OLD TESTAMENT SURVEY 4

Old Testament Survey : 4
[3rd Edition – May 2008]
Page
Lesson 1 The Books of Prophecy 1
The Kings of the Northern Kingdom, continued
Jonah – Amos – Hosea
Lesson 2 The end of the Northern Kingdom and the start 8
of the Southern Kingdom
2 Chronicles – Obadiah
Lesson 3 Joel – Isaiah 15
Lesson 4 Micah – Nahum – Zephaniah – Habakkuk 20
Lesson 5 Jeremiah – Lamentations 25
Lesson 6 Daniel – The Book of the Kingdom 29
Lesson 7 Ezekiel – The Book of Visions 33
Lesson 8 Ezra – Haggai – Zechariah – Esther – Nehemiah –
Malachi 37
Author:
Eileen Crowhurst
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The Books of Prophecy
Lesson 1
The purpose of a Prophet:
1. To call God's people back to Him. The prophets raised their voices to call the nation
back to God.
2. They often did not understand the full meaning of their message – and often there
were two parts to their message – one for the day in which they were living and another
for a future time.
3. They were "forth-tellers" – that is, people who declared or proclaimed God's message.
They spoke fearlessly to kings and to the people.
4. The period of the Old Testament prophets covered about 500 years, from the 9th
Century to the 4th Century before Christ's birth. After 400 BC, there were no prophets –
until John the Baptist.
5. The prophets spoke not only to Israel and Judah, but to the Gentile nations as well:
Obadiah prophesied to Edom
Jonah prophesied to Nineveh
Nahum prophesied to Nineveh also
Isaiah prophesied to eleven nations: Edom, Philistia, Ethiopia, Egypt, Arabia, Tyre,
Moab, Assyria and Babylon, as well as Israel and Judah.
6. The Prophetic Books:
5 Major
According to the length of the book.
12 Minor
Whether the book is classified as "major" or "minor" is according to its length and not
according to its importance, or according to the prophet’s anointing.
With this in mind, let us return to our study of:
THE KINGS OF THE NORTHERN KINGDOM – ISRAEL … continued
JEROBOAM II.
Read 2 Kings 14:23-26
Notice "…according to the word of the Lord … which He spoke through His servant Jonah
the son of Amittai, the prophet, who was of Gath-hepher".
Nineveh was the capital city of Assyria.
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JONAH – The Book of Mercy on the Gentiles
Some time between 790 and 755 BC
Jonah is known as "The reluctant prophet" because he did not want to go. If we remember that
Nineveh was the capital city of Assyria, a very hostile nation, we can perhaps understand his
reluctance to go.
AUTHOR Read 2 Kings 14:23-29
NB verse 25 – “Jonah, the son of Amittai, the prophet, who was of Gathhepher”.
Read Jonah 1:1
Jonah lived in Israel, the Northern Kingdom, but was sent to a Gentile city.
THE TIME Jonah prophesied during the reign of Jeroboam II of Israel, after the time of
Elisha and just before Amos and Hosea. It was a time of prosperity.
Assyria was growing in power and Assyrian cruelty and ruthlessness in war
was well known.
KEY VERSE Read Jonah 3:10
PURPOSE 1. To show the compassion of God to all mankind.
“God is not one to show partiality; but in every nation the man that
fears Him and does what is right, is welcome to Him”. Acts 10:34-35.
2. To show that disobedience brings God’s discipline.
Jonah mistakenly put his country ahead of God in importance.
OUTLINE 1. Jonah’s first commission – Chapters 1 – 2.
Nineveh is one of the most wicked cities in the whole world. So, when
God tells Jonah to go there and tell the people God will save them from
their enemies if they repent, Jonah runs the other way.
However, God teaches Jonah a lesson … and then Jonah obeys,
travelling “by fish” instead of by boat!
2. Jonah’s second commission – Chapters 3 – 4.
The city repents, but Jonah is angry that God does not destroy them.
However, Jonah came to see the foolishness of being sorrier for a dying
plant than for a nation of people.
3
AMOS – The Book of Judgment for the Northern Kingdom
About 767 – 753 BC
TIME Amos prophesied just after Joel and just before Isaiah and Micah, who spoke to
Judah in the South.
Uzziah was king of Judah. Jeroboam II ruled in Israel. Amos 1:1.
Uzziah ruled over a prosperous and militarily strong Judah. He had fought and
subdued the Philistines, the Ammonites and Edomites.
King Jeroboam II of Israel was capable and brought the Northern Kingdom into
a time of prosperity – however, as prosperity increased, so did their love of
material things. Immorality flourished. Injustice was everywhere.
Jeroboam II had a cavalry which no other nation could compare to. Israel’s
archers were renowned for pressing forward and never giving in, therefore what
Amos said in 2:15 seemed ridiculous – “He who grasps the bow will not stand
his ground, the swift of foot will not escape, nor will he who rides the horse save
his life”.
Because of their strength, the people found it very difficult to believe that
disaster could come upon them … but it was only 30 years to their downfall.
AUTHOR Amos was from Tekoa, a small town about 10 kilometres south of Bethlehem
and 20 kilometres from Jerusalem. He was not a priest or a member of the royal
family: Amos was a shepherd, or “herdsman”, and a grower of figs.
Although he lived in the Southern Kingdom of Judah, and addressed part of his
prophecy to them, he was sent to announce God’s judgment on the Northern
Kingdom (Israel).
Amos went to Bethel (7:10-13) because it was one of the centres of Israel’s
worship (1 Kings 12:28).
KEY VERSES Read Amos 4:11-12 and then Amos 7:11
Read Amos 8:11-12
PURPOSE 1. God is gracious and kind, but He will not allow sin to go unpunished
indefinitely.
But Amos’ message against Israel’s sins is not received.
2. Amos ends his book with a promise – God’s promise to reinstate
David’s line, to renew the land and to restore His people.
MESSAGE It was a time in Israel of idolatry, extravagant, luxurious living, and
oppression of the poor. Amos declared that God was going to judge His
unfaithful, disobedient, immoral, corrupt, covenant-breaking people.
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Israel thought that performance of the rituals and ceremonies the Lord had
decreed was all He required and, once they had completed those, they could do
whatever they pleased.
However, with no commitment to God or His Law, they had no basis for
standards of conduct. Amos declared that God’s approaching judgment on Israel
would not be a warning blow, but almost total destruction for the nation.
The unbelievable was about to happen – God would uproot His people, using
the hands of a foreign, ungodly nation.
However, if Israel truly repented, then there would be restoration for the
remnant. Amos 5:4-6, 14-15.
OUTLINE
1. Coming judgment to Israel and surrounding nations – Chapters 1 – 2.
Syria (Damascus) (1:3) Gaza, Philistia and Tyre (1:6-9)
Edom (1:10) Ammon (1:13)
Moab (2:1)
It must have seemed like good news to hear that God was going to destroy all these
nations. They were Israel’s enemies!
But then Amos continues …. “Judah (2:4) and Israel!” (2:6)
Note: The use of “three … and four” indicates a full measure of sin.
2. Three short sermons – Chapters 3 – 6. (“Hear the word … Therefore”)
Read Amos 3:7
3. Five visions – Chapters 7 – 9.
a) Grasshoppers a plague is avoided.
b) Fire judgment is restrained.
c) The plumb line judgment is deserved – A crooked wall must be
pulled down before a new one can be built.
d) Basket of summer fruit judgment is imminent.
e) False altar judgement is carried out.
4. Restoration of David’s Tabernacle.
Read Amos 9:11-12
What is “David’s fallen tent”?
Read 1 Chronicles 15:1-3
To “restore” means “to put back into place something that has been lost, misplaced or
stolen”.
Remember, the Ark symbolizes the presence of God.
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At Zion, David established a new way of worship and of ministering to God. He set a
new company of Levites to minister before the Ark.
David invented new musical instruments; thousands of people sang happy, joyful praises
to God. There were teams of priests and new songs of thanksgiving. People clapped and
lifted their hands. They shouted, danced, spun around, bowed down and said “Amen!”
All this began during David’s time.
Read Acts 15:16-18
James quoted Amos 9 and understood that salvation was also for all the Gentile nations,
without them having to become Jews first.
Amos saw a spiritual restoration or revival of true and proper worship as it was during
the time of David.
Important Solomon’s beautiful temple was still standing in Jerusalem when Amos
Note prophesied that God would restore David’s tent! It seemed impossible.
HOSEA – The Book of God’s Love
752 – 721 BC
Note: Israel is also called “Ephraim” which was the largest tribe in Israel.
AUTHOR Hosea The names Hosea, Hoshea, Joshua and Jesus are all forms of the same
Hebrew name.
Hoshea or Hosea means “salvation”
Joshua and Jesus mean “Jehovah is salvation”
Hosea is the only prophet from the northern kingdom who wrote a book, and his
prophecy is directed at the people of Israel. However, he most likely wrote it
while living in Judah, after the fall of the northern kingdom.
TIME Hosea’s ministry covers a period of about 40 years, beginning towards the final
years of Jeroboam II and continuing through the reigns of Zechariah (the king,
not the prophet), Shallum, Menahem, Pekah and Hoshea (Israel’s last king), and
ending after Assyria conquered Israel.
