Keith Essex
Part VIII: The Introduction to the Former Prophets

Keith Essex's correlating video lecture(s) from The Master's Seminary:

• Lecture 16: Introduction and Themes to the Former Prophets.
• Lecture 17: The Purpose of the Former Prophets.

8. The Introduction to the Former Prophets [BTSB, 340-44; HWSOT, 204-14; WOTA, 163-71; DOTHB, 418-25, 830-7]
   1. The Classifications [DOTHB, 219-30, 392-407]
      1. The Jewish Bible: "Prophets" (see Luke 24:44)
         The Torah

         The Prophets

         The Former Prophets

         The Latter Prophets

         Genesis

         Joshua

         Isaiah

         Exodus

         Judges

         Jeremiah

         Leviticus

         Samuel

         Ezekiel

         Numbers

         Kings

         The Twelve

         Deuteronomy
      2. The LXX / English Bible: "Historical Books" [see W&W, 271-75; ESVSB, 385-87]
         The Pentateuch

         The Historical Books

         Genesis–Deuteronomy

         Joshua–Esther
      3. The Hexateuch Theory
         The Hexateuch

         The Historical Books

         Genesis–Joshua

         Judges–Kings
      4. The Deuteronomistic History
         The Tetrateuch

         The Deuteronomistic History

         Genesis–Numbers

         Deuteronomy–Kings
      5. The Primary History
         The Royal Expectation

         Genesis–Kings
   2. The "Former Prophets" and the "Latter Prophets" –
      • The Former Prophets give a continuous history of Israel in the Land through the eyes of the prophets.
      • The Latter Prophets indict the Law breaking of Israel / Judah, but also predict Yahweh's future restoration of Israel.
      THE TORAH

