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. In Israel, there was sometimes more than one prophet, and sometimes there were many prophets. 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. Jeremiah had been chosen by God for his office before birth (chapter 1:5), and was called to be a prophet at a tender age (chapter 1:6, 7). What is fascinating is that the prophets Isaiah, Amos, Hosea, and Micah were all contemporaries. 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 blessings of health. 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). Though the prophet looked at events about him, he also could see far beyond his own day. They eagerly sought the power of His kingdom, but were unwilling to be guided by its principles. The close of his ministry is tentatively set by some scholars at 510. Nehemiah 13:23-27). Yet the book contains no clear indication of the time in which the prophet lived. Inasmuch as it is possible to date the kings of Judah and Israel, especially the later ones, with comparatively high accuracy, the various reigns during which these sixteen prophets ministered have been entered in this chart according to the tentative chronology used in this commentary. The accompanying chart enables the reader to study these prophets in their historical setting. It would become an object lesson of the results of acting in harmony with moral, as with natural, law. However, there is no valid reason why Malachi should not be considered a proper name. 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. 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. Its people were given no promise of complete restoration to their former power in Palestine. or during the early years of his reign. Holiness of character (Levites 19:2; see on Matthew 5:48). Hosea 2:6-13). 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. In that year, in the fifth month, there was public conflict between Jeremiah and the prophet Hananiah (Jeremiah 28). ), success must and will comethrough Israel after the spirit. WebJeremiah 15:1 Then the LORD said to me: "Even if Moses and Samuel should stand before Me, My heart would not go out to this people. Hence the year 571/70 must not be considered as necessarily marking the end of his ministry. 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). 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. are longer and contain more pages and more chapters than the minor prophets). This period spanned the reigns of five kings of Judah: Josiah, Jehoahaz, Jehoiakim, Jehoiachin, and Zedekiah. With Him there is no variableness, neither shadow of turning (James 1:17). The establishment of the Hebrew monarchy did not affect the basic principles of the theocracy (Deuteronomy 17:14-20; 1 Samuel 8:7). Who served as Jeremiah's scribe? Godlinessgodlikenessis the goal to be reached. In Gods Economy toward His Chosen People 1. 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. Discover what application later inspired writers make of the prophecy, and on this basis determine its possible significance for Gods people in this time. As the numbers of Israel increased, they were to enlarge their borders, until their kingdom should embrace the world (cf. Accordingly, the covenant promises and privileges were all permanently transferred from literal to spiritual Israel (Romans 9:4; cf. For some time he held a high position in Nebuchadnezzars government (chapter 2:48), and became a trusted counselor of the great king. WebThere are four major prophets: Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel and Daniel. Superior intellect. All this leads to the conclusion that Micah prophesied from about 740 to about 700 B.C. His book contains no direct to establish the time of his mission to Nineveh. 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. It is possible that Hebrews 11:37 refers to this event. 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). So early a date for Jonah1s ministryabout 790 B.C.fits well into Assyrian history. 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. Paul makes it clear beyond argument that when he speaks of Israel as the chosen people of God he means it in this sense. 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. A Nebuchadnezzar 59 Q No, there were three prophets of God who followed Isaiah. All nations of earth were to share in the blessings so generously bestowed upon Israel. The following discussion sets forth the principles of interpretation described under 5, and followed by this commentary, together with the scriptural basis on which these principles rest. There is no surer protection against the speculative vagaries of religious visionaries than a clear knowledge of the historical context of Scripture. 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. The transition from literal Israel to spiritual Israel, or the Christian church, is the subject of Romans 9-11. Thus, for more than 1,500 years, a great experiment designed to test the relative merits of good and evil was conducted before the world. Instead of becoming light bearers to the world they absorbed its darkness and reflected that darkness instead. Gods call to the nations would have been, Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth (Isaiah 45:22). 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. 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. At the time of the Babylonian captivity God had specifically announced that that experience was not to mark a full end of Israel as Gods people (Jeremiah 4:27; 5:18; 46:28). What archaeological evidence implies Isaiah was a unified book? 19:21; Isaiah 46:10; Acts 5:39; Hebrews 6:17; etc. 