Module Religion Writing

1. The temple vision of Ezekiel 40-48 is, as we covered in class, an elaborate and imaginative construal of the temple and its precincts.  This essay will be an opportunity for you to imagine yourself as experiencing this vision with Ezekiel.   Describe the temple that you see with Ezekiel.  Write at least 200 words.  Be creative but be sure that your visions conveys at least 3 major themes or details of Ezekiel 40-48 that  are important for understanding these chapters.

2. As we covered in class, the optimism and jubilant tone of Second Isaiah derives from the decision of the Persian King Cyrus to let the Jews exiled in Babylon return home. Write a prophetic speech that is inspired by the language of Second Isaiah--as if you were a prophet in exile. The year is 539 BCE and Cyrus' decision has just been announced. In your own words (at least 200), convey three major themes or key details that are important for understanding Second Isaiah

3. Here too you will have an opportunity to express yourself like a prophet of ancient Israel. As we learned in our class on Nov. 2, the prophets Haggai and Zechariah (esp. Haggai) made major startling claims about a contemporary figure Zerubbabel. Imagine that you are a prophet in Judah, like them, in the year 520 BCE. Write what you say about Zerubbabel. In your own words (at least 200) express at least 3 themes or core details that resonate with how Haggai and Zechariah praise Zerubbabel.