Rēad to Read …Again
Daily Reading: Jeremiah 51-52
Jeremiah 52:14
And all the army of the Chaldeans, that were with the captain of the guard, brake down all the walls of Jerusalem round about.
So, it happened. Just as Jeremiah prophesied, it took place. Jerusalem was defeated and carried away captive to Babylon. Their captivity took place in three stages, just as their return would be in three stages. In today’s readings there is sort of an historical overview of Babylon’s destruction of Jerusalem. One of the things that the rampaging army of Babylon (the Chaldeans) did was to break down all the walls of the beloved city of David. These were the walls that Nehemiah and the remnant of the Jews rebuilt one hundred and fifty years (or so) later.
Given this chapter broadly reviews the history of the captivity it may be a good place to give you, the readers of the Bible, an overview of the prophets and the approximate dates of their ministry.
Concerning Old Testament prophets there are basically three classifications.
The Assyrian period 1100-626 BC
The Babylonian period 626-536 BC
The Persian period 536-331 BC
The Assyrian period is also known as being “pre-exilic.” Meaning these prophets ministered to God’s people prior to the exile to Babylon. During this time eight Old Testament prophets spoke for God.
Obadiah Northern Kingdom 887 BC
Joel Southern Kingdom 840 - 756 BC
Jonah Nineveh / Northern Kingdom 862 - 782 BC
Amos Northern Kingdom 787 - 746 BC
Hosea Northern Kingdom 785 - 725 BC
Isaiah Southern Kingdom 740 - 700 BC
Micah Southern Kingdom 750 - 710 BC
Nahum Southern Kingdom 713 - 710 BC
There was also a “pre-exilic” period of prophecy called the Babylonian period.
Zephaniah Southern Kingdom 626 - 610 BC
Habakkuk Southern Kingdom 626 - 615 BC
Jeremiah Southern Kingdom 626 - 586 BC
Then there was the “exilic” period, the time of Israel’s bondage in Babylon
Ezekiel Southern Kingdom 592 - 570 BC
Daniel Southern Kingdom 606 - 533 BC
Last of all there were the “post-exilic” Prophets during the Persian period.
Haggai Southern Kingdom 520 BC
Zechariah Southern Kingdom 518 BC
Malachi Southern Kingdom 400 BC
Between the time of the Exilic period and the post-exilic period, Ezra and Nehemiah stories took place (around 450 - 430 BC.). Esther’s story around 475 BC. Ruth’s story was way back there around 1250 BC.
Here is a practical thought. From Malachi until Matthew there were 400 silent years. Then, BOOM, Jesus bursts on the scene. Just as Isaiah stated, He was a root out of a dry ground. Just as Jeremiah stated, He was raised as a righteous Branch of David. Just as all the way back in Genesis 3 when God said that the seed of a woman would crush the serpent’s head, Jesus came as the seed of a woman.
Keeping these dates as a reference will aid in a clearer understanding of the books of the prophets in the Old Testament.
Dr. William T. Howe
Comments