Life was even worse than in the time of Amos. Now kings gained the throne by
murdering the present king! Child sacrifice and sexual perversion had increased
to the point that adultery was consecrated as part of the normal religious
ceremony connected with calf worship. Hosea 4:14.
Assyria had grown in power. In about 800 BC Assyria assaulted Syria, capturing
the capital, Damascus, and imposed an enormous tribute (payment). However,
the Assyrian king died and the Assyrian empire was plunged into about fifty
years of unrest that neutralized their vision of world conquest.
Pay
attention
to names!
6
At this critical moment in time, two outstanding kings appeared: Jeroboam II,
son of Jehoash of Israel, and he ruled for 40 years beginning in 786 BC, and
Uzziah (also called Azariah) in Judah, who succeeded his father, Amaziah, in
783 BC and ruled for 41 years.
Jeroboam II moved quickly to take advantage of Syria’s defeat and succeeded in
pushing Israel’s borders almost to the extent it had enjoyed under David and
Solomon. The threat from Syria was removed. Assyria was in turmoil. Tribute
poured in from conquered peoples and Israel enjoyed a prosperity it had scarcely
known since becoming a separate kingdom.
IN JUDAH King Uzziah restored Judah to the glory of Solomon’s reign. An extra-ordinary
administrator, Uzziah systematically utilized Judah’s resources – he had new
cisterns dug, encouraged agriculture, placed military-agricultural settlements in
the Negeb to secure control over trade routes.
However, Assyria did not remain in confusion forever. Soon there was
unease in Israel as the Assyrian giant began to stir once again.
KEY VERSES Read Hosea 1:9-11
Read Hosea 11:7-9
Hear God’s heart as He cries, “How can I give you up, O Ehpraim?”
PURPOSE
1. To call Israel to repentance.
Hosea loved his wife Gomer very much. God knew Gomer would be unfaithful, and one
day she does run away. Hosea is broken-hearted.
Suddenly Hosea sees that the people of Israel have treated God exactly the way Gomer
had treated him. God loved His people, but they had turned away from Him to worship
idols.
Can God forgive them? Will He? The answer is, “Yes!” Hosea searches for Gomer,
eventually finding her in the slave market, offering herself for sale. He buys her, brings
her home and loves her.
Hosea’s domestic life mirrors Israel’s spiritual life.
Hosea had an adulterous wife, Israel was spiritually adulterous.
Hosea was a faithful husband, and God is faithful.
Like a one-sided love affair, Hosea’s marriage allows him to see through the heartbreak
of his own marriage to Israel’s sin against God in its deepest and worst significance,
spiritual adultery.
Hosea’s children:
Lo-ruhamah “not loved, or one who never knew a father’s love”
Lo-ammi “not belonging to me”
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Can you imagine calling these children to come in for lunch?
“Not loved, time to eat!” “Not mine, you need to come in now!”
Or, imagine saying goodnight, “Sleep well, Not Mine …”
Later their names are changed, to “Ruhamah” which means, “loved, or, knowing a
father’s love” and “Ammi” – “mine, belonging to me”.
2. To prophecy the cause of Israel’s captivity – unfaithfulness.
3. To prophecy restoration – which would come through the Messiah.
OUTLINE 1. The adulterous wife and faithful husband – Chapters 1 – 3.
Hosea’s personal story.
2. Adulterous Israel and faithful Lord – Chapters 4 – 14.
Israel’s national story.
Just an
interesting
thought …
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The end of the Northern Kingdom and
the start of the Southern Kingdom
Lesson 2
On the death of Jeroboam II, Israel plunged into political chaos.
Three kings, one after another, ruled in a single year.
1. ZECHARIAH.
He was the son of Jeroboam II, and reigned only six months. He was assassinated, and
with him ended the line of kings from Jehu.
2. SHALLUM.
Shallum was the one who murdered Zechariah. He held power for only one month
before being killed by Menahem.
3. MENAHEM.
Menahem killed Shallum and then held the country in a merciless reign of terror. Listen
to what it says in 2 Kings 15:16:
“At that time (that is, when Shallum was killed) Menahem started out from the town of
Tirzah, and attacked the town of Tiphsah and everyone in the city and in its vicinity,
because they refused to open their gates. He sacked Tiphsah and ripped open all the
pregnant women”.
Menahem gained control of Israel by force and continued to rule for the next 10 years.
However, the prosperity Israel had enjoyed was now seriously weakened.
The same year Menahem became king of Israel, Tiglath-Pileser III (also called “Pul”
in the Bible) became king of Assyria. Tiglath-Pileser made a tremendous change to the
way Assyria waged war – no longer were battles fought just to bring tribute, slaves and
materials – now newly conquered areas were incorporated into the Assyrian Empire.
Peoples native to conquered lands were to be deported and settled elsewhere throughout
the Assyrian Empire, and conquered peoples from other lands were brought in to settle in
newly captured areas.
Assyria threatened Israel and Menahem paid an enormous bribe to keep them away –
1000 talents of silver, which he obtained by taxing the people.
4. PEKAHIAH.
Menahem’s son, Pekahiah, became king but only ruled for two years before being
murdered by Pekah, an army officer.
5. PEKAH
Pekah reigned over Israel for 20 years. During his reign, Assyria once again threatened
Careful .… this is
a king, not the
prophet Zechariah.
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them and in an attempt to combine their strength, Israel and Syria formed a coalition.
They then came to Ahaz of Judah to ask the southern kingdom to join them, but Ahaz
would not join. On hearing of his refusal, Syria (also called “Aram”) and Israel attempted
to invade Judah, but Ahaz learned of the plot, and “his heart and the heart of his people
shook as the trees of the forest shake before the wind”, Isaiah 7:1-2.
Ahaz was confronted by Isaiah, the prophet, who told him to “Pay attention and be quiet.
Be calm, have no fear and do not be faint-hearted because of these two smouldering
pieces of wood from a fire … it shall not stand nor shall it come to pass”.
God Himself gave a sign that a righteous remnant would survive, “a young virgin will
bear a son and will call His name Immanuel, God with us”.
However, Ahaz panicked and appealed to Tiglath-Pileser of Assryia for help! This appeal
had immediate and far-reaching consequences. Assyria swept though Syria, Israel,
Philistia and Egypt. (734 – 732 BC)
Pekah was murdered in a conspiracy led by Hoshea.
6. HOSHEA.
By this time the whole northern part of Israel was part of the Assyrian Empire, but a coup
that put Hoshea on the throne, gave the people a new sense of independence, although it
should have been clear that the northern state was not going to survive.
Israel’s resources were exhausted and anything that remained had to be used to pay the
tax levied on them by Assyria. No fortifications remained between their borders and the
capital city, Samaria.
Tiglath-Pileser, the ruler of Assyria, died in 727 BC, and Shalmaneser became king. As
so often happens when a strong king dies, the conquered nation took the opportunity to
rebel.
While still pretending to be loyal to Assyria, King Hoshea of Israel asked Egypt for help
to break free of Assyrian domination. Egypt agreed. Hoshea then withheld the tax he was
required to pay – an open declaration of rebellion.
Shalmaneser of Assyria responded instantly, sending an army against Israel, taking
Hoshea prisoner and laying siege to the city of Samaria. The siege lasted for three years.
Supplies ran out, suffering increased daily.
In 721 BC Assyria broke through the walls of Samaria and took the city.
The surviving inhabitants were exiled to other lands Assyria had conquered and
peoples from those distant lands were settled in Samaria.
IT WAS THE END OF THE NORTHERN KINGDOM.
(2 Kings 17:24-29; 40-41)
THE EXILE OF THE NORTHERN KINGDOM
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THE HISTORY OF JUDAH – THE SOUTHERN KINGDOM
David and his son, Solomon, had ruled a united kingdom for more than 70 years, but following
Solomon’s death (about 921 BC) the kingdom split in two: the northern tribes chose the rebel
Jeroboam to rule them; Judah confirmed Solomon’s son, Rehoboam, as their king.
The Lord promised David that his throne would last forever. We will see David’s line of kings
lasting through 19 generations, until Jerusalem fell to Babylon in 587 BC.
(There was a six-year break during this time, when Athaliah ruled as queen in Judah. Athaliah
was the daughter of King Omri of Israel and wife of Jehoram of Judah.)
2 CHRONICLES – A Spiritual View of Judah
1 and 2 Chronicles cover the same period of history as the books of 2 Samuel and 1 and 2
Kings, but from a different perspective. The books of Samuel and Kings give a political history
of Israel and Judah, Chronicles presents a religious history of Judah only.
2 Chronicles virtually ignores the northern kingdom of Israel because of its false worship and
refusal to acknowledge the true God, and the true temple in Jerusalem.
AUTHOR Ezra
Ezra looks back through the history of his people for a specific purpose: what
had happened? Where was God in all that had happened? What was going to
become of His “Covenant People”?
TIME From the reign of Solomon (971 – 931 BC) through the reign of the kings of
Judah, the captivity of Judah and fall of Jerusalem when conquered by Babylon
in 586 BC, and the conquest of Babylon by Persia in 539 BC – a period of about
400 years.
