Span includes the period of co-regency (if any). To this can be added the mention of Greeks (chapter 3:6), who hardly played a role in Near Eastern history earlier than the 7th century. 2 Samuel 12:7 - "This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says", The Story of the Bible - Part One - The Old Testament. God may reject one nation or group of people in favor of another if those first summoned persistently refuse to cooperate with Him (see Jeremiah 18:6-10; cf. By divine appointment the sacred writings were preserved, century after century, and Israel became their custodian (Amos 3:7; Romans 3:1, 2). 1 Kings 22:28). First Century Israel Map - 3 0 obj Instead of becoming light bearers to the world they absorbed its darkness and reflected that darkness instead. prophecy of Jonah[1] during the time of Babylonian captivity, though dating of the book ranges from the 6th to the late 3rd century BC. For these reasons the 7th-century date for Joel has been adopted in this commentary, although there is no conclusive proof that this choice is correct. Salvation was to be of the Jews, in that the Messiah would be a Jew (John 4:22), and by the Jews, as messengers of salvation to all men (Genesis 12:2, 3; 22:18; Isaiah 42:1, 6; 43:10; Galatians 3:8, 16, 18). . It is an undeniable historical fact that, to this day, the majority of these predictions have not been fulfilled. For a graphic picture of how one nation would have responded to the irresistible appeal radiating from an Israel faithful to God, see Isaiah 19:18-22; cf. It should be remembered that God does not force the human will, and that Israels cooperation was essential to the success of His plan for the nation. Similarly, the ways in which God dealt with men in crises of the past are often cited as examples of the manner in which He will deal with all the world in the last day (see on Deuteronomy 18:15). The book makes no reference to the fall of Samaria, which took place in 723/22 B.C., and it can therefore be concluded that the prophets last message was given prior to Samarias destruction. Hosea 2:6-13). Text from Earth's Sacred Calendar: The Dated Events of the Old Testament TWENTY-FIVE Israel's 44 Kings and Their Prophets Saul Seeks Father's Donkeys Until the Temple Starts Burning Sunday September 22 - Tishri 10, 1050 BC To Monday July 21 - Av 7, 526 BC 523 Years and 303 Days Mormons have distinctive beliefs on what a prophet is. He would renew His covenant with them (Jeremiah 31:10-38; Ezekiel 36:21-38; Zechariah 1:12, 17; 2:12), including its accompanying blessings (Jeremiah 33:3, 6-26; Ezekiel 36:8-15). It is possible that Hebrews 11:37 refers to this event. Historical setting See on Zechariah 1:8. He played an important role during two momentous periods: (1) under Ahaz, during the war between Syria and Israel (chapters 7-11), and (2) under Hezekiah, during a siege of Jerusalem by Sennacherib chapters 36; 37). He will listen to the prophet speaking to Israel of old and endeavor to understand what his words meant to the people who originally heard them. But they are to be saved as Christians and not as Jews. A date, possibly about 630 B.C., but before the Chaldeans had become a power of some importance, would seem most appropriate for the period of Habakkuks prophetic activity. Any idea that the return of the Jews to their ancestral home, that is, to the new state of Israel, may in any way be related to Bible prophecy is without valid scriptural foundation. Captivity, he said, had confirmed the curse that came because of disobedience (verses 11, 12) and Jerusalem lay desolate (verses 16-19). But the manner in which it is carried out may change because man may change. 4. The only period in which the mission of Jonah to Nineveh, with its results, seems to fit is the reign of Adad-nirari III (810782). For illustrations of the reversal of threatened judgment, see Jonah 3:3-10; cf. Formal worship took the place of sincere religion (cf. As he was escaping on a ship bound for Tarshish a great storm arose. At times they had an import, not only for the age in which the prophet lived, but also for a day far future; in other words, they had a dual application. Joel is not displayed as the dates are uncertain and estimates range from the 9th to the 4th centuries b.c. Jesus own verdict was, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof (Matthew 21:43; cf. The accompanying chart enables the reader to study these prophets in their historical setting. Amos presents himself to his readers as a herdsman and a gatherer