BCM 101A OLD TESTAMENT
HISTORY, LITERATURE, AND THEOLOGY
Course Syllabus
Gordon College Dr. Elaine A. Phillips
Fall 2011; Jenks 237 Office: Frost 308
MWF 11:25-12:25 Office Hours: MWF 9:30-10:15 am; MF 3:30-4:30; Th 10:00-12:00; 1:00-3:00; “lunch in Lane” (12:00-12:45 Th) by appointment; off-campus on Tuesdays
e-mail Elaine.Phillips@gordon.edu
Course Description
How can we begin to understand the Old (First) Testament when parts of it are more than 3000 years old? What chance do we have of overcoming the vast cultural differences between the Ancient Near East and our modern western worldview? In this course, we will begin to unfold the many rich layers that comprise the cultural, geographical, and literary backgrounds of the Ancient Near East. Archaeology, comparative history, and literature are studied to supplement the biblical text. What this means is that your core curriculum courses are indispensable as you think through the wider context within which you study the Bible. We will also study key theological themes that are foundational to the New Testament and Western culture. Don’t let the word “theological” put you to sleep; living is a theological endeavor and this course applies to life in a profound way. The Holy Spirit is never more apparent than when we are really using our minds!
Premises
Instruction in this course is founded upon the conviction that the biblical text is revelation from our sovereign God who has chosen in His mercy to reveal Himself to humankind through His activity in history, through the Scriptures, and supremely in the person of Jesus the Messiah. In each of these means of revelation we perceive the supernatural intervention of God into the natural order of which He is the Creator and Sustainer.
Objectives
Spiritual growth
A. To foster an increasing love for God and appreciation for God's revelation in the First Testament Scriptures
B. To experience the value of the First Testament in character formation (the highest goal of education)
Integration of biblical studies with other disciplines
B. To discover the various genres of literature which are part of the First Testament and to recognize the issues related to the interpretation of each literary genre
C. To investigate the geographical, historical, and cultural background for the study of the First Testament
D. To study the major periods, persons, and events in First Testament history in relationship to events in the wider context of the ancient Near East
E. To perceive the significant roles of inscriptional and archaeological evidence in studying the biblical text
Faith, learning, living
F. To become familiar with historical, theological, and moral issues relating to the text of the First Testament
G. To investigate the role of the First Testament in shaping our responses to our 21st century
New Testament connections
H. To appreciate the progressive nature of biblical revelation and the harmony between the Testaments, viewing the First Testament period as a time of promise of and preparation for the coming of the Redeemer
I. To emphasize First Testament passages to which Jesus, the apostles, and the Early Church turned as they increase our understanding of God's sovereign redeeming activity.
Required Textbooks and Resources
A BIBLE in a translation which is easily readable. I will use primarily the New International Version in class.
All Course Materials on the Blackboard site: Study Guide for Old Testament Parallels, A Theology Primer for the First Testament, discussion questions for optional group participation
Matthews, Victor and Don Benjamin. Old Testament Parallels. New York: Paulist Press, 2007 (third edition).
Finally, here is a readable introduction to texts from the ancient Near East. Just a word of caution: To make these texts more accessible to the average Bible reader, they have been "selected" from a much larger corpus. This applies both to the lines and paragraphs selected from individual documents and to the texts selected and those omitted. What is chosen for inclusion is often a comment on the views of the editors. If you are interested in pursuing individual documents further, see ANET (listed below). We have prepared a Study Guide (on Blackboard) to accompany this text. You will find it helpful. If you have purchased the second edition as a used book, please be sure to read the proper pages. Pagination from both editions is listed in the syllabus and in the Study Guide on Blackboard.
Phillips, Elaine. “A Re-Presentation of ‘Are the Bibles in Our Possession Inspired?’ Research Report No. 5 – 1981,” by Robert J. Dunzweiler, IBRI 2003.
While some of this overlaps with the first section of the Theology Primer, it is intended to bring further clarity to the discussion of the nature and authority of the biblical text as we read and hear it proclaimed. Posted on Blackboard as well as being accessible of the IBRI website (www.ibri.org).
Phillips, Perry. Are the Days of Genesis Longer than 24 Hours? The Bible Says: Yes! IBRI 1991.
