The Medo-Persian Empire (550-450 BC). The Prophets after the Babylonian Exile. The Prophetic Books of Haggai, Zechariah and Malachi

The lecture commences with a survey of the historical period of the Medo-Persian Empire, the rule of which encompasses roughly the lives and work of these three post-exilic prophets. The isagogical matters presented concern all three prophetic books in question. In terms of theological themes, the book of Haggai encapsulates the following: the Temple of Jerusalem and future aid. The book of Zechariah displays two themes, namely salvation and the Messiah. Scholars identified the following theological themes in the book of Malachi: covenant with God, particular covenants, form and spirit in worship and eschatology. Further topics and questions to be discussed include: Zech 1-8 and Chronicles, echoes of the past, Zerubbabel as Messiah, God in the Temple of Jerusalem, covenant dissonance, the jealous God, did prophecy cease after the exile, Zech 9-14 in the passion-narratives, Malachi and Nehemiah, a covenant with Levi, should Christians tithe, God’s affections and divorce.

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