Bible Courses, Prophets: POST EXILIC, reading guide

© Rabbi David L. Kline            http://good-to-be-a-jew.blogspot.com/

POST EXILIC PROPHETS Reading Guide

HAGAI     521 BCE, Post Exilic Jerusalem.  At issue for the returnees is rebuilding the Jerusalem Holy Temple.  Zerubavel, governor appointed/sanctioned by the Persian rulers, may be a descendant of the Davidic dynasty.  Y’hoshua is High Priest (haKohen haGadol) a new title/position, not found in Deuteronomy.

1            People living in finished houses–what about the temple? 

2            Strengthen Zerubavel and Y’hoshua :6 new Temple            :10 Torah check the priests

ZECHARIAH  (Chapters 9-14 are a late eschatological addition to the book)

1            Dated same as Hagai.   Remembering the old days   :7  1^st Vision with explanation

2            2^nd Vision with explanation?  :5-9  3^rd Vision with explanation  :10 The good news

3            4^th Vision: Joshua the priest, the angel and the satan

4            5^th Vision: Menorah and olive trees.  Not by might and not. . .

5            6^th Vision: Flying scroll, apocalypse   :5  7^th Vision: Woman in basket ???

6            8^th Vision: Apocalyptic winds???  :9  Messianic expectation

7            Fasting  :8 Injustice and consequence

8            Ideal future, Jerusalem

9            Neighbors destroyed, Jerusalem restored  :9 king coming, riding on an ass

10            Triumphant national restoration

11            Good shepherd and bad shepherd

12-14            Future reign of God   Jerusalem victorious but will weep for dead amond the defeated

            13:2 End to prophets

            14  Final war at Jerusalem              God will fight

            14:9 וְהָיָה יְהֹוָה לְמֶלֶךְ עַל־כָּל־הָאָרֶץ בַּיּוֹם הַהוּא יִהְיֶה יְהֹוָה אֶחָד וּשְׁמוֹ אֶחָד:           

LEVITICUS 19.  Ca 450 BCE, time of Ezra, P (Priestly Document) 

K’doshim, “Holiness Code.”  A list of ethical concepts in the middle

of a book mostly devoted to sacrificial offerings, ritual purity, cultic

practices, and priests’ responsibilities, conduct, clothing. 

For context and background, have a look at

Lev 2            korban and minchah offerings

Lev 8            Ceremonial clothing

Lev 11            Kosher animals

Lev 18            Sexual prohibitions

Lev 24            Capital punishment

Lev 26            Retribution