Notice how Jehu of Israel provides a chronological synchronism between northern Israel and southern Judah kings. In what year did Jehu seize power?
841 BC
TRUE/FALSE: Dr. Merrill believes that Abner, Saul’s former general, did not have a full appreciation of David as the messianic king.
True
Who was the brave soldier who gained access through the water tunnel into Jerusalem to capture the city for David’s capital?
Joab
TRUE/FALSE: Dr. Merrill believes that the Ark was brought into the city of Jerusalem IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE CITY WAS MADE ISRAEL’S CAPITAL.
False
In your own words, what seems most surprising to you about Merrill’s reconstruction of the chronology of the life of David?
Solomon had cogency with David.
Merrill believes that the Pharaoh who gave his daughter in marriage to Solomon was…
Siamun
What was the cause of David’s war with the Ammonites?
David’s emissaries who were sent to Rabbah (modern Amman, Jordan) to congratulate young king Hanun, were shamefully abused and sent home.
What daughter of David was raped by his eldest son Amnon?
Tamar
Who was the wise man and friend of David, whom God used to counteract the advice of Ahithophel, David’s trusted counselor who had defected to Absalom?
Hushai
How did Absalom come to his death?
Joab threw darts into his body as Absalom was suspended by his hair from an oak tree.
Who was the Benjaminite who sought to organize schismatic movement after the death of Absalom?
Sheba
What sin of David caused him to realize that Jerusalem was to be the location of the future temple?
The numbering of the people (a census).
What did God do in response to David’s desire to build Him a temple in Jerusalem?
God declared His determination to build a house or dynasty for David.
Jeremiah shared the spiritual vision of what king of Judah?
Josiah
According to NA Woychuk, why is a preacher of the Word of God preeminently useful?
Because the Word is what unlocks the human heart, and God made the human heart.
What were the six effects that Jeremiah’s preaching was to have on the kingdoms? Give any three of these six effects.
- root out
- pull down
- destroy
Give three points of the seven-fold indictment which Jeremiah pronounces on behalf of God against the faithless pastors and the false prophets of his day?
- Scattered God’s flock
- Profaned God’s house
- Caused God’s people to err.
Name 2 of the four object lessons that Jeremiah used in his preaching?
- Good vs. bad figs
2. A yoke of wood around his neck.
What does NA Woychuck conclude about Jeremiah’s compassionate heart?
Jeremiah comes closer to feeling and experiencing the cross of Christ than any other OT saint.
Compare and contrast the 2 main Hebrew words for “prophet.”
Nabi (refers to one called or appointed to proclaim the message of God Himself).
Roeh (“seer” refers to one who perceives things that are not in the realm of natural sight or hearing.
What are four major themes of the prophets? Give 3 of the 4.
- exposed sinful practices
- called people back to God
- warned people of coming judgement
What are 4 chronological points emphasized by the prophets?
- their own day
- the Captivity and Return
- The 1st coming of Christ
- The 2nd coming
Why is the book of Isaiah sometimes mentioned as “the Bible in miniature”?
66 chapters like 66 books
39 chapters (like OT) stress righteousness, holiness, and justice
27 chapters (like NT) portray God’s glory, compassion, and undeserved favor.
How does Babylon suggest the unity of the book of Isaiah?
Babylon is mentioned more than twice as often in 1-39 as in 40-66.
Discuss how the Christological prophecies in Isaiah are from both “halves” of Isaiah, and involved both the first and second coming of Christ. How does this suggest the unity of Isaiah?
First Coming (mentioned in Isaiah 7, 9, 11, and others)
Second Coming (mentioned in 4, 11, 32, and others)
State three of the four main hardships that Jeremiah received from his countrymen.
- opposition
- beatings
- imprisonment
Give 3 of the 6 rulers under whom Jeremiah prophesied.
- Josiah
- Jehoiakim
- Jeohiachin
Give 3 of the 6 changes that took place between the beginning and the ending of Jeremiah’s life.
Beginning:
- Assyria in power
- Jews in land
- Jeremiah in Jerusalem
Ending:
- Babylon in power
- Jews deported to Babylon
- Jeremiah in Egypt
What is Jeremiah’s basic message?
Surrender to God’s will is the only way to escape calamity.
