Overview Of The Bible By Michael A. H. Back
(26) Ezekiel Theme: Prophecies to the Jews held captive in Babylon, warning of more punishment to come on Jerusalem, as well as of future hope for restoration if they repented and followed God. He was contemporary to Daniel. Key People: Ezekiel, Israel’s leaders, Ezekiel’s wife, Nebuchadnezzar Interesting Facts: Only Ezekiel and Daniel ministered to the Jews held captive in Babylon. Ezekiel used very creative, radical tactics to deliver God’s message. These included laying siege to a drawing of Jerusalem on a tablet with siege works made of sand, laying on his side for 390 days (during which time he could only eat one 8 ounce meal a day, cooked over manure), and shaving off all his hair.
(27) Daniel Theme: The theological and symbolic foundation of all end-times prophecies (it is, in fact, impossible to understand Revelation without an understanding of Daniel). The first half is about Daniel’s (and his friends’) experiences in the palace in Babylon, the second half is primarily about distant future events leading up to the final defeat of Satan. The book of Daniel starts just after the last events of 2 Kings. Key People: Daniel, Nebuchadnezzar, Shadrach, Meshack, Abednego, Belshazzar, Darius Interesting Facts: The events of chapter 9 happen as a result of Daniel reading the book of Jeremiah (specifically 25:11-12 and 29:10), showing that many of the books were accepted as being the Word of God, and were being copied and circulated from the moment they were written (the book of Jeremiah had been in existence less than 40 years at this time).
(28) Hosea Theme: A contemporary of Isaiah and Micah, just after the short ministry of Amos. The last prophet to try and get Israel to repent prior to their captivity by Assyria. His life with his unfaithful wife was (intentionally) a sad, but accurate reflection of the relationship between Israel and God. Key People: Hosea, Gomer, their children (Jezreel, Lo-Ruhamah, Lo-Ammi) Interesting Facts: Hosea was commanded to marry a woman whom he was told in advance was going to be unfaithful. He was obedient, and married her as God commanded. Some scholars believe the Hebrew constructions in 1:6 and 1:8 indicate that their last two children were not Hosea’s, symbolizing in painful, graphic detail that Israel’s sin against God had long lasting ramifications.
(29) Joel Theme: It is thought Joel prophesied during the period just after Israel divided into two kingdoms (early 2 kings), but we are not sure. Primary emphasis is punishment for sin, mercy and deliverance after repentance, and promise of ultimate redemption at the Day of the Lord. Key People: Joel, the people of Judah Interesting Facts: Joel was a contemporary of Elisha and Jonah.
(30) Amos Theme: Corruption run amok, particularly with the rich and powerful oppressing the weak and poor, was going to bring God’s judgement! Key People: Amos, Amaziah, Jeroboam II Interesting Facts: Most of the metaphors in this book are drawn from Amos’ own life, particularly his shepherding and farming experience: loaded cart, roaring lion, mutilated sheep, pampered cows, and a basket of fruit. Shepherd by trade, his entire recorded ministry lasted just a few days.
(31) Obadiah Theme: Encouragement to Israel in the face of trials (their enemies would eventually be punished). Key People: The Edomites Interesting Facts: The Hebrew in this book is written in the form of a poetic dirge.
(32) Jonah Theme: The story of Jonah who, called by God to deliver a message to Ninevah, does not want to do it. A profound story of God’s patience, mercy and grace. Key People: Jonah, ship’s Captain and crew Interesting Facts: Unique of the prophetic books in that the message given by the prophet is only ONE verse long (3:4). The rest is a historical narrative, and in reality, this book should probably be listed with in the Writings (history) section.
