1. Chapter 6 Part 1: Covenant Advocates by Chaplain Ron McCants The Prophets of Ancient Israel The Latter Prophets

2. Prophet Someone who predicts future events before they occur and to prophesy is simply to predict.

3. Prophecy as a Social Phenomenon Hebrew word Nabi means “one who announces or one who is called.” It is the notion that prophets were speakers who carried messages from the divine realm to the earthly.

4. The Spirit World (Anthropologist View) Establishing contact with holiness was connecting with the realm of reality beyond the ordinary, everyday time and space. Shamans have inborn talent or gift for moving between the world of normal wakefulness and the world of the spirits, gods, and ancestors. The word spoken by the prophet was the Word of the LORD. Prophets were perceived as useful to have about.

5. Basic Call Narratives Pattern

6. Prophetic Oracles Formula “Thus says the LORD” or “Hear the word of the LORD” Oracle of Judgment: A denunciation in a situation of present faithlessness or announcement of a future punishment Future Deliverance Woe Oracle

7. Biblical prophets vigorously denounced the veneration of other gods such as the fertility gods associated with Ba’al (lord) in Canaan. Canaanite religious festivals of orgiastic drinking and sexual license contrasted the Torah’s demand for moral behavior.

8. The Latter Prophets

9. First Isaiah Pre-exile - Chapters 1-39 Dates: 742-695 Rulers: Jothan of Judah (742-735) The Temple Vision in Chapter 6 The year of Uzziah’s death, 742 B.C.E. The holiness of the LORD In 735, Isaiah had a son with a symbolic name, “Shearjashub,” which means “a remnant shall repent (or return).”

10. Covenant Lawsuit The LORD is portrayed as bringing Israel to court, accusing the nation or its leaders of violation of the stipulations of the Sinai Covenant, stating the evidence, and announcing the punishment. The prophet plays the role of prosecuting attorney. Isaiah 3:13-26 (Read) Summons- To the people of Israel Charge - A general accusation of covenant dereliction with specific allegation of violations. Evidence - The upheaval in nature by behavior of priests and prophets. Verdict - Priests, prophets, and people to be punished

11. Second Isaiah Exile in Babylon - Chapters 40-55 Dates: c540 Rulers: Nabonidus of Babylonia (605-562) Uses the “Holy One” as a name for God The prophet speaks of a “new exodus” through which the LORD will bring the exiles out from bondage in Babylon. Isaiah 41:17- 20 The prophet cordially invites everyone to partake of God’s gracious bounty.

12. Third Isaiah Post-Exile – Chapters 56-66 Dates: c515 The setting of Jerusalem after some of the exiles have returned to Jerusalem A New Heaven and New Earth – Isaiah 66:22-23

13. Jeremiah Judah Dates: 627-580 Rulers: Josiah, Jehoahaz (609) Secretary Baruch wrote down a collection of Jeremiah’s oracles. Admonitions to Repentance Jeremiah 3:12: “Return, faithless Israel,’ says the LORD.”

14. Jeremiah During and After King Josiah Reign of King Josiah years from 620-609 B.C.E.: Nationalism, Reform, Expansion, Prosperity After death of King Josiah: Disaster piled upon disaster, destruction of Jerusalem and Temple by Babylonian army in 587- 586 B.C.E.

15. Jeremiah’s Career Jeremiah was an unwilling prophet. In his career he tried, but failed, to quit prophesying. His prophetic activity made him the target of an assassination plot. He was barred from the Temple. He was without friends. He was forbidden by the LORD to marry. He was put in stocks, beaten, left in a muddy cistern to die, and imprisoned through much of the Babylonian siege.

16. Ezekiel Babylon Dates: 593-570 Rulers: Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon (605-562) A priest among the exiles of the first Babylonian deportation (597 B.C.E.) His primary activity was in Babylonian captivity, but he claimed access to Jerusalem by vision and levitation and seemed well informed about the situation there.

17. Ezekiel’s Vision Valley of Dry Bones – Ezekiel 37:1-14 (Read) The vision symbolizes what will happen to the house of Israel. Although they are languishing in exile (dead bones), with no hope for a new live, the LORD will give them hope and a new life.

18. Class Assignment Read The Contemporary World Pages 144-145 Case Study: What Would the Prophets Say? Gap between rich and poor Accumulation of material things Waste of wealthy nations Luxurious houses of worship Plight of the poor and homeless What leaders and people must do? Who should be recognized as a prophet?