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. 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). WebJeremiah was active as a prophet from the thirteenth year of Josiah, king of Judah (626 BC), until after the fall of Jerusalem and the destruction of Solomon's Temple in 587 BC. 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). According to Jewish tradition Isaiah was sawn asunder. National greatness. However, it is possible that some of his undated prophecies were given at a later time. Again and again He had warned His people that captivity would be the result of disobedience (see Deuteronomy 4:9; 8:9; 28:1, 2, 14, 18; Jeremiah 18:7-10; 26:2-16; Zechariah 6:15; etc.). They were doing no positive good; therefore they were doing incalculable harm, and their influence became a savor of death. 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. A Jewish legend claims that he was stoned to death by his people. Desiring the same blessings for themselves, they would make inquiry as to how they too might acquire these obvious material advantages. 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). 6465). 2. But when the Jews rejected Christ there was no such assurance of reinstatement. Our study of messages originally proclaimed by holy men of old to the people of their day is not to become an end in itself, but a means of discovering the will of God for all who would render Him truehearted service now, at the climax of the ages. Literal Jews may still find salvation by being grafted into spiritual Israel, in precisely the same way that Gentiles are to be grafted in (verses 23, 24). All who turned from idolatry to the worship of the true God, were to unite themselves with His chosen people. The last part of the lecture turns to Second Isaiah and the famous servant songs that find a universal significance in 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. He was sawed in half, Menessah killed him. This leads us to conclude that Malachis work may have followed Nehemiahs first term as governor, but preceded his return to Jerusalem from the Persian capital. While it is thus known that he began his work in 520 and continued until 518 B.C., the end of his prophetic ministry must be left open. This leaves Ezekiel with a ministry of at least 22 years, from 593/92 to 571/70. This would make Isaiah first cousin to King Uzziah and grandson to 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. Isaiah 3:12; 9:16) meant the permanent, irrevocable cancellation of their special standing before God as a nation (cf. 3. 5. Micah, Hosea, and Jeremiah. God designed that Israels experience should prove to be a warning to Judah (see Hosea 1:7; 4:15-17; 11:12; Jeremiah 3:3-12; etc.). 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. It was to be the result of wholehearted cooperation with the will of God as revealed through the prophets, and of divine blessing added to human efforts. There are 12 minor prophets: the last 12 books in the Old Testament. WebIsaiah, Jeremiah, and Lamentations 82 cards. Hence, the year 603 can be considered as the beginning of Daniels ministry as a prophet. Aha was used as an expression of malicious joy. 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 This call came to him in the 13th year of King Josiah (chapters 1:2; 25:3), about 627. These observations seem to place Zephaniah in the early years of Josiahs reign, perhaps about 630 B.C., as a contemporary of Habakkuk. Hosea was from the Northern Kingdom, Micah and Jeremiah were from the Southern kingdom. It is true, he says, that national Israel stumbled at the stumblingstone, Jesus Christ (Romans 9:32, 33; 11:11; cf. by means of a broken line. It is thought, furthermore, that his ministry fell in the years when the high priest Jehoiada acted as regent for the child king Joash (2 Kings 11:17 to 12:2), which fact would explain why the king is not mentioned anywhere in the book, while at the same time the Temple service flourished. Tell them that in Isaiah 9, Jesus entire life and death is referenced. We shall be protected against the grossly literal explanation of some expositors concerning the return of literal Israel to literal Palestine to rule the world for a thousand years prior to the close of human probation, and also against other equally unscriptural interpretations that propose to apply allegorically to the church all the details of the promises originally made to literal Israel. For example, the judgment that came upon Sodom and Gomorrah, literal cities of the ancient past, is used by Bible writers as descriptive of the judgment God will eventually bring upon all the world. Those who think that chapter 52 was added as an inspired postscript by Jeremiahs secretary or one of his disciples, believe that he died some 20 years earlier, about 580 B.C. 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. Answer Isaiah's opening statement in the Book of Isaiah, that he lived during the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah, means that he actually lived in the eighth century BCE. By Which king? Galatians 3:27-29; see on Deuteronomy 18:15). By divine appointment the sacred writings were preserved, century after century, and Israel became their custodian (Amos 3:7; Romans 3:1, 2). He quotes Hosea 2:23. What are the common divisions of Isaiah made by contemporary scholars? They looked for Messiah to reign as a temporal prince (cf. WebIsaiah, the first of the prophets considered "major," had an active ministry that centered in Jerusalem. He saw the destruction of Jerusalem and of the Beth Hamikdosh, after his warnings and prophecies fell on deaf ears. WebIn Judea: prophecy of Zephaniah, Jeremiah, Obadiah, and Habakkuk In Babylon: prophecy of Ezekiel. Uzziah was sole king over Judah from 767 to 750, and Jeroboam over Israel from 782 to 753. 