OT Walk Through 4, Isaiah-Daniel

Old Testament Walk Through, Isaiah-Daniel

©Tod Kennedy, todkennedy.com; knowbelieveapply.com

Isaiah

Jeremiah

Lamentations

Ezekiel

Daniel

Isaiah Bible Walk

Theme: Messiah-Servant of the Lord: Judgment, then Glorious Future

Tod Kennedy, August-September, 2005

Introductory comments about the prophets.
The Old Testament, according the Hebrew canon has three sections: law, prophets, and writings. The writing prophets have two sections: former prophets and latter prophets. The designations come from where they are in the canon.
The former prophets are the historical books of Joshua, Judges, Samuel, and Kings. They give Israel’s history from Joshua’s time until the exile to Babylon. Here we find the prophets’ world—the events surrounding their ministries and the people to whom they speak.
The latter prophets are Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and the twelve.
Remember that there were many prophets who did not leave a written record for Israel: Elijah and Elisha are two of them.
The prophets’ ministry emphasized four messages. 1. They reminded Israel that they were God’s chosen people and His priest nation. 2. They condemned Israel’s sin and challenged her to return to God and God’s word. 3. They warned the nation that God will judge them because of their rejection of Him. 4. They predicted and described Messiah’s coming and future blessing under him and his rule, and this subject was central to their ministry—
Acts 10:43 and 1 Peter 1:10-12 speak of this.
The prophets message, then, was both a warning and a promise—judgment and deliverance. Isaiah 1 shows this pattern.
Theme of Isaiah
Messiah-Servant of the Lord: Judgment, then Glorious Future
Key Verses
Isaiah 9:6-7, “For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. ⁷ There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace, On the throne of David and over his kingdom, To establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness From then on and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will accomplish this.”
Isaiah 53:6 “All of us like sheep have gone astray, Each of us has turned to his own way; But the Lord has caused the iniquity of us all To fall on Him.”
History
When did Isaiah live and to whom did he minister? He served from about 740 BC (Death of Uzziah in 740 BC, Isaiah 6) to 680 BC. His ministry was to Judah. Assyria was the dominant power during his time. He predicted Assyria’s defeat of Israel (722 BC) in Isaiah 28 and Babylon’s defeat of Judah (destruction of Jerusalem and Temple in 586 BC) in Isaiah 39.
Isaiah served the Lord during the reigns of Uzziah (790-739 BC), Jotham (750-733 BC), Ahaz (735-715 BC), and Hezekiah (729-686 BC and Hezekiah (729-686 BC).
Uzziah (790-739 BC) was the tenth king of Judah, also called Azariah. Uzziah was strong king, but God gave him leprosy because he attempted to burn incense in the temple
(2 Chronicles 26:16-23).
Jotham (750-733 BC) was the eleventh king of Judah and son of Uzziah
(2 Chronicles 27).
Ahaz (735-715 BC) was the twelfth king of Judah, and when besieged by Israel and Syria he asked and received help from Assyria, to whom he became a vassal, and he also brought idolatry into Jerusalem (2 Chronicles 28).
Hezekiah (729-686 BC) was son of Ahaz and a godly and reforming king who opposed Assyria, foolishly showed his wealth to Babylon’s king Merodach Baladan, and built the water tunnel and reservoir. God added 15 years to his life (2 Chronicles 29-32).
At the beginning of Isaiah’s ministry Assyria was a power under King Tiglath-Pileser III
(r. 745-727 BC), also known as Pul. Isaiah’s ministry was then under the shadow of Assyrian domination.
About 740 BC Judah, Israel, and Aramaea formed a coalition to resist Assyria. This coalition failed.
In 734 BC Israel (Pekah) and Syria (Rezin) fought against Judah in order to force Judah, ruled by Ahaz, into another coalition against Assyria. Ahaz refused. Instead, Ahaz went to Assyria for help. This was the background for Isaiah 7-9. Assyria defeated both kingdoms.
Hoshea, the last king of Israel, paid a heavy tribute to Assyria and was spared. But in about 724 BC he revolted against Assyria. Assyria, under Sargon II (r. 721-705 BC), then defeated and exiled Israel in 721 BC. The people were uprooted and moved to various parts of the Assyrian empire.
At this same time Judah submitted to Assyria and was spared destruction. Hezekiah became king of Judah in 715 BC. Though he was anti-Assyrian, he did not revolt. When Sennacherib (r. 705-681 BC) came to power in Assyria in 705 BC, Hezekiah revolted against him. Sennacherib invaded Judah in 701 BC (2 Kings 18-19; 2 Chronicles 32; Isaiah 36-37).
Though God spared Jerusalem in Isaiah’s time, the Babylonian empire was rising. This power begins to show itself in the prophecies of Isaiah 40. In Isaiah 36-39 we have the transition from Assyrian dominance to Babylonian dominance. In about 700 BC messengers from Merodach baladan arrive in Jerusalem with a challenge to Hezekiah. Hezekiah foolishly showed the wealth of the temple to the messengers. One hundred years later Babylon would destroy Judah and the temple and exile most of the citizens who survived the destruction.
Egypt, during Isaiah’s ministry, prodded Israel and Judah to rebel against Assyria, yet Egypt was also defeated by Sennacharib in about 701 BC.
What does this teach us? We should learn that rebellion against God and God’s plan has very destructive consequences. Instead of rebelling, listen to the word of God and live by it. Furthermore, we learn that God keeps his word—He is dependable.
Author is Isaiah (Isaiah 1:1; 2:1; 13:1; see Mark 1:2; Luke 4:17-19; Acts 8:28).
He served the Lord from about 740-680 BC. We could call Isaiah the evangelist of the Old Testament because of his clear presentations of the Messiah, Jesus the Christ (Isaiah 53). We could also call him the Paul of the Old Testament because of his apparent aristocracy, training, writing ability, and theological statements. He served in and around Jerusalem.
This great poet and prophet was married to a prophetess (8:3) and they had two sons, Shear-jashub “a remnant shall return” (7:3) and Maher-shalal-hash-baz “swift is the booty, speedy is the prey” of 8:1 (8:3).
His main ministry was with Judah, but he prophesied judgment upon both Israel and Judah because of their apostasy, and along with judgment he also prophesied their future restoration and blessing because of God’s covenants with His people—the united nation of Israel. Isaiah then is a book that contains much warning and judgment, but great messages of blessing are woven into Isaiah’s book. He repeated these two basic messages over and over again.
Jewish tradition says that he was killed during Manasseh’s reign (696-642 BC), and possibly Hebrews 11:37 had Isaiah in mind.
Isaiah’s name is found 54 times in the Bible—32 times in the Old Testament and 22 times in the New Testament. He is named 16 times in the book bearing his name. He is not named in any other Old Testament prophetic book, and the Old Testament books in which he is named are histories—2 Kings (13 times) and 2 Chronicles (3 times). The normal conclusion is that Isaiah the prophet is the author of Isaiah the prophetic book.
The New Testament names Isaiah 22 times (Matthew 3:3; Mark 1:2; Luke 3:4; 4:17;
John 12:38, 39, 41; Acts 8:28, 30; 28:25; Romans 9:29; 10:16; Romans 10:20, 21; and others).
Critics often divide Isaiah into the so-called first Isaiah (1-39) and second Isaiah (40-66), and claim that Isaiah did not write both sections. Some divide Isaiah into three sections (1-39, 40-55, 56-66) because each section has a different emphasis. The critics do not think that a prophet accurately speak of events in the distant future. For example, Isaiah predicts Cyrus by name (44:28 and 45:1) almost 200 years before he came on the scene. He also predicted the return from Babylon that would happen many years in the future (48:20).
In truth, Isaiah wrote the entire book. In the first section, he addressed Israel as she faced Assyrian trouble (1-35). Isaiah’s second section contains messages to the Babylonian exiles of the sixth century BC (36-39). In the third section he challenges the post-exilic nation to repentance and predicts more fully their restoration through the Messiah (40-66).
Yet Jesus (e.g. Matthew 13:13-14, Luke (Acts 8:28-30), and Paul (Romans 10:20-21) quote Isaiah by name and say that he is the author of the quotations. This clearly contradicts the critics claim that there were two or three Isaiahs.
So-called first Isaiah: Matthew 3:3 with Isaiah 40:3; Mathew 4:14-16 with Isaiah 9:1-2; Matthew 13:14-15 with Isaiah 6:9-10; Matthew 15:7-9 with Isaiah 29:13; Mark 7:6-7 with Isaiah 29:13; John 12:39-41 with Isaiah 6:10; Acts 28:25-27 with Isaiah 6:9-10; Romans 9:27-28 with Isaiah 10:22-23; Romans 9:29 with Isaiah 1:9; Romans 15:12 with Isaiah 11:10.
So-called second Isaiah (40-66): Matthew 8:17 with Isaiah 53:4; Matthew 12:17-21 with Isaiah 42:1-4; Mark 1:2-3 with Isaiah 40:3; Mark 3:4-6 with Isaiah 40:3-5; Luke 4:17-19 with Isaiah 61:1-2; John 1:23 with Isaiah 40:3; John 12:38 with Isaiah 53:1; Acts 8:28 -33 with Isaiah 53:7-8; Romans 10:16 with Isaiah 53:1; Romans 10:20-21 with Isaiah 65:1-2.
Trace the Theme
Messiah-Servant of the Lord: Judgment, then Glorious Future
We can trace the theme by following the chapter titles and noting the emphases of Isaiah’s messages. Isaiah 1 shows the pattern. Isaiah 8:19-9:7 contrast terrible gloom and darkness with future light and blessing through God’s Messiah King; 24 has judgment on the earth, while 25-27 predict blessing; 28 denounces the unbelief of Israel and God’s judgment and deliverance for those who trust Messiah; 35 predicts judgment and 35 predicts blessing; 44-45 clearly state Israel’s unique position as God’s people along with condemnation for Idolatry followed by the promise of deliverance—Cyrus is even named; 49 also reminds Israel of her special position as the Lord’s servant and blessing through her, but also condemns her apostasy; 52 speaks of slavery and national deliverance through Messiah, while 53 clearly predicts the Messiah as the substitute sin bearer and spiritual deliverance. Chapter 54 predicts Israel’s future sure victory and blessing against the background of her then suffering; and 59 describes Israel’s sin and God’s coming salvation through the Redeemer from Zion. Isaiah 60-66 clearly describes the future kingdom blessings that the Lord will secure for Israel—her promised kingdom is coming. Isaiah’s emphasis is obey God or judgment, but future national restoration and blessing is assured.
Overview Outline
Judgment on Judah, the nations, and the earth, 1-35.
Judah, 1-12
The nations, 13-23
The earth, 24-35
Historical transition from Assyria to Babylon, 36-39
Hezekiah and Assyria, 36-37
Hezekiah and Babylon, 38-39
Sure hope for the future, 40-66.
God rules, 40-48
God saves, 49-57
God secures, 58-66
Chapter Titles
Judgment on the nations, Isaiah 1-35
Chapter 1. Israel, dumber than a donkey
Chapter 2. The Lord and his Kingdom in the last days
Chapter 3. Rebellion against the Lord produces a culture crisis
Chapter 4. The Lord will cleanse and protect Israel in that day
Chapter 5. Spiritual culture crisis produces a savage society
Chapter 6. Isaiah responds to God’s greatness
Chapter 7. Virgin birth of the deliverer
Chapter 8. Assyria invades and Judah chooses the wrong help
Chapter 9. The Son rules from David’s throne. Arrogant Israel suffers
Chapter 10. Arrogant Assyria. A remnant of Israel
Chapter 11. The shoot and branch will rule the gathered people.
Chapter 12. Song of thanksgiving.
Chapter 13. Lord judges Babylon, Assyria, Philistia.
Chapter 14. Lord judges Babylon, Assyria, Philistia.
Chapter 15. Lord judges Moab
Chapter 16. Lord judges Moab
Chapter 17. Lord judges Damascus
Chapter 18. Lord judges Ethiopia
Chapter 19. Lord judges Egypt
Chapter 20. Lord judges Egypt
Chapter 21. Lord judges Arabia
Chapter 22. Lord judges Judah and Jerusalem
Chapter 23. Lord judges Tyre
Chapter 24. Day of the Lord Judgments
Chapter 25. Day of the Lord blessings
Chapter 26. Day of the Lord peace and prosperity
Chapter 27. Day of the Lord regathering
Chapter 28. Gentile languages announce judgment
Chapter 29. Jerusalem gets judgment and restoration
Chapter 30. Egypt and Assyria cannot help
Chapter 31. Egypt and Assyria cannot help
Chapter 32. The righteous King blesses
Chapter 33. Deliverance from Assyria. The King will reign
Chapter 34. The Lord’s judgment on all nations
Chapter 35. The Glory of the Lord—deliverance and blessing
Historical transition from Assyria to Babylon, Isaiah 36-39
Chapter 36. Assyrian Rabshakeh challenges Hezekiah
Chapter 37. Hezekiah prays; Lord strikes Sennacherib’s 185,000
Chapter 38. The Lord gives Hezekiah 15 more years.
Chapter 39. Hezekiah wrongly shows the temple riches to Babylon
Sure hope for the future, Isaiah 40-66
Chapter 40. The Lord—the sure future hope
Chapter 41. Israel’s God will deliver Israel
Chapter 42. Messiah-Servant will deliver
Chapter 43. Lord will return Israel
Chapter 44. No God besides Israel’s God
Chapter 45. Cyrus used by God. Israel’s creator is the Lord
Chapter 46. God’s purpose will be established
Chapter 47. Babylon will fall
Chapter 48. Stubborn Israel, If only you had listened to me
Chapter 49. Messiah-Servant will restore Israel
Chapter 50. Messiah-Servant is trustworthy
Chapter 51. Israel, listen to the Lord
Chapter 52. Israel, redeemed without money
Chapter 53. All our iniquity fell on Messiah-Servant
Chapter 54. Lord’s compassion and lovingkindness on Israel
Chapter 55. Come, listen, seek, and call on the Lord
Chapter 56. Lord’s salvation is coming
Chapter 57. Lord will judge idolaters
Chapter 58. Lord wants righteousness, not hypocrisy
Chapter 59. The redeemer from Zion for sinful Israel
Chapter 60. Israel—acknowledged, righteous, blessed
Chapter 61. The anointed Messiah and restored Israel
Chapter 62. Zion—your salvation comes
Chapter 63. Lord judges enemies. Israel prays
Chapter 64. Prayer for deliverance. Israel confesses sin
Chapter 65. Repentant servant Israel. New kingdom heavens and earth
Chapter 66. Peace, blessing, and glory in Jerusalem
Key People
Isaiah
Hezekiah
Servant of the Lord
Cyrus
Key Words and Phrases
Comfort, 17X (Isaiah 40:1; 51:3; 66:13)
Idol, 19X (Isaiah 2:18; 40:19-20; 57:13)
Image, 14X (Isaiah 10:10-11; 42:8; 44:9)
In that day, 40X (Isaiah 4:2; 7:18; 25:9; 28:5)
Judgment, 12X (Isaiah 3:14; 34:5; 66:16)
Salvation, 27X (Isaiah 12:2; 17:10; 52:7)
Servant, 42X (Isaiah 41:8; 42:1)
Key Doctrines
God is the creator and is sovereign
God uses nations
God will restore Israel and bless her
Idolatry is foolish
Israel has a bright future—peace, prosperity, blessing
Israel is God’s priest nation
Messiah-Servant is Jesus the Christ
Millennial Kingdom
National divine discipline.
Rebellion against God reaps terrible consequences
Theocratic program centered through Israel and Israel’s Messiah will defeat Satan and restore God’s rightful rule.
Lessons For Us Today
There is no God but Israel’s God; He is the creator and ruler.
Rebellion against God pays terrible consequences.
Though the world is in turmoil, God is in charge and his plan continues.
God’s plan for history centers around his Servant Messiah.
History is the story of God restoring his rightful rule in creation; Israel and we in the church are active combatants in this spiritual conflict.
World peace, prosperity, and blessing will not come through human government such as the United Nations. It will only come through Messiah’s reign on earth.
God keeps his word. He never lies and does not forget what he has promised.

