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SECOND BAPTIST CHURCH THE OLD TESTAMENT March: Focus on the Prophets April: Focus on Books of Poetry May: Focus on Miriam, Queen of Sheba, Ruth, Esther As we begin our third Month of the year, we are now shifting from a study of Black Presence in the Bible and Church Tradition to a more traditional view of The Old Testament. We will not be able to do justice to our study of the Old Testament in just three months. The English version of the Old Testament is not the same as the Hebrew Bible. Our translation arrives from the second century Greek translation known as the Septuagint. The Hebrew Bible is divided into three parts; the Law, the Prophets, and the Writings. Traditionally, the English Bible is divided into three parts; the Law, History, Poetry, Major Prophets and Minor Prophets. Our goal for March is to delve into both the Major and Minor Prophets. In April we will focus on Books of Poetry which includes- Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Songs of Solomon and Ecclesiastes. Finally, during Women’s Month- we will have guest teachers each week to focus on various aspects of the Old Testament as it relates to women. My “old” Old Testament text on the prophets is Gerhard von Rad’s Old Testament Theology. It was certainly one of the premiere books on the Old Testament…many years ago. von Rad’s time frame for the prophets is divided as pre-classical and classical periods. The pre-classical prophets are Elijah and Elisha. All the prophets the English Bible described as Major and Minor, are listed during the Classical Period of the Hebrews. Our focus is on what the Jewish tradition calls the Classical Prophets. These were counted in four books- Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel and the Book of the Twelve. While the prophetic tradition goes as far back as Moses, the words were eventually written in scrolls bearing the names of the prophets in the middle of the eighth century (760 BC) all the way to the fifth century (460 BC). These prophets play a crucial role in the unwinding story of Israel. They are deeply connected to both the Law (Torah) and the Kings. The role of the prophet includes two specific assignments: 1) Call God’s people back to their covenant roots, 2) Announce the curses and blessings assigned to being disobedient or obedient to the covenant. Exilic prophets were also given the responsibility to help the people through their loss of 1) Divine presence, and 2) The Promised Land. The role of the prophet is to call the people back into relationship with God. God does not belong to the people, the people belong to God. There is deep concern that Israel must reflect God’s character by walking in his ways, keeping covenant with him. To understand the classical prophets, it is important to also grasp essential information regarding the environment in which they lived. There was significant political, social, economic and military upheaval taking place. There was an almost routine shift in the balance of power occurring among nations. Israel was greatly influenced by other nations. By the time the classical prophets arrive, the Hebrews have already divided into two nations (the northern and southern kingdoms; Israel and Judah). The majority of the prophets address issues taking place in the southern kingdom of Judah. To read the prophets is to also have fundamental knowledge of 1&2 Kings and 1&2 Chronicles as historical “backdrops” to their messages. There is a fine
The Old Testament Bible Study | Second Baptist Church
March, 2016
line between the prophets speaking about the “near” future when God will restore the people and nation, and the “ultimate” future that will unfold at the coming of the Messiah. For the month of March we will look at the prophets Isaiah (March 2), Jeremiah (March 9), Ezekiel (March 16), Daniel (March 23) and the “Minor Prophets” (March 30). In doing so, we will cover the following; Background of the prophet Content of the prophet’s message Date of prophetic activity General Overview As we study from the Old Testament, I pray that we will discover insights and biblical truths that we will be able to utilize in our contemporary setting. It is important to remember that Israel/Judah’s emerging development as a nation, was filled with intrigue regarding community, human relationships, faith in God, politics (local and national) and social structures. What was the responsibility of the prophets? In an ever changing landscape, when rulers came and went, when the nation was secure one moment and tenuous and insecure in the next moment, what role did the prophet play in sharing the Word of God with the people? Conversely, in our ever changing landscape of this 21st century, when there is so much uncertainty about our nation, so much disunity in our government, and so much fragmentation among people, what role do modern day preachers play in sharing the Word of God? One way of looking at the time frame in which the prophets shared their messages, is to “questions” the prophets and people may have been asking themselves. These following questions are taken from the text Deuteronomic History, by Terence E. Fretheim. Question of identity: Are we still the people of God, or has God abandoned us? Question of guilt: What went wrong? Is the blame to be placed upon us? Is it possible to be forgiven? Question of theodicy: Has God been fair to us? Does the punishment fit the crime? Were God’s actions justified? Questions of hope: Is there any basis for hope, or are we condemned to a life of despair? Question of divine faithfulness: Will God remain true to the ancient promises? Do God’s promises remain true? Question of divine presence: With the destruction of the temple, is God present with the people? Question of divine power: With our defeat at the hands of other nations, how do we define the power of Yahweh? Can/will God deliver us?
