OTHCC Chapter 40: items 781 - 800

The Old Testament in the Heart of the Catholic Church < > All Chapters

{781} Down

Genesis Exodus Leviticus Numbers Deuteronomy || Joshua Judges Ruth 1 Samuel 2 Samuel 1 Kings 2 Kings || 1 Chronicles 2 Chronicles Ezra Nehemiah || Tobit* Judith* Esther 1 Maccabees* 2 Maccabees* Job

Psalms

Proverbs Ecclesiastes Song of Songs Wisdom* Sirach* || Isaiah Jeremiah Lamentations Baruch* Ezekiel Daniel || Hosea Joel Amos Obadiah Jonah Micah >> Nahum << Habakkuk Zephaniah Haggai Zechariah Malachi

The Old Testament books with a star * are not any more or less important than the others. The star indicates that the Catholic Church definitively professes and knows these books to be part of the sacred writings, the inspired Word of God [cf. CCC 120], but that they are specifically rejected by the Jewish people, and called ''apocryphal'' (of doubtful inspiration) by Protestants.

Read Nahum, Nah 1:1. Read Nah 3:1-3. Read Nah 3:18-19. The book of Nahum prophesies the utter destruction of Nineveh, the powerful and merciless capital of the kingdom of

a.   Assyria.
b.   Babylon.
c.   Egypt.

{782}      Down       Up

Nineveh was utterly destroyed in 612 BC, just as Nahum had prophesied. The Lord speaks to Jerusalem in Nah 1:12. Read Nah 1:12. However, despite this promise, Jerusalem was more than humbled, it was leveled to the ground in 586 BC by the Babylonians. This means that

a.   God was plainly not speaking through the prophet Nahum.
b.   Nahum foresaw the end of Assyria, but not the rise of Babylon.
c.   prophecy is just wishful thinking by a pious person.

{783} Down Up

Genesis Exodus Leviticus Numbers Deuteronomy || Joshua Judges Ruth 1 Samuel 2 Samuel 1 Kings 2 Kings || 1 Chronicles 2 Chronicles Ezra Nehemiah || Tobit* Judith* Esther 1 Maccabees* 2 Maccabees* Job

Psalms

Proverbs Ecclesiastes Song of Songs Wisdom* Sirach* || Isaiah Jeremiah Lamentations Baruch* Ezekiel Daniel || Hosea Joel Amos Obadiah Jonah Micah Nahum >> Habakkuk << Zephaniah Haggai Zechariah Malachi

The Old Testament books with a star * are not any more or less important than the others. The star indicates that the Catholic Church definitively professes and knows these books to be part of the sacred writings, the inspired Word of God [cf. CCC 120], but that they are specifically rejected by the Jewish people, and called ''apocryphal'' (of doubtful inspiration) by Protestants.

Read Habakkuk, Hab 1:1-3. Habbakuk, like Jeremiah, shows a new form of prophecy:

a.   delivering God's word.
b.   foretelling the downfall of enemies.
c.   questioning God.

{784} Down Up

Habbakuk asks, why does God use Babylon, which is more wicked than Jerusalem, to punish Jerusalem? Read Hab 1:13.

Read Hab 2:1-3 - God's answer to Habakkuk.

Read Hab 3. It is a beautiful canticle of the LORD's saving deeds, linked awesomely with his power over the whole of creation. <<

{785} Down Up

Genesis Exodus Leviticus Numbers Deuteronomy || Joshua Judges Ruth 1 Samuel 2 Samuel 1 Kings 2 Kings || 1 Chronicles 2 Chronicles Ezra Nehemiah || Tobit* Judith* Esther 1 Maccabees* 2 Maccabees* Job

Psalms

Proverbs Ecclesiastes Song of Songs Wisdom* Sirach* || Isaiah Jeremiah Lamentations Baruch* Ezekiel Daniel || Hosea Joel Amos Obadiah Jonah Micah Nahum Habakkuk >> Zephaniah << Haggai Zechariah Malachi

The Old Testament books with a star * are not any more or less important than the others. The star indicates that the Catholic Church definitively professes and knows these books to be part of the sacred writings, the inspired Word of God [cf. CCC 120], but that they are specifically rejected by the Jewish people, and called ''apocryphal'' (of doubtful inspiration) by Protestants.

