Announcements For those doing the extra credit

Announcements • For those doing the extra credit project, nothing is due on Monday. • Exam on Monday: – If you are taking the exam in the ASC, please go directly there instead of picking up your exam in Jenks 237. – You may start at 8: 45 if you wish. – Please bring a bright pen (red, orange, or bright blue) for the map. Otherwise, it will be difficult to read your answers on the map.

Psalm 18: 46 (English) • HAI ADONAI UVARUKH TZURI (2 X) • Lives The LORD and blessed (is) my Rock • • VEYARUM ELOHEI YESHU’ATI (2 X) • And may He be exalted the God of My salvation

Review • Which prophet condemned the nations roundabout before addressing Israel? • Which prophet gave his children symbolic names – Jezreel, “Not Loved, ” and “Not My People”? • What was the purpose of the book of Jonah?

Prophets of the South: Isaiah, Micah, Joel

Introduction to Isaiah • Significance of Isaiah • Historical contexts – Southern kingdom and reigning kings • Uzziah • Jotham • Ahaz • Hezekiah [approx 790 -740] [750 -732 – co-reign with both Uzziah and Ahaz] [735 -715 – co-reign] [715 -685] – Foreign threats (current – Assyria; later – Babylonia) – The future restoration in the reference to Cyrus [539]

The Geo-political Context

The Critics Confront Isaiah • • The “problem” of accurate prediction Subsequent divisions of the text Presumed authors and date Responses to the charges of “differences in style, content, and theology”: – Length of Isaiah’s life and ministry – The crisis of idolatry fits 8 th century, not the 6 th – The prediction regarding Cyrus fits into Isaiah’s contrast between idols and the LORD – Same themes and expressions throughout the book

Key Doctrines in Isaiah • The Supreme and Unique Nature of God (44: 6 -18) – Idols mean nothing; those who make and worship them are the greatest of fools – Idols are made by humans so it is illogical to worship them – Idols cannot tell the future; by contrast, God not only foretells; He brings it to pass • The Holiness of God – “the Holy One of Israel” (used 25 times) • The universal promise of salvation (Jews and Gentiles) – All nations will come to the temple (2: 2 and chapter 4) – Foreigners will come; the temple will be a house of prayer for all nations (56: 3 -8) – The Servant of the Lord will be a light to the nations (49: 6) • The Servant of the Lord – The tasks of the Servant (Israel) – 42: 1 -7 – An individual who restores Israel – 42: 18 -20 49: 1 -7 – The Suffering Servant - 52: 13 -53: 12

The Messiah in Isaiah • Isaiah’s terms for the Messiah – – Servant Branch Descendant of David Righteous King • Key passages – Born of a virgin (7: 13 -14) – note continuity from this context to the next – The Child who is God (9: 5 -7) – Brings peace to earth (11: 1 -12) – Frees people from sin through His own atoning death (53: 1 -12) – Anointed by God’s Spirit (61: 1 -4)

Micah – “What Does the LORD Require of You? ” (6: 8) • Historical background – – • During time of Jotham, Ahaz, Hezekiah Contemporary of Isaiah (note 4: 1 -5) – also prophesied in the south – and he also mentions Babylon (as did Isaiah) Micah’s Messages: – – The Sovereign Lord is coming in judgment Israel’s leaders are guilty of covetousness, fraud, injustice, brutality, deceit, hypocrisy Israel’s prophets are false there will be a time of restoration for all peoples • • Torah will go forth from Zion A Ruler over Israel – the One from Bethlehem - Micah in the New Testament: Messiah’s birthplace (5: 2 in Matt 2: 6)

Some Background for Joel

The Arrival of the Locust Plague

Before and After: “…laid waste my vines and ruined my fig trees…” (1: 7)

On the Walls of Jerusalem Buildings: “They rush upon the city and run along the wall…” (2: 9)

Joel • Ministry to the southern kingdom – Zion, Judah, Jerusalem • Messages – The locust plague and the day of the Lord – Repent and return to God (2: 13) – The great Day heralded by the outpouring of the Spirit and astronomical phenomena – 2: 28 -32 is part of Peter’s sermon (Acts 2: 17 -21) at Pentecost