In the ongoing discussion regarding the meaning of “day” in Genesis 1, this monograph presents a careful assessment of the biblical data. It is accessible on the IBRI website (www.ibri.org).
Phillips, Perry. “Did Animals Die Before the Fall?” Perspectives on Science and Christian Faith 58:2 (2006) 146-147.
This will be a helpful article for those who wrestle with reconciling an old earth and evidence of death in the fossil record with the biblical text. It is available at the following link: http://www.asa3.org/asa/PSCF/2006/PSCF6-06Phillips.pdf. See also http://www.reasons.org/resources/apologetics/other_papers/creature_mortality.shtml
Youngblood, Ronald. The Heart of the Old Testament. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1998 (rev).
For a good summary of the fundamental theological themes of the Old Testament, this is the book.
Wilson, Marvin. Our Father Abraham. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1989.
This text will play a significant role in developing your sensitivity to the debt that Christianity owes to its parent, Judaism. Dr. Wilson has incorporated questions for review and further thought at the end of each chapter. Use them.
Several Recommendations:
Depending on how you perceive your future study of the Bible, you may want to acquire some or all of these very helpful tools. This is, of course, a very minimal list.
Alexander, T. Desmond. From Paradise to the Promised Land: An Introduction to the Main Themes of the Pentateuch. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1998.
Arnold, Bill T., Bryan E. Beyer. Encountering the Old Testament. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1999
Copan, Paul. Is God a Moral Monster?” Making Sense of the Old Testament God. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2011. The author responds to the claims of new atheism in a readable fashion.
Dillard, Raymond, Tremper Longman III. An Introduction to the Old Testament. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1994.
Hill, Andrew, John Walton. A Survey of the Old Testament. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1991.
Kitchen, Kenneth A. On the Reliability of the Old Testament. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2003.
Longman, Tremper, III. Making Sense of the Old Testament: Three Crucial Questions. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1998.
Pritchard, John. Ancient Near Eastern Texts Relating to the Old Testament, 3rd. ed. Princeton: University Press, 1969.
Rasmussen, Carl. The NIV Atlas of the Bible. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1989; revised edition, 2010.
Richter, Sandra. The Epic of Eden: A Christian Entry into the Old Testament. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press 2008.
Walton, John. The Lost World of Genesis 1: Ancient Cosmology and the Origins Debate. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2009.
Webb, William J. Slaves, Women, and Homosexuals: Exploring the Hermeneutics of Cultural Analysis. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2001.
Wright, Christopher J.H. The God I Don’t Understand. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2006.
______. Old Testament Ethics for the People of God. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2004.
Be sure to check Biblical Archaeology Review, a bi-monthly publication which the library receives. It is a great way to introduce yourself to the field.
In addition, there are many resources on the Internet. For very helpful comments and direction, see Dr. Hildebrandt’s Old Testament class web site. For a good presentation regarding faith integration issues especially although not exclusively with the natural sciences, see www.ibri.org along with www.reasons.org
In the Reference Section in the Library: To be used as you do the unit on geography.
Aharoni, Avi-Yonah, Rainey, Safrai. The MacMillan Bible Atlas
Beitzel, Barry. The Moody Bible Atlas
Rasmussen. NIV Atlas of the Bible, revised edition
Course Requirements and procedures
A. You will be responsible for completing the readings as assigned on the course outline. I recommend that readings be completed in advance of the class session. As you might expect, that procedure will enhance your appreciation of the lecture. Let me encourage you to read in groups and discuss what you are reading. It will make the process much more enjoyable and profitable. Toward that end, please see the additional material on optional group discussion under the section on Evaluation.
B. Readings as well as lecture material will be the subjects of the exams. Lecture outlines are available prior to lectures on the Blackboard site for this class. The latter may be downloaded to facilitate your taking notes.
Four unit exams are scheduled as follows:
Exam 1 19 September (Monday)
Exam 2 7 October (Friday)
Exam 3 28 October (Friday)
Exam 4 22 November (Monday)
Final Comprehensive Exam 14 December (Tuesday) 10:30-12:30
Please Note: It is College policy that the individual professor may not, for any reason, allow any student to take a final exam at any time other than that assigned by the Registrar. Please do not ask me for permission as I do not have the authority to reschedule the exam.
