Test 3

Question 1

Describe the ministry of Elisha (the successor to Elijah).

Answer 1

The ministry of Elisha was instrumental in the destruction of the dynasty of Omri.

Question 2

With the rise of prophecy during the monarchial period, how did the role and function of prophecy change?

Answer 2

Samuel defined the future role of the prophet as the messenger from God who held the king in check.

Question 3

What are the main themes of 2 Kings?

Answer 3

Betrayal, loyalty, power, warfare, religion, sin, justice and judgment

Question 4

What is the relation of Samuel and Kings to Chronicles?

Answer 4

Samuel gave the history of the early monarchy, showing the rise and fall of Saul and the rise of David and Kings continued and concluded the account of the monarchy while Chronicles appears to have given the biblical sources greater authority than other sources available to him. ( history of kings of Judah & chronicles only interested in Judah)

Question 5

Where do the books of Chronicles appear in the Hebrew Bible?

Answer 5

Hebrew canon.

Question 6

Why are the genealogies important within the book of Chronicles?

Answer 6

helpful to know the history of the book

Question 7

What are the main subjects that the books of Chronicles cover?

Answer 7

reign of David, the reign of Solomon, and the kingdom of Judah.

Question 8

What are some common wrong ideas about the prophets?

Answer 8

not hysterical babblers, not fortunetellers, not “religious fanatics.”

Question 9

How are the prophets alike?

Answer 9

possessed hearts devoted to God. possessed a strong sense of calling, messengers, prophets were forthtellers, the prophets were foretellers, were creative individuals who used a variety of literary and oral techniques to communicate their messages

Question 10

What are some common themes within the prophetic writings?

Answer 10

covenant obligations, the day of the Lord, the concept of Messiah

Question 11

What were the main themes in Isaiah 1-39?

Answer 11

The main themes of Isaiah 1-39 are: remnant, the sovereignty of God, servant, Holy One of Israel, and Messiah.

Question 12

Describe Isaiah’s call in Isaiah 6

Answer 12

In verses 1-6 Isaiah sees and experiences the death of a king, and he acknowledges God’s greatness and his own insignificance and he says: “ Isaiah now stood clean before
his holy God, so when God issued his call, Isaiah responded quickly (v. 8)—“Here am I. Send me!” (pg 339).
“God’s initial message through Isaiah proclaimed the people’s lack of understanding.
They would persist in their sin, not really seeing, hearing, or understanding God’s purpose for them. The proclamation of God’s word would only harden the people’s hearts against him. Yet God promised to raise up a righteous remnant after his judgment.”

Question 13

What are some of the identities proposed for “the servant” in the “servant passages” in Isaiah 40-66?

Answer 13

the nation of Israel (41:8), the remnant (49:3), and even the Messiah

Question 14

Whom has the suffering servant been identified as?

Answer 14

prophet Isaiah, represents Israel, or Jesus Christ

Question 15

What are the main elements of Jeremiah’s background?

Answer 15

Jeremiah was young when God called him to prophecy but had the strength and wisdom to handle it. Went through many trials and tribulations during his lifetime that helped him complete all that God wanted him to do.

Question 16

Describe Jeremiah’s “temple message” message in Jeremiah 7:1-8:3 regarding worthless public worship.

Answer 16

Jeremiah’s temple message was that the people of Jerusalem had to follow God’s commandments not just say a few words to continue to receive his blessings.

Question 17

What are the main lessons from the potter’s house in Jeremiah 18?

Answer 17

Never assume God will bless you, Jesus commanded us to love our enemies and pray for them

Question 18

Describe Jeremiah’s message in the “Book of Comfort” in Jeremiah 30-33

Answer 18

The message was that God had not cast aside his people and that a glorious future would follow their judgement. They would face terrible times in the beginning only to be saved by God’s grace and mercy. God was determined to honor his covenant with his people. He would turn their suffering into joy and celebration.

Question 19

Why did the people refuse to listen to Jeremiah?

Answer 19

The people refused to listen to Jeremiah because they were too prideful to heed what Jeremiah’s prophecies were saying. Jeremiah prophesied that a great ruin was coming to Jerusalem under the soon to come siege by Nebuchadnezzar; whoever would surrender will be saved, but those who resist will be destroyed. They though Jeremiah was speaking against the Lord and the temple, followed the blind leadership of Zedekiah and the corruption of the priests.

Question 20

What is the background and main message of Lamentations?

Answer 20

The background and main message of Lamentations is that it was written around 586 BC, contains a series of alphabetic poems and was written to describe the anguish surrounding the vivid scenes in Jerusalem. God had finally dealt with the uncleanness of Jerusalem. It sat lowly and alone as a slave city, and is people now experienced grief.

