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. It is thought that Isaiah and Micah lived at the same time and addressed different audiences. For these reasons his ministry can be dated from about 755 (or earlier) to about 725 B.C. 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. 9:129) This verse first WebEzekiels use of dramatic prophetic signs, his rejection of collective divine punishment and assertion of individual responsibility are discussed. Peter concurs, saying, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons, for in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him (Acts 10:34, 35; cf. WebIn Jeremiah, Yahweh is portrayed as one who reveals himself primarily through his word, whereas in Ezekiel, Yahweh is presented in visions of God (pp. 1 Kings 8:41-43). That some of the words he uses are also found in Jeremiah (Obadiah 1, 3, 4; cf. They were to show forth His praise (chapter 43:21), to declare His glory among the heathen (chapter 66:19), to be a light to the Gentiles (chapters 49:6; 42:6, 7). He would be king over all the earth verses (3, 8, 9), and His dominion from sea even to sea, even to the ends of the earth (chapter 9:9, 10). Their own characters were to be progressively ennobled and elevated, and to reflect more and more perfectly the attributes of the perfect character of God (Deuteronomy 4:9; 28:1, 13, 14; 30:9, 10). Numbers 14:26-34. Gedaliah is made governor over the small group of Jews that remain in Jerusalem. Micah, Hosea, and Jeremiah. They would gather themselves together and come from far (Isaiah 49:18, 12, 6, 8, 9, 22; Psalms 102:22). Since Jothams sole reign began after the death of his father Uzziah in 740/39, the initial date for Micahs prophetic ministry should probably be placed after that date. A comparison between some of his prophecies and those of Amos indicates that Hosea was a younger contemporary of Amos (cf. As the numbers of Israel increased, they were to enlarge their borders, until their kingdom should embrace the world (cf. With the crucifixion of Christ they forever forfeited their special position as Gods chosen people. 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. But they are to be saved as Christians and not as Jews. A. One royal visitor to Jerusalem exclaimed, The half was not told me! (1 Kings 10:1-9). Jerusalem would have become a great missionary center, and the earth would have been set ablaze with the light of truth in one grand, final appeal to those who had not as yet accepted the invitation of divine mercy. These promises of prosperity and a successful mission were to have met fulfillment in large measure during the centuries following the return of the Israelites from the lands of their captivity. The Bible contains more information about his life and times than any other prophet. Remember thatgenerally speakingit was originally given with respect to the historical circumstances that called it forth. However, there is also no reference made to Persia, which would be expected if the book was of so late a date. 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. Along with his contemporary, the prophet Micah, Isaiah served the southern kingdom of Judah under the reigns of four kings. Isaiah was a Jewish prophet who lived during the eighth century BC. Yet, since Gods purposes are immutable (Psalms 33:11; Prov. Unparalleled prosperity, both temporal and spiritual, was promised them as the reward for putting into practice the righteous and wise principles of heaven (Deuteronomy 4:6-9; 7:12-15; 28:1-14). Here Paul affirms that the rejection of the Jews did not mean that the promises of God had taken none effect (Romans 9:6), and explains immediately that they are to become effective through spiritual Israel. (chapter 5:14), after which he was recalled to Persia. The exposition of Scripture attempted by proponents of the British-Israel theory consists of an admixture of selected Bible passages with legend, folk tales, and speculation. Ch 2: Israel Forsakes God Ch 3:6 Unfaithful Israel Ch 4:5 Disaster From the North Ch 5: Not One Is Upright Ch 6: Jerusalem Under Siege Jer 11 - 12 2, 4 Ch 11: The Covenant Is Broken; Plot Against Captivity, he said, had confirmed the curse that came because of disobedience (verses 11, 12) and Jerusalem lay desolate (verses 16-19). 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. Now it is spiritual Israel, in the past not a people but now the people of God, that are to shew forth the praises of the One who has called them out of darkness into his marvellous light (1 Peter 2:9, 10). Nehemiahs first term lasted from 444 to 432 B.C. However, it is possible that some of his undated prophecies were given at a later time. These observations seem to place Zephaniah in the early years of Josiahs reign, perhaps about 630 B.C., as a contemporary of Habakkuk. 