Isaiah - Overview of Isaiah's Message and the Days of Ahaz

Reformed Theological Seminary

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Isaiah - Overview of Isaiah's Message and the Days of Ahaz

Lesson 6 Lecture 2

March 1, 2003 • Dr. Richard L. Pratt

Waht are the three cycles of Isaiah 1:2-6:13? How do they vary between woe and weal? What was the original purpose of this material?

Explain the skeleton of Isaiah's message found in Isaiah 1:2-6:13.

Summarize the historical background to the prophecies of Isaiah 7:1-39:8. What are the three main divisions of this material?

What are the three facets of OT messianic hope? How did Isaiah bring royal messianic hopes to bear on Ahaz's situation?

Introduction - Prophets in Historical Perspective

March 1, 2003 • Dr. Richard L. Pratt

What are the prominent names and descriptions given to prophets in the OT? How do these designations indicate the breadth of prophetism in Israel? Discuss the institutionalization of a prophetic office. How does ANE background help us understand the prophets as functionaries of theocratic statecraft?

Introduction - Prophets in Literary Perspective

March 1, 2003 • Dr. Richard L. Pratt

Identify the categories the Hebrew Bible in which we find the writing prophets. What are the main types of prophetic accounts? Give an example of each. What are the main types of prophetic speech? Give an example of each. What is the basic outline of an oracle of judgment and salvation? What is the basic structure of the lawsuit? Discuss the problem of proclamation and inscriptuation of prophetic materials.

Introduction - Prophets in Thematic Perspective

March 1, 2003 • Dr. Richard L. Pratt

Explain the importance of divine transcendence for appreciating OT prophets. What difficulties in OT prophecy come to the foreground in the light of divine immanence? What are the major themes of OT covenants? How do these motifs establish God's limitations and latitude in the fulfillment of prophecy? Explain the functions of blessings and curses in OT covenants as expressed in the message of OT prophets.