C. Memorizing Scripture is a wonderful way to develop for yourself a treasury of encouraging truths on which you can call when the going gets tough. For each unit of study, you will commit to memory five brief passages or several longer ones. I will ask you to recall one of them (selected by me) for each exam.
D. All students will write a one-page paper. Information on the procedures and subject may be found under Course Documents on the Blackboard site. The paper will be due on 5 November.
E. Optional Review Sessions
The Teaching Assistants for the course will conduct weekly review sessions. Please take advantage of them.
F. Maps - As we study geography and then impose the events of history upon that geography, you will want to have a means of making that information part of your memory. It will serve you well as you follow the contemporary events in the Middle East. Working with maps is a good way to start. Use the materials on-line and access the holylandphotos.org website.
G. At least once during the term, I will meet with each student individually. This is not intended to intimidate you!
Means of Evaluation
Your base line grade will be determined as follows
First Unit Exam 15%
Second Unit Exam 15%
Third Unit Exam 15%
Fourth Unit Exam 20%
Final Comprehensive Exam 20%
One-page paper 15%
There is no extra credit bail-out offered in this class this year. Please do not ask for that option at the end of the semester when your grade has gone south. However, if you do participate faithfully, consistently, and productively on a weekly basis in a discussion group, you may earn up to five (5) extra points on your final grade. Here’s how it works.
Questions for each unit are posted on Blackboard. You are expected to have read through and thought about them prior to coming to the discussion session.
1. Participation is optional but highly recommended. The leaders are from the seminary community and they have selected times that fit into their schedules. These times are posted on Blackboard.
2. You will sign up for a discussion group and be expected to continue in that group through the entire semester.
3. Group size will be capped at 12.
4. Leaders will both take attendance and evaluate quality of participation.
5. In order to earn any credit, you must be present for at least ten of the discussion sessions.
6. The maximum credit to be earned is five points added to final grade.
Please be aware that you do not automatically earn five points for this. It could be less if your participation does not demonstrate thoughtful reflection.
Attendance Policy
A. I expect all students to attend class sessions. To help you develop your own sense of responsibility in that regard, attendance will be taken – for the first time ever in this class! Missing more than five classes, for whatever reason, will affect your grade – two percentage points for each class absence over five.
B. If you miss an exam, for whatever reason, please be aware that all make-up exams will be essay format and will be administered on reading day, Friday, 9 December. Time and location will be announced later.
LAPTOP POLICY – I’m experimenting in this category as well this year. I know that some students take excellent notes on their laptops and these notes serve them well in the future. I have also sadly observed that other students enjoy the cornucopia of diversions on the internet during class, distracting not only themselves but those who are stuck sitting behind and around them. (That’s rude and that is one of the last qualities that should characterize followers of Jesus.)
What to do? I do not want to ban laptops – sounds juvenile and hurts students. I don’t want to police the entire room – also sounds juvenile and is distracting.
So, here’s the solution for now: laptops may be used as we commence the class with two conditions. 1) You are on your honor to engage only in note-taking for the class; 2) if/when I become aware of extraneous material on anyone’s laptop during class, no laptops will be welcome after that point. Please help each other in this regard.
Integrity
Although I would rather not have to raise the related issues of cheating and plagiarism, experience has taught that they are best dealt with before the temptation arises. Both of these involve stealing which is unacceptable. If I discover incidents of either, you will automatically receive a grade of zero for the exam or paper. If you are unclear what falls into the category of plagiarism, please ask me.
Course Accommodation
Gordon College is committed to assisting students with documented disabilities (see Academic Catalog Appendix C for documentation guidelines). A student with a disability who may need academic accommodations should follow this procedure.
Meet with a staff person from the Academic Support Center (Jenks 412, X4746) to
a. make sure the documentation of your disability is on file in the ASC;
b. discuss the accommodations for which you are eligible;
c. discuss the procedures for obtaining the accommodations; and
d. obtain a Faculty Notification Form.
Deliver a Faculty Notification Form to each course professor within the first full week of the semester; at that time make an appointment to discuss your needs with each professor.
Failure to register in time with your professor may compromise our ability to provide the accommodations. Questions or disputes about accommodations should be immediately referred to the Academic Support Center. See Grievance Procedures available from the ASC.