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 covenant with literal Israel proved faulty, not because God failed to carry out His part of the covenant, but rather because Israels fair promises proved evanescent as the morning dew (Hosea 6:4; 13:3; Hebrews 8:6, 7). 3:5). Isaiah was a Jewish prophet who lived during the eighth century BC. After the murder of Gedaliah, the new governor of Judea, the Jews of Mizpah, fearing the revenge of Nebuchadnezzar, went to Egypt and took with them Jeremiah as well as his secretary Baruch (chapter 43:6). 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 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). What Is the Significance of the Interjection Aha? Nothing is known of the prophet Joel beyond the fact that he was the son of Pethuel (chapter 1:1). For a short time during his reign Assyria turned from its polytheistic religion to a kind of monotheistic Nabu worship. The life of Christ is a perfect example of the character of God would have His people develop (see on Luke 2:52). 3. That the Bible really does claim that the stretching out of the heavens is both finished and ongoing is made all the more evident in Isaiah 40:22. 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. All that had been promised might yet come to pass if they would only love and serve Him (Zechariah 6:15; cf. 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. Because I find it hard to think about BC dates, I've also included the number of years since the end of Solomon's, so that we have a scale of increasing year numbers. Accordingly, what He purposed to do for the world through Israel of old He will finally accomplish through His church on earth today, and many of the promises originally made to literal Israel will be fulfilled to His remnant people at the close of time. Hence no reference to these two kingdoms was made by the prophet. 9:129) This verse first This prophecy must have been pronounced either before Jeroboam came to the throne (approximately 793 B.C.) Isaiah is reminded who the real king is. The present-day return of the Jews to Palestine and the establishment of the modern state of Israel do not imply reinstatement as Gods people, present or future. WebEmphasize that when God prompted Isaiah to write about the Lord Jesus it was way before Jesus was born. They would gather themselves together and come from far (Isaiah 49:18, 12, 6, 8, 9, 22; Psalms 102:22). Eventually, all the nations would call Jerusalem the throne of the Lord and be gathered unto it, not to walk any more after the imagination of their evil heart (Jeremiah 3:17). 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. During the reign of Jehoiakim he nearly lost his life for his bold messages, and hence went into hiding (chapter 36:26). EZEKIEL is born Josiah tries to purify the land 612 Ninevah destroyed according to Nahum's prophecy in the Book of Nahum 1:1-3:19 as prophecied in 663-654BC. He played an important role during two momentous periods: (1) under Ahaz, during the war between Syria and Israel (chapters 7-11), and (2) under Hezekiah, during a siege of Jerusalem by Sennacherib chapters 36; 37). They cherished the idea that they were favorites of Heaven, and were ungrateful for the opportunities so graciously afforded them. Along with his contemporary, the prophet Micah, Isaiah served the southern kingdom of Judah under the reigns of four kings. Dead sea scrolls. The kings of Assyria, Babylonia, and Persia, whose dates for this period are well established, are shown in a separate column. Paul emphasizes the fact that the rejection of literal Israel as Gods chosen instrument for the salvation of the world does not mean that individual Jews can no longer be saved (chapters 9:6; 11:1, 2, 11, 15), for he is a Jew himself (chapters 9:3; 10:1; 11:1, 2). The success of Israel was to be based on and to include: 1. Send them from My presence, and let them go. 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. A clear understanding of these aspects of the problem is essential to the formulation of a valid procedure for interpreting the messages of the Old Testament prophets. A Anathoth 51 Q Who became king of Babylon about the same time as Jeremiah was called by God? 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. Even the heathen would recognize the superiority of those who served and worshiped the living God. from the ends of the earth (Jeremiah 16:19), to the light of truth shining forth from the mountain of the Lord (Isaiah 2:3; 60:3; 56:7; cf. 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. The prophet Jonah was a Galilean from Gath-hepher. The plan itself never changes because God never changes. Thus it was with Daniel, a bright example of what man may become, even in this life, if he will make God his strength and wisely improve the opportunities and privileges within his reach (see Daniel 1:8-20). Henceforth, he says, there is no difference between Jew and Greek (chapter 10:12, 13). 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). For I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more.. Had Israel measured up to the noble ideal, all of the promises contingent upon obedience would long since have been fulfilled. 