Victoria Baptist Bible College

Subject Outline

Identity Information:

Subject Title: BI 103 Old Testament Prophets

Year and Semester: Semester 1, 2012

• Victoria Baptist Bible College
  1430 Western Highway
  Rockbank, Victoria 3335

Contact Hours: 25 Contact Hours (not including final examination)

Time: 

• Saturday,  9 am to 4:30 pm (5 class sessions per Saturday)
• 4 February to 3 March
• Final Examination 17 March

Lecturers: Wayne Harper, Stephen Wivell

Class Venue:

• Calvary Baptist Church
  328 Bayswater Road
  Bayswater North VIC 3153

Subject Description:

This subject studies each book of the Major and Minor Prophets of the Old Testament giving a panoramic view of the Old Testament Prophets. Aims include the mastery of topics of content for each book, as well as their key chapters. Background information is given as to authorship, and the historical and cultural background of each book. This includes knowledge of the time line of biblical history, and how each book fits into it. Special attention is given to the premillennial interpretation of the Old Testament Prophets.

Learning Outcomes:

The student shall be able to:

1. Show how we know that the Old Testament Prophets have been transmitted to us in their true form, during the centuries since written.
2. Identify the expression “Law” and explain the term.
3. State the source of the knowledge which the writers had of the happenings mentioned in each book.
4. For each book of the Prophets, give the following: writer, date, theme, and distinctive characteristics.

Prescribed Texts:

1. Read the Introduction to every Prophet and Lamentations in the KJV Bible Commentary by Thomas Nelson, 2005, Nashville, TN.
2. The Bible

Assessment

1. There will be one exam on the 17^th of March. (50%).
2. There will be one paper (700-800 words long) (20%)
   See topic suggestions below or choose a topic of your choice approved by the lecturer.
   Due 17 March.  Either email or post to the college.
3. Read through the Old Testament Major and Minor Prophets.
   Due 3 March. (15%)
4. Read the introductions to each of the prophets and Lamentations in the text book.
   Due 3 March. (15%)

1. Instruction to the Prophets, Isaiah, Jeremiah
2. Ezekiel, Daniel, Lamentations
3. Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah
4. Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk
5. Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi

1. General topic – Why is it important for us to study the prophetic books of the OT?
2. Isaiah – Isaiah's ministry spanned the reigns of 4 kings of Judah over almost 50 years (Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, Hezekiah). What was happening in Judah during their reigns?
3. Jeremiah – Jeremiah has been called the “weeping prophet”. From an overview of his book demonstrate why that title is fitting for him.
4. Lamentations – In Chapter 3:34-39 the poet asks some questions. What is his conclusion in verses 40-42? How does this explain the reasons for Judah's suffering?
5. Ezekiel – What strange things does Ezekiel do in Chapters 3,4,5,12,21,24, and 37? What do you think God is trying to convey through these object lessons?
6. Daniel – Chapter 6: What role does the “laws of the Medes and the Persians” (vs 8,12,15,17, and 24) the law of God (vs 5,10) and the faith of Daniel (vs 4,11,16,20-23, 
7. Heb.11:33) play in the story recorded in this chapter?
8. Hosea – Why did God have Hosea marry an adulteress? How is God's covenant with Israel like that situation?
9. Joel – What was the “climate” into which Joel speaks his message from the Lord? What are the key points of the message he gives to Judah?
10. Amos – Compare the prophets Hosea and Amos. How are these men different in style and personality? How is their message similar? What can you conclude from comparing these men?
11. Obadiah – What are the features of Israel's restoration as set forth by Obadiah?
12. Jonah – What do the vine, the worm, and the hot sun reveal about God? What do they reveal about Jonah?
13. Micah – How can the similarity of Micah 4:1-3 and Isaiah 2:2-4 be explained?
14. Nahum – What did Nineveh do to kindle the Lord's wrath?
15. Habakkuk – What was God's purpose in using ungodly Babylon to punish Israel?
16. Zephaniah – What was the origin of Moab and Ammon and how had they mistreated Israel?
17. Haggai – What were the barriers faced in the rebuilding? How were these barriers overcome?
18. Zechariah – Zechariah mentions countless benefits/blessings concerning Jerusalem returning to the Lord. Discuss 10 of them.
19. Malachi – Describe the spiritual condition of Israel in Malachi's day.