Isaiah - Malachi

FACILITATOR: John Stevenson E-Mail: JohnStevenson@Bellsouth.net Website: http://JohnStevenson.net

SESSION ONE: HERMENEUTICAL ISSUES IN OLD TESTAMENT PROPHECY

WHAT WAS AN OLD TESTAMENT PROPHET?

Old Testament Designations for "Prophet" Prophet - aybn Seer Servant Messenger Man of God

The Function of the Old Testament Prophet They functioned as Preachers They functioned as Predictors

Distinctive Roles of Prophet Versus Priest

WHAT DID THE PROPHETS DO? Covenant Dynamics in Ancient Near East and Covenant Diplomats Covenant Dynamics in Israel and the Prophets

Covenant Dynamics in Israel and the Prophets Received messages from God Called by God Wrote Scriptures Passed Biblical Tests

THE HISTORY OF THE PROPHETS

Pre-Monarchial Patriarchal Prophets The Patriarchs Prophets of the Exodus and Conquest Prophet/Judges

Prophets of the United Kingdom Samuel Gad Nathan

Early Prophets of the Divided Kingdom Ahijah Shemaiah Shemaiah, Gad and Iddo Jehu Elijah and Elisha

ISRAEL  Jerusalem JUDAH

Judah & Israel

 DAN ISRAEL  BETHEL  Jerusalem JUDAH

ASSYRIA  Damascus  Babylon EGYPT

Literary Prophets of the Divided Kingdom Obadiah: Prophesied of Edom Joel: Date uncertain Jonah: God’s attitude to Gentiles Hosea: Israel’s Unfaithfulness Amos: Social Injustice Isaiah: To Judah Micah: To Judah and Israel

721 B.C. ISRAEL  Jerusalem JUDAH

Pre-Exilic Prophets of Judah Nahum: Judgment against Nineveh Zephaniah: Day of the Lord against Judah Habakkuk: Prayer

Scythians ASSYRIA Medes  Babylon  Jerusalem (Chaldeans)

Scythians Medes  Babylon  Jerusalem (Chaldeans)

Prophets of the Exile Jeremiah: “The Weeping Prophet” Daniel: Historical Narrative and Prophetic Visions Ezekiel: Common Captivity

Medes Persia  Babylon  Jerusalem Cyrus the Great 539 B.C.

Post-Exilic Prophets Joel? - The Day of the Lord and Ultimate Restoration Haggai: Encouragement to rebuild the Temple Zechariah: Visions of God’s Working in History Malachi: A call to faithfulness

WHAT ARE THE CONTOURS OF PROPHETIC PREDICTIONS? Blessings and Cursings Greater and Lesser High and Low Determination

Two Types of Covenants Covenant of Parity Suzerain Covenant

Greater and Lesser Leviticus 26

Greater and Lesser Leviticus 26 Verses 1-13 Promises of Blessing Verses 14-33 Promises of Curses Disease Invasion Defeat “Seven times more” Removed from Land Rain for crops Security in land Victory over enemies God with His people

HIGH AND LOW DETERMINATION

Jeremiah 18:1-4 The word which came to Jeremiah from the LORD saying, 2 "Arise and go down to the potter's house, and there I shall announce My words to you." 3 Then I went down to the potter's house, and there he was, making something on the wheel. 4 But the vessel that he was making of clay was spoiled in the hand of the potter; so he remade it into another vessel, as it pleased the potter to make.

Jeremiah 18:5-6 Then the word of the LORD came to me saying, 6 "Can I not, O house of Israel, deal with you as this potter does?" declares the LORD. "Behold, like the clay in the potter's hand, so are you in My hand, O house of Israel.

Jeremiah 18:7-10

Flow of Thought

High & Low Determination Conditional Predictions: “If… then” clauses Unqualified Predictions Confirmed Predictions Sworn Predictions

Homework for next Class Begin Viewing He Gave us Prophets Series - Audio at www.thirdmill.org for lessons 1-6. Take notes on Lesson 1 of He Gave us Prophets and turn in for grade (Use Study Guide on Web). Read Pratt’s Historical Contingencies & Biblical Predictions at Website