The Old Testament Bible Study | Second Baptist Church
March, 2016
Question of idolatry/syncretism: Has it paid to worship one God? Should we do as others and worship multiple gods? Question of purity: What should our relationship with other people be like? Should we become separatists? Question of continuity and change: How can we count on old truths? Will symbols of our faith remain part of what it means to be the people of God? Question of beginning again: What should be the shape of the community, when/if it emerges from exile? How can we avoid this happening again? Question of leadership: What is appropriate for our present and future leadership? The word of God is always spoken to a particular situation. We are able to gain incredible insight in reviewing it and comparing it to similar situations today. Joshua 1:1ff teaches, “God will not leave you or forsake you; he will not fail you.” These same words speak to whatever you may be going through today. The promise is the same. However, one must begin with the biblical account before applying the text to current issues and life situations.
The Book of Isaiah Isaiah proclaimed his message to Judah and Jerusalem between 742 and 687 BC. During this period, the northern kingdom (Israel) was annexed to Assyria. It appears that Isaiah was a priest working in the temple before becoming a prophet. Chapters 1-39 are assigned to the time of the prophet. These chapters were written during the time of Cyrus of Persia. Isaiah 1 (chs. 1-39) can be divided in the following sections; 1. Isaiah’s Memoirs- 1.1-12.6 2. Oracles Against Domestic Enemies- 13.1-23.18 3. Isaiah Apocalypse- (24.1-27.13 4. Oracles Related to Judah’s intrigue with Egypt- 28.1-32.20 5. Post Exilic Eschatological (end of the world) Oracles- 33.1-35.10 6. Historical Appendix- 36.1-39.8 Isaiah attacks social injustice as the primary reason Yahweh is unhappy with Judah. He pleads with his hearers to place their confidence in the power of God. He reminds them they are to live public and private lives that are pleasing to God. The recurrent themes focus on justice and
The Old Testament Bible Study | Second Baptist Church
March, 2016
righteousness, assurance of divine blessings upon the faithful and punishment upon the faithless. In Isaiah we find a moving, sweeping vision of the assurance of hope of God’s people in a world that is governed by God’s hands. Our current Christian church receives the word of Isaiah through focus on the Suffering Servant and the proclamation from 60.1 “Arise, shine; for your light has come.” The breakdown of Isaiah 1.1 to 39.8: 1.” The have rebelled against me “The beginning of Isaiah’s first vision A. Superscription- 1.1 B. A book of oracles (1.2-2.5) 1. Israel’s ingratitude 1.2-3 2. Dire straits of Zion 1.4-9 3. God’s primary concern 1.10-17 4. The alternative: repent, or be destroyed 1.18-20 5. Lament over Jerusalem 1.21-23 6. The Lord’s judgment 1.24-26 7. An addendum 1.27-31 8. Turning of the peoples to Zion’s God 2.1-5 C. The day of the Lord (2.6-22) D. The doom of rulers (3.1-15) E. The proud women of Israel (3.16-4.1) F. Zion purged by judgment (4.2-6) G. A song of the Lord’s vineyard (5.1-7) H. Those who neither fear God nor regard man (5.8-24a) 11. “Bind up the testimony” (6.1-8.18) 111. “His anger is not turned away” (8.19-10.4) IV. “Be not afraid of the Assyrian” (10.5-12.6) V. “The uproar of many peoples” (13.1-23.18) VI. “Awake and sing, ye that dwell in the dust” 24.1-27.13) VII. “Be not scoffers lest your bonds be made strong” (28.1-32.20) VIII. “The recompense of God” (33.1-35.10) IX. “Isaiah and Hezekiah narrative” (36.1-39.8) 742-734 Isaiah begins his ministry in the year 742. It is the first year Assyria has placed Israel under siege, after the northern kingdom had experienced relative calm. This action by Assyria “paints” the early oracles of Isaiah that describe oncoming doom. This is an external pronouncement6.11-13. There are also internal pronouncements related to Jerusalem and Judah’s religious disloyalty, social injustice, depravity of the upper class- Chapters 1-5. 734-714 This is considered to be the most intense period of Isaiah’s ministry. This comes after King Ahaz refuses to consider Isaiah’s word and concedes to the Assyrian King for help against a
The Old Testament Bible Study | Second Baptist Church
March, 2016
