Ppt old testament survey

Old Testament Survey:Introduction to the Books of Prophecy

“For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have

hope.” (Romans 15:4)

The Prophetic Books

• Period of prophets covers about 400 years (800-400 BC)

• Central event—destruction of Jerusalem (about middle of the period)

• There are 17 books—Isaiah thru Malachi• Only 16 prophets wrote (Jeremiah wrote two)• Five Major Prophets; Twelve Minor Prophets

Relationship to Other Books

• 17 books of prophecy complement the 17 historic books.

• The emphasis in the prophetic books not so much on history as on proclaiming and interpreting God’s word to a backsliding nation!

• Belong to the nation’s decline and fall, leading to captivity

• Five poetical books (Job to Song of Solomon) pertain chiefly to the golden age of the monarchy—the united kingdom

Main Theme

• God’s justice, sovereignty, and mercy– God’s justice and sovereignty– His matchless mercy and love for Israel– Overruling providence in the nation’s affairs– Weave in contemporary and future events– Dark background of righteous judgment– Bright cord of divine love, even in punishment– Promise and realization of restoration of a remnant of

Israel– Shining hope of the coming Redeemer!

• Relevant Message– Messages of the prophets were relevant to

the moral and religious conditions of their day– Time to root out and build up

(Jeremiah 1:9,10)– God was sending hope and solutions for their

problems.– This message of hope is still relevant in our

own day (Romans 15:4)

Main Theme

• Main Message– Most important message of the prophets was

their good news of the coming Christ, His redemptive work, and the establishment of His kingdom—the church!

– This told the audience (then and now) that God had a plan, and He would bring that plan to fruition—in His time!

Main Theme

The Office of a Prophet• Primary work of prophets

– God’s spokesman, called by Him to warn the people in times of great national crisis and distress.

– Rebuked Israel for her past sins, warned of present dangers, and foretold future events.

– Called on an individual basis, for special service. God used different terms: seers, watchmen, shepherds.

– Called to announce and interpret His word to the people.

• Primarily preachers– God’s messengers; primarily preachers of

righteousness and teachers of the Law.– Called and sent by God during critical times of

widespread moral and spiritual decay.– Often stood alone (Jeremiah 5:30,31)– Champions of righteousness—combination of

teacher, statesman, and seer.

The Office of a Prophet

• Inspired by God– 2 Peter 1:20,21– The prophets were aware of the gift of inspiration.

– Most common expression—”Thus saith the Lord.”– Earliest work was oral—Elijah and Elisha.

– Later, they worked to preserve records of their preaching and the nation’s history.

– God’s mouthpiece (Exodus 4:10-16)


• Prophets were reformers– Normally, priests and Levites were the teachers in Israel.– God called the prophets when the people and their

leaders neglected the Law (Ezekiel 22:26).– They warned the people of the certainty of God’s

judgment and wrath if they did not change their ways.– As scribes, recorded the events.– They wrote and compiled large portions of the Old

Testament.– Many prophecies concerning the Messiah.


• Proof of their word– Reveal the future without error or exception– Deuteronomy 18:20-22– Similar test in the new—1 Corinthians 14:37– God expects us to search out and know the

differences between His prophets and the false prophets!

– Luke 24:44; Hebrews 2:3,4; 1 John 4:1


God’s Purpose forCalling the Prophets

Spokesmen for God to instruct and exhort the people about the Law.

“Then the LORD put forth His hand and touched my mouth, and the LORD said to me: ‘Behold, I have put My words in your mouth. See, I have this day set you over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out and to pull down, to destroy and to throw down, to build and to plant.’” (Jeremiah 1:9,10)

To reveal His will during the Old Testament period.

“God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets.” (Hebrews 1:1)


Prophets had messages that were, first of all, relevant to the moral and religious condition of the day.

“Because My people have forgotten Me, they have burned incense to worthless idols. And they have caused themselves to stumble in their ways, from the ancient paths, to walk in pathways and not on a highway.” (Jeremiah 18:15)


They forewarned and admonished rulers, often face to face.

“Then Zedekiah the king commanded that they should commit Jeremiah to the court of the prison, and that they should give him daily a piece of bread from the bakers' street, until all the bread in the city was gone. Thus, Jeremiah remained in the court of the prison.” (Jeremiah 37:21)


They preserved, in written form, the messages they received directly from God.