of sycomore fruit (chapters 1:1; 7:14). Prophet to Judah. Malachi 3:12), and their God the only true God (Isaiah 45:14). You always can block or delete cookies by changing your browser settings and force blocking all cookies on this website. However, he is again found playing a role on the night of Babylons fall, as interpreter of the mysterious handwriting on the wall (chapter 5). The History of Rome - Brief Overview Of Roman History from Her Dawn to the First Punic War. Some of these prophets only have their words recorded in Kings or Chronicles, while others have their words recorded elsewhere in the Bible (usually the book name is the prophets name). Promises not already fulfilled to literal Israel either would never be fulfilled at all or would be fulfilled to the Christian church as spiritual Israel. 4:3 with Amos 8:8; Hosea 4:15 with Amos 5:5; and Hosea 8:14 with Amos 2:5). Many years later, in writing to the strangers, or Gentiles (1 Peter 1:1: see on Exodus 12:19, 43), as the elect of God (1 Peter 1:2), Peter refers to them as the chosen ones of God, a holy nation, a peculiar people (chapter 2:9), formerly not a people, but now the people of God (verse 10). These observations seem to place Zephaniah in the early years of Josiahs reign, perhaps about 630 B.C., as a contemporary of Habakkuk. Feebleness and disease were to disappear entirely from Israel as the result of strict adherence to healthful principles (see Exodus 15:26; Deuteronomy 7:13, 15; etc.). We fully respect if you want to refuse cookies but to avoid asking you again and again kindly allow us to store a cookie for that. Click on the different category headings to find out more. Prophets of the Assyrian Period Jonah Jonah (790-770 B.C.) For instance, the prophecy of the battle of Gog and Magog in Ezekiel 38, 39 was never fulfilled to literal Israel; but John the revelator assures us that in principle, though not necessarily in all details (such as those of Ezekiel 39:9-15), this battle will occur at the close of the millennium (Revelation 20:7-9). Timeline of one Prophets. **All dates are approximate time periods of each prophets ministry. 2. ), those pointing forward to the eternal rest in Canaan (Isaiah 11:6-9; 35; 65:17-25; 66:20-23; Jeremiah 17:25; Ezekiel 37; 40-48; Zechariah 2:6-12; 14:4-11), and those promising deliverance from her enemies (Isaiah 2:10-21; 24-26; Ezekiel 38; 39; Joel 3; Zephaniah 1; 2; Zechariah 9:9-17; 10-14; etc. This concept of the role of Israel is reiterated again and again throughout the Old Testament. These cookies are strictly necessary to provide you with services available through our website and to use some of its features. The prophets vivid description of the catastrophe that had befallen Thebes leaves the impression that the event was still fresh in the memory of the people, whereas Assyrias power, although waning, was not yet near its end. Host: Alan's Gleanings Chart of the Kings Alphabetical List of the Kings Questions for Discussion A Comment about Names The Heritage of Jesus God's Message of Salvation Kings of the United Kingdom (c 1025-925 BC) King Relationship to Previous King God's Judgment Saul none did evil Ishbosheth* son . God placed His people in Palestine, the crossroads of the ancient world, and provided them with every facility for becoming the greatest nation on the face of the earth. (prophecy of Deborah) During the Kingdom of Israel and Judah c. 1025 BC-c. 1003 BC [citation needed] King Saul, prophecy of Samuel, It was ordained of God to meet the needs of His people at the time it was given and to remind them of the glorious destiny that awaited them as a nation, of the coming of the Messiah, and of the establishment of His eternal kingdom. In Egypt, Jeremiah raised his voice against the idolatries the Jews practiced there (chapters 43; 44). It was His purpose to set them on high above all nations of the earth (Deuteronomy 28:1), with the result that all people of the earth would recognize their superiority and call them blessed (Malachi 3:10, 12). The British-Israel movement teaches that the Anglo-Saxon peoples are the literal descendants of the ten so-called lost tribes of the northern kingdom and that the promises will, in large measure, be fulfilled to their modern posterity. For these reasons his ministry can be dated from about 755 (or earlier) to about 725 B.C. All rights reserved. Ezekiel 38:16, 18-23; 39:1-7). For some time he held a high position in Nebuchadnezzars government (chapter 2:48), and became a trusted counselor of the