The Major Prophets

Lesson 2

 

                                                              Introduction, Part 2

 

 

1.                  The world of the prophets

a.                   Remember: four men, two hundred years, four empires

b.                  Map of Judah and her neighbors

 

2.                  The role of the prophets

a.                   To tell people what God said–often to hostile listeners

b.                  Caused the people to understand why events were happening

c.                   Messages could be authenticated

 

3.                  The writings of the prophets still bless and challenge us.

 

4.                  The books of the prophets (cf. Isa. 8:1-2, 16; Jer. 36)

a.                   An unusual type of literature

i.                    Frequent use of “Thus says the LORD”

ii.                  Includes narratives, sermons, extended poems, dialogues between God and prophets, and visionary experiences

b.                  Not first and foremost prediction

i.                    About the living God and how he exercises his sovereignty

ii.                  Not for satisfaction of curiosity about the future

c.                   Very practical instruction to their own time

i.                    Each saying has a time, an audience, a situation

ii.                  Brought forth by everyday problems and call for substantive responses

d.                  Hearing from God through the prophets without hearing much about the prophets themselves

i.                    The focus is God’s dealings with his people and the world

ii.                  The prophets’ personal lives are mentioned only as they enlighten

e.                   Collections of isolated spoken oracles, not always in chronological order

i.                    May be arranged by topic or purpose

ii.                  Have to be dated by kings or events

f.                   Language and forms directed at the heart as well as to the mind

i.                    Forms are the lawsuit (Isa. 3:13-26), woe (Isa. 5), burden (or oracle, Isa. 13-23), promise (Jer. 31), vision (Ezek. 37)

ii.                  Picturesque language drawn for natural world, agricultural practices, family life, and political or military actions

g.                  Revealed by means calculated to gain attention and emphasize lessons

i.                    Made known by an audible voice, or the internal voice, or opening the prophet’s eyes, or by an imaginary picture

ii.                  Expressed by strange behavior by prophets (Isa. 20), or unforgettable object lessons (Ezek. 4), or by vivid symbols (Jer. 18)

 

5.                  These writings can be used well

a.                   Bear in mind the larger context (721, 586, 536 B.C.)

b.                  Watch for the specific historical setting of each oracle

c.                   Identify the Lord’s purpose in a saying:

i.                    is it rebuke,

ii.                  or encouragement,

iii.                or revelation of some fact about God,

iv.                or information to be acted upon at a specific occasion,

v.                  or a foundation for understanding what would be done through Christ?

d.                  Proceed from the simple to the less simple

e.                   Consider the literal meaning gives a clear idea first

f.                   Rely upon what the New Testament says it means

i.                    John 5:39

ii.                  Luke 24:44

iii.                Acts 3:24

 

6.                  Unifying themes

a.                   God has made his thinking known through the prophets.

b.                  The God who controls all nations chose Israel for covenant relationship.

c.                   Israel sinned against their God and his standards for their relationship, both in their treatment of him and their dealings with people.

d.                  God will judge in order to eradicate sin.

e.                   Mankind needs a Savior, and God will provide one.

 

7.                  1 Peter 1:10, 11

 

8.                  Our approach

a.                   Get acquainted with each man and his time

b.                  Develop an overview of his book and its main ideas

c.                   Investigate some of the major themes in the book

d.                  Make ourselves familiar with some of the memorable passages which also have some importance in the New Testament

e.                   Apply important lessons along the way