Dr. Esa Autero. 1.1 Introduction to Lamentations What is the purpose of Lamentations For Christians/churches? Sermons from Lamentations? Placement in

Dr. Esa Autero

OTS 501 INTRO TO OLD TESTAMENT

1.1 Introduction to LamentationsWhat is the purpose of Lamentations

For Christians/churches?Sermons from Lamentations?

Placement in the canonLXX and English Bible – after Jeremiah

Traditional authorship by JeremiahMT – in Writings

Along w/ the Song; Ruth; Ecclesiastes; Esther 3rd in Megilloth* used in special Jewish feast daysLamentations used in 9th of Ab – day of mourning for

the destruction of Jerusalem Temple (587BC & AD70)

Lamentations & Ezekiel

1.2 Historical and Critical IssuesAuthorship, composition, date

Anonymous – no author indicated in the textJewish tradition & LXX: Jeremiah (based on 2Chr

35:25)Jeremiah’s authorship possible

Similarities in tone & vocabulary w/ Jeremiah BUTDifferences in poetic style and theology

Anonymous eyewitness of the fall of Jerusalem

Unified composition by a single authorWritten b/w the fall of Jerusalem (587BC) &

Jehoachin’s release from Babylonian prison (c. 562BC; cf. 2Kgs25:27-30)

No indications of king’s release in Lamentations


1.3 Background, purpose, structure Historical background

Fall of Jerusalem as a result of divine punishmentFinal blow: Zedekiah rebels against Babylon & the

final destruction of Jerusalem (2 Kgs 24:20ff.)

Purpose Communal expression of grief, horror, and

agony due toDivine abandonment of Judah by YHWHDevastation and punishment of God


ANE parallels to LamentationsSix Sumerian laments (e.g. ANET, 455-463;

611-619 ) Mourning of military defeats brought by godsANE: the gods leave the city, the situation cannot

be changed Lam: YHWH removes his presence due to sin


Literary structure of Lamentation

3. God’s compassio

n

2. God’s wrath

4. Sin of

people

1. The City

5. Prayer

Outside view

Inside view

Upward view

Overall view

Future view

Poem 1 – city of Jerusalem personified as a womanFormerly dignified woman raped and abandoned (1:1, 6)Desolation and sense of abandonment (1:2, 9, 16-17, 20)

Poem 2 – vehemence of YHWH’s angerYHWH as enemy (2:2-5)Mockery of passers-by (2:15-16); devastation (2:11-12, 21-

22)Catharsis due to affliction (2:11, 18)

Poem 3 – complaint & hope (center & climax) Personal suffering (collective) – YHWH as enemy (3:1-20)Prayer for consolation and hope (3:21-29)Plea for repentance and return to YHWH (3:40-54)Cry for vengeance and vindication (3:55-66)


Poem 4 – aftermath of YHWH’s judgmentDevastation of the city

Famine & cannibalism (4:4-6, 9-10)Only hope – punishment accomplished (4:22)

Poem 5 – Communal lament as final prayerReiteration of horrors and griefFinal complaint, confession & plea for restoration

(5:1, 7, 19-22)


1.4 Themes in Lamentations Suffering as a result of sin (cf. Job)

God’s punishment and the resulting sufferingGod experienced as “enemy” (2:4-5)Fulfillment of covenant curses – divine warrior

themeDivine abandonment as a result of sin

Communal disaster – expressing the inexpressibleExpressing communal & personal suffering &

disasterExpressing the inexpressible - voice, concepts,

vocabularyHow & when could Lamentations be used in the

church?


2.1 Introduction to EzekielThoughts on Ezekiel as a prophet?

Peculiar aspects in Ezekiel?

Sermons from Ezekiel?

Place in the canonEnglish Bible follows LXX – after LamentationsMT – immediately after JeremiahCanonicity disputed by later rabbis

Rituals in the Law and Ezekiel (see e.g. Num 28:11 and Ezek 46:6)

rabbis: resolved with “the coming of Elijah” (Mal 4:5)


2.2 Historical and Critical IssuesAuthorship, composition, date

Ezekiel the prophet as the recipient of visions (1:1-3)Critical theories of authorship and composition

Early critical scholarship saw Ezek as a unified work (e.g. Driver)

Issues regarding the unity and authenticityPriestly tradition juxtaposed w/ sense of social justiceDoublets and glosses Later insertions (3:16b-21; 18; 25-32; 29:17-21 [29-32; 26:1-28:19])Difficulties w/ prophet’s location (8-11 in Jerusalem)Prophet’s mental health (4:4-7; 3:24-27; 24:25-27; 33:22; 4:12)LXX is 4-5% shorter than MT

Additions (e.g. ch. 36), glosses; displacement of ch. 7


Some responses and support for essential unity Priestly tradition and social justice not incompatible (cf. Jer)Autobiographical style – Ezek penned large sections (e.g. 2:1-

10)Uniformity of language and styleSome later editing or scribal activity – details elude

