ABOUT OLD TESTAMENT PEOPLE (7)

1. Important people in the Old Testament

a) Isaiah

i) One of the Bible's major prophets. Served during reigns of kings Azariah, Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah. Foretold the coming and suffering of Jesus (Isaiah 52:13-53:12). Jesus began his ministry by quoting from Isaiah 61 (Luke 4:16-21).

b) Ishmael

i) Abraham's eldest son by Hagar, Sarah's maidservant. Grew up to be a "wild man" (Genesis 16:12). Was cast into the wilderness with his mother when he mocked Isaac. God made him into a great nation and gave him twelve sons who were princes of their tribes (Genesis 17:20).

c) Jacob

i) Son of Isaac and twin-brother to Esau. Buys Esau's birthright blessing for bowl of stew (Genesis 25:29-34). Steals father's blessing by pretending to be Esau. Flees Esau to Laban, where he must work 14 years to marry Rachel. Wrestles with man who is actually Jesus and has name changed to Israel (Genesis 32:22-32). His sons which represent the tribes of Israel: Asher, Benjamin, Dan, Gad, Isaachar, Judah, Naphtali, Reuben, Simeon, Zebulon. Levi, though a son, is usually not listed as a tribe due to being made priests by God. Although Joseph was also a son of Jacob his two sons Ephraim and Manasseh, whom Jacob gave the birthright blessing (Genesis 48), are listed as tribes instead of him.

d) Japheth

i) The middle oldest of Noah's three children. Survived the great flood in the ark. His sons were Gomer, Magog, Javan, Tubal and others.

e) Jehoiachin

i) King of Judah who ruled for only 3 months in 598 - 597 B.C. After Jerusalem falls at the hands of King Nebuchadnezzar he is captured and taken as prisoner to Babylon.

f) Jeremiah

i) Destined to be a major prophet before he was born (Jeremiah 1:4-5). Foretells and laments the desolation of Jerusalem and Judah. Imprisoned by Judah's King Zedekiah but released by Nebuchadnezzar. Foretold suffering of Jesus.

g) Jeroboam

i) Reigned over a divided Israel (composed of only 10 tribes), whose capital was originally Shechem, from 930-909 B.C. Set up a false golden calve god in Dan and Bethel to keep people from worshipping in Jerusalem (1Kings 12). Set precedence of idolatry and leading Israel to sin that God would reference many times (1Kings 16:2, 19, 31, etc.)