OT Survey II The Twelve – Part II

Micah

Micah - Introduction Date (~ 735 – 700 BC) Date (~ 735 – 700 BC) The prosperous days of Uzziah/Jeroboam II were waning fast The prosperous days of Uzziah/Jeroboam II were waning fast Assyria was rapidly rising as a superpower and rapidly encroaching on the west! Assyria was rapidly rising as a superpower and rapidly encroaching on the west! Target – Southern Kingdom Target – Southern Kingdom Key – Think Isaiah! Key – Think Isaiah!

Micah 722 Fall of Israel 701 Jerusalem Spared 605 First Deportation 597 Second Deportation 586 Fall of Judah Micah Isaiah Map taken from Ezekiel, NICOT, p. xxi Jeremiah Ezekiel 770 Jeroboam II Uzziah 539 Decree of Cyrus 516 Temple Rebuilt 445 Jerusalem Rebuilt

Micah - Structure “[The prophets] have a queer way of talking, like people who, instead of proceeding in an orderly manner, ramble off from one thing to the next, so that you cannot make head or tail of them or see what they are getting at.” “[The prophets] have a queer way of talking, like people who, instead of proceeding in an orderly manner, ramble off from one thing to the next, so that you cannot make head or tail of them or see what they are getting at.” Martin Luther, quoted in Dorsey, Literary Structure of the OT, p. 296

Micah - 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 Deliver them (4-5) Yahweh will be their King and 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 Themes Sin of Israel Sin of Israel People People Leaders Leaders Imminent judgment Imminent judgment Assyria Assyria Babylon Babylon 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 and a fitting praise of Yahweh given His deliverance when the rulers of Israel were helpless] [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 rulers of Israel were helpless]

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

Micah and Earlier Revelation Abrahamic Covenant – An affirmation that God will be true to this covenant (7:20) Abrahamic Covenant – An affirmation that God will be true to this covenant (7:20) Davidic Covenant – A king coming out of Bethlehem (5:2) Davidic Covenant – A king coming out of Bethlehem (5:2) Not sure who borrowed from whom, but notice that Micah 4:1-3 is almost identical to Isaiah 2:2-4. Not sure who borrowed from whom, but notice that Micah 4:1-3 is almost identical to Isaiah 2:2-4.

Micah and Later Revelation Jeremiah 26:18 – When Jeremiah was in trouble for predicting the fall of Jerusalem, notice that the elders look to Micah’s prophecy as predicting Babylon’s success. Jeremiah 26:18 – When Jeremiah was in trouble for predicting the fall of Jerusalem, notice that the elders look to Micah’s prophecy as predicting Babylon’s success. Matthew 2:6 – Notice that the rulers of Israel clearly understood Micah to be prophesying a future king to come out of Bethlehem in accord with their original king, David. Matthew 2:6 – Notice that the rulers of Israel clearly understood Micah to be prophesying a future king to come out of Bethlehem in accord with their original king, David. Matthew 10:35, 36 – A reference to Micah 7:6, speaking of how “a man’s enemies will be the members of his household” Matthew 10:35, 36 – A reference to Micah 7:6, speaking of how “a man’s enemies will be the members of his household”

Purpose Review (1-6) Hosea: God’s love for Israel contrasts with Israel’s love for idols; He will love them though they refuse to repent. Hosea: God’s love for Israel contrasts with Israel’s love for idols; He will love them though they refuse to repent. Joel: Call Israel to repent in light of the coming Day of Yahweh Joel: Call Israel to repent in light of the coming Day of Yahweh Amos: Call Israel to repent in light of the coming judgment from Yahweh. Amos: Call Israel to repent in light of the coming judgment from Yahweh. Obadiah: Edom (and all nations) will receive judgment for their sin on the Day of Yahweh Obadiah: Edom (and all nations) will receive judgment for their sin on the Day of Yahweh Jonah: Israel’s desire for the destruction of other nations is sinful since God has had compassion on them. Jonah: Israel’s desire for the destruction of other nations is sinful since God has had compassion on them. Micah: God will give Jerusalem up to Babylon but His deliverance from Assyria foreshadows His future deliverance. Micah: God will give Jerusalem up to Babylon but His deliverance from Assyria foreshadows His future deliverance.

