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OTS 501 OLD TESTAMENT INTRO AND LITERATURE

Explore the prophetic literature of the Old Testament, focusing on the works of Isaiah and Jeremiah. Learn about the role of prophets, their messages, and the socio-spiritual commentary of classical prophecy. Discover the historical and critical issues surrounding the authorship and composition of these texts.

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OTS 501 OLD TESTAMENT INTRO AND LITERATURE

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  1. OTS 501 OLD TESTAMENT INTRO AND LITERATURE Dr. Esa Autero

  2. Isaiah and Jeremiah 1.1 Introduction to the OT Prophetic literature • What is a prophet? • Mouthpiece of God (cf. ambassador) • God’s program, heart, and words declared • Prophet and “seer” – visionary experiences and dreams • Prophetic activity focused on crisis (Assyria, Babylon etc.) • Prophecy in ANE • Prophecy as a common ANE phenomenon • Mari tablets (18th century BC) to king Zimri-Lim • Esarhaddon & Ashurbanibal (Assyrian kings) – c. 600 BC

  3. Isaiah and Jeremiah • ANE prophecies addressed to the kings (not common people) • Ritual activity; military activity; building projects • Messages through visions, dreams, trance • Observing flight of the birds • Investigating entrails of the animals • Varieties of deities represented as sources of the prophecies  See also Balaam (Num 22-24) • Israelite prophecy • Pre-classical • Classical • Apocalyptic literature

  4. Isaiah and Jeremiah • Pre-classical prophecy • Pre-monarchy – prophets as leaders (e.g. Moses & Deborah) • Monarchy – advisers & critics of kings (Nathan) • See also Elijah and Elisha • Classical prophecy – c. 700 BC (reign of Jeroboam II) • Amos and Hosea (north) • Micah and Isaiah (south)  socio-spiritual commentators of Israel • Peculiarities of classical prophecy • Strong socio-economic critique • Anti-ritualism (e.g. Isa 58) • Message based on the covenant • Distinct from ANE prophecy – God in control of history • Especially the eschatological vision (Isa 46:9-11)

  5. Isaiah and Jeremiah • Apocalyptic literature • Isaiah 24-27; Zechariah and Daniel • Continuity with prophecy • Symbolism, visions, heavenly beings • Interpretation of message by angels • More on apocalyptic literature later…

  6. Isaiah and Jeremiah • The message of the prophets • Message for the contemporary audience and future • Forth-telling and foretelling – both important • Different types of oracles • Indictment oracles – description of offence • Judgment oracles • Instruction oracles • Aftermath/hope oracles  political, spiritual, socio-economic types

  7. Isaiah and Jeremiah • Prediction and fulfillment of prophetic oracles

  8. Isaiah and Jeremiah 2.1 Introduction to Isaiah • What are the most commonly cited sections of Isaiah? • What was Isaiah’s message to his original readers? • Isaiah as the “king” of the prophets – the “Romans” of the Old Testament

  9. Isaiah and Jeremiah 2.2 Historical and Critical Issues • Composition, authorship, date • Traditionally attributed to Isaiah the prophet (1:1) • Lived in Jerusalem until the death of Sennacherib (37:37-38) • The view of critical scholarship – multiple authorship • i) Isaiah the prophet (1-39) and ii)Deutero-Isaiah (40-66 [56-66]) • i) Isaiah (1-39) 8th century Jerusalem; crisis of Assyrian dominance • Further division: 36-39 (cf. 1Kgs18:13-20:19); oracles against Babylon (13-14); “Isaiah apocalypse” (24-27); Isaiah’s “psalm” (12) • ii) Unnamed prophet addressing the Babylonian exiles (40-66) • Audience in exile (48:20) – temple in ruins, redemption coming (45:13; 58:12) • Anticipation of imminent return to Zion & reconstruction (40:9-11; 43:14-15)  Exile presupposed and return & restoration predicted – in Isaiah’s days Babylon not empire --- Cyrus the Persian within immediate view (45:13; 51:3)

