King Ahaz reigns 16 years in the Bible, and if one counts all the king's years of reign backward from 586 BC, we can determine his reign was from 742-726 BC, see 2 Kings 15:38 – 16:20, and 2 Chronicles 27:9-28:27. In Isaiah chapter 7, we read a little about the Syro-Ephraimite War against Judah. This war is dated somewhere around 736-732 BC between the allied nations of Syria and Northern Israel (referred to as Ephraim because that was the chief tribe of the region) and the Kingdom of Judah. Judah is told by the prophet these nations will not prevail and that Ephraim will no longer be a people. What happens after 65 years? Tiglath-Pileser III and his successors Shalmaneser/Sargon II have already deported and scattered most of Ephraim within this 65 year span, so what event is this referring to? Well, not everyone can be scattered so easily, and there were undoubtedly still some Israelites left behind, or that managed to return later. But around 65 years from the war, a new Assyrian King rises; his name is Esarhaddon, and he is one of the more prominent and powerful kings of Neo Assyria. In Ezra 4:2 and Isaiah 7:18-20 we get our answer. This Assyrian king repopulated Samaria, the capital of Northern Israel, with people from Egypt and Assyria (Babylonia). These mixed people groups were the ancestors of the Samaritans, and even right after the exile Zerubbabel recognizes that these people, though claiming to worship the same God, are not God's covenant people, and do not intend good for the Jews that returned from exile. The end of the 65 years is a prophecy concerning the repopulation of the land of Northern Israel, which is the final nail in the coffin for the Ephramitic identity. Curiously, we do not find his name mentioned in the list of tribes found in Revelation 7, instead it is replaced with Joseph, Ephraim's father. But curiouser still, we do find his name in Zechariah 9:13, an event in time that takes place later.
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If one adds all the years of the kings of Judah together as recorded in the books of Kings and Chronicles, the total would be approximately 393 years and 6 months from the end of Solomon's reign/the division of the kingdom of Israel to the destruction of Jerusalem in 586 BC. Interesting to note as well in Rehoboam's fifth year something happens that may foreshadow Nebuchadnezzar's destruction of the temple: the temple is raided by a pharaoh named Shishak (1 Kings 14:25), and he takes away all the treasures and the ceremonial golden shields, which are then replaced by bronze ones that can actually be used in battle: the age of the peaceful, golden, united kingdom is replaced by a lesser age of divided bronze kingdoms that are at continual war with themselves and their neighbors. See Isaiah 60:17 for more dispensational metal symbolism, as well as the statue in Nebuchadnezzar's dream as recorded in Daniel.
Pulpit commentary: "And Jeroboam arose, and fled int o Egypt [cf. verse 17, and Matthew 2:13. It was the natural place of refuge], unto Shishak, king of Egypt [Shishak is beyond doubt the Sheshonk I. of the monuments, and is the first of the Pharaohs who can be identified with certainty (see Dict. Bib. 3, p. 1288). The date of his accession appears to be somewhere between 988 and 980 B.C. As to his invasion of Palestine, see on 1 Kings 14:25. His reception of Jeroboam almost proves that there has been a change of dynasty, and that the new Pharaoh was no friend to Solomon], and was in Egypt until the death of Solomon. [Compare again Matthew 2:15.] 1 Kings 11:40." So it is a distinct possibility that Israel was divided close to the year 976 BC, 390 years before 586 BC when Nebuchadnezzar destroys Jerusalem; the Bible mentions the sin of Jeroboam (idolatry) being the downfall of the kings that ruled Israel after him, and in 1 Kings 14:16 we read that God gave up Israel because of Jeroboam's sin, adding further that he caused Israel to sin. We also read in Micah that the transgression of Jacob is Samaria. So, onto the 390 and 40 year prophecy in Ezekiel. Ezekiel is instructed to lay on one side for 390 days (a day for a year) for the house of Israel, the whole house, not just the Northern Tribes. It is 390 years, around the time of the "Jacob's transgression" to 586 BC. During this act of laying on one side, a mock siege was also going on, signifying that the end of this 1st destructive siege in 586 BC coincides with the completion