Course Schedule and Reading/Memory Assignments
Ideally, the assignments listed for a given date should be completed by the time you come to class that day. Note the following key for deciphering your reading assignments:
B = Biblical text
OTP = Old Testament Parallels - use with Study Guide found on Blackboard under Course Materials; please note that pages are listed for both the second and the third editions – be sure to check which one you are using)
W = Wilson [Q = questions at the end of each chapter - you need not write out answers to these; they are simply to help you in your own review]
Y = Youngblood
Primer - the Theological Primer (on Blackboard and on reserve).
If you are running short on time, always read the biblical text first.
Lectures are numbered below to correspond with the numbers on the Blackboard lecture outlines.
Date Topic(s)
24 Aug Lecture 1: Introduction to Course - What is the “Old” Testament; why study it?
26 Aug Lecture 2: How does the God of the universe communicate to humankind? Revelation, inspiration, authority and the text as we have it (a Hebrew document)
Assignment:
B - Psalm 19; Romans 1:16-2:16; John 1:1-18; II Tim 3:15-17; II Peter 1:20-21
W - 23-24 (Q 9-11); 29-34 (Q 19-23); 107-15 (Q 1-12)
OTP - Foreword and Study Guide Introduction
Y - Preface and Ch 1 (monotheism)
Primer – read in its entirety
Phillips, Elaine. “A Re-Presentation…” (posted on Blackboard under Course Documents)
Memorize: 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20-21
29 Aug Lecture 3: Origins: The universe and humankind; the Enuma Elish and Genesis; Genesis and the sciences (physical and social)
B - Genesis 1-2
OTP - 9-18 (2nd ed); 11-20 (3rd ed) and Study Guide
W - 195-203 (Q 1-12)
Y - Ch 2 (sovereignty)
Phillips, P.G. “Are the Days of Genesis Longer than 24 Hours?”
Available at www.ibri.org [look at Research Reports – you want #40]. And “Did Animals Die Before the Fall?” http://www.asa3.org/ASA/PSCF/2006/PSCF6-06Phillips.pdf
See also
On the ibri.org web site look through the section called “tracts” for other helpful material on the age of the earth.
7:15-9:00 pm OPEN FORUM – Presentation on the Big Bang (J237) – time for questions following the presentation
31 Aug Lecture 4: Sin (the Fall) and its devastating effects (psychological, sociological, physiological, environmental...cumulative); the thread of hope (promise and covenant); the Stories of Gilgamesh and the Genesis flood story
B - Genesis 3-11 (skim the genealogies but note the decreasing length of years)
OTP - 19-30 (2nd ed); 21-32 (3rd ed) and Study Guide
2 Sept Wrapping up Origins
Lecture 5: The Space Perspective: Geographical regions in the Ancient Near East; a visual overview
Work on the three introductory maps as described in the map assignment (all on Blackboard under Content). Consult Bible atlases, the maps in the back of your Bible, etc. There will be more detailed maps to follow; these are simply an overview of significant locations.
5 September LABOR DAY – NO CLASS
7 Sept Lecture 5 continued: The space perspective: Geographical regions in the land of the Bible; a visual overview
Continue map work; use the Ancient Near East Detail and Land of Israel geographical regions
W - 3-16 (Q 1-26)
6:30-7:30 pm OPEN FORUM (J213) – addressing questions regarding the optional discussion groups as well as additional questions regarding
origins, theology, history, geography