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). The transition from literal Israel to spiritual Israel, or the Christian church, is the subject of Romans 9-11. Some believe that the prophet refers to the conquest of Jerusalem at the time of King Jehoram (2 Kings 8:20-22; 2 Chronicles 21:8-10, 16, 17) in the 9th century; others believe that the prophet is speaking of Jerusalems destruction by Nebuchadnezzar in 586 B.C. 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. The various abuses rebuked by Malachi are mostly the same as those Nehemiah found when he returned to Jerusalem for his second term of governorship (Malachi 3:8, 9; cf. This page and its content is copyright 2012. Isaiah would not have known about the events to come without Gods help. Earlier commentators attempted to equate the two men, because of the use of similar expressions in their utterances (Micah 1:2; cf. Seventh-day Adventists believe that, generally speaking, the promises and predictions given through the Old Testament prophets originally applied to literal Israel and were to have been fulfilled to them on the condition that they obey God and remain loyal to Him. The life of Christ is a perfect example of the character of God would have His people develop (see on Luke 2:52). One needs to keep these in mind to better understand the heart of Isaiah's message. To pray by faith for God to fulfill His promises, we must be obedient to Gods difficult commands. The modernist school of interpretation denies the predictive element in prophecy altogether, arguing either that the predictions were written down after the events thus foretold took place or that such predictions reflected nothing more than the prophets hopes for the future, or those of his people. 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. However, the chronological data given by Micah are against such an identification and show that a century or more lies between the two men. But it is only against the background of the original historical context of the message that its meaning and value for us can be established with certainty. Hearing of all the advantages with which the God of Israel had blessed His people and all the prosperity He had procured for them (Jeremiah 33:9), the pagan nations would admit that their own fathers had inherited lies (chapter 16:19). Chronologically, Isaiah lived during a time just after the northern 10 tribes of Israel were destroyed by the Assyrians. The earth would thus be rid of those who opposed God (Zechariah 14:12, 13). In this case, he was an octogenarian. 3. Even to the time of the fall of Jerusalem, Jeremiahs message remained the same: submit to the yoke of Babylonia. He has a controversy with them because they have rebelled against His authority (Jeremiah 25:31-33), and He will judge (Joel 3:9-17) and destroy them there (Isaiah 34:1-8; 63:1-6; 66:15-18). WebWhat are the common divisions of Isaiah made by contemporary scholars? Far from becoming the light of the world, the Jews shut themselves away from the world as a safeguard against being seduced into idolatry (see Deuteronomy 11:26, 27; cf. Jeremiah 1:7 But the LORD told me: "Do not say, 'I am only a child.' Many others, including Lehi and Jeremiah, lived at the same time. Who served as Jeremiah's scribe? When they brought forth wild grapes instead of the mature fruit of character, He inquired, What could have been done more to my vineyard, that I have not done in it? (Isaiah 5:1-7). 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. 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). His book contains no direct to establish the time of his mission to Nineveh. Another reason to trust God is there is nothing too complicated for Him. WebThere are four major prophets: Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel and Daniel. 