  10. Isaiah and Jeremiah • Some arguments to support multiple authorship • The difference in situation (Assyria vs. Babylon & Persia) • Babylonian exile presupposed, release predicted • 1-39 clear historical setting – 40-66 historical setting missing • 40-66 – “Isaiah” not mentioned by name (cf. 1:1) • Theological differences • 1-39 Israel led by Davidic king (11:1); 40-66 led by priests and Levites (61:6; 66:21; but see 55:3-4) • 1-39 Messianic king (9:6-7; 11:1-11); 40-66 Servant of the LORD • Style and language • Different “feel” of the sections • Further section: third Isaiah or Trito-Isaiah (56-66) • Period of restoration – Jerusalem walls built (62:6) • Problem of idolatry and social ills (57:3-7; 58)

  11. Isaiah and Jeremiah • Responses to multiple authorship question • Themes and vocabulary – similar throughout whole of Isaiah • Specific “Isaiah vocabulary” reflected in both sections • Dependence on Isaiah by other pre-exilic prophets • Esp. Zeph, Nah, Jer include phrases similar to Isa 40-66 • E.g. Zeph 2:15/Isa 47:8 – Nah 1:15/Isa 52:7 – Jer 31:35/Isa 51:15 • NT and Isaiah – cited x20 by name from both halves of Isaiah • John 12:38-41//Isa 6:10; 53:1 – Acts 8:28//Isa 53:7-8 • Also Sir 48:24-25/Isa 40:1 probably viewed Isaiah as a unity • Isaiah received the “words” (1:1; 2:1; 7:3; 20:2; 37:2, 5-6; 38:1, 4; 39:5) • Supernatural nature of prophecy & links to Isaiah’s message • LORD’s sovereignty in Isa 40-48 – He, not idols, knows future • Exile and restoration anticipated in 6:11-12; 7:3 (cf. 39:5-8) • 1-2 Kings used Isaiah and was completed by middle of Exile

  12. Isaiah and Jeremiah • Some things to consider & ponder • 1-39 & 40-66 have notable differences and setting • More recent critical scholarship • Isaiah “school”; redactional unity; presupposes at least two sections • Are NT references to Isaiah literary references? Is he the actual author or the one who just uttered the prophecies? • Is Moses’ authorship of Deut 34 (Josh 24:26) analogical to Isa 40-66? • Ancient authorship – disciples as carrying master’s legacy • Prophecy and God’s foresight against idols in Isaiah • Supernatural vision & God’s sovereign power essential • Would different author for Isa 40-66 negate this?  “Isaiah the prophet” the dominant & determinative voice in the book  Date of Isaiah depends largely on the authorship issue  Written between c. 640BC-515BC [450BC]

  13. Isaiah and Jeremiah 2.3 Background, structure, purpose • Historical background • Isaiah, son of Amoz – lived in Jerusalem • Ministry began c. 740BC – death of king Uzziah (6:1) • Through reigns of Jotham, Ahaz, Hezekiah (1:1); Manasseh? (-642BC) • Reports the death of Sennacherib in 681BC (37:38) • Assyrian crisis as the backdrop • Syro-Ephraimite war 735-732BC • Tiglath-Pileser III & Assyrian control over Aram • Israel-Aram coalition threat against Judah • Ahaz warned against joining anti-Assyria coalition (Isa 7:1-9) • Northern kingdom overpowered by Shalmaneser and Sargon • Sennacherib invades Judah (701BC) • Hezekiah’s alliance w/ Babylon (39:1-8) - destruction of much of Judah • Hezekiah trusts in God’s word through Isaiah – Judah delivered • Tribute paid to Sennacherib (36-39)

  14. Isaiah and Jeremiah • Background of 40-66 more difficult to ascertain • Transition in 39:6 “all…shall be carried to Babylon” • Judah in Babylonian exile (40:1-2; 45:13) • Visions of restoration and deliverance (60:15-22; 65:17-25) • Purpose of Isaiah • Demonstrate God’s trustworthiness in judgment & deliverance • The incomparability of Israel’s God against idols • Divine sovereignty in power, judgment, and deliverance