Question 21

How did Hosea’s marriage and family background shape his prophetic ministry?

Answer 21

Hosea’s adulterous wife, Gomer, represented the relationship between God and Israel. Hosea focused his prophecies on Israel’s kingdom, and even though those around him mocked him for the sin of his wife, he proclaimed that they were no different from her. God wanted a faithful relationship with his people, and Hosea’s name (“The Lord saves”) is related to names like Joshua and Isaiah. Hosea preached a calling back to God, like a husband and wife’s relationship.

Question 22

What was the major event in the time of Joel’s prophecy, and how did this shape his message?

Answer 22

The major event was the locust plague in which every part of society felt its effects, from the upper classes to the lower. The message Joel proclaims is a repentance of the heart. Joel interpreted the locust plague as a sign of the coming day of the Lord; if they repent with their hearts, they will endure the coming day. There would be a restoration of land, spiritual outpour on all flesh and blessings and prominence for those who repent. For those who do not, only judgment awaits them.

Question 23

How does Joel present the theme of the Day of the Lord?

Answer 23

Joel exclaimed the significance of the uncommonly severe characteristics of the locust plague. No other generation had experienced one like the one he was referring to, thus increasing awareness and attention toward it. The theme underlying the message is a call to humbleness and to cry before the Lord lest the people of Israel be destroyed.

Question 24

What kinds of social injustice does Amos preach against?

Answer 24

Amos preached against social injustices like:
Israel’s lack of responsibility as God’s elected people; they were set apart and needed to be accountable for their wrongdoings
The rich upper classes and women of Samaria oppressed the poor and cared for their own indulgences; they would be carried away by their enemies if they do not change
Amos stressed the sacrifices the people had to make; they did not do them with a whole heart or repentance
They needed to embrace true values like caring for the poor and not seek their spiritual guidance at other religious sites
Amos preached against the arrogance of the people and their complacency amidst times where they needed to grieve spiritual ruin

Question 25

Who is Obadiah’s prophecy focused against and why?

Answer 25

Obadiah’s prophecy was focused against Edom. “Obadiah prophesied that the coming day of the Lord would bring both judgment and salvation. Edom and other nations would drink God’s cup of wrath for their sins, but God would restore his people to a position of prominence” (Arnold & Beyer, 2015, pg. 443). Because the capital was located on a hill they felt they were untouchable. God was upset with their arrogance. Obadiah warned the people of Edom “Thieves and robbers would steal only what they could use, but God would sweep everything away”

Question 26

What did Jonah do at first when God commanded him to go to Nineveh and preach? What is the main theological point of Jonah’s preaching to Nineveh?

Answer 26

When God told Jonah to go to Nineveh to preach Jonah decided to run. “Jonah, however, decided that a trip east to Nineveh made no sense, and he tried to flee west by ship to Tarshish” (Arnold & Beyer, 2015, pg. 444). Jonah’s main theological point to Nineveh was that they needed to repent. “When he arrived in Nineveh, he began preaching the message God had given him: “Forty more days and Nineveh will be overturned” (v. 4). Jonah needed three days to cover the city completely

Question 27

What are some similarities between Micah’s message and Amos’ message?

Answer 27

“Micah’s message centered on the themes of social injustice, true worship, and false security”. Both Micah and Amos spoke to the people about the coming judgement of God and the social injustice being done. Both Micah and Amos also told the people of Judah that their judgement was at hand.

Question 28

What is the major theme of the book of Nahum and how does this complement the book of Jonah?

Answer 28

The major theme of the book of Nahum is the fall of Nineveh will fall at the hands of God and Judah will be freed from their captivity. The way this complements the book of Jonah is that both books have the prophesy of the fall of Nineveh.

Question 29

How does Habakkuk approach God to find out what God’s purpose are? What does the book of Habakkuk have to say about God’s purposes?

Answer 29

Habakkuk approached God with trust, even though he didn’t understand his actions. “Because he knew of God’s absolute faithfulness in the past, Habakkuk resigned himself to God’s present purposes”. The book of Habakkuk says that God is always in control and we should trust him. Even though we can’t see or understand what he is doing, he will make all things right.

Question 30

How does Zephaniah’s prophecy present Judah and the nations?

Answer 30

Zephaniah’s prophecy presents Judah and the nations as evil and corrupt. Zephaniah “promised that the Lord would bring real justice to all the nations on the day of his wrath”. He also said “The day of God’s judgment would also bring God’s healing and restoration. The Lord would unify people of all nations and purify the lips of his people so that they might serve him faithfully”

Question 31

Why does the book of 2 Kings devote so much space to Elisha’s ministry?

Answer 31

The book of 2 Kings devoted so much space to Elisha’s ministry because it was important for the message to get out to the followers.