Jeremiah Bible Walk

Theme: Judah Ignores Her Spiritual Crisis

Tod Kennedy, November, 2005

Theme
Judah Ignores Her Spiritual Crisis
Key Verse
Jeremiah 25:11-12. And this whole land shall be a desolation and a horror, and these nations shall serve the king of Babylon seventy years. ‘Then it will be when seventy years are completed I will punish the king of Babylon and that nation,‘ declares the Lord, ‘for their iniquity, and the land of the Chaldeans; and I will make it an everlasting desolation.
Overview Outline
Lord appoints Jeremiah, Jeremiah 1
Prophecies about Judah, Jeremiah 2-45
Prophecies about the nations, Jeremiah 46-51
Historical summary, Jeremiah 52
History. This was the time of the Israel’s greatest apostasy and rejection of her major prophet’s messages, the destruction of Jerusalem, and the exile of the people to Babylon. Jeremiah came on the scene during the reign of Josiah, who was one of the few good kings.
Knowing the changing political scene helps us to understand Jeremiah’s book.
722 B.C. Assyrians under Shalmaneser V (726-722) and Sargon II (Isaiah 20:1; 721-705) conquered Israel and wasted Samaria, the capital (2 Kings 17).
640 B.C. Josiah becomes king in Judah (640-609). Assyria remained the dominant power. Josiah attempted religious reforms (2 Kings 22-23; 2 Chronicles 34).
627 B.C. God appoints Jeremiah prophet to Judah (Jeremiah 1:4-10).
622 B.C. Hilkiah finds the Law in the temple (2 Kings 22:8).
612 B.C. Nabopolassar (626-605 B.C.), ruler of Babylon, captures Nineveh, Assyria. Power shifts to Babylon (Nahum 2:1-3:19; Zephaniah 2:13-15).
609 B.C. Pharoah Neco of Egypt killed Josiah at Megiddo (2 Kings 23:29-30; 2 Chronicles 35:20-25).
609 B.C. Jehoahaz’s now king and rules 3 months. Necho then takes Jehoahaz to Egypt (2 Kings 23:31-35).
608 B.C. Jehoiakim (2 Kings 23: 34-24:7), Josiah’s son, begins rule in Judah (608-597). He began as a vassal of the king of Egypt. He too Judah back to idolatry. He destroyed Jeremiah’s scroll (Jeremiah 36).
605 B.C. Nebuchadnezzar defeats Egypt at Carchemish. Also becomes king of Babylon (605-562 B.C.). He conquers Jerusalem and Judah.
605 B.C. Nebuchadnezzar takes Daniel and his three friends to Babylon (Daniel 1:1-7).
597 B.C. Jehoiachin, son of Jehoiakim, ruled in Judah for 3 months (2 Kings 24:8-16).
597 B.C. Nebuchadnezzar makes Zedekiah vassal king of Judah (2 Kings 24:17-20).
596 B.C. Nebuchadnezzar takes Jehoiachin, Ezekiel, and 10,000 captives to Babylon (2 Kings 24:10-16; 2 Chronicles 36:9-10; Ezekiel 1:2-3: 3:15).
588-586 B.C. Nebuchadnezzar lays siege to Jerusalem (2 Kings 25:1-10).
586 B.C. Jerusalem falls to the Babylonians. Nebuchadnezzar burns the city and temple in August, 586 B.C. (2 Kings 25).
586 B.C. Nebuchadnezzar makes Gedeliah governor of Judah. Ishmael assassinated Gedeliah in October, 586 after a 2 month rule (2 Kings 25:22-25).
586 B.C. Jews feared reprisals from Babylon and fled to Egypt, taking Jeremiah to Egypt with them (2 Kings 25:26; Jeremiah 43).
Author was Jeremiah. He served as prophet from 627 B.C. until at least 586 BC (Jeremiah 1:1-3); and according to Jeremiah 40-44, possibly until 562 BC or beyond. His scribe, Baruch (Jeremiah 36:1-4), apparently compiled and edited the book.
Jeremiah’s prophecy is somewhat autobiographical. He was God’s prophet for Judah before, during, and after the traumatic Babylonian destruction of Jerusalem. He was intense, courageous, at times despondent, and yet he persevered. Jeremiah preached the Lord’s unwanted and unheeded message. He used “word of the LORD” 58 times and “thus says the LORD” 151 times. He angered priests, prophets, soldiers, and kings. Unbelieving and rebellious Judah rejected God’s message and God’s man of the hour. She ignored her national crisis of which Jeremiah persistently warned. This also seems to be the continuing story of all mankind.
He was rejected, beaten, imprisoned, ridiculed, and finally kidnapped and taken to Egypt; all happened because he was faithful to God’s appointment to preach to Judah during the greatest crisis of her 250 year history. Furthermore, God told Jeremiah that he could not marry, go to funerals, or go to parties in order to illustrate the destruction that was coming (16:1-9).
Jeremiah was born around 640 BC in Anathoth, which was about 3 miles northeast of Jerusalem, into a priestly family, and God put him into the prophetic ministry in 627 BC (Jeremiah 1:1-2). He was a contemporary of Ezekiel (served about 592-570 B.C. in Babylon, Nebuchadnezzar’s reign), Zephaniah (served around 630 B.C., Josiah’s reign), Habakkuk (served about 605 B.C., Jehoiakim’s reign), and Daniel (served about 605-536 B.C., Nebuchadnezzar’s to Cyrus’ reigns).
Jeremiah seemed to write in bursts during very tumultuous periods of Judah’s history.
The time of Josiah’s reforms (chapters 1-6 and 11-12).
Nebuchadnezzar’s rise to power (chapters 7-10, 14-20, 22, and 26).
The remaining chapters relate to the two deportations to Babylon, the Zedekiah revolt, and the final destruction of Jerusalem.
Chapter 52 is similar to 2 Kings 24:18-25:30. It likely was written and added after King Jehoiachin was freed from Babylonian imprisonment.
Trace the Theme
In chapter 1 the LORD called Jeremiah to be prophet to Judah. The LORD immediately says what the will happen to Judah (Jeremiah 1:13-16) and why (Jeremiah 1:16 and 2:13). He also promises to protect Jeremiah from the unbelieving and rebellious kings, princes, priest, and people (Jeremiah 1:17-19).
Jeremiah’s message was that Judah has forsaken the Lord and turned to idols (Jeremiah 2:11-13), and she is worse than Israel was 125 years ago (Jeremiah 3:6-11). God, through Babylon, will severely discipline her (Jeremiah 19; 20:1-6). If Judah will submit to Babylon, God will allow her to remain in the land; but If Judah resists, he will bring catastrophic destruction upon her (Jeremiah 27:1-11). Judah did not repent, nor did she submit to Babylon. Therefore, God kept his word. He catastrophically judged Judah, destroyed Jerusalem and the temple, and sent his people into slavery (Jeremiah 32:17-36; 39; 52). The book of Lamentations is Jeremiah’s sorrowful poem describing the results of Judah’s choice for idolatry instead of God.
Along with the prophecy of judgment God also promised to restore Israel to her land sometime in the future. That promise is the New Covenant (Jeremiah 31:31-34). At that time the Hebrew people will know and love God’s word; they will have eternal salvation relationship with the Lord; and the Lord will have forgiven all their sins.
Because Jeremiah courageously delivered God’s messages his townspeople threatened him (Jeremiah 11:21), his family opposed him (Jeremiah 12:6), the priests beat him and put him in stocks (Jeremiah 20:1-3), and even the prophets demanded his life (Jeremiah 26:11). King Jehoiakim destroyed one of his prophetic manuscripts (Jeremiah 36). Jeremiah wore a yoke on his neck to symbolize Nebuchadnezzar’s control of Judah and the surrounding nations (Jeremiah 27:1-7). He was beaten and put in a dungeon (Jeremiah 37:11-16) and then Zedekiah released him from the dungeon and imprisoned him in the court of the guardhouse (Jeremiah 37:17-21).
After the destruction of Jerusalem in 586 B.C., Nebuchadnezzar ordered Jeremiah freed and gave him the option to either go to Babylon or remain in Judah with Gedeliah, the governor of Judah. He chose Judah with his people (Jeremiah 39:11-40:6). Johanan, and leader in Judah and supporter of Gedeliah, warned Gedeliah that Ishmael planned to assassinate the governor, but the warning fell on deaf ears (Jeremiah 40:13-16). Ishmael and 10 others succeeded in assassinating Governor Gedeliah (Jeremiah 41:1-3). Johanan then rescued Jews whom Ishmael had taken as captive. After more killing, Ishmael escaped (Jeremiah 41:4-14). Soon Johanan asked Jeremiah for God’s message about what they should do. God said they should stay in Judah. Again, God’s prophet was rebuffed. Johanan gathered the remnant, including Jeremiah and Baruch, and fled to Egypt (Jeremiah 42-43). Jeremiah likely died in Egypt.
Overview Outline
LORD appoints Jeremiah, 1
Prophecies about Judah, 2-45
Prophecies about the nations, 46-51
Historical summary. 52
Chapter Titles
Section 1, Lord appoints Jeremiah
God appoints Jeremiah
Section 2, Prophecies about Judah, Jeremiah 2-45
The two sins
Faithless Israel, Treacherous Judah
Partial destruction
Why pardon you?
Destruction from the north
Jeremiah’s temple message
No man repented
Ruin, scatter, sword
LORD is God; Idols are worthless
Disobey the covenant and punishment
Uproot then compassion
The waistband and wine jug
Sword, famine, pestilence
Death, sword, famine, captivity
Double payment for sins
Cursed, blessed, deceitful heart, listen
The potter and the pit
I will break the potter’s jar
Jeremiah rejected and persecuted
King of Babylon will conquer
Shallum, Jehoiakim, Coniah
Good and bad prophets; Righteous branch
Good and bad figs
Seventy years in Babylon
Riot against Jeremiah
Serve the king of Babylon and live
Hananiah, the false prophet
The Lord has plans for welfare
Jacob’s distress, then Jacob’s fortunes restored
Lord will be God of Israel; New covenant
Captivity soon, later restoration
Restoration; the righteous branch of David
Release to the sword, pestilence, famine from Babylon
Rechabites obeyed forefather, Judah did not
Jeremiah’s scroll—burned and rewritten
Jeremiah arrested, beaten, jailed
The cistern; surrender to Babylon
Jerusalem destroyed; Zedekiah blinded
Jeremiah freed; Johanan warn Gedaliah
Ishmael assassinates Gedaliah; Johanan rescues some
Do not go to Egypt In Judah, blessing; in Egypt death
They went to Egypt; Nebuchadnezzar will conquer
Judah did not learn, therefore destruction in Egypt
The LORD will protect Baruch
Section 3, Prophecies about the nations, Jeremiah 46-51
The LORD will conquer Egypt
The LORD will conquer the Philistines
The Lord will conquer Moab
The LORD will conquer Ammon, Edom, Damascus, Arabia, and Elam
The LORD will conquer Babylon
The LORD will conquer Babylon
Section 4, Nebuchadnezzar destroyed Jerusalem, Jeremiah 52
Siege, destruction, exile
Key People. See the chronological political scene above point 4, history.
Jeremiah, 132X. God’s prophet to Judah during her final days (Jeremiah 1 and following). Faithfully proclaimed God’s word to apathetic, disobedient, and idolatrous Jews.
Baruch, 23X. Jeremiah’s scribe (Jeremiah 36:32).
Nebuchadnezzar, 37X. King of Babylon during most of Jeremiah’s prophecy. Daniel’s head of gold. He destroyed Jerusalem, the temple, and removed many Jews to Babylon—including Daniel and his three friends, and Ezekiel (Jeremiah 39:1; 2 Kings 24-25; Daniel 1-4).
Josiah, 18X. Judah’s last reforming king. During his reign he OT Law of Moses was found. He repaired the temple, restored the worship of the Lord and celebrated the Passover. He foolishly went to battle with Pharo Necho and was killed (Jeremiah 3:6; 2 Kings 22-23; 2 Chronicles 35:20-27).
Jehoahaz, (Joahaz). Son of Josiah. He ruled 3 months. The Egyptian Pharoah removed him, took him to Egypt, and placed his brother Jehoiakim on the throne of Judah (2 Kings 23:31-33; 2 Chronicles 36:1-4;
Jehoiakim, 22X, (Eliakim). Son of Josiah. Ruled 11 years after his father, Josiah. He destroyed Jeremiah’s scroll (Jeremiah 36). Rebelled against Nebuchadnezzar (2 Kings 24). God cursed him with no sons to ever sit for any long period of time on David’s throne, and he died a violent death (Jeremiah 36:30-31; 2 Kings 23:34-24:7).
Jehoiachin, 3X, (Jeconiah, 4X; Coniah 3X). Son of Jehoiakim. Ruled for 3 months and 10 days in 597 BC. Apparently Nebuchadnezzar changed his mind about Jehoiachin. He went back to Jerusalem and took Jehoiachin to Babylon with 10,000 others where he was imprisoned for 36 years. Evil-Merodach released him (Jeremiah 24:1; Jeremiah 52:31; 2 Kings 24.14-17).
Zedekiah, 49X. (Mattaniah). Son of Josiah. He defended Jeremiah twice (Jeremiah 37:15-21 and 38:7-13). He was vassal king at the time Nebuchadnezzar and foolishly rebelled against him which brought the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple. Nebuchadnezzar had Zedekiah’s sons killed and then blinded Zedekiah. He died in Babylon (2 Kings 24:17-25:1-7).
Gedeliah, 23X. Appointed Governor of Judea by Nebuchadnezzar after Zedekiah was taken. He respected Jeremiah (Jeremiah 39:11-14 and 40:5). Attempted to calm the Jews and urged submission to Babylon. Ishmael assassinated him. Some Jews feared Babylon’s reprisals and took Jeremiah and fled to Egypt (2 Kings 25:22-26; Jeremiah 52).
Words and Phrases in NASB translation
Babylon, 169 X (20:4).
Fear, 16X (5:22-24; 46:27).
Idols, 11 X (8:19).
Judgment, 7X (1:16).
Listen, 63X (6:10).
Sin, 26X. (2:35; 40:3).
Key Doctrines
God does not guarantee that his faithful servants will not suffer because they serve him (Jeremiah 11:21; 20:1-3; 26:11; 37:11-21).
God’s faithful messengers can still serve during a spiritual and political crisis
(Jeremiah 26:11-15; 27; 36; 51:59-64).
Grace before judgment: God graciously warned his people about their sin before he disciplined the nation because of her sin (Jeremiah 7; 22:1-9; 27; 42).
National divine discipline comes because of sin, and after warning (above Scripture).
Sin not confessed brings judgment.
The seventy years exile prophecy (Jeremiah 25:11-12; 29:10).
God’s will restore Israel and Judah and fulfill his New Covenant with them (Jeremiah 29:11-15; 30:3; 31:27-40; 43-44).
God used Gentile kings and nations to discipline Israel and Judah (Jeremiah 22:25; 27:6; 37:28; 46:26).
God is more powerful than the strongest nation and can raise them up and bring them down (Jeremiah 50:17-18; 51:24).
The opinion of political and religious leaders and the general public may be the majority opinion, yet it can be wrong (people, Jeremiah 11:21; 52:3), his family, Jeremiah 12:6), 20:1-3), the prophets demanded his life, Jeremiah 26:11), King Jehoiakim, Jeremiah 36), and King Zedekiah, Jeremiah 52:3).
Central Scripture for doctrines.
God gave his promise of blessing, similar to Psalm 1, to those who trust him
(Jeremiah 17:5-8).
The nature of man (Jeremiah 17:9-10).
Volition Jeremiah (21:8).
God’s will restore Israel and Judah and fulfill his New Covenant with them
(Jeremiah 29:11-15; 30:3; 31:27-40; 43-44).
Lessons for Us Today
God’s has a plan and purpose for Israel despite her unbelief.
God uses willing and faithful people, but does not guarantee an easy or safe life.
God always warns us before he judges us.
Believe and follow the word of God; it stands above public opinion.
God uses humble, faithful to him, strong, and gracious leaders.
Kings, dictators, presidents, and prime ministers may be powerful, ruthless, and even temporarily popular, but they come and go. God still controls history.
God wants to bless his people.

Lamentations Bible Walk

Title from the Latin Vulgate

The Hebrew title is אֵיכָה (ekah) “How!” “Alas!”

Sin, Destruction, Death, Exile

Tod Kennedy

December, 2005

Lamentations Theme

Sin, Destruction, Death, Exile

Lamentations Key Verses

Lamentations 2:11

“My eyes fail because of tears, My spirit is greatly troubled; My heart is poured out on the earth Because of the destruction of the daughter of my people, When little ones and infants faint In the streets of the city.”

Lamentations 3:19-23

“Remember my affliction and my wandering, the wormwood and bitterness. Surely my soul remembers And is bowed down within me. This I recall to my mind, Therefore I have hope. The Lord’s lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, For His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; Great is Thy faithfulness. “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “Therefore I have hope in Him.” The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, To the person who seeks Him.”

History

This was the time of the Israel’s greatest apostasy and rejection of her major prophet’s messages, the destruction of Jerusalem, and the exile of the people to Babylon.

See the Jeremiah notes for the history. Jeremiah also wrote Lamentations.

Jerusalem had been destroyed by the Babylonian army under Nebuchadnezzar. Jeremiah wrote about the destruction of the city, the temple, and the people that occurred in July and August, 586 BC.

Author Jeremiah

The author was Jeremiah, though he is not named. He served as prophet from 627 B.C. until at least 586 BC (Jeremiah 1:1-3); and according to Jeremiah 40-44, possibly until 562 BC or beyond.
Lamentations 1:13-15; 2:6, 9; 4:1-12 indicate that the author was an eyewitness to the destruction of Jerusalem.
Jeremiah and Lamentations are similar: Lamentations 1:2 and Jeremiah 30:14; Lamentations 1:15 and Jeremiah 8:21; Lamentations 1:16 and 2:11 with Jeremiah 9:1, 18; Lamentations 2:22 and Jeremiah 6:25; Lamentations 4:21 and Jeremiah 49:12.
The LXX superscription to Lamentations claims Jeremiah as the author.
The Talmud (200-500 AD), Aramaic Targum of Jonathan (first century AD), Origen (185-254 AD), and Jerome (345-419 AD) all say Jeremiah wrote this book. The Talmud is made up of the Mishna (the written oral law) and the Gemara (commentaries on the Mishnah).
The Talmud (תלמוד) is a record of rabbinic discussions on Jewish law, Jewish ethics, customs, legends and stories, which Jewish tradition considers authoritative. It is a fundamental source of legislation, customs, case histories and moral exhortations. The Talmud has two components, the Mishnah which is the first written compilation of Judaism’s Oral Law, and the Gemara, a discussion of the Mishnah (though the terms Talmud and Gemara are generally used interchangeably).
It [The Talmud (תלמוד)] expands on the earlier writings in the Torah in general and in the Mishnah in particular, and is the basis for all later codes of Jewish law, and much of Rabbinic literature. The Talmud is also traditionally referred to as Shas (a Hebrew abbreviation of shishah sedarim, the “six orders” of the Mishnah). http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talmud
Jeremiah in this book “laments” Jerusalem and Judah’s sin and judgment.
The accepted tradition of Judaism and Christianity accept Jeremiah as the author.

Poetry and Structure of Lamentations

Lamentations was a lament for Jerusalem. Jerusalem was not just the capital of Israel and the city of David; it was the center for worship and sacrifice, for the temple, and later where Christ would be crucified.
Lamentations is more than a dirge about suffering. It is a funeral poem for the center of God’s redemption plan—Jerusalem, the temple, and the Messiah’s people.
Lamentations is a poem composed of five laments. A lament is a funeral poem or song. The technical name for this funeral poem is qina, which expresses grief, sorrow, and mourning.
Jeremiah is expressing his anguished grief over the destruction of Jerusalem, the temple, and the people.
Chapters 1, 2, 4 are acrostic poems. Each chapter is a unit and each chapter has 22 verses. The first verse begins with the first letter of the Hebrew alphabet (a, aleph) and each succeeding verse begins with the next successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet.
Chapter 3 is also an acrostic, but the chapter is in 3 verse segments. It has 66 verses. Verses 1, 2, and 3 begin with a, aleph, and so on. Chapter 3 is an individual lament like Psalm 7 and 22.
Chapter 5 with its 22 verses is not in acrostic form. Jeremiah penned this lament in a somewhat whispered fashion as he quietly grieves over the people and then pleads for restoration based upon God’s sovereignty and grace.
Summary
1. Chapter 1. 22 verse acrostic
2. Chapter 2. 22 verse acrostic
3. Chapter 3. 66 verse acrostic, 3 verses per letter
4. Chapter 4. 22 verse acrostic
5. Chapter 5. 22 verse, not acrostic.
Lamentations was read on the ninth day of Ab when the Jews commemorated the destruction of Jerusalem. Ab in our calendar is July-August. It is the fifth month of the religious calendar and he eleventh month of the civil calendar.

Overview Outline and Chapter Titles

Chapter 1: Jerusalem, lonely and desolate (1, 3, 17)
Chapter 2: The Lord’s anger, wrath, and destruction (1, 3, 4)
Chapter 3: Jeremiah’s affliction, hope, and prayer (1, 21, 55)
Chapter 4: Sin caused unspeakable suffering (1, 6, 10, 11)
Chapter 5: Jeremiah prays because joy has ceased (5, 15)

Trace the Theme of Lamentations Simply Sin, Destruction, Death, Exile

Lamentations 1:1 and 8, Jerusalem, lonely and desolate.
Lamentations 2:1 and 11, The Lord’s anger, wrath, and destruction.
Lamentations 3:1 and 21-23, Jeremiah’s affliction, hope, and prayer.
Lamentations 4:6, 10 and 11, Sin caused unspeakable suffering.
Lamentations 5:1, 15, and 21, Jeremiah prays because joy has ceased.

Chapter Overviews

Chapter 1: Jerusalem, lonely and desolate (1, 3, 17). Verse 1 sets the theme for the chapter and the book.
Verses:

Lamentations 1:1.

“How lonely sits the city

That was full of people!

She has become like a widow

Who was once great among the nations!

She who was a princess among the provinces

Has become a forced laborer!”

Lamentations 1:3, Judah has gone into exile under affliction, and under harsh servitude; She dwells among the nations, But she has found no rest; All her pursuers have overtaken her in the midst of distress.

Some descriptive terms and phrases include “weeps bitterly” 2; “harsh servitude” 3; “sinned greatly” 8; “her nakedness” 8; “fallen astonishingly 9; “groan seeking bread” 11; “sent fire into my bones” 13; “Jerusalem has become an unclean thing” 17; “The Lord is righteous…captivity” 18; “in the house it is like death” 20; “no one to comfort me” 21.
Chapter 2: The Lord’s anger, wrath, and destruction. Verses 1, 3, and 4 demonstrated this.
Verses:
Lamentations 2:1 “How the Lord has covered the daughter of Zion with a cloud in His anger! He has cast from heaven to earth the glory of Israel, and has not remembered His footstool in the day of His anger.”
Lamentations 2:3, “In fierce anger he has cut off all the strength of Israel. He has drawn back his right hand from before the enemy.”
This lament concentrates on the Lord’s anger against Judah. Jeremiah emphasizes this in numerous verses. “His anger” 2x in 1; “not spared” 2; “wrath” 2; “fierce anger” 3; “bent his bow” and “wrath like fire” 4; “violently treated” and “despised” 6; “rejected” and “abandoned” 7; “destruction” 11; “life is poured out” 12; “the Lord has done” 17; “women eat their offspring” 20; “hast slaughtered” 21; “day of the Lord’s anger” 22.
Chapter 3: Jeremiah’s affliction, hope, and prayer. Verses 1, 21, 55 are illustrative verses.
Verses:
Lamentations 3:1 I am the man who has seen affliction Because of the rod of His wrath.
Lamentations 3:22 The Lord’s lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, For His compassions never fail.
Lamentations 3:23 They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.
Lamentations 3:24 “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “Therefore I have hope in Him.”
Lamentations 3:55 I called on Your name, O Lord, Out of the lowest pit
This lament gives us Jeremiah’s thinking, discouragement, confident expectation, and prayer. We can see this by “seen affliction” 1; “in darkness” 2; “against me” 3; “He shuts out my prayer” 8; “laughing stock” 14; “bitterness” 15; “forgotten happiness” 17; “bowed down” 20; “I have hope” 21; “great is thy faithfulness” 23; “I have hope in Him” 21; “compassion” and “abundant lovingkindness” 32; “both good and ill” 38; “in view of his sins” 39; “let us examine and probe…and return” 40; “no prayer” 44; “devastation and destruction” 47;“I am cut off” 54; “I called” 55; “Thou hast heard” 56; “do not fear” 57; “Thou has redeemed” 58; “Thou wilt recompense” 64;

Chapter 4: Sin caused unspeakable suffering. Verses 1, 6, 10, and 11 demonstrate this theme.
Verses:
Lamentations 4:1 How dark the gold has become, How the pure gold has changed! The sacred stones are poured out.
Lamentations 4:6 For the iniquity of the daughter of my people Is greater than the sin of Sodom, Which was overthrown as in a moment, And no hands were turned toward her.
Lamentations 4:10 The hands of compassionate women Boiled their own children; They became food for them Because of the destruction of the daughter of my people.
Lamentations 4:11 The Lord has accomplished His wrath, He has poured out His fierce anger; And He has kindled a fire in Zion Which has consumed its foundations.
“tongue of infants” and “ask for bread” (4); “Embrace ash pits” (5); “greater than the sin of Sodom” (6); “skin is shriveled” (8); “slain with hunger” (9); “boiled their own children” (10); “accomplished His wrath” (11); “kings of the earth did not believe” (12); “our end had come” (18); “captured in the pits” (20); “your iniquity has been completed” (22).
Chapter 5: Jeremiah prays because joy has ceased. Verses 1, 5, 15, 21, 22 demonstrate this theme.
1. Verses:
Lamentations 5:1 Remember, O Lord, what has befallen us; Look, and see our reproach!
Lamentations 5:5 Our pursuers are at our necks; We are worn out, there is no rest for us.
Lamentations 5:15 The joy of our hearts has ceased; Our dancing has been turned into mourning.
Lamentations 5:21 Restore us to You, O Lord, that we may be restored; Renew our days as of old, 22 Unless You have utterly rejected us And are exceedingly angry with us.
1. “Remember, O Lord” (1); “our inheritance has been turned over” (2); “become orphans” (3); “pay for drinking water” (4); “Slaves rule over us” (8); “They ravished the women” (11); “Princes were hung by their hands” (12); “joy of our hearts has ceased” and “dancing has been turned into mourning” (15); “our heart is faint” and “eyes are dim” (17); “why dost Thou forget us forever” (20); “Restore us” (21); “Renew our days” (21); “unless” (22).

