Kingdom of Judah

words are identical in sound but have different meanings.” The latter “simply implies that one and the same word can have several meanings.” 155Polan, In the Ways of Justice, 191. 156Watson, Classical Hebrew Poetry, 237, 245. 192 communication, the prophet utilizes various strategies such as genres, metaphorical language, and abundant rhetorical devices. Having observed the communicative function of the text, we will now discuss the theological idea that the author intends to deliver to…

The Syro-Ephraimitic War occurred in the eighth century B.C.E. This was of heavy concern for Ahaz because it presented a clear and present danger to his kingdom from attack by Syria and Israel (Tullock & McEntire, 2012). Isaiah’s advice for Ahaz was to pay no attention to these threats. “Instead, he counseled, “Take heed, be quiet, do not fear,” for the little tyrants threatening him would soon vanish” (Tullock & McEntire, 2012, p. 216). Isaiah tells King Ahaz that he must ask God for a sign…

The 40th chapter of Isaiah is difficult to interpret because of the ambiguity of the text. This chapter has caused numerous scholarly discussion leading to many different interpretations of the chapter. This paper will focus on verses one through eleven, answering questions regarding some of the difficulties of the text. A few questions that will be addressed are the following: Who is the speaker of the text? Is there multiple speakers in this passage? What is the main point of the message? Who…

The downfall of Judah was a complex and lengthy political ordeal documented over several books of the Old Testament. Two prophets who give their own detailed reasoning for this downfall are Ezekiel and Jeremiah. Both prophets lived during a tumultuous transitionary period of Judah’s history during which Babylon began a systematic deportation and exile of Judah’s citizens. Where the prophets differ, however, is in their message to the elite of Judah in its waning days and their eventual exile.…

Introduction & Main Theme The historical interlude, Isaiah chapters 36-39, surrounds the military might of two parties: Hezekiah, king of Judah and the Assyria king Sennacherib. The Assyrian king sends his messengers to Hezekiah to frighten him to distance himself from God and to rely upon Assyria. Isaiah is called in to prophesize to Hezekiah. God gives him signs. Sennacherib ends up dying. Hezekiah also suffered from an illness, which he recovered in his health by God. Ironically, he…

nations that God explicitly warned them against. His reference to thieves by night (v5) seems to give the reader the impression that Israel and Judah were the victims in this destruction. Obadiah spins the narrative that Edom was complicit because they did nothing to help, and/or avert their destruction. Edom was not the issue. The reason that Israel and Judah were destroyed and placed in exile was due to their idolatry. They refused to listen to the voice of the prophets and their warnings that…

delivered words of confrontation, exhortation, and warning. This made Isaiah unpopular among the people (Radmacher, Allen & House, 2007, p. 1037). Isaiah’s message was delivered during the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, Hezekiah, and all the kings of Judah who reigned from 792 B.C. until 687 B.C (Hays, 2010, p. 96). Isaiah gave the Israelites hope when he prophesied for them to return back to Babylon. The prophecy sustained faith and hope to the Israelites, especially Ezra and Nehemiah…

O Come, O Come Immanuel “O come, O come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel, that mourns in lonely exile here until the Son of God appear. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel” These words float through the speakers of the radio, church and department store this Advent season. They speak to the desire in the hearts of Christians who wait for Jesus to come again. However, these words hold deeper meaning than the birth and second coming of Christ. The prophesy of the Immanuel…

the Northern Kingdom. This era consisted of the following factors that involve Assyria’s expansion into the region of Israel and Judah. This increase led to a complex series of alliances between the various kingdoms involved, as well as fighting-Syria Ephraimitic war. The war was Assyria attempts to expand, Syria and Israel allies for protection. Then Syria and Israel petition Judah Ahaz to ally with them but Judah declines Isaiah tells him to trust in God. Consequently, attack Judah but…

However, Elisha does not personally anoint Jehu, but sends a young prophet who tells Jehu that one of his objectives is to completely wipe out the line of Ahab and Jezebel. Jehu orchestrates a coup and kills both the king of Israel and the king of Judah and he also orders Jezebel’s death. After…