A Historical Harmony of 2 Kings and Isaiah 7-10: 2 Kings The Assyrian threat looms large. (Background on Assyrians) 15:37. Judah is threatened by Israel and Syria. 16:5. Israel and Syria siege Jerusalem, but cannot fully overcome King Ahaz. Isaiah 7-8. Isaiah counsels King Ahaz specifically and Judah generally. They are counseled to not make alliances with foreign powers, but to trust in the Lord. 2 Kings 16:7-9. King Ahaz, against Isaiah’s counsel, makes an alliance with Assyria and pays them tribute. Assyria destroys Syria. Isaiah 9:8-14; 30 Isaiah prophesies of Israel’s ruin. 2 Kings 17:1-23. Assyria destroys Israel. The ten tribes are carried away captive by Assyrian kings. Isaiah 9, 36-39; 2 Kings 18 Hezekiah, reins. Assyria threatens Jerusalem. 2 Kings 19; Isaiah 10 The Assyrian army is destroyed when they attack Jerusalem.

Text 2 Kings 15-20; Micah; Isaiah 1-2, 6-10, 30, 36-39

Next week’s assignment: Isaiah 3-5, 11-14, 22, 29, 35

The Christmas Prophets Isaiah and Micah

Micah 5:2

Isaiah 9:6-7

Which of these titles best describes how you feel about the Savior? Why? Wonderful Counselor The Mighty God The Everlasting Father The Prince of Peace

The Christmas Prophets Isaiah and Micah What was going on in their world when they were called to be prophets?

B.C.

940 BC 920 BC 9o0 BC 880 BC 860 BC 840 BC 820 BC 800 BC 780 BC 760 BC 740 BC 720 BC 700 BC J UDAH : S OUTHERN K INGDOM I SRAEL : N ORTHERN K INGDOM Jeroboam   M AIN K INGS Baasha  Omri    Ahab    Joram  Jehu Jehoahaz  Joash  Jeroboam II  Menahem Pekahiah Hoshea  Pekah  Assyrian Captivity M AIN P ROPHETS Ahijah Jehu Elijah Jonah Micaiah Amos Hosea Obed Rehoboam  M AIN K INGS Asa Asa Jehoshapat Jehoshapat Jehoram  Joash -- Uzziah Uzziah Ahaz  M AIN P ROPHETS Shemiah Azariah Elijah Hanani Isaiah Micah Hezekiah Hezekiah Jehu Eliezer Joel Elisha Amaziah Amaziah Jotham Jotham

2 Kings The Assyrian threat looms large. Israel and Syria threaten Judah.

The World Power: Assyria

MicahMicah

Micah follows a familiar Old Testament pattern of prophesying of (1) present day despair, followed by (2) latter-day hope. Examples: Present-day DespairLatter-day Hope Micah 1:6-7; 2:7-10Micah 2:12 Micah 3:9-12Micah 4:1-2 Micah 4:10Micah 4:12-13 Micah 7:1-4Micah 7:8-10

Isaiah 6 Isaiah is called to be a prophet.

Isaiah 6:1-2

“An angel of God never has wings.” Joseph Smith President (History of the Church, 3:392)

D&C 77:4

Text Isaiah 6:4-5

“… a live coal in his hand…” Isaiah 6:6

“… this has touched thy lips…” Isaiah 6:7-8

2 Nephi 16:9-10

Isaiah 1 Isaiah decries the wickedness of Israel yet offers hope.

Isaiah’s Delicious Symbolism Isaiah 1:3 For example: Isaiah 1:3 ox The ox knoweth his owner ass And the ass his master’s crib Israel but Israel doth not know (his owner), my people my people doth not consider. Israel no longer knows his master. He has forgotten where to get proper nourishment & protection.

The Sickness: Isaiah 1:4-6, The Cure: Isaiah 1:16-19

Isaiah 7-8

Isaiah 7:14 Another Christmas Prophecy?

How was this prophecy fulfilled?

Isaiah’s day events in the meridian of time The book of Isaiah contains numerous prophecies that seem to have multiple fulfillments. One seems to involve the people of Isaiah’s day or the circumstances of the next generation. Another meaning, often symbolic, seems to refer to events in the meridian of time…. Dallin H. Oaks Quorum of the Twelve (“Scripture Reading and Revelation,” Ensign, Jan. 1995, 8)

events attending the Second Coming of the Savior Still another meaning or fulfillment of the same prophecy seems to relate to the events attending the Second Coming of the Savior. The fact that many of these prophecies can have multiple meanings underscores the importance of our seeking revelation from the Holy Ghost to help us interpret them. Dallin H. Oaks Quorum of the Twelve (“Scripture Reading and Revelation,” Ensign, Jan. 1995, 8)

Besides in the Meridian of time, when else has He been “Immanuel”?

Is He still “Immanuel”?

Isaiah 7-8 Judah is offered a chance to have “God with them”

Political Historical Background Syria and Israel form an alliance and try to get Judah to join them that they three together might take a defensive stance against the Assyrians (and survive).