of the 390 years. It is noteworthy that after this exile the northern tribes appear to be completely lost... until they return according to prophecy. But there is one more significant siege against Jerusalem that ends in complete destruction of both the city and temple. Spoilers: It is Rome in 70 AD. Then Ezekiel lays on his other side for 40 days (a day for a year) for the house of Judah. After the Babylonian exile, only the house of Judah remains. God's people hereafter are referred to as Jews. It is exactly 40 years from Christ's death on the cross to the destruction of Jerusalem by Rome in 70 AD. One siege is for the whole house of Israel by Nebuchadnezzar in 586 BC. From 976 to 586 BC. The second siege is for only the house of Judah by Titus of Rome in 70 AD. From 30 to 70 AD. Curiously, if 390 and 40 are added together, you get 430 years, the time Israel is said to have sojourned in Egypt before the Exodus. Perhaps these years of iniquity are symbolically equated with the hardships of Egypt, with distant hearts from God. The four winds of heaven, The power of heaven on earth, blow From the four cardinals directions To move the waters of the Mediterranean, the many peoples and kingdoms of the earth, carving out of the sea a singular space in time for each of the four beasts: The first is like a lion with eagles wings The apex of Mesopotamian kingdoms, The golden head of the ancient near east. With its wings it flies and carries off in a singular direction the children of Israel, along with any other nation it devours. His name is Nebuchadnezzar And his kingdom is New Babel. He too is devoured, the once mighty wings Are ripped from the torso, and he is transformed into a new man, a new nationality, for the Chaldean lies in bones. The second is like a bear Resting on its previously dominant side, The kingdom of Medai, And chewing the ribs at the heart of fallen Assyria: Arbela, Assur, Nineveh. With his dominant side propped up, The kingdom of Persia, commanded by Cyrus and by Heaven to devour The nations that lay before him like an unfolded scroll before him, foretold in Isaiah. He does not fly or scatter. The third is like a leopard with four wings to scatter the children of the Lord in all four cardinal directions of the globe. The Beast's name is Javan, Father of the coastland people's his pride, and his greatest heir Alexander, the Conqueror King of the coastlands and of the East. He spreads his wings out in territorial gains, In sync with his four heads, the now broken kingdoms Once ruled from Alexandria, Antioch, Macedon, and Kittim's heir Shipped round the whole of the Mediterranean Coast... .
Zechariah Chapters 1-6: 8 Visions in Inverted Chiasmus Short Outline of the Visions A. 4 horses, 3 exiles B. 4 horns scattering, 4 craftsmen rebuilding C. Measured height and width of Jerusalem-- construction of city/blessings D. High Priest Joshua anointed and crowned D. Temple completed by an anointed Zerubbabel C. 20 L x 10 W of scroll with Curses/destruction of houses B. Wind (which scatters) in the wings of two women, house building A. 4 horses, 3 returns As: Three Exiles of Zion ~to~ Three Returns of Zion Bs: Scattering Zion and Rebuilding Zion ~to~ Scattering the Wicked and Building a House for them Cs: Construction of Jerusalem and blessings ~to~ Destruction of the house of the wicked and curses Ds: Joshua the High Priest crowned, Christ's first coming symbolically (Christ is a high priest forever due to his own perfect sacrifice) ~to~ Zerubbabel completing the work of the temple and defeating a great mountain kingdom, Christ's second coming. A. Jeremiah (52:28-30): Three exiles Rider on Red horse, the Angel of Yahweh. Called a man as well. More to come on this. Myrtle trees as a symbol of prosperity (Isaiah 55:13). Very important to note that this goes into the thematic structure of the 8 visions, which is also something most of the prophets emphasized...From something bad like briers to something good like myrtle trees, From exile to return, From sin/punishment/curses to obedience/blessings, etc. A. Red. 2nd exile. Destruction of Jerusalem and Temple. B. Sorrel. 3rd exile. Governor Gedeliah overthrown by some rebels. Jeremiah 41:2. C. White. 1st exile. Best citizens, cream of the crop, taken to integrate with their foreign captors (Babylonians). 2 Kings 24:14. B. 4 Horns: Horn is a symbol of a specific king/kingdom strength/authority, see Daniel 8:5-9, Psalm 89:24/132:17 (David), carried on in Revelation 17:12. 