Many years later, in writing to the strangers, or Gentiles (1 Peter 1:1: see on Exodus 12:19, 43), as the elect of God (1 Peter 1:2), Peter refers to them as the chosen ones of God, a holy nation, a peculiar people (chapter 2:9), formerly not a people, but now the people of God (verse 10). The futurist school ignores both the conditional element pervading predictive prophecy, clearly and emphatically proclaimed by the prophets themselves, and the specific statements of the New Testament that affirm that the privileges and responsibilities of ancient Israel have, in Christ, been transferred to the church. Nick Baumgardner, a senior writer from the same publication, predicts Notre Dames all-time sack leader will fall to the early third round in his latest mock draft.. Daniel Jeremiah, a draft analyst for the NFL Network, concurs. However, all his messages were addressed to the northern nation. In the endeavor to account for this seeming enigma, Bible expositors have set forth various explanations: 1. Micah states that his ministry fell in the time of the kings Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah (chapter 1:1). The chart allows both ideas, indicating his possible ministry during the two decades preceding 560 B.C. Revelation 17:13, 14, 17). In the 5th year of Jehoiachins captivity, 593/92, Ezekiel had his first vision by the river Chebar, a canal near the famous city of Nippur in lower Babylonia (chapter 1:1-3). In the introduction to his book he declares that he worked under the kings Uzziah of Judah and Jeroboam II of Israel. Discover what the message meant to the people of that time. The 9th-century view.The great empires of Assyria and Babylonia do not appear within the horizon of the prophet. The prophet Zephaniah traces his genealogy back to an important personage by the name of Hizkiah, probably King Hezekiah (the names are the same in Hebrew) of Judah. Timeline of the Hebrew prophets Daniel was taken to Babylon in 605 B.C., during the accession year of Nebuchadnezzar (see on chapter 1:1). For these reasons his ministry can be dated from about 755 (or earlier) to about 725 B.C. did Isaiah primarily live? Webcation of Jeremiah as a true prophet. See Deuteronomy 7:13; 28:2-8; Malachi 3:8-11. Copyright 2008 - http://www.BibleChronologyTimeline.com. On the other hand, the destruction of Nineveh is described as an event still future (chapter 3:7). Feebleness and disease were to disappear entirely from Israel as the result of strict adherence to healthful principles (see Exodus 15:26; Deuteronomy 7:13, 15; etc.). WebAnd Isaiah did so, walking around naked and barefoot. All who turned from idolatry to the worship of the true God, were to unite themselves with His chosen people. They rejected the Light of the world, and henceforth their lives were surrounded with darkness as the darkness of midnight. Ezekiel 38:16, 18-23; 39:1-7). One needs to keep these in mind to better understand the heart of Isaiah's message. The remaining messages and prophecies, found in chapters 9-14, are not dated, a fact that prevents us from fixing the duration of the prophets activity. What are the common divisions of Isaiah made by contemporary scholars? 1:1, 6:1 - 8). 4. John 4:23, 24; 2 Tim. I will call them my people, which were not my people (Romans 9:25, 26). 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. Furthermore, the rise of the Chaldeans and their invasion of the West is predicted, but this seemed at that time completely incredible (chapter 1:5-7). At the time of Isaiahs ministry, Judah was a sinful and unjust nation. 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. To this can be added the mention of Greeks (chapter 3:6), who hardly played a role in Near Eastern history earlier than the 7th century. 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. 3:5). This chart shows only those events that are mentioned in the Bible and that are of importance to an understanding of the prophetic messages. Daniel 2:35). Had Ezekiel Known Jeremiah Personally All three of these guys have overwhelming experience where they are called to be prophets. In contrast to Isaiah and others, Jeremiah provided more detail about himself in his book than any of the other prophets. Had Judah remained loyal to God its captivity would not have been necessary. Isaiah was a prophet of the southern kingdom, living in a critical period of his nation. chapter 9:7; Isaiah 66:23). Jeremiah 31 That some of the words he uses are also found in Jeremiah (Obadiah 1, 3, 4; cf. Encouraging Hezekiah and the people through his own trust in God, he was instrumental in saving Jerusalem. The response of the prophets is contrasted: Jeremiah