Key People

Jeremiah. God’s prophet to Judah during her final days. He faithfully proclaimed God’s word to apathetic, disobedient, and idolatrous Jews. Jeremiah penned Lamentations has he recalled the destruction, death, and exile of God’s people and his people.

Key Words and Phrases in NASB

Daughters 18x, of Judah, Zion, Jerusalem, my people. 1x, daughters of my city. All references to Israel’s relationship to the Lord and the land and city. Points out God’s choice of the Jewish people and the city of Jerusalem (1:6; 2:2; 2:13; 3:48; 3:51).
Lament 1x, (2:8). Personification of the defenses of the city, which once breached, leads to destruction of the city and people.
Cry 3x. Refers to pleading with the Lord for help during the destruction of Jerusalem, the temple, and the people (2:19; 3:8; 3:56).
Help 4x. This brings out the helpless situation. Only the Lord can deliver Judah (1:7; 3:8; 3:56; 4:17).
Compassion 2x, and Lovingkindness 2x. These are found in those great passages about God’s compassion that revived Jeremiah (3:22; 3:32).

Key Doctrines

Sin (1-5)
National discipline (1-5)
Suffering (1-5)
Hope in a crisis (3)
God’s character (3)
Faith and waiting (3)
Spiritual recovery (5)

Lessons for Us Today

God is perfect. The more one understands who he is and what he is like, the more one can relate to life and live successfully. All truth stems from God’s character.
God’s anger and discipline demonstrate his love for his people. If he did not love Israel, he would not have gone to such lengths to correct and restore them. Hebrews 12, in the NT, also teaches this.
In any and every situation God is always faithful to his word and his people. This is what restored Jeremiah from his discouragement.
God the Lord rules over life. He disciplines and he restores. Without him, suffering is unbearable and joy ceases.
What five questions should I ask myself in a crisis?
Five Questions to Ask in Suffering
Am I believing in Jesus Christ to give me eternal life (John 3.16-18; 20.31; Romans 6.23)?
Do I really know what God is like (Lamentations 3:21-25)?
Am I walking in fellowship with God (1 John 1) and living by faith, by the Holy Spirit, in the Word of God, and in love (Galatians 2.20; 5.5; 2 John 4-6)?Do I accept the fact that what I believe is more important that how I feel (Psalm 13)?
Am I watching for the good (the blessing) that God is working out in my life and testing (Romans 8.28)?Ezekiel
Judgment Now, Promised Kingdom Later

Tod Kennedy

Sunday, February, 2006

Theme of Ezekiel

Now God judges Israel; later, He will establish her promised kingdom

Key Verses

Ezekiel 36:24-26 “For I will take you from the nations, gather you from all the lands and bring you into your own land. ²⁵ “Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols. ²⁶ “Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.

Ezekiel 36:33-35 ‘Thus says the Lord God, “On the day that I cleanse you from all your iniquities, I will cause the cities to be inhabited, and the waste places will be rebuilt. ³⁴ “The desolate land will be cultivated instead of being a desolation in the sight of everyone who passes by. ³⁵ “They will say, ‘This desolate land has become like the garden of Eden; and the waste, desolate and ruined cities are fortified and inhabited.’

History Overview

General
1. The history is the same as for Jeremiah and Lamentation.
2. Judah has rebelled against the Lord and against Nebuchadnezzar.
3. Nebuchadnezzar defeated Jerusalem (Jehoiakim) in 605 BC. At that time he took Daniel and his friends and other hostages to Babylon.
4. In 597 BC, because of Judah’s rebellion (Jehoiakim and Jehoiachin) Nebechadnezzar took 10,000 more hostages, including Jehoiachin, Ezekiel to Babylon.
5. Nebuchadnezzar destroyed Jerusalem and burned the temple in the summer of 586 BC.
Chronology of the kings
1. Josiah 640-609 BC. Reforming king. Killed by Pharoah Necho.
2. Jehoahaz 3 months in 609 BC. Pharoah Neco replaced him. Died in Egypt.
3. Jehoiakim (Eliakim) 609-598 BC. Destroyed Jeremiah’s prophecy; rebelled.
4. Jehoiachin December 598-March 597 BC. Taken captive to Babylon with Ezekiel and 10,000.
5. Zedekiah (Mattaniah) 597-586 BC. Revolted; City and temple destroyed; Taken to Riblah; Sons killed; he was blinded and taken to Babylon.
6. Gedaliah 2 months in 586 BC. Assassinated by Ishmael.
Dated prophecies
1. 1:2. July-August 593 BC, Vision
2. 8:1. August-September 592 BC, Abominations
3. 20:1. July-August 591 BC, Panorama
4. 24:1. December-January 589-588 BC, Cooking Pot
5. 29:1. December-January 588-587 BC, Egypt
6. 26:1. 587 BC, Tyre, Sidon
7. 30:20. March-April 587 BC, Egypt’s defeat
8. 31:1. May-June 587 BC, Egypt, like Assyria, falls
9. 33:21. December-January 586-585 BC, Restoration
10. 32:1. February-March 585 BC. Lament for Pharoah
11. 32:17. February-March 585 BC. Egypt also falls
12. 40:1. March-April 573 BC. Restored Theocracy
13. 29:17. March-April 571 BC. Nebuchadnezzar is God’s instrument against Egypt.

Author

The book names Ezekiel as the author in 1:1-3 with chapters 2 and 3, and 24:15-27 (especially 24:15, 16, 24, 25).
The author writes in the first person singular (I, me, my) very frequently (1:4, 15, 24; 2:1, 2, 9, 10; 3:2, 3, 12; 6:1) and the author is also called the son of man in many of these contexts (2:1; 3:1, 6:1-2; 7:1-2, and others.
The language and unity of thought supports one author.
Ezekiel was a priest who was taken captive by Nebuchadnezzar in 597 BC because of the rebellion of Jehoichin. This was the 8^th year of Nebuchadnezzar’s reign.
He was probably born in 627 BC (Ezekiel 1:1) and was about the same age as Daniel, who was in Babylon at this time (Ezekiel 3:11).
He began receiving visions from the Lord in 593 BC (Ezekiel 1:1-3). This ministry continued until at least 571 BC (Ezekiel 29:17).
Ezekiel was married. His wife died in Babylon as a sign to Ezekiel and the Jews (Ezekiel 24:16-18).
Daniel, Habakkuk, and Jeremiah were his contemporaries.
In general, Ezekiel gives messages of warning and judgment in chapters 1-32 and then messages about restoration in 33-48. Note in association with this that God’s glory leaves Solomon’s temple in 9-11 and then returns to the millennial temple in chapter 43.

Overview Outline

Preparation of Ezekiel, 1-3
Judgment of Judah, 4-24
Judgment of Nations, 25-32
Prophesies of Future Kingdom, 33-39
Future Kingdom temple, priesthood, sacrifices, and land, 40-48

Chapter Titles

Chapter 1.Vision: Living Creatures
Chapter 2-3.Preparation of Ezekiel
Chapter 4.Brick, Side
Chapter 5.Razor, Hair
Chapter 6.Idolatry Judged
Chapter 7.Sword, Famine, Plague
Chapter 8.Abominations in Temple
Chapter 9.Executioners
Chapter 10.Vision: Glory Moving
Chapter 11.Vision: Glory Departs
Chapter 12.Baggage, Bread, Proverb
Chapter 13.Foolish Prophets
Chapter 14.Self-Responsibility
Chapter 15.Vine Wood
Chapter 16.Prostitute Queen
Chapter 17.Eagles, Cedar
Chapter 18.Repentance Desired
Chapter 19.Lamentation on Kings
Chapter 20.Panorama
Chapter 21.Yahweh’s Sword
Chapter 22.Blood, Dross
Chapter 23.Two Sisters
Chapter 24.Cooking Pot
Chapter 25.Ammon, Moab, Edom, Philistia
Chapter 26-28.Tyre, Sidon
Chapter 29-32. Egypt
Chapter 33.Watchman Dwellers
Chapter 34.Shepherds
Chapter 35.Mt. Seir
Chapter 36.Restoration, Regeneration
Chapter 37.Bones, Sticks
Chapter 38-39.Gog invasion
Chapter 40-42.Temple Detail
Chapter 43.Vision: Glory Returns
Chapter 44.Zadok Priesthood
Chapter 45.Priestly Land, Offerings
Chapter 46.Offerings
Chapter 47-48.Land Divided

Daniel Bible Walk

Theme: Israel in the Times of the Gentiles

Tod Kennedy

November, 2006

Theme

Israel in the times of the Gentiles. Daniel, a statesman who had a prophetic gift and not office, wrote to Jews in exile about the individuals, nations, and events that will dominate Israel from his time until Jesus the Messiah returns to earth to rule as King of Kings and Lord of Lords (Daniel 2:28; 10:14). Daniel’s prophetic view chronicles the rise and fall of these leading Gentile powers. Jesus called period is called the times of the Gentiles (Luke 21.24). Israel’s Messiah, the Son of Man (Daniel 7:13) will destroy the Gentile powers and replace the times of the Gentiles with his everlasting kingdom in which Israel has central blessing (Daniel 7:14; 8:23-25). He left out the church age because God had not revealed the coming church age to anyone. Daniel’s message is a warning to Gentile nations and a message of hope and encouragement for those Israelites in Babylon: 1. Israel’s God has history in his own control and Israel is a central part of that future history, and 2. since Israel is God’s people the people should be encouraged by God’s promises and should stay faithful to God.

Key Verses

Daniel 2:20-22: “Daniel answered and said, “Let the name of God be blessed forever and ever, For wisdom and power belong to Him. ²¹ “And it is He who changes the times and the epochs; He removes kings and establishes kings; He gives wisdom to wise men, And knowledge to men of understanding. ²² “It is He who reveals the profound and hidden things; He knows what is in the darkness, And the light dwells with Him.”

Daniel 2:44: “And in the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which will never be destroyed, and that kingdom will not be left for another people; it will crush and put an end to all these kingdoms, but it will itself endure forever.”

Daniel 3:17-18: “If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire; and He will deliver us out of your hand, O king. ¹⁸ “But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we are not going to serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.”

Author and Date

Daniel wrote about 530 BC (Daniel 7:2,15,28; 8:1-2, 15, 27; 9:1-3, 22; 10:1-2, 7, 11-12; 12:4-5, 8-9; Ezekiel 14:14, 20; 28:3; Matthew 25:15; Mark 13:14).
1. He wrote chapters 1 and 8-12 in the Hebrew language, the language of Israel. Daniel wrote chapters 2-7 in Aramaic, the international language at that time.
2. Why the insertion of Aramaic? Because in chapters 2-7 Daniel was highlighting the Gentile rule over Israel. In those chapters he covered the four Gentile powers, the persecution as a result of that, and he encouraged Jews to stay faithful to God.

God and History

God works progressively through history. The KJV call these periods of history dispensations (Greek oikonomia dispensation, economy, administration).
Charles Ryrie wrote “A dispensation is a distinguishable economy in the outworking of God’s purpose” (Dispensationalism. Chicago: Moody Press, 1995. Page 29). “Thus, the central idea in the word dispensation is that of managing or administering the affairs of a household” (25).
Roy Zuck wrote “The word “dispensation” occurs nine times in the New Testament (Luke 16:2-4; 1 Cor. 9:17; Eph. 1:10; 3:2, 9; Col. 1:25; 1 Tim. 1:4). Oikonomia, a combination of oikos, “house” and nomos, “law,” means “administration, stewardship, or management.” The verb oikonomeo, “to administer or manage,” is used in Luke 16:2, and the noun oikonomos, a steward or manager, occurs ten times (Luke 12:42; 16:1; 3, 8; Rom. 16:23; 1 Cor. 4:1-2; Gal 4:2; Titus 1:2; 1 Pet. 4:10). These words refer to the human administration of a house, property, state, or nation, or to God’s administration of the human race or part of it. Thus dispensationalism views the world as a household or administration run by God. So while the word “dispensationalism” is not used in the Bible, the concept certainly is…. While the word “dispensation” itself does not designate a time period, the very nature of differing stewardships suggests a beginning and ending in time for each of the dispensations. (“What Is Dispensationalism?” found at http://www.scofield.org/historical/dispensationalism.htm)
The word “dispensation” is the King James Version translation of the Greek word oikonomia means 1. management of a household, direction office (Luke 16.2-4; 1 Corinthians 9.17; Colossians 1.25; Ephesians 3.2; 2. arrangement, order, plan (Ephesians 1.10; 3.9) 3. training (1 Timothy 1.4). (BAGD 559) Another word that has been translated age, world, and dispensation is aion aiwn (Matthew 13.39,40,49; 28.20; Hebrews 9.26; 11.3). (BAGD 27)
Dispensations are God’s distinguishable and chronological economies or administrations of human history during which he progressively reveals (gives written new revelation—The Old and New Testament) and accomplishes his plan. God has divided human history into basic administrations or economies. These are called dispensations. God gives revelation, privilege, and responsibility for each administration, some of which is different from the previous economy or administration. Each dispensation has unique doctrine, people, administrators, and events. Eternal salvation in every dispensation is always by God’s grace and through faith (Ephesians 1.10; 3.1-12; Genesis 15.6; Galatians 3.6-9; Ephesians 2.8-9).
What really distinguishes dispensational theology from reformed and covenant theology? First, dispensational theology is based upon a normal or plain interpretation of the Bible. Normal or plain interpretation means to read the Bible as any other book; the author means what he says; the Bible uses figures of speech; it uses parables; it talks of ideas, people, places, and events; when the author names a person or group of people or promises something to a person or group of people or predicts a specific event, one using a normal or plain interpretation will take the people, places, events, and predictions at face value unless there is something in the context to indicate a different meaning. From a plain interpretation we see that God, throughout human history, distinguishes between Israel and the Church. This is the second hallmark of dispensational theology. Israel and the church are two prominent groups of people through whom God works. Since Pentecost, God has been working through the church, the body of Christ (Ephesians 1.22-23). After Christ removes the church, God will resume working through Israel. The third hallmark of dispensational theology is that the primary purpose of God is doxological, that is, to demonstrate God’s glory. The salvation of people is a prominent way to glorify God, but that is not the purpose of history
The current events of Daniel occur in the dispensation or age of Israel. The end time prophecies that Daniel records will take place in the end of the age of Israel, what Matthew calls the tribulation (Daniel 9:27; 12:1; Matthew 24:15-29), and in the Messianic or millennial dispensation (Isaiah 9:7; Daniel 2:44-45; 7:13-14).

History Overview for Daniels’s time

The events of this book begin in 605 BC (Daniel 1:1). The last date notice is 536 BC, the third year of Cyrus (Daniel 10:1). The chief Babylonian gods included Bel and Marduk (Daniel 4:8).
In 605 BC the Babylonian army under Nebuchadnezzar defeated Egypt and Assyria at the Battle of Carchemish (May-June 605 BC). He chased Egypt out of Syria-Palestine. While he was away his father, Nabopolassar, died. Nebuchadnezzar hurried back to Babylon. He became king and Babylon became the leading power of the day (2 chronicles 35:20; 2 Kings 24:7; Jeremiah 46:2).
Israel, the northern kingdom, had been conquered by Assyria in 722 BC. The northern kingdom was no longer a political entity at this time. Assyria had broken up the northern kingdom and had deported many Jews from Palestine. The southern kingdom, Judah, was still a nation in her homeland. Jehoiakim (609-598 BC) was the vassal king placed in power by Egypt. When Nebuchadnezzar defeated Egypt and Assyria he allowed Jehoiakim to remain king of Judah. He was an evil king and eventually rebelled against Nebuchadnezzar in 598 BC.
The kings of Judah during this period were
Josiah (640-609 BC), who instituted reforms. He was killed at the Battle of Carchemish by archers of Pharaoh Neco of Egypt (2 Kings 22-23; 2 Chronicles 34-35).
Jehoahaz (three months in 609 BC), whom Neco replaced (2 Kings 23:31-33; 2 Chronicles 36:1-3; Jeremiah 22:11-12).
Jehoiakim (609-598 BC), Judah’s 17^th king, was an evil king. He destroyed Jeremiah’s writing. He rebelled against Nebuchadnezzar and asked for help from Egypt. Nebuchadnezzar took him captive to Babylon (2 Kings 23:34-24:7; 2 Chronicles 36:4-8; Jeremiah 22:18-19; 36:27-32).
Jehoiachin (December 598-March 597 BC) was king when Nebuchadnezzar attacked Jerusalem in March 597 BC. He was taken captive to Babylon along with Ezekiel and 10,000 others (2 Kings 24:8-26); 2 Chronicles 36:9-10).
Zedekiah, also called Mattaniah (597-586 BC), was installed by Nebuchadnezzar. He followed the anti-Babylon faction and rebelled against Nebuchadnezzar. Jeremiah had warned against this. He also tried to get Egypt to help him, but Egypt was too weak. Nebuchadnezzar marched on Jerusalem in 588. He captured the city and destroyed the temple in 586. Nebuchadnezzar captured Zedekiah, killed his sons, blinded Zedekiah, and took him to Babylon (2 Kings 24:17-25:21; 2 Chronicles 36;11-21; Jeremiah 39:1-10).
Gedeliah (586 BC) was appointed governor by Nebuchadnezzar. Ishmael’s faction assassinated him (2 Kings 25:22-30; 2 Chronicles 36:22-23; Jeremiah 40-44).
Nebuchadnezzar was the second and the greatest king of the Neo-Babylonian empire. His father, Nabopolassar, was the founder and first king. The kings were Nabopolassar (626-605 BC), Nebuchadnezzar (605-562 BC); Evil-Merodach, Neb’s son (562-560 BC); Neriglissar, Neb’s son-in-law (560-556 BC); Laborosoarchad, Neb’s son (few months in 556 BC); Nabonidus, Neb’s son-in-law and husband of Nitrocris who was Neb’s daughter; and Belshazzar, son of Nabonidus and Nitrocris (556-539 BC).
Cyrus the Great founded the Persian Empire (559-530 BC). He conquered Media in 550 and Babylon in 539. Ugbaru, governor of Gutium and under Cyrus’ authority, conquered Babylon on an October night in 539 BC, while Belshazzar was celebrating a festival (Daniel 5). The city welcomed Cyrus. He incorporated the Babylonian empire under his rule. Cyrus signed the decree in 538 BC that authorized the Jews to return to their land (2 Chronicles 36:22-23; Ezra 1:1-4; Daniel 1:21; 6:28, 10:1).
Darius the Mede (Daniel 5:31 and 6:1) became governor of Babylon soon after the conquest by Cyrus. Darius the Mede was most likely the Gubaru, also named Gobyras, of the Nabonidus Chronicle and the Babylonian Contract Tablets.

