Dr. Kenneth G. Hanna, BE104HO Old Testament Prophets, 3 hours 6000 Dale Carnegie Lane (713) 917-3900 Fall 2014 Dallas Theological Seminary, Houston, Texas. Tuesday, 1:15-4:00 p.m. E-mail- [email protected] Aug 26 through Dec 9, except Nov 18, 25

OLD TESTAMENT PROPHETS: SYLLABUS

I. COURSE DESCRIPTION An exposition of the pre-exilic, exilic and post-exilic writing prophets (Isaiah through Malachi), excluding Jonah, but including Lamentations. Prerequisite or co-requisite: BE 103 Old Testament History II and Poetry. 3 hours

II. COURSE OBJECTIVES As a result of personal research, class lectures, examinations, discussion and group interaction the student should expect to achieve the following results:

A. Cognitive 1. Know the central message of each book and how the author develops that message. 2. Be able to identify the distinctive features and significant issues or problems associated with each prophetic book. 3. Be familiar with the predictive element in the prophets, including their contribution to the New Testament and to our knowledge of that which is yet future (eschatology). 4. Grasp the significance of the prophet as a preacher and reformer in his own day. 5. Understand how the prophet both reflected his social and historical context and how he impacted immediate and subsequent history.

B. Affective 1. Become more proficient in applying Bible study methods and principles of interpretation to the text of the Old Testament. 2. Increase proficiency in the preparation of expository messages drawn from these books. 3. Cultivate an interest in and an excitement toward the further study of these books for both academic and personal purposes. 4. Personally experience the empowering and life shaping force of these Old Testament books. 5. Be better able to understand and confront your contemporary culture from a biblical perspective. 6. Be motivated to function as an authentic servant of God to the present generation, sensing the high calling of a servant of God and the potential impact of a ministry on today’s world.

III. COURSE TEXTBOOKS

A. Required Hanna, Kenneth G. From Moses to Malachi: Exploring the Old Testament. Bloomington, IN: Crossbooks Publishing, 2012; Second edition, 2014. Gary V. Smith. The Prophets as Preachers. Nashville, TN: Broadman and Holman, 1994.

B. Suggested Archer, Gleason L. A Survey of Old Testament Introduction. Rev. ed. Chicago: Moody Press, 2007. Hill, Andrew E., and John H. Walton. A Survey of the Old Testament. 3rd ed. Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 2009. Walvoord, John F. and Roy B. Zuck, Eds. The Bible Knowledge Commentary: Old Testament. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985; reprint, Colorado Springs: David C. Cook, 1996. Wood, Leon J. The Prophets of Israel. Reprint. Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 2001.

BE104HO; Old Testament Prophets 2 Fall, 2014

IV. COURSE REQUIREMENTS

A. Reading Assignments (30 % of the final grade) All reading assignments are to be completed as scheduled and recorded on the attached reading report. This report is to be turned in on Tuesday December 9. Reading of the biblical text itself will account for 15 % of the final grade. The reading of the appropriate sections of the required textbooks will account for the additional 15 %. Failure to read at least 80 % of the biblical text will result in a grade reduction of one letter grade.

1. Biblical Text. The purpose of this assignment is to provide the student with a first hand knowledge of the content of these Old Testament Prophetic books. This should be the most significant learning opportunity this course affords. Each of the books of Isaiah through Malachi is to be read as scheduled during the current semester. Reading should be done in any of the following translations, NIV, NASB, ESV, NKJV or KJV. Students whose first language is other than English may read the Bible books in their first language. Students should devote blocks of time to focused, thoughtful Bible reading. Shorter books should be read at one sitting. All reading must be completed prior to the class in which that book is studied.

2. The Prophets as Preachers by Gary V. Smith. The section on each prophet is to be read prior to the class in which that prophet is to be studied. The entire book must be read by December 9.

3. From Moses to Malachi by the instructor. The purpose of this assignment is to familiarize the student with the introductory issues and prepare for the study of the central message of each book. The section relating to each prophet must be read prior to the study of that book in class.

B. Written Assignments. (50 % of the final grade)

All students must complete two written assignments. All students must complete assignment # 1 to fulfill the competency standard for geographical knowledge. The second written assignment may be either a research/analysis paper chosen from the list of topics (assignment #2) or a ministry project (assignment #3).

