Journal Through the Bible: Week 99 Saturday

Zechariah 9:1-10:12

Chapter 9 begins a separate section in the book. It was probably written many years after the first 8 chapters. The first part of the chapter contains prophecies against several cities of Syria and Philistia. These prophecies came true during the conquests of Alexander the Great.

The remainder of chapter 9 contains Messianic prophecies.

Does God issue any commands?

• God told the people to rejoice because their King would come to them having salvation and riding on the foal of an ass.
• God told the people to pray for rain upon the land.

Does God make any promises?

• God promised destruction to Tyrus, and fear upon Ashkelon, Gaza, and Ekron.
• God promised illegitimacy to Ashdod and the cutting off of the pride of the Philistines.
• God promised to encamp around His house because of the invading army (verse 8) and defend His people (verses 13-16).
• God promised to cut off the chariot from Ephraim and the horse from Jerusalem.
• God promised to render double to the prisoners of hope that turn to the stronghold.
• God promised to strengthen Judah and save the house of Joseph: He will bring them again to place them. They would greatly increase.
• God promised again to part the sea! Assyria would be brought down and the scepter of Egypt would depart.

Does this passage teach anything about Jesus?

• 9: 9 is easily identifiable. It tells of Jesus' Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem.
• Verses 10, 14-17 of chapter 9 detail what Jesus the Messiah will do in the future.
• 9:11 seems to detail the saving work of the Messiah, the "pit wherein is no water" could be descriptive of hell.
• I believe that Jesus is the stronghold of 9:12. It seems to fit the context of the passage.

Does this passage teach anything about yet-future events?

• The real triumph of the King over all the powers of the earth is still to come.
• The time when the multitudes from Judah and Ephraim will live peacefully in the land is yet future.

Journal Through the Bible: Week 99 Friday

Zechariah chapter 8

Does God issue any commands?

• God commanded the people who heard the words of the prophet to be strong in building the temple because of the message of future hope.
• God told them to speak truth to their neighbor, execute the judgment of truth and peace in their gates (the place where court decisions were decided), not to imagine evil against their neighbors, and not to swear falsely. In other words, they were to follow the precepts set forth in the Ten Commandments.

Does God make any promises?

• God told Zechariah that He had returned to Jerusalem and would dwell there. He also said Jerusalem would be called the city of truth and the mountain of the holy LORD of hosts.
• God promised that the city of Jerusalem would once again be teeming with people of all ages.
• God promised to bring His people from the east and from the west to live in Jerusalem. They would be His people and He promised to be their God.
• God promised that the seed of the Jewish remnant would be prosperous.
• The Jewish nation was once a curse among the Gentiles but God promised that they would be a blessing.
• God promised that the feasts that the people had been following would have their purpose changed. They were first done in mourning but later would be done in rejoicing over the great things the LORD had done for them.
• God promised that people from many nations would come from afar to Jerusalem to seek the LORD.

Does this chapter teach anything about Jesus?

• Ultimately, Jesus is the seed of the remnant (singular, see verse 12) since His ancestors came out of that period of captivity and restoration. (Their protection as found in the book of Esther shows just how determined Satan was to destroy the remnant so the promised seed could not come!)
• Although verses 20-23 might have future fulfillment, they were also fulfilled during the time of Jesus' ministry. People from many nations sought Him for healing and to hear His teachings.

Does this chapter teach anything about yet-future events?

• Jerusalem can only be the city of truth and the mountain of the holy LORD of hosts when its King dwells there. This will be fulfilled in the Millennium reign of Christ.
• Although the promise that God gave Zechariah concerning people of all ages living in Jerusalem again was partially fulfilled in the time between Zechariah's time and the destruction in AD 70 there is a further fulfillment yet to come. One day in the Millennium men will live longer and the streets of Jerusalem will be filled with people. (See Isaiah 65:18-25)
• The prosperity promised to the remnant and their descendants will be fulfilled once and for all in the future kingdom.

Journal Through the Bible: Week 99 Thursday

source

Zechariah 6:1-7:14

This section begins with Zechariah's eighth and last vision. This one was of four chariots coming between two mountains of brass. The chariots were led by red, black, white, and grisled horses.

Does God issue any commands?

• Following the last vision the LORD commanded Zechariah to take three men who were previously Babylonian captives to make crowns of silver and gold to crown Joshua, the high priest.
• Two years after Zechariah's visions the LORD told him to speak to the people reminding them that they were hypocritical when they fasted and prayed in the fifth and seventh months while in captivity.
• Through Zechariah God told the people to execute true judgment, shew mercy and compassion to their brother, not oppress the widow, orphans, poor, or strangers among them, and not to plot wickedness against others as signs of true repentance. He reminded them that this was exactly why they were taken into captivity in the first place.

Does God make any promises?

• God promised that they who are far off would come and build in the temple of the LORD. (6:15)

Does this passage teach anything about Jesus?

