OT Survey IIOT Survey II

The Twelve – Part IIThe Twelve – Part II

MicahMicah

Micah - IntroductionMicah - Introduction

Date (~ 735 – 700 BC)Date (~ 735 – 700 BC) The prosperous days of Uzziah/Jeroboam II The prosperous days of Uzziah/Jeroboam II

were waning fastwere waning fast Assyria was rapidly rising as a superpower Assyria was rapidly rising as a superpower

and rapidly encroaching on the west!and rapidly encroaching on the west! Target – Southern KingdomTarget – Southern Kingdom Key – Think Isaiah!Key – Think Isaiah!

MicahMicah

722Fall ofIsrael

701Jerusalem

Spared

605First

Deportation

597Second

Deportation

586Fall ofJudah

Micah

Isaiah

Map taken from Ezekiel, NICOT, p. xxi

Jeremiah

Ezekiel

770Jeroboam II

Uzziah

539Decreeof Cyrus

516TempleRebuilt

445Jerusalem

Rebuilt

Micah - StructureMicah - Structure

““[The prophets] have a queer [The prophets] have a queer way of talking, like people way of talking, like people who, instead of proceeding in who, instead of proceeding in an orderly manner, ramble off an orderly manner, ramble off from one thing to the next, so from one thing to the next, so that you cannot make head or that you cannot make head or tail of them or see what they tail of them or see what they are getting at.”are getting at.”

Martin Luther, quoted in Dorsey, Literary Structure of the OT, p. 296

Micah - StructureMicah - Structure

Coming defeat and destruction (1)Coming defeat and destruction (1) Corruption of the people (2)Corruption of the people (2)

Corruption of the leaders (3)Corruption of the leaders (3) Yahweh will be their King and Yahweh will be their King and Deliver them (4-5)Deliver them (4-5)

Corruption of the leaders (6)Corruption of the leaders (6) Corruption of the people (7:1-7)Corruption of the people (7:1-7)

Future reversal of defeat and destruction (7:8-20)Future reversal of defeat and destruction (7:8-20)

Adapted from Dorsey, Literary Structure of the OT, p. 299

Micah – Major ThemesMicah – Major Themes Sin of IsraelSin of Israel

PeoplePeople LeadersLeaders

Imminent judgmentImminent judgment AssyriaAssyria BabylonBabylon

Yahweh as King, Deliverer (2:13; 4-5; 7:14-20)Yahweh as King, Deliverer (2:13; 4-5; 7:14-20) [Note 7:18: “Who is a God like you,” a play on Micah’s name [Note 7:18: “Who is a God like you,” a play on Micah’s name

and a fitting praise of Yahweh given His deliverance when the and a fitting praise of Yahweh given His deliverance when the rulers of Israel were helpless]rulers of Israel were helpless]

Micah – PurposeMicah – Purpose

Yahweh’s deliverance of Jerusalem from Yahweh’s deliverance of Jerusalem from Assyria foreshadows His future Assyria foreshadows His future deliverance of Israel from all nations; deliverance of Israel from all nations; however, all Israel will indeed be exiled however, all Israel will indeed be exiled into Babylon because of her sin.into Babylon because of her sin.

Micah and Earlier RevelationMicah and Earlier Revelation

Abrahamic Covenant – An affirmation Abrahamic Covenant – An affirmation that God will be true to this covenant that God will be true to this covenant (7:20)(7:20)

Davidic Covenant – A king coming out Davidic Covenant – A king coming out of Bethlehem (5:2)of Bethlehem (5:2)

Not sure who borrowed from whom, Not sure who borrowed from whom, but notice that Micah 4:1-3 is almost but notice that Micah 4:1-3 is almost identical to Isaiah 2:2-4.identical to Isaiah 2:2-4.

Micah and Later RevelationMicah and Later Revelation

Jeremiah 26:18 – When Jeremiah was in Jeremiah 26:18 – When Jeremiah was in trouble for predicting the fall of Jerusalem, trouble for predicting the fall of Jerusalem, notice that the elders look to Micah’s notice that the elders look to Micah’s prophecy as predicting Babylon’s success.prophecy as predicting Babylon’s success.

