dr. esa autero. 1.1 introduction to lamentations what is the purpose of lamentations for...
TRANSCRIPT
Dr. Esa Autero
OTS 501 INTRO TO OLD TESTAMENT
1.1 Introduction to LamentationsWhat is the purpose of Lamentations
For Christians/churches?Sermons from Lamentations?
Placement in the canonLXX and English Bible – after Jeremiah
Traditional authorship by JeremiahMT – in Writings
Along w/ the Song; Ruth; Ecclesiastes; Esther 3rd in Megilloth* used in special Jewish feast daysLamentations used in 9th of Ab – day of mourning for
the destruction of Jerusalem Temple (587BC & AD70)
Lamentations & Ezekiel
1.2 Historical and Critical IssuesAuthorship, composition, date
Anonymous – no author indicated in the textJewish tradition & LXX: Jeremiah (based on 2Chr
35:25)Jeremiah’s authorship possible
Similarities in tone & vocabulary w/ Jeremiah BUTDifferences in poetic style and theology
Anonymous eyewitness of the fall of Jerusalem
Unified composition by a single authorWritten b/w the fall of Jerusalem (587BC) &
Jehoachin’s release from Babylonian prison (c. 562BC; cf. 2Kgs25:27-30)
No indications of king’s release in Lamentations
Lamentations & Ezekiel
1.3 Background, purpose, structure Historical background
Fall of Jerusalem as a result of divine punishmentFinal blow: Zedekiah rebels against Babylon & the
final destruction of Jerusalem (2 Kgs 24:20ff.)
Purpose Communal expression of grief, horror, and
agony due toDivine abandonment of Judah by YHWHDevastation and punishment of God
Lamentations & Ezekiel
ANE parallels to LamentationsSix Sumerian laments (e.g. ANET, 455-463;
611-619 ) Mourning of military defeats brought by godsANE: the gods leave the city, the situation cannot
be changed Lam: YHWH removes his presence due to sin
Lamentations & Ezekiel
Literary structure of Lamentation
3. God’s compassio
n
2. God’s wrath
4. Sin of
people
1. The City
5. Prayer
Outside view
Inside view
Upward view
Overall view
Future view
Poem 1 – city of Jerusalem personified as a womanFormerly dignified woman raped and abandoned (1:1, 6)Desolation and sense of abandonment (1:2, 9, 16-17, 20)
Poem 2 – vehemence of YHWH’s angerYHWH as enemy (2:2-5)Mockery of passers-by (2:15-16); devastation (2:11-12, 21-
22)Catharsis due to affliction (2:11, 18)
Poem 3 – complaint & hope (center & climax) Personal suffering (collective) – YHWH as enemy (3:1-20)Prayer for consolation and hope (3:21-29)Plea for repentance and return to YHWH (3:40-54)Cry for vengeance and vindication (3:55-66)
Lamentations & Ezekiel
Poem 4 – aftermath of YHWH’s judgmentDevastation of the city
Famine & cannibalism (4:4-6, 9-10)Only hope – punishment accomplished (4:22)
Poem 5 – Communal lament as final prayerReiteration of horrors and griefFinal complaint, confession & plea for restoration
(5:1, 7, 19-22)
Lamentations & Ezekiel
1.4 Themes in Lamentations Suffering as a result of sin (cf. Job)
God’s punishment and the resulting sufferingGod experienced as “enemy” (2:4-5)Fulfillment of covenant curses – divine warrior
themeDivine abandonment as a result of sin
Communal disaster – expressing the inexpressibleExpressing communal & personal suffering &
disasterExpressing the inexpressible - voice, concepts,
vocabularyHow & when could Lamentations be used in the
church?
Lamentations & Ezekiel
2.1 Introduction to EzekielThoughts on Ezekiel as a prophet?
Peculiar aspects in Ezekiel?
Sermons from Ezekiel?