is spontaneous and candid, while Ezekiel makes no spoken reply in the call narrative (pp. The Book of Isaiah claims to be written by him, and scholars believe he at least wrote part of it. 6566). The prophet Ezekiel, a priest, was one of the 10,000 Jews taken into exile by Nebuchadnezzar in 597 B.C., when King Jehoiachin was carried to Babylon. WebWhat are the common divisions of Isaiah made by contemporary scholars? Prophetic Ministry in Jeremiah and Ezekiel The fickle, human will is the weak, unstable factor in conditional prophecy. As the numbers of Israel increased, they were to enlarge their borders, until their kingdom should embrace the world (cf. Isaiah If these rules are consistently followed the resulting interpretation can be accepted with confidence. So what does it mean to "trust God"? TRUST (in God): a belief in Nevertheless, Isaiah believed that Judah was Gods chosen nation and they would be vindicated by God. Unfortunately, Nehemiahs second term as governor cannot be dated, which fact makes it also somewhat difficult to date Malachi. The blessings of health. 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. The 7th-century view.This view holds that Joels ministry seems to fit into the early years of Josiah, when Assyrian power was nearing its end and Babylon was still a weak kingdom. Examine the prophecy in its entirety. 3. Unparalleled prosperity. Before the Israelites entered the Promised Land, God warned them not to forget that the blessings they were to enjoy there if they cooperated with Him would come as divine gifts (see Deuteronomy 8:7-14), not primarily as the result of their own wisdom and skill (verses 17-19). The vision concerning Judah and Jerusalem that Isaiah son of Amoz saw during the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah, kings For these reasons Daniels extended prophetic ministry can be dated approximately from 603 to 535 B.C. Accordingly, the covenant promises and privileges were all permanently transferred from literal to spiritual Israel (Romans 9:4; cf. Isaiah was the great forerunner of the writers. Several of his messages were against various foreign nations. ), have never been and can never be fulfilled to them as a nation. In these tragic events the words of Moses met their final and complete fulfillment: As the Lord rejoiced over you to do you good, and to multiply you; so the Lord will rejoice over you to destroy you, and to bring you to nought; and ye shall be plucked from off the land whither thou goes to possess it. 19:21; Isaiah 46:10; Acts 5:39; Hebrews 6:17; etc. All who have faith in Christ are one in Him, and, as a the spiritual seed of Abraham, are heirs according to the promise (Galatians 3:9, 28, 29). Hence, 640 B.C., about midway between the two limits, marked by the destruction of Thebes and the fall of Nineveh, would seem to be a reasonable conjectural date for Nahums prophetic ministry. Gods call to the nations would have been, Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth (Isaiah 45:22). It was Gods design that the whole earth be prepared for the first advent of Christ, even as to-day the way is preparing for His second coming. A. Websummer | 4.2K views, 92 likes, 102 loves, 53 comments, 67 shares, Facebook Watch Videos from The Ramp: His presence is here, worship with us at Summer Ramp now!Welcome to Summer Ramp 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). When the siege of Jerusalem was temporarily lifted at the approach of an Egyptian force, Jeremiah started to leave Jerusalem to go to the land of the tribe of Benjamin. Those nations that rejected the worship and service of the true God, were to be dispossessed, and Israel would inherit the Gentiles chapter (54:3). Acts 1:6), to appear as a liberator and conqueror, and to exalt Israel to dominion over all nations (see on Luke 4:19). God entered into solemn covenant relationship with him (Genesis 15:18; 17:2-7), and his posterity, Israel, inherited the sacred trust of being Gods chosen representatives on earth (Hebrews 11:9) for the salvation of the entire human race. 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). Then Gabriel came to reassure him of the restoration of his people and the eventual coming of the Messiah (verses 24, 25). This leaves Ezekiel with a ministry of at least 22 years, from 593/92 to 571/70. chapter 11:9, 10). Thus. 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. 