Christian Scriptures Unit 3

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

This is important because it symbolizes YHWH’s choice of this place and of this monarchical line.  

Why do the writers say that it is fair to characterize David as a “glorious rascal”? 

He was a great king of Israel, but he went astray in many ways. The OT portrays him as a flawed hero, but one of the remarkable influences and popularity. David’s contributions include uniting the king, establishing Jerusalem as the capital, defeating competing armies.  

How, and in what way, did Solomon’s reign take on an oppressive tone? 

Wisdom and culture thrive during his reign, and he pursues various foreign alliances as the ruler of an influential empire.  

What does the story of Nabath’s vineyard reveal about the reign of Ahab and Jezebel? 

It reveals corrupt royal power and the influence of idolatry 

Be aware of the five distinguishing concepts or characteristics of prophetic proclamations in the Old Testament… 

1. The classical expressions of prophecy were oral in nature. Amos and Hosea, for example, came preaching to crows in the Northern Kingdom of Israel in the eighth century BCE. 

2. The classical expressions of prophecy were spoken and written in poetic form, as evidenced in the opening words of the prophetic book of Amos. 

3. The prophets spoke in short speeches. The book of Amos consists of several such prophetic speeches. 

4. The prophets spoke in historical setting. The book of Amos consist of several such prophetic speeches. 

5. The prophetic words came into written forms in the books carrying the names of the prophets. The prophets spoke, and their supporters remembered and preserved these words, which were often unpopular.  

Know the meaning of the terms prophetes and nabi… 

Greek Prophetes: one who speaks for another  

Hebrew Nabi: one who has been called to a task or commission 

Why was the Day of the Lord an important theme among the Latter Prophets? 

It was the day of the victory and reign of YHWN over those who opposed the divine will.  

Be aware of the three crises around which the prophecies of Isaiah revolve… 

1. The Syro-Ephraimite Crisis around 735 BCE. 

2. The Assyrian Threat is around 711 BCE.  

3. The Assyrian siege of Jerusalem in 701 BCE.  

Know the major elements of Josiah’s reform movement… 

• Covenant renewal and emphasis on Torah 

• Destruction of Worship in the temple influenced by Assyrian Customs, including divination, magic, sacred prostitution 

• Renewal of the celebration of Passover 

• Centralization of worship in the Jerusalem temple 

Know the three periods that correspond to the ministry of Jeremiah… 

• The reign of Josiah 

• The reign of Jehoiakim 

• The reign of Zedekiah and beyond 

How does the Greek version of Jeremiah compare to the Hebrew version?  

The Greek version is a bit shorter by 1/8 than the Hebrew version and it represents an earlier tradition. It also arranges the material differently, particularly regarding the Oracle Against the Nations. The Hebrew is considered to be an older text and more concise. 

Know why Cyrus of Persia is important to the biblical story… 

Cyrus of Persia is a pagan, gentile instrument used by God to end the Babylonian exile, fulfill prophecy, and facilitate the restoration of Israel. 

Know the impact that the fall of the kingdom of Judah had on the development of Judaism… 

The fall of the kingdom transformed Judaism by catalyzing a shift from temple-based, ritualistic worship to a text-based, community-centered faith. The destruction of Solomon’s Temple meant that Jewish identity moved from localized, national sacrifices to heritage through the Torah, emphasizing Covenant adherence over territorial identity. 

Know the discussion on the identity and mission of the Servant of Yahweh in Isaiah… 

The mission involves bringing justice, serving a light to Gentiles, and vicarious suffering, ultimately fulfilling God’s redemption through sacrifice. 

Know the three different types of parallelism in Hebrew poetry. 

• Synonymous Parallelism 

• Antithetic parallelism 

• Stair-step parallelism 

Know the basic elements of a Psalm of Praise and Lament… 

• Address 

• Lament 

• Request 

• Trust 

• Vow 

Be aware of how contemporary scholarship has affected the way the book of Psalms (i.e., books I-V) is read and interpreted… 

Contemporary Psalms are moving beyond the form-critical approach and giving fresh emphasis to the shape the book of Psalms as a whole using canonical and rhetorical criticism.  

The meaning of meshiach

To anoint, Messiah (an anointed one)

Where was David when Samuel comes to Jesse’s house in Bethlehem of Judah?

David was attending the flock, shepherd (leader).

What is the United monarchy?

When the 12 Tribes of Israel were united under a single monarchy

What did David bring to Jerusalem?