• Again, the "angel" with whom Zechariah is speaking is the Lord Jesus Christ.
• The BRANCH is Jesus Christ.
• Joshua, the high priest, is a type of Jesus. Both names "Joshua" and "Jesus" mean "savior" and Joshua is symbolically crowned as an object lesson denoting that the coming King would one day definitely come. It also says that the BRANCH (Jesus) will build the temple of the LORD, a task that Joshua was charged with helping Zerubbabel complete. Remember though that Joshua was the high priest of the line of Levi and not of the ruling tribe of Judah. Jesus was of the family of Judah, not of the priestly tribe of Levi, but the Bible tells us that He is our High Priest. The symbolic crowns placed upon the head of Joshua were to be placed in the new temple that Joshua and Zerubbabel were building as object lessons reminding the people that their King was coming!
• Ephesians 2:13 says that now in Christ Jesus ye who were sometimes far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. Since the temple was a picture of the atonement of Jesus the promise of God is fulfilled in Jesus Christ. 

Does this passage teach anything about yet-future events?

• Zechariah's last vision appears to be about the future judgment of the earth. Chariots denote war.

TAKE TIME: May 25-30, 2015 Assignment

Introduction:  We will finish reading the book of Zechariah this week and briefly return to our background story in Ezra. Then we will begin reading the book of Esther, the account of the Jewish maiden who did not return with the group of exiles who were rebuilding the homeland but who found herself instead strategically placed in the palaces of Persia!

 Assignment:

• Monday - Zechariah 11:1-12:14
• Tuesday - Zechariah 13:1-14:21
• Wednesday - Ezra chapter 5
• Thursday - Ezra chapter 6
• Friday - Esther chapter 1
• Saturday - Esther chapter 2

Memory Verse

 And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn.  Zechariah 12:10


Prayer Journal (ACTS)

• Adoration - Praise God for being the Redeemer. What an amazing thing that our God died for us!
• Confession - Ask God to reveal hidden sin in your life and then confess it.
• Thanksgiving - Thank God for any answers to your prayers.
• Supplication - What are your prayer requests this week? List them for future reference so that you can see how God answers.

Search the Scriptures

Look for references for each of the following:

• Promises that God made and to whom He made them. Do they apply to you?
• References that either refer to or infer something about future events.
• What does this passage teach about Jesus?
• Commandments that God made and to whom He made them. Do they apply to you?

Putting the Word into Action
Sometimes we find ourselves in places where we do not wish to be and in positions we did not seek. Esther was ill-equipped to be the Queen of Persia and yet that is just the position where she found herself! We who know the story look back and see that God had placed her right where she needed to be so that she could do an important task. Take a look at your life to see if you find yourself in some awkward place or position not of your own choosing. Then spend some time in prayer asking God to use you to advance the work He has for you as you fulfill your duties there.

Journal Through the Bible: Week 99 Wednesday

The Lion of Babylon statue
Dockery, David S. et al.
Holman Bible Handbook. Nashville, TN:
Holman Bible Publishers, 1992. Print.
(Faithlife: Logos Bible Software)

Zechariah 4:1-5:11

We read of three more visions in these two chapters. Evidently all of these visions occurred in quick succession.

The first vision we read about today is of an interesting golden candlestick that is directly fed fresh oil by 2 olive trees. The next vision is of a large flying scroll.

The last is of an ephah and a couple of women. The first woman was forced into a basket but she divided into two who became strong enough to force the lid off the basket. As they arose it was seen that the women had wings and were carrying the ephah to Shinar, which was in Babylon, to build it a house. The purposes of this house were in direct opposition to those of the house that God was commanding Zerubbabel and Joshua to build Him in Jerusalem.


Does God issue any commands?

• It isn't directly stated but it is implied that Zechariah was to tell Zerubbabel the messages that God was giving concerning the work at Jerusalem. Zechariah was probably supposed to tell Zerubbabel that he was to rebuild not through might, not by power, but by God's spirit. (See verse 4:6)

Does God make any promises?

• God promised Zerubbabel that the work would be completed by the spirit of the LORD of hosts. The opposition would be leveled before Zerubbabel.
• God promised that just as Zerubbabel had begun the work of the temple rebuilding by laying the foundation stone many years previously so would he complete the work by placing the capstone upon it. (4:7-9)
• The flying scroll represented the law which brings a curse upon all that break it (that would be everyone; Romans 3:23). But the law of the LORD is perfect converting the soul. (See Psalm 19:7-11) Those who repent of their sins are righteous altogether. Those that reject so great a salvation are forever cursed as mentioned by this passage. In other words, the scripture will utterly condemn the wicked and will totally consume them as pictured by the analogy in 5:1-4.

Does this passage teach anything about Jesus?

• The angel that talked with Zechariah in 4:1 is the same man who has been part of his visions since the beginning of the book. This angel, or messenger, is Jesus.
• Jesus, the Prophet, Priest, and King is represented by the offices of Zerubbabel and Joshua together. Joshua was both a prophet and a priest. Zerubbabel was a prince and was the next in line to the throne had the monarchy been restored when the captives returned to their homeland. Jesus is the next in line to the throne of David and the Monarchy will rule again once the remnant, all of us redeemed sinners, are restored.
• Jesus is the LORD of hosts.