Of the nine nations mentioned by Jeremiah [Egypt, Philistia, Moab, Ammon, Edom, Syria, Arabia, Elam, and Babylon], only 4 are promised a restoration. Who are those 4 nations?
Moab
Egypt
Edom
Ammon
How do the books of Jeremiah and Lamentations compare in their relation tot he defeat and desolation of Jerusalem?
Jeremiah - looks ahead, warning of it.
Lamentations - looks back, mourning for it.
Give 2 of the 4 distinctive expressions in the book of Ezekiel?
Son of man
The glory of the LORD
When was Ezekiel taken to Babylon, and for about how long did he prophesy there?
Taken in 605 BC
Prophesied for about 40 years.
In what way is Ezekiel a prophet of “the glory of God”?
- Ezekiel’s first visions were of God’s glory.
- Ezekiel saw the departing glory from the Temple in Jerusalem.
- Ezekiel saw God’s future earthly glory returning.
Is Satan picture in Ezekiel 28?
Yes, Satan is described as the “king of Tyre” who is the real power behind the nation (not the human prince of Tyre).
Who was a prophet of the priestly line who spoke to the exiles in Babylon?
Ezekiel
What prophet spoke to Judah before the exile, and has some verses parallel to his contemporary Isaiah?
Micah
TRUE/FALSE: Joel is probably the earliest prophet to stress the Day of the LORD as a time of judgement before blessing.
TRUE
Who was a country-farmer-turned-prophet who had tended a special breed of small sheep, and a grower of sycamore figs which were punctured before they ripened?
Amos
Give 5 of the 20 comparison/contrasts between Hosea and Amos.
Hosea
- Preaches against idolatry
- A poet
- A mystic
- Lovingkindness
- Sympathetic
Amos
- Preaches against injustice
- A philosopher
- A moralist
- Wrath
- Stern
What is the shortest book in the OT?
Obadiah
TRUE/FALSE: Nahum prophesied after the fall of Thebes in Egypt and before the fall of Nineveh.
True
Who was a prophet who wrote of his questions and God’s answers about the sinfulness of Judah and of the judgement the nation deserved?
Habakkuk
Give 3 of the 6 contrasts between Jonah and Habakkuk.
Jonah
- God called on Jonah
- Jonah ran from God
- Ends in foolishness
Habakkuk
- Habakkuk called on God
- Habakkuk ran to God
- Ends in faith
According to the Talmud, what was missing from the rebuilt restoration temple?
- the ark of the covenant
- the shekinah glory
- the urim and the thummin
What are the 4 human kingdoms predicted in the book of Daniel, and what is the 5th kingdom that follows?
Babylon Medo-Persia Greece Rome followed by God's kingdom
Why do many people view the book of Daniel as fraudulent?
Because it contains too detailed prophecies for them to be “genuine,” and hence the book must have been written after the events took place. Genuine predictive prophecy is assumed impossible.
What are 3 lines of argument against the genuineness and truthfulness of the book of Daniel?
- Prophetic details are intentionally deceptive (to specific to be “genuine” prophecy).
- Language is later than Daniel’s life (contains some Persian words and 3 Greek words).
- Historical blunders prove account is non-historial.
In what OT language is the prophetic plan for the Gentiles written (Dan. 2-7)?
Aramaic
In what year did Jehu become king? That year is important because it provides a chronological synchronism point between Northern Israel and Southern Judah.
841 BC
What son of Jehoram and Athaliah was rescued by Jehoram’s daughter Jehosheba?
Joash (or Jehoash)
How long did Athaliah reign as queen in Judah, having killed all she could of the house of David?
6 years
How old was Jehoash (or Joash) when he began to reign as king of Judah?
7 years old
After Jehoash was assassinated, who was his son that became king of Judah?
Amaziah
What 4 things were unique about the prophets of Israel?
- Called of God
- Prophesied only in the name of Yahweh
- Every predictive word they uttered came to pass
- They did not try to manipulate or avert the purposes of God (except by prayer)
Why did God smite king Uzziah of Judah with leprosy?
Huzzah attempted to burn incense in the Temple.
The earliest writing prophet, Obadiah, pronounced God’s judgement on what nation?
Edom
What prophet used a recent sever locust plague as a basis for clarifying the coming judgmental aspect of the Day of the Lord?