KEY VERSES Read 2 Chronicles 7:14
Read 2 Chronicles 16:9
PURPOSE 1. To record the reign of those kings who patterned their lives and rule
after the life of Godly King David: Asa, Jehoshaphat, Joash, Hezekiah
and Josiah.
2. To record the history of God’s people from the building of Solomon’s
Temple to Cyrus’s command to rebuild the Temple more than 400
years later.
OUTLINE 1. The Temple is built – Reign of Solomon – Chapters 1 – 9.
A time of splendour – 40 years.
2. The Temple is destroyed – Reign of the Kings of Judah – Chapters
10 – 36.
A time of disaster – 393 years.
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JUDAH’S KINGS:
1. REHOBOAM.
Rehoboam was Solomon’s son and recognized as next in line for the throne, but the
elders of Judah refused to confirm his rule unless he abandoned his father’s repressive
policies.
Rehoboam refused and so the elders anointed their own king, Jeroboam. The powerful
state created by Saul, David and Solomon divided. Conquered nations broke away from
both kingdoms – Damascus Syria, Ammon and Moab; Edom gained some of its territory
back and Philistia reasserted itself.
Shishak, the king of Egypt, took advantage of the chaos and attacked Jerusalem, carrying
away the treasures of the king’s house as well as all the shields of gold Solomon had
made.
Rehoboam reigned for 17 years and “There was war between Rehoboam and Jeroboam
continually”. (2 Chronicles 12:15)
2. ABIJAM.
Rehoboam’s son Abijam (also known as Abijah) ruled the southern kingdom for 3 years.
He continued in all the sins of his father.
3. ASA.
Asa, Abijam’s son, began his reign during the 20th year of Jeroboam’s reign in the north.
Asa was a good king, although he did not rid the country entirely of idol worship. He
reigned for 41 years, during the reigns of Jeroboam and Baasha in Israel.
Read 2 Chronicles 14:8-12
Read 2 Chronicles 15:1-2 … and then verses 8-12
Now read 2 Chronicles 16:1-3, 7-9 and verse 12
Old Testament New Testament
Asa “became diseased in his feet”. A problem in our “Christian walk”.
“He did not first rely on God”, but We can do the same today, ignoring God,
only sought help from man. finding answers that seem right to us.
It is not wrong to go to a doctor, but at the same time we know it is God who is the
“Great Physician”. We look to Him to guide the doctors and nurses who help us.
4. JEHOSHAPHAT.
Jehoshaphat was Asa’s son. He defeated Edom. He also won back some of the land
which was lost to Egypt when Israel and Judah divided.
Careful – one of Jeroboam’s sons is also called
“Abijah” and there is a prophet named Abijah too!
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In the early part of his reign Jehoshaphat followed God, and the Lord was with him and
established the kingdom under his control so that he had great riches and honour.
However, Jehoshaphat made peace with Ahab, the wicked king of Israel, marrying his
daughter and agreeing to fight Syria alongside him. During the battle Ahab disguised
himself, hoping to avoid the Syrian army recognizing him and thereby making him a
target. However, he was struck “at random, in a joint of his armour” and died.
Jehoshaphat returned to Jerusalem, and then both Ammon and Moab attacked.
Jehoshaphat was very afraid …
Read 2 Chronicles 20:14-17
Now read verses 21-22
Jehoshaphat reigned for 25 years and was a good king. However, he did not completely
wipe out false worship and, in the latter years of his rule, he again allied himself with the
king of Israel (now Ahab’s son, Ahaziah).
5. JEHORAM. (Also called Joram)
In a curious coincidence, Israel also had a king named Jehoram who ruled during this
time! These two men were related because Jehoram of Judah was married to Jehoram of
Israel’s sister, a woman named Athaliah. In other words, these two kings were brothersin-
law. (Athaliah was another of Ahab’s daughters) (Jehoram is also called “Joram”)
As soon as Jehoram gained the throne of Judah, he murdered all his brothers.
He was a wicked king and worshipped false gods. He lived in the same way Ahab of
Israel lived. (Remember, he married one of Ahab’s daughters.)
Read 2 Chronicles 21:12-19
OBADIAH – The Book of Repayment – “Pride Goes Before a Fall”
848 – 841 BC
AUTHOR Obadiah
TIME There is widespread disagreement regarding the time this book was written –
some place it very early, during the time of Elisha; others place it later, during
the time of Jeremiah.
However, whether earlier or later, Obadiah’s message remains the same:
although Edom rejoiced at the destruction of Israel and the disaster of Judah,
God’s people will be delivered and God’s kingdom will triumph. Edom,
however, will be shattered.
KEY VERSES Obadiah only has one chapter, read verse 4 … and verse 15.
PURPOSE 1. God’s judgment is always preceded by His mercy, but when His mercy is
rejected, when a person or a nation continues in stubborn refusal to repent,
then sooner or later God’s judgment will follow.
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2. To show that “as a man sows, so shall he reap”. Galatians 6:7-9.
SUMMARY Edom’s hostility towards God’s people stretched over centuries of history, and
Obadiah prophesied that what Edom had sewn, Edom would reap.
The Edomites felt secure in the mountains where they lived. Petra, the capital,
was a “rock city” and virtually impossible to conquer, but Edom had not
reckoned on God!
“You cheered”, Obadiah says, “when the enemy destroyed Jerusalem. You
helped to rob the city of its treasures. You captured people as they tried to
escape and turned them over to the enemy. You think you are safe because your
city is protected by rocky cliffs, but you are wrong! It will be destroyed! And so
will every nation that disobeys God”.
Read verse 4 again
JUDAH’S KINGS CONTINUED:
6. AHAZIAH.
This was Jehoram’s youngest son.
(Now, in case you are not confused enough, this man was also known as
“Jehoahaz”… and as “Azariah”!)
The king of Israel, Jehoram, had been wounded in a battle with Syria. Ahaziah went to
visit his uncle just after the time when Elisha had anointed Jehu to replace Jehoram. As
Jehoram turned to flee from Jehu, he was struck by an arrow which pierced his heart.
Jehu and his men pursued Ahaziah, the young king of Judah, wounding him badly. King
Ahaziah managed to get to Meggido, but died there. He only reigned for one year
7. ATHALIAH (Ahaziah’s mother, a daughter of Ahab and Jezebel) 842 – 837 BC.
In Jerusalem, Athaliah, on hearing of her son’s death, seized the throne for herself and
ruled from 842 – 837 BC.
She killed all Ahaziah’s sons, (her own grandsons!), to ensure her reign would not be
opposed. However, Ahaziah’s youngest son, little Joash, was hidden and brought to the
High Priest where he lived until he was seven years old.
8. JOASH (837 – 797 BC).
The High Priest, Jehoiada, led a successful coup to overthrow Queen Athaliah.
2 Chronicles 24:2 says this, “Joash did what was right in the sight of the Lord all the
days of Jehoiada the priest”.
Joash restored the house of the Lord and gathered the priests and Levites together,
instructing them to collect a tax from all the people for the house of God. The people
gave willingly, rejoicing as they brought their gifts.
Now read 2 Chronicles 24:17-22 …
Just to get even more complicated,
one of the sons of Ahab is also
named Ahaziah … Israel’s 8th king.
He died after falling from a palace
window.
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The prophet “Zechariah” referred to here is not the same person as the prophet who wrote
one of the books of the Old Testament. This man referred to in 2 Chronicles is Jehoiada’s
son! Think about that … this is the son of the man who raised young Joash, who kept
him hidden and safe from wicked Queen Athaliah.
Well, the king of Syria (Aram) attacked Jerusalem. Joash sent a tribute of gifts – “all the
gold that was found in the treasuries of the house of the Lord and of the king’s house”, 2
Kings 12:18.
However, it was not enough to avert God’s judgment.
Read 2 Chronicles 24:23-25
While recovering from the wounds of battle, Joash was assassinated.
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Joel – Isaiah
Lesson 3
JOEL – The Book of “The Day of the Lord”
A plague of locusts gave Joel an illustration of God’s impending judgment on his country.
Like a mighty army, destroying everything in its path, millions and millions of locusts
swarmed over the nation of Judah.
The people cried, “Help! What will we do”?
“Repent of all your sins”, Joel answered. “Seek God and He will save you”.
AUTHOR Joel
Although there are several other men named Joel in the Bible, this man – the
prophet – is known only from this book.
In Chapter 1:1, he identifies himself as the son of Pethuel, and his frequent
references to Zion and the house of the Lord suggest that he probably lived close
to Jerusalem.
Joel is a clear, definite and uncompromising preacher of repentance.
TIME The book is not dated and there is some uncertainty as to when it was written,
but his prophecy was definitely directed to Judah and most Biblical scholars
place Joel about the time of Athaliah, the Queen who claimed the throne after
her son Ahaziah’s death.
KEY VERSES Read Joel 2:28-32
But, these verses are preceded by:
Joel 2:1-2
And 12-13, Note verse 12 … “Repent”
And read verse 18 “then”
Now read verse 28 “it will come about …”
PURPOSE 1. Locally, to call the Kingdom of Judah to repentance.
2. Prophetically, to point to the last days of judgment, repentance, revival
and an outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
3. Finally, to point to “The Day”, the second coming of Jesus Christ.
JUDAH’S KINGS CONTINUED:
9. AMAZIAH.
Read 2 Chronicles 25:1-2
For a time both Israel and Syria were distracted by the powerful Assyrian threat.
