He Gave Us Prophets: Historical Analysis of Prophecy

Dear Church Family,

In our continuing Sunday school lessons using a video curriculum and discussion format entitled, “He Gave Us Prophets,” the eight lessons in this series are as follows:

1. Essential Hermeneutical Perspectives
2. A Prophet’s Job
3. People of the Covenant
4. Dynamics of the Covenant
5. Historical Analysis of Prophecy
6. Literary Analysis of the Prophets
7. The Purpose of Predictions
8. Unfolding Eschatology

Historical Analysis of Prophecy

In this fifth lesson, we examined the four different eras of redemptive history in which the prophets ministered and where each writing prophet fits into those four eras.

1. Early Monarchy (1050-750 BC)

The first era in which the prophets ministered was the time of early monarchy. The nation of Israel was relatively united during time when Saul, David, and Solomon ruled. And, while there were prophets ministering during this time, they were not writing prophets.

2. Assyrian Judgment (734-701 BC)

During the era in which God used the Assyrian Empire to bring judgment upon His people, there were several important events. In 734 BC, in fear of the Assyrian Empire, Syria and northern Israel formed coalition in opposition to southern Judah (Isaiah 7). In 722 BC, Samaria which was the capital of northern Israel was conquered, and many were carried off into exile (2 Kings 17). Finally, in 701 BC Sennacherib, the king of Assyria invaded Judah (2 Kings 18-19). There were six writing prophets who ministered during this time: Jonah (793-753 BC), Hosea (750–722), Amos (760–750 BC), Micah (735–701 BC), Nahum (663–612 BC), and Isaiah  (740–701 BC).

3. Babylonian Judgment (605–539 B.C.)

During the era in which God brought judgment upon His people through the Babylonian Empire; Nebuchadnezzar invaded Judah and deported many from the people of Israel off into exile three time (605 BC, 597 BC, and 586BC). In the third and last incursion, the city of Jerusalem and the holy Temple were destroyed. There were seven writing prophets who ministered during the time of the Babylonian judgment: Jeremiah  (626–586 BC), Zephaniah (640–609 BC), Joel (597–586 BC), Obadiah (specific dates unknown), Habakkuk (around 605 BC), Ezekiel (597–586 BC), and Daniel (605–539 BC).

4. Restoration Period (539-400 BC)

The restoration period refers to that time when Cyrus king of Persia issued an edict (539 BC) according to which God’s people were permitted to begin to return to the land of Israel and begin rebuilding the Temple. However, eventually ceased building the Temple, intermarried with the foreigners, and fell into widespread apostasy. There were three writing prophets who ministered during this restoration period: Haggai (520 BC), Zechariah (520 BC), and Malachi (450-400 BC).

Conclusion

In an earlier lesson we learned about the methodology for properly interpreting and applying the prophetic writings to the church in the new covenant which is called the grammatico-historical method. In this lesson, we learned of the historical setting of the prophets. In the next lesson, we will learn about the other part of this method of interpretation: literary analysis.

I hope you will join us on Sunday mornings at 9:15 am as we learn how better to interpret the prophetic books of the Old Testament!

The Lord be with you!
Pastor Peter M. Dietsch