great king. was 42,360, besides servants. Gods word is sure (Isaiah 40:8; 55:11; Romans 11:29), and His plan for the salvation of man will ultimately prevail (Isaiah 46:10). All rights reserved. At the same time, He permitted the heathen nations to walk in their own ways (Acts 14:16), to furnish an example of what man can accomplish apart from Him. In the midst of these kingdoms, several prophets are sent by God. Gods call to the nations would have been, Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth (Isaiah 45:22). The number who returned upon the decree of 537 B.C. Major Prophets: Isaiah, Jeremiah and Ezekiel. On the other hand, the destruction of Nineveh is described as an event still future (chapter 3:7). Hence, he seems to have labored at a time before Assyria played a role in Palestinian affairs. 2010 by the Theology of Work Project, Inc. This fact weakens the arguments for such a late date. ), have never been and can never be fulfilled to them as a nation. He appears on the Bible Timeline Poster around the 8th century B.C. But he will listen also for the further import the prophets words may have for later times, particularly, our time. Situate the prophets within Israel's history. Contributors: Alice Mathews Adopted by the Theology of Work Project Board December 9, 2010. endobj It is true, he says, that national Israel stumbled at the stumblingstone, Jesus Christ (Romans 9:32, 33; 11:11; cf. The various abuses rebuked by Malachi are mostly the same as those Nehemiah found when he returned to Jerusalem for his second term of governorship (Malachi 3:8, 9; cf. He is the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever (Hebrews 13:8). By continuing to browse the site, you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Also, Jeremiah (chapter 26:18), quoting Micah (chapter 3:12), testifies that Micah ministered during Hezekiahs time. 19:21; Isaiah 46:10; Acts 5:39; Hebrews 6:17; etc. Biblical Archaeology - Significant Discoveries from Ancient Empires. The glorious promises originally made to literal Israel are meeting their fulfillment today in the proclamation of the gospel to all men (Revelation 14:6, 7). This prophecy must have been pronounced either before Jeroboam came to the throne (approximately 793 B.C.) Unless otherwise noted, the Scripture quotations contained herein are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, Copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A., and are used by permission. The remaining messages and prophecies, found in chapters 9-14, are not dated, a fact that prevents us from fixing the duration of the prophets activity. National greatness. View Full Article Table of Contents Who Were the Prophets? Ninevehs destruction, which came in 612, is referred to as a future event, indicating that Zephaniahs work preceded this date. Eventually, all the nations would call Jerusalem the throne of the Lord and be gathered unto it, not to walk any more after the imagination of their evil heart (Jeremiah 3:17). It is not known whether Malachi is the name of the author or simply the title of an otherwise anonymous author, since Malachi means my messenger. If it is the latter, his is the only anonymous work among the prophetic books of the Old Testament. You may not distribute or commercially use the content on any other website or other form of electronic retrieval system. When Manasseh came to the throne as sole ruler upon his fathers death, approximately in 686, he lost little time in removing the faithful seer. With your gift of any size, youll enable us to continue equipping Christians with high-quality biblically-based content. Uzziah was sole king over Judah from 767 to 750, and Jeroboam over Israel from 782 to 753. %PDF-1.5 Deported to Babylon, they were to learn in adversity the lessons they had failed to learn during times of prosperity (Jeremiah 25:5-7; 29:18, 19; 30:11-14; 46:28; Ezekiel 20:25-38; Micah 4:10-12), and to impart to the heathen Babylonians a knowledge of the true God. For example, Nathan was King David's prophet, and he was financially supported by the king. Discover what the message meant to the people of that time. Moses their great leader warned the people of Israel not to disobey the LORD or else: or during the early years of his reign. Large Map of Israel in the First Century - Click around on the Cities. The postexilic view.The absence of any reference to a king of Judah or to Assyria or Babylon, the reference to the hostility of Tyre and Sidon, and the mention of Greeks have been taken