  15. Isaiah and Jeremiah • Structure of Isaiah • Main distinction 1-39 and 40-66 • Alternative structure 1-33 and 34-66 • More detailed structure and outline • Introduction (1-6) • Overture (1-5) – prior to vision? Or chronological displacement? • Isaiah’s call and commission (6) • What was the guaranteed outcome of Isaiah’s ministry? • Assyrian context I (7-27) • Oracles at the time of Syro-Ephraimite coalition (7-12) • Ahaz’ failure to trust in LORD and consequences • Mostly oracles of judgment but w/ glimpses of hope (9, 11)

  16. Isaiah and Jeremiah • Oracles against nations (13-23) • God’s sovereign control over nations – addressed to Israel • Apocalyptic conclusion to oracles against nations (24-27) • Deliverance of Israel and judgment of Israel’s enemies • Assyrian context II • Woe oracles at the time of siege of Jerusalem (28-33) • Time of Hezekiah: judgment (e.g. 30:1-8) and deliverance (31:4-5) • Apocalyptic conclusion to woes (34-35) • LORD’s deliverance of righteous & judgment of Israel’s enemies • Resolution of Assyrian crisis (36-37) • Hezekiah calls on LORD – deliverance • Transition to Babylonian crisis (38-39) • Hezekiah’s recovery and failure

  17. Isaiah and Jeremiah • Oracles addressing exiles (40-55) • Exile assumed • Message to 8th century audience: God’s sovereignty and continued guidance of His people • Deliverance of exiles and return • Continual danger of idolatry and injustice • Oracles addressing post-exilic situation (56-66) • Postexilic time • Reconstruction and future glory of Jerusalem • Upright living, social justice, proper worship • God’s vengeance of enemies

  18. Isaiah and Jeremiah 2.4 Themes in Isaiah • God – the Holy One of Israel • Starting point for Isaiah’s ministry (Isa 6) • Trishagion God – unworthy prophet and unclean people • Contrast b/w holy and powerful God and people of Israel • Favorite designation for God (1:4; 5:19, 24; 10:17, 20; 40:25; 55:5; 60:9) • Only x6 in the rest of OT • Israel’s status as holy people under holy God (cf. Lev 11:44-45) • God as Savior and Redeemer • Despite holiness, God is also Savior & Redeemer of Israel • God saves from Syro-Phoenician coalition (8:1-14); Assyria (17:10; 11:10-12:3), Babylon (45:17; 48:14, 20; 49:25-26); vindicate before nations (52:7-10) • God redeemed from Egyptian slavery and now from bondage of Babylon and restores them (1:27; 29:22; 41:14; 43:1, 14; 44:6; 51:10) • From blind & deaf into Holy people; from bondage to “Redeemed people”; from rejected to “sought after”; barren/depopulated to city (62:12)

  19. Isaiah and Jeremiah • The remnant theme • God’s holiness and mercy as a background • Remnant metaphors: “like a hut in a field of melons” (1:8); the stump of a felled tree (6:13); few olives in a treetop (17:4-6) • New life out of remnant: “righteous branch out of stump of Jesse” (4:2-3; 11:1-16); purified remnant returns (10:20-23) • The Servant of the LORD • Four (or 5) “Servant songs” (41:1-4; 49:1-6; 50:4-9; 52:13-53:13; [61:1-3]) • What/who is the Servant of the LORD? • i) Collectivist OR ii) individual interpretations • i) Israel or another ideal representation of the nation • ii) Zerubbabel; Jehoiachin, Moses, Uzziah, Ezekiel, Isaiah/prophet, Cyrus • Eschatological figure: The Messiah or Jesus the Messiah