Does this passage teach anything about yet-future events?

• The two olive trees next to the golden candlestick were seen also seen by John in Revelation 11:3-12. The olive trees represent 2 people who are God's witnesses. In the time of the Revelation they are represented by 2 Old Testament saints who will prophecy in Jerusalem during the Tribulation. (I believe them to be Enoch and Elijah, 2 men who did not live out their lives but were translated alive and seem to be reserved to die at a later time.) In Zechariah the 2 olive trees are said by Jesus to be the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel. This would be consistent with the analogy of being God's appointed messengers to Jerusalem at God's appointed time. In this book it would seem that Zerubbabel and Joshua were the 2 messengers anointed by God to witness in Jerusalem by rebuilding the Temple.
• The last vision of the ephah (which appears to be a basket) depicts the wickedness of Babylon (which is where Shinar was located). The book of Revelation makes reference to the celebrations that occur among the angels and the saints once Babylon the great falls (see first Revelation 14:8 then 16:17-18:24). This could be an allegory of the political, financial, and religious systems that are so anti-Christ and anti-Christian. This "house" being built for the wickedness in the basket certainly was the antithesis of the "house" that Zerubbabel and Joshua were told to build!

Journal Through the Bible: Week 99 Tuesday

source

Zechariah 2:1-3:10

In these chapters we read of Zechariah's next visions. In the first one Zechariah sees a man with a measuring stick preparing to measure Jerusalem. The next vision was of the high priest, Joshua, who had gone back with Zerubbabel to rebuild the temple.

Does God issue any commands?

• God calls His people home. (2:6-7)
• God calls the daughter of Zion to sing and rejoice as a testimony among the nations.
• God told all flesh to be silent before Him.
• In the vision, God commanded that the filthy garments be removed from Joshua, the high priest.
• God told Joshua, the high priest, to follow His commands faithfully. (This would include helping with the rebuilding of the temple.)

Does God make any promises?

• God promised that Jerusalem would be inhabited as towns without walls for the multitude of men and cattle therein. God Himself promised to be a protection wall of fire around the city and the glory in the midst of her.
• God promised that any that touches Zion touches the apple of God's eye and He will spoil Israel's enemies.
• God promises to dwell in the midst of Zion.
• God promises that many nations shall be joined to the LORD in the day that He dwells in Zion's midst. The people of those nations will also be called His people just as those of Israel are.
• God promised to possess Judah in the holy land and to choose Jerusalem again.
• God promised in Zechariah's vision to take away the filthy garments of Joshua, the high priest, and to clothe him with a change of garments. Since it is Jesus, the angel of the LORD, speaking we know that this is exactly what He does for each sinner that turns to Him in repentance and faith! He takes away our filthy garments and clothes us in robes of righteousness.
• God promised Joshua that if he would walk in His ways Joshua would judge His house, and keep His courts, and He would give Joshua places to walk among those that stood by.
• God promised that through "the stone" (Jesus) He would remove the iniquity of the land in one day. Then everyone would live peacefully ("call every man his neighbour under the vine and under the fig tree" which speaks of living safely on one's own land).

Does this passage teach anything about Jesus?

• Jesus was still present with Zechariah in the 3rd vision. He is "the man that talked with me" of verse 2:3. He is the man (or angel) with the measuring line.
• Jesus will dwell in the midst of Zion. He it is that provides the glory of the LORD there.
• The angel of the LORD is Jesus (3:1)
• Jesus is the BRANCH. (3:8)
• Jesus is the stone. (3:9)

Does this passage teach anything about yet-future events?

• The time when Jerusalem will be a town without walls because God will be the wall of fire of protection will take place in the Millennial Kingdom of Christ. Then Jesus in all of His glory will be in the midst of her.
• Just as the man had a measuring stick to measure Jerusalem an angel had a measuring rod in Revelation chapters 11 and 21 to measure the temple and New Jerusalem. This city has gates but they are never closed which means it has no reason to defend itself. Also, the glory of the LORD shall always dwell there.

Journal Through the Bible: Week 99 Monday

source

Zechariah chapter 1

Two months after God spoke for the first time to Haggai He spoke to Zechariah concerning the temple rebuilding. In this chapter we read of Zechariah's of two visions. The first vision is of men on red and speckled horses who have been on a survey mission throughout the nations. The second is of 4 horns and the 4 carpenters sent to destroy them.

Does God issue any commands?

• God sent Zechariah to tell the people to turn  to Him (meaning to repent) and He would return to them.
• Zechariah had a vision of a man on a red horse leading speckled and white horses on an inspection of the nations. The man on the horse, also identified as the angel of the LORD, held a conversation with the LORD concerning the 70 years of punishment that had been accomplished. The LORD sent Zechariah to cry out to the people and tell them that His cities would prosper and His house would be rebuilt.

Does God make any promises?