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 Dead sea scrolls. Since no conclusive evidence for any of these three views exists, all are presented here: 1. The material advantages that Israel enjoyed were designed to arrest the attention and catch the interest of the heathen, for whom the less obvious spiritual advantages had no natural attraction. For a short time during his reign Assyria turned from its polytheistic religion to a kind of monotheistic Nabu worship. He should not be confused with Micaiah, the son of Imlah, a prophet of Israel in Ahabs time (9th century B.C.). The completeness and finality of this rejection is evident from chapter 8:19, 20: As the nations which the Lord destroyeth before your face, so shall ye perish; because ye would not be obedient unto the voice of the Lord your God. The rejection of Jesus by the leaders of Israel (cf. The formal rejection of Jesus by the Jews, as a nation, marked the close of their last opportunity as the special agents of God for the salvation of the world. It is not known whether Malachi is the name of the author or simply the title of an otherwise anonymous author, since Malachi means my messenger. If it is the latter, his is the only anonymous work among the prophetic books of the Old Testament. The futurist school of interpretation contends that the many promises of restoration and world leadership made to ancient Israel are yet to be fulfilled in connection with the establishment of the modern state of Israel in Palestine. Several of his messages were against various foreign nations. These were remedied by the vigorous actions of the governor. King James Bible At the same time spake the LORD by Isaiah the son of Amoz, saying, Go and loose the sackcloth from off thy loins, and put off thy shoe from thy foot. 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. 5. Human traditions came to be honored in place of the revealed will of God (see on Mark 7:6-9). Continued obedience was necessary to the continuance of divine favor, whereas persistent disobedience must inevitably culminate in the rejection of the Jewish nation as Gods chosen instrument for carrying out the divine plan (Deuteronomy 28:15-68). 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. Had Israel measured up to the noble ideal, all of the promises contingent upon obedience would long since have been fulfilled. However, when we read his 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. Deported to Babylon, they were to learn in adversity the lessons they had failed to learn during times of prosperity (Jeremiah 25:5-7; 29:18, 19; 30:11-14; 46:28; Ezekiel 20:25-38; Micah 4:10-12), and to impart to the heathen Babylonians a knowledge of the true God. The prophets did not always clearly understand messages they themselves had borne pointing forward to the distant future, to the coming of the Messiah (1 Peter 1:10, 11). 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. They were the most influential prophets to appear on the scene, and their many prophecies have been preserved in the sacred Scriptures. Several prophecies followed a few months later (Zechariah 1:7 to 6:15). The glorious era of David and Solomon marked what might have been the beginning of Israels golden age). Nothing is impossible with God. But when the Jews rejected Christ there was no such assurance of reinstatement. It is ever the privilege of those who witness the fulfillment of prophecy to remember and believe (John 13:19; 14:29; John 16:4). But, said the angel, Messiah would be rejected and cut off, because of the abominations of Israel, and Jerusalem and the Temple would once more life waste (verses 26, 27). 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 9th-century view.The great empires of Assyria and Babylonia do not appear within the horizon of the prophet. A Anathoth 51 Q Who became king of Babylon about the same time as Jeremiah was called by God? WebIsaiah, Jeremiah, and Lamentations 82 cards. 2. 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). Unparalleled prosperity. This situation fits best the time prior to the rise of the Chaldean Empire under Nabopolassar, who began to reign in 626/25 B.C., and who, with the Medes, was responsible for the destruction of Assyria. Church tradition suggests that Jeremiah was stoned to death in Egypt by the Jews. It is important to note that all the Old Testament promises looking forward to a time of restoration for the Jews were given in anticipation of their return from captivity (see Isaiah 10:24-34; 14:1-7; 27:12, 13; 40:2; 61:4-10; Jeremiah 16:14-16; 23:3-8; 25:11; 29:10-13; 30:3-12; 32:7-27, 37-44; Ezekiel 34:11-15; 37; Amos 9:10-15; Micah 2:12, 13; etc.). Paul makes it clear beyond argument that when he speaks of Israel as the chosen people of God he means it in this sense. It is true, he says, that national Israel stumbled at the stumblingstone, Jesus Christ (Romans 9:32, 33; 11:11; cf. 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. Cooperation with the natural laws of body and mind would result in ever-increasing mental strength, and the people of Israel would be blessed with vigor of intellect, keen discrimination, and sound judgment. And he did so, walking naked and barefoot. The Assyrian capital city of Nineveh was captured and destroyed by the combined forces of Media and Babylonia in 612 B.C., which is, accordingly, the latest possible date for Nahum. 