740-700 B.C. Promises not already fulfilled to literal Israel either would never be fulfilled at all or would be fulfilled to the Christian church as spiritual Israel. Isaiah 3:12; 9:16) meant the permanent, irrevocable cancellation of their special standing before God as a nation (cf. Had Jerusalem known what it was her privilege to know, and heeded the light that Heaven sent her, she would have stood forth in magnificent prosperity, the queen of kingdoms, the mighty metropolis of the earth, and would, like a noble vine, have filled the face of the world with fruit (Isaiah 27:6). The life of Christ is a perfect example of the character of God would have His people develop (see on Luke 2:52). However, he is again found playing a role on the night of Babylons fall, as interpreter of the mysterious handwriting on the wall (chapter 5). It ignores the plain statements of the Old Testament that Gods promises to Israel were all conditional. Jeremiah This period spanned the reigns of five kings of Judah: Josiah, Jehoahaz, Jehoiakim, Jehoiachin, and Zedekiah. answer. Jeremiah When the Jews rejected Christ as the Messiah, God in turn rejected them and commissioned the Christian church as His chosen instrument for the salvation of the world (Matthew 28:19, 20; 2 Corinthians 5:18-20; 1 Peter 2:9, 10; etc.). Remember that the record of Gods dealings with His people in ages past has been recorded for the benefit of all later generations to the end of time. But because of apostasy it was the predictions of national honor and glory that could not be fulfilled. But they are to be saved as Christians and not as Jews. God placed His people in Palestine, the crossroads of the ancient world, and provided them with every facility for becoming the greatest nation on the face of the earth. 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 See on Zechariah 1:8. The Christian church is a spiritual nation scattered all over the world, and such details obviously could not apply to it in a literal sense. Any nation and kingdom that would not serve Israel was to perish chapter (60:12). Gods word is sure (Isaiah 40:8; 55:11; Romans 11:29), and His plan for the salvation of man will ultimately prevail (Isaiah 46:10). 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. Timeline: Prophets in the Reigns of Kings of Judah and Israel Predictions of national disgrace, rejection, and woe that were to result from apostasy would never have been realized. Beholding Israels righteousness (Isaiah 62:1, 2), the Gentiles would acknowledge them, that they are the seed which the Lord hath blessed (Isaiah 61:9, 10; cf. But when the Jews rejected Christ there was no such assurance of reinstatement. But with regards to how Jeremiah died, the Scriptures leave no record. And the Lord shall scatter thee among all people, from the one end of the earth even unto the other (Deuteronomy 28:63, 64). Partial compliance on their part with the will of God made possible a partial fulfillment of the covenant promises on Gods part. Isaiah was a Jewish prophet who lived during the eighth century BC. Answer Jeremiah was one of the major prophets of ancient Israel and a key figure in the Old Testament. Galatians 5:19-23), and because of this failure to bear the fruit expected of them, forfeited their role in the divine plan (see Romans 11:20). WebLast time you checked the cover of your family Bible, it probably didnt say The Bible, by God. since nearly all are named and credit given to a specific writer: the book of Isaiah to Isaiah, the books of Jeremiah and Lamentations to Jeremiah, the book of Ezekiel to Ezekiel, and so on. But here, as in all exposition of Scripture, we should avoid affirming as the explicit teachings of the Bible that which is our private, finite view, however plausible it may appear to be. Gods promises are made conditional upon mans cooperation and obedience. Accordingly, the book can probably be dated about 425 B.C. 2 Kings 20:1-5; and of promised blessing, see Exodus 6:2-8; cf. Micah was a prophet from Moresheth-gath (chapter 1:1, 14), probably Tell ejJudeideh in southwestern Judah. Furthermore, the repeated mention of Judahs wickedness, described as enormous in his day (see chapters 1:4-6, 8, 9, 12; 3:1-3, 7), points to the time before Josiahs reform, which began in 623/22. The last part of the lecture turns to Second Isaiah and the famous servant songs that find a universal significance in However, these messages pertaining to the then-distant future were intended, not only to inspire patience, comfort, and hope in the day they were first given, but also to provide men of Christs day with confirming evidence of His Messiahship. Tell them that in Isaiah 9, Jesus entire life and death is referenced. They were the most influential prophets to appear on the scene, and their many prophecies have been preserved in the sacred Scriptures. For these reasons the 7th-century date for Joel has been adopted in this