A STATEMENT REGARDING GEOGRAPHICAL KNOWLEDGE FOR INCLUSION IN ALL BE104 SYLLABI

One of the competencies that the Bible Exposition Department wants you to master is the ability to identify certain geographical sites in the ancient Near East and to explain why each one is significant for Bible study. These sites include the regions, countries, cities, towns, bodies of water, and significant routes specified below. This is the basic minimum requirement. However, a given professor in the Bible Exposition Department may ask you to include additional data. He will also specify the form you should use when you produce this assignment: create an original map, fill in an existing map, prepare the material on Power Point or transparencies, etc.

Minimal geographical knowledge: (1) regions (Fertile Crescent, Shephelah, Cis-Jordan, Trans-Jordan, Mesopotamia, Jezreel Valley, Carmel Range, Rift Valley, Coastal Plain, Anatolia, Arabah, Negev, Central Mountain Range), (2) countries (Israel [incl. Divided Kingdom], Ammon, Edom, Moab, Assyria, Babylon, Aram [Syria], Persia, Egypt, Philistia), (3) cities/towns (Babylon, Nineveh, , , Megiddo, , , Dan, Jericho, Ur [traditional], Philistine pentapolis, Damascus, Tyre and Sidon, Susa), (4) bodies of water (Mediterranean Sea, Jordan River, Dead Sea, Tigris River, Euphrates River, Nile River, Wadi El-Arish, Red Sea, Sea of Galilee), and (5) significant routes (Great Trunk Road [a.k.a. , Way of the Sea, International Coastal Highway], The Kings’ Highway, The Ridge Route [a.k.a. The Way of the Patriarchs]).

BE104HO; Old Testament Prophets 3 Fall, 2014

1. Geographical/Exposition Study: (30 % of the final grade). Due November 11. Present a series of 3-5 maps (which may be photocopied, scanned, or downloaded) and develop accompanying explanations to assist in the study of the Old Testament Prophets. However the maps are produced they should include the geographical features listed in (1) through (5). For example, one map might include both the topography/regions listed in (1) and the bodies of water (4). One map might include the countries relating to Israel and Judah as listed in (2), the main cities/towns listed in (3), or routes of ancient Canaan (5). One map might include strategic events addressed by the prophets. Maps do not have to be original but each map taken from a source should be properly footnoted. Representative maps are available on the course website.

A page describing the information that is being presented on that map and describing how knowledge of such information helps one in understanding the Scriptures should accompany each map. Specific examples from the prophets should be included to show how this information can help one understand information in the prophets. The following web site may be of help in finding maps to complete this assignment: http://www.bible.org/page.php?page_id=2055 Excellent maps are also available on Logos and in the ESV Study Bible online for those who have purchased a copy of the ESV.

Students are encouraged to purchase one atlas from the following selective bibliography.

Beitzel, Barry J. The New Moody Atlas of the Bible. Chicago: Moody Press, 2009

Beitzel, Barry J. Consultant. Biblica: the Bible Atlas. Hauppauge, NY: Barron’s, 2008.

Brisco, Thomas V. Holman Bible Atlas. Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman, 1998.

Curtis, Adrian. Oxford Bible Atlas. New York: Oxford University Press, 2007.

Dowley, Tim. The Kregel Bible Atlas. Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Publications, 2003.

Pfeiffer, Charles F. Baker’s Bible Atlas. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, 2005.

Pritchard, James and Nick Page, Eds. HarperCollins Atlas of Bible History. New York: HarperCollins Publishers, 2008.

Choose one of the following two options for the second written assignment (20 % of grade)

2. Biblical research, analysis, interpretation and application To provide an opportunity to develop skill in interpreting and applying Scripture, students may complete one paper from the following list of topics. This paper must be submitted in hard copy and be seven to ten pages in length. It must be typed, double-spaced and include both footnotes and a bibliography. First, conduct a thorough analysis of the Scripture passages and formulate your personal conclusions. Once this is done the use of commentaries and other reference materials is essential. Students should consult at least five sources in the preparation of this assignment. Quotations and sources must be documented. Papers will be due at class time as scheduled. Late papers will be reduced by one percentage point for each day it is late.

All assignments are due on the date specified

1. Peter invokes the prophecy of Joel to explain the advent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost in Acts 2. Identify the differing interpretations of how Pentecost does or does not fulfill Joel’s prophecy. State, explain and defend your own view. How does Pentecost relate to the remainder of Joel’s prophecy and to that which is yet future? Due September 2. 2. Examine and explain the literary structure of the book of Amos. Show how that structure reinforces and enhances the message of the prophet. Briefly explain how his use of literary devices might aid in your preaching or teaching the book. Due September 2.