Joel
What prophet predicted judgements against several nations in order to speak against the sins of Northern Israel?
Amos
What prophet was swallowed by a great fish?
Jonah
Jehu’s dynasty over Northern Israel lasted through 4 generations: Jehu, Jehoahaz, Jehoash, Jeroboam II, and Zechariah. Who killed Zechariah of the house of Jehu to make himself king?
Shallum
Who assassinated Shallum king of Israel after 1 month of reign?
Menahem
Menahem’s son Pekahiah was assassinated after 2 years of reign by what usurper?
Pekah
Pekah’s murderer became the last king of Northern Israel, and he reigned 10 years. What was the murderer’s name?
Hoshea
Rezin (of Syria) and Pekah (of Northern Israel) sought to invade Judah in order to depose what king? And then they hoped to establish and anti-Assyrian king on Judah’s throne.
Ahaz
Although the Assyrian king Shalmaneser V actually captured Syria, his successor claimed credit for the victory. Who was his successor?
Sargon II
Who destroyed the bronze serpent which Moses had made in the wilderness, because the people had begun to worship it like an idol?
Hezekiah
What are the 2 major historical narratives in the book of Isaiah?
Isaiah 7-8 (the Syro-Ephraimite war)
Isaiah 36-39 (the Assyrian siege of Jerusalem)
Who was the most wicked king of Southern Judah?
Manasseh
TRUE/FALSE: Josiah became king at age 8, when his father Amon was assassinated.
True
TRUE/FALSE: Josiah burned at Bethel the bones of priests who had officiated there, and the tomb of the unnamed prophet who had predicted the reform of Josiah was found there.
True
How did Josiah come to die?
Josiah tried to stop Pharaoh Necho from going north to help Assyria against the Babylonians, and Josiah was killed at Megiddo, and his body returned to Jerusalem, with Jeremiah lamenting.
How can the history of Israel be divided? Four terms are used in Talk Thru the Bible, but you may use your own words.
The People (2000-1500) The Land (1500-1000) The Kingdom (1000-500) The Remnant (500- )
What marked the transition from David’s growing success as king and his growing crisis?
Sins with Bathsheba
Absalom’s Rebellion
David’s Census
What are the key words of the various poetic books of the OT?
Job - Sovereignty Psalms - Worship Proverbs - Wisdom Ecclesiastes - Vanity Song of Solomon - Love in Marriage
How can we increase our knowledge of God?
Prayer
Scripture
Obedience
Trust
Who were the 2 exile prophets? Who were the three prophets after the Exile?
Exile Prophets: Daniel and Ezekiel
After the Exile: Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi
The Septuagint was the translation of the Hebrew OT into what language?
Greek
What were the 3 stages of the Babylonian exile?
605 BC - Daniel and noble youth taken to Babylon
597 BC - Ezekiel and king Jehoiachin and others
586 BC - Jerusalem and Temple burned and destroyed
What king removed Jehoiachin of Judah from confinement and provided him with a royal pension until his death?
Evil-merodoch
What were the 3 separate locations where Jewish traditions were developing during and/or after the Exile?
Babylon
Jerusalem (Judah)
Alexandria (Egypt)
Give 2 of the 3 graphic illustrations that Ezekiel used to illustrate the captivity.
- Shaving his hair and dividing it
2. Drawing a picture of the city under siege.
What prophet predicted Cyrus by name as the “shepherd” who would authorize the return of Israel from the captivity?
Isaiah
When the first return of the people took their place under Joshua (the high priest) and Zerubbabel, what feast did they celebrate in the 7th month?
Feast of Tabernacles
What aged prophet, in sermons over a few weeks, was able to encourage the people of Jerusalem to begin again the construction of the restoration temple, after a delay of about 16 years?
Haggai
What younger prophet encouraged the completion of the restoration Temple
Zechariah
Who was the king of Persia who married Ester?
Ahasuerus or Xerxes
What Jewish feast developed from the events of the book of Ester?
Purim
TRUE/FALSE: Ezra was a popular and powerful Jewish leader who sought to reestablish Jewish life and culture in Judah?
True
TRUE/FALSE: Ezra and Nehemiah appeared together in the reading to the Torah at feast of Tabernacles, and thus they produced a revival and covenant reaffermation.