Daniel Chapter Titles 001

Overview Outline

Section 1, Daniel Enters Babylon, Daniel 1.
Section 2, Nebuchadnezzar’s Period, Daniel 2-4.
Section 3, Belshazzar to Cyrus Period, Daniel 5-6.
Section 4, Daniel’s Visions about Future Kingdoms and Rulers, Daniel 7-9.
Section 5, The Angel Teaches Daniel about Events in the Last Days, Daniel 10-12.

Chapter Titles of Daniel

Section 1, Daniel Enters Babylon, Daniel 1.
1. Chapter 1, The Hebrew captives pass the test.
Section 2, Nebuchadnezzar’s Period, Daniel 2-4.
1. Chapter 2, Dream of the gold, silver, bronze, iron, and iron and clay statue.
2. Chapter 3, The gold image and the fiery furnace.
3. Chapter 4, Nebuchadnezzar’s testimony about the tree vision.
Section 3, Belshazzar to Cyrus Period, Daniel 5-6.
1. Chapter 5, Belshazzar’s party and the handwriting on the wall.
2. Chapter 6, Jealousy and the den of lions.
Section 4, Daniel’s Visions about Future Kingdoms and Rulers, Daniel 7-9.
1. Chapter 7, the four beast dream, (Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, Rome)
2. Chapter 8, The ram and the goat (Medo-Persian and Greek empires)
3. Chapter 9, National confession and the 70 weeks.
Section 5, The Angel Teaches Daniel about Events in the Last Days, Daniel 10-12.
1. Chapter 10, Introduction and the angelic conflict
2. Chapter 11, Future rulers and wars.
3. Chapter 12, Resurrection, three and one-half times, and the end.

Trace the Theme of Daniel

Chapter 1, The Hebrew captives pass the test. Nebuchadnezzar, a Gentile king attacked Jerusalem, captured King Jehoiakim, removed the wealth from the temple which demonstrated his conquest of Israel’s God, and took young aristocrats to Babylon as hostages (Daniel and the three included, Isaiah 39:6-7) with plans to turn them into Babylonians. Gentiles now controlled Jerusalem, and will continue to do so until the Messiah returns to reign. Daniel and the three decided against going “Babylonian.” God granted them favor from the commander so he allowed them a 10 day test. They passed the food test. God also provided for the four so that they graduated in 3 years (Daniel 1:5) at the head of the class and so were promoted into the king’s service. The times of the Gentiles had begun, yet in the middle of all the struggles these young men trusted Israel’s God and remained faithful to him and his word. They showed wisdom, courage, discipline, and faithfulness.
Chapter 2, Dream of the gold, silver, bronze, iron, and iron and clay statue. This chapter relates Nebuchadnezzar’s dream of the giant image that pictured the four ruling Gentile kingdoms (Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, and Rome) that would dominate Israel before God destroyed Gentile rule of Israel and set up his everlasting kingdom (Messiah’s kingdom, Daniel 2:44-45). God’s favor and preparation of Daniel and Daniel’s faithfulness showed. When Arioch was on his way to kill Nebuchadnezzar’s counselors, Daniel offered to interpret the dream. First, he and his friends had a prayer meeting. What does that tell us about them? It reveals spiritual courage, dependence upon God and faith in him to work his will. It also reveals that Daniel, a faithful Jewish young man, had a very good testimony in the royal court. Daniel interpreted the dream. Nebuchadnezzar recognized that Daniel’s God was the God of gods and Lord of kings. Nebuchadnezzar begins to learn about God.
Chapter 3, The gold image and the fiery furnace. Nebuchadnezzar, motivated by pride and power demanded that all people worship the image, and so honor him above all gods. The kingdom of man challenged the kingdom of God; Gentile idols challenged the God of Israel. In the middle of a pagan society Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego remained faithful to Israel’s God—the only true God—regardless of whether he saved them from the fire or not. God delivered them; Nebuchadnezzar saw that Israel’s God was real and ruled that no one was to speak against God. Nebuchadnezzar saw the faithful witness of the three.
Chapter 4, Nebuchadnezzar’s testimony about the tree vision. This chapter teaches God’s greatness and God’s rule over the greatest contemporary human ruler and kingdom. Nebuchadnezzar had another dream. He was not able to understand the dream and Daniel came to the rescue. The dream was about the greatest tree on earth. This tree was cut down, yet the stump was left for seven years with a metal band around it. The tree represented Nebuchadnezzar in his power and pride. Nebuchadnezzar would be removed from his rule until he recognized that God rules over mankind and has the power and right to raise and lower rulers (Daniel 4:25). At the end of seven years Nebuchadnezzar realized that God was greater and more powerful. Because he repented, God restored Nebuchadnezzar to his rule. The chapter is Nebuchadnezzar’s testimony about Israel’s God. God has a plan for history and for Israel in particular. No Gentile power can stop God’s plan. Israel ought to be encouraged to know this.
Chapter 5, Belshazzar’s party and the handwriting on the wall. Belshazzar was the son of Nabonidus and grandson of Nebuchadnezzar. He was the second in power, and ruled in Babylon in his father’s absence. The events occurred on October 12, 539 BC. Daniel’s theme is repeated. Though Gentile powers rule Israel, God controls history. Kings may challenge God and rule for a time, but God holds history in his hand. Belshazzar toasted his own greatness using cups that were stolen from the Jerusalem temple. God’s message was written on the wall of the banquet hall: mene (number), mene (number), tekel (weigh), upharsin (and divide). Belshazzar’s days as king were numbered because he had been weighed in God’s balances and failed and his kingdom was going to be divided. While the bragging and toasting were going on the Median army diverted the Euphrates River and was invading Babylon. That very night Belshazzar and Babylon fell to the Medes who were ruled by Cyrus the Great.
Chapter 6, Jealousy and the den of lions. This took place at the beginning of the Medo-Persian Empire 539 BC. Daniel was one of three administrators over 120 regional rulers. Daniel was that “Jew” who was favored by the king. The regional rulers resented him. This bred jealousy, conspiracy, and entrapment. Daniel’s faithfulness to God was their point of attack. In the middle of all the chaos Daniel continued his fellowship with God and he continued serving God. Darius had to honor his decree, so Daniel was put into the den full of lions. God again delivered his faithful servant. God honored Daniel’s faith (Daniel 6:23). Darius then decreed that those in his kingdom fear Daniel’s God. Daniel was a great witness to God’s plan, power, and faithfulness.
Chapter 7, The four beast dream. On a night in 553 BC Daniel saw a vision of four great beasts: a lion that had wings; a bear with three ribs in its mouth; a leopard with four wings on its back and with four heads; and a terrible unrecognized and unnamed beast with iron teeth, ten horns, and a little horn that grew up among the ten horns. This little horn had human looking eyes, was a braggart, and he destroyed three of the previous horns (Daniel 7:1-8). These will be interpreted in 7:18-28. Daniel’s vision takes a turn in verses 9-14, where he sees one called the Ancient of Days (God the Father) sitting in judgment. The fourth beast, now dominated by the little horn, was judged. The first three kingdoms simply failed
(Daniel 11-12). This agrees with history. Babylon, Medo-Persia, and Greece were taken over by succeeding powers, but the fourth has remained in some form to our time. Note that “one like the Son of Man” came to the Ancient of Days. To the Son was given everlasting dominion (authority and rule) that included all peoples, nations, and languages. His dominion and kingdom will be everlasting. This kingdom of the Son comes on the scene after the destruction of the fourth Gentile kingdom and its ruler, the little horn. When the Son of Man comes to rule the times of the Gentiles are stopped. The interpretation follows in Daniel 7:15-28. It highlights the destruction of the fourth beast kingdom and the little horn king at the very time the little horn king was viciously warring against believers (Daniel 7:21-26). Following the judgment on him, the kingdom of the Son of Man will begin. It will be an everlasting kingdom (Daniel 7:27-28). Gentile dominion of Israel has ended.
Chapter 8, The ram and the goat. Daniel received this vision in 551 BC. It unfolds the coming second and third beast kingdoms of the previous visions. The vision is in verses 1-14, and Gabriel interprets the vision in verses 15-26, while verses 26-27 show Daniel’s astonishment at what he learned. The ram with two horns (3-4) is Medo-Persia (20). The goat with the horn (5) is Alexander the Great’s Greece (21). These two consecutive Gentile kingdoms or empires that follow the first (Babylon) will also dominate Israel—more times of the Gentiles. Note the accuracy of the prophecy. When Alexander died in 323 BC, his kingdom was divided among his four leading generals (21-22). Out of these four parts of Greece, Syria arose. Antiochus Epiphanes IV was the Syrian king who desecrated the Jerusalem temple between 168-165 BC. He is the prototype of the coming ruler whom Messiah, the Son of Man, will defeat (Daniel 8:23-25).

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Chapter 9, National confession and the seventy weeks. Daniel, in 538 BC, was reading Jeremiah’s prophecy (Daniel 9:1-2). He came to the section that told about Israel’s 70 year captivity in Babylon (Jeremiah 25:11-12 and 29:10). Because of what he read he began to pray a prayer of confession (Daniel 9:3-15) and intercession for national deliverance
(Daniel 9:16-19). The angel Gabriel came to Daniel with God’s message in response to Daniel’s prayer. God had determined to take, in the future, 70 weeks of years (490 sabbatical years of 360 days each) to conclude his judgment on Israel (9:24-27). This time clock will begin with Artaxerxes’ decree in 444 BC that gave Nehemiah the authority to return to Jerusalem and restore the city, gates, and walls (Nehemiah 2:1-8). This decree was dated March 5, 444 BC. There were two other decrees: by Cyrus in 537 BC to rebuild the temple (Ezra 1:2-4 and 6:3-5); and by Artaxerxes in 458 BC to provide money and supplies for the temple (Ezra 7:11-26). Neither meets the requirements of Gabriel’s message to Daniel. The first seven weeks, 49 years, refer to the troubles of Nehemiah’s time. After the conclusion of the sixty-two weeks “Messiah the prince” will come, followed by “Messiah will be cut off” which means he will die, and following that “the people of the prince who is to come” (Rome) will destroy Jerusalem and the temple (9:26). Between the sixty-ninth and seventieth week we have at least a 40 year gap; this gap has now extended past AD 70 into the twentieth-first century. Verse 27 concludes the prophecy about the seventieth week. “The prince who is to come” (the little horn, anti-Christ, dictator) will make and then break a covenant with Israel. This final seven years is the tribulation period of Matthew 24. Daniel now knows the future course of the times of the Gentiles.
Chapter 10, Angelic conflict. In 536 BC Daniel received revelation from God after praying for three weeks. An angel delivered the message (Daniel 10:1-9). The message was about “what will happen to your people in the latter days” (Daniel 10:14 and 21) and is found in Daniel 11. This angel had duty in Persia. He had wanted to visit Daniel at the beginning of Daniel’s prayer, but a demon stationed in Persia prevented him from coming to Daniel. The angel apparently served many kings of Persia over a long period of time (Daniel 10:13, 20-21). We learn from this chapter that there is a great unseen spiritual battle raging in the capital of Persia and likely in capitals throughout the world. Demons attempt to control governments, while angels attempt to serve God in those capitals. The demonic power is enormous, since Michael had to come to the angel’s aid.
Chapter 11, Future rulers and wars. This chapter is a continuation of chapter 10. In 538 BC the angel helped Darius (or possibly Michael). The angelic interventions in centers of power may partly explain Daniel’s good ministry with Darius (Daniel 6).The angel gave the message that astounded Daniel. Verses 1-35 predict the successive empires from the time of Darius through Antiochus Epiphanes IV (538-164 BC). Verses 36-45 move to the final dictator of the last Gentile empire which is revived Rome during the seventieth week of Daniel 9. Antiochus Epiphanes IV is the prototype for this dictator-antichrist. The three Persian kings (Daniel 11:2-3) are Cambyses, Pseudo-Smerdis, and Darius I Hystaspes. They ruled from 530 BC until 486 BC. Xerxes, of Esther’s time, is the fourth (ruled 486-465 BC). Alexander rapidly rose to power (ruled 336-323 BC) and just as quickly fell (Daniel 11:3-4). He is the male goat of Daniel 8:5-8 and 22. Alexander’s kingdom divided at his death into four parts (Daniel 8:5, 8, 21-22 and 11:4). Ptolemy I Soter (Ptolemies) took Egypt; Antipater and then Cassander took Macedonia and Greece; Lysimachus took Thrace and Asia Minor; and Seleucis I Nicator (Seleucids) took Babylon and Syria. Daniel 11:5-20 emphasize the activities of the Ptolomies (Egypt, south) and Seleucids (Syria, north). Out of Syria “a despicable person will arise.” This is Antiochus Epiphanes IV—Epiphanes means the illustrious one, but he was nicknamed Epimanes which means madman—who ruled 175-164 BC (Daniel 11:21-35). Daniel 11:36-45 gives details about the end time “prince” predicted in Daniel 9:27. He is “the king” of 11:36, and the little horn of Daniel 7:8, the last king of the fourth beast empire of the times of the Gentiles. Paul called him the “lawless man” in
2 Thessalonians 2:3-4. Jesus predicted these events in Matthew 24:4-28. Antiochus Epiphanes IV, the little horn of Daniel 8:9-12, 23-25, foreshadowed this future ruler-dictator of the Revived Roman Empire in Daniel 11:21-35. God will defeat him at the end of the Tribulation (11:45).
Chapter 12, Resurrection, three and one-half times, and the end. This chapter continues on from chapter 11. “That time” is the time that the “king” of Daniel 11:36-45 does his evil work during Daniel’s seventieth week—the Tribulation. He will come to his end by the victory of Messiah. Tribulation martyrs and Old Testament believers will be resurrected and rewarded (Daniel 12:2-3). The unbelievers will also be raised to judgment, but apparently this will not occur until after the 1000 year kingdom (Revelation 20). When will the final defeat of the “king” and the “everlasting dominion…and “kingdom” of the “Son of Man” (Daniel 7:13-14 and 12:6) happen? Daniel did not know all the details (Daniel 12:4, 8-9), but the last part of this “time of distress” (Daniel 12:1) will last three and one-half times or three and one-half years (Daniel 12:7). This will be a time of severe testing and purging. Unbelievers will not understand God’s ways, but those who pay attention to the prophecy will understand what is happening (Daniel 12:10). The messenger angel concludes his warning by giving a timeline. There will be 1290 days from the public installation of the “abomination of desolation.” This is 30 days longer than the 1260 days of Daniel 9:27 and Revelation 11:3 and 12:6. The 30 days is probably for judgment by Messiah on those raging against him. Then another date is given—1335 days (75 days longer than 1260 days) from the time the abomination appears. This is probably the time needed to install King Jesus and for him to begin his kingdom. Those surviving the Tribulation will enter the kingdom in their physical bodies. Tribulation martyrs and Old Testament believers will enter the kingdom in their resurrection bodies. It is significant that the angel messenger concludes his message by telling Daniel to live out his life and that Daniel will arise by resurrection at the end of the age, which in context is the end of the Tribulation or seventieth week.

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Key People

Ancient of Days is God the Father (Daniel 7:9 and 13).
Ashpenaz, (1:3, 8) chief of the king Nebuchadnezzar’s officials.
Belshazzar (5:1) son of King Nabonidus and coregent with him, grandson of Nebuchadnezzar.
Daniel—Belteshazzar, Hananiah—Shadrach, Mishael—Meshach, Azaria—Abednego (1:7), The names were changed to help assimilate the captives into the Babylonian culture. These were noble Jewish young men whom Nebuchadnezzar took to Babylon as hostages. Nebuchadnezzar attempted to remold them in the Babylonian image. He failed. The remained faith to God. Daniel became very valuable and trusted by the rulers, and was an outstanding testimony for Israel’s God.
Darius (5:31), was most likely Gubaru, also named Gobyras (Archer, “Daniel,” pp. 76–77; Whitcomb, Darius the . . ., p. 35; Robert Dick Wilson, Studies in the Book of Daniel, pp. 128–29). Wiseman prefers Cyrus (D. J. Wiseman, “Some Historical Problems in the Book of Daniel,” in Notes on Some Problems in the Book of Daniel, pp. 12–14.). Cyrus appointed Darius governor of Babylon.
Gabriel (Daniel 8:16 and 9:21), the heavenly messenger (angel) whom God sent to explain to Daniel the meaning of his visions. He also told Zacharias, the father of John the Baptist, of John’s coming birth (Luke 1:11-20) and announced to Mary that she would be the mother of Jesus (Luke 1:26-38).
Michael (10:13 and 21), the archangel and guardian of Israel. He is also called the prince of Israel (10:21) and the great prince (12:1). He is also mentioned in Jude 9 and Revelation 12:7.
Nebuchadnezzar (1:1) second and greatest king of Babylon.
Son of Man is God the Son, Jesus Christ (Daniel 7:13).

Key Words and Events

Dream. God reveals something to a person while sleeping. Nebuchadnezzar had two dreams (chapter 2, his vision of the 90 foot high image and chapter 4, his 7 years of insanity).
Gold head refers to Nebuchadnezzar and his empire; Silver refers to the Medo-Persian empire; Bronze refers to the Greek empire; Iron refers to the Roman empire of our Lord’s time; Iron and clay refer to the Revived Roman empire which will reform as a dominant power in the last days, and which Jesus Christ will destroy when he returns to earth.
Latter days (Daniel 2:28 and 10:14), time of the end (Daniel 8:17), end of time (Daniel 12:4), end time (Daniel 11:40, 12:9), and end of the age (Daniel 12:13) refer to the tribulation time that comes before Messiah returns to earth to set up his promised kingdom. This end time is different from the last days of the church age.
Mene (number), mene (number), tekel (weigh), upharsin (and divide). Belshazzar’s days as king were numbered because he had been weighed in God’s balances and failed and his kingdom was going to be divided (Daniel 5).
“Satraps were the highest political officials in each province. The prefects (princes) were military chiefs. The governors (captains) were heads of sections of the provinces. The counselors (advisers, judges) were high-ranking judges. The treasurers were superintendents of the treasury. The judges (counselors) were secondary judges, and the magistrates (sheriffs) were lower level legal officials. The rulers (officials) were subordinates of the satraps. These groups represented all the administrative government officials of the wide-ranging empire, and they spoke many different languages (v. 7).” (Tom Constable’s Expository Notes on the Bible (Daniel 3:3). Galaxie Software)
Stone (2:34-35 and 45) refers to the Messianic kingdom headed by Jesus the Messiah.
“Times of the Gentiles” is not named in Daniel’s book, but it is a central part of Daniel’s theme. Jesus refers to it in Luke 21:24. This is the period of time during which the Israeli people and Israel’s promised land are controlled by Gentile powers. During the times of the Gentiles Israel has no rightful king of David’s line ruling. It began in 605 BC with the rule of Nebuchadnezzar and will end when Messiah comes to earth at his second coming and rules the promised Messianic Kingdom as king over all the earth (Zechariah 14:9).
Week (one) is 7 years of 360 day years, and 7 weeks equals 490 years (Daniel 9:24-27). Time, times, and half a time equal three and one/half years (Daniel 7:25 and 12:7; Revelation 12:14). A time is one year of 360 days. Times equal two years. Half a time is 6 months or one-half a year. The book of Revelation also has similar time notations. Revelation 11:3 and 12:6 mention 1260 days which equal three and one-half years. Revelation 11:2 and 13:5 mention 42 months which equal three and one-half years.

Key Doctrines

Angels, demons, and governments.
Character counts.
Daniel’s seventieth week.
Faithfulness to God and to his will.
God is the ultimate sovereign over kings, nations, and people.
God’s faithfulness to his people.
Messiah King
Resurrection of Old Testament believers.
Testing that believers go through.
Theocratic program and dispensations.
Times of the Gentiles.
Tribulation, second coming, and millennial kingdom.