If this textbook had been written at an earlier time, it would have taught you that most scholars confidently associate the destruction prophesied by the book of Zephaniah with a raid through Assyrian territories (including Israel) by Scythians. This Scythian raid is mentioned by the ancient Greek historian Herodotus.

However, more recent scholars have been unable to find even one bit of evidence that such a raid by Scythians ever took place - no records, no bits of broken pottery, nothing. The ''Scythian raid'' never existed, though at one time experts were sure that it had.

So, when this book tells you that ''most scholars'' or ''some scholars'' or even ''all scholars'' think something about the Old Testament, it is possible that, in ten years or a hundred years, this truth held by modern scholars will turn out to be as false and nonexistent as the ''Scythian raid.''

By teaching you a few things about the findings of scholars, this book might very well be teaching you some things that as early as tomorrow will be seen to be out-of-date, silly, or even downright false.

So what should you think about all this?

a.   All the information that experts possess is wrong.
b.   Experts have a useful but limited role in Bible study.
c.   Nowadays we have real experts who are never wrong.

{786} Down Up

The expression ''day of the LORD'' developed many different meanings within the writings of the Old Testament. Zephaniah prophesies a fearsome ''day of the LORD'' - against Judah.

Read Zephaniah, Zeph 1:1-3. Scholars tell us that repeating the words ''sweep away'' three times is meant as a solemn undoing of God's promise to Noah not to destroy all living things.

However, the covenant with Noah, which extends to all men and all living creatures, remains in force until the Gospel, the New Covenant in Christ which completes and fulfills all covenants, is universally proclaimed at the end of time. [CCC 58]

Thus the Catholic Church teaches that in the book of Zephaniah the sacred author did not literally mean that God has broken the covenant he made with Noah. Probably a literary form, 'the three curses,' was being used to convey the seriousness of the wrong Judah had done.

Read Zeph 1:14-18. This passage was the inspiration for the ''Dies Irae,'' a hymn sung or recited for hundreds of years at Catholic funeral Masses. (The Dies Irae no longer appears in the Catholic rite for the funeral Mass). Now read the whole of Zeph 1.

The remainder of Zephaniah consists of oracles against foreign nations, and then a statement of the restoration of the covenant. (Obviously, the covenant could not be restored if 'the three curses' prophecy meant that the entire world really was going to be destroyed). Read Zeph 3:19-20. <<

{787} Down Up

Genesis Exodus Leviticus Numbers Deuteronomy || Joshua Judges Ruth 1 Samuel 2 Samuel 1 Kings 2 Kings || 1 Chronicles 2 Chronicles Ezra Nehemiah || Tobit* Judith* Esther 1 Maccabees* 2 Maccabees* Job

Psalms

Proverbs Ecclesiastes Song of Songs Wisdom* Sirach* || Isaiah Jeremiah Lamentations Baruch* Ezekiel Daniel || Hosea Joel Amos Obadiah Jonah Micah Nahum Habakkuk Zephaniah >> Haggai << Zechariah Malachi

The Old Testament books with a star * are not any more or less important than the others. The star indicates that the Catholic Church definitively professes and knows these books to be part of the sacred writings, the inspired Word of God [cf. CCC 120], but that they are specifically rejected by the Jewish people, and called ''apocryphal'' (of doubtful inspiration) by Protestants.

The prophet Haggai prophesied after the Exile was ended and some Jews were returning to Jerusalem. The Old Testament tells us that times were very difficult for the returnees, and that both the Temple and Jerusalem were slow to be rebuilt.

Read Haggai, Hag 2:1-9. The LORD promises that the restored Temple would be even more splendid than the first. Actually, this never came to pass. The Temple was restored, but probably not in Haggai's lifetime, and it seems to have been nowhere near as impressive as the former Temple.

