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The Prophets. Isaiah – Who was he?. 66 chapters Ch. 1-39 actually written by Isaiah Son of Amoz Lived 742 B.C.E. – 700 B.C.E. Experienced vision in the temple Theses: Repentance and Renewal. Latter Chapters. Chapter 44-55 anonymous author Written during Babylonian exile
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Isaiah – Who was he? • 66 chapters • Ch. 1-39 actually written by Isaiah • Son of Amoz • Lived 742 B.C.E. – 700 B.C.E. • Experienced vision in the temple • Theses: Repentance and Renewal
Latter Chapters • Chapter 44-55 anonymous author • Written during Babylonian exile • 55-66, picks up upon theme of renewal
State of Israel • Compares to rest of nature • Something gone wrong with humanity • Allusions to Genesis? • Imagery of sickness • Assyrian invasion: physical manifestation of sin
Seeing the Throne of God • Throne of God surrounded by Seraphs • Gap between humanity and God • Isaiah not worthy • Purified
Rely on God, Not Worldly Powers • Aware Assyria going to attack • Pact with Egypt • Trust in God instead • Egypt backstabs Israel • King of Judah surrenders to Assyrian king
Suffering Servant • Not typical depiction of a saviour • Many Jews overlooked passage • Became central focus in New Testament
Ezekiel – Who was he? • Priest • Living during Babylonian exile • Intense personality • Religious Regulations • 48 Chapters • Warning – Despair - Renewal
Opening • Ezekiel’s Vision • Creatures? Cherbuin Angels? • Glory of God
Return After Captivity • God will return the promise land • Heart of Stone • Heart of Flesh
Everlasting Covenant • What about Previous covenants? • People kept turning away in sin • Ultimate covenant that removes all guilt and shame
Valley of the Dead • All those who have died (Cut off from God and life) • God will give new life • Eternal life • Foreshadowing of Christ, and ultimatly, all of our fates
Daniel – Who was he? • Contemporary of Ezekiel • Carried off to Babylon • Advisor in the royal court • Called Daniel, because it is about Daniel, not written by Daniel though
Structure • Introduction • 2 main parts • Daniel’s life in Babylonian politics • Daniel’s prophetic visions
Life in the Babylonian Royal Court • Refuses to eat unholy food • Interprets dreams • Refuses to worship false idols • Burning furnance • Not afraid to speak his mind • Feast of Belshazzar • Lion’s Den
Daniel’s Visions • Chapter 7 • Four beasts • Babylon, Persia, Greece, Rome • 7:7 the fourth and worst beast • God’s kingdom established
Vision in Daniel 8 • Ram and Goat charging • Interpreted by Gabriel • Greece and Persia • From Greece, will come a great ruler • Alexander the Great?
Apocalyptic Literature • Eschatology • Increasing corruption • Resurrection of the dead • St. Michael, defender of Israel • Need to purify ourselves • 12:13 – not everyone will turn to God