11.0 The Exile: Judah's Dark Night of the Soul

(For an explanation of the codes used in this document, click on Explanation of Terms.) (Last revised: 11/16/99)
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11.1 After the Fall

11.1.1 Lamentations: Funeral songs for a Dead City
11.1.1.1 Characteristics of the Book

Explain in detail the two unusual literary features of the book of Lamentations.

11.1.1.2 Contents of the Book

Summarize the contents and theme of the book of Lamentations.

Using the NOSB (OT:1047), evaluate the issues of time, place and authorship of the book of Lamentations.

11.1.1.2.1 Jerusalem, the abandoned widow (Lam. 1:1-22)
11.1.1.2.2 The punishment of Jerusalem (Lam. 2:1-22)
11.1.1.2.2.1 The destruction of the land (Lam. 2:1-9)
11.1.1.2.2.2 The effect on the people (Lam. 2:10-12)
11.1.1.2.2.3 O Jeruslaem, how can I comfort you? (Lam. 2:13-19)
11.1.1.2.2.4 Lord, look what you are doing (Lam. 2:20-22)
11.1.1.2.3 A personal lament, advice about God's righteousness and mercy, and a prayer for help against the enemy (Lam. 3:1-66)
11.1.1.2.3.1 A lament about life (Lam. 3:1-24)
11.1.1.2.3.2 The importance of trusting God (Lam. 3:25-51)
11.1.1.2.3.3 Rescued from my enemies (Lam. 3:52-66)
11.1.1.2.4 Conditions during the siege of Jerusalem (Lam. 4:1-22)

Summarize the conditions in Jerusalem during the Babylonian seige of the city.

11.1.1.2.5 Restore us, O Lord (Lam. 5:1-22)

11.1.2 The Fate of the Survivors

Describe the issues relating to the fate of those who survived the Babylonian capture of the city of Jerusalem.

11.2 With the Exiles in Babylon

11.2.1 There Were Some Changes Made

Summarize the changes that came about because of the exile in Babylon.

11.2.1.1 A New Name
11.2.1.2 A New Way of Life
11.2.1.3 A New Language
11.2.1.4 A New Way of Woship
11.2.1.5 A New Emphasis on the Traditions of Israel
11.2.1.6 A New Emphasis in Theology
11.2.2 The Prophet of the Transition: Ezekiel
11.2.2.1 Ezekiel, the Man

Compare the ministry of Ezekiel to that of Jeremiah.

11.2.2.2 The Book of Ezekiel
11.2.2.2.1 Oracles agains Jerusalem (Ezek. 1-240
11.2.2.2.1.1 The call of Ezekiel (Ezek. 1:1-3:27)
11.2.2.2.1.1.1 The prophet called (Ezek. 1:1-28

Explain the role of visions in Ezekiel's call to ministry.

11.2.2.2.1.1.2 The prophet commissioned (Ezek. 2:1-3:27)

Summarize the contents of the commission of the prophet Ezekiel.

11.2.2.2.1.1.2.1 As a prophet to a rebellious people (Ezek. 2:1-3:3)
11.2.2.2.1.1.2.2 As a prophet to a stubborn people (Ezek. 3:4-9)
11.2.2.2.1.1.2.3 As a prophet to the exiles (Ezek. 3:10-15)
11.2.2.2.1.1.2.4 As a watchman for the house of Israel (Ezek. 3:16-21)
11.2.2.2.1.1.2.5 As a portrayer of the Lord's judgment (Ezek. 3:22-27)

11.2.2.2.1.2 The prophet in action (Ezek. 4:1-5:17)

Summarize the pantomime actions of Ezekiel to communicate God's message to the people.

11.2.2.2.1.2.1 Let's play war (Ezek. 4:1-3)
11.2.2.2.1.2.2 The long rest (Ezek. 4:4-8)
11.2.2.2.1.2.3 Food is scarce! (Ezek. 4:9-17)
11.2.2.2.1.2.4 The prophet's haircut (Ezek. 5:1-17)
11.2.2.2.1.3 The prophet preaching (Ezek. 6:1-7:27)
11.2.2.2.1.4 Heresy in the Temple (Ezek. 8:1-11:25)

Summarize Ezekiel's contention of heresy in connection with the temple.