(33) Micah Theme: Denounces moral and social sins in Judah, and warns of upcoming invasion of Babylon. Emphasizes God as the Almighty Lord who hates sin but loves the sinner. Notable verses: prophesy of the birth of the Messiah in Bethlehem (5:2), and summary of the ultimate requirement of the law (6:8). Key People: The people of Samaria and Jerusalem Interesting Facts: Micah is a textbook example of classic Hebrew poetry. It is composed of three parts (addressing the Capitals, the Leaders, and the People); each part starts with “hear” or “listen,” and ends with a promise.
(34) Nahum Theme: A contemporary of Jeremiah and Zephaniah. Denunciation of the decadent Assyrian empire in general, and Nineveh in particular. Prediction of the fall of Nineveh. Key People: The people of Nineveh (the Assyrians) and Judah, Interesting Facts: Nahum had the same basic message as Jonah did almost one hundred and fifty years before. This time the prophet was not reluctant, Nineveh did not repent, and the result was the complete destruction of Nineveh.
(35) Habakkuk Theme: Treatise on God’s justice focusing on the question of why our Holy God allows injustice to go seemingly unpunished for so long. Notable verses: The righteous live by faith (2:4), which set the foundation for Paul’s explanation of some of the foundations of Christianity. Key People: Habakkuk, the Babylonians Interesting Facts: Unlike most of the prophets, Habakkuk was more concerned with punishing sin, and God’s justice than with getting the people to repent. Instead of crying out to the people to repent, he cried out in anguish to God because of how long it took for God to punish the evil doers.
(36) Zephaniah Theme: Just before Jeremiah (Jeremiah’s ministry actually started a couple years before Zephaniah’s ended) and Habakkuk, contemporary of Nahum. Prediction of terrible punishments coming in the Day of the Lord, and of the redemption that would follow for the faithful. Key People: Judah, all nations Interesting Facts: One of the few times that a prophetic message was heeded, Zephaniah’s prophecies were at least partly responsible for the reforms of Josiah in Judah (in 2 Kings 22:1 – 23:30). Unfortunately, the reforms did not last, the next king went back to evil ways, and Jeremiah witnessed the fulfillment of these (and his own) prophecies.
(37) Haggai Theme: Contemporary of Zerubbabel and Zechariah. As recounted in Ezra 4:4-5, fierce opposition had halted the building of the temple. Haggai comes onto the scene with messages from God that encouraged the people, and got the project back on track. Key People: Haggai, Zerubbabel, Joshua Interesting Facts: Haggai was the first of the three “post Babylonian captivity” prophets (the other two are Zechariah and Malachi), who are the last three prophetic books in the Old Testament, and the last three prophets to Israel before Christ.
(38) Zechariah Theme: Contemporary of Haggai and Zerubbabel. Joined with Haggai in delivering messages to get the people to finish the temple. Although the first half deals primarily with Israel and the temple project, they carry numerous double references to the future messiah and his reign. The second half is almost exclusively concerning the distant future with the messiah and the end times. Key People: Zerubbabel, Joshua Interesting Facts: This book addresses the end times and the Messiah more than any other minor prophet (a minor prophet is an author of a small book, as opposed to Jeremiah, Isaiah, Ezekiel, etc. who wrote very long books)
(39) Malachi Theme: A contemporary of Ezra and Nehemiah. Trust God, and don’t worry about the current circumstances. Elijah will come. After that, the messiah, who will destroy the wicked and give victory to the righteous. Key People: Malachi, the priests Interesting Facts: Not only is Malachi the last book in the Old Testament, Malachi was the last prophet before Christ, and ends his book with the promise of the return of Elijah (who would pave the way for the coming of the Messiah).
|
This page URL: http://www.mystery-babylon.us/otbible_2.html |
| Links: [1] http://www.mystery-babylon.us/bible.html [2] http://www.mystery-babylon.us/otbible_1.html [3] http://www.mystery-babylon.us/ntbible_1.html [4] http://www.mystery-babylon.us/ntbible_2.html [5] http://www.mystery-babylon.us/ntbible_3.html |
This Page was generated with web2printer 4 in: 0.062989 seconds http://www.printer-friendly.com |