Ark of the covenant is brought to Jerusalem by David

Moreover the LORD declares to you that the LORD will make you a house (2 Samuel 7:11)

David wanted to build a temple for God but God builds him a house (A Dynasty), his kingdom will be established forever

The meaning and irony of Solomon’s name in light of how he came to the throne

Comes to the throne in anyway but peaceful its harmful, bloodshed

Solomon the “wise king”

The people that opposed Solomon some are killed or vanished

Also becomes king outside the city

Solomon as the Temple Builder

God appears to Solomon in a dream and asks him for wisdom, Solomons sees how God works, therefore builds God a temple

Foolish Solomon

Even with great wisdom, you can clung to other things and get away from God. David humbled himself & repented but Solomon didn’t he opened a rebellion against God.

What led or caused the division of the kingdom (Theological reason)?

God’s judgement upon David’s family

How does the Davidic Covenant of 2 Samuel 7 relate to the division of the kingdom?

Behomboam doesn’t listen to the people, Samuel warned the people of the King

Why is Jeroboam 1 important?

1st King of Newly established Kingdom out of Solomon’s officials

What did Jeroboam do that was significant from a religious perspective?

Set up 2 shrines, 2 gold calves which were sources of Idolitry

Why was Ahab considered to be an evil king?

He worshipped Baal

Who was Jezebel and why was she a threat to Israelite religion?

Jezebel worships Baal, and tries to get rid of prophets of God

What do we mean by the fourth telling?

right, concerning

What do we mean by fore-telling?

Predict or speak before-hand

What was Amos major concern in the book?

How are we relating to one another

Amos

Horizontal Dimension of Covenant of God

In the book it is mentioned that…

There was confiscation of land & sell them back to slave debt

The attitude of Guilty

Worshipping is meaningless to God if faith is not truthful, God wants people to treat each other justly

Hosea

vertical dimension

The names of Hosea’s sons

Lo-ammi (not my poeple)

Unfaithfulness of Israel

God wants to be rejoined (reconciliation with his people)

King Hoshea

rebelled against Assyria

Amos’s vision

Amos has a vision of God bringing destruction

Sargon ll

Capture Samaria and deported a large portion of the population

Southern Kingdom

930-586 BC

What distinguished the kings of Judah from the kings of Israel?

Judah has righteous kings, that restore worship to Yaweh, while Israel has kinda evil kings

Ahaz

known for practicing child sacrafice, runs when there is war

Hezekiah

Good king & reversing his fathers doing

What was discovered in the Temple during Josiah’s reign?

Book of Law

Josiah

Judah’s greatest religious reformer

Lamentation title and meaning in Greek

Threnoi: funeral song

Lamentation title and meaning in Hebrew

Kah-how

Feminine imagery

Lover, mother, princess

What was life like in post- destruction Jerusalem

Turned to Cannobalism

Why is the ending of the book important?

Ends with open ended questions about where is God in all of this

Psalms in greek

Psalmoi- praises

Psalms in Hebrew

Tehilim-praises

What are the dates of Jeremiah’s ministry?

627-587/6 BC

Why is Jeremiah importan for the understanding of the proohet’s life and message?

Spoke about whta heppend in the society and able to understand

Where was Jeremiah later taken to?

Egypt

Jeremiah’s message of Judgement

Living Illustration

The sign of the Broke Jug (Jeremiah 19)

Shows how there was idolatry, child sacrifice and injustice

How long would exile last?

Long enough to build generations

Jeremiah’s message of Hope and restoration

IF you don’t like the plans, God is doing something

When did Ezekiel recive his calling and why is that important?

During the Exile, it menas that God hasn’t abandoned nad provides isntruction and leadership

What did Ezekiel see in chp 1?

He saw 4 different animals, wind creatures with wheels, a cloud with a throne

What did Ezekiel see in chp 37?

Dry bones, scattered on the ground

Why was the promise of a new heart important theologically speaking?

Respond positively to God’s instructions

What did the bone mean for the people of Israel?

People & Community (representation)

The significance of the Cyrus Cylinder from a political perspective

it documents Cyrus the Great’s policy of religious tolerance, freeing enslaved peoples, and allowing them to return to their homelands.

The Cyrus Edict

Jews can go home, rebuild the Temple

Sheshbazzar

Early returnees, might come from the line of David, Davidic line can be restores but disappears

Zerrubbabel

Also comes from the line of David, establishes leadership, refers to like a Governor, disappears too

The book of Ezra

Return & Restoration

The rebuilding of the Temple

People come back that’s an important part of restoration

What role did the prophets Haggai and Zecharaiah play at this time 520 BC?

Encouraged the people to get the project started and finished

What role did Nehemiah play among the people of the community?

Servant of the Persian King, inspects walls and takes leadership role, organize labor to repair wall aorund 52 days.

Chronicles as the ending of the Hebrew Bible

Full circle, perpetual invitation to worship God

Malachi as the ending of the Christian OT

Looking forward: prophetic figure of Elijah, reconciliation and healing

King Jehoiachin

597 BC

King Zedekiah

586 BC