• God promised that  His house would be rebuilt, His mercies were returned to Jerusalem, a line would be stretched forth upon Jerusalem, His cities through prosperity shall yet be spread abroad, and He would comfort Zion and choose Jerusalem.
• Through Zechariah's second vision God promised to remove the kingdoms of the Gentiles responsible for scattering and persecuting the Jews.

Does this chapter teach anything about Jesus?

• Jesus is the man on the red horse who is also known as the angel of the LORD.
• Jesus (called the angel of the LORD) prayed (or spoke) to the LORD asking for mercy for Jerusalem. Here we see the 2nd Person of the Trinity making intercession to the 1st Person of the Trinity on behalf of His chosen place and His chosen people.

Does this chapter teach anything about yet-future events?

• The walking to and fro of those on horseback is similar to John's vision in Revelation chapter 6 where riders on horses are sent out from God to complete acts of judgment.
• Jesus intercedes in verse 12 for Jerusalem. An angel shows the Apostle John the Lamb's bride, New Jerusalem, in Revelation 21:9-27. This is evidently the final answer to the angel of the LORD'S prayer made in Zechariah 1:12. It also ties everything from the Old Testament together with the New Testament since throughout the Old Testament the LORD says He "married" the land, but that Jerusalem played the part of an adulterous wife which had brought about punishment such as the Babylonian captivity, then was promised forgiveness and restoration such as is revealed to Zechariah.
• The Morris study Bible equates the 4 horns that scattered Judah, Israel, and Jerusalem to the 4 kingdoms of Gentiles revealed to Daniel, namely the Babylonians, the Persians, the Greeks, and the Roman confederacy (shown as mixed nations of iron and clay). If this is correct, 3 of these have been destroyed by the carpenters sent to deal with them (the Babylonians were conquered by the Persians, the Persians by the Greeks, the Greeks by the Roman Empire and the nations into which it disintegrated). Only the Roman Empire disintegration, which was ultimately destroyed by the large rock in Daniel's prophecy, is yet to be fulfilled. The Rock is the coming Messiah who will conquer the kingdoms of the world.

Journal Through the Bible: Week 98 Saturday

"Haggai Promises the Temple's Grandeur"
Horne, Charles, and Julius Bewer.
The Bible and Its Story: Prophets–
Gospels, Ezekiel to Matthew Family Record. Vol. 8.
New York, NY: Francis R. Niglutsch, 1909. Print.
(Public domain, but seen here courtesy of
  Faithlife: Logos Bible software)

Haggai chapter 2


Does God issue any commands?

• God commanded Haggai to question the people to see how many of them remembered the former temple.
• God commanded Zerubbabel and Josedech, the high priest to be strong.
• God commanded Haggai to ask the priests certain questions concerning what is pure and what make something impure. Then he was to use their answers as analogies concerning the spiritual impurities of the people and their nation.
• God told Haggai to speak to Zerubbabel and tell him that God would do mighty works.

Does God  make any promises?

• God promised to be with the people in the covenant relationship just as He had promised their forebears when they left Egypt. He said His Spirit remained among them.
• When God told them to consider that they had not been blessed by Him but had instead suffered drought and loss since the time that they ceased their labors on the temple He also promised that from that day forward He would bless them because He was sending them back to work on the temple.
• God promised Zerubbabel that He would shake the heavens and the earth and would overthrow kingdoms.
• God promised Zerubbabel that He would make him a signet because He had chosen Zerubbabel.

Does this chapter teach anything about Jesus?

• Jesus is the "desire of all nations" of verse 7.
• Zerubbabel is the type of Christ in this passage because he is the one chosen by God to lead His people and to do His will.

Does this chapter teach anything about yet-future events?

• Verses 7-9 are still to be fulfilled when "the desire of nations" shall come. Then the future temple (that remains to be built) will be filled with the glory of the LORD. And that temple shall be greater than the first one. This is the temple that Ezekiel described.
• Verses 20-22 promise the future destruction of nations. This event follows the shaking of the heavens and the earth.
• Verse 23 says that Zerubbabel would be a signet (a seal, or sign) that the things of verses 20-22 would come to pass. Zerubbabel was the ancestor of both Mary and Joseph, the humans chosen to parent the King who will ultimately overthrow all nations.

Handi-Treads for Stair Safety (and a Discount Code, too)

clickable link

Disclosure: Goods were received in exchange for my honest opinion.

Recently the HandiRamp Company of Libertyville, Illinois asked me to preview their Handi-Tread product on our deck stairway and share my honest opinion. They also said that I can offer you, my readers, a discount if I think it worthy of purchase. Well, I do like the product and would gladly share the love of safety with you! See below for the discount code.

Injuries and deaths from falls are a rising concern for everyone but this is especially true for aging populations (clickable link) or households with young children (clickable link). We routinely have representatives from both demographics - and everyone in between - traversing our stairs. Several years ago I slipped and fell down our inside steps and broke a bone in two places on one foot and the big toe on the other one. Although my injuries healed completely I still suffer from occasional swelling. Most falls are preventable.

