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History of the Old History of the Old TestamentTestament

The Divided Monarchy The Divided Monarchy

Late 9th & 8th CenturiesLate 9th & 8th Centuries

2 Kings 1-20; 2 Chronicles 21-322 Kings 1-20; 2 Chronicles 21-32

Amos; Hosea; Micah; Isaiah; Jonah; JoelAmos; Hosea; Micah; Isaiah; Jonah; Joel

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IntroductionIntroduction

• continued pattern of covenant continued pattern of covenant breakingbreaking

• powerful prophets arose powerful prophets arose – call the nation to repentancecall the nation to repentance– warning! impending judgment warning! impending judgment

… … if they did not come to their if they did not come to their spiritual sensesspiritual senses

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The Elisha Era The Elisha Era (2 Kg. 1-(2 Kg. 1-10) 10)

Elijah, the Epitome of Elijah, the Epitome of ProphethoodProphethood• confrontations w/Ahab & Jezebel: confrontations w/Ahab & Jezebel:

prototype for prophecyprototype for prophecy• Elisha: Elisha: successor successor (cf. 1 Kg. 19:16, 19-21). (cf. 1 Kg. 19:16, 19-21). • Elijah & the whirlwind of fire Elijah & the whirlwind of fire Elisha Elisha

continued in his office (2 Kg. 2). continued in his office (2 Kg. 2).

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Anointing of Jehu Anointing of Jehu (2 Kg. 9-10; cf. 1 Kg. 21:17-24)(2 Kg. 9-10; cf. 1 Kg. 21:17-24)

• Command: exterminate remaining Command: exterminate remaining family of Ahab family of Ahab

• Coup d'etat: Jehu wiped out the family of Coup d'etat: Jehu wiped out the family of Ahab, just as Elijah had earlier predicted Ahab, just as Elijah had earlier predicted (2 Kg. 9-10; cf. 1 Kg. 21:17-24).(2 Kg. 9-10; cf. 1 Kg. 21:17-24).

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Late 9th/Early 8th CenturiesLate 9th/Early 8th Centuries (2 Kg. 11-14; 2 Chr. 21-25)(2 Kg. 11-14; 2 Chr. 21-25)

• Jehu's DynastyJehu's Dynasty: 150+ yrs./northern : 150+ yrs./northern nation; all kings :nation; all kings : EVILEVIL

• Religious syncretismReligious syncretism (2 Kg. 13) (2 Kg. 13)• Apex of Israel's Power: Jeroboam IIApex of Israel's Power: Jeroboam II

(Jehu's great grandson; 2 Kg. 14:23-29)(Jehu's great grandson; 2 Kg. 14:23-29)

• Biblical historian: Biblical historian: EVIL, but ...EVIL, but ...– extended Israel’s boundaries extended Israel’s boundaries – brought to a peak of economic prosperity brought to a peak of economic prosperity

& influence & influence (2 Kg. 14:23-29)(2 Kg. 14:23-29)

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Southern NationSouthern Nation

• Jehoram & Athaliah, Queen-Mother Jehoram & Athaliah, Queen-Mother (2 Kg. 11; 2 Chr. 21-22)(2 Kg. 11; 2 Chr. 21-22)

• Jehoiada, the Priest: reared Joash in the Jehoiada, the Priest: reared Joash in the temple until old enough to be king (7yrs. old)temple until old enough to be king (7yrs. old)

• Joash: extensive religious reforms in JudahJoash: extensive religious reforms in Judah– repaired temple repaired temple (2 Kg. 12; 2 Chr. 23:1—24:16) (2 Kg. 12; 2 Chr. 23:1—24:16) BUTBUT

– reverted to paganismreverted to paganism

• Amaziah (Joash’s son) & the Foolish Battle Amaziah (Joash’s son) & the Foolish Battle (2 Kg. 14:1-22; 2 Chr. 25)(2 Kg. 14:1-22; 2 Chr. 25)

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Amos & HoseaAmos & Hosea Powerful Prophets in the North Powerful Prophets in the North

New Form of Prophetic Material: New Form of Prophetic Material: AmosAmos, the Shepherd-Prophet-Poet, the Shepherd-Prophet-Poet

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Amos & HoseaAmos & Hosea Powerful Prophets in the North Powerful Prophets in the North