4 kings that cause the most scattering, are likely the following Northern Israel: 1a Tiglath-Pileser III 2b Shalmaneser V (Sargon II possibly finished the siege). 2 Kings 17:4-8. Judah: 3a Sennacherib. Isaiah 36:1. Takes all of Judah, except Jerusalem. Or Esarhaddon? 4b Nebuchadnezzar. Takes Jerusalem. As begin, Bs complete. 4 Craftsmen: 4 Kings that decree rebuilding: 1a God Himself decrees first, see Jeremiah 33:7 and Ezra 6:14. 2b Cyrus the Great. Decrees work to begin on the temple. 3a Darius the Great. Allows work to restart on the temple from the decree of Cyrus Temple completed. 4b Artaxerxes I. Walls rebuilt against enemies. Focus is more on Judah because Northern Israel is basically lost… though not forever. There are many Bible prophecies about the return of Israel, see Jeremiah, see Micah. Also see Zechariah 14 concerning end times. C. Man with a measuring line (a pre-incarnate Christ, I believe, see also Ezekiel 40:3, Daniel 10:5-6, Rev 1:15) for rebuilding Jerusalem, to see what its width and length are. The altar and many temple furnishings were brass, see 2 Kings 25:13-17. Christ is compared to the temple. Future blessings: multitudes, and no wall but God's protection. Something more Messianic, as opposed to physical walls being built by Nehemiah. Eye is mentioned again: apple of my eye. Zechariah 2:8 D. The high priest Joshua is forgiven by the Angel of Yahweh (pre-incarnate Christ… Consider also Judges 13:20, Exodus 3:2-4). Notice: there is a forgiveness of sins pictured here, and then a messianic symbol is up next in Joshua. Then Joshua is crowned, which foreshadows Christ the Branch/Stone coming as high priest for all through His perfect sacrifice. Hebrews 4:14. Then a future messianic kingdom is mentioned in Zech 3:10; see Micah 4:3-7, particularly v 4. Pause in the cycle; the prophet falls asleep after the first four visions and is wakened again for the next four. Zechariah 4:1 D. Lampstand and Olive trees: The Temple, Joshua and Zerubbabel. Zerubbabel foundation and completion. Zechariah 4:8-9. Zerubbabel as a messianic figure-- Christ's return, specifically. Christ is Corner stone in Ephesians 2:20-21 (this verse appears to be referring to a capstone) and Capstone, “head of the corner”, in 1 Peter 2:7. Christ is the stumbling stone (foundation stone) and the stone that falls to crush in judgment (capstone). See Matthew 21:44. C. Flying scroll, measured 20 L x10 W, which is the size of the Holy Place of the tabernacle and of the Porch of Solomon in the temple. And the Brazen (brass) Altar. Curse against the households those who:
B. Woman in the Ephah. Hearkens back to Micah 6:10-11 which mentions the same words for wickedness, ephah and weight. These Jews will have a house in Babylon, and continue to do business there as an established community, unlike the scattering of the lost tribes. The eye symbol is likely a greedy one. Samuel 2:29, Proverbs 23:6, Ecclesiastes 4:7. Wings and wind and scattering: Zechariah 2:6 The talent of lead over the basket may also recall Jeremiah 6:29; the crude lead (Judah) is melted, but the impurities remain. Notice how this parallels with the 4 horns and craftsmen: Scattering is happening (wind in the stork (unclean/foreign) wings) and building is happening here. A house is to be built for this part of Israel being moved to Shinar). A. Two bronze mountains: Mt. Moriah (palace) and Mt. Zion (temple). Again, priest and king theme. Red Chariot: Possibly denoting Cyrus the Great (though Darius currently reigns). Messianic connections. See Isaiah 44:28 through Isaiah 45:1-5. (FYI, this is often why people assume there are two different Isaiah’s. There are not). A. Black: North (Babylon). 2nd wave of return: Ezra. Separation from foreigners (Ezra 9 and 10). B. White: also North (Babylon), and follows Black. 3rd wave of return: Nehemiah, following close behind Ezra. Governor Nehemiah instated. C. Dappled: South. 1st wave of return: Zerubbabel and Joshua, moving further south from Jerusalem into all Judea, or the south country is south of the North Country (Babylon). Rebuilding of Jerusalem and Temple. Note: The horses make up their own chiasm, too. Exile: 1. Angel of Yahweh (Red Horse) A. Red. 2nd exile. Red denoting greater bloodshed, war. Destruction of Temple. B. Sorrel. 3rd exile. Governor deposed. C. White. 