by some commentators as evidence for a postexilic date for Joel. The people might approach God personally and through the ministry of a mediating priesthood, their representatives before Him; He would direct the nation through the ministry of prophets, His appointed representatives to them. Israels unwillingness to submit to the restrictions and requirements of God, prevented them, to a great extent, from reaching the high standard He desired them to attain, and from receiving the blessings He was ready to bestow upon them. **All dates are approximate time periods of each prophet's ministry. In their meticulous attention to the letter of the law they lost sight of its spirit. by means of a broken line. Matthew 19:16, 17; 22:36-40). In that day every one that is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall even go up from year to year to worship the King, the Lord of hosts (Zechariah 14:16; cf. He purposed to make them an honor to His name and a blessing to the nations about them. The blessings of health. Then came a pause in his activity of almost two years, at the end of which Zechariah received another divine message, on December 6, 518 (chapter 7:1), recorded in chapters 7 and 8. Old Testament Overview - General survey of the Old Testament. <> 5. But this will always prompt you to accept/refuse cookies when revisiting our site. Blessings if they followed the LORD and curses if they forsook him. This article surveys the fundamental problem of the interpretation of the prophetic portions of the Old Testament in terms of their message to Israel of old and to the church today. The modernist school of interpretation denies the predictive element in prophecy altogether, arguing either that the predictions were written down after the events thus foretold took place or that such predictions reflected nothing more than the prophets hopes for the future, or those of his people. In spite of the bold and zealous efforts of such prophets as Elijah, Elisha, Amos, and Hosea, the northern kingdom rapidly deteriorated and was eventually carried into Assyrian captivity. You are free to opt out any time or opt in for other cookies to get a better experience. He is commemorated by Christians on July 20 and is recognized as a prophet in Islam. The prophet was a citizen of Judah, but delivered messages to the kingdom of Israel as well. ), success must and will comethrough Israel after the spirit. The 9th-century view.The great empires of Assyria and Babylonia do not appear within the horizon of the prophet. Spiritual Israel includes both Jews and Gentiles (verse 24). It is ever the privilege of those who witness the fulfillment of prophecy to remember and believe (John 13:19; 14:29; John 16:4). In a mysterious way known only to God the prophets words were sometimes intended to meet their fulfillment in the then far-distant future. Furthermore, the repeated mention of Judahs wickedness, described as enormous in his day (see chapters 1:4-6, 8, 9, 12; 3:1-3, 7), points to the time before Josiahs reform, which began in 623/22. Jeremiah had been chosen by God for his office before birth (chapter 1:5), and was called to be a prophet at a tender age (chapter 1:6, 7). In this case, he was an octogenarian. Any nation and kingdom that would not serve Israel was to perish chapter (60:12). The following discussion sets forth the principles of interpretation described under 5, and followed by this commentary, together with the scriptural basis on which these principles rest. The plan itself never changes because God never changes. Louis F. Hartman and Alexander A. The book of Haggai contains four addresses, each bearing a precise date giving the day, month, and year of Darius reign. Isaiah 54:7; Ezekiel 36:11; 43:10, 11; Micah 6:8; Zechariah 10:6). prophecies of Elijah, Micaiah, and Elisha. Mark 7:9). That which God purposed to do for the world through Israel, the chosen nation, He will finally accomplish through His church on earth to-day. Nation after nation would come over (Isaiah 45:14), that is, be joined with and cleave to the house of Jacob (chapter 14:1). All this leads to the conclusion that Micah prophesied from about 740 to about 700 B.C. For a short time during his reign Assyria turned from its polytheistic religion to a kind of monotheistic Nabu worship. They forgot that God abhors a multiplication of the forms of religion (Isaiah 1:11-18; Hosea 6:6; Micah 6:7; Malachi 2:13), and asks of man nothing but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with his God (Micah 