Lessons for Us Today

During the times of the Gentiles, Gentile nations and rulers dominate Israel. We presently live in the times of the Gentiles.
God has history under his control and history is moving toward God’s goal. Be encouraged by God’s plan for history and by God’s promises. He is stronger, smarter, and possesses higher authority than any earthly ruler.
Be encouraged because God has infinite ability to deliver his people from testing if and when he chooses. God has not lost or forgotten about his people in any period of history, though he often allows severe testing of his people. Our part is to remain believing and faithful to God.
Our ability to resist temptation is related to our love for God and our faith in God and his word (Daniel 3:17-18; James 1:12; 1 Corinthians 10:13; James 1:3-4).
Just as Nebuchadnezzar had to admit that God was ruler of earth and heaven, so all people and rulers will bow before God’s king Jesus Christ (Philippians 2:9-11).
Personal biblical character in a pagan society witnesses to the reality of God and his will. But this character will be tested (Daniel 1 and 3 are good examples).
Daniel does not emphasize any campaign to change Babylon. He and his Jewish friends learned and applied God’s word, remained faithful to God, and trusted God throughout their lives of service in a pagan government. We should do the same. Regarding bringing biblical standards into American government, we need to remember that the USA began with a strong biblical basis. We ought to resist departure from that.
Angels and demons work in the capitals of the world, and apparently especially concerning Israel. Angels work to restrain evil and to further God’s plan. Demons work to oppose God’s plan.

Daniel 12:13

“But as for you, go your way to the end; then you will enter into rest and rise again for your allotted portion at the end of the age.”

Old Testament Walk Through, Isaiah-Daniel

©Tod Kennedy, todkennedy.com; knowbelieveapply.com

Isaiah Bible Walk

Theme: Messiah-Servant of the Lord: Judgment, then Glorious Future

Tod Kennedy, August-September, 2005

Introductory comments about the prophets.
The Old Testament, according the Hebrew canon has three sections: law, prophets, and writings. The writing prophets have two sections: former prophets and latter prophets. The designations come from where they are in the canon.
The former prophets are the historical books of Joshua, Judges, Samuel, and Kings. They give Israel’s history from Joshua’s time until the exile to Babylon. Here we find the prophets’ world—the events surrounding their ministries and the people to whom they speak.
The latter prophets are Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and the twelve.
Remember that there were many prophets who did not leave a written record for Israel: Elijah and Elisha are two of them.
The prophets’ ministry emphasized four messages. 1. They reminded Israel that they were God’s chosen people and His priest nation. 2. They condemned Israel’s sin and challenged her to return to God and God’s word. 3. They warned the nation that God will judge them because of their rejection of Him. 4. They predicted and described Messiah’s coming and future blessing under him and his rule, and this subject was central to their ministry—
Acts 10:43 and 1 Peter 1:10-12 speak of this.
The prophets message, then, was both a warning and a promise—judgment and deliverance. Isaiah 1 shows this pattern.
Theme of Isaiah
Messiah-Servant of the Lord: Judgment, then Glorious Future
Key Verses
Isaiah 9:6-7, “For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. ⁷ There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace, On the throne of David and over his kingdom, To establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness From then on and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will accomplish this.”
Isaiah 53:6 “All of us like sheep have gone astray, Each of us has turned to his own way; But the Lord has caused the iniquity of us all To fall on Him.”
History
When did Isaiah live and to whom did he minister? He served from about 740 BC (Death of Uzziah in 740 BC, Isaiah 6) to 680 BC. His ministry was to Judah. Assyria was the dominant power during his time. He predicted Assyria’s defeat of Israel (722 BC) in Isaiah 28 and Babylon’s defeat of Judah (destruction of Jerusalem and Temple in 586 BC) in Isaiah 39.
Isaiah served the Lord during the reigns of Uzziah (790-739 BC), Jotham (750-733 BC), Ahaz (735-715 BC), and Hezekiah (729-686 BC and Hezekiah (729-686 BC).
Uzziah (790-739 BC) was the tenth king of Judah, also called Azariah. Uzziah was strong king, but God gave him leprosy because he attempted to burn incense in the temple
(2 Chronicles 26:16-23).
Jotham (750-733 BC) was the eleventh king of Judah and son of Uzziah
(2 Chronicles 27).
Ahaz (735-715 BC) was the twelfth king of Judah, and when besieged by Israel and Syria he asked and received help from Assyria, to whom he became a vassal, and he also brought idolatry into Jerusalem (2 Chronicles 28).
Hezekiah (729-686 BC) was son of Ahaz and a godly and reforming king who opposed Assyria, foolishly showed his wealth to Babylon’s king Merodach Baladan, and built the water tunnel and reservoir. God added 15 years to his life (2 Chronicles 29-32).
At the beginning of Isaiah’s ministry Assyria was a power under King Tiglath-Pileser III
(r. 745-727 BC), also known as Pul. Isaiah’s ministry was then under the shadow of Assyrian domination.
About 740 BC Judah, Israel, and Aramaea formed a coalition to resist Assyria. This coalition failed.
In 734 BC Israel (Pekah) and Syria (Rezin) fought against Judah in order to force Judah, ruled by Ahaz, into another coalition against Assyria. Ahaz refused. Instead, Ahaz went to Assyria for help. This was the background for Isaiah 7-9. Assyria defeated both kingdoms.
Hoshea, the last king of Israel, paid a heavy tribute to Assyria and was spared. But in about 724 BC he revolted against Assyria. Assyria, under Sargon II (r. 721-705 BC), then defeated and exiled Israel in 721 BC. The people were uprooted and moved to various parts of the Assyrian empire.
At this same time Judah submitted to Assyria and was spared destruction. Hezekiah became king of Judah in 715 BC. Though he was anti-Assyrian, he did not revolt. When Sennacherib (r. 705-681 BC) came to power in Assyria in 705 BC, Hezekiah revolted against him. Sennacherib invaded Judah in 701 BC (2 Kings 18-19; 2 Chronicles 32; Isaiah 36-37).
Though God spared Jerusalem in Isaiah’s time, the Babylonian empire was rising. This power begins to show itself in the prophecies of Isaiah 40. In Isaiah 36-39 we have the transition from Assyrian dominance to Babylonian dominance. In about 700 BC messengers from Merodach baladan arrive in Jerusalem with a challenge to Hezekiah. Hezekiah foolishly showed the wealth of the temple to the messengers. One hundred years later Babylon would destroy Judah and the temple and exile most of the citizens who survived the destruction.
Egypt, during Isaiah’s ministry, prodded Israel and Judah to rebel against Assyria, yet Egypt was also defeated by Sennacharib in about 701 BC.
What does this teach us? We should learn that rebellion against God and God’s plan has very destructive consequences. Instead of rebelling, listen to the word of God and live by it. Furthermore, we learn that God keeps his word—He is dependable.
Author is Isaiah (Isaiah 1:1; 2:1; 13:1; see Mark 1:2; Luke 4:17-19; Acts 8:28).
He served the Lord from about 740-680 BC. We could call Isaiah the evangelist of the Old Testament because of his clear presentations of the Messiah, Jesus the Christ (Isaiah 53). We could also call him the Paul of the Old Testament because of his apparent aristocracy, training, writing ability, and theological statements. He served in and around Jerusalem.
This great poet and prophet was married to a prophetess (8:3) and they had two sons, Shear-jashub “a remnant shall return” (7:3) and Maher-shalal-hash-baz “swift is the booty, speedy is the prey” of 8:1 (8:3).
His main ministry was with Judah, but he prophesied judgment upon both Israel and Judah because of their apostasy, and along with judgment he also prophesied their future restoration and blessing because of God’s covenants with His people—the united nation of Israel. Isaiah then is a book that contains much warning and judgment, but great messages of blessing are woven into Isaiah’s book. He repeated these two basic messages over and over again.
Jewish tradition says that he was killed during Manasseh’s reign (696-642 BC), and possibly Hebrews 11:37 had Isaiah in mind.
Isaiah’s name is found 54 times in the Bible—32 times in the Old Testament and 22 times in the New Testament. He is named 16 times in the book bearing his name. He is not named in any other Old Testament prophetic book, and the Old Testament books in which he is named are histories—2 Kings (13 times) and 2 Chronicles (3 times). The normal conclusion is that Isaiah the prophet is the author of Isaiah the prophetic book.
The New Testament names Isaiah 22 times (Matthew 3:3; Mark 1:2; Luke 3:4; 4:17;
John 12:38, 39, 41; Acts 8:28, 30; 28:25; Romans 9:29; 10:16; Romans 10:20, 21; and others).
Critics often divide Isaiah into the so-called first Isaiah (1-39) and second Isaiah (40-66), and claim that Isaiah did not write both sections. Some divide Isaiah into three sections (1-39, 40-55, 56-66) because each section has a different emphasis. The critics do not think that a prophet accurately speak of events in the distant future. For example, Isaiah predicts Cyrus by name (44:28 and 45:1) almost 200 years before he came on the scene. He also predicted the return from Babylon that would happen many years in the future (48:20).
In truth, Isaiah wrote the entire book. In the first section, he addressed Israel as she faced Assyrian trouble (1-35). Isaiah’s second section contains messages to the Babylonian exiles of the sixth century BC (36-39). In the third section he challenges the post-exilic nation to repentance and predicts more fully their restoration through the Messiah (40-66).
Yet Jesus (e.g. Matthew 13:13-14, Luke (Acts 8:28-30), and Paul (Romans 10:20-21) quote Isaiah by name and say that he is the author of the quotations. This clearly contradicts the critics claim that there were two or three Isaiahs.
So-called first Isaiah: Matthew 3:3 with Isaiah 40:3; Mathew 4:14-16 with Isaiah 9:1-2; Matthew 13:14-15 with Isaiah 6:9-10; Matthew 15:7-9 with Isaiah 29:13; Mark 7:6-7 with Isaiah 29:13; John 12:39-41 with Isaiah 6:10; Acts 28:25-27 with Isaiah 6:9-10; Romans 9:27-28 with Isaiah 10:22-23; Romans 9:29 with Isaiah 1:9; Romans 15:12 with Isaiah 11:10.
So-called second Isaiah (40-66): Matthew 8:17 with Isaiah 53:4; Matthew 12:17-21 with Isaiah 42:1-4; Mark 1:2-3 with Isaiah 40:3; Mark 3:4-6 with Isaiah 40:3-5; Luke 4:17-19 with Isaiah 61:1-2; John 1:23 with Isaiah 40:3; John 12:38 with Isaiah 53:1; Acts 8:28 -33 with Isaiah 53:7-8; Romans 10:16 with Isaiah 53:1; Romans 10:20-21 with Isaiah 65:1-2.
Trace the Theme
Messiah-Servant of the Lord: Judgment, then Glorious Future
We can trace the theme by following the chapter titles and noting the emphases of Isaiah’s messages. Isaiah 1 shows the pattern. Isaiah 8:19-9:7 contrast terrible gloom and darkness with future light and blessing through God’s Messiah King; 24 has judgment on the earth, while 25-27 predict blessing; 28 denounces the unbelief of Israel and God’s judgment and deliverance for those who trust Messiah; 35 predicts judgment and 35 predicts blessing; 44-45 clearly state Israel’s unique position as God’s people along with condemnation for Idolatry followed by the promise of deliverance—Cyrus is even named; 49 also reminds Israel of her special position as the Lord’s servant and blessing through her, but also condemns her apostasy; 52 speaks of slavery and national deliverance through Messiah, while 53 clearly predicts the Messiah as the substitute sin bearer and spiritual deliverance. Chapter 54 predicts Israel’s future sure victory and blessing against the background of her then suffering; and 59 describes Israel’s sin and God’s coming salvation through the Redeemer from Zion. Isaiah 60-66 clearly describes the future kingdom blessings that the Lord will secure for Israel—her promised kingdom is coming. Isaiah’s emphasis is obey God or judgment, but future national restoration and blessing is assured.
Overview Outline
Judgment on Judah, the nations, and the earth, 1-35.
Judah, 1-12
The nations, 13-23
The earth, 24-35
Historical transition from Assyria to Babylon, 36-39
Hezekiah and Assyria, 36-37
Hezekiah and Babylon, 38-39
Sure hope for the future, 40-66.
God rules, 40-48
God saves, 49-57
God secures, 58-66
Chapter Titles
Judgment on the nations, Isaiah 1-35
Chapter 1. Israel, dumber than a donkey
Chapter 2. The Lord and his Kingdom in the last days
Chapter 3. Rebellion against the Lord produces a culture crisis
Chapter 4. The Lord will cleanse and protect Israel in that day
Chapter 5. Spiritual culture crisis produces a savage society
Chapter 6. Isaiah responds to God’s greatness
Chapter 7. Virgin birth of the deliverer
Chapter 8. Assyria invades and Judah chooses the wrong help
Chapter 9. The Son rules from David’s throne. Arrogant Israel suffers
Chapter 10. Arrogant Assyria. A remnant of Israel
Chapter 11. The shoot and branch will rule the gathered people.
Chapter 12. Song of thanksgiving.
Chapter 13. Lord judges Babylon, Assyria, Philistia.
Chapter 14. Lord judges Babylon, Assyria, Philistia.
Chapter 15. Lord judges Moab
Chapter 16. Lord judges Moab
Chapter 17. Lord judges Damascus
Chapter 18. Lord judges Ethiopia
Chapter 19. Lord judges Egypt
Chapter 20. Lord judges Egypt
Chapter 21. Lord judges Arabia
Chapter 22. Lord judges Judah and Jerusalem
Chapter 23. Lord judges Tyre
Chapter 24. Day of the Lord Judgments
Chapter 25. Day of the Lord blessings
Chapter 26. Day of the Lord peace and prosperity
Chapter 27. Day of the Lord regathering
Chapter 28. Gentile languages announce judgment
Chapter 29. Jerusalem gets judgment and restoration
Chapter 30. Egypt and Assyria cannot help
Chapter 31. Egypt and Assyria cannot help
Chapter 32. The righteous King blesses
Chapter 33. Deliverance from Assyria. The King will reign
Chapter 34. The Lord’s judgment on all nations
Chapter 35. The Glory of the Lord—deliverance and blessing
Historical transition from Assyria to Babylon, Isaiah 36-39
Chapter 36. Assyrian Rabshakeh challenges Hezekiah
Chapter 37. Hezekiah prays; Lord strikes Sennacherib’s 185,000
Chapter 38. The Lord gives Hezekiah 15 more years.
Chapter 39. Hezekiah wrongly shows the temple riches to Babylon
Sure hope for the future, Isaiah 40-66
Chapter 40. The Lord—the sure future hope
Chapter 41. Israel’s God will deliver Israel
Chapter 42. Messiah-Servant will deliver
Chapter 43. Lord will return Israel
Chapter 44. No God besides Israel’s God
Chapter 45. Cyrus used by God. Israel’s creator is the Lord
Chapter 46. God’s purpose will be established
Chapter 47. Babylon will fall
Chapter 48. Stubborn Israel, If only you had listened to me
Chapter 49. Messiah-Servant will restore Israel
Chapter 50. Messiah-Servant is trustworthy
Chapter 51. Israel, listen to the Lord
Chapter 52. Israel, redeemed without money
Chapter 53. All our iniquity fell on Messiah-Servant
Chapter 54. Lord’s compassion and lovingkindness on Israel
Chapter 55. Come, listen, seek, and call on the Lord
Chapter 56. Lord’s salvation is coming
Chapter 57. Lord will judge idolaters
Chapter 58. Lord wants righteousness, not hypocrisy
Chapter 59. The redeemer from Zion for sinful Israel
Chapter 60. Israel—acknowledged, righteous, blessed
Chapter 61. The anointed Messiah and restored Israel
Chapter 62. Zion—your salvation comes
Chapter 63. Lord judges enemies. Israel prays
Chapter 64. Prayer for deliverance. Israel confesses sin
Chapter 65. Repentant servant Israel. New kingdom heavens and earth
Chapter 66. Peace, blessing, and glory in Jerusalem
Key People
Isaiah
Hezekiah
Servant of the Lord
Cyrus
Key Words and Phrases
Comfort, 17X (Isaiah 40:1; 51:3; 66:13)
Idol, 19X (Isaiah 2:18; 40:19-20; 57:13)
Image, 14X (Isaiah 10:10-11; 42:8; 44:9)
In that day, 40X (Isaiah 4:2; 7:18; 25:9; 28:5)
Judgment, 12X (Isaiah 3:14; 34:5; 66:16)
Salvation, 27X (Isaiah 12:2; 17:10; 52:7)
Servant, 42X (Isaiah 41:8; 42:1)
Key Doctrines
God is the creator and is sovereign
God uses nations
God will restore Israel and bless her
Idolatry is foolish
Israel has a bright future—peace, prosperity, blessing
Israel is God’s priest nation
Messiah-Servant is Jesus the Christ
Millennial Kingdom
National divine discipline.
Rebellion against God reaps terrible consequences
Theocratic program centered through Israel and Israel’s Messiah will defeat Satan and restore God’s rightful rule.
Lessons For Us Today
There is no God but Israel’s God; He is the creator and ruler.
Rebellion against God pays terrible consequences.
Though the world is in turmoil, God is in charge and his plan continues.
God’s plan for history centers around his Servant Messiah.
History is the story of God restoring his rightful rule in creation; Israel and we in the church are active combatants in this spiritual conflict.
World peace, prosperity, and blessing will not come through human government such as the United Nations. It will only come through Messiah’s reign on earth.
God keeps his word. He never lies and does not forget what he has promised.