11.2.2.2.1.4.1 Those abominable idols (Ezek. 8:1-11:25)
11.2.2.2.1.4.2 Marked for destruction (Ezek. 9:1-11)
11.2.2.2.1.4.3 No more glory in the Temple (Ezek. 10:1-22; 11:22-25)
11.2.2.2.1.5 In action again (Ezek. 12:1-20)
11.2.2.2.1.6 Hard words for false prophets and unfaithful people (Ezek. 12:21-14:23)

Summarize Ezekiel's harsh words.

11.2.2.2.1.6.1 The fate of the prophets (Ezek. 13:1-16)
11.2.2.2.1.6.2 The fate of fickle women (Ezek. 13:17-23)
11.2.2.2.1.6.3 The fate of idol worshipers (Ezek. 14:1-23)
11.2.2.2.1.7 The prophet and his allegories (Ezek. 15:1-17:24)
11.2.2.2.1.7.1 Jerusalem: The faithless wife (Ezek. 16:1-63)
11.2.2.2.1.7.2 The great eagles (Ezek. 17:1-24)
11.2.2.2.1.8 The soul that sins shall die (Ezek. 18:1-32)

Compare Ezekiel's sense of individual responsibility to that of Jeremiah.

11.2.2.2.1.9 Two poetic allegories (Ezek. 19:1-14)
11.2.2.2.1.10 Three sermons (Ezek. 20:1-22:31)

Summarize the content and thrust of Ezekiel's three sermons.

11.2.2.2.1.10.1 The will of God (Ezek. 20:1-49)
11.2.2.2.1.10.2 The sword of the Lord (Ezek. 21:1-32)
11.2.2.2.1.10.3 The sins of Jerusalem (Ezek. 22:1-3)
11.2.2.2.1.11 Those wild, wild sisters (Ezek. 23:1-49)
11.2.2.2.1.12 The rusty pot (Ezek. 24:1-14)
11.2.2.2.1.13 The prophet's wife dies (Ezek. 24:15-27; 33:21-22)

Explain why Ezekiel did not mourn the death of his wife.

11.2.2.2.2 Oracles against Foreign Nations (Ezek 25:1-32:32)
11.2.2.2.2.1 Many words against Tyre and the Phoenicians (Ezek. 26:1-28:19)
11.2.2.2.2.2 The fall of Egypt (Ezek. 29:1-32:32)
11.2.2.2.2.2.1 That Egyptian crocodile (Ezek. 29:1-16)
11.2.2.2.2.2.2 Egypt is given to Nebuchadnezzar (Ezek. 29:17-21)
11.2.2.2.2.2.3 Egypt is doomed (Ezek. 30:1-19)
11.2.2.2.2.2.4 Oracles agains the pharaoh (Ezek. 30:20-32:32)

11.2.2.2.3 Hope for a Better Day (Ezek. 33:1-48:35)
11.2.2.3.1 Oracles of Restoration (Ezek. 33:1-39:29)
11.2.2.3.1.1 The watchman's responsibility (Ezek. 33:1-20)
11.2.2.3.1.2 Oracles against the inhabitants of the land (Ezek. 33:23-29)
11.2.2.3.1.3 They don't believe you, Ezekiel (Ezek. 33:30-33)
11.2.2.3.1.4 The responsibility of shepherds (Ezek. 34:1-31)
11.2.2.3.1.5 You are going to get it, Edom (Ezek. 35:1-15)
11.2.2.3.1.6 Blessings on you, Israel (Ezek. 36:1-38)
11.2.2.3.1.7 O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord (Ezek. 37:1-14)

Summarize the content and thrust of Ezekiel's vision of the valley of dry bones.

