Transcript Isaiah
Chronicler Chronicles: Sources • Samuel and Kings • Psalms • Priestly circles • Prophetic circles (1 Chr. 29:29) Chronicles and Dtr • Sins of David • Unity emphasized (e.g. Succession Narrative) • Emphasis on Temple (Enns: The great failure) • Individual Responsibility/Immediate Retribution Chronicles: Theological Presuppositions • The Chronicler wrote “to demonstrate the legitimacy of the Davidic dynasty and of the Jerusalem temple as Yahweh’s valid cult centre (sic)” (M. Noth, The Chronicler's History). Chronicles: Theological Presuppositions • “The person and dynasty of David forms the heartbeat of all of the Chronicler’s theology.... The Chronicler aimed at nothing less than to rectify an existing popular misconception. The primary vehicle of Israel’s ‘chosenness,’ he shows, was not Moses on Sinai at all. No, it was David on Zion!” (Robert North, “Theology of the Chronicler,” JBL 82) Chronicles: Theological Presuppositions • David and Royal Covenant— – The Mosaic covenant has been absorbed into the Davidic Covenant (2 Chr. 23:18). • Then Jehoiada placed the oversight of the temple of the LORD in the hands of the priests, who were Levites, to whom David had made assignments in the temple, to present the burnt offerings of the LORD as written in the Law of Moses, with rejoicing and singing, as David had ordered. Chronicles: Theological Presuppositions • Temple and Priesthood— – The role of the priesthood and the temple is emphasized in Chronicles (i.e. 2 Kings 11 & 2 Chron. 23). – Emphasis on ritual: psalms, rituals, and sacrifices – Emphasis on confession/repentance/revival. •Cf 2 Kings 18:1-6 & Chron 29:1-31:20. Samuel & Chronicles: Nathan and David • “And your [David’s] house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me. Your throne shall be established forever.” (2 Sam 7:16 ESV) • “I will confirm him [Solomon] in my house and in my kingdom forever, and his throne shall be established forever.” (2 Chron 17:14 ESV) Ezra-Nehemiah • Historical Context – 538/536 – 520-516 – 458 – 445 – 398 Return of exiles Temple Rebuilt Ezra Returns to Judah Nehemiah Travels to Judah Alternate date for Ezra (under Artaxerxes II) Ezra-Nehemiah • Structure of the Books • Ezra 1-6 • • • • Exiled Jews allowed to return to Judah (4:86:18 in Aramaic) Ez 7:1-10:4 Ezra’s Ministry in Judah Neh 1:1-7:73a Nehemiah’s Memoirs Neh 7:73b-10:39 Ezra’s Continuing Ministry Neh 11:1-13:31 Nehemiah’s Continuing Ministry Ezra-Nehemiah: Theological/Historical Themes • God’s Work in the World – God uses unexpected sources to accomplish His will (Cyrus/Darius/Artaxerxes). – God places leaders in strategic places and prepared them for their work. – Redemptive History (heilsgeschichte) Ezra-Nehemiah: Theological/Historical Themes • Temple and Torah – The temple was the place where the people met with their God, the renewed presence of God in the midst of people after a long, dismal exile. – The Torah became the guide for life in post-exilic Judah, esp. as seen in Ezra’s use of it. Conclusion of Canons • Chronicles & Malachi – In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, in order to fulfill the word of the LORD spoken by Jeremiah, the LORD moved the heart of Cyrus king of Persia to make a proclamation throughout his realm and to put it in writing: “This is what Cyrus king of Persia says: ‘The LORD, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth and he has appointed me to build a temple for him at Jerusalem in Judah. Anyone of his people among you-may the LORD his God be with him, and let him go up.’” (2 Chron 36:20-23) – See, I will send you the prophet Elijah before that great and dreadful day of the LORD comes. He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers; or else I will come and strike the land with a curse. (Mal 4:5-6) Conclusion of Canons • Chronicles & Malachi – Both canons end in anticipation (Brueggemann, Intro. to OT, 382), but the differences are obvious. • Land and Torah vs. Messiah for Gentiles and Israel