Jeremiah Bible Walk

Theme: Judah Ignores Her Spiritual Crisis

Tod Kennedy, November, 2005

Theme
Judah Ignores Her Spiritual Crisis
Key Verse
Jeremiah 25:11-12. And this whole land shall be a desolation and a horror, and these nations shall serve the king of Babylon seventy years. ‘Then it will be when seventy years are completed I will punish the king of Babylon and that nation,‘ declares the Lord, ‘for their iniquity, and the land of the Chaldeans; and I will make it an everlasting desolation.
Overview Outline
Lord appoints Jeremiah, Jeremiah 1
Prophecies about Judah, Jeremiah 2-45
Prophecies about the nations, Jeremiah 46-51
Historical summary, Jeremiah 52
History. This was the time of the Israel’s greatest apostasy and rejection of her major prophet’s messages, the destruction of Jerusalem, and the exile of the people to Babylon. Jeremiah came on the scene during the reign of Josiah, who was one of the few good kings.
Knowing the changing political scene helps us to understand Jeremiah’s book.
722 B.C. Assyrians under Shalmaneser V (726-722) and Sargon II (Isaiah 20:1; 721-705) conquered Israel and wasted Samaria, the capital (2 Kings 17).
640 B.C. Josiah becomes king in Judah (640-609). Assyria remained the dominant power. Josiah attempted religious reforms (2 Kings 22-23; 2 Chronicles 34).
627 B.C. God appoints Jeremiah prophet to Judah (Jeremiah 1:4-10).
622 B.C. Hilkiah finds the Law in the temple (2 Kings 22:8).
612 B.C. Nabopolassar (626-605 B.C.), ruler of Babylon, captures Nineveh, Assyria. Power shifts to Babylon (Nahum 2:1-3:19; Zephaniah 2:13-15).
609 B.C. Pharoah Neco of Egypt killed Josiah at Megiddo (2 Kings 23:29-30; 2 Chronicles 35:20-25).
609 B.C. Jehoahaz’s now king and rules 3 months. Necho then takes Jehoahaz to Egypt (2 Kings 23:31-35).
608 B.C. Jehoiakim (2 Kings 23: 34-24:7), Josiah’s son, begins rule in Judah (608-597). He began as a vassal of the king of Egypt. He too Judah back to idolatry. He destroyed Jeremiah’s scroll (Jeremiah 36).
605 B.C. Nebuchadnezzar defeats Egypt at Carchemish. Also becomes king of Babylon (605-562 B.C.). He conquers Jerusalem and Judah.
605 B.C. Nebuchadnezzar takes Daniel and his three friends to Babylon (Daniel 1:1-7).
597 B.C. Jehoiachin, son of Jehoiakim, ruled in Judah for 3 months (2 Kings 24:8-16).
597 B.C. Nebuchadnezzar makes Zedekiah vassal king of Judah (2 Kings 24:17-20).
596 B.C. Nebuchadnezzar takes Jehoiachin, Ezekiel, and 10,000 captives to Babylon (2 Kings 24:10-16; 2 Chronicles 36:9-10; Ezekiel 1:2-3: 3:15).
588-586 B.C. Nebuchadnezzar lays siege to Jerusalem (2 Kings 25:1-10).
586 B.C. Jerusalem falls to the Babylonians. Nebuchadnezzar burns the city and temple in August, 586 B.C. (2 Kings 25).
586 B.C. Nebuchadnezzar makes Gedeliah governor of Judah. Ishmael assassinated Gedeliah in October, 586 after a 2 month rule (2 Kings 25:22-25).
586 B.C. Jews feared reprisals from Babylon and fled to Egypt, taking Jeremiah to Egypt with them (2 Kings 25:26; Jeremiah 43).
Author was Jeremiah. He served as prophet from 627 B.C. until at least 586 BC (Jeremiah 1:1-3); and according to Jeremiah 40-44, possibly until 562 BC or beyond. His scribe, Baruch (Jeremiah 36:1-4), apparently compiled and edited the book.
Jeremiah’s prophecy is somewhat autobiographical. He was God’s prophet for Judah before, during, and after the traumatic Babylonian destruction of Jerusalem. He was intense, courageous, at times despondent, and yet he persevered. Jeremiah preached the Lord’s unwanted and unheeded message. He used “word of the LORD” 58 times and “thus says the LORD” 151 times. He angered priests, prophets, soldiers, and kings. Unbelieving and rebellious Judah rejected God’s message and God’s man of the hour. She ignored her national crisis of which Jeremiah persistently warned. This also seems to be the continuing story of all mankind.
He was rejected, beaten, imprisoned, ridiculed, and finally kidnapped and taken to Egypt; all happened because he was faithful to God’s appointment to preach to Judah during the greatest crisis of her 250 year history. Furthermore, God told Jeremiah that he could not marry, go to funerals, or go to parties in order to illustrate the destruction that was coming (16:1-9).
Jeremiah was born around 640 BC in Anathoth, which was about 3 miles northeast of Jerusalem, into a priestly family, and God put him into the prophetic ministry in 627 BC (Jeremiah 1:1-2). He was a contemporary of Ezekiel (served about 592-570 B.C. in Babylon, Nebuchadnezzar’s reign), Zephaniah (served around 630 B.C., Josiah’s reign), Habakkuk (served about 605 B.C., Jehoiakim’s reign), and Daniel (served about 605-536 B.C., Nebuchadnezzar’s to Cyrus’ reigns).
Jeremiah seemed to write in bursts during very tumultuous periods of Judah’s history.
The time of Josiah’s reforms (chapters 1-6 and 11-12).
Nebuchadnezzar’s rise to power (chapters 7-10, 14-20, 22, and 26).
The remaining chapters relate to the two deportations to Babylon, the Zedekiah revolt, and the final destruction of Jerusalem.
Chapter 52 is similar to 2 Kings 24:18-25:30. It likely was written and added after King Jehoiachin was freed from Babylonian imprisonment.
Trace the Theme
In chapter 1 the LORD called Jeremiah to be prophet to Judah. The LORD immediately says what the will happen to Judah (Jeremiah 1:13-16) and why (Jeremiah 1:16 and 2:13). He also promises to protect Jeremiah from the unbelieving and rebellious kings, princes, priest, and people (Jeremiah 1:17-19).
Jeremiah’s message was that Judah has forsaken the Lord and turned to idols (Jeremiah 2:11-13), and she is worse than Israel was 125 years ago (Jeremiah 3:6-11). God, through Babylon, will severely discipline her (Jeremiah 19; 20:1-6). If Judah will submit to Babylon, God will allow her to remain in the land; but If Judah resists, he will bring catastrophic destruction upon her (Jeremiah 27:1-11). Judah did not repent, nor did she submit to Babylon. Therefore, God kept his word. He catastrophically judged Judah, destroyed Jerusalem and the temple, and sent his people into slavery (Jeremiah 32:17-36; 39; 52). The book of Lamentations is Jeremiah’s sorrowful poem describing the results of Judah’s choice for idolatry instead of God.
Along with the prophecy of judgment God also promised to restore Israel to her land sometime in the future. That promise is the New Covenant (Jeremiah 31:31-34). At that time the Hebrew people will know and love God’s word; they will have eternal salvation relationship with the Lord; and the Lord will have forgiven all their sins.
Because Jeremiah courageously delivered God’s messages his townspeople threatened him (Jeremiah 11:21), his family opposed him (Jeremiah 12:6), the priests beat him and put him in stocks (Jeremiah 20:1-3), and even the prophets demanded his life (Jeremiah 26:11). King Jehoiakim destroyed one of his prophetic manuscripts (Jeremiah 36). Jeremiah wore a yoke on his neck to symbolize Nebuchadnezzar’s control of Judah and the surrounding nations (Jeremiah 27:1-7). He was beaten and put in a dungeon (Jeremiah 37:11-16) and then Zedekiah released him from the dungeon and imprisoned him in the court of the guardhouse (Jeremiah 37:17-21).
After the destruction of Jerusalem in 586 B.C., Nebuchadnezzar ordered Jeremiah freed and gave him the option to either go to Babylon or remain in Judah with Gedeliah, the governor of Judah. He chose Judah with his people (Jeremiah 39:11-40:6). Johanan, and leader in Judah and supporter of Gedeliah, warned Gedeliah that Ishmael planned to assassinate the governor, but the warning fell on deaf ears (Jeremiah 40:13-16). Ishmael and 10 others succeeded in assassinating Governor Gedeliah (Jeremiah 41:1-3). Johanan then rescued Jews whom Ishmael had taken as captive. After more killing, Ishmael escaped (Jeremiah 41:4-14). Soon Johanan asked Jeremiah for God’s message about what they should do. God said they should stay in Judah. Again, God’s prophet was rebuffed. Johanan gathered the remnant, including Jeremiah and Baruch, and fled to Egypt (Jeremiah 42-43). Jeremiah likely died in Egypt.
Overview Outline
LORD appoints Jeremiah, 1
Prophecies about Judah, 2-45
Prophecies about the nations, 46-51
Historical summary. 52
Chapter Titles
Section 1, Lord appoints Jeremiah
God appoints Jeremiah
Section 2, Prophecies about Judah, Jeremiah 2-45
The two sins
Faithless Israel, Treacherous Judah
Partial destruction
Why pardon you?
Destruction from the north
Jeremiah’s temple message
No man repented
Ruin, scatter, sword
LORD is God; Idols are worthless
Disobey the covenant and punishment
Uproot then compassion
The waistband and wine jug
Sword, famine, pestilence
Death, sword, famine, captivity
Double payment for sins
Cursed, blessed, deceitful heart, listen
The potter and the pit
I will break the potter’s jar
Jeremiah rejected and persecuted
King of Babylon will conquer
Shallum, Jehoiakim, Coniah
Good and bad prophets; Righteous branch
Good and bad figs
Seventy years in Babylon
Riot against Jeremiah
Serve the king of Babylon and live
Hananiah, the false prophet
The Lord has plans for welfare
Jacob’s distress, then Jacob’s fortunes restored
Lord will be God of Israel; New covenant
Captivity soon, later restoration
Restoration; the righteous branch of David
Release to the sword, pestilence, famine from Babylon
Rechabites obeyed forefather, Judah did not
Jeremiah’s scroll—burned and rewritten
Jeremiah arrested, beaten, jailed
The cistern; surrender to Babylon
Jerusalem destroyed; Zedekiah blinded
Jeremiah freed; Johanan warn Gedaliah
Ishmael assassinates Gedaliah; Johanan rescues some
Do not go to Egypt In Judah, blessing; in Egypt death
They went to Egypt; Nebuchadnezzar will conquer
Judah did not learn, therefore destruction in Egypt
The LORD will protect Baruch
Section 3, Prophecies about the nations, Jeremiah 46-51
The LORD will conquer Egypt
The LORD will conquer the Philistines
The Lord will conquer Moab
The LORD will conquer Ammon, Edom, Damascus, Arabia, and Elam
The LORD will conquer Babylon
The LORD will conquer Babylon
Section 4, Nebuchadnezzar destroyed Jerusalem, Jeremiah 52
Siege, destruction, exile
Key People. See the chronological political scene above point 4, history.
Jeremiah, 132X. God’s prophet to Judah during her final days (Jeremiah 1 and following). Faithfully proclaimed God’s word to apathetic, disobedient, and idolatrous Jews.
Baruch, 23X. Jeremiah’s scribe (Jeremiah 36:32).
Nebuchadnezzar, 37X. King of Babylon during most of Jeremiah’s prophecy. Daniel’s head of gold. He destroyed Jerusalem, the temple, and removed many Jews to Babylon—including Daniel and his three friends, and Ezekiel (Jeremiah 39:1; 2 Kings 24-25; Daniel 1-4).
Josiah, 18X. Judah’s last reforming king. During his reign he OT Law of Moses was found. He repaired the temple, restored the worship of the Lord and celebrated the Passover. He foolishly went to battle with Pharo Necho and was killed (Jeremiah 3:6; 2 Kings 22-23; 2 Chronicles 35:20-27).
Jehoahaz, (Joahaz). Son of Josiah. He ruled 3 months. The Egyptian Pharoah removed him, took him to Egypt, and placed his brother Jehoiakim on the throne of Judah (2 Kings 23:31-33; 2 Chronicles 36:1-4;
Jehoiakim, 22X, (Eliakim). Son of Josiah. Ruled 11 years after his father, Josiah. He destroyed Jeremiah’s scroll (Jeremiah 36). Rebelled against Nebuchadnezzar (2 Kings 24). God cursed him with no sons to ever sit for any long period of time on David’s throne, and he died a violent death (Jeremiah 36:30-31; 2 Kings 23:34-24:7).
Jehoiachin, 3X, (Jeconiah, 4X; Coniah 3X). Son of Jehoiakim. Ruled for 3 months and 10 days in 597 BC. Apparently Nebuchadnezzar changed his mind about Jehoiachin. He went back to Jerusalem and took Jehoiachin to Babylon with 10,000 others where he was imprisoned for 36 years. Evil-Merodach released him (Jeremiah 24:1; Jeremiah 52:31; 2 Kings 24.14-17).
Zedekiah, 49X. (Mattaniah). Son of Josiah. He defended Jeremiah twice (Jeremiah 37:15-21 and 38:7-13). He was vassal king at the time Nebuchadnezzar and foolishly rebelled against him which brought the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple. Nebuchadnezzar had Zedekiah’s sons killed and then blinded Zedekiah. He died in Babylon (2 Kings 24:17-25:1-7).
Gedeliah, 23X. Appointed Governor of Judea by Nebuchadnezzar after Zedekiah was taken. He respected Jeremiah (Jeremiah 39:11-14 and 40:5). Attempted to calm the Jews and urged submission to Babylon. Ishmael assassinated him. Some Jews feared Babylon’s reprisals and took Jeremiah and fled to Egypt (2 Kings 25:22-26; Jeremiah 52).
Words and Phrases in NASB translation
Babylon, 169 X (20:4).
Fear, 16X (5:22-24; 46:27).
Idols, 11 X (8:19).
Judgment, 7X (1:16).
Listen, 63X (6:10).
Sin, 26X. (2:35; 40:3).
Key Doctrines
God does not guarantee that his faithful servants will not suffer because they serve him (Jeremiah 11:21; 20:1-3; 26:11; 37:11-21).
God’s faithful messengers can still serve during a spiritual and political crisis
(Jeremiah 26:11-15; 27; 36; 51:59-64).
Grace before judgment: God graciously warned his people about their sin before he disciplined the nation because of her sin (Jeremiah 7; 22:1-9; 27; 42).
National divine discipline comes because of sin, and after warning (above Scripture).
Sin not confessed brings judgment.
The seventy years exile prophecy (Jeremiah 25:11-12; 29:10).
God’s will restore Israel and Judah and fulfill his New Covenant with them (Jeremiah 29:11-15; 30:3; 31:27-40; 43-44).
God used Gentile kings and nations to discipline Israel and Judah (Jeremiah 22:25; 27:6; 37:28; 46:26).
God is more powerful than the strongest nation and can raise them up and bring them down (Jeremiah 50:17-18; 51:24).
The opinion of political and religious leaders and the general public may be the majority opinion, yet it can be wrong (people, Jeremiah 11:21; 52:3), his family, Jeremiah 12:6), 20:1-3), the prophets demanded his life, Jeremiah 26:11), King Jehoiakim, Jeremiah 36), and King Zedekiah, Jeremiah 52:3).
Central Scripture for doctrines.
God gave his promise of blessing, similar to Psalm 1, to those who trust him
(Jeremiah 17:5-8).
The nature of man (Jeremiah 17:9-10).
Volition Jeremiah (21:8).
God’s will restore Israel and Judah and fulfill his New Covenant with them
(Jeremiah 29:11-15; 30:3; 31:27-40; 43-44).
Lessons for Us Today
God’s has a plan and purpose for Israel despite her unbelief.
God uses willing and faithful people, but does not guarantee an easy or safe life.
God always warns us before he judges us.
Believe and follow the word of God; it stands above public opinion.
God uses humble, faithful to him, strong, and gracious leaders.
Kings, dictators, presidents, and prime ministers may be powerful, ruthless, and even temporarily popular, but they come and go. God still controls history.
God wants to bless his people.

Lamentations Bible Walk

Title from the Latin Vulgate

The Hebrew title is אֵיכָה (ekah) “How!” “Alas!”

Sin, Destruction, Death, Exile

Tod Kennedy

December, 2005

Lamentations Theme

Sin, Destruction, Death, Exile

Lamentations Key Verses

Lamentations 2:11

Lamentations 3:19-23

History

This was the time of the Israel’s greatest apostasy and rejection of her major prophet’s messages, the destruction of Jerusalem, and the exile of the people to Babylon.

See the Jeremiah notes for the history. Jeremiah also wrote Lamentations.

Jerusalem had been destroyed by the Babylonian army under Nebuchadnezzar. Jeremiah wrote about the destruction of the city, the temple, and the people that occurred in July and August, 586 BC.

Author Jeremiah

The author was Jeremiah, though he is not named. He served as prophet from 627 B.C. until at least 586 BC (Jeremiah 1:1-3); and according to Jeremiah 40-44, possibly until 562 BC or beyond.
Lamentations 1:13-15; 2:6, 9; 4:1-12 indicate that the author was an eyewitness to the destruction of Jerusalem.
Jeremiah and Lamentations are similar: Lamentations 1:2 and Jeremiah 30:14; Lamentations 1:15 and Jeremiah 8:21; Lamentations 1:16 and 2:11 with Jeremiah 9:1, 18; Lamentations 2:22 and Jeremiah 6:25; Lamentations 4:21 and Jeremiah 49:12.
The LXX superscription to Lamentations claims Jeremiah as the author.
The Talmud (200-500 AD), Aramaic Targum of Jonathan (first century AD), Origen (185-254 AD), and Jerome (345-419 AD) all say Jeremiah wrote this book. The Talmud is made up of the Mishna (the written oral law) and the Gemara (commentaries on the Mishnah).
The Talmud (תלמוד) is a record of rabbinic discussions on Jewish law, Jewish ethics, customs, legends and stories, which Jewish tradition considers authoritative. It is a fundamental source of legislation, customs, case histories and moral exhortations. The Talmud has two components, the Mishnah which is the first written compilation of Judaism’s Oral Law, and the Gemara, a discussion of the Mishnah (though the terms Talmud and Gemara are generally used interchangeably).
It [The Talmud (תלמוד)] expands on the earlier writings in the Torah in general and in the Mishnah in particular, and is the basis for all later codes of Jewish law, and much of Rabbinic literature. The Talmud is also traditionally referred to as Shas (a Hebrew abbreviation of shishah sedarim, the “six orders” of the Mishnah). http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talmud
Jeremiah in this book “laments” Jerusalem and Judah’s sin and judgment.
The accepted tradition of Judaism and Christianity accept Jeremiah as the author.

Poetry and Structure of Lamentations

Lamentations was a lament for Jerusalem. Jerusalem was not just the capital of Israel and the city of David; it was the center for worship and sacrifice, for the temple, and later where Christ would be crucified.
Lamentations is more than a dirge about suffering. It is a funeral poem for the center of God’s redemption plan—Jerusalem, the temple, and the Messiah’s people.
Lamentations is a poem composed of five laments. A lament is a funeral poem or song. The technical name for this funeral poem is qina, which expresses grief, sorrow, and mourning.
Jeremiah is expressing his anguished grief over the destruction of Jerusalem, the temple, and the people.
Chapters 1, 2, 4 are acrostic poems. Each chapter is a unit and each chapter has 22 verses. The first verse begins with the first letter of the Hebrew alphabet (a, aleph) and each succeeding verse begins with the next successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet.
Chapter 3 is also an acrostic, but the chapter is in 3 verse segments. It has 66 verses. Verses 1, 2, and 3 begin with a, aleph, and so on. Chapter 3 is an individual lament like Psalm 7 and 22.
Chapter 5 with its 22 verses is not in acrostic form. Jeremiah penned this lament in a somewhat whispered fashion as he quietly grieves over the people and then pleads for restoration based upon God’s sovereignty and grace.
Summary
1. Chapter 1. 22 verse acrostic
2. Chapter 2. 22 verse acrostic
3. Chapter 3. 66 verse acrostic, 3 verses per letter
4. Chapter 4. 22 verse acrostic
5. Chapter 5. 22 verse, not acrostic.
Lamentations was read on the ninth day of Ab when the Jews commemorated the destruction of Jerusalem. Ab in our calendar is July-August. It is the fifth month of the religious calendar and he eleventh month of the civil calendar.

Overview Outline and Chapter Titles

Chapter 1: Jerusalem, lonely and desolate (1, 3, 17)
Chapter 2: The Lord’s anger, wrath, and destruction (1, 3, 4)
Chapter 3: Jeremiah’s affliction, hope, and prayer (1, 21, 55)
Chapter 4: Sin caused unspeakable suffering (1, 6, 10, 11)
Chapter 5: Jeremiah prays because joy has ceased (5, 15)

Trace the Theme of Lamentations Simply Sin, Destruction, Death, Exile

Lamentations 1:1 and 8, Jerusalem, lonely and desolate.
Lamentations 2:1 and 11, The Lord’s anger, wrath, and destruction.
Lamentations 3:1 and 21-23, Jeremiah’s affliction, hope, and prayer.
Lamentations 4:6, 10 and 11, Sin caused unspeakable suffering.
Lamentations 5:1, 15, and 21, Jeremiah prays because joy has ceased.

Chapter Overviews

Chapter 1: Jerusalem, lonely and desolate (1, 3, 17). Verse 1 sets the theme for the chapter and the book.
Verses:

Lamentations 1:1.

“How lonely sits the city

That was full of people!

She has become like a widow

Who was once great among the nations!

She who was a princess among the provinces

Has become a forced laborer!”