Nahum

Nahum - 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 future Assyria’s demise in 612 was still future Perhaps ~ 650 when Assyria was still quite strong Perhaps ~ 650 when Assyria was still quite strong Target Target Nahum frequently speaks of Assyria as “you” and even appears to speak to the king of Assyria directly in 3:18. Nahum frequently speaks of Assyria as “you” and even appears to speak to the king of Assyria directly in 3:18. However, the book appears to be directed primarily at the southern Kingdom, Judah (see especially 1:12-15) However, the book appears to be directed primarily at the southern Kingdom, Judah (see especially 1:12-15) Key – Notice he follows Isaiah, Micah (see next slide) Key – Notice he follows Isaiah, Micah (see next slide)

Nahum 722 Fall of Israel 701 Jerusalem Spared 605 First Deportation 597 Second Deportation 586 Fall of Judah Nahum Isaiah Map taken from Ezekiel, NICOT, p. xxi Jeremiah Ezekiel 770 Jeroboam II Uzziah 539 Decree of Cyrus 516 Temple Rebuilt 445 Jerusalem Rebuilt

Nahum - Structure God is a vengeful God (1:1-11) God is a vengeful God (1:1-11) The result of this for Israel (1:12-15) The result of this for Israel (1:12-15) The result of this for Assyria (2-3) The result of this for Assyria (2-3)

Nahum – Major Themes The character of God The 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 Ninevah The Judgment of Ninevah An act based on God’s vengeance of His enemies An act based on God’s vengeance of His enemies An act based on God’s protection of His possession An act based on God’s protection of His possession

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

Habakkuk

Habakkuk - Introduction Date (~ 609 BC) Date (~ 609 BC) Habakkuk gives no historical information at the beginning of his prophecy Habakkuk gives no historical information at the beginning of his prophecy He clearly prophesied sometime before the coming Babylonian invasion He clearly prophesied sometime before the coming Babylonian invasion Target – Southern Kingdom Target – Southern Kingdom

Habakkuk 722 Fall of Israel 701 Jerusalem Spared 605 First Deportation 597 Second Deportation 586 Fall of Judah Habakkuk Isaiah Map taken from Ezekiel, NICOT, p. xxi Jeremiah Ezekiel 770 Jeroboam II Uzziah 539 Decree of Cyrus 516 Temple Rebuilt 445 Jerusalem Rebuilt

Habakkuk - 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 Babylon? (1:12-17) Habakkuk’s second complaint: How can you use Babylon? (1:12-17) Wait: Wicked punished, righteous will live by faith (2:1-5) Wait: Wicked punished, righteous will live by faith (2:1-5) Yahweh’s second answer: Babylon will be punished (2:6-20) Yahweh’s second answer: Babylon will be punished (2:6-20) Yahweh’s first answer revisited: Yahweh’s army is coming in the future (3:1-15) Yahweh’s first answer revisited: Yahweh’s army is 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 Themes Righteousness Righteousness Non-existent in Judah: “Justice never goes forth, for the wicked surround the righteous” (1:4) Non-existent in Judah: “Justice never goes forth, for the wicked surround the righteous” (1:4) Righteousness of God not understood since Babylon deemed less righteous than Judah: “You are of purer eyes than to behold evil, and cannot look on wickedness. Why do You look on those who deal treacherously, and hold Your tongue when the wicked devours a person more righteous than he?” (1:13) Righteousness of God not understood since Babylon deemed less righteous than Judah: “You are of purer eyes than to behold evil, and cannot look on wickedness. Why do You look on those who deal treacherously, and hold Your tongue when the wicked devours a person more righteous than he?” (1:13) Conduct of the righteous in the midst of God’s plan: “The just shall live by faith” (2:4) Conduct of the righteous in the midst of God’s plan: “The just shall live by faith” (2:4) Waiting Waiting “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 – Purpose To instruct the righteous who would live during the Day of Yahweh’s wrath to wait in faith for Yahweh’s deliverance. To instruct the righteous who would live during the Day of Yahweh’s wrath to wait in faith for Yahweh’s deliverance.