Amaziah moved to reclaim Edom, and won the battle.
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Read 2 Chronicles 25:14-16
Excited by his success against Edom, Amaziah now sent messengers to Israel, suggesting
a meeting and also a marriage – between the king of Israel’s daughter and Amaziah’s
son.
However, the king of Israel replied that Amaziah should be satisfied with his victory over
Edom, calling Judah a “thistle” (like a weed), and Israel a “cedar” (a tall tree). When
Amaziah pressed the matter, war broke out.
Read 2 Chronicles 25:22
Israel won the war, Amaziah was captured, and Jerusalem fell. The Israelites pulled
down great portions of the northern wall and took all the gold and silver and treasure
from the Temple, and the king's house, as well as hostages.
Amaziah was released and reigned a few more years from his ruined capital, Jerusalem,
and was eventually assassinated.
10. UZZIAH (Also called Azariah) 783 – 731 BC.
Amaziah’s son, Uzziah, came to the throne in 783 BC. Very few people would ever have
guessed that this young man, only 16 years old, would restore the Southern Kingdom to a
position of power and prestige. (2 Kings 15:1-5)
Uzziah reigned for 52 years. (786 – 734 BC)
He was a gifted administrator, who took full advantage of the economic resources of his
kingdom. He had new cisterns dug to support large herds, encouraged agriculture and
placed military-agricultural settlements in the Negeb to secure control over trade routes.
He strengthened the defences of Jerusalem and re-equipped the army and he chose an
elite group of “mighty men of valour” just as David had done.
He waged successful wars until his fame “spread even to the border of Egypt, for he
became very strong”. (2 Chronicles 26:8)
Read 2 Chronicles 26:16-21
In 746 BC, the king of the Northern Kingdom, Jeroboam 2nd, died and Israel plunged into
political chaos. Three kings gained the throne in one single year: Zechariah, Shallum and
Menahem. Assyria took full advantage of the Northern Kingdom’s confusion.
Uzziah, now leprous and old, tried to bring his fellow kings together against the
potentially fatal strength of Assyria, but failed.
Read 2 Chronicles 26:22
ISAIAH – The “Miniature Bible”
750 – 680 BC
Isaiah is called the “Miniature Bible” because:
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It has 66 chapters and there are 66 Books in the Bible
39 chapters speak of Judgment 39 Books of the Old Testament
27 chapters full of God’s grace 27 Books in the New Testament
AUTHOR Isaiah
He was of high social standing and documented the history of the nation of
Judah for the king.
His wife was a prophetess (Isaiah 8:3), and his two sons, Shear Jashub (“a
remnant shall return”) and Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz (“Make haste to the spoil”),
are once again good examples of prophetic names.
TIME Isaiah prophesies for about 50 years – from halfway through Uzziah’s reign,
through the reigns of Jotham and Ahaz, and ending in Hezekiah’s reign.
During Jotham’s reign, Assyria was growing in power. They conquered the
small nations near the Mediterranean coast, including Israel and much of Judah.
Isaiah lived during a time of great military threat to Judah and warns Judah’s
kings against trusting in political alliances rather than trusting in God.
Isaiah ministers to the Northern Kingdom of Israel for a short time and then
warns Judah that they will also experience defeat if they do not repent.
A VERY
INTERESTING Read Isaiah 20:1-6 Again we see a prophetic sign, and what an
NOTE amazing one at that!
Isaiah went barefoot and naked for three years, a
sign that the nations of Egypt and Cush would
go into captivity, naked and barefoot.
KEY VERSES Read Isaiah 9:6-7
Read Isaiah 53:6
KEY CHAPTER Chapter 53 – Describing the Messiah
PURPOSE 1. To warn Israel and Judah of their sin.
Both nations had sinned, as well as the nations surrounding them.
Judgment must come, for God will not ignore such sin.
Isaiah’s warnings about Babylon are very interesting since Babylon
was not a great power when Isaiah was prophesying these things.
2. To declare a message of hope.
The Messiah is coming as a Saviour, a Servant and a King. He will
suffer, and bear a cross, but also wear a crown.
OUTLINE 1. Assyria is the World Power – Chapters 1 – 35.
Prophecies of Judgment:
Hmmm … I wonder
what we would think of a
prophet doing this today!
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Prophecies against Judah Chapters 1 – 8
Israel Chapters 9 – 10 Warning
Restoration Chapters 11 – 12 of
Prophecies against the nations Chapters 13 – 23 Disaster
2. Transition – Chapters 36 – 39 (Change).
Hezekiah’s illness and sin.
Prophecies that Assyria will weaken and Babylon will rise.
3. Babylon is the World Power – Chapters 40 – 48.
4. Prophecies of comfort and deliverance – Chapters 49 – 59.
The Deliverer – Isaiah 53
From a lowly social position (“root from dry ground”)
Despised and rejected of men
Suffered for the sins of others
Treated as if He deserved God’s punishment
Afflicted yet did not open His mouth Hope
Would die as a criminal for the
Would be sinless future
After suffering He would die
God would prosper Him
He would turn His death into a mighty victory
He would justify many in His death
5. The Glorious Future – Chapters 60 – 66.
JUDAH’S KINGS CONTINUED:
11. JOTHAM.
The next king of Judah was Jotham, Uzziah’s son.
Jotham refused to join Israel and Syria in their attempt to throw off Assyria’s attacks.
Judah was somewhat isolated because of the high hills which surrounded their country
and Jotham hoped it would be enough defence to withstand attack.
12. AHAZ.
Ahaz was Jotham’s son.
Read 2 Chronicles 28:1-4
Now read Isaiah 7:1-2
And verses 10-16
Do you understand the importance of these verses?
Judah’s hope of salvation lay in trusting the Lord. The promise God had made to David
would hold true, God would always have a people of faith.
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One from David’s line – a young girl – would bear a son whose name was to be
“Immanuel”, which means “God with us”.
That young lady’s name? Yes! Mary. Her son? Jesus, the Messiah, God with us!
The Israelites and Syrians pressed hard against Jerusalem … and at that critical moment,
under pressure from every area, Ahaz appealed to Assyria.
We know the result – Syria and Israel were defeated and taken into captivity.
Assyria also attacked Jerusalem.
Read 2 Chronicles 28:20-25
13. HEZEKIAH.
Read 2 Chronicles 29:1-4
Now read 2 Chronicles 32:1-8, and then verses 20-21
Hezekiah’s illness:
Read verses 23-25
“… he prayed to the Lord, and the Lord spoke to him and gave him a sign”.
Let us see what this sign was ….
Read Isaiah 38:1-8
Now go back to 2 Chronicles again, and read chapter 32:25-26
Read verses 27-31
What happened with the “envoys of the rulers of Babylon”?
(An “envoy” is a messenger or a representative)
Read Isaiah 39:1-8
Hezekiah, so proud of his huge victory over Assyria, easily fell victim to Babylon’s
flattery. Whilst pretending to admire Hezekiah’s military genius, Babylon spied out
exactly how strong Judah was. Hezekiah was so caught up in his own importance that he
did not see through Babylon’s flattery and he foolishly showed all his riches to a nation
that was growing in power daily – a nation that had dreams of an empire.
Can you see a little of Hezekiah’s character? He is not very concerned that “everything
that is in your house, and all that your fathers have laid up in store to this day shall be
carried to Babylon”, and it does not seem to worry him in the least that “some of your
sons … shall be taken away and they shall become officials in the palace of the king of
Babylon”.
Now read Isaiah 40:1
Do you see the change in Isaiah’s ministry?
From chapter 40 to chapter 66 God speaks comfort and promises restoration.
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Micah - Nahum - Zephaniah - Habakkuk
Lesson 4
MICAH – The Book of Conviction
742 – 687 BC
AUTHOR Micah came from a small town about 20 miles south of Jerusalem. He
ministered to both Israel and Judah.
Micah lived at the same time as Isaiah, although Micah was younger in age,
and prophesied during the reign of Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah.
Read Micah 1:8
Micah lived to see the terrible judgment of God which he spoke of actually
come to pass. His message helped to bring about a great spiritual awakening
which took place during the days of Hezekiah.
KEY VERSES Read Micah 6:8
Read Micah 7:18-20
MESSAGE
1. Micah addressed his message to people of all social classes.
2. He spoke against the false prophets who prophesied for money and who even gave
themselves to evil spirits and demons to gain knowledge of the future.
3. He accused the princes of violence, oppression and corruption.
4. He denounced the priests, accusing them of corruption.
But the people did not really care what was going on. They believed they were “special”
to God and that He was still in their midst. They thought that all was well and they would
never come to any harm. Micah plainly told them otherwise.
5. Micah prophesied not only in the context of his day, but far into the future.
He spoke of the last days and described things which are even in the future for us today.
For example, Micah prophesied about both comings of the Messiah.
PURPOSE
1. To convict Israel and Judah of their sin and to warn them of captivity in Assyria and
Babylon.
2. To give the few people who remained faithful to God hope and a promise of restoration
in Messiah’s time, Micah 5:3.