True
Who was the last writing prophet of the OT?
Malachi
Nehemiah, who walked with God and honored God, was from what tribe of Israel?
Judah
Nehemiah was a man of prayer, whose prayers were situation-oriented and specific. Describe 3 of the 6 times his prayers are recorded.
- When he began his mission from the King.
- In the face of opposition
- When he rebuked the money-lenders
Give 3 of the 5 principles of leadership that can be observed in Nehemiah’s life.
- He matured his plans carefully.
- He kept in close tough with the people.
- He won the confidence of his people by his courageous example.
According to Woychuk, what is the greatest malevolent of work of Satan?
Stealing the precious time of the Lord’s servants.
Thousands of hours of God-given time are wasted.
Fire came down from Heaven to consume this offering on?
All of these (Elijah’s alter, the brasen alter of the tabernacle, the brazen alter of solomon’s temple.
What do you think is meant by the expression of Worshiping the LORD in the “beauty of holiness”?
God seeks people to worship Him in spirit and in truth, with their sins confessed. It does not mean to wear your Sunday best clothes!
About how many books of the Hebrew Bible were written in poetry?
about 1/3
There are only 5 books in the Hebrew Bible that appear to have no poetry? Name three of these 5 books?
Leviticus, Ruth, Ezra, Haggai, Malachi
How many cycles of debate did Job go through with his three friends?
3 cycles
What book provided the temple hymnbook for the people of Israel?
Psalms
What book was designed to equip the reader in practical wisdom, discernment, discipline, and discretion?
Proverbs
What book examines the vanity of life, and concludes by encouraging the reader to trust and obey God, and to enjoy God’s gifts?
Ecclesiastes
What book magnifies the virtues of physical and emotional love in marriage?
Song of Solomon
What is the kind of parallelism in the following lines (Job 38:7)…
When the morning stars sang together,
and all the sons of God shouted for joy?
Synonymous Parallelism
What is the kind of parallelism in the following lines (Psalm 1:6)…
For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous, but the way of the ungodly shall perish.
Antithetic Parallelism
What is the kind of parallelism in the following lines (Psalm 42:1)…
As the hart panteth after the water brooks,
so my panteth my soul after thee, O God.
Emblematic Parallelism
What is the kind of parallelism in the following lines (Psalm 2:6)…
Yet have I set my king
upon my holy hill of Zion
Formal Parallelism
Identify the figure of speech in the following lines (Psalm 1:3)…
And he shall be LIKE a tree planted by the rivers water,
that bringeth forth his fruit in his season;
Simile
Identify the figure of speech in the following lines (Psalm 5:9)…
For there is no faithfulness in their MOUTH, their inward part is very wickedness;
Their throat is an open sepulchre; they flatter with their tongue.
Metonym
Identify the figure of speech in the following lines (Psalm 91:5)…
Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night;
nor for the arrow that flieth by day.
Synechdoche
Identify the figure of speech in the following lines (Psalm 5:12)…
For thou, LORD, wilt bless the righteous;
with favor wilt though compass him as with a shield
Simile
Identify the figure of speech in the following lines (Psalm 84:11)…
For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the Lord will give grace and glory:
no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.
Metaphor
Give 3 of the 7 evidences that the events of the book of Job are of a patriarchal date.
- Patriarchal lifespan (lived 140 years after the events)
- Patriarichal Wealth (measured in lifestock)
- Patriarchal social unit (the family/clan)
Give 3 of the 5 ways in which God uses hardships (as reflected in Deut.
- to test us
- to humble us
- to discipline us
What are the three parts of the Book of Job (with their chapters)?
- Dilemma of Job (1-2)
- Debates of Job (3-37)
- Deliverance of Job (38-42)
Give the names of 4 of the 11 Old Testament psalms not part of the Book of Psalms.
- The Song of Moses
- The Song of Deborah
- The Song of Hannah
- The Song of Hezekiah
What do you think of the possibility of Samuel as an author of Scripture? What portions of Scripture might Samuel have authored, in your opinion?
- Samuel (early chapters) written as a record of his life and calling.
- Judges written as an encouragement for Israeli Tribes to rally around King Saul to be faithful to the LORD.
- Ruth written to describe the spiritual heritage of recently anointed David, the man after God’s own heart. [Samuel saw the contrast between Saul’s heritage near Bethlehem, and David’s heritage near Bethlehem.]