6:8; cf. There was nothing God could have done for them that He did not do, yet they failed. Four eminent Hebrew prophets addressed themselves to the people of Israel and Judah in the latter half of the 8th pre-Christian century: Amos, Hosea, Micah, and Isaiah. The kingdom was overturned (Ezekiel 21:25-32) and the people removed from the land, which had been theirs only by virtue of the covenant relationship (Hosea 9:3, 15, Micah 2:10; cf. Joel 1:15; 2:1, 32) can hardly serve as evidence for either a late or an early date. endobj Note by whom it was spoken, to whom it was addressed, and the circumstances that called it forth. Continued obedience was necessary to the continuance of divine favor, whereas persistent disobedience must inevitably culminate in the rejection of the Jewish nation as Gods chosen instrument for carrying out the divine plan (Deuteronomy 28:15-68). But when the Jews rejected Christ there was no such assurance of reinstatement. However, the chronological data given by Micah are against such an identification and show that a century or more lies between the two men. chapter 11:18). They were doing no positive good; therefore they were doing incalculable harm, and their influence became a savor of death. See Deuteronomy 7:13; 28:2-8; Malachi 3:8-11. Below is a list of the prophets with dates, kings and historical events regarding Israel and her prophets. United kingdom under Saul, David, Solomon, c. 1030 - 931. The list is roughly chronological . Micah was a prophet from Moresheth-gath (chapter 1:1, 14), probably Tell ejJudeideh in southwestern Judah. The fundamental principle by which we can tell unerringly when any particular promise or prediction of the Old Testament made originally to literal Israel is to meet its fulfillment with respect to spiritual Israel iswhen a later inspired writer makes such an application of it. Di Lella, "Daniel" in, Center of Contemporary Jewish Documentation, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Timeline_of_the_Hebrew_prophets&oldid=1082234151, Short description with empty Wikidata description, Articles with unsourced statements from July 2012, Articles with unsourced statements from February 2019, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 12 April 2022, at 01:53. Seventy weeks490 years of literal timewere determined upon the Jews, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness (Daniel 9:24). Haggais courageous ministry was responsible for the resumption of the rebuilding of the Temple in the time of Darius I, after the work had ceased for some time (Ezra 4:24; 5:1). Jonah fled his call because it was the Assyrians who were destroying the Jews. Paul makes it clear beyond argument that when he speaks of Israel as the chosen people of God he means it in this sense. The life story of Jeremiah is better known than that of any other prophet. The work of no other prophet can be dated so definitely as that of Haggai. Seventh-day Adventists believe that, generally speaking, the promises and predictions given through the Old Testament prophets originally applied to literal Israel and were to have been fulfilled to them on the condition that they obey God and remain loyal to Him. The Talmud (Megillah 14a) says that there had been twice as many prophets as the number of people who left Egypt (2,600,000), but only those whose messages were for future generations were recorded. At Mt. Not only is Malachi last in the sequential order of the prophets; it is also the last prophetic book produced in pre-Christian times. All nations of earth were to share in the blessings so generously bestowed upon Israel. Its people were given no promise of complete restoration to their former power in Palestine. As the nations of antiquity should behold Israels unprecedented progress, their attention and interest would be aroused. And the Lord shall scatter thee among all people, from the one end of the earth even unto the other (Deuteronomy 28:63, 64). Living in a crisis period of his nation, Jeremiah was called to proclaim many messages of reproof and solemn predictions of doom over his people for their disobedience. Chronology of the Latter Prophets and the Intertestamental Period. Unfortunately, Nehemiahs second term as governor cannot be dated, which fact makes it also somewhat difficult to date Malachi. In one way or another each of these attempts at interpreting the messages of the Old Testament prophets neglects significant teachings of Scripture, evades fundamental principles of exegesis, and provides a distorted