  20. Isaiah and Jeremiah • Servant in the “Servant Song(s)” refers to… • Remnant of the collective Israel “my servant Israel”(41:8-9; 49:1-6) • Faithful remnant rises after judgment = “suffering servant” • Israel through fire and deep (43:1-2); purified servant would bring justice to nations (42:1-9; 43:5-13; 44:1-4) • Servant as individual – beyond Israel as a nation • Distinct from nation & born of a woman • Servant will restore tribes of Jacob, bring Israel back (44:24; 46:3; 49:5) • What happened historically after return from Exile? • People still “in Exile” – sin, idolatry, social injustice (Ezra 9:1-5)  God’s judgment did not produce “holy people” • Jesus the Messiah as the Suffering Servant – embodied the righteous and faithful remnant of Israel and died sinless to atone for sins (1 Pet 2:22) And now says the Lord, who formed Me from the womb to be His Servant, To bring Jacob back to Him, so that Israel might be gathered to Him… (Isa 49:5)

  21. Isaiah and Jeremiah • God’s rule over history • Criteria for true/false prophet (Deut 18:21-22; Am 3:7) • God’s rule over history in the past and Isaiah’s time • Assyrian crisis and Babylonian exile (1-39) • Return from exile and restoration (40-66) • God’s words true of the past – also reliable about the future (42:9; 43:9, 19; 48:3, 6) • Idols know nothing (43:8-11) • ANE gods unpredictable, scheming, manipulative – need manipulation to find out their intentions • Only the LORD knows and proclaims the future (43:12) • The LORD rules over history sovereignly (41:21-24; 43:8-13; 44:6-8; 45:20-21; 46:8-10)

  22. Isaiah and Jeremiah • Social injustice • Prophetic indictments against Judah’s elite and wealthy • Uzziah’s reign perhaps the most prosperous of Judah (781-741BC) – rich grew richer and poor poorer • Judah as vineyard w/ rotten grapes (5:1-7) – judgment • Leaders exploit the poor (1:21-23; 3:14; 10:1-2) • Excessive accumulation (5:18) “you who join house to house” • Judgment as Exile (5:13-24) • Corrupt justice system (5:20-24) • Corrupt worship (1:11-17) • Future king as King of Justice (9:7; 11:3-4) • Vindication of the poor and needy in the future (14:30; 26:6; 32) • Poor/needy etc. as metaphor of exiles – God redeems (41:17; 54:11) • Exploitation & religion – piety, justice, holiness intertwined (58) • Ministry of Servant (61:1-7); Jerusalem as place of justice (66:7-16)

  23. Isaiah and Jeremiah 3.1 Introduction Jeremiah • Who was Jeremiah? • What kind of person was he? • What is the message of Jeremiah? (besides the new covenant)

  24. Isaiah and Jeremiah 3.2 Historical and Critical Issues • Composition, authorship, date • Jeremiah the prophet & Baruch the scribe (36:1-4, 32) • 1st ed. destroyed by king Jehoachim & 2nd ed. written (36:32) • Period: just prior to and during the exile of Judah • Issues in the composition of Jeremiah • Disarray of the materials (not chronological) • Arrangement of oracles unclear • Difficult to posit a historical setting for various sections • Oracles reflect different stages in his preaching • Message of repentance (7:1-5; 26:2-6) • Message of certain doom & prohibition to intercede for Judah (4:5-8, 19-21; 7:16; 11:14; 14:11-15:1) • Message of consolation and restoration (30-33)  Transition w/ the ascension of Nebuchadnezzar (25:1-38)?

  25. Isaiah and Jeremiah • Internal indicators of composition and editing • Jeremiah’s preaching written by Baruch (Jer 36) • Burning of the scroll by Jehoakim (c. 605BC) • Rewriting of a longer scroll by Baruch (Jer 36) • Chs. 1-6 written in first person – is this a reflection of the 1st ed.? • Chs. 26-51 written in 3rd person & more prose – episodes after the fall of Jerusalem • Chs. 26-51 probably written by Baruch and appended to 2nd scroll • 51:64 ends w/ “Thus far are the words of Jeremiah” • Ch. 52 as a historical appendix by final editor? • Final editing by DtH? [Deuteronomistic historian] • Prose sermons (7:1-8:3; 11:1-17; 17:19-27) & similarity w/ Deut • More likely Jeremiah imitated or influenced by Deut. theology