Read Hag 2:20-23. The LORD promises that the line of kings descended from David will be restored. This never happened at all.

Haggai is a good example of ''failed'' prophecy. In retrospect, his prophecies were not completely accurate. However, another realistic aspect to Haggai's prophecies is that they did encourage the Jewish people to rebuild in very difficult times. Also, Haggai's prophecies were so significant that they were preserved and revered as the Word of God.

Further, beyond the 'literal sense' of Haggai (the meaning the sacred author intended) the Catholic Church sees in Haggai's prophecy of the renewal of the Davidic kingship the renewal of the promise of the coming Messiah, Jesus.

Finally, because the book of Haggai is the inspired Word of God, we know with certainty that there will always be more meaning to find in the prophecies of Haggai. We know with certainty that Haggai's prophecies can draw men of any and all ages closer to Christ. <<

{788} Down Up

Genesis Exodus Leviticus Numbers Deuteronomy || Joshua Judges Ruth 1 Samuel 2 Samuel 1 Kings 2 Kings || 1 Chronicles 2 Chronicles Ezra Nehemiah || Tobit* Judith* Esther 1 Maccabees* 2 Maccabees* Job

Psalms

Proverbs Ecclesiastes Song of Songs Wisdom* Sirach* || Isaiah Jeremiah Lamentations Baruch* Ezekiel Daniel || Hosea Joel Amos Obadiah Jonah Micah Nahum Habakkuk Zephaniah Haggai >> Zechariah << Malachi

The Old Testament books with a star * are not any more or less important than the others. The star indicates that the Catholic Church definitively professes and knows these books to be part of the sacred writings, the inspired Word of God [cf. CCC 120], but that they are specifically rejected by the Jewish people, and called ''apocryphal'' (of doubtful inspiration) by Protestants.

The prophet Zephaniah prophesied several years before the Exile began. The prophet Zechariah prophesied

a.   in the middle of the Exile.
b.   several years after the Exile ended.
c.   several years before the Exile began.

{789}      Down       Up

Most scholars think that the first eight chapters of the book of Zechariah, Zech 1-8

a.   has similar but not the identical style and content of Zech 9-15.
b.   has the same style and content as Zech 9-15.
c.   is quite different in style and content from Zech 9-15.

{790} Down Up

Like Haggai, Zechariah prophesied after the Exile ended, about 520 BC according to the book of Zechariah. (The prophet Zephaniah is a totally different person who prophesied a wrathful ''day of the LORD'' several years before the Exile). You can remember this by noting that Zechariah (with a c) was Closer to the time of Christ.

Most scholars think that the book of Zechariah has two distinct sources. They say that Zech 1-8 is quite different in style and content from Zech 9-15.

Scholars call Zech 1-8 ''First Zechariah.'' It contains visions and oracles. Most scholars agree that they concern how returnees are to rebuild the community and worship the LORD.

''Second Zechariah'' contains prophecies, primarily about the future. The LORD will judge the Jews and the nations, amid struggle, suffering, and in the end, salvation and consolation.

Read Zech 9:9. The gospel writers remembered this passage when Jesus rode an ass into Jerusalem, as is celebrated on Palm Sunday.

Also, read Zech 12:10, and then read John 19:33-37. <<

{791} Down Up

Genesis Exodus Leviticus Numbers Deuteronomy || Joshua Judges Ruth 1 Samuel 2 Samuel 1 Kings 2 Kings || 1 Chronicles 2 Chronicles Ezra Nehemiah || Tobit* Judith* Esther 1 Maccabees* 2 Maccabees* Job

Psalms

Proverbs Ecclesiastes Song of Songs Wisdom* Sirach* || Isaiah Jeremiah Lamentations Baruch* Ezekiel Daniel || Hosea Joel Amos Obadiah Jonah Micah Nahum Habakkuk Zephaniah Haggai Zechariah >> Malachi <<

The Old Testament books with a star * are not any more or less important than the others. The star indicates that the Catholic Church definitively professes and knows these books to be part of the sacred writings, the inspired Word of God [cf. CCC 120], but that they are specifically rejected by the Jewish people, and called ''apocryphal'' (of doubtful inspiration) by Protestants.

