(Part 1)

JBTM Paul D. Wegner
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is a vital tool for determining the nuances a specific word might carry. The following
resources will be helpful for word studies:
Lexicon:
HALOT: Ludwig Koehler and Walter Baumgartner, rev. Walter Baumgartner and
Johann J. Stramm, Hebrew and Aramaic Lexicon of the Old Testament, 3 vols.
Leiden: Brill, 1996.
Word Study Books:
TWOT: R. L. Harris, G. L. Archer, and B. K. Waltke, Theological Wordbook of the Old
Testament, 2nd ed. Chicago: Moody, 2003.
NIDOTTE: Willem A. Vangemeren, ed., The New International Dictionary of Old
Testament Theology and Exegesis, 5 vols. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1997.
6. Examine the Historical Context
The role of each prophet was to supply God’s perspective in the given historical
situation. The better we understand the historical context, the better we can
understand the specific revelation God gave and why. It is often at this point that
principles emerge from the text that are applicable to ourselves. A good example of
how history helps us understand the prophet’s message is Isa 10:7–11:
7
But this is not what he intends; this is not what he plans in his heart. But in his heart he
plans to destroy and to cut off many nations. 8 For he says, “Aren’t all my commanders
kings? . . . 11 and as I did to Samaria and its idols, so I will do to Jerusalem and its idols.”
It is easy to miss what the Assyrian king is saying here. The Assyrians were not only
conquering other nations; their intent was to wipe them out entirely by incorporating
them into the Assyrian Empire. This is clearly seen in their deportation and
assimilation policies. In v. 8 the Assyrian is arguing that it is better to be a commander
in the Assyrian army than to be the king of one of these smaller nations that are
being conquered. He then lists all the cities that he has already destroyed. In v. 11
he mentions that he has already destroyed Samaria (722 BC) and expects to destroy
Jerusalem in the same way. But as we know from history, God stopped this proud
king in 701 BC and destroyed his army outside of the walls of Jerusalem. An accurate
timeless principle from this passage is that we have an amazing and all-powerful God
that no human authority can overcome no matter how powerful or boastful they
appear to be.