Matthew 2:6 – Notice that the rulers of Matthew 2:6 – Notice that the rulers of Israel clearly understood Micah to be Israel clearly understood Micah to be prophesying a future king to come out of prophesying a future king to come out of Bethlehem in accord with their original Bethlehem in accord with their original king, David.king, David.

Matthew 10:35, 36 – A reference to Micah Matthew 10:35, 36 – A reference to Micah 7:6, speaking of how “a man’s enemies 7:6, speaking of how “a man’s enemies will be the members of his household”will be the members of his household”

Purpose Review (1-6)Purpose Review (1-6) Hosea: God’s love for Israel contrasts with Israel’s love Hosea: God’s love for Israel contrasts with Israel’s love

for idols; He will love them though they refuse to repent.for idols; He will love them though they refuse to repent. Joel: Call Israel to repent in light of the coming Day of Joel: Call Israel to repent in light of the coming Day of

YahwehYahweh Amos: Call Israel to repent in light of the coming Amos: Call Israel to repent in light of the coming

judgment from Yahweh.judgment from Yahweh. Obadiah: Edom (and all nations) will receive judgment Obadiah: Edom (and all nations) will receive judgment

for their sin on the Day of Yahwehfor their sin on the Day of Yahweh Jonah: Israel’s desire for the destruction of other nations Jonah: Israel’s desire for the destruction of other nations

is sinful since God has had compassion on them.is sinful since God has had compassion on them. Micah: God will give Jerusalem up to Babylon but His Micah: God will give Jerusalem up to Babylon but His

deliverance from Assyria foreshadows His future deliverance from Assyria foreshadows His future deliverance.deliverance.

NahumNahum

Nahum - IntroductionNahum - Introduction Date (sometime in 663 – 612 BC)Date (sometime in 663 – 612 BC)

Thebes had fallen in 663 (Nahum 3:8)Thebes had fallen in 663 (Nahum 3:8) Assyria’s demise in 612 was still futureAssyria’s demise in 612 was still future Perhaps ~ 650 when Assyria was still quite strongPerhaps ~ 650 when Assyria was still quite strong

TargetTarget Nahum frequently speaks of Assyria as “you” and Nahum frequently speaks of Assyria as “you” and

even appears to speak to the king of Assyria directly even appears to speak to the king of Assyria directly in 3:18.in 3:18.

However, the book appears to be directed primarily However, the book appears to be directed primarily at the southern Kingdom, Judah (see especially 1:12-at the southern Kingdom, Judah (see especially 1:12-15)15)

Key – Notice he follows Isaiah, Micah (see next Key – Notice he follows Isaiah, Micah (see next slide)slide)

NahumNahum

722Fall ofIsrael

701Jerusalem

Spared

605First

Deportation

597Second

Deportation

586Fall ofJudah

Nahum

Isaiah

Map taken from Ezekiel, NICOT, p. xxi

Jeremiah

Ezekiel

770Jeroboam II

Uzziah

539Decreeof Cyrus

516TempleRebuilt

445Jerusalem

Rebuilt

Nahum - StructureNahum - Structure

God is a vengeful God (1:1-11)God is a vengeful God (1:1-11) The result of this for Israel (1:12-The result of this for Israel (1:12-

15)15) The result of this for Assyria (2-3)The result of this for Assyria (2-3)

Nahum – Major ThemesNahum – Major Themes

The character of GodThe character of God Vengeful on His enemies (1:2-6, 8-11)Vengeful on His enemies (1:2-6, 8-11) A stronghold for those who trust in Him (1:7)A stronghold for those who trust in Him (1:7)

The Judgment of NinevahThe Judgment of Ninevah An act based on God’s vengeance of His enemiesAn act based on God’s vengeance of His enemies An act based on God’s protection of His possessionAn act based on God’s protection of His possession

Nahum – PurposeNahum – Purpose

To declare God’s imminent destruction To declare God’s imminent destruction of Assyria on behalf of His people, Israel.of Assyria on behalf of His people, Israel.

