet who predicted the coming of Jesus Christ to salvage mankind from sin. 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. 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. 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. It is true, he says, that national Israel stumbled at the stumblingstone, Jesus Christ (Romans 9:32, 33; 11:11; cf. WebIsaiah was a prophet of the southern kingdom, living in a critical period of his nation. olt final They brought forth wild grapes rather than the mature fruit of a Godlike character (Isaiah 5:1-7; cf. There is no surer protection against the speculative vagaries of religious visionaries than a clear knowledge of the historical context of Scripture. It was Gods design that the whole earth be prepared for the first advent of Christ, even as to-day the way is preparing for His second coming. Jeremiah's Seventy Years In the 5th year of Jehoiachins captivity, 593/92, Ezekiel had his first vision by the river Chebar, a canal near the famous city of Nippur in lower Babylonia (chapter 1:1-3). 4. Hence, the year 603 can be considered as the beginning of Daniels ministry as a prophet. To their own question, What nation is there so great, who hath God so nigh unto them? the Gentiles would answer, Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people (Deuteronomy 4:7, 6). A Nebuchadnezzar 59 Q WebJer 31:34. 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. Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Lips (no Isaiah was a Jewish prophet who lived during the eighth century BC. In Israel, there was sometimes more than one prophet, and sometimes there were many prophets. 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). 9:129) This verse first Matthew 19:16, 17; 22:36-40). Nehemiahs first term lasted from 444 to 432 B.C. The Hebrew people were to acquire wisdom and skill in all cunning work, that is, a high degree of inventive genius and ability as artisans, for the manufacture of all kinds of utensils and mechanical devices. Galatians 5:19-23), and because of this failure to bear the fruit expected of them, forfeited their role in the divine plan (see Romans 11:20). 5. 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. In general, Old Testament promises and predictions were addressed to literal Israel and were to have been fulfilled to them, conditional on obedience. 1-39, 40-55, 55-66. 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. For these reasons the 7th-century date for Joel has been adopted in this commentary, although there is no conclusive proof that this choice is correct. Pride obscured their vision [see Luke 19:42]. It is possible that he worked much longer, as part of chapters 9-14 may have been given at a much later time. 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. Nothing is impossible with God. Any nation and kingdom that would not serve Israel was to perish chapter (60:12). Because I find it hard to think about BC dates, I've also included the number of years since the end of Solomon's, so that we have a scale of increasing year numbers. Isaiah and Jeremiah: 10 Key Verses to Consider With Commentary 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. The present-day return of the Jews to Palestine and the establishment of the modern state of Israel do not imply reinstatement as Gods people, present or future. His early ministry seems to have coincided with the last years of King Uzziahs reign (see Introduction to Isaiah), but his official call to the office of a prophet came in 740/39, the last year of King Uzziah (chapter 6:1). All nations of earth were to share in the blessings so generously bestowed upon Israel. This fact weakens the arguments for such a late date. Furthermore, the repeated mention of Judahs wickedness, described as enormous in his day (see chapters 1:4-6, 8, 9, 12; 3:1-3, 7), points to the time before Josiahs reform, which began in 623/22. Baruch, son of Neriah. Since the hostile acts of the heathen peoples committed against Judah (chapter 3:4 ff.) 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.). 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). Send them from My presence, and let them go. Jer 31:35. 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. Bible Taught It First same time 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.