Dr. Esa Autero. 1.1 Introduction to Lamentations What is the purpose of Lamentations For...

Dr. Esa Autero

OTS 501 INTRO TO OLD TESTAMENT

1.1 Introduction to LamentationsWhat is the purpose of Lamentations

For Christians/churches?Sermons from Lamentations?

Placement in the canonLXX and English Bible – after Jeremiah

Traditional authorship by JeremiahMT – in Writings

Along w/ the Song; Ruth; Ecclesiastes; Esther 3rd in Megilloth* used in special Jewish feast daysLamentations used in 9th of Ab – day of mourning for

the destruction of Jerusalem Temple (587BC & AD70)

Lamentations & Ezekiel

1.2 Historical and Critical IssuesAuthorship, composition, date

Anonymous – no author indicated in the textJewish tradition & LXX: Jeremiah (based on 2Chr

35:25)Jeremiah’s authorship possible

Similarities in tone & vocabulary w/ Jeremiah BUTDifferences in poetic style and theology

Anonymous eyewitness of the fall of Jerusalem

Unified composition by a single authorWritten b/w the fall of Jerusalem (587BC) &

Jehoachin’s release from Babylonian prison (c. 562BC; cf. 2Kgs25:27-30)

No indications of king’s release in Lamentations


1.3 Background, purpose, structure Historical background

Fall of Jerusalem as a result of divine punishmentFinal blow: Zedekiah rebels against Babylon & the

final destruction of Jerusalem (2 Kgs 24:20ff.)

Purpose Communal expression of grief, horror, and

agony due toDivine abandonment of Judah by YHWHDevastation and punishment of God


ANE parallels to LamentationsSix Sumerian laments (e.g. ANET, 455-463;

611-619 ) Mourning of military defeats brought by godsANE: the gods leave the city, the situation cannot

be changed Lam: YHWH removes his presence due to sin


Literary structure of Lamentation

3. God’s compassio

n

2. God’s wrath

4. Sin of

people

1. The City

5. Prayer

Outside view

Inside view

Upward view

Overall view

Future view

Poem 1 – city of Jerusalem personified as a womanFormerly dignified woman raped and abandoned (1:1, 6)Desolation and sense of abandonment (1:2, 9, 16-17, 20)

Poem 2 – vehemence of YHWH’s angerYHWH as enemy (2:2-5)Mockery of passers-by (2:15-16); devastation (2:11-12, 21-

22)Catharsis due to affliction (2:11, 18)

Poem 3 – complaint & hope (center & climax) Personal suffering (collective) – YHWH as enemy (3:1-20)Prayer for consolation and hope (3:21-29)Plea for repentance and return to YHWH (3:40-54)Cry for vengeance and vindication (3:55-66)


Poem 4 – aftermath of YHWH’s judgmentDevastation of the city

Famine & cannibalism (4:4-6, 9-10)Only hope – punishment accomplished (4:22)

Poem 5 – Communal lament as final prayerReiteration of horrors and griefFinal complaint, confession & plea for restoration

(5:1, 7, 19-22)


1.4 Themes in Lamentations Suffering as a result of sin (cf. Job)

God’s punishment and the resulting sufferingGod experienced as “enemy” (2:4-5)Fulfillment of covenant curses – divine warrior

themeDivine abandonment as a result of sin

Communal disaster – expressing the inexpressibleExpressing communal & personal suffering &

disasterExpressing the inexpressible - voice, concepts,

vocabularyHow & when could Lamentations be used in the

church?


2.1 Introduction to EzekielThoughts on Ezekiel as a prophet?

Peculiar aspects in Ezekiel?

Sermons from Ezekiel?

Place in the canonEnglish Bible follows LXX – after LamentationsMT – immediately after JeremiahCanonicity disputed by later rabbis

Rituals in the Law and Ezekiel (see e.g. Num 28:11 and Ezek 46:6)

rabbis: resolved with “the coming of Elijah” (Mal 4:5)


2.2 Historical and Critical IssuesAuthorship, composition, date

Ezekiel the prophet as the recipient of visions (1:1-3)Critical theories of authorship and composition

Early critical scholarship saw Ezek as a unified work (e.g. Driver)

Issues regarding the unity and authenticityPriestly tradition juxtaposed w/ sense of social justiceDoublets and glosses Later insertions (3:16b-21; 18; 25-32; 29:17-21 [29-32; 26:1-28:19])Difficulties w/ prophet’s location (8-11 in Jerusalem)Prophet’s mental health (4:4-7; 3:24-27; 24:25-27; 33:22; 4:12)LXX is 4-5% shorter than MT

Additions (e.g. ch. 36), glosses; displacement of ch. 7


Some responses and support for essential unity Priestly tradition and social justice not incompatible (cf. Jer)Autobiographical style – Ezek penned large sections (e.g. 2:1-

10)Uniformity of language and styleSome later editing or scribal activity – details elude

