In this episode, we continue our Biblical Story series. Throughout this series, we will explore the Bible's main themes, ideas, and overarching story. Each episode will focus on "blocks" of scripture and the narrative captured within them. We also will discuss how these stories are a part of one giant narrative about God's redemption of creation and humanity's role in that story. We hope this series can become a useful road map for you to use as you read the Bible for yourself.

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Episode Outline Notes:

Themes within prophetic literature:

God’s judgment, instruction, Day of the Lord, Messianic Prophecy

God’s Judgment: God would make things right and he would judge Israel for not keeping their covenant with him. Because of idolatry, evil, and oppression, he would “keep” his covenant by expelling them from the Land.

Instruction/aftermath: These were words given after judgment had passed. An example is Jer. 29:11 a promise that God had not forsaken his people in Babylon forever but he would act again to restore them.

Day of the Lord: This became a phrase used for God setting things right from their current broken state. Thus “mini” days of the Lord could happen while still anticipating the future Day of the Lord where all would come under God’s sovereign rule and reign.

Apocalyptic: (primarily Daniel and Zechariah) Future trouble and/or deliverance, heavy symbolism, heavy on numbers and organizing history.

Major Prophets:

Isaiah (740-700BC) (Before/During Israel's exile and destruction)

Isaiah advised Ahaz king of Israel to trust the Lord but he didn’t and fell to the Assyrians, Hezekiah king of Judah however did trust the Lord and was rescued. Isaiah gives us many of the prophetic visions that would form a vision for a messianic king: Isa.9- a child who will reign, Isa.11-peace&stability under David's heir, Isa 42-53 Role of suffering servant.)

Jeremiah (627-575 BC) (Just before the exile of Judah)

Jeremiah’s main role was to call Judah back to faithfulness otherwise face exile. (Which happens with Babylonians)

Known as a weeping prophet because of the message he has to bring.

The largest long-term prophetic word is the promise of a new Covenant that God will bring (Jer. 31:31-33)

Lamentations (possibly Jeremiah)

expression of just how detrimental the fall of Jerusalem was to the people of Judah.

Ezekiel (593-570 BC) (destruction of Judah/In exile)

Ezekiel already in exile himself warns that Jerusalem and the temple are about to be destroyed.

God’s Presence is going to depart from the temple

Also prophesies of a new covenant

The famous vision of a people reborn in the Valley of Dry Bones (Ezekiel 37)

Sees a time when God’s presence will return to the temple (Ez. 40-48)

Daniel (605-535BC) (Before and During Exile)

Daniel demonstrates the sovereignty and faithfulness of God for those who trust in him (fiery furnace, lion’s den)

Prophetic vision shows that God is sovereign over the nations and empires (He is not surprised by what has happened)

Also tells that the expected return and future kingdom will be longer in coming than expected.

Gives a vision “of one like a son of man”. This “Son of Man” figure is who Jesus most relates himself to in his dialogues within the gospels. (Dan. 7:13-14)

Meanwhile, the remaining people of God should live out their faith in an unbelieving world, trusting God for deliverance and protection

exile to Babylon:

the remnant was taken to the outskirts of Babylon (Ezekiel&Daniel were prophets during this time)

Promised after 70 years they can return to Jerusalem (this is fulfilled in the time of Cyrus)

The new temple was completed in 516 BC, 70 years after the destruction of Solomon’s Temple. This period of the rebuilt temple but the sense of Exile still remaining is where the OT narrative leaves us.