3. To pinpoint the Messiah’s place of birth. The only prophet to do so.
Read Micah 5:2 … and then Matthew 2:5
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JUDAH’S KINGS CONTINUED:
14. MANASSEH.
Hezekiah’s son ruled for 55 years, the longest in Judah’s history.
Death spared Hezekiah from further humiliation at the hands of the Assyrians, but
Manasseh reaped the harvest his father had sown.
Manasseh’s policy toward Assyria was one of total submission. He paid tribute and even
provided troops to assist their attacks against Egypt, and worshipped their false gods in
Jerusalem.
He is considered to be the worst king Judah ever had.
Although later in his life he repented, it was a case of “too little, too late”.
15. AMON.
Amon, Manasseh’s son, continued the same policy of total submission. He was struck
down by assassins and was succeeded by his eight-year-old son, Josiah.
NAHUM – The Judgment of Nineveh
Between 663 and 612 BC
AUTHOR Nahum
He ministered to the house of Judah and to the city of Nineveh.
TIME Remember, Nineveh was the capital city of Assyria.
Do you remember Nineveh’s response to Jonah’s message?
The city had repented of their wickedness then, but that was about 150 years
previously. Their repentance was short-lived. Now the Assyrians had returned to
their evil practices.
Assyria reached their peak of power under a king named Ashurbanipal (669 –
633 BC) and Nineveh had become the mightiest city on earth.
Nineveh’s Defences:
The city had three massive walls 100 feet high and wide enough for seven cars
to drive side by side! Around the top of the outer wall were towers that rose
another 100 feet above the wall.
A 100 foot wall is about the height of a ten storey building! Towers which rose
200 feet would be as high as a 20 storey building!
On one side of the city was the River Tigris which had been diverted so that
water surrounded the city on all sides – 150 feet wide and 60 feet deep.
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It seemed Nineveh could withstand any attack. Twenty years worth of food and
supplies were stored inside the walls of the city … but the city fell in just three
months!
PROPHECY 1. Nahum 1:8 The city would be destroyed in an overflowing flood.
2. Nahum 1:10 The people would be drunk.
3. Nahum 3:3 The city would be burned.
4. Nahum 3:12 It would fall like a ripe fig (i.e. just a touch and it
falls).
5. Nahum 3:19 It would be totally destroyed.
6. Nahum 3:12 The city would be “hidden”.
Note: The ruins of Nineveh were not discovered until 1842 AD! – Which is
about 2,500 years after its destruction.
PURPOSE 1. To show that God is patient and gracious to all who respond to Him,
but those who rebel against Him will be overthrown.
2. To show that what He says, He means – even when it looks impossible.
Note: Nahum’s prophecy seemed very unlikely. However, in 612 BC,
Babylon invaded Assyria and entered Nineveh through part of the wall
which had been destroyed when the Tigris River flooded.
The Babylonians burned the city.
From the height of power as the mightiest nation on earth, Assyria fell
into oblivion in just 51 years, never to be heard from again.
A city that was equipped to withstand a 20 year siege fell in just three
months.
Nineveh fell to the Babylonians in 612 BC.
JUDAH’S KINGS CONTINUED:
16. JOSIAH.
Assyria had by now over-extended their resources and could no longer govern the distant
countries they had conquered.
Egypt broke away and Babylon rebelled with the help of another nation called Media.
Judah enjoyed this brief period of liberty and prosperity.
Josiah pressed for religious reform, and was supported in this by the prophet Zephaniah,
who condemned the religious practices that had started under Manasseh’s rule.
However, when Egypt came near Judah on the way to fight a battle with Assyria, Josiah
did not ask God what he should do, but instead went out to fight Egypt.
Read 2 Chronicles 35:20-25
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ZEPHANIAH – The Book of Judgment
Between 640 – 612 BC
AUTHOR Zephaniah
Read Zephaniah 1:1. Zephaniah is King Hezekiah’s great-great grandson,
and therefore related to King Josiah, during whose reign he prophesied.
He is a contemporary of Jeremiah (that is, they lived at the same time) and
probably a leading figure in the religious revival of Josiah’s day.
KEY VERSES Read Zephaniah 1:14 and then verse 18
Read Zephaniah 2:3
PURPOSE 1. To warn Judah of the coming day of wrath – of their destruction at the
hands of Babylon.
2. To warn Philistia, Moab, Ammon and Ethiopia of the coming day of
wrath.
3. To comfort the few people who were faithful to God, with promises of
restoration.
HABAKKUK – The Prophet who asked God questions
Between 640 and 607 BC
Habakkuk is also called “The Book of Faith”
AUTHOR Habakkuk, who also lived at the same time as Zephaniah and Jeremiah.
The key to understanding Habakkuk is in Chapter 1:1-4
Habakkuk addresses his statements to God alone!
KEY VERSES Read Habakkuk 2:2-4
PURPOSE 1. To set out the reasons why God would use the wicked nation of
Babylon to judge Judah.
2. To show His plan to also judge Babylon.
3. To show that ultimately God’s loving purpose for His people will be
fulfilled.
OUTLINE 1. Habakkuk’s first problem – Chapter 1:1-4.
“God, do You not see the wickedness of Judah? How long will You let
this continue”?
God’s reply – Chapter 1:5-11
“I see and am bringing Babylon against Judah”.
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2. Habakkuk’s second problem – Chapters 1:12 – 2:1.
“You will use a nation like wicked Babylon to judge Your people?”
God’s reply – Chapter 2:2-20
“I look for lifestyles that reflect a true relationship with Me”.
3. Habakkuk’s prayer of praise – Chapter 3.
Read Habakkuk 3:2 and then verses 17-19
JUDAH’S KINGS CONTINUED:
17. JEHOAHAZ.
Read 2 Chronicles 36:1-4
18. JEHOIAKIM. (Also called “Eliakim”)
Read 2 Chronicles 36:5-8
By pledging himself to King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, Jehoiakim spared Judah from
direct attack but, when Pharaoh Neco of Egypt resisted an attack from Babylon,
Jehoiakim chose what he thought was the perfect time to rebel.
Under Jehoiakim, the religious reforms of Josiah totally collapsed. There was widespread
immorality and corruption, but the king was far more concerned with the building of his
own house than in what was happening with his people.
Read Jeremiah 26:1-11
Standing in the temple, Jeremiah tried to call his people back to God. He said that the
temple and the city would be destroyed. Those who heard him were shocked. They called
his words “blasphemy” (cursing God, irreverence).
They believed they were “God’s special people – His children”, and therefore He would
not let them be destroyed. (Let us not make the same mistake!)
Jehoiakim ignored Jeremiah’s warnings and personally destroyed all the scrolls
containing his prophecies of coming judgment, but Jeremiah simply took more scrolls
and had his secretary, Baruch, write them again.
Note: In the fourth year of Jehoiakim’s reign, Nebuchadnezzar invaded Judah.
This is when the royal family and the aristocracy were carried into captivity
in Babylon – among them Daniel and his friends. Jehoiakim was put in
chains.
19. JEHOIACHIN. (Also called “Coniah”)
Read 2 Chronicles 36:9-10
This was the eighteen-year-old son of Jehoiakim. He came to the throne in a time of
crisis – Babylon was marching south to Judah again. He was only king for three months
and ten days before he surrendered Jerusalem to Nebuchadnezzar and was taken captive
to Babylon, along with ten thousand others, including Ezekiel.
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Jeremiah – Lamentations
Lesson 5
JEREMIAH – The Weeping Prophet
About 627 – 580 BC
AUTHOR Jeremiah (He also wrote the Book of Lamentations)
Jeremiah lived at the same time as Zephaniah, Habakkuk, Daniel and Ezekiel.
This book tells the story of a very young, timid, sensitive youth whom God
called at a critical time in his nation’s history. Jeremiah was between 9 and 14
years old when God first called him.
Read Jeremiah 1:1-8
Now read Ephesians 2:10
Jeremiah lived a life of conflict – he was threatened with death, surrounded by
false prophets, put in stocks, forced to flee, publicly humiliated, and even
thrown into a cistern (well).
His counsel was ignored, his writings were scorned as false and were destroyed,
his name was blackened, he was hunted like a criminal, and his worst
predictions were fulfilled before his eyes.
Read Jeremiah 16:2
God asked Jeremiah not to marry as a prophetic sign to Judah, because the
people of Jerusalem, men, women and children, would die.
SHADOW REALITY
Old Testament New Testament
God used something in The non-Christians around us look at our
Jeremiah’s life as a prophetic personal relationship with God as it is
sign to the people around him. demonstrated in our normal, daily lives –
our homes, our marriages. Are we a
“prophetic people”? We should be!
TIME Jeremiah’s ministry covered about forty years, from the reign of King Josiah
through the reign of Jehoahaz, Jehoiakim, Jehoiachin and Judah’s last king,
Zedekiah.
Judah’s politicians were busy explaining that all the problems were due to the
situation with Egypt and the surrounding nations.
Jeremiah said that Judah’s problems were due to disobedience.
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KEY VERSES Read Jeremiah 2:19-20 and Jeremiah 3:22
Now read Jeremiah 7:22-24
And Jeremiah 8:11-12
PURPOSE 1. After calling to repentance, God will forsake those who forsake Him.