Habakkuk and Later Revelation Habakkuk 2:4 Behold, as for the proud one, His soul is not right within him; But the righteous will live by his faith. Habakkuk 2:4 Behold, as for the proud one, His soul is not right within him; But the righteous will live by his faith. Romans 1:17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “But the righteous man shall live by faith.” Romans 1:17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “But the righteous man shall live by faith.” Galatians 3:11 Now that no one is justified by the Law before God is evident; for, “The righteous man shall live by faith.” Galatians 3:11 Now that no one is justified by the Law before God is evident; for, “The righteous man shall live by faith.” Hebrews 10:38 But My righteous one shall live by faith; and if he shrinks back, My soul has no pleasure in him. Hebrews 10:38 But My righteous one shall live by faith; and if he shrinks back, My soul has no pleasure in him.

Purpose Review (1-8) Hosea: God’s love for Israel contrasts with Israel’s love for idols; He will love them though they refuse to repent. Hosea: God’s love for Israel contrasts with Israel’s love for idols; He will love them though they refuse to repent. Joel: Call Israel to repent in light of the coming Day of Yahweh Joel: Call Israel to repent in light of the coming Day of Yahweh Amos: Call Israel to repent in light of the coming judgment from Yahweh. Amos: Call Israel to repent in light of the coming judgment from Yahweh. Obadiah: Edom (and all nations) will receive judgment for their sin on the Day of Yahweh Obadiah: Edom (and all nations) will receive judgment for their sin on the Day of Yahweh Jonah: Israel’s desire for the destruction of other nations is sinful since God has had compassion on them. Jonah: Israel’s desire for the destruction of other nations is sinful since God has had compassion on them. Micah: God will give Jerusalem up to Babylon but His deliverance from Assyria foreshadows His future deliverance. Micah: God will give Jerusalem up to Babylon but His deliverance from Assyria foreshadows His future deliverance. Nahum: To declare God’s imminent destruction of Assyria on behalf of His people, Israel Nahum: To declare God’s imminent destruction of Assyria on behalf of His people, Israel Habakkuk: To instruct the righteous who would live during the Day of Yahweh’s wrath to wait in faith for Yahweh’s deliverance. Habakkuk: To instruct the righteous who would live during the Day of Yahweh’s wrath to wait in faith for Yahweh’s deliverance.

Zephaniah

Zephaniah - Introduction Date (~ BC) – Sometime during the reign of Josiah Date (~ BC) – Sometime during the reign of Josiah Target – Southern Kingdom Target – Southern Kingdom

Zephaniah 722 Fall of Israel 701 Jerusalem Spared 605 First Deportation 597 Second Deportation 586 Fall of Judah Zephaniah Isaiah Map taken from Ezekiel, NICOT, p. xxi Jeremiah Ezekiel 770 Jeroboam II Uzziah 539 Decree of Cyrus 516 Temple Rebuilt 445 Jerusalem Rebuilt

