Deck 9: The Early Israelite Prophets: Amos and Isaiah

Question 1

1. Describe the relationship between prophets and kings in the Deuteronomistic History. How did the prophets influence the monarchs? How could prophets make or break a king?

Answer 1

The prophets served as divine critics of the course of political affairs. Kings who heed the words of YHWH's trustworthy prophets are judged positively (and are shown to generally have more successful reigns). Prophets served as advisors and critics; they could potentially steer state policy by their advice or proclamations. They could also potentially turn opinion against a king-in the north, some kings are overthrown by military coups spurred by prophetic declarations of a newly selected king.

Question 2

2. Explain the importance of Elijah and Elisha in the Deuteronomistic History.

Answer 2

Elijah and Elisha serve to critique the leadership of Israel, which has led the people into apostasy, assisted by false prophets. They-and their many miracles-represent YHWH's powerful reminder to the people of his power and rightful claim to the people's sole worship.

Question 3

3. Describe the political and social climate of the Near East during the eighth century B.C.E. How did this climate make the kingdom of Israel prosper and then ultimately fall?

Answer 3

Assyria experienced a bit of a lull during the first part of the eighth century BC.E., resulting in a period of relative prosperity and independence for Israel. This all ended with the ascent of Tiglath-Pileser III to the Assyrian throne. Assyria quickly grew in strength once again as Tiglath-Pileser III expanded his empire and moved against the cities and states of the Levant. Hoping they could resist the Assyrian onslaught, Israel and several other nation-states attempted to band together but were shattered before the Assyrians in the 730s. After Israel rebelled yet again, the Assyrians returned and destroyed Samaria in 722 BC.E., putting an end to the Israelite kingdom.

Question 4

4. Discuss how the nature of prophetic materials changes during the eighth century B.C.E. What are some differences between and continuities with previous prophets such as Moses, Elijah, and Elisha?

Question 5

5. What are the major themes found in the books of Amos and First Isaiah? How do these themes reflect the political and social issues of the time?

Question 6

6. How should we understand the oracles against the nations in Amos? What might be some of the reasons behind these oracles?

Question 7

7. How are Judah and Israel represented in the works of Amos and Isaiah?

Question 8

1. Both Amos and Isaiah were prophets from the north.

Question 9

2. Amos believed that God's anger could be calmed and that Israel could be saved.

Question 10

3. Both Isaiah and Amos contain autobiographical material.

Question 11

8. Most scholars believe the entire book of Isaiah traces back to Isaiah of Jerusalem.

Question 12

2) Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and the book of the twelve Minor Prophets are collectively known as the

A) Writings.
B) Former Prophets.
C) Latter Prophets.
D) Chronicles.

Question 13

3) The northern kingdom of Israel was destroyed in the year ____________ B.C.E.

A) 722
B) 586
C) 850
D) 740

Question 14

6) All of the following are common materials found in the works of the Latter Prophets except

A) biographical material.
B) oracles.
C) revelation of new laws.
D) autobiographical material.

Question 15

11) Chapters 40-55 of Isaiah are known as

A) Third Isaiah.
B) First Isaiah.
C) Second Isaiah.
D) Immanuel.

Question 16

13) In the ____________, Sennacherib gives his own account of the campaign through the Levant.

A) Taylor Prism
B) Mesha Stele
C) Black Obelisk
D) Amarna Cylinder

Question 17

14) The northern kingdom is often called ____________,which is also the dominant tribe of the north.

A) Ephraim
B) Dan
C) Manasseh
D) Judah

Question 18

15) Amos refers to improper forms of worship at the shrine of

A) Bethel.
B) Shechem.
C) Jerusalem.
D) Beersheba.

Question 19

16) The Minor Prophets are also called the

A) Book of the Twelve.
B) Megilloth.
C) Kethuvim.
D) Nevi'im.

Question 20

17) Amos begins his message with

A) oracles against Israel.
B) biographical information.
C) oracles against the surrounding nations.
D) a declaration of Israel's broken covenant.

Question 21

18) The prophecy of Immanuel in Isaiah 7 primarily concerned

A) the coming of a future messiah.
B) the Syro-Ephraimitic War.
C) the Rise of Babylon.
D) atonement for sin.

Question 22

20) Which of the following is not a primary theme of First Isaiah?

A) Assyria will devastate Israel.
B) YHWH's judgment against the nations
C) Messianic predictions
D) All of Judah will be spared.