2. All sin is certain to lead to captivity.
OUTLINE
1. Before the fall of Jerusalem.
a) Jeremiah’s call and commission. Chapter 1
b) Prophecies before captivity. Chapters 2 – 25
Read Jeremiah 25:8-12
How long would the nation serve Babylon? 70 years – Jeremiah 29:10.
c) Jeremiah’s conflicts and sufferings. Chapters 26 – 29
Read Jeremiah 29:10-14
d) The future restoration of Jerusalem.
Read Jeremiah 31:38-40
This is God’s promise of a New Covenant! Jeremiah 31:33-34.
2. The fall of Jerusalem. Chapters 34 – 45
Read Jeremiah 34:1-3
JUDAH’S KINGS CONTINUED:
20. ZEDEKIAH.
Read 2 Chronicles 36:11-12
Nebuchadnezzar installed Jehoiachin’s son, Zedekiah, onto the throne of a reduced
Southern Kingdom. The people of Judah hated their Babylonian rulers and Zedekiah
proved to be a weak king, who had no courage to make decisions.
Although he repeatedly sought Jeremiah’s advice, he rejected most of it. False prophets
prophesied that Babylon’s power would be quickly broken, but Jeremiah counselled that
Judah would definitely be in captivity for 70 years.
Read Jeremiah 29:10-14
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In 589 BC, supported by promises of assistance from Egypt, Zedekiah openly rebelled
against Babylon. Nebuchadnezzar was quick to respond and sealed off Jerusalem. The
attack lasted over two years, until 587 BC, when the city’s food supply ran out.
Zedekiah’s sons were killed before his own eyes; he was blinded, put in chains and taken
to Babylon.
The city of Jerusalem and the magnificent Temple of Solomon were completely
destroyed and burnt. Thousands died in defence of the city and others died from
starvation and disease.
About one month later, Nebuzaradan, the captain of Nebuchadnezzar’s bodyguard,
arrived in Jerusalem and rounded up thousands upon thousands of people, taking them to
Babylon, only leaving “some of the poorest of the land to be vinedressers and
ploughmen”.
OUTLINE, continued
3. After the fall of Jerusalem. Chapters 46 – 52
Nebuchadnezzar installed Gedaliah as Governor of Judah, and told the people who
remained to “Stay on this land, and I will build you up and not tear you down, and I will
plant you and not uproot you; for I shall relent concerning the calamity that I have
inflicted on you”. Jeremiah 40:10-11.
Read Jeremiah 43:5-7
Read Jeremiah 44:1
Many Jews, driven by fear, fled to Egypt, taking Jeremiah with them! However, they still
did not repent of their sins, but in fact added to them by worshipping the “queen of
heaven” and making sacrifices to this false god. In fact, they believed the reason for their
suffering was because they had not sacrificed enough to this false god!
Read Jeremiah 44:26-27
a) Condemnation of nine nations. Chapters 46 – 51
b) Conclusion. Chapter 52
Obviously this chapter was not written by Jeremiah, but may have been added by
Baruch.
PERIOD OF JUDAH’S CAPTIVITY
Read 2 Chronicles 36:17-21
LAMENTATIONS – The Book of Mourning
AUTHOR Jeremiah
TIME Lamentations is in fact a Book of Poetry, but we have included it here because
it is a “lament” or “sorrowful poem of mourning” for Judah. Jeremiah weeps
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over the sins of his people and for Jerusalem, the beautiful city, now reduced to
ashes.
Beginning in Chapter 1 with the first letter of the Hebrew alphabet (aleph),
Jeremiah begins each section (each chapter) of his lament with the next letter,
going through the Hebrew alphabet as we would go from “A to Z”.
KEY VERSES Read Lamentations 1:12 and Lamentations 2:17
PURPOSE 1. Although God loves His people and has compassion for them, He will
punish determined, stubborn disobedience.
2. To express, through Jeremiah, the sorrow of God’s heart.
3. To offer hope; a prayer for restoration for a repentant nation. (Chapter
5)
400 YEARS AFTER DAVID’S WONDERFUL REIGN AS KING, JUDAH NO
LONGER EXISTED.
Nebuchadnezzar laid siege to Jerusalem for two years.
The city fell on 18th July, 586 BC and the city and temple were burned on 15th August, 586 BC.
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Daniel – The Book of the Kingdom
Lesson 6
605 – 536 BC
AUTHOR Daniel
This young man was only about 16 years old when he was taken to Babylon and
he lived to be over 90, spending 69 years in ungodly surroundings.
Read Daniel 1:3-4
Outstanding among these young men was Daniel, who dared to refuse the
luxuries offered to him, and kept his heart free.
Read Daniel 1:8
God chose him to carry His message to the Gentile nations of the world.
Daniel was in the palace at Babylon. Eight years later, Ezekiel was taken
captive in the second invasion. He went to the common people, living along
the River Chebar in Babylon. We also saw Jeremiah ministering to the
people in Judah and later in Egypt. God had a prophetic voice among every
group. We will see that Ezekiel’s task was to explain the real meaning of the
troubles that had befallen Judah, but Daniel’s task was to share in the
actual government of Babylon.
Daniel was given three years training in the best Babylonian schools, (Daniel
1:5), and he was given a new Babylonian name, Belteshazzar – “Bel protects his
life”. His three friends were also given new names – Shadrach, Meshach, and
Abednego – but only Daniel retained his original Hebrew name – Daniel – “God
is my judge”.
He ministered as a prophet and a government official for the full duration of his
Babylonian captivity and continued on even after Babylon was defeated by the
Medes and Persians in 539 BC. He must therefore truly have been a man in
whom God’s wisdom could be seen.
Note: The Book of Daniel is written in Aramaic, or “Chaldee” – the language
of Babylon – and also in Hebrew.
TIME 2 Kings 24:1 to 25:30
2 Chronicles 36:5-23
Babylon defeated Assyria in 612 BC and then defeated Egypt and Jerusalem in
606 – 605 BC. Daniel was among those taken captive during this time – the
reign of Jehoiakim.
KEY VERSES Read Daniel 2:21-22 and then verse 44
Read Daniel 7:13-14 and then verse 18
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PURPOSE 1. To show that God’s purposes are higher than any earthly kingdom.
2. To illustrate God’s care for His people even in their captivity.
3. To show how God controls and directs the history of nations.
OUTLINE 1. A Book of HISTORY (written in Aramaic). Chapters 1 – 6
The personal life of Daniel Chapter 1
Daniel interprets dreams:
Visions of Nebuchadnezzar Chapters 2 – 4
Visions of Belshazzar Chapter 5
Decree of Darius Chapter 6
2. A Book of PROPHECY (written in Hebrew) . Chapters 7 – 12
Daniel’s visions:
Four beasts Chapter 7
Ram and he goat Chapter 8
70 “weeks” Chapter 9
The future of “Israel”, God’s people Chapters 10 – 12
Note: In just one chapter of Daniel, Chapter 11, Daniel mentions over 100
specific prophecies about historical events that literally came true.
THE KING’S Read Daniel 2:1-9
DREAM
Now read verses 17-19 and verse 28
Note: The Bible tells us what the dream was … and what it meant.
The king saw a large statue – this represents the different world
kingdoms right up to the return of Christ, when He will introduce the
Millennium Kingdom which is the stone which smashes the world
kingdoms.
The Head of Gold Babylon
The Chest and Arms of Silver Medes and Persians
The Belly and Thighs of Bronze Greece
The Legs of Iron Roman
The Feet partly of Iron and partly of Clay 10 Kingdom Empire
THE FIERY The wonderful revelation God gave Nebuchadnezzar regarding the statue had
FURNACE little effect on him. In fact, he set up a golden image of himself and
commanded all the people to worship it.
Three young men refused to obey the king – Shadrach, Meshach and
Abednego.
Read Daniel 3:17-18 and then verses 24-29
THE KING A great tree was cut down. This was a warning to Nebuchadnezzar that God
DREAMS would remove him from the throne because of his pride.
AGAIN
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Read Daniel 4:31-37
Nebuchadnezzar’s reign ended in 562 BC
THE LIONS’ DEN Read Daniel 6:1-10 and verses 16-22 and also verses 25-28
THE HAND- Belshazzar was now king of Babylon.
WRITING
ON THE WALL Read Daniel 5:1-5 and then read verses 25-31
“MENE, MENE, TEKEL, PARSIN”
History tells us that the Persian army took Babylon without a battle.
FOUR BEASTS Daniel 7
Read Daniel 7:17
1. Lion/eagle Babylon
2. Bear Persia
3. Leopard Greece
4. A beast with 10 horns and a small horn A kingdom to come
A RAM With two horns Media and Persia
A GOAT Read Daniel 8:21 Greece (Alexander the Great)
Four horns Four kingdoms – when Alexander died, he left
no heirs and so his kingdom was divided
between the four generals of his army.
70 “WEEKS” Read Daniel 9:24-27
When was “transgression finished?” At the Cross!
When was an end made of sin? At the Cross!
When was iniquity atoned for? At the Cross!
When did “everlasting righteousness” begin? At the Cross!
When was the Messianic prophecy sealed? At the Cross!
When was the most holy place anointed? With the blood of Jesus!
Daniel’s vision pinpoints the coming Messiah.
