Pre-Classical Prophecy and 8th Century Flashcards
- Historical Context
Pre-Classic prophecy is covered in the periods Joshua, Judges, 1:2 Samuel, and 1:2 Kings.
Written in D, much later than 1150-750 BC of events
Written in the “south”
- Judges
(c.1150 BC) was written during the Iron Age (1200–600).
Social Confusion, Anarchy dispersed tribes.
Enemy=Philistines, around Gaza.
Judges as Charismatic, order bringing figures
- Saul
(1050-1010 BC) initiated Israel’s transition to a monarchy.
Military leader, disastrous end
Tribes uniting
- David
(1010-970 BC) unified N & S Israel, and introduced a period of stability.
Monarchy as stable institution.
Securing southern lands, Philistines
- Solomon
(970-930 BC) organized the kingdom more thoroughly than David.
Golden Age of Israel = peace, happiness, and political and economic success.
Upon his death, the kingdom was divided
- Divided Kingdom
D – Split due to Rehoboam and Northern tax issues
North rebelled and chose Jeroboam, established shines.
North - constant political, though rich, turmoil. South - Davidic dynasty.
- Explain: ecstatic prophets.
Ecstatic prophets are characterized by strange behavior, entering into a trance or ecstasy.
Primitive prophecy, using Signs over Words
Culturally varied: contact with divine through extatic behavior
1Sam 10:5b-7…
“you will meet a band of prophets coming down from the high place with harp, tambourine, flute, and lyre before them, prophesying. 6 Then the spirit of the Lord will come mightily upon you, and you shall prophesy with them and be turned into another man. 7 Now when these signs meet you, do whatever your hand finds to do, for God is with you.”
- Explain: individual prophets.
“Ordinary” individual prophets communicated messages from God to the people. Their behavior was more normal than the ecstatics. Some of them worked directly in the court of the king (e.g. Nathan at David’s court), while others were itinerant.
- Explain: “sons of prophets”
“Sons of prophets” were groups of disciples who surrounded individual prophets. Elisha’s followers are the most famous example of this phenomenon. They were normally humble, poor and unappreciated people, who were often considered crazy.
- Evolution of pre-classical prophecy?
The most notable characteristic of the preEclassical prophets is their great variety. There are diverse types of prophets, messages, settings, activities. There are some similarities with later prophecy, but also many differences. For example, in this former period there is no concern for eschatology or messianism. Even where there’s a touch of messianism, as when Nathan tells David that his line will reign forever, this is a promise that deals with him. But the biggest difference, perhaps, is that pre:classical prophecy is directed at individuals, not groups of people as with classical prophecy.
- What is the (5) five-fold content of the pre-classical prophecies?
− (1) Prophets who give help in everyday situations
− (2) Prophets who help in time of war and advise the king.
− (3) Prophets who criticize abuses of power on the part of the king.
− (4) Prophets who directly intervene in political action.
− (5) Prophets who defend the exclusive cult of Adonai.
- (1) Prophets who give help in everyday situations
(1) Prophets who give help in everyday situations help with problems that don’t require great insight but are important nonetheless: e.g. help finding a donkey; healing a minor illness. (see 1 Sam 9; 1 Kings 14; 2 Kings 4)
- (2) Prophets who help in time of war and advise the king. For example, Deborah. (see also 1 Sam 22:5; 1 Kings 22; 2 Kings 3, 6:8E7:20)
(2) Prophets who help in time of war and advise the king. For example, Deborah. (see also 1 Sam 22:5; 1 Kings 22; 2 Kings 3, 6:8E7:20)
- (3) Prophets who criticize abuses of power on the part of the king.
(3) Prophets who criticize abuses of power on the part of the king. This function is a foreshadowing of the kind of prophecy we’ll find more often in the classical era. We do not find many cases of this in the preEclassical era since many prophets worked for the king. But some had the courage to criticize (e.g. Nathan and Elijah). (see 2 Sam 12, 24; 1 Kings 14, 21)
- (4) Prophets who directly intervene in political action. For example, choosing a new king. (see 2Kings 9E10; 1Kings 16:1E8)
(4) Prophets who directly intervene in political action. For example, choosing a new king. (see 2Kings 9E10; 1Kings 16:1E8)
- (5) Prophets who defend the exclusive cult of Adonai.
(5) Prophets who defend the exclusive cult of Adonai. These prophets fought against idolatry and religious syncretism. They had to live in a foreign land that had its own gods, where it was reasonable to expect some mixture. Syncretism is not a matter of abandoning one’s God for another, but of adding other gods to one’s cult (see 1Kings 18f; 2Kings 1; 9f).
Pre-Classical prophecyMessiah-ism or escatology?
No concern for eschatology or messianism. (Even where there’s a hint of it , as when Nathan tells David that his line will reign forever, this is a promise that deals with him at that time). Also, pre-classical prophecy is directed at individuals, not groups of people like with much classical prophecy.
- Who are the 8th Century Prophets
Amos, Hosea, Isaiah, Micah
- 8th Century Prophets: AMOS
Amos (760-759 BC) is the first of the “latter prophets”.
He was from the South, and was a prophet perhaps only for a year.
He went to the North, not welcomed, as he criticized the wealth gap he found there.Thus his big theme was social justice.
He announced the impending fall of the Northern kingdom and was sent away to the South.
- 8th Century Prophets HOSEA
Hosea (750E725 BC) was from and worked the North.
He focused on the problems of worshiping other gods, religious syncretism, infidelity, etc.
During Syro-Efraimite war he denounced allying with Syria, insisting that the only alliance should be with the Lord.
His big contribution was the spousal image of the relationship between God and his people. Influenced D.
- 8th Century Prophets ISAIAH
Isaiah (c. 740sE700 BC) was a contemporary of Hosea, originally from Jerusalem, worked there
Cultured man from a good family, he received his call a little before the Syro-Ephraimite War.
Concerned with political questions between Kings Ahaz and Hezekiah.
He reiterated Hosea’s admonition that the king and the people should not look to political allies for salvation, but only to the Lord.
- 8th Century Prophets MICHAH
Micah (725?E701 BC) was from the South and of humble origins.
He also engaged in social criticism (like Amos), especially in the first three chapters of his book, which are considered to be its “nucleus”. Scholars think his disciples wrote the rest of the book.
- What is the historical situation of the 8th century?
In the previous century (9th) no threats.
But now, in the 8th c., the situation is radically different: the Assyrian king Tiglat-Pileser III, or “Pulu” (745-727 BC) wanted to expand for sea access.
Expansive, ambitious, aggressive expansive program, ruthless cruelty.
Ends with complete destruction of the Northern Kingdom.
This was the golden age of prophecy in Israel. The prophetic books of this era (Amos, Hosea, Isaiah, Micah) all begin with a historic introduction, including the name of the king or kings. This shows how history and prophecy are intimately connected.
Prophets cannot be understood apart from their historical context.
- What is the international situation of the 8th century?
The Assyrian king Tiglat-Pileser III, or “Pulu” (745E727 BC) wanted to expand into the Mediterranean for access to the sea.
His empire not only conquered nations, but also deported the conquered people and forced assimilation into their lands, thus preventing future uprisings and destroying the cultural identity of the deported.