- Saul established a school for the prophets.
What do you think of David as a possible author of some of the Scriptures? What contribution did David make to the Old Testament as a whole?
- Wrote 73 psalms according to titles.
- Titles were ancient and not understood by Septuagint translators, indicating their authenticity from the original authors.
- Wrote more after his sin and restoration.
- Was a man after God’s own heart.
- Had a spiritual heritage in Rahab, Boaz and Ruth.
What hunch does Dr. Braithwaite suggest for the formation of the Five Books of the Psalter?
Book 1 (Psalms 1-41) By David for proposed/delayed Temple Hymnbook.
Book 2 (Psalms 42-72) Assembled by Solomon for expanded Temple Hymnbook.
Book 3 (Psalms 73-89) Assembled for Temple Worship after Rehoboam’s foolish dividing of the Kingdom.
Book 4 (Psalms 90-106) Assembled by Hezekiah and his men
Book 5 (Psalm 107-150) contain the only clearly post-Exilic Psalms, and they conclude with a burst of Praise!
Solomon wrote about how many proverbs, of which how many are included in the Book of Proverbs?
Wrote about 3,000 proverbs.
About 800 are included in his book of Proverbs.
What portions of Old Testament scripture might Solomon have written? What is the basis for your belief?
- Began Proverbs Early in life, but Hezekiah’s men completed the assembly of Proverbs into the Book.
- Wrote Song of Solomon when he discovered the “love of his life” before his harem was fully multiplied, patterning after Egyptian Love Poems.
- Wrote Ecclesiastes after he saw the foolishness of seeking fulfillment apart from recognizing God, patterned after Phoenician Philosophical Writings.
What are some things of theological importance to a New Testament Christian that are missing in the Book of Proverbs?
Indwelling of the Holy Spirit
Value of Prayer
Baptism of the Holy Spirit
God’s will for your life…
Where is the acrostic description of the wise, virtuous woman found in the Book of Proverbs?
Proverbs 31
How many times is Solomon mentioned in the Song of Solomon?
7 times
How many species of plants and animals are mentioned in the Song of Solomon?
21 plants
15 animals
How many geographical locations are mentioned in the Song of Solomon? Name 3 of them.
15
Egypt
Jerusalem
En Gedi
What is the three-fold benefit of our Lord’s redemptive work?
- Forgiveness of sin
- Justification
- Deliverance from the power of sin
What are three great establishments which came out of the Babylonian Captivity?
- Jews were never idolatrous again.
- The Synagogue was born.
- The Canon of the OT
When Jesus was transfigured, who appeared with Him, talking about His death?
Moses and Elijah
In what three ways is Jesus Christ seen in the Old Testament?
- In over 300 prophecies
- The Passover Lamb
- In the Tabernacle and sacrifices
In what way is the Abrahamic Covenant foundational to the other Old Testament Covenants?
- Land blessing is expanded in the Palestinian Covenant, Deut. 30.
- Seed blessing is confirmed in the Davidic Covenant, II Sam. 7.
- Blessing was conditional through the “old” Mosaic Covenant, but ultimate blessing is guaranteed by the “New” Covenant, Jer. 31.
In your opinion, who is the greatest of the Judges, and why? Explain your choice.
Ehud
Killed Eglon and 10,000 Moabite servicemen.
Land rested for 80 years
What principle is illustrated by the events and persons related to the Life of David?
Obedience grows out of a heart for God.
How many kings and dynasties are involved in the Kingdom of Northern Israel?
19 kings and 9 dynasties
How many kings and dynasties are involved in the Kingdom of Southern Judah?
19 kings and 1 dynasty
In your own words, explain What are the conditions for attaining wisdom?
True wisdom can only be gained by cultivating the fear of the Lord.
How do we grow in faith? Explain in your own words. Do you have any Bible verses to back your view?
Our ability to trust God is directly proportional to our knowledge of God. The better we know God, the more we can trust Him.
Who do you think is speaking in this verse? Who is the “I”? Isaiah 48:16
Come ye near unto me, hear ye this; I have not spoken in secret from the beginning;
from the time that it was, there am I:
and now the Lord GOD, and his Spirit, hath sent me.
God the Son