Old Testament Prophets

Class 3 – Introduction

1. Review last week – questions?
1. Four primary periods of OT history and the function and activity of Prophets during these periods:

                                                               i.      Pre-monarchy – ie., up to the time of Saul

1.      Moses

                                                             ii.      Monarchy

                                                            iii.      Exilic period

                                                           iv.      Post Exilic

2. Understanding Covenants

                                                               i.      Resemble ancient political treaties

1.      Parity treaties – between equals

2.      Suzerain-vassal treaties – between a greater king and a servant or lesser king

3. Five major OT covenants in the bible (and one that carries over into New Testament):

                                                               i.      Universal – deal with all people

1.      Adam

2.      Noah

                                                             ii.      Israel in Covenant

1.      Abrahamic (Genesis 15 & 17)

2.      Mosaic Covenant (Exodus 19-24)

3.      Davidic (2 Samuel 7)

                                                            iii.      New (and final) covenant found in Jesus Christ – fulfillment of all prior promises

1.      Jeremiah 31 (especially vs 31-40) and Ezekiel 34 (especially vs 25-31)

2. JONAH
1. Is usual and stands apart from the other prophets

                                                               i.      Jonah is a reluctant prophet

                                                             ii.      His book tends more towards narration & history as opposed to his preaching God’s Word

2. Look for:

                                                               i.      God’s concern, sovereignty and compassion for ALL of creation and ALL peoples – not just the chosen and redeemed people of Israel. He is the God of the universe.

                                                             ii.      There is also an implied warning to Israel – Jonah – the only Israelite in the book - is also a great prophet; he should be the height of spirituality. Yet he does all he can to avoid God’s service.

3. New Testament importance

                                                               i.      Jesus, like Jonah, is sent to the world; NOT just Israel.

                                                             ii.      Jesus compares His ministry to Jonah’s (Matt 12:38-45; Luke 11:24-32).

                                                            iii.      In Luke 24:46 Jesus compares His time between crucifixion and resurrection to Jonah’s time in the belly of the fish.

                                                           iv.      Jesus compares favorably to Jonah – Jesus willingly gave up His life for the people He was sent to save. Jonah ran.

3. Jonah (see Dillard & Longman)
1. Arguments in favor of historicity

                                                               i.      Jonah was a real prophet – mentioned in 2 Kings 14:25

                                                             ii.      There are documented occasions of a fisherman surviving (albeit in a poor state of affairs) inside of a fish.

                                                            iii.      Most importantly, Jesus makes reference to Jonah & Nineveh and seems to believe he believed the book was a historical report

1.      Matt 12:39-40; Luke 11:29-30

2. Arguments against:

                                                               i.      Some find the story of the fish preposterous

                                                             ii.      Other characteristics of the book may signal the book is fictional:

1.      vagueness of the story

2.      Jonah is the only named person

3.      “King of Nineveh” not only lacked a name but was not really a proper title – Nineveh was a capital not an empire.

4.      Reference to the repentance of the animals (3:7-8)

5.      Description of the size of Nineveh is exaggerated (vs 3:3-5)

3. Even the pro arguments should leave us unsatisfied – the biblical account implies a miraculous intervention by God.
   
   
4. Even the con-arguments leave some who are skeptical of its historicity unsatisfied – they argue the book has clear teaching value as a parable and should not be diminished by disputes of its genre.
   
   The question of historicity should not detract from the interpretative and theological value of its message!
   
   
3. Historical setting
1. Israel (the northern kingdom of 10 tribes) had a temporary respite from foreign pressures. Borders have been restored and threats are reduced for a time.
2. Elisha and Jonah had prophesied this restoration of Israeli power (2 Ki 13:14-19 and 2 Ki 14:25.

                                                               i.      With her victories, Israel became complacent (Amos 6:1) and began to backslide again.

                                                             ii.      She focused on “the day of the Lord” (Amos 5:18-20) when God’s darkness would engulf other nations, leaving Israel to bask in God’s light.

1.      Later God sent Amos & Hosea to announce to Israel He would pare them no longer).

5. Jonah seems to behave like a real person!
1. He runs from God in chapter one
2. He sings a psalm praising God for his salvation in Chapter 2
3. He is the reluctant prophet again in Chapter three and is antagonistic towards God in Chapter 4
   
   
6. Theological Message
1. Jonah’s message is unusual – it is directed at the Gentiles! The first prophet is addressing his message to those outside of the covenant.
2. The pagans aboard ship show more concern about God’s wrath than Jonah does:

                                                               i.      They shake while Jonah sleeps

                                                             ii.      They sacrifice to God when Jonah is thrown overboard.

3. God shows great concern for the “great city” while Jonah lacks compassion – indeed, he wanted the city destroyed.
4. Jonah represents Israel – and a very poor representative he is

                                                               i.      He lacks spirituality

                                                             ii.      He avoided service to God and was reluctant and contrary even when compelled to do God’s will.

                                                            iii.      He argued with God’s merciful actions; then became despondent and depressed over God’s will.

Jonah is out of touch with God. How much more so was Israel!

The psalms frequently call upon God to punish enemies – in Jonah we have an example of God’s mercy upon repentance.

5. God is the God of the universe

                                                               i.      God acts outside of Israel

                                                             ii.      God uses creation to enforce his will

1.      Jonah

2.      wind, waves & storm

3.      the fish

4.      a vine

5.      a worm

6.      the east wind

There is no escape from the God who controls al that is, that ever was or that ever will be!

7. New Testament
1. God’s message is expanded beyond the chosen people to include all people. Jesus was sent to invite all people of the world to become part of the covenant.
2. Jesus compared & contrasted himself with Jonah          

                                                               i.      ie., people asked for a sign – Jesus would spend three days and three nights in the earth just as Jonah did in the belly of the fish.

3. Jesus came, served and died willingly while Jonah was reluctant – Jesus is the perfection of Jonah.