9 Sept Lecture 6: The historical framework; the patriarchal narratives in their cultural context (Nuzi Archives); God's promise and covenant; Abraham's faith and obedience (from circumcision to sacrifice); the vicissitudes of life (Pharaoh, Lot, Hagar); things aren't always as they seem (Melchizedek and angels)
B - Genesis 12-23
OTP - 46-51 (2nd ed); 47-53 (3rd ed) and Study Guide
W - 19-23 (Q 1-8); 135-41 (Q 1-9); 145-53 (Q 13-23)
Memorize: Genesis 15:6 and Genesis 18:25
12 Sept Lecture 7: Isaac's role as a "hinge"; Jacob, the deceiver, becomes Israel, father of the twelve tribes
B - Genesis 24-36 (you will figure out which parts to skim)
Y - Chs 3,4 (election, covenant I)
14 Sept Lecture 8: Joseph (and Israel) to Egypt: A test case of God's sovereignty; Israel into Egypt
B - Genesis 37-50
Memorize: Genesis 50:19-20
16 Sept NO CLASS – INAUGURATION DAY FOR DR. LINDSAY
19 Sept FIRST UNIT EXAM
21 Sept Lecture 9: Issues in history and chronology; who might have been the Pharaoh of the Exodus? The preparation and call of Moses; "Who is the LORD that I should obey...?" The God of the Hebrews vs. Pharaoh
God's self-revelation in His Divine Name and in His mighty acts; the problems of the Divine Names, the authorship of the Pentateuch, and the supernatural
B - Exodus 1-11
OTP – Annals of Hatshepsut 52-57 (2nd ed); 59-64 (3rd ed); Annals of Sargon I (“Story of Sargon of Agade”) 84-85 (2nd ed); 89-90 (3rd ed); Annals of Merneptah 91-93 (2nd ed); 97-100 (3rd ed) and Study Guide
Y - Ch 5 (covenant II)
W - 160-62 (Q 36,37)
23 Sept Lecture 10: Passover, the Exodus, and the journey to Sinai
B - Exodus 12-18
Y - Ch 6 (theocracy)
W - 237-242 (Q 1-8)
Map – Israel in the Wilderness (on Blackboard)
Memorize: Exodus 15:13
26 Sept Lecture 11: Giving and receiving Torah: The covenant in its historical setting; the purposes of Torah; "categories" of Law; the ethical law then and today
B - Exodus 19-20,24,32-34, Leviticus 11-15 (skim), Leviticus 17-20, Deuteronomy 4-11
OTP - Treaty between Ramses II and Hattusilis III 86-90 (2nd ed); 91-96 (3rd ed); Code of Ur-Nammu (“Code of Shulgi”) 97-98 (2nd ed); 101-102 (3rd ed) and Study Guide
Y - Ch 7 (law)
W - 122-25 (Q 28); 185-90 (Q 33-41); 203-208 (Q 15-24)
Memorize: The Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:1-17)
28 Sept Lecture 12: Civil Laws: Societal conduct and administration of justice; measure-for-measure; cross-cultural principles
B - Exodus 21:1-23:9, Numbers 35,36; Deuteronomy 15,17,19-25
OTP – Code of Hammurabi, Hittite Code, Middle Assyrian Code 101-123 (2nd ed); 105-130 (3rd ed) and Study Guide
30 Sept Lecture 13: Worship: Sanctuary, priesthood, sacrifices
B - Exodus 25-31,35-40, Lev 1-10, 16,21,22, Numbers 8,15,18,19, Deuteronomy 12; Hebrews 8-10
Y - Ch 8 (sacrifice)
3 Oct Lecture 14: Worship: Sabbath, festivals, tithes, vows
B - Exodus 23, Lev 23-27, Num 5,6,9,28-30, Deuteronomy 14-16
W - 115-18 (Q 13-21)
Y - Ch 10 (redemption)
5 Oct Lecture 15: The journey to Canaan: Testing God ad infinitum; contrast a false prophet (Balaam) with a true one (Moses); Deuteronomy and covenant renewal
B - Num 10-14, 16,17,20-25,27,31:1-24; Deut 1-3, 13,18, 27-34
Y - Ch 9 (faith)
Memorize: Deuteronomy 33:27a
7 Oct SECOND UNIT EXAM
10 Oct Lecture 16: Joshua and the Conquest: The preparation of Joshua and the people; legitimizing this war; Joshua's military strategy; settling in the Land - tribal inheritances and designated cities; covenant renewal
B - Joshua 1-12; 20-24
OTP – El Amarna Letters 137-140 (2nd ed); 146-150 (3rd ed) and Study Guide
Map – Conquest and Settlement (on Blackboard)
Memory work for this unit will be from the psalms and you will want to start now: Psalm 19:7-9; Psalm 23; Psalm 51:17; Psalm 89:1-2; Psalm 100