Our inside staircase is not nearly as hazardous to descend as our outside steps so we installed Handi-Treads on the steps that connect our multi-level deck to the patio. Our deck steps are made from wood tread risers with grooves designed to provide some traction. The problem is that we often have precipitation that pools in those grooves making the steps slippery. Not only is this a problem because of our Midwestern winter snows but we can also experience quick freezes following rain in the early spring and late fall that turn the water in the grooves to ice! Grooves are not much help in that situation.

Before

The solution is Handi-Tread!

After

Stair risers with grooves and Handi-Treads

Taking it to the next level

There are other products on the market designed to cut down on slips and falls but they are not as good or as permanent a solution as Handi-Treads.

Please note that Handi-Treads can be used inside or out, on wood or cement steps. They are durable yet gentle on feet. They are used in private homes and in public parks and buildings.

Here is my opinion of the Handi-Tread product sent to me. I love it! It is a noticeable improvement to the traction on our stairs. 

The only negative comment that we have is that the screws included were not as durable as the Handi-Treads themselves. We stripped the screw heads whether we turned them by hand power or used a power screwdriver when installing them. We pre-drilled the holes but the metal shavings piled up anyway. The installation itself was done quickly in spite of that and we are satisfied that the treads are securely installed.

Now for the savings. My readers can obtain a 10% discount simply by using the code BLOG2015 at checkout. Click here to enter the HandiTread website to see their various colors, sizes, and styles.

* * * * *

There is also a STOP THE SLIP contest that you may enter if you are interested. See details here. This is a video contest so if you have a story you wish to dramatize detailing how you slipped in a public location your entry may win a set of Handi-Treads to make that very location safer. Four winners are chosen each year. What a great way to keep others from slipping as you did!

TAKE TIME: May 18-23, 2015 Assignment

Introduction:  Zechariah was another prophet that Ezra mentioned as having received a word from the LORD concerning the rebuilding of the temple after the people became discouraged and stopped working. We will read a portion of this book this week.

 Assignment:

• Monday - Zechariah chapter 1
• Tuesday - Zechariah 2:1-3:10
• Wednesday -  Zechariah 4:1-5:11
• Thursday - Zechariah 6:1-7:14
• Friday - Zechariah chapter 8
• Saturday - Zechariah 9:1-10:12

Memory Verse

 Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem; behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.  Zechariah 9:9


Prayer Journal (ACTS)

• Adoration - Praise God for being the Great Encourager. He reveals to us some of the past, present, and the future.
• Confession - Ask God to reveal hidden sin in your life and then confess it.
• Thanksgiving - Thank God for any answers to your prayers.
• Supplication - What are your prayer requests this week? List them for future reference so that you can see how God answers.

Search the Scriptures

Look for references for each of the following:

• Promises that God made and to whom He made them. Do they apply to you?
• References that either refer to or infer something about future events.
• What does this passage teach about Jesus?
• Commandments that God made and to whom He made them. Do they apply to you?

Putting the Word into Action
The people had faced opposition, become disheartened, and stopped doing what God gave them to do so He sent the prophets Haggai and Zechariah to tell them to get back to work on rebuilding the temple. We often find ourselves in a similar predicament. We are told by God to do a work for Him so we start strong but as soon as we face opposition we become disheartened and we quit. The assignment this week is to identify a work that God gave you to do but that you have stopped doing because you got discouraged. Then get back to work! This is a very personal assignment. There are some things that God told each of us to do, but there are some works that He assigns each of us through the talents and abilities with which He has gifted and equipped us. I wish you well as you identify something and begin anew to do God's work!

Journal Through the Bible: Week 98 Friday

"Haggai Summons the People"
Horne, Charles, and Julius Bewer.
The Bible and Its Story: Prophets–
Gospels, Ezekiel to Matthew Family Record. Vol. 8.
New York, NY: Francis R. Niglutsch, 1909. Print.
courtesy of Faithlife: Logos Bible software

Haggai chapter 1

The last verse of Ezra chapter 4 says that the work stopped until the second year of King Darius. Notice that in the first verse of Haggai chapter 1 we are told that this was exactly when God intervened.

Does God issue any commands?

• God commanded that the people consider what they had been doing while idle from building the temple. Evidently, in the time of the work-stoppage they had concentrated upon building their own fine houses, planting fields, and doing other labors of housekeeping but God had not blessed them in their endeavors.
• God commanded the people to go to the mountain and bring wood for the building of the temple.

Does God make any promises?

• God promised that when the temple was completed He would be glorified in it. (Remember that Ezekiel had witnessed the glory departing from the first temple. God was promising that His glory would return.)
• God promised that if they continued to concentrate upon their own households and endeavors to the neglect of His house He would continue to send drought and famine upon them.
• God promised to be with the people rebuilding the temple. This was a promise to protect them from those who were opposing them.

Does this chapter teach anything about Jesus?

• The Spirit came upon Zerubbabel to do the LORD'S work. Zerubbabel was the ancestor of Jesus and he was a type of Jesus, too. Jesus also did the LORD'S work when the Spirit came upon Him.

Does this chapter teach anything about yet-future events?

• Not that I identified.