11.2.2.3.1.8 The two shall be one (Ezek. 37:15-28)
11.2.2.3.1.9 The Lord and God of Magod (Ezek. 37:15-28)

Describe the meaning of the message of the god of Magod oracles.

11.2.2.3.2 The Restoration of the Temple (Ezek. 40:1-48:35)

Summarize the basic theme of chapters 40-48.

11.2.2.3 Ezekiel: A Summary

Explain how Ezekiel was distinctive from most all the other prophets.

11.3 The End Has Come for Babylon

Explain what happened to the Babylonian empire.

11.3.1 The Decline of Babylon
11.3.2 Cyrus the Persian

11.4 The Exile's Great Unkown Prophet

11.4.1 The Man
11.4.2 The Book

Using the NOSB (OT:866), summarize the basic themes of Isaiah 40-66.

11.4.2.1 Comfort to Israel (Isa. 40-55)
11.4.2.1.1 The prophet's call (Isa. 40:1-11)

Summarize the content and thrust of the prophet's call.

11.4.2.1.2 The praise of the Lord, the Creator (Isa. 40:12-32)
11.4.2.1.3 The nations on trial (Isa. 41:1-29)
11.4.2.1.4 The First Servant Song (Isa. 42:1-4)

11.4.2.1.4.1 The Servant Songs

Explain the nature and content of the Servant Songs.

11.4.2.1.4.2 The Servant's mission (Isa. 42:1-4)
11.4.2.1.4.3 I am the Lord you God (Isa. 42:5-46:13)
11.4.2.1.4.4 Sing a sad song for Babylon (Isa. 47:1-15)
11.4.2.1.4.5 You have heard, now see all this (Isa. 48:1-22)
11.4.2.1.5. The Second Servant Song: The Servant's Responsibility (Isa. 49:1-6)
11.4.2.1.5.1 The return of the people (Isa. 49:7-13)
11.4.2.1.5.2 Zion shall be comforted (Isa. 49:14-50:3)
11.4.2.1.6 The Third Servant Song: The Servant's Submission (Isa. 50:4-11)
11.4.2.1.6.1 Joy for Jerusalem and beyond (Isa. 51:1-52:12)
11.4.2.1.7 The Fourth Servant Song: The Servant's Trial and Death (Isa. 52:13-53:12)

Describe the literary structure of the fourth servant song.

11.4.2.1.7.1 The appearance of the Servant (Isa. 52:13-15)
11.4.2.1.7.2 The rejection of the Servant (Isa. 53:1-3)
11.4.2.1.7.3 The Servant suffering for others (Isa. 53:4-6)
11.4.2.1.7.4 The death and burial of the Servant (Isa. 53:7-9)
11.4.2.1.7.5 The vindication of the Servant (Isa. 53:10-12)
11.4.2.1.7.6 Who was the Servant?

Explain the various views of the identity of the suffering servant.

11.4.2.1.8 Israel is assured (Isa. 54:1-17)
11.4.2.2 Oracles to a Restored People (Isa. 56:1-66:24)

Explain how the oracles of 56-66 differ from those of 40-55.

11.4.2.2.1 The Lord's salvaltion is for all (Isa. 56:1-8)
11.4.2.2.2 Holy day religion (Isa. 58:1-14)
11.4.2.2.3 Call for repentance (Isa. 59:1-21)
11.4.2.3.4 Poems about Zion (Isa. 60:1-62:12)

11.4.2.3.4.1 Jerusalem's glorious future (Isa. 60:1-22)
11.4.2.3.4.2 Good tidings to the lowly of Zion (Isa. 61:1-11)
11.4.2.3.4.3 New days and new names for Jerusalem (Isa. 62:1-12)
11.4.2.3.5 A prayer and its answer (Isa. 63:7-65:25)
11.4.2.3.6 The final words (Isa. 66:1-24)

11.4.3 Summary of Second Isaiah

11.5 Summary: Prophets of the Exile

Describe how the prophets of the exile helped the Jewish people through this most difficult time of the destruction of their homeland.