1 Peter 2:9, 10). 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. As the nations of antiquity should behold Israels unprecedented progress, their attention and interest would be aroused. They were the most influential prophets to appear on the scene, and their many prophecies have been preserved in the sacred Scriptures. They are called minor prophets because their books are less in size (these books are all very small and contain few Josiah was also still a young king, having reached the age of but 21 years at that time. Yet many of the promises, particularly those concerning the giving of the gospel to the nations and the establishment of the Messianic kingdom, could not be fulfilled to them because of their unfaithfulness, but would be fulfilled to the church on earth preparatory to Christs return, particularly to Gods remnant people, and in the new earth. It was last of all that God sent unto them his son, according to Christs own words (Matthew 21:37), but they caught him and slew him (verse 39). Living in a crisis period of his nation, Jeremiah was called to proclaim many messages of reproof and solemn predictions of doom over his people for their disobedience. 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. Thus it was also with Samuel, Elijah, John the Baptist (see on Matthew 3:4), John the Beloved (see on Mark 3:17), and many others. 3. Webdid isaiah and jeremiah live at the same time grantchester sidney and violet Posted by on May 21st, 2021 The Book Of Isaiah - The Man, The Times, And The Book Isaiah was God 's prophet and the author of the Bible book that bears his name. It ignores the plain statements of the Old Testament that Gods promises to Israel were all conditional. The only period in which the mission of Jonah to Nineveh, with its results, seems to fit is the reign of Adad-nirari III (810782). WebBut the words of Isaiah live with the Jewish people to this day as fresh and as relevant as ever. Not only is Malachi last in the sequential order of the prophets; it is also the last prophetic book produced in pre-Christian times. Haggais courageous ministry was responsible for the resumption of the rebuilding of the Temple in the time of Darius I, after the work had ceased for some time (Ezra 4:24; 5:1). His call came to him sometime in October/November, 520 B.C., in the same year as Haggais first appearance (chapter 1:1). There was nothing God could have done for them that He did not do, yet they failed. The earth would thus be rid of those who opposed God (Zechariah 14:12, 13). They brought forth wild grapes rather than the mature fruit of a Godlike character (Isaiah 5:1-7; cf. 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. The blessings thus assured to Israel are, on the same conditions and in the same degree, assured to every nation and to every individual under the broad heavens. He will listen to the prophet speaking to Israel of old and endeavor to understand what his words meant to the people who originally heard them. Prophecies of the former classification cannot now be fulfilled because they were strictly conditional in nature and limited in scope, by their very nature, to literal Israel. Any idea that the return of the Jews to their ancestral home, that is, to the new state of Israel, may in any way be related to Bible prophecy is without valid scriptural foundation. The Bible contains more information about his life and times than any other prophet. A closer dating is impossible in spite of the statement that his first divine message came to him two years before the earthquake (chapter 1:1), because the date of this event is unknown. During the siege, reprobate Israelites would be slain by their foes (Zechariah 13:8; 14:2). Nothing is impossible with God. 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. 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. However, the chronological data given by Micah are against such an identification and show that a century or more lies between the two men. Many messages and prophecies can be understood correctly only if seen against the background of the time in which the prophets ministered and in the light of the events that happened during their lives. At times they had an import, not only for the age in which the prophet lived, but also for a day far future; in other words, they had a dual application. 4. All men would recognize that Israel stood in a special relationship to the God of heaven (Deuteronomy 7:6-14; 28:10; Jeremiah 16:20, 21). Furthermore, it should be remembered that the Messiah, after the flesh, was a Jew, that the charter members of the Christian church were all Jews, and that Christianity grew out of Judaism. 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. God did not forsake His people, even during the Captivity. Jeremiah 12:14-16). 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. Both of these extreme methods wrest the obvious intent of the Scriptures and render a sound understanding of the messages of the prophets for the church today unattainable. They were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come (1 Corinthians 10:11). chapter 11:18). 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). 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. Another reason to trust God is there is nothing too complicated for Him. If Jeremiah had been writing a novel, he would have been the hero of his own story.
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