Many scholars place the book of Malachi as being written at a time of vast mediocrity. The Exile had ended and the Temple had been rebuilt, though not to its former splendor. Malachi very severely criticizes irreverent and indifferent worship in both priests and people, says that the priests have not been properly instructing the people, and criticizes marriage practices.

So: a far less splendid Temple, with far-from-splendid priests and people. Some scholars think that Malachi is even more outraged because so many priests and people seem to think that what they are doing is perfectly normal and OK. They don't even seem to understand that what they are doing is wrong. Malachi prophesies a day of judgment against Judah, with an eventual covenantal restoration by the LORD.

By tradition the book of Malachi is placed last in the Old Testament. Read the last verses of Malachi. Elijah will come to announce the day of the LORD. Here is what the Catholic Church professes about John the Baptist in CCC 718:

''John is 'Elijah [who] must come.' [Mt 17:10-13] The fire of the Spirit dwells in him and makes him the forerunner of the coming Lord. In John, the precursor, the Holy Spirit completes the work of '[making] ready a people prepared for the Lord.''' [Lk 1:17]

Read Mal 1:1-11. Now re-read Mal 1:11. The literal meaning of this verse (what the sacred author intended) is in dispute among scholars.

Whatever other meanings the passage has, the Catholic Church sees this prophecy of a universal sacrifice as fulfilled in the Sacrifice of the Mass. <<

{792} Down Up

You have reached an important milestone in this course. You have read and worked through every item once. In the remainder of this course, you will have the opportunity to read and work through many of these same items again. No new items will be introduced.

So, the remainder of this course consists of opportunities for meditation and contemplation.

You may not be used to courses that teach you also through meditation and contemplation - in other words, that also teach you by asking you to re-encounter things that you have already 'covered.' It is nonetheless a fact that meditation and contemplation are central to how human beings learn. They are probably also central to prayer and to love, and to how human beings keep things in their hearts.

So, the second part of the course is an invitation to move a little deeper into prayer and reflection on what this course has covered. By all means, if you wish to do that on your own, then you certainly do not have to continue with OTHCC from this point. OTHCC is your course, and you can use it any way you want. On the other hand, if you do want to continue with additional learning, prayer, and reflection with OTHCC, besides continuing to do everything that you have done before, you might consider now also looking up and reading the passages in the Catechism that are referred to within an item but you haven't been explicitly asked to read. In this way you may reach a little deeper into the Church's heart.

However you choose to use OTHCC, may God bless you and keep you. <<

{793}      Down       Up

The Old Testament documents God's desire for an intimate and unbreakable relationship of love (a covenant) with man, in spite of man's repeated rejections of God. Repeatedly God makes covenants with man. God made covenants with all three men mentioned below. Who came first?

a.   Abraham.
b.   Moses.
c.   Noah.

{794}      Down       Up

Read Gen 6:13 - 9:17. The Catechism notes [CCC 701] that the Church sees typological meanings in this passage. In particular, the waters of the flood refer symbolically to

a.   Baptism.
b.   Christ.
c.   Mary.

{795} Down Up

The waters of the flood, which brought death, also resulted in the covenant of special closeness and life made by God with Noah and with all living creatures. By the waters of Baptism which are poured over us, we are baptized into Christ's death, which brings us union with him, and eternal life.

Also, Noah releases a dove which returns with a sign that the earth was again habitable. The Church sees in this dove a symbol of the Holy Spirit, who again appears when Christ comes up from the waters of his baptism.

Noah himself has been seen as a type of Christ, the faithful man God works through to save the world from death. <<

{796}      Down       Up

Here is one opinion about the literal sense of Gen 6:13 - 9:17. The conclusion of the passage is the making of the covenant between God and Noah, and this completes and gives the full meaning of the literal sense of what came before. God promises that death, which flooded the whole world on account of man's sins, will never be completely victorious.