      1. THE FATHERS: Yahweh's Making of the Noahic and Abrahamic Covenants, the Antecedents to the Covenant Made at Sinai (Gen 1:1–Gen 50:26)
         1. The Primeval History:
            • The Introduction to the Patriarchs and the Sinaitic Covenant [i.e. the Noahic Covenant and the Need for the Abrahamic Covenant] (Gen 1:1–Gen 11:26)
         2. The Patriarchal History:
            • The Abrahamic Covenant as the Means of God's Blessing to the Nations [the Noahic Covenant] and the Foundation to the Sinaitic Covenant (Gen 11:27–Gen 50:26)
      2. THE FIRST GENERATION OF ISRAEL: Yahweh's Making of the Covenant with Israel at Sinai (Exo 1:1–Num 25:18)
         1. The Redemption of the Sons of Israel from Bondage in Egypt: Yahweh's Acquisition of the Seed of Abraham (Exo 1:1–Gen 15:21)
         2. The Revelation to Redeemed Israel at Sinai: Yahweh's Covenant with the Nation of Israel, the Seed of Abraham (Exo 15:22–Num 22:1)
            1. Yahweh's Direction of Israel through the Wilderness to Sinai: Israel's Need for the Covenant Demonstrated (Exo 15:22–Exo 18:27)
            2. The Covenant Made by Yahweh with Israel at Sinai (Exo 19:1–Num 10:10)
               1. Yahweh's Giving of the Covenant at Sinai through Moses (Exo 19:1–Exo 31:18)
               2. The Breaking of the Covenant by Israel [The Making of the Golden Calf] (Exo 32:1–Exo 34:35)
               3. The Renewal of the Covenant by Yahweh; The Construction of the Tabernacle and Yahweh's Presence in the Midst of Israel at Sinai; The Means by which Redeemed Israel would Maintain Their Personal Relationship with Yahweh (Exo 35:1–Lev 16:34)
               4. Israel's Continued Disobedience to Yahweh and the Covenant [The Sacrifices to the Goat Idols] (Lev 17:1-16)
               5. How Redeemed Israel would Reflect Holy Yahweh in Daily Life; The Renewed Obedience of Israel at Sinai (Lev 18:1–Num 10:10)
            3. Yahweh's Direction of Israel through the Wilderness from Sinai: The Disobedience of Israel toward Yahweh in the Wilderness (Num 10:11–Num 22:1)
         3. The Reaffirmation of Yahweh's Blessing toward Israel despite Israel's Continuing Disobedience (Num 22:2–Num 25:18)
      3. THE SECOND GENERATION OF ISRAEL: Israel's Future Disobedience to the Covenant Made at Sinai and Yahweh's Making of Another Covenant with Israel (Num 26:1–Deu 34:12)
         1. The Experience of the Second Generation of Israel on the Plains of Moab: The Renewed Obedience of Israel toward Yahweh (Num 26:1–Num 36:13)
         2. The Final Speeches of Moses to Israel: A Challenge to Covenant Obedience; the Prophecy of the Future Disobedience of Israel and Yahweh's Judgment; the Making of Another Covenant and Israel's Future Blessing (Deu 1:1–Deu 34:12)
   3. Major Themes
      1. God / Yahweh
         1. The Warrior (Josh 5, 10; Judg 2; 1 Sam 7, 17; 2 Sam 5; 2 Kgs 19) [see NIDOTTE, 4:545-49]
         2. The Righteous Judge (Josh 7; Judg 2; 1 Sam 15, 31; 2 Sam 24; 1 Kgs 13; 2 Kgs 17, 25)
         3. The Lord who Blesses for Obedience and Curses for Disobedience (Josh 23; 1 Sam 12; 1 Kgs 2; 2 Kgs 23)
      2. The Monarchy (Josh 2; 2 Kgs 25; Judg 17:6; 18:1; 19:1; 21:25; 1 Sam 8, 10, 12, 16; cf. Deut 17:14-20)
         1. The Model -- Joshua
         2. God's Choice -- David (1 Sam 16-30; 2 Sam 1-13, 15-24; 1 Kgs 1-3, 5-9, 11-15, 22; 2 Kgs 8, 9, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 20, 21, 22)
         3. The Cities of the Kings
            1. Gibeah (Josh 15; 18; 24; Judg 19; 20; 1 Sam 10)
            2. Bethlehem (Josh 19; Judg 12; 17; 19; 1 Sam 16; 17; 20; 2 Sam 2; 23)
            3. Jerusalem (Josh 10; 12; 15; 18; Judg 1; 19; 1 Sam 17; 2 Sam 5; 8; 9-12; 14-17; 19; 20; 24; 1 Kgs 2; 3; 8-12; 14-15; 22; 2 Kgs 8; 9; 12; 14-16; 18; 19; 21-25)
      3. The Servants of the Lord
         1. Moses (Josh 1:1, 2; 8:31, 33; 22:4, 5; 2 Kgs 18:12; 21:8)
         2. Joshua (Josh 24:29; Judg 2:8)
         3. David (2 Sam 7:5, 8; 1 Kgs 3:6; 8:25; 11:13; 14:8; 2 Kgs 8:19; 19:34; 20:6)
         4. Elijah (2 Kgs 9:36; 10:10)
         5. Jonah (2 Kgs 14:25)
   4. The Purpose
      1. Israel received Yahweh's blessing only so long as she remained faithful to the stipulations of the Mosaic covenant. (cf. Deut 28)
      2. Israel failed to obey Yahweh both before the monarchy and under the monarchy as Yahweh faithfully provided leaders for her. (cf. Deut 29-30)
   5. The Literary Structure (see chart; DOTHB, 708-15)
      1. The Basic Literary Structure of the Former Prophets
         1. The Notation or Implication of Death:
            (Josh 1:1-2; Judg 1:1; 1 Sam 1:1 [cf. Judg 13:2; 16:30]; 1 Kgs 1:1)
         2. Extended Narrative:
            (Josh 1:3–21:45; Judg 1:2–16:31; 1 Sam 1:2–2 Sam 20:26; 1 Kgs 1:2–2 Kgs 25:21)
         3. Epilogue:
            (Josh 22:1–24:33; Judg 17:1–21:25; 2 Sam 21:1–24:25; 2 Kgs 25:22-30)
      2. The Composite Literary Structure of the Former Prophets
         Conquest of the Land

         The Establishment of the Dynasty of David over the Land

         Exile from the Land

         The Rise of David

         IdolatryDavid, King over All Israel

         The Davidic CovenantIdolatry

         The Fall of David

         Jos 1:1–Jdg 16:31

         Jdg 17:1-------

         -------1Ki 11:43

         1Ki 12:1–2Ki 25:30

         1406 BC ---------------------------- 820 years -----------------------------586 BC

         (David's Kingship 1010-970 BC)
   6. Bibliography:
      • *Arnold & Williamson (eds), Dictionary of the Old Testament: Historical Books. [DOTHB]
      • Chisholm, Jr., Interpreting the Historical Books.
      • Howard, Jr., An Introduction to the Old Testament Historical Books.
      • Hamilton, Handbook on the Historical Books.
      • Satterthwaite & McConville, Exploring the Old Testament. vol. 2.

Used with permission by Dr. Keith Essex. Redistribution without express permission from Dr. Keith Essex is prohibited.