Journal Through the Bible: Week 98 Thursday

source

Ezra chapter 4

God's people were doing God's work when they were interrupted by enemies posing as friends. This ruse and the plots that followed it resulted in the work being stopped.

The chapter tells of the request the people living in and around Samaria made to the king in letters petitioning him to stop the Jews from completing the work. Work was stopped for several years.( Read my synopsis of the book of Ezra by clicking here that helps identify the kings listed in this passage and their role in Persian history. )

Does God issue any commands?

• God does not speak.

Does God make any promises?

• God does not speak.

Does this chapter teach anything about Jesus?

• The people of Samaria were foreigners that the Babylonians moved into the land when they conquered Judah. These foreigners intermarried with the few Jews that had been left in the land. These would be "the people of the land" mentioned in verse 4. In this chapter Zerubbabel tells them that they have no part in Israel's God even though the Samaritans wanted to claim Him. When Jesus encountered the Samaritan woman He told her that salvation was of the Jews and that the Samaritans had no idea what they worshiped! Yet Jesus explained to the woman Who she should worship. And she did! He also told her that the time was coming, and in fact already was, when all who worship God would do so in spirit and in truth. (See John chapter 4.)

Does this chapter teach anything about yet-future events?

• Not that I identified.

Journal Through the Bible: Week 98 Wednesday

source

Ezra 2:64-3:13

The people who returned gave of their prosperity for the work on the temple.They came together in the seventh month to offer burnt offerings upon the altar as commanded in the law of Moses. Then in the second year the actual building on the temple began. The priests and Levites led in singing praise psalms of David once the foundation was laid. But while some of the people and priests shouted others who were old enough to remember the appearance of Solomon's temple wept openly.

Does God issue any commands?

• None is given specifically, but we are told that the people kept the prior commands of God when they observed the Feast of the Tabernacles and continually offered burnt offerings. This was done even though the foundation of the temple was not yet laid.

Does God make any promises?

• God does not speak.

Does this passage teach anything about Jesus?

• The foundation of the temple that was laid is symbolic of Jesus, the foundation and Chief Cornerstone of the Lord's church.

Does this passage teach anything about yet-future events?

• There will be a future temple built in Jerusalem. One can only imagine the shouting and weeping that will result at its building!

Journal Through the Bible: Week 98 Tuesday

source

Ezra 2:36-63

The list continues of those who returned with Zerubbabel to Jerusalem and Judah. Today's list includes the priests, Levites, and Nethinims. There were a few men that could not prove that they were actually priests of the tribe of Levi so they were kept from serving until a priest with Urim and Thummim could be consulted.

Does God issue any commands?

• No commands were given specifically in this passage, but God had given instructions in the law concerning who could be priests from the tribe of Levi. When the nation divided into northern and southern kingdoms king Jeroboam from the northern kingdom of Israel installed his own men to be priests of his own religion. After that nation was taken captive by Assyria, many from the north fled to the south to the nation of Judah during the time of Hezekiah. This could be why there was confusion among the children of Barzillai. They could not show their genealogy so they were required to wait for a priest who had Urim and Thummim to consult the LORD. (The Urim and Thummim was located on the priest's breastplate.)

Does God make any promises?

• God did not speak.

Does this passage teach anything about Jesus?

• The offices administered by the priests were to be done by those of pure lineage. Jesus was not of the tribe of Levi, but He was chosen by God to be our High Priest (as well as the sacrifice offered by the High Priest) because of His sinless perfection. Jesus is the only Man who truly had a pure lineage.

Does this passage teach anything about yet-future events?

• Not that I identified.

Journal Through the Bible: Week 98 Monday

The Cyrus Cylinder
Brand, Chad et al., eds. Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary
 2003 : n. pag. Print.
Appearing here courtesy of Faithlife Logos Bible Software

II Chronicles 36:22-23, Ezra 1:1-2:35

Now that we have finished reading a post-exilic history of the events leading up to the captivity of Judah, we are reading of the first exiles to return to their homeland. Zerubbabel was the leader of this group. He was a prince of Judah, being the grandson of the former king Jehoiachin. Zerubbabel and company are named in verse 2.

The names that we read in verses 3-35 that say "the children of __________" lists the names of towns and villages, not the names in a genealogy. See verse 21 for an example.

Does God issue any commands?

• Cyrus, king of Persia, stated that God had charged him with the responsibility of building Him a house in Jerusalem. Cyrus then made request for men whom the LORD was with to go up to Jerusalem and also told everyone to give silver, gold, and goods to meet this obligation. The chief men of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin, as well as the priests and Levites, answered this call. Cyrus himself began the offering by returning 30 gold chargers, 1,000 chargers of silver, 29 knives, 30 gold basons, 410 silver basons, and 1,000 other vessels that had been taken by Nebuchadnezzar from the original temple for use in the second temple. In total he returned 5,400 vessels of gold and silver from the royal treasury.

Does God make any promises?