New Form of Prophetic Material: New Form of Prophetic Material: Amos, the Shepherd-Prophet-PoetAmos, the Shepherd-Prophet-Poet

• Vs. the Bethel shrine (Jeroboam I);Vs. the Bethel shrine (Jeroboam I);banished from the premisesbanished from the premises (Am. 7:10-13) (Am. 7:10-13)

• Vs. the social evils of the north, Vs. the social evils of the north, condemning the sins of Israel & condemning the sins of Israel & neighbors neighbors (Am. 1-2)(Am. 1-2)

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Amos &Amos & Powerful Prophets in the North Powerful Prophets in the North

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Amos & HoseaAmos & Hosea Powerful Prophets in the North Powerful Prophets in the North

Hosea’s Life: a ParableHosea’s Life: a Parable• Marriage to the Prostitute Marriage to the Prostitute (Ho. 1)(Ho. 1)

• Israel Israel Whoring After Other Gods Whoring After Other Gods & Goddesses & Goddesses (Ho. 2, 5)(Ho. 2, 5)

• Broken Marriage Covenant: Broken Marriage Covenant: • Israel Israel not faithful to Yahweh not faithful to Yahweh

(Ho. 4:1; 6:8--7:7; 8:4-14)(Ho. 4:1; 6:8--7:7; 8:4-14)

• JudgmentJudgment (Ho. 13:6-8) (Ho. 13:6-8) & & RestorationRestoration (Ho. 2:14-23; 14)(Ho. 2:14-23; 14)

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Israel & Judah: Israel & Judah: Middle/Late 8th Century Middle/Late 8th Century

(2 Kg. 15-20; 2 Chr. 26-32)(2 Kg. 15-20; 2 Chr. 26-32)

Stability of the North CrumbledStability of the North Crumbled

• Assassinations & Short ReignsAssassinations & Short Reigns... some lasted only a few days, others ... some lasted only a few days, others lasting several yearslasting several years

• Pekah--20 Years Pekah--20 Years (2 Kg. 15); also assassinated(2 Kg. 15); also assassinated

• repeated political intrigue repeated political intrigue AND AND moral climate continued to degeneratemoral climate continued to degenerate

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Reign of Uzziah (Azariah) Reign of Uzziah (Azariah) & Other Kings of the South& Other Kings of the South

• UzziahUzziah: One of Judah's Better Kings: did : One of Judah's Better Kings: did not receive full commendation, but better not receive full commendation, but better than most than most (2 Chr. 26)(2 Chr. 26)

• JothamJotham: followed the covenant of : followed the covenant of Yahweh, but not fully Yahweh, but not fully (2 Chr. 27)(2 Chr. 27)

• AhazAhaz quickly destroys all progress: quickly destroys all progress: syncretism & the Canaanite religions syncretism & the Canaanite religions

(2 Kg. 16; 2 Chr. 28)(2 Kg. 16; 2 Chr. 28)

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• Tiglath-Pileser/Assyria: the treasures of Tiglath-Pileser/Assyria: the treasures of Egypt, and the kingdoms of Israel and Egypt, and the kingdoms of Israel and Judah lay directly in his pathJudah lay directly in his path

• The kingdoms of Israel and Aram: The kingdoms of Israel and Aram: attempted to force Ahaz of Judah to join attempted to force Ahaz of Judah to join against TP against TP Ahaz Ahaz TP’s help TP’s help

• The Exile of Israel: 722-721 B.C. The Exile of Israel: 722-721 B.C. (2 Kg. 17)(2 Kg. 17)

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• one of the very few kings of Judah given full one of the very few kings of Judah given full commendationcommendation

• survived the northern invasion survived the northern invasion • massive religious reforms:massive religious reforms:

purification and restoration of temple worship purification and restoration of temple worship (2 Kg. 18:1-16; 2 Chr. 29-31)(2 Kg. 18:1-16; 2 Chr. 29-31)

• invited northern citizens celebrate the passover invited northern citizens celebrate the passover in Jerusalem (2 Chr. 30)in Jerusalem (2 Chr. 30)

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Hezekiah’s ReignHezekiah’s Reign

• Preserved/collected many of Solomon's Preserved/collected many of Solomon's proverbs proverbs Proverbs Proverbs (Pr. 25:1)(Pr. 25:1)

