Session 2 Written Assignment Sep 17 2023
docx
keyboard_arrow_up
School
Colorado Christian University *
*We aren’t endorsed by this school
Course
102A
Subject
Religion
Date
Feb 20, 2024
Type
docx
Pages
6
Uploaded by MasterInternet8018
1
Session 2 Written Assignment
Cody Colin
Colorado Christian University
BIB-326A
Dr. Nathan French
September 17, 2023
2
Session 2 Written Assignment
When and where (to whom) did the prophet deliver his ‘message’? How did these differ once his message appeared in literary form?
As an exile in Babylon, I delivered God's message of judgment and salvation to the Judeans. I pointed out that God is the only holy one of Israel and called upon the children of Judah to reconstruct their past and amend their ways. My vision, which was given in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah of Judah, concerned the future of Jerusalem through the exile period and the afterlife. However, the children of Judah had become corrupt and forsaken the Lord. They were full of iniquity and counted among the seed of evildoers. I warned them to repent and return to the precepts given to their forefathers. The message revealed a corrupt religion, which the children of Judah viewed as the correct path and saw no agency in doing all they did. In the literary form, it was clear that evil practices had become prevalent among all the classes. Few remained faithful to God, and the faithful city had become a harlot and was then full
of judgment. Despite how filthy we are, the Lord needs us, and we must repent if we hope to be saved (Isaiah 1:3-8, 1:18).
Assuming the prophet had recently been to a public address by the king (or one of the kings) in power at the time, what would he report that the king said about the ‘state of the union’ and the ‘state of religion’ in his kingdom? Did the prophet agree with the king’s assessments or instead confront and expose them as false?
As a prophet, I presented a message to the children of Israel, pointing out their sins. However, King Uzziah, one of the reigning kings, defended them. According to him, they serve God and are not corrupt. He claimed that the religious state in his Kingdom was okay and that
3
they served a living God. He also said that his leadership was the best experienced among Israel and that his kingship renewed the hope of the children of Israel. However, I reject these claims and call the children of Israel to repent and follow the right path of God. I would like to expose the false pretext among Judah. Their princes are rebellious, and they live in the company of thieves. Everyone loves a gift, and they follow after the rewards. The nation is so corrupt, and they have turned away from God. However, as promised, God will purge the dross and redeem Zion. The Lord shall consume all who turn away from Him, and sudden destruction will befall the nation. If God protects the rebellious nation, He shall bring a sad end to the good King.
Assuming the prophet had recently interacted with a small group of Israelite or Judahite hearers of his message, what might he say was one of his main points and why? Include specific scripture references.
As I have been publicly calling out to the children of Judah, my message has been about repentance and restoration to Jerusalem. It is known that the Judahites have strayed from God by embracing other gods. We can only confess our sins and regain God's love through repentance. Wash and make yourselves clean. Take your evil deeds out of my sight; stop doing wrong. 17 Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow. 18 “Come now, let us settle the matter,” says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool. 19 If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the good things of the land; 20 but if you resist and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword.” For the mouth of the Lord has spoken (Isaiah 1:16-20). You must come and reason with the Lord or else destruction will befall the country, and you will be devoured by the sword. The day of the Lord will come upon everyone who is proud and of lofty heart. Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to
Your preview ends here
Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version
- Access to all documents
- Unlimited textbook solutions
- 24/7 expert homework help
4
Jerusalem, and proclaim to her that her hard service has been completed, that her sin has been paid for, that she has received from the Lord’s hand double for all her sins. (Isaiah 40:1-2).
Assuming the prophet had recently interacted with a small group of modern-day readers of
his message, what might he say was one of his main points that applied to this modern-day audience and why? Include specific scripture references
.
The message of repentance to modern-day society and a call to look to the coming Kingdom remains the same. In Isaiah 40:10, the Lord is described as coming with a firm hand. He brings the reward for everyone and all the good works done before Him. In Revelation 22:17,
the spirit of God calls upon everyone who hears the message of salvation to proclaim it. God is coming, and we shall all be with Him wherever He went to prepare beforehand. This message is the only hope for the suffering and sin of the present world. I will proclaim Christ to all the thirsty souls in our temples today but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” (John 4:14). We must look to everlasting life and the account of redemption in these last days. The church is compared to the unfaithful woman who must repent and follow the correct path.
Assuming the prophet had just visited a meeting or service at your church or place of worship, what was one of his reactions? Elaborate on why he had that reaction and what scripture verses might illustrate/explain the why or what of his response.
As believers, it's crucial that our prayers in our local churches are organized and pure. If we don't pray and sing with a pure heart, it's like making vain bubbles and noise that won't be heard by God. When you spread out your hands in prayer, I hide my eyes from you; even when you offer many prayers, I am not listening. (Isaiah 1:15). The prophet would rebuke us for our
5
disorganized and improper worship and remind us to prepare our hearts to meet the Lord. Before worship, we must first repent of our secret sins and be ready to receive the power of the Holy Ghost. “Therefore this is what I will do to you, Israel, and because I will do this to you, Israel, prepare to meet your God.” (Amos 4:12). The prophet will preach the truth, even if it's cutting, to
help us accept Biblical standards. Our worship should reflect the decorum and organization befitting of our devotion.
6
References
Hays, J. D. (2010). The message of the prophets: A survey of the prophetic and apocalyptic books of the Old Testament. Zondervan.
Gable T. The Holy Bible New International Version copyright 2015
Your preview ends here
Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version
- Access to all documents
- Unlimited textbook solutions
- 24/7 expert homework help