coalition of Syro-Ephraimites. Isaiah ceases prophesying ntil Ahaz dies. Hezekiah takes the throne in 715. 715-705 A new day emerges with the death of Ahaz. Isaiah begins to prophesy. During this time of his ministry, he focuses on religious ceremonies (probably connected to the accession and coronation of the new king). His prophecies would continue until Judah is invaded in 701. Just before the invasion, Hezekiah reaches out to Egypt for assist and is resoundingly denounced by Isaiah for doing so. The plan faltered and he watched all 46 of his fortified cities fall at the hands of Sennacherib, King of Assyria. Chapters 40-66 belong to Deutero-Isaiah or Second Isaiah. There is also a Third Isaiah encompassing chapters 56-66. These texts are written during a different time as chapters 1-39. Chapters 40-55 are noted for their unmatched poetic and literary genius. The people are in Babylonian exile. The poetry is so beautiful and powerful, until its elevated and heightened theology is said thought to have taken place over an extended period. The social climate is in the middle of the sixth century, placing it at the close of the Babylonian period. Israel is no longer a kingdom and Judah is abandoned, its inhabitants exiled. One biblical historian, Berhard Duhm has divided Second Isaiah into Four Servant Songs: 1) 2) 3) 4)
42.1-4 49.1-6 50.4-9 52.13-53.12
Duhm wrote that other material in chapters 40-55 were inserted into the poems by later writers. Third Isaiah (Chapters 56-66) possesses much of the same artistic beauty as Second Isaiah. The Jewish community is resettled in Jerusalem after the exile. There is detail troubles and problems related to the restoration of the city and reconstruction of the temple. What we can take away from our study of Isaiah? We have learned at least five important lessons: 1) God calls and people respond 2) God provides a message through those he calls 3) The message never changes “God remains true to his covenant while the faithful are blessed and the unfaithful are punished” 4) Change is inevitable 5) The best is yet to come
The Old Testament Bible Study | Second Baptist Church
March, 2016
The Old Testament Bible Study | Second Baptist Church
March, 2016
line between the prophets speaking about the “near” future when God will restore the people and nation, and the “ultimate” future that will unfold at the coming of the Messiah. For the month of March we will look at the prophets Isaiah (March 2), Jeremiah (March 9), Ezekiel (March 16), Daniel (March 23) and the “Minor Prophets” (March 30). In doing so, we will cover the following; Background of the prophet Content of the prophet’s message Date of prophetic activity General Overview As we study from the Old Testament, I pray that we will discover insights and biblical truths that we will be able to utilize in our contemporary setting. It is important to remember that Israel/Judah’s emerging development as a nation, was filled with intrigue regarding community, human relationships, faith in God, politics (local and national) and social structures. What was the responsibility of the prophets? In an ever changing landscape, when rulers came and went, when the nation was secure one moment and tenuous and insecure in the next moment, what role did the prophet play in sharing the Word of God with the people? Conversely, in our ever changing landscape of this 21st century, when there is so much uncertainty about our nation, so much disunity in our government, and so much fragmentation among people, what role do modern day preachers play in sharing the Word of God? One way of looking at the time frame in which the prophets shared their messages, is to “questions” the prophets and people may have been asking themselves. These following questions are taken from the text Deuteronomic History, by Terence E. Fretheim. Question of identity: Are we still the people of God, or has God abandoned us? Question of guilt: What went wrong? Is the blame to be placed upon us? Is it possible to be forgiven? Question of theodicy: Has God been fair to us? Does the punishment fit the crime? Were God’s actions justified? Questions of hope: Is there any basis for hope, or are we condemned to a life of despair? Question of divine faithfulness: Will God remain true to the ancient promises? Do God’s promises remain true? Question of divine presence: With the destruction of the temple, is God present with the people? Question of divine power: With our defeat at the hands of other nations, how do we define the power of Yahweh? Can/will God deliver us?
The Old Testament Bible Study | Second Baptist Church
March, 2016
Question of idolatry/syncretism: Has it paid to worship one God? Should we do as others and worship multiple gods? Question of purity: What should our relationship with other people be like? Should we become separatists? Question of continuity and change: How can we count on old truths? Will symbols of our faith remain part of what it means to be the people of God? Question of beginning again: What should be the shape of the community, when/if it emerges from exile? How can we avoid this happening again? Question of leadership: What is appropriate for our present and future leadership? The word of God is always spoken to a particular situation. We are able to gain incredible insight in reviewing it and comparing it to similar situations today. Joshua 1:1ff teaches, “God will not leave you or forsake you; he will not fail you.” These same words speak to whatever you may be going through today. The promise is the same. However, one must begin with the biblical account before applying the text to current issues and life situations.