• It is stated that the decree to Cyrus was in fulfillment of the promise given to Jeremiah. (Not stated is the promise given in Isaiah 44:28, many years before the fact, that Cyrus would be the shepherd used of God to rebuild the foundation of the temple. "The shepherd" itself was a prophesy since Cyrus himself was said to have been raised anonymously by shepherds in order to keep him safe from the king/his grandfather that wished to kill him. That reminds me of the whole Herod episode in the early life of Jesus, the Great Shepherd and King of Israel.)

Does this passage teach anything about Jesus?

• Prince Zerubbabel was a type of Christ in that he followed the will of God to establish true worship in Jerusalem for God's people.

Does this passage teach anything about yet-future events?

• One day the decree will go out from God just as it did to Cyrus for true worship to be established once again in Jerusalem.

Journal Through the Bible: Week 97 Saturday

source

II Chronicles 36:1-21

Josiah had 3 sons and 1 grandson that followed him on the throne. None of them were Godly men. First the people of Judah took Josiah's son, Jehoahaz, as their king, but Pharaoh Necho of Egypt deposed him and put his brother Eliakim on the throne. Necho also changed Eliakim's name to Jehoiakim. After 11 years Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon carried Jehoiakim away and placed Jehoiakim's son, Jehoiachin on the throne. Nebuchadnezzar also deposed him and took Jehoiachin to Babylon just as he had his father. At that point he placed the third son of Josiah, Zedekiah, on the throne. He remained until Nebuchadnezzar punished him for rebellion. Then the whole country paid the price by going into captivity.

Does God issue any commands?

• God sent the prophet Jeremiah to command Zedekiah to humble himself but Zedekiah did not listen.
• Likewise, God sent  many prophets to warn the people because He had compassion on them but they would not listen. (verse 15)

Does God make any promises?

• The fall of Jerusalem was the fulfilling of a promise God had made the people back before they even entered the land in the times of Moses and Joshua.
• God promised that the land would enjoy her sabbaths, to fulfill 70 years. This was stated through Jeremiah the prophet.

Does this passage teach anything about Jesus?

• The LORD sent His messengers to the people and they mocked them. The LORD later sent His Son, the heir of everything, and they mocked Him before killing Him. Jesus told a prophetic parable about this.

Does this passage teach anything about yet-future events?

• God has an agenda and He keeps it. He made promises to the Children of Israel at the very beginning of His covenant with them saying that He would keep His promise to them and to the land. In the fullness of time God fulfilled that promise, removed the people, and let the land enjoy its sabbaths. God has also made promises concerning the future of this earth. He will keep His promises to restore His creation. Everything is following God's agenda to bring about future events.

Journal Through the Bible: Week 97 Friday

source

II Chronicles chapter 35

Josiah instituted the Passover observance, set the duties of the priests, and installed the Ark of the Covenant in its place once more. There had not been such a Passover since the time of Samuel!

When Josiah was killed in battle the nation mourned greatly. The chronicler states Jeremiah mourned for Josiah and that the people were still lamenting over his death at the time of his writing many years later. Most likely these were epic songs that the people sang. Josiah was a beloved king whose righteousness rule exemplified Proverbs 29:2.

Does God issue any commands?

• Josiah implemented the Passover as it was given to Moses.
• Pharaoh Necho told Josiah not to meddle because he claimed that God had sent him on a mission of war against Carchemish that needed to be completed in a hurry. Josiah would not listen and was killed.

Does God make any promises?
No.

Does this chapter teach anything about Jesus?

• The people put much trust in Josiah and his ability to rule. They were very grieved when he died an untimely death. Generations later, the people put much trust in Jesus and His ability to rule, going so far as to wish him to claim the throne at His first advent. They were very grieved when He died an untimely death. (See also Zechariah 12:10-11.)

Does this chapter teach anything about yet-future events?

• Perhaps the reference to the mourning over Josiah being killed in the Valley Megiddo is foreshadowing of the battle of Armageddon located in that same valley.

TAKE TIME: May 11-16, 2015 Reading Assignment

Introduction:  The last couple of verses of II Chronicles are almost identical to the first 3 verse of the book of Ezra. With the completion of the chronicles, which most scholars believe were compiled by Ezra the priest, we begin reading the book that bears his name. We will interrupt our reading of Ezra to read the prophecies of two men who were his contemporaries. This week we will read Haggai.

 Assignment:

• Monday - II Chronicles 36:22, 23; Ezra 1:1-2:35
• Tuesday - Ezra 2:36-63
• Wednesday -  Ezra 2:64-3:13
• Thursday - Ezra chapter 4
• Friday - Haggai chapter 1
• Saturday - Haggai chapter 2

Memory Verse

 And I will shake all nations, and the desire of all nations shall come: and I will fill this house with glory, saith the LORD of hosts.  Haggai 2:7


Prayer Journal (ACTS)

• Adoration - Praise God for being omniscient. He reveals to us some of the past, present, and the future
• Confession - Ask God to reveal hidden sin in your life and then confess it.
• Thanksgiving - Thank God for any answers to your prayers.
• Supplication - What are your prayer requests this week? List them for future reference so that you can see how God answers.