Some descriptive terms and phrases include “weeps bitterly” 2; “harsh servitude” 3; “sinned greatly” 8; “her nakedness” 8; “fallen astonishingly 9; “groan seeking bread” 11; “sent fire into my bones” 13; “Jerusalem has become an unclean thing” 17; “The Lord is righteous…captivity” 18; “in the house it is like death” 20; “no one to comfort me” 21.
Chapter 2: The Lord’s anger, wrath, and destruction. Verses 1, 3, and 4 demonstrated this.
Verses:
Lamentations 2:1 “How the Lord has covered the daughter of Zion with a cloud in His anger! He has cast from heaven to earth the glory of Israel, and has not remembered His footstool in the day of His anger.”
Lamentations 2:3, “In fierce anger he has cut off all the strength of Israel. He has drawn back his right hand from before the enemy.”
This lament concentrates on the Lord’s anger against Judah. Jeremiah emphasizes this in numerous verses. “His anger” 2x in 1; “not spared” 2; “wrath” 2; “fierce anger” 3; “bent his bow” and “wrath like fire” 4; “violently treated” and “despised” 6; “rejected” and “abandoned” 7; “destruction” 11; “life is poured out” 12; “the Lord has done” 17; “women eat their offspring” 20; “hast slaughtered” 21; “day of the Lord’s anger” 22.
Chapter 3: Jeremiah’s affliction, hope, and prayer. Verses 1, 21, 55 are illustrative verses.
Verses:
Lamentations 3:1 I am the man who has seen affliction Because of the rod of His wrath.
Lamentations 3:22 The Lord’s lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, For His compassions never fail.
Lamentations 3:23 They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.
Lamentations 3:24 “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “Therefore I have hope in Him.”
Lamentations 3:55 I called on Your name, O Lord, Out of the lowest pit
This lament gives us Jeremiah’s thinking, discouragement, confident expectation, and prayer. We can see this by “seen affliction” 1; “in darkness” 2; “against me” 3; “He shuts out my prayer” 8; “laughing stock” 14; “bitterness” 15; “forgotten happiness” 17; “bowed down” 20; “I have hope” 21; “great is thy faithfulness” 23; “I have hope in Him” 21; “compassion” and “abundant lovingkindness” 32; “both good and ill” 38; “in view of his sins” 39; “let us examine and probe…and return” 40; “no prayer” 44; “devastation and destruction” 47;“I am cut off” 54; “I called” 55; “Thou hast heard” 56; “do not fear” 57; “Thou has redeemed” 58; “Thou wilt recompense” 64;

Chapter 4: Sin caused unspeakable suffering. Verses 1, 6, 10, and 11 demonstrate this theme.
Verses:
Lamentations 4:1 How dark the gold has become, How the pure gold has changed! The sacred stones are poured out.
Lamentations 4:6 For the iniquity of the daughter of my people Is greater than the sin of Sodom, Which was overthrown as in a moment, And no hands were turned toward her.
Lamentations 4:10 The hands of compassionate women Boiled their own children; They became food for them Because of the destruction of the daughter of my people.
Lamentations 4:11 The Lord has accomplished His wrath, He has poured out His fierce anger; And He has kindled a fire in Zion Which has consumed its foundations.
“tongue of infants” and “ask for bread” (4); “Embrace ash pits” (5); “greater than the sin of Sodom” (6); “skin is shriveled” (8); “slain with hunger” (9); “boiled their own children” (10); “accomplished His wrath” (11); “kings of the earth did not believe” (12); “our end had come” (18); “captured in the pits” (20); “your iniquity has been completed” (22).
Chapter 5: Jeremiah prays because joy has ceased. Verses 1, 5, 15, 21, 22 demonstrate this theme.
1. Verses:
Lamentations 5:1 Remember, O Lord, what has befallen us; Look, and see our reproach!
Lamentations 5:5 Our pursuers are at our necks; We are worn out, there is no rest for us.
Lamentations 5:15 The joy of our hearts has ceased; Our dancing has been turned into mourning.
Lamentations 5:21 Restore us to You, O Lord, that we may be restored; Renew our days as of old, 22 Unless You have utterly rejected us And are exceedingly angry with us.
1. “Remember, O Lord” (1); “our inheritance has been turned over” (2); “become orphans” (3); “pay for drinking water” (4); “Slaves rule over us” (8); “They ravished the women” (11); “Princes were hung by their hands” (12); “joy of our hearts has ceased” and “dancing has been turned into mourning” (15); “our heart is faint” and “eyes are dim” (17); “why dost Thou forget us forever” (20); “Restore us” (21); “Renew our days” (21); “unless” (22).

Key People

Jeremiah. God’s prophet to Judah during her final days. He faithfully proclaimed God’s word to apathetic, disobedient, and idolatrous Jews. Jeremiah penned Lamentations has he recalled the destruction, death, and exile of God’s people and his people.

Key Words and Phrases in NASB

Daughters 18x, of Judah, Zion, Jerusalem, my people. 1x, daughters of my city. All references to Israel’s relationship to the Lord and the land and city. Points out God’s choice of the Jewish people and the city of Jerusalem (1:6; 2:2; 2:13; 3:48; 3:51).
Lament 1x, (2:8). Personification of the defenses of the city, which once breached, leads to destruction of the city and people.
Cry 3x. Refers to pleading with the Lord for help during the destruction of Jerusalem, the temple, and the people (2:19; 3:8; 3:56).
Help 4x. This brings out the helpless situation. Only the Lord can deliver Judah (1:7; 3:8; 3:56; 4:17).
Compassion 2x, and Lovingkindness 2x. These are found in those great passages about God’s compassion that revived Jeremiah (3:22; 3:32).

Key Doctrines

Sin (1-5)
National discipline (1-5)
Suffering (1-5)
Hope in a crisis (3)
God’s character (3)
Faith and waiting (3)
Spiritual recovery (5)

Lessons for Us Today

God is perfect. The more one understands who he is and what he is like, the more one can relate to life and live successfully. All truth stems from God’s character.
God’s anger and discipline demonstrate his love for his people. If he did not love Israel, he would not have gone to such lengths to correct and restore them. Hebrews 12, in the NT, also teaches this.
In any and every situation God is always faithful to his word and his people. This is what restored Jeremiah from his discouragement.
God the Lord rules over life. He disciplines and he restores. Without him, suffering is unbearable and joy ceases.
What five questions should I ask myself in a crisis?
Five Questions to Ask in Suffering
Am I believing in Jesus Christ to give me eternal life (John 3.16-18; 20.31; Romans 6.23)?
Do I really know what God is like (Lamentations 3:21-25)?
Am I walking in fellowship with God (1 John 1) and living by faith, by the Holy Spirit, in the Word of God, and in love (Galatians 2.20; 5.5; 2 John 4-6)?Do I accept the fact that what I believe is more important that how I feel (Psalm 13)?
Am I watching for the good (the blessing) that God is working out in my life and testing (Romans 8.28)?Ezekiel
Judgment Now, Promised Kingdom Later

Tod Kennedy

Sunday, February, 2006

Theme of Ezekiel

Now God judges Israel; later, He will establish her promised kingdom

Key Verses

History Overview

General
1. The history is the same as for Jeremiah and Lamentation.
2. Judah has rebelled against the Lord and against Nebuchadnezzar.
3. Nebuchadnezzar defeated Jerusalem (Jehoiakim) in 605 BC. At that time he took Daniel and his friends and other hostages to Babylon.
4. In 597 BC, because of Judah’s rebellion (Jehoiakim and Jehoiachin) Nebechadnezzar took 10,000 more hostages, including Jehoiachin, Ezekiel to Babylon.
5. Nebuchadnezzar destroyed Jerusalem and burned the temple in the summer of 586 BC.
Chronology of the kings
1. Josiah 640-609 BC. Reforming king. Killed by Pharoah Necho.
2. Jehoahaz 3 months in 609 BC. Pharoah Neco replaced him. Died in Egypt.
3. Jehoiakim (Eliakim) 609-598 BC. Destroyed Jeremiah’s prophecy; rebelled.
4. Jehoiachin December 598-March 597 BC. Taken captive to Babylon with Ezekiel and 10,000.
5. Zedekiah (Mattaniah) 597-586 BC. Revolted; City and temple destroyed; Taken to Riblah; Sons killed; he was blinded and taken to Babylon.
6. Gedaliah 2 months in 586 BC. Assassinated by Ishmael.
Dated prophecies
1. 1:2. July-August 593 BC, Vision
2. 8:1. August-September 592 BC, Abominations
3. 20:1. July-August 591 BC, Panorama
4. 24:1. December-January 589-588 BC, Cooking Pot
5. 29:1. December-January 588-587 BC, Egypt
6. 26:1. 587 BC, Tyre, Sidon
7. 30:20. March-April 587 BC, Egypt’s defeat
8. 31:1. May-June 587 BC, Egypt, like Assyria, falls
9. 33:21. December-January 586-585 BC, Restoration
10. 32:1. February-March 585 BC. Lament for Pharoah
11. 32:17. February-March 585 BC. Egypt also falls
12. 40:1. March-April 573 BC. Restored Theocracy
13. 29:17. March-April 571 BC. Nebuchadnezzar is God’s instrument against Egypt.

Author

The book names Ezekiel as the author in 1:1-3 with chapters 2 and 3, and 24:15-27 (especially 24:15, 16, 24, 25).
The author writes in the first person singular (I, me, my) very frequently (1:4, 15, 24; 2:1, 2, 9, 10; 3:2, 3, 12; 6:1) and the author is also called the son of man in many of these contexts (2:1; 3:1, 6:1-2; 7:1-2, and others.
The language and unity of thought supports one author.
Ezekiel was a priest who was taken captive by Nebuchadnezzar in 597 BC because of the rebellion of Jehoichin. This was the 8^th year of Nebuchadnezzar’s reign.
He was probably born in 627 BC (Ezekiel 1:1) and was about the same age as Daniel, who was in Babylon at this time (Ezekiel 3:11).
He began receiving visions from the Lord in 593 BC (Ezekiel 1:1-3). This ministry continued until at least 571 BC (Ezekiel 29:17).
Ezekiel was married. His wife died in Babylon as a sign to Ezekiel and the Jews (Ezekiel 24:16-18).
Daniel, Habakkuk, and Jeremiah were his contemporaries.
In general, Ezekiel gives messages of warning and judgment in chapters 1-32 and then messages about restoration in 33-48. Note in association with this that God’s glory leaves Solomon’s temple in 9-11 and then returns to the millennial temple in chapter 43.

Overview Outline

Preparation of Ezekiel, 1-3
Judgment of Judah, 4-24
Judgment of Nations, 25-32
Prophesies of Future Kingdom, 33-39
Future Kingdom temple, priesthood, sacrifices, and land, 40-48

Chapter Titles

Chapter 1.Vision: Living Creatures
Chapter 2-3.Preparation of Ezekiel
Chapter 4.Brick, Side
Chapter 5.Razor, Hair
Chapter 6.Idolatry Judged
Chapter 7.Sword, Famine, Plague
Chapter 8.Abominations in Temple
Chapter 9.Executioners
Chapter 10.Vision: Glory Moving
Chapter 11.Vision: Glory Departs
Chapter 12.Baggage, Bread, Proverb
Chapter 13.Foolish Prophets
Chapter 14.Self-Responsibility
Chapter 15.Vine Wood
Chapter 16.Prostitute Queen
Chapter 17.Eagles, Cedar
Chapter 18.Repentance Desired
Chapter 19.Lamentation on Kings
Chapter 20.Panorama
Chapter 21.Yahweh’s Sword
Chapter 22.Blood, Dross
Chapter 23.Two Sisters
Chapter 24.Cooking Pot
Chapter 25.Ammon, Moab, Edom, Philistia
Chapter 26-28.Tyre, Sidon
Chapter 29-32. Egypt
Chapter 33.Watchman Dwellers
Chapter 34.Shepherds
Chapter 35.Mt. Seir
Chapter 36.Restoration, Regeneration
Chapter 37.Bones, Sticks
Chapter 38-39.Gog invasion
Chapter 40-42.Temple Detail
Chapter 43.Vision: Glory Returns
Chapter 44.Zadok Priesthood
Chapter 45.Priestly Land, Offerings
Chapter 46.Offerings
Chapter 47-48.Land Divided

Daniel Bible Walk

Theme: Israel in the Times of the Gentiles

Tod Kennedy

November, 2006

Theme

Key Verses

Author and Date

Daniel wrote about 530 BC (Daniel 7:2,15,28; 8:1-2, 15, 27; 9:1-3, 22; 10:1-2, 7, 11-12; 12:4-5, 8-9; Ezekiel 14:14, 20; 28:3; Matthew 25:15; Mark 13:14).
1. He wrote chapters 1 and 8-12 in the Hebrew language, the language of Israel. Daniel wrote chapters 2-7 in Aramaic, the international language at that time.
2. Why the insertion of Aramaic? Because in chapters 2-7 Daniel was highlighting the Gentile rule over Israel. In those chapters he covered the four Gentile powers, the persecution as a result of that, and he encouraged Jews to stay faithful to God.

God and History

God works progressively through history. The KJV call these periods of history dispensations (Greek oikonomia dispensation, economy, administration).
Charles Ryrie wrote “A dispensation is a distinguishable economy in the outworking of God’s purpose” (Dispensationalism. Chicago: Moody Press, 1995. Page 29). “Thus, the central idea in the word dispensation is that of managing or administering the affairs of a household” (25).
Roy Zuck wrote “The word “dispensation” occurs nine times in the New Testament (Luke 16:2-4; 1 Cor. 9:17; Eph. 1:10; 3:2, 9; Col. 1:25; 1 Tim. 1:4). Oikonomia, a combination of oikos, “house” and nomos, “law,” means “administration, stewardship, or management.” The verb oikonomeo, “to administer or manage,” is used in Luke 16:2, and the noun oikonomos, a steward or manager, occurs ten times (Luke 12:42; 16:1; 3, 8; Rom. 16:23; 1 Cor. 4:1-2; Gal 4:2; Titus 1:2; 1 Pet. 4:10). These words refer to the human administration of a house, property, state, or nation, or to God’s administration of the human race or part of it. Thus dispensationalism views the world as a household or administration run by God. So while the word “dispensationalism” is not used in the Bible, the concept certainly is…. While the word “dispensation” itself does not designate a time period, the very nature of differing stewardships suggests a beginning and ending in time for each of the dispensations. (“What Is Dispensationalism?” found at http://www.scofield.org/historical/dispensationalism.htm)
The word “dispensation” is the King James Version translation of the Greek word oikonomia means 1. management of a household, direction office (Luke 16.2-4; 1 Corinthians 9.17; Colossians 1.25; Ephesians 3.2; 2. arrangement, order, plan (Ephesians 1.10; 3.9) 3. training (1 Timothy 1.4). (BAGD 559) Another word that has been translated age, world, and dispensation is aion aiwn (Matthew 13.39,40,49; 28.20; Hebrews 9.26; 11.3). (BAGD 27)
Dispensations are God’s distinguishable and chronological economies or administrations of human history during which he progressively reveals (gives written new revelation—The Old and New Testament) and accomplishes his plan. God has divided human history into basic administrations or economies. These are called dispensations. God gives revelation, privilege, and responsibility for each administration, some of which is different from the previous economy or administration. Each dispensation has unique doctrine, people, administrators, and events. Eternal salvation in every dispensation is always by God’s grace and through faith (Ephesians 1.10; 3.1-12; Genesis 15.6; Galatians 3.6-9; Ephesians 2.8-9).
What really distinguishes dispensational theology from reformed and covenant theology? First, dispensational theology is based upon a normal or plain interpretation of the Bible. Normal or plain interpretation means to read the Bible as any other book; the author means what he says; the Bible uses figures of speech; it uses parables; it talks of ideas, people, places, and events; when the author names a person or group of people or promises something to a person or group of people or predicts a specific event, one using a normal or plain interpretation will take the people, places, events, and predictions at face value unless there is something in the context to indicate a different meaning. From a plain interpretation we see that God, throughout human history, distinguishes between Israel and the Church. This is the second hallmark of dispensational theology. Israel and the church are two prominent groups of people through whom God works. Since Pentecost, God has been working through the church, the body of Christ (Ephesians 1.22-23). After Christ removes the church, God will resume working through Israel. The third hallmark of dispensational theology is that the primary purpose of God is doxological, that is, to demonstrate God’s glory. The salvation of people is a prominent way to glorify God, but that is not the purpose of history
The current events of Daniel occur in the dispensation or age of Israel. The end time prophecies that Daniel records will take place in the end of the age of Israel, what Matthew calls the tribulation (Daniel 9:27; 12:1; Matthew 24:15-29), and in the Messianic or millennial dispensation (Isaiah 9:7; Daniel 2:44-45; 7:13-14).

History Overview for Daniels’s time

The events of this book begin in 605 BC (Daniel 1:1). The last date notice is 536 BC, the third year of Cyrus (Daniel 10:1). The chief Babylonian gods included Bel and Marduk (Daniel 4:8).
In 605 BC the Babylonian army under Nebuchadnezzar defeated Egypt and Assyria at the Battle of Carchemish (May-June 605 BC). He chased Egypt out of Syria-Palestine. While he was away his father, Nabopolassar, died. Nebuchadnezzar hurried back to Babylon. He became king and Babylon became the leading power of the day (2 chronicles 35:20; 2 Kings 24:7; Jeremiah 46:2).
Israel, the northern kingdom, had been conquered by Assyria in 722 BC. The northern kingdom was no longer a political entity at this time. Assyria had broken up the northern kingdom and had deported many Jews from Palestine. The southern kingdom, Judah, was still a nation in her homeland. Jehoiakim (609-598 BC) was the vassal king placed in power by Egypt. When Nebuchadnezzar defeated Egypt and Assyria he allowed Jehoiakim to remain king of Judah. He was an evil king and eventually rebelled against Nebuchadnezzar in 598 BC.
The kings of Judah during this period were
Josiah (640-609 BC), who instituted reforms. He was killed at the Battle of Carchemish by archers of Pharaoh Neco of Egypt (2 Kings 22-23; 2 Chronicles 34-35).
Jehoahaz (three months in 609 BC), whom Neco replaced (2 Kings 23:31-33; 2 Chronicles 36:1-3; Jeremiah 22:11-12).
Jehoiakim (609-598 BC), Judah’s 17^th king, was an evil king. He destroyed Jeremiah’s writing. He rebelled against Nebuchadnezzar and asked for help from Egypt. Nebuchadnezzar took him captive to Babylon (2 Kings 23:34-24:7; 2 Chronicles 36:4-8; Jeremiah 22:18-19; 36:27-32).
Jehoiachin (December 598-March 597 BC) was king when Nebuchadnezzar attacked Jerusalem in March 597 BC. He was taken captive to Babylon along with Ezekiel and 10,000 others (2 Kings 24:8-26); 2 Chronicles 36:9-10).
Zedekiah, also called Mattaniah (597-586 BC), was installed by Nebuchadnezzar. He followed the anti-Babylon faction and rebelled against Nebuchadnezzar. Jeremiah had warned against this. He also tried to get Egypt to help him, but Egypt was too weak. Nebuchadnezzar marched on Jerusalem in 588. He captured the city and destroyed the temple in 586. Nebuchadnezzar captured Zedekiah, killed his sons, blinded Zedekiah, and took him to Babylon (2 Kings 24:17-25:21; 2 Chronicles 36;11-21; Jeremiah 39:1-10).
Gedeliah (586 BC) was appointed governor by Nebuchadnezzar. Ishmael’s faction assassinated him (2 Kings 25:22-30; 2 Chronicles 36:22-23; Jeremiah 40-44).
Nebuchadnezzar was the second and the greatest king of the Neo-Babylonian empire. His father, Nabopolassar, was the founder and first king. The kings were Nabopolassar (626-605 BC), Nebuchadnezzar (605-562 BC); Evil-Merodach, Neb’s son (562-560 BC); Neriglissar, Neb’s son-in-law (560-556 BC); Laborosoarchad, Neb’s son (few months in 556 BC); Nabonidus, Neb’s son-in-law and husband of Nitrocris who was Neb’s daughter; and Belshazzar, son of Nabonidus and Nitrocris (556-539 BC).
Cyrus the Great founded the Persian Empire (559-530 BC). He conquered Media in 550 and Babylon in 539. Ugbaru, governor of Gutium and under Cyrus’ authority, conquered Babylon on an October night in 539 BC, while Belshazzar was celebrating a festival (Daniel 5). The city welcomed Cyrus. He incorporated the Babylonian empire under his rule. Cyrus signed the decree in 538 BC that authorized the Jews to return to their land (2 Chronicles 36:22-23; Ezra 1:1-4; Daniel 1:21; 6:28, 10:1).
Darius the Mede (Daniel 5:31 and 6:1) became governor of Babylon soon after the conquest by Cyrus. Darius the Mede was most likely the Gubaru, also named Gobyras, of the Nabonidus Chronicle and the Babylonian Contract Tablets.

Daniel Chapter Titles 001

Overview Outline

Section 1, Daniel Enters Babylon, Daniel 1.
Section 2, Nebuchadnezzar’s Period, Daniel 2-4.
Section 3, Belshazzar to Cyrus Period, Daniel 5-6.
Section 4, Daniel’s Visions about Future Kingdoms and Rulers, Daniel 7-9.
Section 5, The Angel Teaches Daniel about Events in the Last Days, Daniel 10-12.