HabakkukHabakkuk

Habakkuk - IntroductionHabakkuk - Introduction

Date (~ 609 BC)Date (~ 609 BC) Habakkuk gives no historical information at Habakkuk gives no historical information at

the beginning of his prophecythe beginning of his prophecy He clearly prophesied sometime before the He clearly prophesied sometime before the

coming Babylonian invasioncoming Babylonian invasion Target – Southern KingdomTarget – Southern Kingdom

HabakkukHabakkuk

722Fall ofIsrael

701Jerusalem

Spared

605First

Deportation

597Second

Deportation

586Fall ofJudah

Habakkuk

Isaiah

Map taken from Ezekiel, NICOT, p. xxi

Jeremiah

Ezekiel

770Jeroboam II

Uzziah

539Decreeof Cyrus

516TempleRebuilt

445Jerusalem

Rebuilt

Habakkuk - StructureHabakkuk - Structure

Habakkuk’s first complaint: How long? (1:2-4)Habakkuk’s first complaint: How long? (1:2-4) Yahweh’s first answer: Babylon is coming now! (1:5-11)Yahweh’s first answer: Babylon is coming now! (1:5-11)

Habakkuk’s second complaint: How can you use Habakkuk’s second complaint: How can you use Babylon? (1:12-17)Babylon? (1:12-17)

Wait: Wicked punished, righteous Wait: Wicked punished, righteous will live by faith (2:1-5)will live by faith (2:1-5)

Yahweh’s second answer: Babylon will be punished Yahweh’s second answer: Babylon will be punished (2:6-20)(2:6-20)

Yahweh’s first answer revisited: Yahweh’s army is Yahweh’s first answer revisited: Yahweh’s army is coming in the future (3:1-15)coming in the future (3:1-15)

Habakkuk’s first complaint revisited: “I will wait” (3:16-19)Habakkuk’s first complaint revisited: “I will wait” (3:16-19)

Adapted from Dorsey, Literary Structure of the OT, p. 308

Habakkuk – Major ThemesHabakkuk – Major Themes RighteousnessRighteousness

Non-existent in Judah: “Justice never goes forth, for the Non-existent in Judah: “Justice never goes forth, for the wicked surround the righteous” (1:4)wicked surround the righteous” (1:4)

Righteousness of God not understood since Babylon deemed Righteousness of God not understood since Babylon deemed less righteous than Judah: “You are of purer eyes than to less righteous than Judah: “You are of purer eyes than to behold evil, and cannot look on wickedness. Why do You look behold evil, and cannot look on wickedness. Why do You look on those who deal treacherously, and hold Your tongue when on those who deal treacherously, and hold Your tongue when the wicked devours a person more righteous than he?” (1:13)the wicked devours a person more righteous than he?” (1:13)

Conduct of the righteous in the midst of God’s plan: “The just Conduct of the righteous in the midst of God’s plan: “The just shall live by faith” (2:4)shall live by faith” (2:4)

WaitingWaiting ““How long must I wait?” (1:2-4)How long must I wait?” (1:2-4) ““The just wait for God’s vindication” (2:1-5)The just wait for God’s vindication” (2:1-5) ““I will wait” (3:16-17)I will wait” (3:16-17)

Habakkuk – PurposeHabakkuk – Purpose

To instruct the righteous who would live To instruct the righteous who would live during the Day of Yahweh’s wrath to during the Day of Yahweh’s wrath to wait in faith for Yahweh’s deliverance.wait in faith for Yahweh’s deliverance.

Habakkuk and Later Habakkuk and Later RevelationRevelation

Habakkuk 2:4 Habakkuk 2:4 Behold, as for the proud Behold, as for the proud one, His soul is not right within him; But the one, His soul is not right within him; But the righteous will live by his faith.righteous will live by his faith.

Romans 1:17 Romans 1:17 For in it For in it the the righteousness of righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “But the righteous written, “But the righteous man man shall live by shall live by faith.”faith.”

Galatians 3:11 Galatians 3:11 Now that no one is Now that no one is justified by the Law before God is evident; justified by the Law before God is evident; for, “The righteous man shall live by faith.”for, “The righteous man shall live by faith.”

Hebrews 10:38 Hebrews 10:38 But My righteous one shall But My righteous one shall live by faith; and if he shrinks back, My soul live by faith; and if he shrinks back, My soul has no pleasure in him.has no pleasure in him.

