Christian Scripts Ch 3

Why was the selection of Jerusalem as the new capital city important?

It was a neutral location, helping unify Isreal. Strengthened David’s legitimacy and national unity.

Why is David called a “glorious rascal”?

“Glorious” = successful

“Rascal” = morally flawed

Shows that God works through imperfect people

How did Solomon’s reign become oppressive?

Heavy taxation and forced labor, massive building projects, economic burden and discontent.

Naboth’s vineyard (Ahab & Jezebel) shows:

Abuse of royal power, corruption and injustice, prophets confront moral failure of kings.

5 characteristics of prophetic proclamations:

1. Covenant enforcement

2. Social justice emphasis

3. Judgement warnings

4. Call to repentance

5. Hope/restoration after judgement

Meaning of prophets and Babi

Prophetes: one who speaks for another

Nabi: one who is called/appointed to speak for God

Why was the “Day of the Lord” important?

A future time of God’s judgement and justice, warned Isreal but also gave hope for restoration, meant God would decisively intervene in history

Three crises in Isaiah:

1. Assyrian threat

2. Babylonian exile

3. Post-exilic struggles

Josiah’s reform movement:

Rediscovery of the Book of the Law, centralized worship in Jerusalem only, eliminated idolatry and pagan practices, renewed covenant commitment.

Three periods of Jeremiah’s ministry:

1. Before the fall of Jerusalem

2. During the siege and destruction

3. After the fall

Greek vs. Hebrew Jeremiah:

• Greek is shorter and arranged differently

• Hebrew is longer and more detailed

Why is Cyrus of Persia important?

Conquered Babylon, allowed Jews to return to Jerusalem, seen as an instrument of God’s plan

Impact of Judah’s fall on Judaism:

Shift from temple-based worship to prayer & community, rise of synagogues, stronger focus on identity, law, and scripture

Servant of Yaweh (Isaiah)

Suffer, bring justice, restore others, be a light to nations

Elements of Psalm of Praise":

Call to praise, reason for praise, expression of praise

Elements of Psalm of Lament

Address to God, complaint, petition/request, expression of trust, vow of praise

How modern scholarship affect Psalms interpretation:

Grouped in books 1-5, read as a developing story of Israel’s faith not just individual poems, greater attention to historical context and literary shaping

Synonymous parallelism

Repeats the same idea differently

Antithetic parallelism

Contrasts ideas

Synthetic parallelism

Builds or expands the idea