• Invaded by Assyria, but escaped Invaded by Assyria, but escaped subjugation through God's interventionsubjugation through God's intervention(2 Kg. 18:17--19:37; 2 Chr. 31:1-23)(2 Kg. 18:17--19:37; 2 Chr. 31:1-23)

• granted an extension of life (15 yrs.) granted an extension of life (15 yrs.) (2 Kg. 20; 2 Chr. 32:24-33)(2 Kg. 20; 2 Chr. 32:24-33)

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Micah & Isaiah, Prophets to JudahMicah & Isaiah, Prophets to Judah

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Micah & Isaiah, Prophets to JudahMicah & Isaiah, Prophets to JudahMicahMicah

• championed plight of peasants: abused by championed plight of peasants: abused by the rich & powerful the rich & powerful (Mic. 2:1-2; 6:10-12)(Mic. 2:1-2; 6:10-12)

• condemned injustice of courts condemned injustice of courts (Mic. 3:1-3)(Mic. 3:1-3)

• denounced ineptitude of the religious denounced ineptitude of the religious leadersleaders (Mic. 2:6-11; 3:5-11)(Mic. 2:6-11; 3:5-11)

• walked naked & barefoot thru Jerusalemwalked naked & barefoot thru Jerusalem(Mic. 1:8-16)(Mic. 1:8-16)

• predicted a restoration of the nation after predicted a restoration of the nation after exile exile (Mic. 3:12; 4; 7:8-20)(Mic. 3:12; 4; 7:8-20)

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• lasted through four Judah kingslasted through four Judah kings

• predicted exile of Judah predicted exile of Judah

Isaiah's Long MinistryIsaiah's Long Ministry

(Is. 8:1-4)(Is. 8:1-4)““The Spoil Hastens ... The Spoil Hastens ...

the Plunder Comes Quickly” the Plunder Comes Quickly”

““Only a Remnant Will Return”Only a Remnant Will Return”

((Is. 7:3; 10:22-23)Is. 7:3; 10:22-23)

Shear-yashuv

Maher-shalal-

hash-baz

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• preached vs. preached vs. religious distortion & social religious distortion & social injustice injustice (Is. 1:10-17, 21-23; 5:8; 10:1-2)(Is. 1:10-17, 21-23; 5:8; 10:1-2)

• warned Ahaz vs. warned Ahaz vs. allying with Assyria allying with Assyria (Is. 7-8)(Is. 7-8)

• counseled Hezekiah during counseled Hezekiah during invasion of invasion of Sennacherib Sennacherib (Is. 36-37)(Is. 36-37)

• prophecies: prophecies: hope of a future king hope of a future king of David's of David's line, a deliverer line, a deliverer (Is. 2, 4, 9, 11-12, 25-27, 32, 35)(Is. 2, 4, 9, 11-12, 25-27, 32, 35)

Isaiah's Long MinistryIsaiah's Long Ministry

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Jonah & JoelJonah & JoelJonahJonah

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Jonah and JoelJonah and JoelJonahJonah

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Jonah & JoelJonah & JoelJonahJonah

• FocusFocus: Ninevah, capital of Assyria: Ninevah, capital of Assyria

• UniqueUnique: mostly narrative, not merely the : mostly narrative, not merely the prophet’s actions, but what he didprophet’s actions, but what he did

• The RacistThe Racist: wanted God to destroy Ninevah: wanted God to destroy Ninevah commissioned to preach commissioned to preach

• The Message? The Message?

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God is not a provincial God, God is not a provincial God, concerned only about Israel, concerned only about Israel, but he is the universal God but he is the universal God who desires the redemption who desires the redemption

of all people.of all people.

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JoelJoel a la the Deuteronomic code (cf. Dt. 28:22, 42)a la the Deuteronomic code (cf. Dt. 28:22, 42)

• oracles about a great locust plague against the oracles about a great locust plague against the IsraelitesIsraelites (Jl. 1) (Jl. 1)

• placed early in the canon of the prophets, placed early in the canon of the prophets, suggesting that his words had a relevance to the suggesting that his words had a relevance to the politics before the exilepolitics before the exile

• message of judgment, but also a future with message of judgment, but also a future with hope for restorationhope for restoration

• the outpouring of the Holy Spirit the outpouring of the Holy Spirit (Jl. 2:18-32; 3:9-21)(Jl. 2:18-32; 3:9-21)