Purpose Review (1-8)Purpose Review (1-8) Hosea: God’s love for Israel contrasts with Israel’s love for Hosea: God’s love for Israel contrasts with Israel’s love for

idols; He will love them though they refuse to repent.idols; He will love them though they refuse to repent. Joel: Call Israel to repent in light of the coming Day of Joel: Call Israel to repent in light of the coming Day of

YahwehYahweh Amos: Call Israel to repent in light of the coming judgment Amos: Call Israel to repent in light of the coming judgment

from Yahweh.from Yahweh. Obadiah: Edom (and all nations) will receive judgment for Obadiah: Edom (and all nations) will receive judgment for

their sin on the Day of Yahwehtheir sin on the Day of Yahweh Jonah: Israel’s desire for the destruction of other nations is Jonah: Israel’s desire for the destruction of other nations is

sinful since God has had compassion on them.sinful since God has had compassion on them. Micah: God will give Jerusalem up to Babylon but His Micah: God will give Jerusalem up to Babylon but His

deliverance from Assyria foreshadows His future deliverance from Assyria foreshadows His future deliverance.deliverance.

Nahum: To declare God’s imminent destruction of Assyria Nahum: To declare God’s imminent destruction of Assyria on behalf of His people, Israelon behalf of His people, Israel

Habakkuk: To instruct the righteous who would live during Habakkuk: To instruct the righteous who would live during the Day of Yahweh’s wrath to wait in faith for Yahweh’s the Day of Yahweh’s wrath to wait in faith for Yahweh’s deliverance.deliverance.

ZephaniahZephaniah

Zephaniah - IntroductionZephaniah - Introduction

Date (~ 640 - 610 BC) – Sometime Date (~ 640 - 610 BC) – Sometime during the reign of Josiahduring the reign of Josiah

Target – Southern KingdomTarget – Southern Kingdom

ZephaniahZephaniah

722Fall ofIsrael

701Jerusalem

Spared

605First

Deportation

597Second

Deportation

586Fall ofJudah

Zephaniah

Isaiah

Map taken from Ezekiel, NICOT, p. xxi

Jeremiah

Ezekiel

770Jeroboam II

Uzziah

539Decreeof Cyrus

516TempleRebuilt

445Jerusalem

Rebuilt

Zephaniah - StructureZephaniah - Structure

Judgment upon wicked of Jerusalem (1:2-6)Judgment upon wicked of Jerusalem (1:2-6) Judgment of corrupt leaders of Jerusalem (1:7-13)Judgment of corrupt leaders of Jerusalem (1:7-13)

Judgment of the nations (1:14-18)Judgment of the nations (1:14-18) Call to seek God and “perhaps be Call to seek God and “perhaps be hidden” (2:1-3)hidden” (2:1-3)

Judgment of the nations (2:4-15)Judgment of the nations (2:4-15) Judgment of corrupt leaders of Jerusalem (3:1-7)Judgment of corrupt leaders of Jerusalem (3:1-7)

Coming restoration of Jerusalem (3:8-20)Coming restoration of Jerusalem (3:8-20)

Adapted from Dorsey, Literary Structure of the OT, p. 313

Zephaniah – Major ThemesZephaniah – Major Themes Day of the LordDay of the Lord

““Be silent before the Lord God! For the Be silent before the Lord God! For the dayday of Yahweh of Yahweh is near, for Yahweh has prepared a sacrifice…on the is near, for Yahweh has prepared a sacrifice…on the dayday of Yahweh’s sacrifice…on that of Yahweh’s sacrifice…on that dayday…on that …on that dayday… … (1:7-10)(1:7-10)

““Near is the great Near is the great dayday of Yahweh, near and coming of Yahweh, near and coming very quickly; Listen, the very quickly; Listen, the dayday of Yahweh! In it the of Yahweh! In it the warrior cries out bitterly” (1:14)warrior cries out bitterly” (1:14)

““A A dayday of wrath is that of wrath is that dayday, a , a dayday of trouble and of trouble and distress, a distress, a dayday of destruction and desolation, a of destruction and desolation, a dayday of of darkness and gloom, a darkness and gloom, a dayday of clouds and thick of clouds and thick darkness, a darkness, a dayday of trumpet and battle cry” (1:15-16) of trumpet and battle cry” (1:15-16)

““Neither their silver nor their gold will be able to Neither their silver nor their gold will be able to deliver them on the deliver them on the dayday of Yahweh’s wrath” (1:18) of Yahweh’s wrath” (1:18)

