Bible Studies: Prophecies and Jewish History

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Questions and Answers

What do the messianic prophecies refer to?

Prophecies about the Old Testament prophets

Prophecies that refer to the coming of Christ or his work of salvation (correct)

Prophecies about the Maccabees' rebellion

Prophecies about the Book of Job

What did the Maccabees do?

They organized a rebellion against Antiochus IV and reconsecrated the Temple (correct)

They were a group of prophets who preached against sin

They were a group of faithless people who split the kingdom of Israel

They were a group of prophets who wrote the Book of Isaiah

What is the response of the Book of Job to the question of why good people suffer?

It says good people do not suffer

It says suffering is a mystery (correct)

It says suffering is a punishment for sin

It says good people should revolt against God

What does the word 'gospel' mean?

Good News Signup and view all the answers

What makes Paul an effective preacher?

He was a well-educated Jew who was fluent in Hebrew and Greek Signup and view all the answers

Why did the united kingdom of Israel split into two kingdoms?

Because the people were faithless Signup and view all the answers

What does Hosea's marriage represent?

Israel's lack of faithfulness to God Signup and view all the answers

What do Jonah's three days and nights in the fish prefigure?

Jesus' death and resurrection Signup and view all the answers

What happened to the Jewish religious activities after the Babylonians destroyed the Temple?

They moved to the synagogues Signup and view all the answers

What did the author of the first and second books of Chronicles emphasize as crucial for the Jewish people?

Practicing proper worship in the Temple Signup and view all the answers

What were the Jews who intermarried with the Assyrians called?

Samaritans Signup and view all the answers

What was Jennifer, the heroine of the book of Judith, known for in her plot to kill the Assyrian king?

Her bravery and beauty Signup and view all the answers

What was one of the main challenges that the Greek influence posed to the Jewish community?

Philosophy, science, and literature Signup and view all the answers

What did the Greek king Antiochus IV force the Jews to do or die?

Eat pork Signup and view all the answers

What did Mattathias and his sons become known as?

The Maccabees Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the main themes of the Book of Proverbs?

Fear the Lord Signup and view all the answers

What event does Isaiah first write about?

The Babylonian exile Signup and view all the answers

Why does Jeremiah initially resist God's call to prophecy?

Because he thinks he is too young Signup and view all the answers

What does Jeremiah's act of walking through town wearing a yoke around his neck symbolize?

The need for the people to surrender to the Babylonians Signup and view all the answers

What is one of Ezekiel's hopeful prophecies?

A vision of the dry bones coming to life Signup and view all the answers

Who are the two servants of God identified by the second Isaiah?

The suffering servant and Cyrus King of Persia Signup and view all the answers

What does Jeremiah compare the people to?

A rotten loincloth Signup and view all the answers

What does Ezekiel use to cook his food to symbolize the suffering of the people?

Cow manure Signup and view all the answers

What happens after the Babylonian exile ends?

The people are dispersed all around the Mediterranean Sea Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of the book of Wisdom?

To guide its readers toward goodness and happiness Signup and view all the answers

Where was the dwelling place of God kept in the Jewish temple?

The Holy of Holies Signup and view all the answers

Which Jewish leader is known for focusing on religious reform?

Ezra Signup and view all the answers

What is wisdom often personified as in the book of Wisdom?

A woman Signup and view all the answers

What is the nature of God according to the book of Wisdom?

A mystery Signup and view all the answers

What is the Hebrew word for 'anointed one'?

Messiah Signup and view all the answers

Who is known for using his marriage as an example of the Lord's relationship with the people?

Hoseah Signup and view all the answers

Who discovered the Book of Law in the temple and began a religious reform?

Josiah Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Messianic Prophecies

Messianic prophecies refer to predictions about the coming of Christ, his work of salvation, or the growth and consummation of his kingdom.

The Maccabees

The Maccabees were a faithful Jewish family who organized a rebellion against Antiochus IV and reconsecrated the Temple.

The Book of Job

The Book of Job responds to the question of why good people suffer by saying it is a mystery.
Jesus' passion, death, and resurrection have revealed that suffering can be redemptive and that we can be a part of God's saving plan.

Gospels

The Gospels are Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.
The word "Gospel" means "Good News".
There are three synoptic Gospels, which are Matthew, Mark, and Luke.

Paul's Background

Paul's background as a Roman citizen, a well-educated Jew, and fluency in Hebrew and Greek helped him to be an effective preacher to people from various backgrounds.

The United Kingdom of Israel

The united kingdom of Israel split into two kingdoms after Solomon's reign due to the people's faithlessness.
The kingdoms were split into Israel in the north and Judah in the south.

Prophets

Prophets were often unpopular because they pointed out people's sins and called for them to change.
Elijah was a prophet who challenged the prophets of Baal and Asherah in a head-to-head battle.
Hosea's marriage represented Israel's lack of faithfulness to God.

Isaiah

The book of Isaiah is unique because it likely contains prophecies of three different prophets from three different time periods.
Isaiah first wrote about the Babylonian exile.
Isaiah pointed to a future highlighted by the coming of Emmanuel (God is with us).

Jeremiah

Jeremiah initially resisted God's call to prophecy because he thought he was too young.
Jeremiah walked through town wearing a yoke around his neck to tell the people to surrender to the Babylonians instead of dying.
The Babylonians destroyed the Temple when they captured Jerusalem.

Ezekiel

Ezekiel's shock tactics included using cow manure to cook his food to show the depths to which the people would suffer.
One of Ezekiel's hopeful prophecies was a vision of the dry bones coming to life.

Christian Perspective

Christians keep in mind Christ's life, death, and resurrection when reading the Old Testament.
At our baptism, all Christians are anointed to share in Christ's ministry as priest, prophet, and king.

Post-Babylonian Exile

After the Babylonian exile ended, Jewish communities were dispersed all around the Mediterranean Sea.
The Jewish people practiced their religious activities in synagogues because they did not have access to the Temple.

Intertestamental Period

The Jews who intermarried with the Assyrians were called Samaritans.
The Jewish people were no longer allowed to marry foreigners for fear of losing their religious identity.
Books of Tobit, Judith, and Esther are considered short novels of historical fiction.
Judith used her beauty and bravery to kill the Assyrian king.
Esther hid her Jewish heritage to become the Queen of Persia.
Greek influence became a major challenge for the Jewish community, especially in terms of philosophy, science, and literature.
The Greeks forced the Jewish people to eat pork or die to weaken their faith.
The Greek king Antiochus IV did many things to oppress the Jewish people, including forcing them to worship Greek gods.
Mattathias, his five sons, and their followers became known as the Maccabees.
The second book of Maccabees highlights the belief in the resurrection of the dead, which was new to Judaism.

Wisdom Literature

The Book of Proverbs emphasizes the importance of fearing the Lord.
The Book of Job addresses the question of why bad things happen to good people.
The Book of Ecclesiastes encourages us to recognize that greedy people are never satisfied and that if we accept the good, then we should accept the bad too.
The Song of Songs is love poetry that expresses the relationship between God and his people.
The book of Wisdom is about practical advice to guide its readers toward goodness and happiness.

Other Important Concepts

The Jewish people believed that the dwelling place of God was the ark of the covenant, kept in the Holy of Holies.
The Jewish leader Ezra focused on religious reform.
The book of Tobit was written to encourage the Jewish people to persevere and trust in God during the period of Greek oppression.
In the book of Wisdom, wisdom is often personified as a woman.
The very nature of God is a mystery.

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Description

A quiz on biblical messianic prophecies, the Maccabees, and the Book of Job's response to suffering. Test your knowledge of these important biblical topics.