Chapter Titles of Daniel

Section 1, Daniel Enters Babylon, Daniel 1.
1. Chapter 1, The Hebrew captives pass the test.
Section 2, Nebuchadnezzar’s Period, Daniel 2-4.
1. Chapter 2, Dream of the gold, silver, bronze, iron, and iron and clay statue.
2. Chapter 3, The gold image and the fiery furnace.
3. Chapter 4, Nebuchadnezzar’s testimony about the tree vision.
Section 3, Belshazzar to Cyrus Period, Daniel 5-6.
1. Chapter 5, Belshazzar’s party and the handwriting on the wall.
2. Chapter 6, Jealousy and the den of lions.
Section 4, Daniel’s Visions about Future Kingdoms and Rulers, Daniel 7-9.
1. Chapter 7, the four beast dream, (Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, Rome)
2. Chapter 8, The ram and the goat (Medo-Persian and Greek empires)
3. Chapter 9, National confession and the 70 weeks.
Section 5, The Angel Teaches Daniel about Events in the Last Days, Daniel 10-12.
1. Chapter 10, Introduction and the angelic conflict
2. Chapter 11, Future rulers and wars.
3. Chapter 12, Resurrection, three and one-half times, and the end.

Trace the Theme of Daniel

Chapter 1, The Hebrew captives pass the test. Nebuchadnezzar, a Gentile king attacked Jerusalem, captured King Jehoiakim, removed the wealth from the temple which demonstrated his conquest of Israel’s God, and took young aristocrats to Babylon as hostages (Daniel and the three included, Isaiah 39:6-7) with plans to turn them into Babylonians. Gentiles now controlled Jerusalem, and will continue to do so until the Messiah returns to reign. Daniel and the three decided against going “Babylonian.” God granted them favor from the commander so he allowed them a 10 day test. They passed the food test. God also provided for the four so that they graduated in 3 years (Daniel 1:5) at the head of the class and so were promoted into the king’s service. The times of the Gentiles had begun, yet in the middle of all the struggles these young men trusted Israel’s God and remained faithful to him and his word. They showed wisdom, courage, discipline, and faithfulness.
Chapter 2, Dream of the gold, silver, bronze, iron, and iron and clay statue. This chapter relates Nebuchadnezzar’s dream of the giant image that pictured the four ruling Gentile kingdoms (Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, and Rome) that would dominate Israel before God destroyed Gentile rule of Israel and set up his everlasting kingdom (Messiah’s kingdom, Daniel 2:44-45). God’s favor and preparation of Daniel and Daniel’s faithfulness showed. When Arioch was on his way to kill Nebuchadnezzar’s counselors, Daniel offered to interpret the dream. First, he and his friends had a prayer meeting. What does that tell us about them? It reveals spiritual courage, dependence upon God and faith in him to work his will. It also reveals that Daniel, a faithful Jewish young man, had a very good testimony in the royal court. Daniel interpreted the dream. Nebuchadnezzar recognized that Daniel’s God was the God of gods and Lord of kings. Nebuchadnezzar begins to learn about God.
Chapter 3, The gold image and the fiery furnace. Nebuchadnezzar, motivated by pride and power demanded that all people worship the image, and so honor him above all gods. The kingdom of man challenged the kingdom of God; Gentile idols challenged the God of Israel. In the middle of a pagan society Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego remained faithful to Israel’s God—the only true God—regardless of whether he saved them from the fire or not. God delivered them; Nebuchadnezzar saw that Israel’s God was real and ruled that no one was to speak against God. Nebuchadnezzar saw the faithful witness of the three.
Chapter 4, Nebuchadnezzar’s testimony about the tree vision. This chapter teaches God’s greatness and God’s rule over the greatest contemporary human ruler and kingdom. Nebuchadnezzar had another dream. He was not able to understand the dream and Daniel came to the rescue. The dream was about the greatest tree on earth. This tree was cut down, yet the stump was left for seven years with a metal band around it. The tree represented Nebuchadnezzar in his power and pride. Nebuchadnezzar would be removed from his rule until he recognized that God rules over mankind and has the power and right to raise and lower rulers (Daniel 4:25). At the end of seven years Nebuchadnezzar realized that God was greater and more powerful. Because he repented, God restored Nebuchadnezzar to his rule. The chapter is Nebuchadnezzar’s testimony about Israel’s God. God has a plan for history and for Israel in particular. No Gentile power can stop God’s plan. Israel ought to be encouraged to know this.
Chapter 5, Belshazzar’s party and the handwriting on the wall. Belshazzar was the son of Nabonidus and grandson of Nebuchadnezzar. He was the second in power, and ruled in Babylon in his father’s absence. The events occurred on October 12, 539 BC. Daniel’s theme is repeated. Though Gentile powers rule Israel, God controls history. Kings may challenge God and rule for a time, but God holds history in his hand. Belshazzar toasted his own greatness using cups that were stolen from the Jerusalem temple. God’s message was written on the wall of the banquet hall: mene (number), mene (number), tekel (weigh), upharsin (and divide). Belshazzar’s days as king were numbered because he had been weighed in God’s balances and failed and his kingdom was going to be divided. While the bragging and toasting were going on the Median army diverted the Euphrates River and was invading Babylon. That very night Belshazzar and Babylon fell to the Medes who were ruled by Cyrus the Great.
Chapter 6, Jealousy and the den of lions. This took place at the beginning of the Medo-Persian Empire 539 BC. Daniel was one of three administrators over 120 regional rulers. Daniel was that “Jew” who was favored by the king. The regional rulers resented him. This bred jealousy, conspiracy, and entrapment. Daniel’s faithfulness to God was their point of attack. In the middle of all the chaos Daniel continued his fellowship with God and he continued serving God. Darius had to honor his decree, so Daniel was put into the den full of lions. God again delivered his faithful servant. God honored Daniel’s faith (Daniel 6:23). Darius then decreed that those in his kingdom fear Daniel’s God. Daniel was a great witness to God’s plan, power, and faithfulness.
Chapter 7, The four beast dream. On a night in 553 BC Daniel saw a vision of four great beasts: a lion that had wings; a bear with three ribs in its mouth; a leopard with four wings on its back and with four heads; and a terrible unrecognized and unnamed beast with iron teeth, ten horns, and a little horn that grew up among the ten horns. This little horn had human looking eyes, was a braggart, and he destroyed three of the previous horns (Daniel 7:1-8). These will be interpreted in 7:18-28. Daniel’s vision takes a turn in verses 9-14, where he sees one called the Ancient of Days (God the Father) sitting in judgment. The fourth beast, now dominated by the little horn, was judged. The first three kingdoms simply failed
(Daniel 11-12). This agrees with history. Babylon, Medo-Persia, and Greece were taken over by succeeding powers, but the fourth has remained in some form to our time. Note that “one like the Son of Man” came to the Ancient of Days. To the Son was given everlasting dominion (authority and rule) that included all peoples, nations, and languages. His dominion and kingdom will be everlasting. This kingdom of the Son comes on the scene after the destruction of the fourth Gentile kingdom and its ruler, the little horn. When the Son of Man comes to rule the times of the Gentiles are stopped. The interpretation follows in Daniel 7:15-28. It highlights the destruction of the fourth beast kingdom and the little horn king at the very time the little horn king was viciously warring against believers (Daniel 7:21-26). Following the judgment on him, the kingdom of the Son of Man will begin. It will be an everlasting kingdom (Daniel 7:27-28). Gentile dominion of Israel has ended.
Chapter 8, The ram and the goat. Daniel received this vision in 551 BC. It unfolds the coming second and third beast kingdoms of the previous visions. The vision is in verses 1-14, and Gabriel interprets the vision in verses 15-26, while verses 26-27 show Daniel’s astonishment at what he learned. The ram with two horns (3-4) is Medo-Persia (20). The goat with the horn (5) is Alexander the Great’s Greece (21). These two consecutive Gentile kingdoms or empires that follow the first (Babylon) will also dominate Israel—more times of the Gentiles. Note the accuracy of the prophecy. When Alexander died in 323 BC, his kingdom was divided among his four leading generals (21-22). Out of these four parts of Greece, Syria arose. Antiochus Epiphanes IV was the Syrian king who desecrated the Jerusalem temple between 168-165 BC. He is the prototype of the coming ruler whom Messiah, the Son of Man, will defeat (Daniel 8:23-25).

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Chapter 9, National confession and the seventy weeks. Daniel, in 538 BC, was reading Jeremiah’s prophecy (Daniel 9:1-2). He came to the section that told about Israel’s 70 year captivity in Babylon (Jeremiah 25:11-12 and 29:10). Because of what he read he began to pray a prayer of confession (Daniel 9:3-15) and intercession for national deliverance
(Daniel 9:16-19). The angel Gabriel came to Daniel with God’s message in response to Daniel’s prayer. God had determined to take, in the future, 70 weeks of years (490 sabbatical years of 360 days each) to conclude his judgment on Israel (9:24-27). This time clock will begin with Artaxerxes’ decree in 444 BC that gave Nehemiah the authority to return to Jerusalem and restore the city, gates, and walls (Nehemiah 2:1-8). This decree was dated March 5, 444 BC. There were two other decrees: by Cyrus in 537 BC to rebuild the temple (Ezra 1:2-4 and 6:3-5); and by Artaxerxes in 458 BC to provide money and supplies for the temple (Ezra 7:11-26). Neither meets the requirements of Gabriel’s message to Daniel. The first seven weeks, 49 years, refer to the troubles of Nehemiah’s time. After the conclusion of the sixty-two weeks “Messiah the prince” will come, followed by “Messiah will be cut off” which means he will die, and following that “the people of the prince who is to come” (Rome) will destroy Jerusalem and the temple (9:26). Between the sixty-ninth and seventieth week we have at least a 40 year gap; this gap has now extended past AD 70 into the twentieth-first century. Verse 27 concludes the prophecy about the seventieth week. “The prince who is to come” (the little horn, anti-Christ, dictator) will make and then break a covenant with Israel. This final seven years is the tribulation period of Matthew 24. Daniel now knows the future course of the times of the Gentiles.
Chapter 10, Angelic conflict. In 536 BC Daniel received revelation from God after praying for three weeks. An angel delivered the message (Daniel 10:1-9). The message was about “what will happen to your people in the latter days” (Daniel 10:14 and 21) and is found in Daniel 11. This angel had duty in Persia. He had wanted to visit Daniel at the beginning of Daniel’s prayer, but a demon stationed in Persia prevented him from coming to Daniel. The angel apparently served many kings of Persia over a long period of time (Daniel 10:13, 20-21). We learn from this chapter that there is a great unseen spiritual battle raging in the capital of Persia and likely in capitals throughout the world. Demons attempt to control governments, while angels attempt to serve God in those capitals. The demonic power is enormous, since Michael had to come to the angel’s aid.
Chapter 11, Future rulers and wars. This chapter is a continuation of chapter 10. In 538 BC the angel helped Darius (or possibly Michael). The angelic interventions in centers of power may partly explain Daniel’s good ministry with Darius (Daniel 6).The angel gave the message that astounded Daniel. Verses 1-35 predict the successive empires from the time of Darius through Antiochus Epiphanes IV (538-164 BC). Verses 36-45 move to the final dictator of the last Gentile empire which is revived Rome during the seventieth week of Daniel 9. Antiochus Epiphanes IV is the prototype for this dictator-antichrist. The three Persian kings (Daniel 11:2-3) are Cambyses, Pseudo-Smerdis, and Darius I Hystaspes. They ruled from 530 BC until 486 BC. Xerxes, of Esther’s time, is the fourth (ruled 486-465 BC). Alexander rapidly rose to power (ruled 336-323 BC) and just as quickly fell (Daniel 11:3-4). He is the male goat of Daniel 8:5-8 and 22. Alexander’s kingdom divided at his death into four parts (Daniel 8:5, 8, 21-22 and 11:4). Ptolemy I Soter (Ptolemies) took Egypt; Antipater and then Cassander took Macedonia and Greece; Lysimachus took Thrace and Asia Minor; and Seleucis I Nicator (Seleucids) took Babylon and Syria. Daniel 11:5-20 emphasize the activities of the Ptolomies (Egypt, south) and Seleucids (Syria, north). Out of Syria “a despicable person will arise.” This is Antiochus Epiphanes IV—Epiphanes means the illustrious one, but he was nicknamed Epimanes which means madman—who ruled 175-164 BC (Daniel 11:21-35). Daniel 11:36-45 gives details about the end time “prince” predicted in Daniel 9:27. He is “the king” of 11:36, and the little horn of Daniel 7:8, the last king of the fourth beast empire of the times of the Gentiles. Paul called him the “lawless man” in
2 Thessalonians 2:3-4. Jesus predicted these events in Matthew 24:4-28. Antiochus Epiphanes IV, the little horn of Daniel 8:9-12, 23-25, foreshadowed this future ruler-dictator of the Revived Roman Empire in Daniel 11:21-35. God will defeat him at the end of the Tribulation (11:45).
Chapter 12, Resurrection, three and one-half times, and the end. This chapter continues on from chapter 11. “That time” is the time that the “king” of Daniel 11:36-45 does his evil work during Daniel’s seventieth week—the Tribulation. He will come to his end by the victory of Messiah. Tribulation martyrs and Old Testament believers will be resurrected and rewarded (Daniel 12:2-3). The unbelievers will also be raised to judgment, but apparently this will not occur until after the 1000 year kingdom (Revelation 20). When will the final defeat of the “king” and the “everlasting dominion…and “kingdom” of the “Son of Man” (Daniel 7:13-14 and 12:6) happen? Daniel did not know all the details (Daniel 12:4, 8-9), but the last part of this “time of distress” (Daniel 12:1) will last three and one-half times or three and one-half years (Daniel 12:7). This will be a time of severe testing and purging. Unbelievers will not understand God’s ways, but those who pay attention to the prophecy will understand what is happening (Daniel 12:10). The messenger angel concludes his warning by giving a timeline. There will be 1290 days from the public installation of the “abomination of desolation.” This is 30 days longer than the 1260 days of Daniel 9:27 and Revelation 11:3 and 12:6. The 30 days is probably for judgment by Messiah on those raging against him. Then another date is given—1335 days (75 days longer than 1260 days) from the time the abomination appears. This is probably the time needed to install King Jesus and for him to begin his kingdom. Those surviving the Tribulation will enter the kingdom in their physical bodies. Tribulation martyrs and Old Testament believers will enter the kingdom in their resurrection bodies. It is significant that the angel messenger concludes his message by telling Daniel to live out his life and that Daniel will arise by resurrection at the end of the age, which in context is the end of the Tribulation or seventieth week.

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Key People

Ancient of Days is God the Father (Daniel 7:9 and 13).
Ashpenaz, (1:3, 8) chief of the king Nebuchadnezzar’s officials.
Belshazzar (5:1) son of King Nabonidus and coregent with him, grandson of Nebuchadnezzar.
Daniel—Belteshazzar, Hananiah—Shadrach, Mishael—Meshach, Azaria—Abednego (1:7), The names were changed to help assimilate the captives into the Babylonian culture. These were noble Jewish young men whom Nebuchadnezzar took to Babylon as hostages. Nebuchadnezzar attempted to remold them in the Babylonian image. He failed. The remained faith to God. Daniel became very valuable and trusted by the rulers, and was an outstanding testimony for Israel’s God.
Darius (5:31), was most likely Gubaru, also named Gobyras (Archer, “Daniel,” pp. 76–77; Whitcomb, Darius the . . ., p. 35; Robert Dick Wilson, Studies in the Book of Daniel, pp. 128–29). Wiseman prefers Cyrus (D. J. Wiseman, “Some Historical Problems in the Book of Daniel,” in Notes on Some Problems in the Book of Daniel, pp. 12–14.). Cyrus appointed Darius governor of Babylon.
Gabriel (Daniel 8:16 and 9:21), the heavenly messenger (angel) whom God sent to explain to Daniel the meaning of his visions. He also told Zacharias, the father of John the Baptist, of John’s coming birth (Luke 1:11-20) and announced to Mary that she would be the mother of Jesus (Luke 1:26-38).
Michael (10:13 and 21), the archangel and guardian of Israel. He is also called the prince of Israel (10:21) and the great prince (12:1). He is also mentioned in Jude 9 and Revelation 12:7.
Nebuchadnezzar (1:1) second and greatest king of Babylon.
Son of Man is God the Son, Jesus Christ (Daniel 7:13).

Key Words and Events

Dream. God reveals something to a person while sleeping. Nebuchadnezzar had two dreams (chapter 2, his vision of the 90 foot high image and chapter 4, his 7 years of insanity).
Gold head refers to Nebuchadnezzar and his empire; Silver refers to the Medo-Persian empire; Bronze refers to the Greek empire; Iron refers to the Roman empire of our Lord’s time; Iron and clay refer to the Revived Roman empire which will reform as a dominant power in the last days, and which Jesus Christ will destroy when he returns to earth.
Latter days (Daniel 2:28 and 10:14), time of the end (Daniel 8:17), end of time (Daniel 12:4), end time (Daniel 11:40, 12:9), and end of the age (Daniel 12:13) refer to the tribulation time that comes before Messiah returns to earth to set up his promised kingdom. This end time is different from the last days of the church age.
Mene (number), mene (number), tekel (weigh), upharsin (and divide). Belshazzar’s days as king were numbered because he had been weighed in God’s balances and failed and his kingdom was going to be divided (Daniel 5).
“Satraps were the highest political officials in each province. The prefects (princes) were military chiefs. The governors (captains) were heads of sections of the provinces. The counselors (advisers, judges) were high-ranking judges. The treasurers were superintendents of the treasury. The judges (counselors) were secondary judges, and the magistrates (sheriffs) were lower level legal officials. The rulers (officials) were subordinates of the satraps. These groups represented all the administrative government officials of the wide-ranging empire, and they spoke many different languages (v. 7).” (Tom Constable’s Expository Notes on the Bible (Daniel 3:3). Galaxie Software)
Stone (2:34-35 and 45) refers to the Messianic kingdom headed by Jesus the Messiah.
“Times of the Gentiles” is not named in Daniel’s book, but it is a central part of Daniel’s theme. Jesus refers to it in Luke 21:24. This is the period of time during which the Israeli people and Israel’s promised land are controlled by Gentile powers. During the times of the Gentiles Israel has no rightful king of David’s line ruling. It began in 605 BC with the rule of Nebuchadnezzar and will end when Messiah comes to earth at his second coming and rules the promised Messianic Kingdom as king over all the earth (Zechariah 14:9).
Week (one) is 7 years of 360 day years, and 7 weeks equals 490 years (Daniel 9:24-27). Time, times, and half a time equal three and one/half years (Daniel 7:25 and 12:7; Revelation 12:14). A time is one year of 360 days. Times equal two years. Half a time is 6 months or one-half a year. The book of Revelation also has similar time notations. Revelation 11:3 and 12:6 mention 1260 days which equal three and one-half years. Revelation 11:2 and 13:5 mention 42 months which equal three and one-half years.

Key Doctrines

Angels, demons, and governments.
Character counts.
Daniel’s seventieth week.
Faithfulness to God and to his will.
God is the ultimate sovereign over kings, nations, and people.
God’s faithfulness to his people.
Messiah King
Resurrection of Old Testament believers.
Testing that believers go through.
Theocratic program and dispensations.
Times of the Gentiles.
Tribulation, second coming, and millennial kingdom.

Lessons for Us Today

During the times of the Gentiles, Gentile nations and rulers dominate Israel. We presently live in the times of the Gentiles.
God has history under his control and history is moving toward God’s goal. Be encouraged by God’s plan for history and by God’s promises. He is stronger, smarter, and possesses higher authority than any earthly ruler.
Be encouraged because God has infinite ability to deliver his people from testing if and when he chooses. God has not lost or forgotten about his people in any period of history, though he often allows severe testing of his people. Our part is to remain believing and faithful to God.
Our ability to resist temptation is related to our love for God and our faith in God and his word (Daniel 3:17-18; James 1:12; 1 Corinthians 10:13; James 1:3-4).
Just as Nebuchadnezzar had to admit that God was ruler of earth and heaven, so all people and rulers will bow before God’s king Jesus Christ (Philippians 2:9-11).
Personal biblical character in a pagan society witnesses to the reality of God and his will. But this character will be tested (Daniel 1 and 3 are good examples).
Daniel does not emphasize any campaign to change Babylon. He and his Jewish friends learned and applied God’s word, remained faithful to God, and trusted God throughout their lives of service in a pagan government. We should do the same. Regarding bringing biblical standards into American government, we need to remember that the USA began with a strong biblical basis. We ought to resist departure from that.
Angels and demons work in the capitals of the world, and apparently especially concerning Israel. Angels work to restrain evil and to further God’s plan. Demons work to oppose God’s plan.

Daniel 12:13

“But as for you, go your way to the end; then you will enter into rest and rise again for your allotted portion at the end of the age.”