  26. Isaiah and Jeremiah • Three types of materials in Jeremiah • Prophetic oracles – poetry • Historical narratives about Jeremiah • Prose speeches  Scattered equally throughout Jeremiah • Textual tradition and problems in Jeremiah • LXX is 1/7th (app. 14%) shorter than MT • Displacement of oracles – oracles against nations • MT at the end (chs. 46-51); LXX in the middle (b/w 25:13 & 25:15) • Textual traditions (MT, LXX, Qumran [4QJera; 4QJerb; 4QJerc]) • MT agrees w/ 4QJera and 4QJerc – LXX w/ 4QJerb • LXX translated from short Hebrew original different from MT

  27. Isaiah and Jeremiah • Making sense of these differences • Two editions of Jeremiah (Hb underlying LXX and MT type) • In MT text was expanded, clarified, contextualized • The extent of differences, see example of Jer 27:1-11 in MT/LXX • Most differences involve spelling, clarification of the existing text • Who was responsible for MT expansions? • Postexilic scribes? • Jeremiah and/or Baruch? – cf. Baruch’s rewriting of the scroll • Jeremiah in Egypt (41:16-44:30) & LXX translated in Egypt • Some material difficult to attribute to Jeremiah/Baruch • Misplaced heading (27:1-2) & Babylon bringing disaster on herself (25:15-32) • LXX does not have these problems  Majority written by Jeremiah/Baruch; some later editing c. 560-550BC [or a bit later]

  28. Isaiah and Jeremiah 3.3 Background, purpose, structure • Background – Just b/f, during & after Babylonian Exile • Jeremiah the prophet • Born in Anatoth, north of Jerusalem (1:1; 11:21, 23; 29:27; 32:7-9) • Priest from Abiathar’s line • Abiathar rejected by Solomon due Adonijah (1Kgs 2:26) • Jeremiah’s lineage to Moses & Aaron through Eli (1Sam 1-4) • Jeremiah rejected and persecuted (e.g. 28:1-17) • Family, relatives, neighbors for supporting Josiah’s reforms (11:21; 12:6) • Priests & prophets charged him w/ blasphemy (20:1-6; 26:1-6; 36:1-7; 38:6-13) • Called to be “prophet of the nations” (1:9) – felt inadequate • Remained unmarried – to symbolize barrenness of Judah (16:1-13) • Struggled w/ his call (15:17; 20:7-10) • The “weeping” prophet (14:17)

  29. Isaiah and Jeremiah • Historical situation – Josiah's reforms and death • Demise of Assyria (†Ashurbanibal 627BC) , rise of Babylon • Jeremiah’s call c. 627BC • Josiah’s sudden death in Megiddo c. 609BC (2 Kgs 22:1-23:30) • Religious reforms and relief from oppression also “died” • Josiah’s sons try to negotiate imperial powers • Jehoahaz deposed by Pharaoh Neco • Jehoakim – vassal of Egypt and opposed Jeremiah (1:3; 24:1; 27:1, 20; 37:1) • Nebuchadnezzar overthrew Egypt (605BC) • Judah vassal of Babylon • Jehoiachim sought help from Egypt – Judah crushed by Babylon (598BC) • Jehoiachin carried to Babylon and Zedekiah to the throne – BUT he rebelled against Babylon (2Kgs 24:20b) 586/7BC  Major deportations to Babylon 598BC and 587/6BC

  30. Isaiah and Jeremiah • Purpose of Jeremiah • To warn the people of Judah about the punishment of exile • Call to obedience and submission to God’s covenant • Demonstrate God’s faithfulness & control over nations • Structure of Jeremiah • Inclusio on “captivity of Jerusalem” (1:3; ch. 52) • More detailed outline • Introduction + call and commission (1:1-3; 1:4-19) • “Harlotry” and “foe” cycles (2-3; 4-10) • Judah’s spiritual “whoring”; doom of Zion (e.g. Temple sermon, 7) • Confessions of Jeremiah (11-20) • Deep despair of Jeremiah – “lament psalms” (15:17; 20:7) • Jeremiah’s agony – mirrors YHWH’s agony over rejecting Judah • Announcements of hope prepare for the “oracles of hope” (30-31)