BE104HO; Old Testament Prophets 4 Fall, 2014

3. Cast yourself in the role of the prophet Hosea upon learning that the credentials committee of the Prophetic Guild has recommended that you be censured and removed from your prophetic office because of your marriage to Gomer. Write a letter defending your marriage to Gomer and explaining your response and reaction to her infidelity. Incorporate elements of the prophecy of Hosea in your letter to the Prophetic Guild. Due September 9. 4. Study Isaiah 7:14 in its context and as it is quoted in Matthew 1:23. Is Isaiah 7:14 a direct Messianic prophecy in its historical context? Support your conclusion from the context of Isaiah 7:14 and explain how Matthew’s quotation influences or affects your interpretation. What was the meaning and significance of the “sign” to Ahaz and his contemporaries? Due September 16. 5. Who is the king of Babylon in Isaiah 14? Explain if or how it relates to our understanding of the nature and fall of Satan. Due September 16. 6. Draw a word portrait of the person and work of the Messiah as presented by Isaiah. As you read the book of Isaiah, note the direct references to the Messiah. What do those passages say about the kind of person the Messiah would be and the type of ministry He would have? Commentaries and Messianic studies may be used, but only after your personal research. Due September 16. 7. Apply Micah’s prophecy against evil and unbelief in His culture to the conditions of contemporary American culture. Show how the Messianic hope in Micah relates to the issues of faith and social justice in his day and in ours. Due September 30. 8. Conduct an historical study of the city of Nineveh. Explain how the prophecy of Nahum relates to that of Jonah. How did the actual fall of Nineveh correspond with the details given in Nahum? Due September 30. 9. How does Habakkuk address the issue of the sins of nations and the apparent silence of God? How does his answer apply to recent and current conflicts in the world? What lessons and/or warnings does it have for nations today? What relevance does it have for believers facing personal crises? Due October 7. 10. Do a synthetic study of the book of Zephaniah. This is to be a personal study using only the Bible initially and employing the following procedure. Once you have thoroughly studied the book in this manner you may use commentaries. These may then be incorporated in your written report, but are to be acknowledged with footnotes and a bibliography. The paper should be 5 to 7 pages in length and include a synthetic chart (a template will be provided). Due October 7. a. Read the book several times for familiarity and to gain an overview. b. Locate organizational keys and group paragraphs within this framework. c. Formulate a statement of the central idea (theme) of the book. d. Identify a verse or phrase that best expresses that theme (key verse). e. Formulate an outline that shows that development of thought. f. List distinctive features, key words and significant issues or problems. g. Prepare a synthetic chart displaying these major elements.

11. Write a brief biography of the man, Jeremiah based on personal references found in the book of Jeremiah. Include a description of his temperament and character. Due October 14. 12. Explain the New Covenant of Jeremiah 31 and its fulfillment. What are its provisions and its relationship to the New Covenant in the New Testament? Due October 14. 13. Write a newspaper report describing the conditions in the city of Jerusalem during the Babylonian siege as found in the book of Lamentations. Due October 21. 14. Compare and contrast Ezekiel’s visions of the glory of God. How do they explain the historic fall and future restoration of the nation Israel? Due October 28. 15. How did Ezekiel present his messages and how did his methodology relate to his times and the historical conditions? What lessons might we learn for communicating difficult or unwelcome truth in the contemporary world? Due October 28. 16. Compare the two visions of Daniel found in chapters 2 and 7. How do they compliment each other in their disclosure of the future of the nations? Include a comparative chart showing their major content and relationship. Due November 4. 17. Explain how Daniel’s prophecy in 9:24-27 provides a framework for understanding the history and future of the nation Israel. Include a brief treatment of how Christ used it in His day (Matthew 24). Due November 4. BE104HO; Old Testament Prophets 5 Fall, 2014

18. Drawing on the experiences of Daniel and his three friends, how should the believer relate to and maintain his faith in a hostile environment? When and how do we accommodate our culture and when and how do we confront it? Due November 4. 19. Describe the Second Coming of Jesus Christ as prophesied by Zechariah. Identify the major events involved and explain how the nations will be involved and how Israel will be affected. Give particular attention to chapters 9-14. Due December 2. 20. Note how Haggai motivated the remnant to rebuild the temple at Jerusalem. How would you use his message and methodology to encourage a church or organization to move forward on a long delayed or difficult task? Due December 2 21. Explain God’s statement in Malachi, “I have loved ; but I have hated Esau.” Does it relate to the present conflict between Arabs and Jews? If so, how does it relate? Due December 9.