commentary, although there is no conclusive proof that this choice is correct. The late date is taken here, without prejudice toward an early one. The student of the Bible who hopes to secure from it the greatest help will first proceed to reconstruct the historical context of each passage. The glory that distinguished the early part of the reign of Solomon was due in part to his own faithfulness during that time, and in part to the fact that his father David had seemed to appreciate fully Israels exalted privileges and responsibilities (see Psalms 51:10, 11; Isaiah 55:3; cf. By nowadays 2 500 years old concerns have simply gone through time changes, but Gods truth spoken by two prophets remains the same. (2 Chron. Isaiah Jeremiah, Lamentations He would renew His covenant with them (Jeremiah 31:10-38; Ezekiel 36:21-38; Zechariah 1:12, 17; 2:12), including its accompanying blessings (Jeremiah 33:3, 6-26; Ezekiel 36:8-15). The modernist school of interpretation bases its position on the a priori assumption that any knowledge of the future is impossible, and ignores all evidence to the contrary. Isaiah 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. Between the return from Babylon and the rejection of the Messiah, Israel was to have its second and final opportunity as a nation to cooperate with the divine plan (see Jeremiah 12:14-17). Shortly after this event he once more rose to a high position of honor and responsibility in the newly formed Persian Empire (chapter 6). He states that he ministered under King Josiah (chapter 1:1), who reigned from 640 to 609 B.C. Observe the conditional aspects of the prediction and ascertain whether or not, or to what extent, the conditions were met. They would have no part in all that Christ stood for (see on Matthew 3:2, 3; Mark 3:14). The state was still to be administered in the name, and by the authority, of God. The Prophets: Who They Were, What They Are - zoboko.com The Temple was apparently rebuilt, and sacrifices were regularly offered at the time of the prophets activity (chapter 1:7-10). 6. Captivity, he said, had confirmed the curse that came because of disobedience (verses 11, 12) and Jerusalem lay desolate (verses 16-19). Bible Taught It First Since no conclusive evidence for any of these three views exists, all are presented here: 1. Yet not His work is characterized by skill in the use of language, a well-balanced syntax, and a lively and impressive poetry. Acts 13:22). Ezekiel blames the people for ritual misbehavior. Jeremiah 1:7 But the LORD told me: "Do not say, 'I am only a child.' 3. It was Gods design that the whole earth be prepared for the first advent of Christ, even as to-day the way is preparing for His second coming. Although the Hebrew term naar, youth, or child, by which the prophet designates himself verse (6), does not give an indication of Jeremiahs exact age at the time of his call, the context of the passage in which this word appears seems to favor the interpretation that he was still very young, perhaps less than twenty. However, it is possible that some of his undated prophecies were given at a later time. Jeremiah 12:14-16). 7. 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). From generation to generation these holy men of God (2 Peter 1:21) called Israel to repentance and righteousness and kept alive the Messianic hope. There was nothing God could have done for them that He did not do, yet they failed. Superior craftsmanship. Even the heathen would recognize the superiority of those who served and worshiped the living God. 1 Peter 2:9, 10). A study of the Old Testament prophets that consists primarily of lifting selected passages here and there out of their historical context and arbitrarily applying them to our dayas if the prophet spoke exclusively for our benefitis fraught with grave danger. Its people were given no promise of complete restoration to their former power in Palestine. For two of them (Joel and Obadiah), however, no conclusive evidence as to the time of their work exists, and scholars differ widely in their views concerning this matter. In fact, this procedure is responsible more than anything else for the fanciful interpretations that distinguish the teachings of certain religious groups. This prophecy must have been pronounced either before Jeroboam came to the throne (approximately 793 B.C.) The following brief summaries contain the evidence on which the various prophets have been entered in the chronological positions in which they are found in the chart. Jeremiah The ministry of Amos may therefore have fallen in the years 767-753 B.C. The Hebrew people were to acquire wisdom and skill in all cunning work, that