Zephaniah – Major Themes Zephaniah – Major Themes (cont…)(cont…)

Day of the LordDay of the Lord ““Gather yourselves together, yes gather, O Gather yourselves together, yes gather, O

nation without shame, before the decree nation without shame, before the decree takes effect—The takes effect—The dayday passes like the chaff— passes like the chaff—before the burning anger of Yahweh comes before the burning anger of Yahweh comes upon you, before the upon you, before the dayday of Yahweh’s anger of Yahweh’s anger comes upon you…Seek Yahweh, all you comes upon you…Seek Yahweh, all you humble of the earth who have carried out humble of the earth who have carried out His ordinances; seek righteousness, seek His ordinances; seek righteousness, seek humility; perhaps you will be hidden in the humility; perhaps you will be hidden in the dayday of Yahweh’s anger” (2:1-3) of Yahweh’s anger” (2:1-3)

““The The dayday when I rise up to the prey” (3:8) when I rise up to the prey” (3:8) ““In that In that dayday…in that …in that dayday” (3:11, 16)” (3:11, 16)

Zephaniah – Major Themes Zephaniah – Major Themes (cont…)(cont…)

Yahweh’s furyYahweh’s fury Anger (2:2, 3; 3:8)Anger (2:2, 3; 3:8) Jealousy (1:18)Jealousy (1:18) Wrath (1:15, 18)Wrath (1:15, 18) Zeal (3:8)Zeal (3:8)

The restoration of Israel (3:8-20)The restoration of Israel (3:8-20)

Zephaniah – PurposeZephaniah – Purpose

To announce the nearness and terror of To announce the nearness and terror of Yahweh’s coming day of wrath and declare Yahweh’s coming day of wrath and declare the means by which the righteous might the means by which the righteous might survive in the midst of it.survive in the midst of it.

Zephaniah and Earlier Zephaniah and Earlier RevelationRevelation

Zephaniah 1:2-3: “‘I will sweep away everything from the face of the earth,’ declares the LORD. ‘I will sweep away both men and animals; I will sweep away the birds of the air and the fish of the sea. The wicked will have only heaps of rubble when I cut off man from the face of the earth,’ declares the LORD.”

Genesis 6:7: “So the LORD said, ‘I will wipe mankind, whom I have created, from the face of the earth--men and animals, and creatures that move along the ground, and birds of the air--for I am grieved that I have made them.’”

Purpose Review (1-9)Purpose Review (1-9) Hosea: God’s love for Israel contrasts with Israel’s love for Hosea: God’s love for Israel contrasts with Israel’s love for

idols; He will love them though they refuse to repent.idols; He will love them though they refuse to repent. Joel: Call Israel to repent in light of the coming Day of YahwehJoel: Call Israel to repent in light of the coming Day of Yahweh Amos: Call Israel to repent in light of the coming judgment Amos: Call Israel to repent in light of the coming judgment

from Yahweh.from Yahweh. Obadiah: Edom (and all nations) will receive judgment for Obadiah: Edom (and all nations) will receive judgment for

their sin on the Day of Yahwehtheir sin on the Day of Yahweh Jonah: Israel’s desire for the destruction of other nations is Jonah: Israel’s desire for the destruction of other nations is

sinful since God has had compassion on them.sinful since God has had compassion on them. Micah: God will give Jerusalem up to Babylon but His Micah: God will give Jerusalem up to Babylon but His

deliverance from Assyria foreshadows His future deliverance.deliverance from Assyria foreshadows His future deliverance. Nahum: To declare God’s imminent destruction of Assyria on Nahum: To declare God’s imminent destruction of Assyria on

behalf of His people, Israelbehalf of His people, Israel Habakkuk: To instruct the righteous who would live during the Habakkuk: To instruct the righteous who would live during the

Day of Yahweh’s wrath to wait in faith for Yahweh’s Day of Yahweh’s wrath to wait in faith for Yahweh’s deliverance.deliverance.

Zephaniah: To announce the nearness and terror of Yahweh’s Zephaniah: To announce the nearness and terror of Yahweh’s coming day of wrath and declare the means by which the coming day of wrath and declare the means by which the righteous might survive in the midst of itrighteous might survive in the midst of it