3. Ministry project. This project is due on Tuesday December 2. This assignment provides the student with an opportunity to apply both interpretive and ministry skills to the Old Testament prophetic books. It is strongly recommended that the project be directly related to current ministry or at least designed for actual future use. Choose one of the following two options. 1. Preaching ministry project. Prepare a series of four messages on one of the prophets or on a single theme drawn from more than one prophet. These sermons should combine both interpretation and application. The aim should be to inform the hearers as to the original meaning of the prophet’s message and the relevance of that message to his day and ours. The written report should be approximately 3 pages for each sermon and include the following, a. A title to be used in a church bulletin of newspaper ad, b. The text or central passage from which the message is drawn (for public reading), c. A clear thesis statement that captures the essence of the message in one sentence, d. A paragraph containing the introduction, e. The outline of the message (emphasize main points, limit sub points), f. One written illustration (a paragraph in length), and g. A written conclusion containing the application or summary appeal.

2. Curricular project. Prepare a twelve unit lesson plan to teach one of the following series, (a) expounding one of the four major prophets, (b) surveying all twelve of the minor prophets in one lesson each or, (c) presenting a more detailed treatment of two or three contemporary prophets (such as Hosea and Amos). Students who currently have a teaching ministry may find this project to be most useful. The curricular project must contain two elements, one, a mini-syllabus consisting of a two-page introduction identifying the intended class, the course objectives, central theme and textbook, assignments and resources to be used (if any) and two, a series of twelve individual lesson plans. A lesson plan must be prepared for each of the twelve lessons. Each lesson plan should be one page in length. It must contain (a) the title of the lesson, (b) the biblical text or book to be studied, (c) the central idea of the lesson, and (d) the lesson plan, that is, a brief outline of the lesson.

D. Exam (20 % of the final grade) The final examination will be given online December 15-18. The purpose of this departmental examination is to evaluate your comprehension of this portion of Scripture. Emphasis will be placed on important introductory matters such as the historical context, central message and structural characteristics of each of the Old Testament prophets. It will be objective in nature involving identification and multiple-choice questions. A departmental study guide is attached. BE104HO; Old Testament Prophets 6 Fall, 2014

V. COURSE POLICIES A. Letter/Numerical Grade Scale

A+ 99-100 B+ 91-93 C+ 83-85 D+ 75-77 F 0-69

A 96-98 B 88-90 C 80-82 D 72-74

A- 94-95 B- 86-87 C- 78-79 D- 70-71

B. Weighing of Course Requirements for Grading 30 % of final grade = Reading of required Bible books and textbooks. 30 % of final grade = Assignment # 1= Geography assignment 20 % of final grade = Assignment # 2, Research paper or # 3, Ministry project 20 % of final grade = Final examination C. Class Participation Class participation will not directly affect the student’s grade in this course, but it will significantly affect the student’s learning. Questions and other forms of discussion are encouraged. D. Late Assignments Late papers will be accepted with a penalty of 1 percentage point for each day it is late. The Credits Committee may grant extensions (without grade penalty) for exceptional situations (please see the Student Handbook or consult the Registrar's Office for details). E. Absences Students are expected to attend every class. However, family, medical and employment factors may necessitate missing a portion of a class. In that event students are responsible for the material covered in class and for any assignments due at that class time. Students must secure the approval of the professor in advance for any variation in the attendance policy. Students may be absent for up to two classes without excuse or penalty. Absence from more than two classes may result in a reduction of the final grade. VI. COURSE SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION Disability policy. DTS does not discriminate on the basis of disability in the operation of any of its programs and activities. To avoid discrimination the student is responsible for informing the Coordinator of Services for Students with Disabilities and the course instructor of any disabling condition that will require modifications. Integrity policy. It is expected that all students will submit accurate reports regarding their work and that all written assignments will be original to the student. Work that has been done for other classes may not be used to earn credit in this class unless it undergoes such substantial revision that it becomes essentially a new product. Quotations and credits are to be acknowledged with appropriate footnotes. Sources used are to be identified in a bibliography. Plagiarism, the adoption or use of the work of another author as one’s own composition is a serious matter. A student found to be submitting material, in whole or in part, which is not their original work or appropriately documented will receive an automatic grade of F. BE104HO; Old Testament Prophets 7 Fall, 2014

