Why did the kingdom divide in two after King Solomon’s death?
- Taxation
- Labor
- Tension
- Immorality of Rehoboam
The division led to the need for prophets as kings turned to idolatry and injustice.
What significant events happened to the Northern and Southern Kingdoms until the time of Jesus?
- Assyria conquered the Northern Kingdom
- Babylon conquered the Southern Kingdom
- Jews were allowed to return and rebuilt the Temple
These events occurred within 700-500 BC.
Define prophet.
A prophet is someone called by God to speak God’s message to the people.
Prophecy is not predicting the future but proclaiming God’s will and truth for the present.
What do prophets generally do?
- Call people to repentance
- Encourage faithfulness
- Promote justice
- Confront kings, priests, and people
- Warn against idolatry and false worship
They were needed to guide the people back to God.
Did the prophets advise that God would take the people back if they repented?
Yes
Prophets consistently taught that God would forgive and restore the people if they repented.
Was it easy to be a prophet?
No
Prophets were often rejected and killed for their beliefs.
What was the Babylonian Exile?
Judah was conquered and many Jews were deported to Babylon.
Prophetic messages changed from emphasizing hope and restoration before the exile to focusing on the same themes after.
Who are the four major prophets?
- Isaiah
- Jeremiah
- Ezekiel
- Daniel
These prophets are distinguished by the length of their books.
What is the three-fold message of the prophets?
- Warning of consequences for sin
- Call to repentance
- Promise of hope and restoration
This structure is central to their teachings.
Who are Elijah and Elisha?
- Prophets in the Northern Kingdom
- Performed miracles
- Opposed idolatry
Elijah specifically challenged the worship of Baal.
How is the Book of Isaiah divided?
- Judgement and warning
- Comfort and hope
- Restoration and future hope
It addresses various themes throughout its chapters.
What are the two central points of Isaiah’s message?
- God is holy and faithful
- God promises a Messiah and salvation
These points are fundamental to understanding Isaiah’s prophecies.
What did Isaiah call the Messiah?
Emmanuel
Emmanuel means ‘God is with us’.
Define oracles, visions, and symbolic acts.
- Oracles: Messages from God delivered by prophets
- Visions: Supernatural experiences revealing God’s plan
- Symbolic acts: Physical actions symbolizing a message from God
Prophets used these to capture attention and illustrate God’s message.
Who performed the symbolic act with the loincloth?
Jeremiah
This act was meant to convey a specific message from God.
Who walked around naked for three years?
Isaiah
This was a dramatic symbolic act to illustrate a message.
Who warned against bad shepherds?
Ezekiel
He addressed the failures of leaders in Israel.
Who prophesied the dry bones vision?
Ezekiel
This vision symbolized the restoration of Israel.
Who prophesied Emmanuel?
Isaiah
This prophecy foretold the coming of the Messiah.
Who is known for the suffering servant prophecy?
Isaiah
This concept is central to understanding the role of the Messiah.
Who spoke of the New Covenant written on the people’s hearts?
Jeremiah
This prophecy indicated a new relationship between God and His people.
How was Jeremiah treated?
- Faced persecution
- Rejection
- Imprisonment
His messages were often unpopular, leading to severe consequences.
How were Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel called?
- Isaiah: Called in a vision
- Jeremiah: Called before birth
- Ezekiel: Called in a dramatic vision of God’s glory
Each had a unique calling experience.
Describe the Book of Daniel.
Apocalyptic literature combining historical stories with visions of God’s ultimate victory.
It shows courage through Daniel and his friends refusing to worship a golden statue.