“Take a scroll of a book and write on it all the words that I have spoken to you against Israel, against Judah, and against all the nations, from the day I spoke to you, from the days of Josiah even to this day.” (Jeremiah 36:2)


They recorded the history of their times.

“That very hour the word was fulfilled concerning Nebuchadnezzar; he was driven from men and ate grass like oxen; his body was wet with the dew of heaven till his hair had grown like eagles' feathers and his nails like birds' claws.” (Daniel 4:33)


The prophets counteracted the people’s idolatrous tendencies.

“I will stretch out My hand against Judah, and against all the inhabitants of Jerusalem. I will cut off every trace of Baal from this place, the names of the idolatrous priests with the pagan priests.” (Zephaniah 1:4)


Examples of great faith and courage. Most suffered persecution and death because of their work.

“For then the king of Babylon's army besieged Jerusalem, and Jeremiah the prophet was shut up in the court of the prison, which was in the king of Judah's house.” (Jeremiah 32:2)


To Whom Did the Prophets’ Address Their Writings

• As follows:– To Israel—Amos and Hosea– To Nineveh—Jonah and Nahum– To Babylon—Daniel– To captives in Babylon—Ezekiel – To Edom—Obadiah – To Judah— Joel, Isaiah, Micah, Jeremiah,

Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah and Malachi

Brief Theme of Each Book• Isaiah

– The Evangelical, or Messianic, Prophet wrote of God’s glory, judgment against evil, and mankind’s salvation through Christ.

• Jeremiah– The Weeping Prophet foretold and witnessed the fall of

Jerusalem; warned of God’s judgment on backsliding people, as well as His eternal love that provided salvation from sin through the gift of His Son.

• Lamentations– Sequel to Jeremiah, speaks of the sorrow, misery, and

judgment that sin brings; assures that God shows compassion on those who repent.

• Ezekiel– Uses symbols--like Revelation. He described God’s

goodness and severity as seen in His dealing with sin. Sin must be punished, but God shows great mercy in His forgiveness of those who do His will.

Brief Theme of Each Book

• Daniel– God’s sovereignty, in all ages, over the affairs

of men and nations. Foretold of four great world empires and God’s everlasting kingdom.

• Hosea– Pictured Israel as an adulterous bride and

denounced her terrible idolatry. Contrasted God’s persistent love for His people with their unfaithfulness to Him!


• Joel– Spoke of the “day of the Lord” and foretold the

out pouring of the Holy Spirit (2:28-32). Fulfilled on Day of Pentecost (2:1-21). God’s chastening love for His people.

• Amos– A great, fervent preacher (4:12); pronounced

“woe to them that are at ease in Zion” (6:1). God’s righteous and holy love for His people.


• Obadiah– Foretold of the overthrow of Edom, Esau’s

descendants, because of their violence to Israel. God’s delivery of vengeful love for His people.

• Jonah– The story of God sparing Nineveh, Assyria’s

capital. God’s universal, forgiving love; for Gentiles, as well as Jews. Cannot run away from God!


• Micah– God’s controversy with His people. Shows His hatred for

evil and delight in pardoning the penitent. Foretold of Christ’s birthplace (5:2). God’s desire for them (6:8). His pleading, punishing, and pardoning love for His people.

• Nahum– 130 years after Jonah, Nahum tells of God’s vengeance

and goodness as he predicts, in detail, the destruction of Nineveh, “that bloody city.” God’s avenging love.


• Habakkuk– Promised that God would punish the Chaldeans for their

wickedness in overthrowing Judah. God’s providential, delivering love for His people.

• Zephaniah– Divine judgment will fall on Judah, as well as the enemy

nations. Israel is warned, but unconcerned. A remnant will be saved. God’s jealous love for His people.


• Haggai– This and the following two books belong to the post-exile

period. Haggai returned with Zerubbabel and appealed to the people to “consider your ways,” and complete the rebuilding of the temple.

• Zechariah– Finding the people still complacent, he joined Haggai in

charging them to complete the temple. Spoke of the “Lord of hosts,” prince of peace, and foretold of the coming priest/king--the Christ.


• Malachi– The last of the Old Testament’s inspired prophets,

Malachi lived 100 years after Haggai and Zechariah. He was connected with the reform movement of Ezra and Nehemiah. He reproved his brethren for heathen marriages, divorce, polluted sacrifices, corruption of the Sabbath, withholding tithes, and other sins. The only prophet who discussed the forerunner of Christ—John the Baptist. God’s continued love despite their lack of steadfastness.


Education

Ppt old testament survey