  31. Isaiah and Jeremiah • The inevitability of judgment (21-25) • Jeremiah to Zedekiah: “surrender or die” (21:8-10; cf. Deut 30:19) • Severe punishment of the king, priests, and prophets • 70-year exile announced (25:11) • Threads of hope: “righteous Branch” returns after 70yrs (23:5-6; 25:11) • Biographical sections & book of consolation (26-45; [26-29 & 34-45 and 30-33]) • Rejection of the prophet & persecution (26-29; cf. 7:1-15) • Confrontation of Hananiah in the Temple (28); exile for 2 or 70yrs? (28:16) • Message of restoration and new covenant (30-33) • The “HOW” of restoration? How could stubborn people become obedient? From wicked heart to new heart and new covenant • Rejection by the kings and its consequences (34-45) • E.g. burning of the scroll (36) • Babylon closes in on Judah (38:17) • Killing of Gedaliah (40-41) and flight to Egypt (42-43) • Judah asks advice from idols (44:17)

  32. Isaiah and Jeremiah • The oracles against the nations (46-51) – the climax • Oracles against Egypt, Babylon etc. • LORD’s sovereign control over history • Historical appendix (52) • Description of literal fulfillment of Jeremiah’s prophecy

  33. Isaiah and Jeremiah 3.4 Themes in Jeremiah LORD’s control over nations • God treats nations according to His will & their deeds • Jeremiah in potter’s house (18:5-17) • Even temporary repentance helps (cf. Jonah 3-4) • Jeremiah as “prophet of the nations” (1:5, 10) • Judgment of nations and Judah • Judah’s false confidence on “indestructability of Jerusalem” (cf. “I will defend this city to save it…” Isa 37:33-35) • God is compassionate & merciful but also just & righteous • Same principle elsewhere in OT (e.g. Gen 15:16)

  34. Isaiah and Jeremiah Jeremiah’s laments (11:18-23; 12:1-6; 15:10-21; 17:14-18; 18:18-23; 20:7-13; 20:14-18) • Jeremiah embodied YHWH’s rejection • The “weeping” prophet (14:17) • Struggle w/ call and Jeremiah’s laments • Feelings of rejection, deception and abuse • Jeremiah to remain unmarried and w/o family (16:1-13) • J: “Why? How long?” (12:1-4); G: foot-runners, horses (12:5-6) • “Woe” of birth (15:10-11); “cursed” be the birth (20:14-18) • G: “Imposed enemies on you“ J: “weight of your hand” (15:11, 17) • ”Why…pain unceasing, wound incurable” + persecutions (15:18) • God as “deceitful brook” & “terror” (15:18; 17:17) • “you enticed me…overpowered me” – seduction and abuse (20:7; cf. 1kgs 22:19-22; Ex 22:16-17; Hos 2:14; 2Sam 13:14; Deut 22:25-27; Jer 30:8) • Open and transparent relationship w/ YHWH • Jeremiah’s emotional and spiritual honesty & authenticity • Jeremiah’s faithfulness to the call despite struggle (17:16)

  35. Isaiah and Jeremiah Judah’s sins • Divine judgment due to • Idolatry (5:7; 11:13; 19:4, 13) • Pride and arrogance (13:9) • Failure to keep the Sabbath (17:19-27) • Judah’s poor and rich guilty (5:4-5) • Principal sin – Judah’s socio-economic injustice • Shedding the blood of the poor (2:34-35) • “taking goods of others” and depriving justice from poor (5:26-28) • Greed and injustice of priests and prophets (6:13; 8:10-12) • Punishment conditioned on the practice of justice (22:1-19) • King’s exploitation of the workers to build his house (22:13-16) • Zedekiah’s “release” of slaves & YHWH’s “release of judgment” (34:8-22)

  36. Isaiah and Jeremiah • L

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