The Prophets

The Prophets Larry Williams, Dan ODonald, Mike Carr, Tim Kearney, Creigh Hallaghan, and Abby Johnson

The Kingdoms Break UpThere are two kingdoms: Israel and Judah.Rehoboam- became king after the death of Solomon Jeroboam- declared himself king in the north. He immediately breaks the Law of God and enshrines two golden caves, one at Dan and the other at bethel.As Jeroboam could have anticipated, the Israelite tribes soon turned to worshiping the golden calf itself, a tribe betrayal of their relationship with God. Jeroboams rationalized deed brought disaster.

The Kingdoms Break Up (Continued) The sixth king, Omri built a splendid capital city called Samaria, but he, like his predecessors, does evil in sight of the Lord.Omri is succeeded by his son Ahab, the worst of all them. Ahab marries the Phoenician princess Jezebel, a fiendishly wicked woman, and they became the villains of the stories about the prophets Elijah and Elisha. Their marriage is recorded with honor by the deuteronomists. Such marriages between royalty of two nations, in case of Israel and Phoenicia were common ways of building protective alliances against hostile empires.

Elijah and Elisha in the North Purpose of the stories was to show that when God spoke through the prophets, he expected Israel to listen.Elijah is nourished by a starving widow. He also has obedience unlike the king.He defeats the prophets or Baal and continues to build the altar and have the prophets killed.God comes to Elijah in a gentle breeze. He joins God once again.

Elijah and Elisha in the NorthElishas Miracles: purifies Jerichos water supply, blessed a childless couple to have a son, raises a child from the dead, healing powers, and purifies poisoned food.

Amos and Hosea in the NorthThe first 3 chapters of the Book of Hosea define his message. The remaining 11 books are fragments of oracles condemning Israels sin. Chapter 2 of Hosea takes place in a divorce court.Jeroboam condemns their unjust, exploitative actions toward the poor and weak., and tells them God will punish them for this.In Samaria, Amos condemns the rich women of Samaria, comparing them to the fat cattle.

Amos and Hosea in the NorthThrough Amos prophesying, God condemns not formal worship but empty worship, in which rituals or praise and sacrifice are not backed up with just actions toward others.Jeroboam II is king in a prosperous Israel. Amos goes north to preach against the sinful kingdom of Israel. Assyria defeats and scatters Israel. Assyrians are, the fiercest, most brutal empire of the ancient Near Ease.

Isaiah in the SouthMentioned in only 39 of the 66 chapters of his book, and of these only 12 chapters are from his hand. Longest and the most influential of the prophetic books.3 parts, 3 principle authors:1st- pleaded with Judahs kings and people before the Babylonian Exile. 8Isaiah in the South2nd- spoke during and the end of exile. 3rd- people when the returned to Judah from exile. Story of fidelity, suffering, repentance, and consolation for the people, threats, condemnation, promises, and comfort by the prophets. His books are not in order

Isaiah in the South God tells Isaiah to find Ahaz, to tell him to believe in God and he will overcome his enemies. Isaiah had a special relationship with God, and never disobeyed him. Micah in the South Man of human origins. Inspired to speak Gods truth. Sympathy for the poor.Mourns crimes of Israel and Judah.He calls to repent and return to God. He dreams that the nation will walk with God.He realizes what God wants, which is sincerity of human heart.

Is Anybody Listening?Elijah, Elisha, Amos, Hosea, Isaiah, Micah, did their job announcing Gods point of view to the rich and powerful. The dueteronmists, editing the history of the kingdoms, in the books of the kings, saw the whole thing from the exile perspective. The End