 A historical person. Counselor to three kings (most important is Hezekiah)  Assyria threatens to engulf tiny Judah – Makes Judah a VASSAL.  Advises Davidic kings to rely exclusively on Yahweh for deliverance – NOT EGYPT Isaiah sees faith as total reliance on God!  The quality of Judah’s future depends upon the ruling classes’ willingness to show compassion and justice! If your are willing to obey, You shall eat the good of the earth. But if you persist in rebellion, The sword will eat you instead. (1:19-20) God is willing to forgive, “though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow” (1:18)

 Jeremiah’s message through all of this was that Babylon’s victory couldn’t be avoided since it was Yahweh’s judgment and that the people should submit to it.  Suffered as a traitor!  Prepare for exile and pray for your captors Considered the exile to be a time of renewal and forgiveness As if it’s a new Wilderness!

Went to Babylon with first exiles Bizarre and compelling images of the Cherubim and the Temple. Read Ezekiel 10  These images show that God is on the move! Focuses on individual responsibility. This is a break from Mosaic tradition where children are punished for the sins of their parents.

1. The prophecies often did NOT come true… yet. There are foretellings that had not yet been satisfied. Hope of a new Israel ruled by a descendant of David. A utopian vision had been promised. They were waiting for God to break into the world again!

1. The prophets were searched for passages to apply to Jesus. 2. Assumed the prophets spoke hidden meanings that they didn’t understand themselves. 1. A more symbolic meaning behind what they were saying.