This form literally means that the stretching of the heavens was completed or finished some time ago. The promises and threatenings of God are alike conditional. 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). Micah states that his ministry fell in the time of the kings Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah (chapter 1:1). There is no surer protection against the speculative vagaries of religious visionaries than a clear knowledge of the historical context of Scripture. They would gather themselves together and come from far (Isaiah 49:18, 12, 6, 8, 9, 22; Psalms 102:22). 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). The Bible contains more information about his life and times than any other prophet. 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. WebJeremiah 15:1 Then the LORD said to me: "Even if Moses and Samuel should stand before Me, My heart would not go out to this people. The Temple was apparently rebuilt, and sacrifices were regularly offered at the time of the prophets activity (chapter 1:7-10). This fact weakens the arguments for such a late date. Furthermore, the fact that the people of Tyre and Sidon do not appear as hostile nations of Judah until the last decades of its history, while they are mentioned by Joel as Judahs enemies, seems also to point to a late date for the prophets ministry. They were to be far in advance of other nations in wisdom and understanding. In Isaiah 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. Emphasize to the children that the people at the time did not believe Isaiah. Joel 1:15; 2:1, 32) can hardly serve as evidence for either a late or an early date. The prophets did not always clearly understand messages they themselves had borne pointing forward to the distant future, to the coming of the Messiah (1 Peter 1:10, 11). Galatians 3:27-29; see on Deuteronomy 18:15). WebWhat are the common divisions of Isaiah made by contemporary scholars? This leaves Ezekiel with a ministry of at least 22 years, from 593/92 to 571/70. 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. But the manner in which it is carried out may change because man may change. What archaeological evidence implies Isaiah was a unified book? They were the most influential prophets to appear on the scene, and their many prophecies have been preserved in the sacred Scriptures. The prophet Jonah was a Galilean from Gath-hepher. Baruch, son of Neriah. According to His beneficent purpose, the covenant promises were to have met fulfillment in large measure during the centuries following the return of the Israelites from the lands of their captivity. Eventually, however, it became apparent that the Jews would never measure up to the standard God required of them, as Malachi makes evident (chapters 1:6, 12; 2:2, 8, 9, 11, 13, 14, 17; 3:7, 13, 14). 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 establishment of the Hebrew monarchy did not affect the basic principles of the theocracy (Deuteronomy 17:14-20; 1 Samuel 8:7). The kings of Assyria, Babylonia, and Persia, whose dates for this period are well established, are shown in a separate column. He has a controversy with them because they have rebelled against His authority (Jeremiah 25:31-33), and He will judge (Joel 3:9-17) and destroy them there (Isaiah 34:1-8; 63:1-6; 66:15-18). Pride obscured their vision [see Luke 19:42]. 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. 34:23) 622 Jeremiah 11 and 12 are given. The earth would thus be rid of those who opposed God (Zechariah 14:12, 13). Chronologically, Isaiah lived during a time just after the northern 10 tribes of Israel were destroyed by the Assyrians. Though the prophet looked at events about him, he also could see far beyond his own day. 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. Hosea. The response of the prophets is contrasted: Jeremiah is spontaneous and candid, while Ezekiel makes no spoken reply in the call narrative (pp. A Nebuchadnezzar 59 Q Many messages and prophecies can be understood correctly only if seen against the background of the time in which the prophets ministered and in the light of the events that happened during their lives. Seventh-day Adventists believe that, generally speaking, the promises and predictions given through the Old Testament prophets originally applied to literal Israel and were to have been fulfilled to them on the condition that they obey God and remain loyal to Him. In that year, in the fifth month, there was public conflict between Jeremiah and the prophet Hananiah (Jeremiah 28). ), 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. The transition from literal Israel to spiritual Israel, or the Christian church, is the subject of Romans 9-11. from the ends of the earth (Jeremiah 16:19), to the light of truth shining forth from the mountain of the Lord (Isaiah 2:3; 60:3; 56:7; cf. According to tradition, how was Isaiah killed? Jeremiah 32:17 highlights this point by stating, "O Sovereign Lord! 5. Upon His final departure from the sacred precincts of the Temple, Jesus said, Your house is left unto you desolate (Matthew 23:38). 