Place in the canonEnglish Bible follows LXX – after LamentationsMT – immediately after JeremiahCanonicity disputed by later rabbis
Rituals in the Law and Ezekiel (see e.g. Num 28:11 and Ezek 46:6)
rabbis: resolved with “the coming of Elijah” (Mal 4:5)
Lamentations & Ezekiel
2.2 Historical and Critical IssuesAuthorship, composition, date
Ezekiel the prophet as the recipient of visions (1:1-3)Critical theories of authorship and composition
Early critical scholarship saw Ezek as a unified work (e.g. Driver)
Issues regarding the unity and authenticityPriestly tradition juxtaposed w/ sense of social justiceDoublets and glosses Later insertions (3:16b-21; 18; 25-32; 29:17-21 [29-32; 26:1-28:19])Difficulties w/ prophet’s location (8-11 in Jerusalem)Prophet’s mental health (4:4-7; 3:24-27; 24:25-27; 33:22; 4:12)LXX is 4-5% shorter than MT
Additions (e.g. ch. 36), glosses; displacement of ch. 7
Lamentations & Ezekiel
Some responses and support for essential unity Priestly tradition and social justice not incompatible (cf. Jer)Autobiographical style – Ezek penned large sections (e.g. 2:1-
10)Uniformity of language and styleSome later editing or scribal activity – details elude
Possibly 2 editions of Ezek – orig. reconstructed from MT & LXX Chs. 8-11 & visionary transport (or travel to and fro?)Ezek’s symbolic actions common in the prophets – complete
surrender to YHWH & embodiment of prophetic message Ezekiel’s preaching – gathering & writing of materials (by Ezek and his disciples) – final editing(?) Majority written down b/w 571BC (29:17) and 562BC (Jehoachin’s release – not mentioned in Ezek). Possible later editing…
Lamentations & Ezekiel
2.3 Background, purpose, structureBackground
Ezekiel – “God strengthens ” son of Buzi, a Zadokite priest (1:3)Married (24:15-16)Taken to Babylonian exile 597BC (2Kgs 24:10-17);
settled near the Kebar river (canal)Called to be a prophet 593BC – last oracle 571BC
(29:17) Historical background
Events leading to Babylonian exile Babylonian siege of Jerusalem (598-597BC)Destruction of Jerusalem 587/6BCJehoachin’s release from prison 562BC
Lamentations & Ezekiel
Purpose Warn Judah of impending destruction of
JerusalemCall to repent Visions of hope and future restoration
Structure of Ezekiel Chs. 1-24 – Judgment of Judah and Jerusalem
Ezekiel’s call – power and holiness of GodSymbolic actions (4-5; 12:1-20)Visions, parables, and oracles of judgment (6; 8-11;
15-17; 23)Glory departs from the Temple (8:6; 9:3, 9; 10:4-22)
Sins of idolatry and injustice (14; 18; 22)
Lamentations & Ezekiel
Chs. 25-32 – Oracles against foreign nationsAmmon; Moab; Edom; Philistia; Tyre; Egypt
Chs. 33-48 - Covenant renewal and future blessings Restoration of Israel and David the shepherd (33-
34; 36-37)Spiritual renewal & new covenant (36-37)
Restored Temple and worship (40-48)Glory fills the Temple (43:1-5; cf. 10:1-22; 1Kgs 8:10-
13; Ex 40:34-35)
God is sovereign over Judah, nations, and history
Lamentations & Ezekiel
2.4 Themes in EzekielVisionary experiences and symbolic actions [x12]
What to make of visions & ‘crazy’ symbolic actions?Visions of heavenly creatures – ‘chariot visions’ (1-3; 10; 43-46)
God’s glory appears during Ezekiel’s call; judgment, restoration God lives in majesty in the holy ‘otherness’ Throne of God rests upon magnificent carriage – wheels signify
movement to all directions; multiple eyes means all-seeing Important for people in Exile (will God see & move? cf. ANE gods were usually considered local and regional)
Bizarre symbolic actions; was Ezekiel crazy or a pervert?Prophetic silence – speak only when God tells? (3:24-27)Symbolism of siege – miniature model, food & lie down (4)Symbolism of judgment – cut hair and divide (5:1-7)Exile – ‘pack your bags and dig through the wall’ (12:3-6)The siege of Jerusalem by Babylon - Draw a map (21:18-27)Sudden destruction - No mourning for Ezekiel’s wife (24:15-27)‘whoring’ of Jerusalem & Samaria - and sexual imagery (23)
Lamentations & Ezekiel
Future hope and eschatologyWhat about the visions of the future?
Restored Israel and the new covenantNew heart & spirit; revived bones; unified Israel (36-
37)Restored temple – literal of symbolical? In whole or
parts?River out of the Temple (47:1-12; cf. 1:24; 43:2; Joel 3:18;
Zech 13:1; 14:8) Sacrificial system, festivals, and exclusive access to the
Temple (44-46)Who/what is Gog – prince of Meschech & Tubal
(38:2; 38-39)?Josephus (Ant. 1:124); Herodotus (7:22) – tribes of
central & eastern Anatolia“foes from the north” – Assyria, Babylon, Persia &
symbolic for Israel’s foes
These are all future visions (cf. Num 12:6-8)
Lamentations & Ezekiel
Holiness and transcendence of GodGod’s holiness and glory – “son of Man”
Comparison of God and the prophetVisions of God’s glory (“appearance”) and bizarre
creatures
Recognition formula - “you shall know that I am the LORD” (2:5; 5:13; 6:7; 16:62; 17:21; 20:12 etc.)God in judgment and deliveranceGod is not tied to Jerusalem or any other location ANE gods local and geographical
Lamentations & Ezekiel
Sin, judgment, and individual responsibilityJudah’s sins
Not obeying commandments (11:12; 18:6, 9; 20:8-13)
Idolatry (“whoring”) (14:6-11; 16; 18:5-6; 20:16-17; 22)
Not trusting YHWH (Socio-economic) injustice (13:19, 22; 16:49; 18:7-8, 16-
17; 22:6-7)
Individual responsibility (18; 33:10-20)Judah tried to blame YHWH for injustice – “sour
grapes” Each responsible for sins individually (cf. Ex 20:5;
34:7; Deut 24:16)
Lamentations & Ezekiel
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Lamentations & Ezekiel