The first 69 weeks (verse 25) were fulfilled at Christ’s first coming.
We know the Decree of Cyrus was issued on March 4th, 444 BC. We need to
take into consideration the Jewish calendar, which had only 360 days in it …
making a 13th month necessary every few years. All of this leads to a date of
March 29, 33 AD – which would be the date Jesus was crucified.
The remaining “week”, or 7 years, is interpreted in three ways:
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I. Post-Tribulation Rapture.
Rapture
445 BC 3½ yrs 3½ yrs
483 yrs Church Age
Decree of Cyrus MESSIAH
OR
II. Pre-Tribulation Rapture.
Rapture
445 BC 3½ yrs 3½yrs
483 yrs Church Age
Decree of Cyrus
OR
III. Mid-Tribulation Rapture.
Rapture
445 BC 3½ yrs 3½ yrs
483 yrs Church Age
Decree of Cyrus
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Ezekiel – The Book of Visions
Lesson 7
597 – 570 BC
AUTHOR Ezekiel
Read Ezekiel 1:3 – Ezekiel was a priest as well as a prophet and had probably
been taken captive when he was about 25 years old.
Daniel had been in Babylon for about nine years and was already well known.
He is mentioned three times in Ezekiel’s prophecy – Ezekiel 14:14, 20 and 28:3.
During the first part of his ministry, Ezekiel tried to convince the disbelieving
exiles that there was no hope of immediate deliverance, but it was not until they
heard of Jerusalem’s destruction that their false hopes of returning were
abandoned.
Ezekiel lived in Babylon with his wife, in his own house at Tel-abib, situated
near the River Chebar.
TIME He lived during the reign of Nebuchadnezzar, Belshazzar of Babylon, and
Darius and Cyrus – kings of Persia.
This was during the time of Zedekiah’s reign through the Babylonian captivity
… making Ezekiel a contemporary (lived at the same time) of Jeremiah and
Daniel. As Jeremiah was coming to the end of his ministry in Jerusalem, Ezekiel
was starting his ministry in exile in Babylon.
Nebuchadnezzar destroyed Jerusalem in three stages:
606 BC Babylon defeated Jehoiakim and carried off key hostages, including
Daniel.
597 BC Jehoiachin rebelled and brought more punishment as
Nebuchadnezzar made Jerusalem submit a second time. He carried
off 10,000 families including Ezekiel.
586 BC Zedekiah rebels and the Temple and city are destroyed. More
captives are taken, leaving only the poorest in the land. Jeremiah is
forced to leave Jerusalem and travel to Egypt
The reason Babylon took 20 years to destroy Jerusalem is because they
were receiving huge tribute from Judah.
KEY VERSES Read Ezekiel 10:4 and verse 18
Read Ezekiel 36:24-28
And read Ezekiel 43:2-4
KEY CHAPTER Chapter 37 – “The Valley of Dry Bones”
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Note: How many times does it say, “That the world might know
…” between Chapters 36 and 38?
PURPOSE 1. To show that God is not subject to the limitations of material things, or
because of the failure of His people. In Chapters 16, 20 and 23 all the
failures of Israel’s history and relationship with God are revealed.
2. To show that the promise of restoration to come was not conditional on
the prior repentance of the nation or their condition spiritually, but was
purely an act of God’s grace.
3. To record that ultimately God’s people did conform to His purpose and
plan.
OUTLINE 1. Ezekiel’s call – Chapters 1 – 3.
In Chapter 1, as Ezekiel tries to describe the amazing vision he has,
words fail him. If you count the number of times he says, “like” or
“having the appearance of” or “as if” or “resembling” … you will find
the total surprising – about 23 times! He is trying to describe the indescribable!
2. Judgment on Judah – Chapters 4 – 24.
Ezekiel acts out many prophetic signs, as well as many parables:
Laying siege to a brick
Lying on his left side (for 390 days!)
Then on his right side (40 days!)
Eating filthy food However, this still did not
Shaving his hair and beard bring the nation back to God.
Preparing baggage for leaving
Trembling
A drawn sword
The double stroke of the sword
Finally, there is the death of Ezekiel’s wife
Read Ezekiel 24:1-2
Read 2 Kings 25:1
Read Ezekiel 24:15-18
Now read verses 21-24
Read verses 25 and 26 … then read Ezekiel 33:21
JEREMIAH Remember, Jeremiah wrote two letters to the captives in Babylon.
Read Jeremiah 29:4-14 (The whole letter is from verse 1 - 23)
And a second letter in Jeremiah 29:30-32. Read those verses.
Can you find
them? There are
at least ten!
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The whole of Ezekiel is filled with prophecies and examples for us today. We can look at
just a few …
Read Ezekiel 43:7-11
Old Testament New Testament
Verse 8, “Setting their threshold Are you and I “building according
by My threshold”. to God’s pattern?” Do we see
(A “threshold” is an entrance) “ministers” as those who lay their
lives down for the sheep … or are
Verse 11, “The design of the Read Psalm 127:1 we building according to our own or
house, its structures, exits Read Exodus 25:8-9 to our denomination’s pattern?
… etc” Read Matthew 16:15-18
Read Mark 7:13
SUMMARY Ezekiel, as a priest, opens and closes his prophecy with visions of the Temple,
as well as of the glory of God departing and returning.
He is the only prophet to describe Lucifer prior to his fall from heaven –
Ezekiel 28:11-19.
THE EXILE
1. People of Judah in Babylon.
Although the conquest of both Israel and Judah was the result of God’s judgment for
their sin and a period of great suffering, God worked it for the good of those who
continued to love Him.
The people of the Southern Kingdom were nicknamed “Jews” (a short form of Judah)
whilst in Babylon. After 70 years, they were allowed to return to Judah if they wanted to,
and those who did return had undergone change for the better. They had not been totally
absorbed into the pagan society of Babylon, as the Northern Kingdom apparently was.
Judah’s endurance was a testimony to the prophets, especially Jeremiah and Ezekiel,
whose ministry proved fruitful in the end.
While in Babylon Judah clung to their relationship with God and the promise, through
Jeremiah, that they would return to their own land after 70 years. Ezekiel had prophesied
glory to come, and given them hope to see them through the darkest days. Daniel’s faith
was a tremendous example of courage, and still is for us today.
While in Babylon they began to meet in worship groups, realizing that they did not need
to reserve worship only for the Temple; they could worship God in their homes too.
They had the Law, which showed them how idolatrous the religions of the Babylonians
were, and the holiness and purity of the one true God.
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2. The Judeans in Egypt.
Babylon installed a governor, named Gedeliah, to oversee Judah. Despite Gedeliah’s
reassurances that those left in Judah would be well treated as long as they settled down
and lived peaceably, a group of men murdered him.
Read 2 Kings 25:25-26
In spite of the warnings of Jeremiah, the people fled to Egypt and, while there, began to
worship an Egyptian goddess, "the queen of heaven". Jeremiah 43.
They blamed all the hardship, famine and loss of their land on the fact that they had not
worshipped this “queen of heaven” faithfully enough. Jeremiah told them the real reason
was because they and their fathers before them had forsaken the true God and refused to
repent. Jeremiah speaks God’s word to them that they will be destroyed.
Read Jeremiah 44:26-28
3. Those left in Judah.
Only a very few of the poorest were left. The walls of the city of Jerusalem were broken
down. Remember, the walls around a city provided safety and protection – therefore,
there was nothing left of the security or the glory of their land.
PROPHETS TO JUDAH:
Isaiah
Micah
Nahum “Pre-Exilic” (Before they were taken captive)
Zephaniah
Habakkuk
Jeremiah (Jeremiah actually prophesied before, during and after)
Ezekiel
Daniel During the Exile (During their captivity in Babylon)
Haggai
Zechariah “Post Exilic” (After they returned from captivity)
Malachi
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Ezra – Haggai – Zechariah – Esther –
Nehemiah – Malachi
Lesson 8
EZRA – The Book of Restoration
538 – 457 BC
AUTHOR Ezra
Ezra was a priest, a godly man of integrity and faith.
TIME The Book of Ezra relates the history of the return of Judah from captivity in
Babylon. It is sometimes called the “Second Exodus”. However, their return is
much less impressive than when God’s people left Egypt – then everyone left,
this time only a remnant chose to leave.
Life had grown comfortable in Babylon. The return to Judah was full of dangers
and discomforts. Only a few chose to leave and rebuild what they had lost.
In 539 BC Persia defeated Babylon.
The Persian leader, a man named Cyrus, abandoned the Assyrian and
Babylonian policies of brutality and deportation of people they conquered, and
instead adopted an attitude of toleration and restoration.
He made a declaration allowing Jews to return to their land and rebuild the
Temple of Jerusalem. The Temple was to be built, at least in part, with funds
from the royal treasury, and the holy vessels taken from the Temple by
Nebuchadnezzar were to be returned.
It was an interesting time in world history.
During the time covered in the Book of Ezra:
Gautama Buddha (560 – 480 BC) was living in India.
Confucius (551 – 479 BC) was alive in China.
Socrates (470 – 399 BC) was in Greece
KEY VERSES Read Ezra 1:2-3
Read Ezra 6:14
PURPOSE 1. To show the return of the groups of people under Zerubbabel and
later under Ezra from Babylonian captivity, the rebuilding of the
Temple and the restoration of worship.
