SOUTHERN KINGDOM, FIRST ISAIAH & MICAH

1. SOUTHERN KINGDOM,FIRST ISAIAH & MICAH

2. Judah lived forever in shadow of Israel, who was more successful & wealthy. Even so, Judah would survive longer because of lack of wealth & poor strategic location (less attractive to conquering nations).

3. FIRST FOUR KINGS OF JUDAH: • Rehoboam (933-915) – unsuccessful reign • Abijam (914-911) • Asa (912-874) • Jehoshaphat (873-849)–pretty decent reign, established alliance with King Ahab of the North

4. 1 KINGS 9-15: • MIDDLE GROUP OF JUDEAN KINGS • Jehoram (849-842) • Ahaziah (842) • Athaliah – (842-837) –only woman to rule either North or South • Joash – (837-800) – took over throne when only seven years old • Amaziah (800-783) • Uzziah – (783-742) – Judah was very prosperous under his reign (2 Chron. 26: 1-23) • Jotham • Ahaz (741-726) • Hezekiah (726-697)

5. THE PROPHET ISAIAH • Native of Jerusalem with access to the royal court – “man of the city” • Viewed things on international scale – God’s actions would affect not just Judah but entire world. • Deep affection for all things Jerusalem (home to Yahweh’s temple, seat of David’s throne, etc.)

6. THE PROPHET ISAIAH • Walked through Jerusalem naked for three years (20: 1-6) to symbolize vulnerability of Israel before God with Assyrian threat. • Not all of Isaiah attributed to “Isaiah,” prophet from Jerusalem • Prophesied during reign of King Ahaz & Hezekiah.

7. THE BOOK ISAIAH • Two main divisions of book: • Chpts. 1-39 –events of 8th century & Assyrian crisis. • Chpts. 40-66 – 6th & 5th centuries; Babylonian exile & restoration

8. THE BOOK ISAIAH • One or two authors? Probably two authors, since 1-39 & 40-66 deal with different historical events separated by more than a century. • Second part perhaps written by a later “disciple” of Isaiah’s. Common practice in ancient times to assume another’s name to add credibility to one’s work.

9. FIRST ISAIAH • https://youtu.be/d0A6Uchb1F8

10. CALL STORY (Isaiah 6:1-13) • Was called “the year that King Uzziah died.” Meant to indicate troubled times. • Vs. 3b - “holy, holy, holy” – Hebrew way of repeating adjective for emphasis. • Vs. 6 – Burning coal symbolic of what’s needed to bridge contrast between God’s purity & human sinfulness. Necessary for prophet’s calling • Vs. 9-10 - ?? God called him to speak to people who would pay no attention to him.

11. FIVE MAJOR PARTS OF ISAIAH 1-39 • Oracles concerning Judah and Messiah (1:1-5:23, 8:22-12:6) • Song of the Vineyard (5:1-7) – an allegory about judgment on Israel & Judah. Note play on words in vs. 7: “he expected justice, (mishpat) but saw bloodshed; (mispa) righteousness, (tzadakah) but heard a cry” (tza’akn)

12. FIVE MAJOR PARTS OF ISAIAH 1-39 • Oracles concerning Judah and Messiah (1:1-5:23, 8:22-12:6) • Messiah oracles – “messiah” as one from King David’s lineage who’d set things right. - 9:2-7 – Occurred around the time King Ahaz rejected Isaiah’s advice, thus Isaiah foresees a different kind of leader (“Wonderful Counselor…Prince of Peace”) - 11:1-9 – “the stump of Jesse.” Jesse was David’s father. Presents the ideal picture of the ruler for Isaiah.

13. FIVE MAJOR PARTS OF ISAIAH 1-39 • Oracles against other nations (13:1-23:18) • Isaiah Apocalypse (24:1-27:13) • Oracles from various times (28:1-35:13)

14. FIVE MAJOR PARTS OF ISAIAH 1-39 • Isaiah & the kings • Isaiah & King Ahaz (7:1-8:21) - Not a great relationship. Isaiah tried to get Ahaz to seek God’s guidance regarding Assyrians, but he refused. - 7:14 – translated by some Christians as coming of Jesus (“young woman” or “virgin” seen as Mary mother of Jesus). However, this passage probably about a more immediate event - birth of Ahaz’s son, Hezekiah, who would be a great king.

15. FIVE MAJOR PARTS OF ISAIAH 1-39 • Isaiah & the kings • Isaiah & King Hezekiah (36-39) • Isaiah & Hezekiah got along great - Hezekiah set out to destroy all the pagan altars to Baal that father Ahaz had built. • Slightly enlarged kingdom of Judah during his reign.

16. FOUR DISTINCT IDEAS OF ISAIAH 1-39: • Holiness of God – a sense of separation/distinction. • A quiet, confident faith – God is worthy of our trust. • A righteous remnant – judgment would come, but a small “remnant” would survive and be the basis of a new, more righteous society. • The Messiah – The new age would be ruled by the ideal David.

17. MICAH https://youtu.be/MFEUEcylwLc

18. MICAH • A rural prophet – from a small village in the hills outside Jerusalem. • A “country preacher” who spoke for poor farmers suffering at the hands of powerful landlords. • Kind of like Amos – concerned about social justice issues. Sensitive to cries of the poor and downtrodden.

19. MICAH Book falls into four parts: • Oracles against Jerusalem (1:1-3:12) • Micah preached before fall of the North & used Samaria as an example of what would happen to Jerusalem (south) if they didn’t repent. • Strong words for the wealthy (2:1-13) and Judah’s leaders (3:2-3) • A new day will come (4:1-5:15) • A big change, from condemnation to hope. A later addition?

20. MICAH 3. Oracles against Israel (6:1-7:7) • A great example of Hebrew “court language” – Israel is on trial for its sins and is found guilty by God, the judge. • Vs. 8 – famous passage: “What does the Lord require of you but to do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with your God?” 4. Israel’s triumph over enemies (7:8-20)

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