is, a high degree of inventive genius and ability as artisans, for the manufacture of all kinds of utensils and mechanical devices. This concept of the role of Israel is reiterated again and again throughout the Old Testament. There is no surer protection against the speculative vagaries of religious visionaries than a clear knowledge of the historical context of Scripture. God did not forsake His people, even during the Captivity. Rabbinic tradition has it that Isaiah's father, Amoz (not the same as Amos the prophet), was a brother of King Amaziah. Nabopolassar 626 B.C. WebEmphasize that when God prompted Isaiah to write about the Lord Jesus it was way before Jesus was born. Tools. The prophet Daniel later prayed for more understanding about Jeremiahs time prophecy. Though, on the whole, literal Israel failed to realize her exalted destiny, the chosen race did make a worth-while, though imperfect, contribution to the preparation of the world for the first advent of the Messiah (see on Matthew 2:1). He says specifically that by Jew he does not mean a literal Jew but one converted at heart, whether he be Jew or Gentile (chapter 2:28, 29). This article surveys the fundamental problem of the interpretation of the prophetic portions of the Old Testament in terms of their message to Israel of old and to the church today. In Abraham God found a man ready to yield unqualified obedience to the divine will (Genesis 26:5; Hebrews 11:8) and to cultivate a similar spirit in his posterity (Genesis 18:19). Jer 2 - 6 2, 3 God sends Jeremiah to Jerusalem to give a series of messages to the people of Judah. After Jerusalems fall in 586, Nebuchadnezzar allowed Jeremiah to stay with the remnant of his people who were left in the country (chapter 40:1-6). 1-39 40-55 56-66. The prophets vivid description of the catastrophe that had befallen Thebes leaves the impression that the event was still fresh in the memory of the people, whereas Assyrias power, although waning, was not yet near its end. Obedience to the law of God would make them marvels of prosperity before the nations of the world, living witnesses to the greatness and majesty of God (Deuteronomy 8:17, 18; 28:11-13). 34:23) 622 Jeremiah 11 and 12 are given. Godlinessgodlikenessis the goal to be reached. Note by whom it was spoken, to whom it was addressed, and the circumstances that called it forth. Only when its leaders formally rejected the Messiah and declared before Pilate their allegiance to no king but Caesar (John 19:15) did Israel as a nation irrevocably withdraw from the covenant relationship and the theocracy. WebThere are four major prophets: Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel and Daniel. In one way or another each of these attempts at interpreting the messages of the Old Testament prophets neglects significant teachings of Scripture, evades fundamental principles of exegesis, and provides a distorted picture of the predictive sections of prophecy. This fact weakens the arguments for such a late date. Who was Isaiah in the Bible This would make Isaiah first cousin to King Uzziah and grandson to Hence the year 571/70 must not be considered as necessarily marking the end of his ministry. It is impossible to date the devastating plague of locusts that the prophet so vividly describes and compares with the terrors of the coming day of judgment. The postexilic view.The absence of any reference to a king of Judah or to Assyria or Babylon, the reference to the hostility of Tyre and Sidon, and the mention of Greeks have been taken by some commentators as evidence for a postexilic date for Joel. Yet the book contains no clear indication of the time in which the prophet lived. WebBefore we begin our review of the parts of Jeremiahs early ministry, let us first set out the usual and customary picture of it. That which God purposed to do for the world through Israel, the chosen nation, He will finally accomplish through His church on earth to-day. Isaiah lived about 700 years before the birth of Jesus Christ. The fundamental principle by which we can tell unerringly when any particular promise or prediction of the Old Testament made originally to literal Israel is to meet its fulfillment with respect to spiritual Israel iswhen a later inspired writer makes such an application of it. It ran from the last year Judah's King Uzziah ruled (740 B.C. 1. The kingdom was overturned (Ezekiel 21:25-32) and the people removed from the land, which had been theirs only by virtue of the covenant relationship (Hosea 9:3, 15, Micah 2:10; cf. Isaiah 54:7; Ezekiel 36:11; 43:10, 11; Micah 6:8; Zechariah 10:6). Jeremiah 32:17 highlights this point by stating, "O Sovereign Lord!