The World Power: Assyria

The Assyrians: Masters of War

“[Assyrian] soldiers were rewarded for every severed head they brought in from the field, so that the aftermath of a victory generally witnessed the wholesale decapitation of fallen foes…. Scribes stood by to count the number of prisoners taken and killed by each soldier, and apportioned the booty accordingly…. The nobles among the defeated were given more special treatment: their ears, noses, hands and feet were sliced off, or they were thrown from high towers, or they and their children were beheaded, or flayed alive, or roasted over a slow fire.… (Old Testament Student Manual 1 Kings- Malachi, p.114)

“[T]he Assyrians seemed to find satisfaction … in torturing captives, blinding children before the eyes of their parents, flaying men alive, roasting them in kilns, chaining them in cages for the amusement of the populace, and then sending the survivors off to execution.” (Old Testament Student Manual 1 Kings- Malachi, p.114)

Political Historical Background Syria and Israel form an alliance and try to get Judah to join them that they three together might take a defensive stance against the Assyrians (and survive). 2 Kings 15:37; 16:5; Isaiah 7:1

Isaiah’s Equivalents CountryJudahSyriaIsrael Capital CityJerusalemDamascusSamaria Territory (or Principle Tribe) JudahAramEphraim LeaderAhaz (king)Rezin (king)Pekah (king), son of Remaliah

Isaiah’s Equivalents CountryJudahSyriaIsrael Capital CityJerusalemDamascusSamaria Territory (or Principle Tribe) JudahAramEphraim LeaderAhaz (king)Rezin (king)Pekah (king), son of Remaliah

Isaiah’s Equivalents CountryJudahSyriaIsrael Capital CityJerusalemDamascusSamaria Territory (or Principle Tribe) JudahAramEphraim LeaderAhaz (king)Rezin (king)Pekah (king), son of Remaliah

Text Israel (10 Tribes) Capital: Samaria Chief Tribe: Ephraim King: Pekah (son of Remaliah) Judah Capital: Jerusalem Chief Tribe: Judah King: Ahaz

Isaiah 7:8 “… the head of Syria is Damascus, and the head of Damascus, Rezin …” Israel Judah

Got it? Damascus

Isaiah 7:1-8 CountryJudahSyriaIsrael Capital CityJerusalemDamascusSamaria Territory (or Principle Tribe) JudahAramEphraim LeaderAhaz (king)Rezin (king)Pekah (king), son of Remaliah

The Sign to King Ahaz Isaiah 7:10-16 If both kings of the alliance are deposed by the time the child “Immanuel” grows up, then you may take it as a sign that “God is with us” (Judah).

Another Child? Isaiah 8:3-8

Damascus Assyria Conquers Syria Syria in 732 B.C. Israel Israel in 722 B.C. Judah All of Judah except Jerusalem by 701 B.C. Assyria Conquers Syria Syria in 732 B.C. Israel Israel in 722 B.C. Judah All of Judah except Jerusalem by 701 B.C.

The Lord’s Warning Isaiah 8:9-10 Q: What is the Lord’s warning to all (near & far) who would fight against Judah? Q: According to vs. 10 why would these nations be destroyed?

Fact: The majority of the people in Judah wanted to form a confederacy with Assyria for their protection against Syria and Israel. What was the Lord’s counsel? Isaiah 8:11-13 Q: What are the dangers of putting our trust in worldly powers and influences rather than in the Lord? Q: What have you learned about the wisdom of trusting in God rather than turning to worldly sources for strength?

What are You Learning? (What’s your principle statement?) God will be with us when we trust in Him, even during times of difficulty and fear. Covenants with God are more sure than alliances with men. Carnal confederacies cannot compare to Christian covenants. Be with God and He will be with you. (IMMANUEL!)

He has been counseled to form no alliances. So what does King Ahaz do? 2 Kings 16:7

Historical Summary Thanks to Ahaz, Judah becomes a vassal state to Assyria, paying tribute to them for protection. Assyria conquers Syria. Then…

Isaiah 9

Isaiah prophesies Israel’s demise Isaiah 9:8-14

2 Kings 17 The Fall of the Northern Kingdom

“It seems to have been Tiglath-pileser who originated large-scale deportations of conquered peoples. By deporting a conquered people en masse to a foreign land, Tiglath-pileser hoped to break their unity and destroy their national identity…. “The practice of large deportations continued under Shalmaneser and later Sargon II, successors to Tiglath- pileser who also played an important role in the history of the Northern Kingdom of Israel. (Old Testament Student Manual 1 Kings- Malachi, p.114)

“Because of the revolt of Hoshea, king of Israel, Shalmaneser laid siege to Samaria, the capital of the Northern Kingdom. The siege lasted three years, during which time Shalmaneser died and was succeeded by Sargon II. Sargon II finally destroyed Samaria and carried the survivors captive into Assyria (see 2 Kings 17:1–6), thus ending the history of Israel in the Old Testament and setting the stage for the loss of the ten northern tribes.” (Old Testament Student Manual 1 Kings- Malachi, p.114)