740-700 B.C. Sinai God entered into covenant relation with Israel as a nation (Exodus 19:1-8; 24:3-8; Deuteronomy 7:6-14) upon the same basic conditions and with the same ultimate objectives as the Abrahamic covenant. Hence, Jonah was probably the earliest of the prophets under discussion. Jeremiah 12:14-16). The prophet was a citizen of Judah, but delivered messages to the kingdom of Israel as well. The fickle, human will is the weak, unstable factor in conditional prophecy. seem to refer to those recorded in 2 Kings 8:20-22 and 2 Chronicles 21:8-10, 16, while nothing points to the troubles caused by Hazael, as narrated in 2 Kings 12:17, 18 and 2 Chronicles 24:23, 24, it has been concluded that Joel gave his messages during the time lying between these two events. Thus it had been with Enoch (Genesis 5:24), Abraham (chapter 26:5), and Joseph (chapter 39:2-6). The Temple is mentioned as still existing (chapter 2:20), which shows that the book was written before Nebuchadnezzars destruction of Jerusalem in 586 B.C. 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. By divine appointment the sacred writings were preserved, century after century, and Israel became their custodian (Amos 3:7; Romans 3:1, 2). 34:23) 622 Jeremiah 11 and 12 are given. From the visible their minds were to be directed to the invisible, from the seen to the unseen, from the material to the spiritual, from the temporal to the eternal. 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. WebThis tables shows the reigns of each of the Kings of Judah and Israel, together with the dates and lengths of the reigns, and the prophets who were active at that time. It should be remembered that God does not force the human will, and that Israels cooperation was essential to the success of His plan for the nation. They forfeited Gods blessing because of failure to fulfill His purpose in making them His chosen people, and thus brought ruin upon themselves. According to tradition, how was Isaiah killed? Post Exile c. 530 BC First view (and traditional one) is that Daniel was written immediately after the Babylonian exile ended and many Jews returned to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple. Josiah was also still a young king, having reached the age of but 21 years at that time. (27-3) Ezekiel 25:3. This fact is recognized by the various New Testament writers, who quoted Isaiah more than 90 times. In Jeremiah, we see evidence of God elevating humble men like Jeremiah to become leaders precisely when they are needed. Jeremiah has a slightly more commonplace experience, he just hears Gods voice directly tell him that before he was even formed in the womb he was appointed to be a prophet to the nations, no big deal. 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). They were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come (1 Corinthians 10:11). Isaiah was a prophet of the southern kingdom, living in a critical period of his nation. Several of the prophets messages are dated exactly, and the last of these dated prophetic messages was received in the 27th year of Ezekiels captivity (chapter 29:17), 571/70. Four eminent Hebrew prophets addressed themselves to the people of Israel and Judah in the latter half of the 8th pre-Christian century: Amos, Hosea, Micah, and Isaiah. This fact weakens the arguments for such a late date. The house of God in Jerusalem would eventually be called an house of prayer for all people (chapter 56:7), and many people and strong nations would come to seek the Lord of hosts in Jerusalem, and to pray before Him in that day and be His people (Zechariah 8:22; 2:11). 1-39, 40-55, 55-66. (This rule does not apply to those portions of the book of Daniel that the prophet was bidden to shut up and seal, or to other passages whose application Inspiration may have limited exclusively to our own time.). by means of a broken line. This Upper Egyptian capital city, better known by its Greek name Thebes, was destroyed by King Ashurbanipal in 663 B.C., a date that provides the upper time limit of Nahums prophecy. Nahum is called the Elkoshite (chapter 1:1), but Elkosh is unknown as a place name, although commentators have tried to identify it with Elkesi in northern Galilee, Alkush near Mosul, and a town near Eleutheropolis in Judah. 1-39 40-55 56-66. Technical know-how would render products made in Israel superior to all others. Nehemiah 13:10-12; Malachi 2:11-16; cf. The blessings of health. But the manner in which it is carried out may change because man may change. Through His people Christ is to manifest His character and the principles of His kingdom. Daniel 5:25-28; Matthew 21:40-43; 22:3-10; Luke 14:24). 