12 Oct Lecture 17: Judges: The land not taken; spiritual history repeats itself; strengths and weaknesses of charismatic leaders
B - Judges 1-16
OTP – Gezer Almanac 145-146 (2nd ed); 155-158 (3rd ed) and Study Guide
Map – the Major Judges (on Blackboard)
14 Oct NO CLASS - QUAD EXAMS
17 Oct Lecture 18: Light and Darkness: Ruth and redemption; "in those days Israel had no king; everyone did as he saw fit"
B - Ruth 1-4; Judges 17-21
19 Oct Lecture 19: Transition to the Monarchy: Factors leading to the popular clamor for a king; Samuel's role as Israel's last judge; Saul's role as Israel's first king
B - I Samuel 1-15
21 Oct Lecture 20: The Rise of David; the fall of Saul
B - I Samuel 16-31, II Samuel 1
Map – Israel vs. the Philistines (on Blackboard)
24 Oct Lecture 21: Consolidating the Kingdom: Political and religious unity; David's "good years"; the scourge of sin in the royal household; unity begins to unravel
B - II Sam 2-24 (skim the lists of names); I Chr 21
26 Oct Lecture 22: Israel's hymnbook: The Psalms reflect the spirit of Judaism; classifying the Psalms; interpreting messianic and imprecatory psalms; features of Hebrew poetry
B - Psalms 1,11,15,19,22-25,42-46,51,73,78,84,86,88,90-100,109,110,115-118,120-124,133,136, 137,139,150 (and more if you like!). Take your time with these and be on the lookout for the wide range of emotions that are candidly expressed, from profound trust to terrible despair.
W - 141-45 (Q 10-12); 154-60 (Q 24-35)
28 Oct THIRD UNIT EXAM
31 Oct Lecture 23: Solomon's rise and fall: His accession; the request for wisdom; building projects; his demise
B - I Kings 1-5, 8-11; I Chronicles 28-29; II Chronicles 1-9
Memorize: 2 Chronicles 7:14
2 Nov Lecture 24: Wisdom literature: Wisdom in the ancient Near East; definition and characteristics of wisdom; wisdom and folly; an overview of Proverbs
B - Proverbs 1-12; 22-25; 31
OTP – Amen-em-ope 274-282 (2nd ed); 293-302 (3rd ed) and Study Guide
W - 278-98 (Q 1-23); 302-12 (Q 37-54)
Chart – Composition of Proverbs (on Blackboard)
Memorize: Proverbs 3:11-12; 9:10; 15:1; 17:28
4 Nov Lecture 25: Wisdom Literature: Job
B - Job 1-16, 19, 28-32, 38-42
OTP – Sufferer and a Friend in Babylon 223-228 (2nd ed); 239-246 (3rd ed) and Study Guide
7 Nov Lecture 26: Wisdom literature: Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs
B - Ecclesiastes 1-12; Song of Songs 1-8
OTP - Egyptian Love Songs 297-301 (2nd ed); 321-328 (3rd ed) and Study Guide
W - 96-98 (Q 15-17); 166-74 (Q 1-11)
7 November ONE-PAGE PAPER DUE [details regarding the assignment may be found in a separate document under Course Materials on Blackboard]
9 Nov Lecture 27: The divided kingdom: the wider political context; factors leading to the split; the man of God from Judah; civil wars; the dynasty of Omri and Baal worship; the ministry of Elijah
B -I Kings 12-20; II Chronicles 10-17
OTP – Annals of Mesha 157-159 (2nd ed); 167-169 (3rd ed); Tel Dan Annals 160-161 (2nd ed); 170-171 (3rd ed)
Annals of Shalmaneser 166-171 (2nd ed); 176-181 (3rd ed) and Study Guide
Map – Division in the Kingdom (on Blackboard)
11 Nov Lecture 28: The divided kingdom: geo-politics in the 8th c BCE; Elisha; the dynasty of Jehu and the final kings of the north; periodic reforms in the South
B - I Kings 21-II Kings 17; II Chronicles 18-28
OTP – Annals of Sargon II 174-176 (2nd ed); 185-189 (3rd ed) and Study Guide
Map – Elijah and Elisha (on Blackboard)
