Pointers for the Final Examination

Introduction to Prophetic Literature

Puncta pro examinatione

Randolf C. Flores, SVD

March 10, 2008

Chapter 1: Basic Questions about Prophetic Literature

Sources: Powerpoint presentation with handouts

Lead article: David L. Petersen, “Introduction to Prophetic Literature” in The New International Bible Commentary, vol. 6, pp.1-23.

Contents:

1. What is the scope of prophetic literature?

2. What does “prophet” mean?

3. When did the prophetic movement begin?

4. What is the social status of the prophet?

5. What are the different literary forms used in prophetic literature?

Conclusion: (1) The prophetic books in the Hebrew Canon; (2) The Latter Prophets

Chapter 2: Prophecy in the Ancient Near East

Sources: Powerpoint presentation with handouts

Lead articles: David L. Petersen, “Introduction to Prophetic Literature” in The New International Bible Commentary VI, pp. 9-11; Robert R. Wilson, Prophecy and Society in Ancient Israel (Philadelphia: Fortress, 1980), see chapter 3: “Prophecy in Ancient Near East”, pp. 89-133.

Contents:

1. Non-Israelites prophets in the Bible

2. ANE Prophecy from extra-biblical sources

3. Conclusion (3 points)

Chapter 3: The Former Prophets

Sources: Powerpoint presentation with handouts

Article: Steven L. Mckenzie, “Deuteronomistic History” in Anchor Bible Dictionary II: 160-168.

Contents:

1. The terms

2. The Deuteronomistic History

-Martin Noth’s Four Periods of History

-Theology of DH

-Criticisms of Martin Noth’s Hypothesis

3. The Significance of the Division “Former Prophets”

Chapter 4: Prophetic Literature in the Eight Century B.C.

AMOS

Sources: Handouts

Articles: Marvin Sweeney, pp. 191-195; Anthony R. Ceresko, pp. 194-203; J. Blenkinsopp, A History of Prophecy in Israel (revised and enlarged; Louisville, Kentucky: Westminster john Knox Press, 1996), pp. 72-82.

Contents:

A. Preliminary Remarks including major commentaries on Amos.

B. Commentary on:

Part I: Oracles against the Nations and Israel (1:3 – 2:16)

Part II: Mishpat and Zedaqah in the Central Section of Amos (chapters 3-6)

Part III: Amos’ Five Visions (chapters 7-9)

C. Conclusion (3 points from Blenkinsopp)

HOSEA

Sources: Handouts

Article: Gale Yee, “Hosea,” in Women’s Bible Commentary, pp. 195-202.

Contents:

1. Recommended Commentaries

2. Historical Context

3. Structure of the book

4. The Theological Problem of the Metaphor of Faithless Wife (Chapters 1-3)

ISAIAH 1-39

Sources: Handouts, please take note of the references/articles mentioned in every topic:

Contents:

Introduction

1. A Biographical Profile of the Prophet

2. The Prophetic Ministry of Isaiah (in Four Stages)

3. Structure of Chapters 1-39

A. The Prophet as a Social Critic (Is 5:1-7)
B. A Political Intervention of a Prophet (Isa 7:1-17)
C. The Future of Mount Zion and Mission (Is 2:2-5)
Conclusion

Chapter 5: Prophetic Literature during the Exile and in the early years of the Return

ISAIAH 40-55

Sources: Handouts
Lead article: Charles Conroy, “The Servant(s) of the Lord in the Book of Isaiah,” in Journeys and Servants: CBAP Lectures 2003 (Manila: CBAP, 2003).
Contents:
A. General Introduction
1. Commentaries
2. Unity of the Second Isaiah
3. Structure of Second Isaiah
B. Elaboration of the theme of the Suffering Servant of YHWH

JEREMIAH

Sources: Handouts

Lead article: John J. Collins, Introduction to the Hebrew Bible with CD-Rom (Minneapolis: Fortress, 2004), pp. 334-347)

Contents:

1. Brief introductory remarks

2. Literary history

3. Structure

4. Some Pointers for the Reading of the Book

(1) The Call of Jeremiah (1:4-19)

(2) Jeremiah and the Deuteronomic Reform

(3) A Sense of Impending Doom

(4) The Critique of the Kingship

(5) The Critique of the Prophets

(6) The Positive Attitude to Babylonian Rule

(7) Hope for the Future?

(8) The Confessions of Jeremiah

EZEKIEL

Sources: Handouts

Lead article: John J. Collins, Introduction to the Hebrew Bible with CD-Rom (Minneapolis: Fortress, 2004). Read the section on Ezekiel (pp. 353-374).

Contents:
Book I: Judgment on Judah and Jerusalem (Chaps. 1-24)
A. Glory and Destruction (Chapters 1-11)
1. The Opening Vision (chaps. 1-3)
2. Symbolic Actions
3. The Abominations in the Temple (chap. 8)
4. The Vision of Destruction (chaps. 9-10)
B. Oracles of Judgment (chaps. 12-24)
1. The Useless Vine (chap. 15)
2. The Promiscuous Woman (chap. 16)
3. Riddles on Politics (meshalim in Hebrew, singular is mashal)
4. Individual Responsibility (chap. 18)
5. Death of Ezekiel’s Wife (24:15-17)

Book II: Oracles of Hope and Consolation (chaps. 25-48)
A. Oracles against the Nations (chaps. 25-32)
B. Oracles of Restoration (chaps. 33-48)
1. One Shepherd
2. New Spirit
3. The Valley of the Dry Bones (chapter 37)
4. Gog of the Land of Magog (chaps. 38-39)
5. The New Jerusalem (chaps. 40-48)