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). In the introduction to his book he declares that he worked under the kings Uzziah of Judah and Jeroboam II of Israel. In an age when every wind of doctrine is blowing it is well to make certain that our understanding of Bible prophecy rests upon a positive Thus saith the Lord (see Deuteronomy 29:29; Isaiah 50:11; Jeremiah 2:13; Matthew 7:24-28; 1 Corinthians 2:4, 5, 12, 13; Eph. Copyright 2008 - http://www.BibleChronologyTimeline.com. In the prophetic picture God is represented as gathering the nations to Jerusalem (Joel 3:1, 2; Zephaniah 3:6-8; cf. His work is characterized by skill in the use of language, a well-balanced syntax, and a lively and impressive poetry. Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel, however, did. In view of the light they had received from God, they were even worse than the heathen, to whom they felt so much superior. But Judah failed to learn the lesson, and a little more than a century later her apostasy, also, was complete (see Jeremiah 22:6, 8, 9; Ezekiel 16:37; 7:2-15; 12:3-28; 36:18-23). Mark 7:9). No chronological data are given, but the prophet speaks of the fall of No (chapter 3:8) as an event of the past. In that day every one that is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall even go up from year to year to worship the King, the Lord of hosts (Zechariah 14:16; cf. Isaiah 54:7; Ezekiel 36:11; 43:10, 11; Micah 6:8; Zechariah 10:6). Also, Jeremiah (chapter 26:18), quoting Micah (chapter 3:12), testifies that Micah ministered during Hezekiahs time. However, that earthquake must have been very severe, for the memory of it was still fresh in the minds of people who lived 250 years later, as Zechariah 14:5 shows. However, 2 Kings 14:25 states that Jonah also pronounced a prophecy concerning the expansion of Israel that was fulfilled by Jeroboam II. Hosea. God was to be glorified in Israel (Isaiah 49:3) and its people were to be His witnesses (chapters 43:10; 44:8), to reveal to men the principles of His kingdom. Weblived and were active as prophets during a time of great catastrophe for the people of Israel, the conquest of Judah and the destruction of the First Tem-ple. Shortly after this event he once more rose to a high position of honor and responsibility in the newly formed Persian Empire (chapter 6). The sixteen prophetsIsaiah to Malachiwhose writings have come down to us lived during four centuries, from about 800 to 400 B.C. God provided Israel with every facility for becoming the greatest nation on the earth. This form literally means that the stretching of the heavens was completed or finished some time ago. Dead sea scrolls. Malachi 3:12), and their God the only true God (Isaiah 45:14). For illustrations of the reversal of threatened judgment, see Jonah 3:3-10; cf. Yet in mercy, God still bore with His people, and in due time Messiah came (Malachi 3:1-3). Since only these two kings are mentioned, Amos seems to have prophesied during the time when both kings were sole rulers in their respective kingdoms. Paul states the same truth in Romans 9:30, 31, where he makes it plain that the Christian church has replaced the Hebrew nation in the divine plan. He dies while in Egypt. The fourth school of interpretation may, at times, arrive at a valid application of the predictive portions of Old Testament prophecy to the church today and to its future experience, but neglects the primary application of these messages to their historical setting, and proceeds, quite arbitrarily, to determine that certain selected passages were written more or less exclusively for the church today. 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. Pride obscured their vision [see Luke 19:42]. To their own question, What nation is there so great, who hath God so nigh unto them? the Gentiles would answer, Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people (Deuteronomy 4:7, 6). Thus. The consecutive order of the book of Haggai would indicate that his whole recorded ministry lasted not longer than 31/2 months, beginning (chapter 1:1) on August 29, 520 B.C., and extending, in his last two recorded speeches (chapter 2:10, 20), to December 18, 520. 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. As the nations of antiquity should behold Israels unprecedented progress, their attention and interest would be aroused. The kingdom was divided following Solomons death (see 1 Kings 11:33-38). A Anathoth 51 Q Who became king of Babylon about the same time as Jeremiah was called by God? In his early prophecies, he spoke of an unidentified peril which was to come upon Jerusalem and