6465). 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." WebIsaiah was a prophet of the southern kingdom, living in a critical period of his nation. answer. Answer Isaiah's opening statement in the Book of Isaiah, that he lived during the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah, means that he actually lived in the eighth century BCE. 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. At the time of Isaiahs ministry, Judah was a sinful and unjust nation. Hence the year 571/70 must not be considered as necessarily marking the end of his ministry. 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. Isaiah was a prophet for the kingdom of Judah, ca. He quotes Hosea 2:23. But maybe it wasnt at that spot. 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 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.). 1-39, 40-55, 55-66. 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). Answer Jeremiah was one of the major prophets of ancient Israel and a key figure in the Old Testament. This Upper Egyptian capital city, better known by its Greek name Thebes, was destroyed by King Ashurbanipal in 663 B.C., a date that provides the upper time limit of Nahums prophecy. 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). The state was still to be administered in the name, and by the authority, of God. 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). The prophet Hosea was a citizen of the northern kingdom of Israel, whose ruler, Jeroboam II, is called by the prophet, our king (chapters 1:1; 7:5). It would become an object lesson of the results of acting in harmony with moral, as with natural, law. 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. The material advantages that Israel enjoyed were designed to arrest the attention and catch the interest of the heathen, for whom the less obvious spiritual advantages had no natural attraction. Who served as Jeremiah's scribe? Uzziah was sole king over Judah from 767 to 750, and Jeroboam over Israel from 782 to 753. Had Israel measured up to the noble ideal, all of the promises contingent upon obedience would long since have been fulfilled. This call came to him in the 13th year of King Josiah (chapters 1:2; 25:3), about 627. Gods promises are made conditional upon mans cooperation and obedience. 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. These are followed by chapters 7, 8, 9, 10. Amos presents himself to his readers as a herdsman and a gatherer of sycomore fruit (chapters 1:1; 7:14). They brought forth wild grapes rather than the mature fruit of a Godlike character (Isaiah 5:1-7; cf. by means of a broken line. The consecutive order of the book of Haggai would indicate that his whole recorded ministry lasted not longer than 31/2 months, beginning (chapter 1:1) on August 29, 520 B.C., and extending, in his last two recorded speeches (chapter 2:10, 20), to December 18, 520. Malachi 3:12), and their God the only true God (Isaiah 45:14). They voluntarily accepted God as their sovereign, and this constituted the nation a theocracy. answer. He was therefore a somewhat younger contemporary of Isaiah, to whose vocabulary and terminology his prophecies show great similarity (Micah 4:1-4; cf. Accordingly, the covenant promises and privileges were all permanently transferred from literal to spiritual Israel (Romans 9:4; cf. 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. He states that he ministered under King Josiah (chapter 1:1), who reigned from 640 to 609 B.C. Sinai God entered into covenant relation with Israel as a nation (Exodus 19:1-8; 24:3-8; Deuteronomy 7:6-14) upon the same basic conditions and with the same ultimate objectives as the Abrahamic covenant. 3. 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 only period in which the mission of Jonah to Nineveh, with its results, seems to fit is the reign of Adad-nirari III (810782). 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. 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). Jeremiahs prayer occurs in a context and we would be remiss to consider the prayer apart from that context, which is, Jeremiahs obedience to some very difficult commands from God. The day, before, He had called it my house (chapter 21:13), but henceforth He no longer owned it as His. The church in this generation has been endowed by God with great privileges and blessings, and He expects corresponding returns. Unparalleled prosperity. Since Josiah came to the throne as a child, he must have lived under a regent, which explains why no king is mentioned by Joel. Dead sea scrolls. question. 