Historical Summary Isaiah 9:1-7 The Immanuel Prophecy is Amplified: New Light New Leader: Isaiah promises New Light and a New Leader: Hezekiah historically; the Messiah prophetically dualfulfillment (this is another prophecy with dual fulfillment) Hezekiah becomes a righteous king of Judah who heeds Isaiah’s counsel. Hezekiah refuses to pay the usual tribute to Assyria which brings on two Assyrian invasions (see 2 Kings 18-19)

2 Kings 18-19; Isaiah 10 Jerusalem is threatened by the Assyrians

Rabshakeh: the Faith-Shaker

2 Kings 18:17-35; 19:10-13 Rabshakeh’s Blasphemous Speech

Hezekiah’s Prayer 2 Kings 19:14-19

The Lord’s response 2 Kings 19:20-34

Isaiah 10 A Beautiful Analogy for the 2 nd Coming

the people of Isaiah’s day the events attending the Second Coming of the Savior “The book of Isaiah contains numerous prophecies that seem to have multiple fulfillments. One seems to involve the people of Isaiah’s day…. Still another meaning or fulfillment of the same prophecy seems to relate to the events attending the Second Coming of the Savior.” Dallin H. Oaks Quorum of the Twelve (“Scripture Reading and Revelation,” Ensign, Jan. 1995, 8)

Damascus 701 B.C.

The Lord’s Counsel to Judah Isaiah 10:24-25

Aiath MigronMichmash GebaRamath Gibeah Gallim LaishAnathoth Madmenah Gebim “He is come to Aiath, he is passed to Migron; at Michmash he hath laid up his carriages. They are gone over the passage; they have taken up their lodging at Geba; Ramath is afraid; Gibeah of Saul is fled. Lift up thy voice, O daughter of Gallim; cause it to be heard unto Laish, O poor Anathoth. Madmenah is removed; the inhabitants of Gebim gather themselves to flee. This map is from The Book of Mormon for Latter-day Saint Families, p. 120 Isaiah 10:28-31

Nob Jerusalem As yet shall he remain at Nob that day; he shall shake his hand against the mount of the daughter of Zion, the hill of Jerusalem. Behold, the Lord, the Lord of Hosts shall lop the bough with terror; and the high ones of stature shall be hewn down; and the haughty shall be humbled. And he shall cut down the thickets of the forests with iron, and Lebanon shall fall by a mighty one. This map is from The Book of Mormon for Latter-day Saint Families, p. 120 Isaiah 10:32-34

Logan Brigham City North Ogden OgdenRoy Clearfield Layton Farmington CentervilleBountiful North Salt Lake “He is come to Logan, he is passed to Brigham City; at North Ogden he hath laid up his carriages. They are gone over the passage; they have taken up their lodging at Ogden; Roy is afraid; Clearfield of Utah is fled. Lift up thy voice, O daughter of Layton; cause it to be heard unto Farmington, O poor Centerville. Bountiful is removed; the inhabitants of North Salt Lake gather themselves to flee.

the State Capital Salt Lake Temple As yet shall he remain at the State Capital that day; he shall shake his hand against the mount of the daughter of Zion, the Salt Lake Temple. Behold, the Lord, the Lord of Hosts shall lop the bough with terror; and the high ones of stature shall be hewn down; and the haughty shall be humbled. And he shall cut down the thickets of the forests with iron, and Lebanon shall fall by a mighty one.

“We’re going to kill you! Tomorrow morning you’re going to die and all you hold dear will be lost!” (Mwah ha ha!) BE NOT AFRAID “O my people that dwellest in Zion, BE NOT AFRAID of the Assyrian.” (Isa. 10:24)

“We’re going to kill you! Tomorrow morning you’re going to die and all you hold dear will be lost!” (Mwah ha ha!) “For I will defend this city, to save it, for mine own sake.” (2 Kings 19:34)

2 Kings 19:35-36

What does this teach you about the 2 nd Coming and the circumstances surrounding His return?

“[W]e never will dominate by numbers…. It might seem hopeless … [yet] it is not only possible but certain that we will win the battle against Satan.” Boyd K. Packer Quorum of the Twelve (“The Power of the Priesthood,” Ensign, May 2010, 7)

“We do not know when this game will end, and we do not know the final score, but we do know that when the game finally ends, our team wins.” Dallin H. Oaks Quorum of the Twelve (“Preparation for the Second Coming,” Ensign, May 2004, 7)

From this story, how do we prepare for the 2 nd Coming?

“You keep your eyes riveted on the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. We will not lead you astray. We cannot.” M. Russell Ballard Quorum of the Twelve ("When Shall These Things Be?" Brigham Young University, on 12 March 1996)When Shall These Things Be?

Be with God and his prophets and He will be with you. He is still Immanuel!

End