picture of the predictive sections of prophecy. Hence, the year 603 can be considered as the beginning of Daniels ministry as a prophet. This tables shows the reigns of each of the Kings of Judah and Israel, It would become an object lesson of the results of acting in harmony with moral, as with natural, law. What makes it challenging when reading straight through the Bible [in chronological order] is that the history is covered in 1 and 2 Kings and then again in 1 and 2 Chronicles. Partial compliance on their part with the will of God made possible a partial fulfillment of the covenant promises on Gods part. Since these providers may collect personal data like your IP address we allow you to block them here. In fact, this procedure is responsible more than anything else for the fanciful interpretations that distinguish the teachings of certain religious groups. Joshua and Judges spoke of the history just after the time of Moses. Several of the prophets messages are dated exactly, and the last of these dated prophetic messages was received in the 27th year of Ezekiels captivity (chapter 29:17), 571/70. He states that he ministered under King Josiah (chapter 1:1), who reigned from 640 to 609 B.C. They interpreted prophecy in accordance with their selfish desires, because their ambitious hopes were fixed on worldly greatness. 3. Click to enable/disable essential site cookies. Even during the Captivity, and later under foreign tutelage, Israel remained a theocracy in theory if not fully in practice. Hence the year 571/70 must not be considered as necessarily marking the end of his ministry. They forfeited Gods blessing because of failure to fulfill His purpose in making them His chosen people, and thus brought ruin upon themselves. What makes it challenging when reading straight through the Bible [in chronological order] is that the history is covered in 1 and 2 Kings and then again in 1 and 2 Chronicles. Jesus confirmed all of the events mentioned in the Old Testament (Luke 11:49-51). 1 Kings 8:41-43). x=kU0g\ET,? Consideration is given to the role of literal Israel as Gods chosen people, to the way His plan for them was to have been accomplished, to the way in which it actually did work out, and to the eventual transfer of the privileges and responsibilities of literal Israel to spiritual Israel, that is, to the Christian church. Bible Commentary / Produced by TOW Project, 10 Key Points About Work in the Bible Every Christian Should Know, Beyond Rank and Power: What Philemon Tells Us About Leadership, Learning From the Psalms How to Pray Through Your Work, Situating the Prophets in Israels History, Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. Also note that during this time the prophets Jeremiah & Ezekiel were active. However, there is also no reference made to Persia, which would be expected if the book was of so late a date. Since Josiah came to the throne as a child, he must have lived under a regent, which explains why no king is mentioned by Joel. He belonged to a family of priests whose home town was Anathoth. Thus Israel was to blossom and bud, and fill the face of the world with fruit (Isaiah 27:6). Check to enable permanent hiding of message bar and refuse all cookies if you do not opt in. This Upper Egyptian capital city, better known by its Greek name Thebes, was destroyed by King Ashurbanipal in 663 B.C., a date that provides the upper time limit of Nahums prophecy. He prophesied to the people of Israel during the years that Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz and Kezekiah were kings of Judah and when Jeroboam II was king of Israel. You are free to share (to copy, distribute and transmit the work), and remix (to adapt the work) for non-commercial use only, under the condition that you must attribute the work to the Theology of Work Project, Inc., but not in any way that suggests that it endorses you or your use of the work. Had Israel measured up to the noble ideal, all of the promises contingent upon obedience would long since have been fulfilled. Since the hostile acts of the heathen peoples committed against Judah (chapter 3:4 ff.) Please be aware that this might heavily reduce the functionality and appearance of our site. Any redistribution or reproduction of part or all of the contents in any form is prohibited other than the following: You may print or download to a local hard disk extracts for your personal use only. The success of Israel was to be based on and to include: 1.
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