14 Nov Lecture 29: The divided kingdom: Super-powers in the ancient Near East; the reforms of Hezekiah and Josiah; the results of the broken covenant; the fall of Jerusalem and destruction of the Temple (587 BCE)
B - II Kings 18-25, II Chron 29-36; Isaiah 36-39; Jeremiah 25, 39; Lam 1-5
OTP – Annals of Sennacherib 177-181 (2nd ed); 190-192 (3rd ed); Arad Letters 198-200 (3rd ed); Lachish Letters 188-190 (2nd ed); 201-206 (3rd ed) and Study Guide
16 Nov Lecture 30: Prophets and prophetism: definition of prophecy: the call and message of the prophets; the periods of prophetic activity; true and false prophets
B - Isaiah 6; Jeremiah 1; Ezekiel 1-3; Amos 7
OTP – Mari Letters 318-322 (2nd ed); 341-346 (3rd ed) and Study Guide
W - 174-85 (Q 12-32)
18 Nov Lecture 31: Prophets of the north: the symbolism of Hosea's marriage; Amos places Israel's sins squarely in the midst of those nations surrounding her; the reluctance of Jonah to preach repentance to Nineveh; later judgment on Nineveh (Nahum)
B - Hosea 1-4, 11-13; Amos 1-3,5,9; Jonah 1-4; Nahum 1-3
Map – The Ministry of Amos (on Blackboard)
21 Nov FOURTH UNIT EXAM
23-27 Nov THANKSGIVING RECESS – NO CLASS
28 Nov Lecture 32: Prophets of the south (eighth century): the messages of Isaiah (the holiness and unique nature of God, the promise of salvation, the ministry of the Servant, pictures of the Messiah); Isaiah's contemporary, Micah; Joel's picture of the Day of the Lord
B - Isaiah 1-12, 14, 40-53, 55, 58, 61-62; Micah 4-7; Joel 1-2
Memorize: Isaiah 53:4-6; Micah 6:8; Joel 2:13
30 Nov Lecture 33: Prophets of the south (seventh/sixth centuries): Impending doom for Judah
B - Jeremiah 1-21,25-29,31-33; Habakkuk 1-2; Zephaniah 1; Obadiah
Jeremiah 31:33
2 Dec Lectures 34 and 35: Prophets of the exile: The symbolic actions and visions of Ezekiel (going into exile and restoration); apocalyptic visions of Daniel
B - Ezekiel 1-12, 18-28, 34-39, skim 40-48 just for the main points; all of Daniel
Memorize: Ezekiel 36:26-27
5 Dec Lecture 36: The Jewish community after the exile: Diaspora and return
B - Ezra 1,3-6; Esther (all; it's a good story); Ezra 7-10 (skim lists); Nehemiah 1-6, 8-9, 13
OTP – Decree of Cyrus 193-195 (2nd ed); 207-209 (3rd ed) and Study Guide
Chart – Post-exilic Judaism (on Blackboard)
7 Dec Lecture 37: Post-exilic prophets: Concern for the Temple, present and future; the "second generation" problem; hope and expectation; another 400 years
B - Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi
9 Dec READING DAY – All make-up unit examinations
13 December (Tuesday) 2:30-4:30 FINAL COMPREHENSIVE EXAM
PLEASE NOTE THE PAGINATION FOR OTP ASSIGNMENTS
OTP: Second and Third Edition Parallels
Current Syllabus Assignment Title of Section (“3rd Edition Title”) 3rd Edition Pages
9-18 Enuma Elish 11-20
19-30 Stories of Gilgamesh 21-32
46-51 Nuzi Archives 47-53
52-57 Annals of Hatshepsut 59-64
84-85 Annals of Sargon I 89-90
(“Story of Sargon of Agade”)
91-93 Annals of Merneptah 97-100
86-90 Treaty between Ramses II and 91-96
Hattusilis III
97-98 Code of Ur-Nammu 101-102
(“Code of Shulgi”)
101-123 Code of Hammurabi, Hittite Code, 105-130
Middle Assyrian Code
137-140 El Amarna Letters 146-150
145-146 Gezer Almanac 155-158
274-282 Amen-em-ope 293-302
223-228 Sufferer and a Friend in Babylon 239-246
297-301 Egyptian Love Songs 321-328
157-159 Annals of Mesha 167-169
160-161 Tel Dan Annals 170-171
166-171 Annals of Shalmaneser 176-181
174-176 Annals of Sargon II 185-189
177-181 Annals of Sennacherib 190-192
Arad Letters 198-200
188-190 Lachish Letters 201-206
318-322 Mari Letters 341-346
193-195 Decree of Cyrus 207-209