Old Testament Prophets

Class 2 – Covenants and the People of God

1. Review last week – questions?
   1. What prophecy is and is not
   2. Difficulty of understanding the prophets

                                                               i.      Our lack of “situational awareness” or context

                                                             ii.      Prophetic books were verbal (and poetic) messages vs written communication

                                                            iii.      Books (and chapters) and not chronological

3. Why have prophetic books?

                                                               i.      History of narrative books vs focus on God’s message in the prophetic books

4. Function

                                                               i.      Delivery of Gods (not the prophets) message – “Thus saith the Lord”

                                                             ii.      Covenant enforcement  - not new doctrine but reminders of existing doctrine and promises

2. Four primary periods of OT history and the function and activity of Prophets during these periods:
   1. Premonarchy – ie., up to the time of Saul

                                                               i.      Comparatively few prophets

                                                             ii.      Brought instruction and set the relationship between God and His people

1.      Moses

2. Monarchy

                                                               i.      Period of many prophets

1.      Much historical activity – Samuel, Kings & Chronicles

                                                             ii.      Kings are in Israel and the prophets formed a royal service – they were God’s ambassadors to the Israel court

                                                            iii.      Corrupt kings were an increasing problem – Kings were visited to remind them of their duty:

1.      Nathan    -     David

                                                           iv.      List of Prophets

1.      Jonah

2.      Hosea

3.      Amos

4.      Micah

5.      Nahum

6.      Isaiah

3. Exilic period

                                                               i.      Come to explain the reasons for exile and give hope for possible redemption

                                                             ii.      List of prophets

1.      Jeremiah

2.      Zepaniah

3.      Joel

4.      Obadiah

5.      Habakkuk

6.      Ezekiel

7.      Daniel

4. Post Exilic

                                                               i.      Few prophets

                                                             ii.      Deal with restoration of temple

                                                            iii.      List of prophets

1.      Haggai

2.      Zechariah

3.      Malachi

3. Understanding Covenants
   1. Resemble ancient political treaties

                                                               i.      Parity treaties – between equals

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

(Suzerain – czar or emperor)

1.      All biblical covenants are Suzerain-vassal treaties

a.       In a Suzerain-vassal treaty the Suzerain offers benevolent protection in exchange for loyalty, taxes and/or support in times of war – ie., human responsibility.

2.      Emissaries or ambassadors are sent by the Suzerain to relate, enforce and represent the distant Suzerain to his vassals.

4. Five major OT covenants in the bible (and one that carries over into New Testament):
   1. Universal – deal with all people

                                                               i.      Adam
gift and responsibility for creation

                                                             ii.      Noah
Promises to withhold immediate punishment in future generations.

2. Israel in Covenant

                                                               i.      Abrahamic (Genesis 15 & 17)

1.      A people is chosen and set aside by God for His redemptive plan

                                                             ii.      Mosaic Covenant (Exodus 19-24)

1.      Law of God is delivered – 10 Commandments and the moral law; also worship regulations

                                                            iii.      Davidic (2 Samuel 7)

1.      Establishment of God’s universal kingdom through His chosen people.

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

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

5. Comparisons of Biblical Covenants*:
   1. Adam

                                                               i.      Divine benevolence: Gift of Creation – Garden of Eden

                                                             ii.      Human responsibility: Forbidden fruit

2. Noah

                                                               i.      Divine benevolence: rescued Noah and family from destruction

                                                             ii.      Human responsibility: Be fruitful and multiply

3. Abraham

                                                               i.      Divine benevolence: promise of blessing to God’s people

                                                             ii.      Human responsibility: “walk before me (God) and be thou perfect” (Gen 17:1)

4. Moses

                                                               i.      Divine benevolence: Rescue Israel from Egypt (ie,. Our rescue from sin)

                                                             ii.      Human responsibility: Full obedience to God’s laws

5. David

                                                               i.      Divine benevolence: Made David King – establish David’s throne and God’s kingdom

                                                             ii.      Human responsibility: remain loyal; keep commandments

6. New    

                                                               i.      Divine benevolence: Saved by grace through Christ’s sacrifice

                                                             ii.      Human responsibility: faith and good works as a sign of our faith.

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

                                                               i.      Jonah is a reluctant prophet

                                                             ii.      His book tends more towards narration 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.

*"He Gave us Prophets" by Richard L Pratt