The Book of Isaiah Isaiah proclaimed his message to Judah and Jerusalem between 742 and 687 BC. During this period, the northern kingdom (Israel) was annexed to Assyria. It appears that Isaiah was a priest working in the temple before becoming a prophet. Chapters 1-39 are assigned to the time of the prophet. These chapters were written during the time of Cyrus of Persia. Isaiah 1 (chs. 1-39) can be divided in the following sections; 1. Isaiah’s Memoirs- 1.1-12.6 2. Oracles Against Domestic Enemies- 13.1-23.18 3. Isaiah Apocalypse- (24.1-27.13 4. Oracles Related to Judah’s intrigue with Egypt- 28.1-32.20 5. Post Exilic Eschatological (end of the world) Oracles- 33.1-35.10 6. Historical Appendix- 36.1-39.8 Isaiah attacks social injustice as the primary reason Yahweh is unhappy with Judah. He pleads with his hearers to place their confidence in the power of God. He reminds them they are to live public and private lives that are pleasing to God. The recurrent themes focus on justice and
The Old Testament Bible Study | Second Baptist Church
March, 2016
righteousness, assurance of divine blessings upon the faithful and punishment upon the faithless. In Isaiah we find a moving, sweeping vision of the assurance of hope of God’s people in a world that is governed by God’s hands. Our current Christian church receives the word of Isaiah through focus on the Suffering Servant and the proclamation from 60.1 “Arise, shine; for your light has come.” The breakdown of Isaiah 1.1 to 39.8: 1.” The have rebelled against me “The beginning of Isaiah’s first vision A. Superscription- 1.1 B. A book of oracles (1.2-2.5) 1. Israel’s ingratitude 1.2-3 2. Dire straits of Zion 1.4-9 3. God’s primary concern 1.10-17 4. The alternative: repent, or be destroyed 1.18-20 5. Lament over Jerusalem 1.21-23 6. The Lord’s judgment 1.24-26 7. An addendum 1.27-31 8. Turning of the peoples to Zion’s God 2.1-5 C. The day of the Lord (2.6-22) D. The doom of rulers (3.1-15) E. The proud women of Israel (3.16-4.1) F. Zion purged by judgment (4.2-6) G. A song of the Lord’s vineyard (5.1-7) H. Those who neither fear God nor regard man (5.8-24a) 11. “Bind up the testimony” (6.1-8.18) 111. “His anger is not turned away” (8.19-10.4) IV. “Be not afraid of the Assyrian” (10.5-12.6) V. “The uproar of many peoples” (13.1-23.18) VI. “Awake and sing, ye that dwell in the dust” 24.1-27.13) VII. “Be not scoffers lest your bonds be made strong” (28.1-32.20) VIII. “The recompense of God” (33.1-35.10) IX. “Isaiah and Hezekiah narrative” (36.1-39.8) 742-734 Isaiah begins his ministry in the year 742. It is the first year Assyria has placed Israel under siege, after the northern kingdom had experienced relative calm. This action by Assyria “paints” the early oracles of Isaiah that describe oncoming doom. This is an external pronouncement6.11-13. There are also internal pronouncements related to Jerusalem and Judah’s religious disloyalty, social injustice, depravity of the upper class- Chapters 1-5. 734-714 This is considered to be the most intense period of Isaiah’s ministry. This comes after King Ahaz refuses to consider Isaiah’s word and concedes to the Assyrian King for help against a
The Old Testament Bible Study | Second Baptist Church
March, 2016
coalition of Syro-Ephraimites. Isaiah ceases prophesying ntil Ahaz dies. Hezekiah takes the throne in 715. 715-705 A new day emerges with the death of Ahaz. Isaiah begins to prophesy. During this time of his ministry, he focuses on religious ceremonies (probably connected to the accession and coronation of the new king). His prophecies would continue until Judah is invaded in 701. Just before the invasion, Hezekiah reaches out to Egypt for assist and is resoundingly denounced by Isaiah for doing so. The plan faltered and he watched all 46 of his fortified cities fall at the hands of Sennacherib, King of Assyria. Chapters 40-66 belong to Deutero-Isaiah or Second Isaiah. There is also a Third Isaiah encompassing chapters 56-66. These texts are written during a different time as chapters 1-39. Chapters 40-55 are noted for their unmatched poetic and literary genius. The people are in Babylonian exile. The poetry is so beautiful and powerful, until its elevated and heightened theology is said thought to have taken place over an extended period. The social climate is in the middle of the sixth century, placing it at the close of the Babylonian period. Israel is no longer a kingdom and Judah is abandoned, its inhabitants exiled. One biblical historian, Berhard Duhm has divided Second Isaiah into Four Servant Songs: 1) 2) 3) 4)
42.1-4 49.1-6 50.4-9 52.13-53.12
Duhm wrote that other material in chapters 40-55 were inserted into the poems by later writers. Third Isaiah (Chapters 56-66) possesses much of the same artistic beauty as Second Isaiah. The Jewish community is resettled in Jerusalem after the exile. There is detail troubles and problems related to the restoration of the city and reconstruction of the temple. What we can take away from our study of Isaiah? We have learned at least five important lessons: 1) God calls and people respond 2) God provides a message through those he calls 3) The message never changes “God remains true to his covenant while the faithful are blessed and the unfaithful are punished” 4) Change is inevitable 5) The best is yet to come
The Old Testament Bible Study | Second Baptist Church
March, 2016