1st exile. Took the best Israelites to integrate. Return: 1. Cyrus the Great (Red Horse) (directions not mentioned, but in consideration of the 4 winds of direction in verse 5, North and South have been taken, leaving East and West, which makes sense considering Cyrus is from the East, and moves westward to conquer the ancient near east). C. Black: North (Babylon). 2nd wave of return: Ezra. Message to not integrate with foreign women. B. White: 3rd wave of return: Nehemiah, following close behind Ezra. Governor instated. A. Dappled: South country, Judah. 1st wave of return. Rebuilding of Temple. 4 Categories of Horses in Zechariah: A. Exile B. Return A. War B. Peace (Holiness unto the Lord, see Exodus 28:36). More simplified: A1. A man, the Angel of the Lord, sitting on a red horse, which is standing among the myrtle trees 2. A. Red 3. B. Bay/Speckled/Brown. Governor deposed. 1. C. White A2. Cyrus chariot of red horses 2. C. Black. North. 3. B. White. Follows Black. Governor instated. 1. A. Grisled. South. Reversal Pattern: A1A2 is Judgment of exile to Mercy of return. It could be seen as a completion pattern, too. As: Destruction of city and temple to rebuilding city and temple Bs: Governor deposed to Governor Nehemiah instated Cs: Integration with Babylon to Separation from Canaanites Completion: 1s: First exile to First return (Zerubbabel and Joshua). The majority exiled and returned. 2s: Second exile to Second return (Ezra). Second largest numbers. 3s: Third exile to Third return (Nehemiah). Smallest numbers Daniel 9:24:
70 7 s Prophecy concerning: Jerusalem, Daniel's People (Israelites), the Messiah Sin: A. End rebellion (in particular the perpetual national rebellion of Israel) B. Seal sin (reserved for judgment/bring an end to sin) C. Atone for iniquity (Christ Come to Atone for Sins) Righteousness: A. Usher in everlasting righteousness B. Seal up vision and prophecy C. Anoint the Most Holy (Christ Returned to Reign as King) A. Ending to Bringing in B. Seal sin to Seal prophecy C. Atoning to Anointing It is also worth noting that each of these items can easily be coupled: End of rebellion and Sealing of sin Atoning for iniquity and Ushering in righteousness Sealing up the vision/prophecy and Anointing the Holy-Holy. The Exile and Return of Zion: A Macro 7 Part 1: Babylon as God’s Instrument of Punishment for Israel A. Neo-Babylon in power after the fall of Neo-Assyria at Haran 609 BC (70 years of Babylon in power begins here. Jeremiah 25:11-12, 29:10) B. Command to restore given by God to Jeremiah 587 BC (While under seige. Jeremiah 33:7) C. Destruction of 1st temple and walls by Nebuchadnezzar in 586 BC (70 Sabbath years for the temple begin. 2 Chronicles 36:21; Leviticus 26:27-43) Part 2: The Restoration of Israel A. Cyrus conquers Babylon in 539 BC (Ending the 70 years of Babylonian reign) B. Zerubbabel returns to Zion in 538 BC (49 years or 7 7s after the command to restore is given: A Jubilee, which also entails a return to property. And a travel to Jerusalem later. Leviticus 25:13) C. The Second Temple is completed in 516 BC (21 years from the foundation of the temple in 537 BC. Ezra 6:15) (70 Sabbath years are completed) D. Nehemiah begins rebuilding the walls in 446 BC, the 20th year of Artaxerxes reign (Nehemiah 2:1), completing the Macro 7, which starts with Babylon coming to power and Nebuchadnezzar being used as a servant of God to do His will, and ending with the walls rebuilt. This event comes 70 years after the temple is completed. Note: The structure of this Macro 7 is incredibly unusual but brilliant. Two 70s basically overlap exactly where there is a length of time that would pass before Jubilee, the 7 7s. In other words, the 7 7s are directly in the middle of this time-structure. The fiftieth year, the year of Jubilee, would technically be on 537 BC, the 2nd year of return when everyone meets in Jerusalem and the foundation of the temple is poured. Ezra 3:8-13. Lest anyone think the chiastic structure observed in the Bible is merely literary, God does this stuff in real time! Days of Creation in Genesis 1: A Study in Chiastic Structure Separation: A. Light Separate from Dark B. The Expanse of Air/Atmosphere/Sky: Water Above (water vapor rising to form clouds) Separate from Water Below C. Dry Land and Vegetation Separate from Water Filling: A. Heavenly Lights Fill the Dark of Space B. Fish and Birds Fill the Water and Sky C. Animals and Man Fill the Dry Land Completion: D. Rest As: Light Bs: Water and Sky Cs: Land |
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