The account thus reinforces the Protoevangelium. A man, Noah, defeats the death threatening the whole world, by faithfully and obediently cooperating with God's plans. Significantly, Genesis takes pains to show that Noah can trace his lineage directly to Eve (thus, he is a man who literally is a ''seed'' of the woman). However, and also very significantly, Noah is not a pagan ''hero,'' a man who defeats death by his own powers or actions. God alone does that.

Further, notice how great an emphasis is placed on establishing that Noah and his kin were just a few people in an entire world otherwise utterly given over to sin. Yet, small as their number was, God certainly noticed them. Their faithfulness literally saved the world, and prompts even greater tenderness from God, a tenderness that he extends far beyond Noah to all men who come after him.

Noah, his faithfulness, and the covenant God made with him, are so important that Gen 4:17 - 6:10 outlines the ''generations'' (all the ancestors) of Noah. He and his ancestors live to immense ages, befitting a family of long and continuing heroism and great faithfulness to God. Notice also that God plainly makes a covenant not just with Noah but, through him, with all men and even with all living beings. Noah's faithfulness changes the whole world for the better.

So, how long does the covenant God made with Noah last? The Holy Father and bishops united with him teach [CCC 71] that the covenant with Noah remains in force until

a.   the covenant with Abraham.
b.   the covenant with Moses.
c.   the end of time on the last day.

{797}      Down       Up

According to the Catechism [CCC 56], the covenant with Noah

a.   makes humanity's division into many nations salvific.
b.   overcomes divisions and makes the human race unified again.
c.   saves the human race part by part, while it is still divided.

{798} Down Up

The covenant with Noah, which extends to all men and all living creatures, remains in force until the Gospel, the New Covenant in Christ which completes and fulfills all covenants, is universally proclaimed at the end of time. [CCC 58] <<

{799} Down Up

Genesis Exodus Leviticus Numbers Deuteronomy || Joshua Judges Ruth 1 Samuel 2 Samuel 1 Kings 2 Kings || 1 Chronicles 2 Chronicles Ezra Nehemiah || Tobit* Judith* Esther 1 Maccabees* 2 Maccabees* >> Job <<

Psalms

Proverbs Ecclesiastes Song of Songs Wisdom* Sirach* || Isaiah Jeremiah Lamentations Baruch* Ezekiel Daniel || Hosea Joel Amos Obadiah Jonah Micah Nahum Habakkuk Zephaniah Haggai Zechariah Malachi

The Old Testament books with a star * are not any more or less important than the others. The star indicates that the Catholic Church definitively professes and knows these books to be part of the sacred writings, the inspired Word of God [cf. CCC 120], but that they are specifically rejected by the Jewish people, and called ''apocryphal'' (of doubtful inspiration) by Protestants.

The book of Job is made up largely of

a.   poetry.
b.   prose.
c.   quotations.

{800}      Up

In the book of Job,

- a prose beginning sets the scene. There is a wager in heaven between God and Satan about Job's faithfulness. Job loses livestock, children - everything - and suffers severe poverty and physical and mental torment, yet he refuses to curse God. Read Job 1-2.

- There follows about thirty chapters of poems - Job laments and complains, three friends say that, since God is just, Job must have sinned to experience this evil, and Job argues back, lamenting, complaining, eventually to God himself.

- Suddenly a young man (who is not mentioned anywhere else in the book and who is ignored by Job) interrupts for five chapters.

- Then without warning ''in a whirlwind'' God gives two long speeches and questions Job. Job can give no answer to God.

Then what happens to conclude the book of Job? Job

a.   is restored to abundant physical, material, and mental health.
b.   is restored to some degree of physical, material, and mental health.
c.   is not restored to physical, material, and mental health.

Up < > All Chapters

copyright (c) 2001 John Kelleher. All rights reserved.
www.catholiclearning.com