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. 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). As individuals and as a nation God proposed to furnish the people of Israel with every facility for becoming the greatest nation on the earth (see Deuteronomy 4:6-8; 7:6, 14; 28:1; Jeremiah 33:9; Malachi 3:12). Yet not 4. Revelation 17:13, 14, 17). 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. When the catastrophe came, he lamented the terrible fate of his people in the Book of Eichah (Lamentations) which we read on Tisha B'Av. JEREMIAH Ezekiel blames the people for ritual misbehavior. 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). 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). (chapter 5:14), after which he was recalled to Persia. Jeremiah (Yirmiyahu) It was Jeremiahs lot in life to be known throughout the ages as the prophet of doom, for he was G-ds main spokesman in the generation of the destruction of Jerusalems first Temple. Who became king of Babylon about the same time that Jeremiah was called by God. 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. Acts 13:22). In so doing we shall be secure against the fanciful explanations sometimes given certain Old Testament prophecies. The covenant with literal Israel proved faulty, not because God failed to carry out His part of the covenant, but rather because Israels fair promises proved evanescent as the morning dew (Hosea 6:4; 13:3; Hebrews 8:6, 7). A comparison between some of his prophecies and those of Amos indicates that Hosea was a younger contemporary of Amos (cf. 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. Isaiah was a prophet of the southern kingdom, living in a critical period of his nation. Zechariah probably belonged to a priestly family (chapter 1:1; cf. Encouraging Hezekiah and the people through his own trust in God, he was instrumental in saving Jerusalem. 22 quart mirro pressure canner There is no god but He. John 4:23, 24; 2 Tim. They devised different theologies to respond to the destruction of the Temple. Mark 7:9). The prophets thus provided a firm foundation for the faith of the apostolic church and made a direct and vital contribution to the Christian faith. 9:129) This verse first 19:21; Isaiah 46:10; Acts 5:39; Hebrews 6:17; etc. During the reign of Jehoiakim he nearly lost his life for his bold messages, and hence went into hiding (chapter 36:26). WebBut the words of Isaiah live with the Jewish people to this day as fresh and as relevant as ever. (2 Chron. 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. 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. 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. Similarly, the ways in which God dealt with men in crises of the past are often cited as examples of the manner in which He will deal with all the world in the last day (see on Deuteronomy 18:15). What archaeological evidence implies Isaiah was a unified book? All who turned from idolatry to the worship of the true God, were to unite themselves with His chosen people. Returning to their homelands, the Gentile ambassadors would counsel their fellow countrymen, Let us go speedily to pray before the Lord, and to seek the Lord (Zechariah 8:21, 22; cf. Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel, however, did. Nation after nation would come over (Isaiah 45:14), that is, be joined with and cleave to the house of Jacob (chapter 14:1). But he will listen also for the further import the prophets words may have for later times, particularly, our time. The kingdom was divided following Solomons death (see 1 Kings 11:33-38). A Anathoth 51 Q Who became king of Babylon about the same time as Jeremiah was called by God? Jeremiah lived afterwards during a time leading up to the carrying away of the southern two tribes of Judah into bondage in Babylon. Isaiah is reminded who the real king is. The accompanying chart enables the reader to study these prophets in their historical setting. 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). With the crucifixion of Christ they forever forfeited their special position as Gods chosen people. Partial compliance on their part with the will of God made possible a partial fulfillment of the covenant promises on Gods part. Isaiah 3:12; 9:16) meant the permanent, irrevocable cancellation of their special standing before God as a nation (cf. Gedaliah is made governor over the small group of Jews that remain in Jerusalem. But it was not until his 3rd year in captivity, the 2nd year of Nebuchadnezzar, that young Daniel gave the first proofs of his prophetic calling (chapters 1:5, 17; 2:1, 19). The work of no other prophet can be dated so definitely as that of Haggai. 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.