Test 3 Flashcards
Hebrew title of Ezekiel
“God strengthens”
When did Ezekiel begin his prophetic ministry?
Ezekiel was likely one of those deported during this second deportation (597 B.C.). He would begin his prophetic ministry five years later while in exile
Where did Ezekiel Minister, and what was he predicting?
Ezekiel was ministering in Babylon, predicting the third and final attack and destruction of Jerusalem
How did the fall of Jerusalem change Ezekiel’s prophetic message?
- Before Jerusalem fell, Ezekiel’s message focused on Judah’s soon destruction because of her sin.
- After Jerusalem’s fall, Ezekiel’s message centered on Judah’s future restoration.
How is Ezekiel ordered?
Ezekiel is chronological (unlike Jeremiah).
Purposes of Ezekiel
- To speak for God locally to the exiles who continued to listen to false prophets and practice idolatry. The book show that little has changed in the attitudes and actions of the Jewish exiles in Babylon.
- To outline blessings that will follow their judgment.
- To emphasize God’s sovereignty which will bring about judgment and restoration.
- To warn Israel of imminent judgment.
- To stress the need for individual responsibility and national accountability before God.
How was Ezekiel called to act?
more than any other was called to act out his prophecies in highly and symbolic dramatic form.
Theology of Ezekiel
- God is sovereign over all nations.
- God’s sovereignty is based on His holiness
- This holy and sovereign God resolved that He would be known and acknowledged.
What changes Ezekiel’s message and what was the response?
Once the news of the destruction of Jerusalem arrived to the exiles the message of Ezekiel changes to the Lords consoling words of hope for His people. They would experience spiritual revival, restoration to the holy land, and a glorious future.
Most difficult passage in the OT
Biblical scholars acknowledge that the temple vision, which occupies the last nine chapters of Ezekiel, presents special challenges in its interpretation.
Daniel held positions under what kings?
kings Nebuchadnezzar, Belshazzar, Darius, and Cyrus
Describe Daniel’s character
Daniel is the only spotless character in the Bible outside of Christ. There is not a flaw to be found in his character.
What was Daniel in society?
Daniel was, like Joseph, God’s candle, shining in heathen darkness
When was Daniel carried to Babylon?
during the first deportation of the captives.
How was Daniel unlike other prophets?
Daniel deals more fully with the Gentile nations than with his own Jewish nation.
Hebrew meaning of Daniel
‘God is my Judge.’
Type of writing of Daniel
does not bear the character of prophecy, but rather of history.
Ezekiel’s opinion of Daniel
Ezekiel, a contemporary of Daniel, has an extremely high opinion of Daniel and twice mentions him by name as deserving to be ranked with Noah and Job (Ezekiel 14:14) or as having great wisdom (Ezekiel 28:3)
Who endorsed Daniel?
Our Lord Himself endorsed both the genuineness of his message and the validity of Daniel as prophet.
Revelation
quotes from Daniel more than any other OT book
Date of Daniel
-Daniel’s lifetime, 6th century B.C.
External evidence of dating of Daniel
- Jesus identifies Daniel as the prophet who spoke of the “abomination of desolation” in the Olivet Discourse of Matthew
- Chap. 9 includes prophecy up to the crucifixion of Christ and the destruction of Jerusalem.
Author of Daniel
- There is even one chapter written by King Nebuchadnezzar himself (4).
- Jewish and Christian tradition has named Daniel as the author.
- It is also likely that some now-unknown person was inspired by the Holy Spirit to collect, edit and organize this book.
Themes of Daniel
1) The Sovereignty and Superiority of God
2) The Protection of God
3) God’s Prevenient Grace
4) Hope
5) Prayer
Two Outlines of Daniel
1) 1-6 Narration (Stories)
7-12 Revelation (Visions)
2) 1-2:4a Hebrew (Prophecy concerning Jews)
2:4b-7 Aramaic (Prophecy concerning Gentiles)
8-12 Hebrew (Prophecy concerning Jews)
How did Daniel act like Joseph?
A similar thing happened to Joseph. As he proved faithful and pure in his conduct God rewarded him with wisdom from heaven
What do many commentators believe that the 4th person in the fiery furnace?
was a visible appearance of Christ in human form. If true, this would then be another Old Testament theophany (a pre-incarnate appearance of Christ).
Daniel Chapter 4
- Chapter 4 was an official “state documents” from ancient times.
- It was a proclamation of King Nebuchadnezzar to the whole world.
- The only chapter in the Bible written by a ‘pagan’ king
The theology behind the precision in Daniel 9
is the idea that God is sovereign. Human history does not take God by surprise.
Daniel 11
Chapter 11 is unique in Scripture. It’s prophecy that is so literal in nature that many scholars, on the basis of this chapter alone, discount the entire book.
Josephus Writes about Alexander
Alexander’s visit was finished by a viewing of the book of Daniel which foretold the rise and conquests of Alexander. He was so pleased with this that he spared the city.
Minor Prophets
- These books are not “minor” because they are of any lesser value, but because they are shorter than the “major” prophets.
- A “minor” prophet is equal in importance to the “major” prophets.
Whom was Obadiah Addressed to; whom was Obadiah intended for
Addressed to Edom although Judah was intended as the primary readers of the book.
Joel
Joel calls for repentance. He does not mention specific sins to repent from but calls for the, “rending of hearts” as a contrast to external show of torn garments.
Jonah
Message of the book is that God is concern for all the heathen nations, even the worst, and that Jehovah is the universal God over all the earth.
Who is the only OT prophet that Jesus directly compared Himself to?
Jonah
Message of Amos
Justice is far more important to God than our worship.
Amos Prophecy
prophecy of the 400 years of prophetic silence between the final prophetic voice (Malachi) until John the Baptist.
Hosea
Israel had been unfaithful to her covenant. As God commands Hosea to marry a prostitute who will give him children not his own, so God sees that Israel is an adulterous wife desecrating her marriage vow.
Micah
Micah’s prophecies sympathized entirely with the poorer classes and regarded God as the spiritual Vindicator of Judah’s voiceless sufferers.
Zephaniah
Zephaniah directed his blows against religious syncretism - a mixture of pagan worship and the worship of God - and exhorted his people to seek meekness and righteousness, promising that, if they did, all would be well.
Message of Nahum
Nahum single-mindedly proclaims the destruction and doom of Nineveh, the Assyrian capital. About a 100 years before, at Jonah’s preaching, the Ninevites repented, and were spared, yet, soon after, they became worse than ever.
Habakkuk
Habakkuk is informed by God that the Babylonians would be His chastening rod on the nation.
Haggai
we can learn of the contagious nature of the sin of procrastination.
Zechariah
Zechariah is an apocalyptic look to the final consummation of God’s eternal purpose in the glory of the Messiah’s rule.
Malachi
Learn of the work of John the Baptist