2. To show the fulfilment of the prophecies and promises of God
through Jeremiah and Isaiah concerning the fall of Babylon and the
restoration of Judah and Jerusalem.
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Note: God had cast them out but had not cast them off.
OUTLINE Ezra begins right where 2 Chronicles ends and shows how God’s promise to
bring His people back to their land is fulfilled.
The Jews returned from Babylon in two groups:
The return of the FIRST group under ZERUBBABEL – Chapters 1 – 6.
Zerubbabel was born in Babylon, of the line of David. 1 Chronicles 3:19.
Their task was to build the Temple.
About 50,000 people returned with Zerubbabel, mainly priests and Levites. It is only the very
committed who were willing to leave a life of relative comfort and endure a long walk of
almost 1,500 kilometres, then face further hardship by rebuilding what was destroyed.
When they set out, they were no doubt excited – but when they arrived in the hills of Judah and
saw Jerusalem, their joy must have mixed with bitter sorrow at the awful sight before them.
The city lay in ruins, its walls destroyed.
Read Ezra 3:1-6
Read verse 8 … it is 2 years after arriving in Jerusalem, and the temple is still not built.
Now read verses 10-13
Read Ezra 4:1-3
Read 2 Kings 17:28-29 and verse 41
Remember, the people living in the areas around Jerusalem were not serving God.
Old Testament New Testament
The ungodly offer their What if your local municipality offered to help
assistance in building you build a nice big building for your church?
the temple … but their Or maybe a big company offered to help.
offer was turned down! It might seem like a wonderful gift from God!
But … what would happen if they later told you
it was only fair to allow other religions to also
use the hall? What seemed like such a good idea
could cause you lots of trouble.
Now read Ezra 4:4-5 … and then verse 24
And read Ezra 5:1. They stopped building the temple and began to build houses for
themselves.
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HAGGAI – The Book of Rebuilding the Temple
September – December, 520 BC
AUTHOR Haggai, who returned from Babylon with Zerubbabel
He only prophesied for 4 months
TIME From Ezra 5:1 to 6:2
The first group to return to Judah was led by Zerubbabel. Work began on the
temple in 536 BC, but there were many hardships and much opposition –
from Samaritans and from those of Judah who had remained and laid claim to
the land while the exiles were in Babylon.
The land was desolate, crops failed and discouragement set in. It was easier
to stop work than to continue against opposition, so in 534 BC the work
stopped and it remained that way for 16 years, with the excuse that because
there was opposition, obviously rebuilding was for a later time. They began
to build houses for themselves and God withdrew His blessing.
In 520 BC Haggai exhorted the people with strong words of rebuke. Work
started again and the temple was finished in 516 BC. (By this time Cyrus had
died and Darius was king of Persia.)
KEY VERSES Read Haggai 2:6-9
Read Haggai 2:23
OUTLINE 1. The Temple of God – Chapters 1 – 2:9.
Read Haggai 1:7-9
Read verses 12-13
Now read Haggai 2:1-3 and verse 9
2. The Blessings of God – Chapter 2:10-23.
Read Haggai 2:21-23
ZECHARIAH – The Book of The Messiah
February 519 BC – December 518 BC
AUTHOR Zechariah – (This was a very popular name in Old Testament times – there are
29 “Zechariah’s”)
TIME Zechariah was a young contemporary of Haggai the prophet, Zerubbabel the
governor and Joshua the high priest.
Like Haggai, he encouraged the Jews to begin work on the Temple in Jerusalem
again but, rather than using strong words of rebuke like Haggai did, Zechariah
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encouraged them to action by reminding them of the future importance of the
Temple – the glory of the Messiah would be there.
KEY VERSE Read Zechariah 4:6-7 and read Zechariah 9:9
PURPOSE 1. To stir the remnant to complete the unfinished Temple.
a) Rebuke of empty ritualism.
b) Reminder of past disobedience.
c) Restoration and bringing together of God’s people.
d) Recovery of joy in the kingdom.
2. To prophesy of the Messiah in His first and second comings and the
establishment of His Kingdom.
MESSIANIC Jesus riding into Jerusalem on a colt Zechariah 9:9
PROPHESIES The Good Shepherd Zechariah 9:16 – 11:11
30 pieces of silver Zechariah 11:11-13
His hands pierced Zechariah 12:10
He is coming again! Zechariah 14:8-11
DO YOU REMEMBER WHERE WE WERE IN EZRA?
Read Ezra 5:1-2
Read Ezra 6:14 and verses 19-22
BETWEEN THE END OF EZRA CHAPTER 6
AND THE BEGINNING OF CHAPTER 7
58 YEARS PASS
DURING WHICH TIME THE EVENTS OF THE BOOK OF ESTHER TAKE PLACE
ESTHER – The Book of God’s Protection; The Book of Personal Destiny
479 BC
AUTHOR Unknown
TIME Esther covers about 10 years, during the time between Chapter 6 and Chapter
7 of Ezra.
This book provides the only clear picture of the Jews who chose to remain in
Babylon (now conquered by Persia), rather than return to Palestine.
Note: Ahasuerus is the Hebrew name and Xerxes the Greek name for the
same king of Persia.
KEY VERSE Read Esther 4:14
MESSAGE 1. God guides, guards and protects our lives, regardless of circumstances.
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2. Those who attempt to destroy the people of God will never succeed.
Note: If Esther had not risked her life, all the Jews would have been
put to death, including Ezra, Nehemiah and the rest.
Interesting There are only two books in the Bible with women’s names:
The Book of Ruth – a Gentile, married to a Hebrew, who goes to live with
the Hebrews in Palestine.
And Esther – A Hebrew, married to a Gentile, living with Gentiles.
BACK TO THE BOOK OF EZRA
OUTLINE, continued
The Return of the SECOND Group under EZRA – Chapters 7 – 10.
About 2,000 people returned with Ezra. He brought back more of the sacred vessels for the
Temple and also an understanding of the Law – its religious, social and civil applications.
The result was a renewed understanding of sin, repentance and reformation.
The Temple was dedicated to the Lord in 515 BC, with great joy – 72 years after its
destruction.
With the death of Zerubbabel, hope of re-establishing the royal line of Judah also came to an
end. For the next 70 years or thereabouts, until the arrival of Nehemiah, we know very little
about the small community in Jerusalem.
NEHEMIAH – The Book of Reconstruction
444 BC
NOTE This is the last historical book of the Old Testament
AUTHOR Nehemiah. He was the cup bearer to the king of Persia.
TIME Esther was married to Xerxes. The present king of Persia was Artaxerxes,
Esther’s step-son.
Nehemiah leaves Persia in the 20th year of Artaxerxes reign, returns to Persia
in the 32nd year of his reign, and leaves again for Jerusalem “after some
time”. (Nehemiah 13:6)
Nehemiah challenges his countrymen to arise and rebuild the wall of
Jerusalem. In spite of opposition from people around them, and abuse from
within their own, the wall is completed in just 52 days, because God is
building with them. (The task of rebuilding God’s people takes a lot longer!)
KEY VERSES Read Nehemiah 6:15-16 and Nehemiah 8:8
KEY CHAPTER Chapter 9
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PURPOSE 1. To show how the walls and 12 gates of Jerusalem were repaired
and rebuilt and the people revived.
All kinds of people rebuilt the walls – priests, perfumers, goldsmiths,
merchants, administrators and women. Some even took on double
sections. Nehemiah set them to work right in front of their homes.
Old Testament New Testament
They built the wall right Want to be a missionary?
where they lived. Open your front door – the “mission
field” is right there!
2. To give God’s plan of revival and restoration for the church.
MESSAGE No winning without working and waging spiritual warfare.
No opportunities without opposition.
No open doors without adversaries.
As soon as you say, “Let us arise and build”, the enemy quickly says, “Let us
arise and oppose!”
OUTLINE 1. Rebuilding the walls – Chapters 1 – 7.
2. Reforming the people – Chapters 8 – 13.
SUMMARY Ezra and Nehemiah together show the fulfilment of certain areas of the
“Seventy Weeks” of Daniel.
“From the issuing of the decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem (Ezra), the
city shall be built again and the wall, even in troubled times”. (Nehemiah)
(Daniel 9:25)
MALACHI – The Last Prophet of the Old Testament
Between 435 and 432 BC
AUTHOR Malachi
He is the last prophet to minister to the people of Judah. The next prophet to
appear in the Bible is John, the Baptiser.
TIME Malachi’s ministry covered a period of about 25 years during the time when
Nehemiah was governor.
Many years had passed since the Temple services had started and now the
priests were tired of doing the same old thing. Corruption had crept into the
system.
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The Jews had a false sense of security, believing they had a privileged
relationship with God. They became so sinful that God’s words had absolutely
no effect on them.
For 400 years after Malachi’s prophecies, God did not speak to the nation – that
is, there was no prophetic voice heard.
KEY VERSES Read Malachi 2:17 – 3:1
Read Malachi 4:5-6
PURPOSE 1. To rebuke the people for their neglect of the Temple.
2. To rebuke the priests for their irreverence and ungodliness with
regard to Temple worship.
3. To encourage the faithful few with promises of the coming Messiah.