Possibly 2 editions of Ezek – orig. reconstructed from MT & LXX Chs. 8-11 & visionary transport (or travel to and fro?)Ezek’s symbolic actions common in the prophets – complete

surrender to YHWH & embodiment of prophetic message Ezekiel’s preaching – gathering & writing of materials (by Ezek and his disciples) – final editing(?) Majority written down b/w 571BC (29:17) and 562BC (Jehoachin’s release – not mentioned in Ezek). Possible later editing…


2.3 Background, purpose, structureBackground

Ezekiel – “God strengthens ” son of Buzi, a Zadokite priest (1:3)Married (24:15-16)Taken to Babylonian exile 597BC (2Kgs 24:10-17);

settled near the Kebar river (canal)Called to be a prophet 593BC – last oracle 571BC

(29:17) Historical background

Events leading to Babylonian exile Babylonian siege of Jerusalem (598-597BC)Destruction of Jerusalem 587/6BCJehoachin’s release from prison 562BC


Purpose Warn Judah of impending destruction of

JerusalemCall to repent Visions of hope and future restoration

Structure of Ezekiel Chs. 1-24 – Judgment of Judah and Jerusalem

Ezekiel’s call – power and holiness of GodSymbolic actions (4-5; 12:1-20)Visions, parables, and oracles of judgment (6; 8-11;

15-17; 23)Glory departs from the Temple (8:6; 9:3, 9; 10:4-22)

Sins of idolatry and injustice (14; 18; 22)


Chs. 25-32 – Oracles against foreign nationsAmmon; Moab; Edom; Philistia; Tyre; Egypt

Chs. 33-48 - Covenant renewal and future blessings Restoration of Israel and David the shepherd (33-

34; 36-37)Spiritual renewal & new covenant (36-37)

Restored Temple and worship (40-48)Glory fills the Temple (43:1-5; cf. 10:1-22; 1Kgs 8:10-

13; Ex 40:34-35)

God is sovereign over Judah, nations, and history


2.4 Themes in EzekielVisionary experiences and symbolic actions [x12]

What to make of visions & ‘crazy’ symbolic actions?Visions of heavenly creatures – ‘chariot visions’ (1-3; 10; 43-46)

God’s glory appears during Ezekiel’s call; judgment, restoration God lives in majesty in the holy ‘otherness’ Throne of God rests upon magnificent carriage – wheels signify

movement to all directions; multiple eyes means all-seeing Important for people in Exile (will God see & move? cf. ANE gods were usually considered local and regional)

Bizarre symbolic actions; was Ezekiel crazy or a pervert?Prophetic silence – speak only when God tells? (3:24-27)Symbolism of siege – miniature model, food & lie down (4)Symbolism of judgment – cut hair and divide (5:1-7)Exile – ‘pack your bags and dig through the wall’ (12:3-6)The siege of Jerusalem by Babylon - Draw a map (21:18-27)Sudden destruction - No mourning for Ezekiel’s wife (24:15-27)‘whoring’ of Jerusalem & Samaria - and sexual imagery (23)


Future hope and eschatologyWhat about the visions of the future?

Restored Israel and the new covenantNew heart & spirit; revived bones; unified Israel (36-

37)Restored temple – literal of symbolical? In whole or

parts?River out of the Temple (47:1-12; cf. 1:24; 43:2; Joel 3:18;

Zech 13:1; 14:8) Sacrificial system, festivals, and exclusive access to the

Temple (44-46)Who/what is Gog – prince of Meschech & Tubal

(38:2; 38-39)?Josephus (Ant. 1:124); Herodotus (7:22) – tribes of

central & eastern Anatolia“foes from the north” – Assyria, Babylon, Persia &

symbolic for Israel’s foes

These are all future visions (cf. Num 12:6-8)


Holiness and transcendence of GodGod’s holiness and glory – “son of Man”

Comparison of God and the prophetVisions of God’s glory (“appearance”) and bizarre

creatures

Recognition formula - “you shall know that I am the LORD” (2:5; 5:13; 6:7; 16:62; 17:21; 20:12 etc.)God in judgment and deliveranceGod is not tied to Jerusalem or any other location ANE gods local and geographical


Sin, judgment, and individual responsibilityJudah’s sins

Not obeying commandments (11:12; 18:6, 9; 20:8-13)

Idolatry (“whoring”) (14:6-11; 16; 18:5-6; 20:16-17; 22)

Not trusting YHWH (Socio-economic) injustice (13:19, 22; 16:49; 18:7-8, 16-

17; 22:6-7)

Individual responsibility (18; 33:10-20)Judah tried to blame YHWH for injustice – “sour

grapes” Each responsible for sins individually (cf. Ex 20:5;

34:7; Deut 24:16)


F


Documents

Dr. Esa Autero. 1.1 Introduction to Lamentations What is the purpose of Lamentations For Christians/churches? Sermons from Lamentations? Placement in