VII. COURSE LECTURES AND ASSIGNMENT SCHEDULE Students are to read the Bible book to be covered and the appropriate chapters in both of the required textbooks, The Prophets as Preachers and From Moses to Malachi, prior to the class in which that book is being studied. Reading is to be recorded on the attached reading schedule and submitted at the final class on Tuesday December 9. Date Prophets to be studied Written assignments August 26 Introduction to the OT Prophets, Obadiah, Read Obadiah, textbooks

September 2 Joel and Amos Exposition papers 1 and 2 are due

September 9 Hosea, Introduction to Isaiah Exposition paper 3 is due

September 16 Isaiah Exposition papers 4, 5 and 6 are due

September 23 Isaiah

September 30 Micah and Nahum Exposition papers 7 and 8 are due

October 7 Zephaniah and Habakkuk Exposition papers 9 and 10 are due

October 14 Jeremiah Exposition papers 11 and 12 are due

October 21 Jeremiah, Lamentations Exposition paper 13 is due

October 28 Ezekiel Exposition papers 14 and 15 are due

November 4 Daniel Exposition papers 16, 17 and 18 are due

November 11 Daniel Geography Assignment is due

November 18 Reading week, class does not meet

November 25 Thanksgiving break, class does not meet

December 2 Haggai and Zechariah Exposition papers 19 and 20 are due Ministry project is due.

December 9 Malachi Exposition paper 21 is due Reading report is due

December 15-18 Final exam to be taken online

BE104HO; Old Testament Prophets 8 Fall, 2014

BE104 OT PROPHETS Final Exam Study Guide

1. PEOPLE

Isaiah, Shear-Jashub, Immanuel, Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz, Hezekiah, Sennacherib, Jeremiah, Baruch, Hananiah, Shemaiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, Nebuchadnezzar, Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego, Belshazzar, Darius, Hosea, Gomer, Jezreel, Lo-Ruhamah, Lo- Ammi, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Joshua the High Priest, Zerubbabel, Zechariah, Malachi, Elijah, last four Kings of Judah, Josiah, Ahaz, Uzziah, Antiochus, Alexander the Great, the Little Horn, King of Tyre

2. PLACES/NATIONS

Assyria/Nineveh, Babylon, Persia, Edom, Thebes, Tyre, Israel, Judah, Samaria, Greece, Medo-Persia, Rome

3. EVENTS/IDEAS

Day of the Lord, Righteous Branch, worthless vineyard, Isaiah’s commission, Servant Songs, prediction concerning Cyrus, Jeremiah’s call, Potter, Pot, 70 years of captivity prediction and fulfillment, New Covenant, Ezekiel’s call, valley of dry bones, battle of Gog and Magog, Daniel’s dreams, Nebuchadnezzar’s dreams, fiery furnace, lion’s den, Hosea’s marriage, locust plague, visions of Amos, night visions of Zechariah, two shepherds, Ezekiel’s temple and worship, writing on the wall, the prophetic role, the messianic kingdom, application to ministry, prophetic genre, apocalyptic

4. DATES

Date of each prophet’s ministry, deportations and returns, decrees permitting return from captivity

5. MESSIANIC PROPHECIES

Isaiah 7:14; 9:6-7; 11:1; 40:3-5; 42; 49; 52:13-53:12; 61:1-2 Jeremiah 31:15, 31-34; Hosea 11:1; Micah 5:2; Zechariah 6; 9:9; 11:12; 14 Daniel 9:24-27; Malachi 3:1-2

6. Historical backgrounds, arguments, structure, distinctives, and major theological contributions of each book covered

Adapted by the B.E. department November 12, 2003

BE104HO; Old Testament Prophets 9 Fall, 2014

Reading Report for BE 104HO Name ______

Please record your reading weekly as it is completed and turn this report in on Tuesday, December 9.

Bible Book The Prophets as Preachers From Moses to Malachi

Introduction ______

Obadiah ______

Joel ______

Amos ______

Hosea ______

Isaiah ______

Micah ______

Nahum ______

Zephaniah ______

Habakkuk ______

Jeremiah ______

Lamentations ______

Ezekiel ______

Daniel ______

Haggai ______

Zechariah ______

Malachi ______