Zephaniah - 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 hidden” (2:1-3) Call to seek God and “perhaps be 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 Themes Day of the Lord Day of the Lord “Be silent before the Lord God! For the day of Yahweh is near, for Yahweh has prepared a sacrifice…on the day of Yahweh’s sacrifice…on that day…on that day… (1:7-10) “Be silent before the Lord God! For the day of Yahweh is near, for Yahweh has prepared a sacrifice…on the day of Yahweh’s sacrifice…on that day…on that day… (1:7-10) “Near is the great day of Yahweh, near and coming very quickly; Listen, the day of Yahweh! In it the warrior cries out bitterly” (1:14) “Near is the great day of Yahweh, near and coming very quickly; Listen, the day of Yahweh! In it the warrior cries out bitterly” (1:14) “A day of wrath is that day, a day of trouble and distress, a day of destruction and desolation, a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and thick darkness, a day of trumpet and battle cry” (1:15-16) “A day of wrath is that day, a day of trouble and distress, a day of destruction and desolation, a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and thick darkness, a day of trumpet and battle cry” (1:15-16) “Neither their silver nor their gold will be able to deliver them on the day of Yahweh’s wrath” (1:18) “Neither their silver nor their gold will be able to deliver them on the day of Yahweh’s wrath” (1:18)

Zephaniah – Major Themes (cont…) Day of the Lord Day of the Lord “Gather yourselves together, yes gather, O nation without shame, before the decree takes effect— The day passes like the chaff—before the burning anger of Yahweh comes upon you, before the day of Yahweh’s anger comes upon you…Seek Yahweh, all you humble of the earth who have carried out His ordinances; seek righteousness, seek humility; perhaps you will be hidden in the day of Yahweh’s anger” (2:1-3) “Gather yourselves together, yes gather, O nation without shame, before the decree takes effect— The day passes like the chaff—before the burning anger of Yahweh comes upon you, before the day of Yahweh’s anger comes upon you…Seek Yahweh, all you humble of the earth who have carried out His ordinances; seek righteousness, seek humility; perhaps you will be hidden in the day of Yahweh’s anger” (2:1-3) “The day when I rise up to the prey” (3:8) “The day when I rise up to the prey” (3:8) “In that day…in that day” (3:11, 16) “In that day…in that day” (3:11, 16)

Zephaniah – Major Themes (cont…) Yahweh’s fury Yahweh’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 – Purpose To announce the nearness and terror of Yahweh’s coming day of wrath and declare the means by which the righteous might survive in the midst of it. To announce the nearness and terror of Yahweh’s coming day of wrath and declare the means by which the righteous might survive in the midst of it.

Zephaniah and Earlier Revelation 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) Hosea: God’s love for Israel contrasts with Israel’s love for idols; He will love them though they refuse to repent. Hosea: God’s love for Israel contrasts with Israel’s love for idols; He will love them though they refuse to repent. Joel: Call Israel to repent in light of the coming Day of Yahweh Joel: Call Israel to repent in light of the coming Day of Yahweh Amos: Call Israel to repent in light of the coming judgment from Yahweh. Amos: Call Israel to repent in light of the coming judgment from Yahweh. Obadiah: Edom (and all nations) will receive judgment for their sin on the Day of Yahweh Obadiah: Edom (and all nations) will receive judgment for their sin on the Day of Yahweh Jonah: Israel’s desire for the destruction of other nations is sinful since God has had compassion on them. Jonah: Israel’s desire for the destruction of other nations is sinful since God has had compassion on them. Micah: God will give Jerusalem up to Babylon but His deliverance from Assyria foreshadows His future deliverance. Micah: God will give Jerusalem up to Babylon but His deliverance from Assyria foreshadows His future deliverance. Nahum: To declare God’s imminent destruction of Assyria on behalf of His people, Israel Nahum: To declare God’s imminent destruction of Assyria on behalf of His people, Israel Habakkuk: To instruct the righteous who would live during the Day of Yahweh’s wrath to wait in faith for Yahweh’s deliverance. Habakkuk: To instruct the righteous who would live during the Day of Yahweh’s wrath to wait in faith for Yahweh’s deliverance. Zephaniah: To announce the nearness and terror of Yahweh’s coming day of wrath and declare the means by which the righteous might survive in the midst of it Zephaniah: To announce the nearness and terror of Yahweh’s coming day of wrath and declare the means by which the righteous might survive in the midst of it