Interpreting the Prophets pt 2: Forms of Prophetic Lit. to CEO's

Question 1

Enumerate the forms of prophetic literature (hint: there are 5)

Answer 1

Lawsuit, Woe, Promise, Enactment, and Messenger speech

Question 2

Forms of Prophetic Literature
The Lawsuit:

• ____ is portrayed as the plaintiff, prosecuting attorney, judge and bailiff in a court case against the defendant, ______.

Answer 2

• GOD is portrayed as the plaintiff, prosecuting attorney, judge and bailiff in a court case against the defendant, ISRAEL.

Question 3

Forms of Prophetic Literature
The Woe:

A word used when facing a ______.

• Typically woe oracles have an _______ of distress, the reason for it, and a _______ of doom

Answer 3

A word used when facing a DISASTER.

• Typically woe oracles have an ANNOUNCEMENT of distress, the reason for it, and a PREDICTION of doom.

Question 4

Forms of Prophetic Literature
The Promise:

Reference to the ______, mention of radical change and blessing

Answer 4

Reference to the FUTURE, mention of radical change and blessing

Question 5

Forms of Prophetic Literature
The Enactment Prophecy:

Words accompanied with ______ actions

Answer 5

Words accompanied with SYMBOLIC actions

[ex: Isaiah, Hosea marrying a prostitute, and Jeremiah]

Question 6

Forms of Prophetic Literature
The _______ Speech:

‘This is what the Lord says…’

Answer 6

The Messenger Speech!

Question 7

Also, consider the POETIC factor

• So much of the prophet words are given, written in a poetic fashion, including _______ and ________.

Answer 7

• So much of the prophet words are given, written in a poetic fashion, including METAPHOR and PARALLELISM.

Question 8

The Basic Prophetic Message

1. You have broken the ______; you better _____!
2. No ________? Then _______!
3. Yet, there is ____ beyond judgement for a _______, future restoration.

Answer 8

1. You have broken the COVENANT; you better REPENT!
2. No REPENTANCE? Then JUDGMENT!
3. Yet, there is HOPE beyond judgement for a GLORIOUS, future restoration.

Question 9

What were the three ways that Israel broke the Covenant?

Answer 9

idolatry, social injustice, religious ritualism

Question 10

What were the Prophets?

“_______ _______ _______ “

Answer 10

“COVENANT ENFORCEMENT MINISTERS” [whistle-blowers]

*God not only GAVE the law, but He would see that it was ENFORCED as well.

Question 11

Covenant Enforcement Officers

God announced the positive and negative enforcement of His law through them, so that the events of ______ or ______ would be clearly understood by His people. They function as God’s __________ for the covenant.

Answer 11

God announced the positive and negative enforcement of His law through them, so that the events of BLESSING or CURSING would be clearly understood by His people. They function as God’s SPOKESPERSONS for the covenant.

(see p. 96 for the implications of the blessings under the law)

Question 12

Covenant Enforcement Officers

After they have rebuked Israel, or reviewed Israel’s
sin, they then announce future punishment and
discipline using the categories of _____ outlined
in the Law.

Answer 12

after they have rebuked Israel, or reviewed Israel’s
sin, they then announce future punishment and
discipline using the categories of CURSES outlined
in the Law.

Question 13

Covenant Enforcement Officers

When they are speaking of God’s _______ for Israel after they have been punished, they announce God’s blessings using the categories of blessing mentioned in the Law.

Answer 13

When they are speaking of God’s PROMISES for Israel after they have been punished, they announce God’s blessings using the categories of blessing mentioned in the Law.

Question 14

Covenant Enforcement Officers

The majority of what the prophets announced in the 8th, 7th, and 6th centuries was in the form of curse.
• _________, this is the era of the Northern Kingdom of Israel and the Southern kingdom of Judah.
• Much of this time is characterized by ______, _______, and ______ breakdown.

Answer 14

The majority of what the prophets announced in the 8th, 7th, and 6th centuries was in the form of curse.
• HISTORICALLY, this is the era of the Northern Kingdom of Israel and the Southern kingdom of Judah.
• Much of this time is characterized by APOSTASY, IDOLATRY, and MORAL breakdown.

Question 15

Covenant Enforcement Officers

After the destruction of these two kingdoms, the _____ and ____-_____ prophets speak mostly of blessing because Israel’s punishment was complete.

Answer 15

• After the destruction of these two kingdoms, the EXILIC and POST-EXILIC prophets speak mostly of blessing because Israel’s punishment was
complete.

• The earlier prophets usually looked beyond the days of punishment to days of BLESSING. Even the most negative prophets usually ended their written
prophecies with the promised blessings of the
future.