Possibly 2 editions of Ezek – orig. reconstructed from MT & LXX Chs. 8-11 & visionary transport (or travel to and fro?)Ezek’s symbolic actions common in the prophets – complete

surrender to YHWH & embodiment of prophetic message Ezekiel’s preaching – gathering & writing of materials (by Ezek and his disciples) – final editing(?) Majority written down b/w 571BC (29:17) and 562BC (Jehoachin’s release – not mentioned in Ezek). Possible later editing…


2.3 Background, purpose, structureBackground

Ezekiel – “God strengthens ” son of Buzi, a Zadokite priest (1:3)Married (24:15-16)Taken to Babylonian exile 597BC (2Kgs 24:10-17);

settled near the Kebar river (canal)Called to be a prophet 593BC – last oracle 571BC

(29:17) Historical background

Events leading to Babylonian exile Babylonian siege of Jerusalem (598-597BC)Destruction of Jerusalem 587/6BCJehoachin’s release from prison 562BC


Purpose Warn Judah of impending destruction of

JerusalemCall to repent Visions of hope and future restoration

Structure of Ezekiel Chs. 1-24 – Judgment of Judah and Jerusalem

Ezekiel’s call – power and holiness of GodSymbolic actions (4-5; 12:1-20)Visions, parables, and oracles of judgment (6; 8-11;

15-17; 23)Glory departs from the Temple (8:6; 9:3, 9; 10:4-22)

Sins of idolatry and injustice (14; 18; 22)


Chs. 25-32 – Oracles against foreign nationsAmmon; Moab; Edom; Philistia; Tyre; Egypt

Chs. 33-48 - Covenant renewal and future blessings Restoration of Israel and David the shepherd (33-

34; 36-37)Spiritual renewal & new covenant (36-37)

Restored Temple and worship (40-48)Glory fills the Temple (43:1-5; cf. 10:1-22; 1Kgs 8:10-

13; Ex 40:34-35)

God is sovereign over Judah, nations, and history


2.4 Themes in EzekielVisionary experiences and symbolic actions [x12]

What to make of visions & ‘crazy’ symbolic actions?Visions of heavenly creatures – ‘chariot visions’ (1-3; 10; 43-46)

God’s glory appears during Ezekiel’s call; judgment, restoration God lives in majesty in the holy ‘otherness’ Throne of God rests upon magnificent carriage – wheels signify

movement to all directions; multiple eyes means all-seeing Important for people in Exile (will God see & move? cf. ANE gods were usually considered local and regional)

Bizarre symbolic actions; was Ezekiel crazy or a pervert?Prophetic silence – speak only when God tells? (3:24-27)Symbolism of siege – miniature model, food & lie down (4)Symbolism of judgment – cut hair and divide (5:1-7)Exile – ‘pack your bags and dig through the wall’ (12:3-6)The siege of Jerusalem by Babylon - Draw a map (21:18-27)Sudden destruction - No mourning for Ezekiel’s wife (24:15-27)‘whoring’ of Jerusalem & Samaria - and sexual imagery (23)


Future hope and eschatologyWhat about the visions of the future?

Restored Israel and the new covenantNew heart & spirit; revived bones; unified Israel (36-

37)Restored temple – literal of symbolical? In whole or

parts?River out of the Temple (47:1-12; cf. 1:24; 43:2; Joel 3:18;

Zech 13:1; 14:8) Sacrificial system, festivals, and exclusive access to the

Temple (44-46)Who/what is Gog – prince of Meschech & Tubal

(38:2; 38-39)?Josephus (Ant. 1:124); Herodotus (7:22) – tribes of

central & eastern Anatolia“foes from the north” – Assyria, Babylon, Persia &

symbolic for Israel’s foes

These are all future visions (cf. Num 12:6-8)


Holiness and transcendence of GodGod’s holiness and glory – “son of Man”

Comparison of God and the prophetVisions of God’s glory (“appearance”) and bizarre

creatures

Recognition formula - “you shall know that I am the LORD” (2:5; 5:13; 6:7; 16:62; 17:21; 20:12 etc.)God in judgment and deliveranceGod is not tied to Jerusalem or any other location ANE gods local and geographical


Sin, judgment, and individual responsibilityJudah’s sins

Not obeying commandments (11:12; 18:6, 9; 20:8-13)

Idolatry (“whoring”) (14:6-11; 16; 18:5-6; 20:16-17; 22)

Not trusting YHWH (Socio-economic) injustice (13:19, 22; 16:49; 18:7-8, 16-

17; 22:6-7)

Individual responsibility (18; 33:10-20)Judah tried to blame YHWH for injustice – “sour

grapes” Each responsible for sins individually (cf. Ex 20:5;

34:7; Deut 24:16)


F


Dr. Esa Autero. 1.1 Introduction to Lamentations What is the purpose of Lamentations For...

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