Search the Scriptures

Look for references for each of the following:

• Promises that God made and to whom He made them. Do they apply to you?
• References that either refer to or infer something about future events.
• What does this passage teach about Jesus?
• Commandments that God made and to whom He made them. Do they apply to you?

Putting the Word into Action
God takes the fallen and gives it (or them) a future, whether it be the earth or its inhabitants. Following the Jewish exile God allowed a remnant to return to their land. We, as the inhabitants of a fallen creation are exiled from the physical presence of God, but one day we will inhabit a New Earth and Emanuel will live there with us. The assignment this week is to make a list of the ways your future in a restored world will be different than your current existence. Keep this list and review it when circumstances become overwhelming. One day the earth will be restored and God's remnant will witness the glory of the "all things . . . becom[ing] new."

To My Favorite Moms

Happy Mother's Day 

to

my mom, my mother-in-law,

and my 3 daughters:

5 of the best mothers I know!

I love you and hope you have a wonderful day!

Both sets of grandparents with our 4 children;
Photo taken at The Bear's graduation party

Journal Through the Bible: Week 97 Thursday

source

II Chronicles chapter 34

We have come to the account of Josiah. Once again, there was peace because a righteous king reigned in Judah. As young as Josiah was when he began to reign (8 years old), it is purely grace that he wasn't influenced by his wicked father, Amon, had been a young man himself when he died. He was only 24 years old when his servants conspired to kill him after he had only reigned for 2 years.

Verse 33 tells us that Josiah was 16 years old when he followed the LORD. His reforms reached even into the former country of Israel. Manasseh, Ephraim, Simeon, and Naphtali were not part of Judah after the nation divided into two kingdoms during the reign of Rehoboam.

Josiah began the Temple restoration project in his 18th year of reign. It was then that the scriptures were discovered! Josiah's distress at hearing that his forebears had not followed the LORD but had instead led the country into apostasy touched the very heart of God.



Does God issue any commands?

• With the discovery of the book of the law of Moses the king and his people were made aware of the commands of God and how the nation had ignored them.

Does God make any promises?

• Through Huldah the prophetess God told Josiah that He would indeed bring all the evil upon the inhabitants of the land as promised in the book of the law given to Moses; however, Josiah would not see the wrath of God upon the land. The siege would take place after Josiah had died. Josiah had turned to the LORD and had repented with tears before Him therefore God would spare Josiah from the troubles to come.

Does this chapter teach anything about Jesus?

• Josiah was spared from judgment because of the grace of God. God's grace always comes through saving faith in the atoning work of Christ. Josiah repented of sin and trusted the atonement provided by God for him.

Does this chapter teach anything about yet-future events?

• God promised to remove Josiah before His judgment fell. God will remove those that are His prior to the Great Tribulation that is to come.

Journal Through the Bible: Week 97 Wednesday

source

II Chronicles 32:23-33:25

King Hezekiah was well-esteemed by other nations following the defeat of Assyria. For a time he was lifted up in pride and the LORD punished him. Like a true believer, Hezekiah repented of this sin and was once again restored to fellowship. God had tested him by sending ambassadors from Babylon to him and Hezekiah failed the test.

Hezekiah lived for several more years. His son, Manasseh followed him on the throne. He was an evil man! He built altars to celestial bodies in the court of the Temple and set up an idol there. He also burnt his children as sacrifices to his idols. He also followed enchantments and sorcerers. Later, after God punished him, he took away all of the abominations so unlike some of his forefathers who started their rule well and ended badly, Manasseh started badly and ended well. Unfortunately, his son Amon did not learn anything from his father's conversion.

Does God issue any commands?

• 33:10 says that God spoke to Manasseh and Judah but they would not listen. God then sent Assyria to take Manasseh captive to Babylon. There he repented and turned to the LORD. God rewarded him by returning him to the throne of Judah.

Does God make any promises?

• At the time of Hezekiah's sickness God gave him a sign of promise that He had been healed.
• God promised that the destruction of the nation would not happen during the time of Hezekiah.

Does this passage teach anything about Jesus?

• Jerusalem was turned to pride, arrogance, and idolatry during Manasseh's reign. Jesus found the city in much the same condition in His day and it made Him weep over it.

Does this passage teach anything about yet-future events?

• Just as the seers warned Manasseh of judgment to come, God's people are warning others that judgment is coming. Like Manasseh, many refuse to listen. But also like Manasseh, some repent and turn to God. One day, the world will learn the lesson of judgment that God taught Manasseh.

Journal Through the Bible: Week 97 Tuesday

source

II Chronicles 31:11-32:22

Once Hezekiah saw how much food the people were providing the priests in their offering and how much of it the priests were wasting he commanded storerooms to be prepared in the Temple. It reminds me of the plan of Joseph to provide for the lean years during the years of plenty. And like in the days of Joseph in Egypt, Hezekiah appointed men to distribute as needed.

Several years later Sennacherib, king of Assyria, came against Judah and Hezekiah. Hezekiah and his wise men stopped the conduits of water that he had established so that the Assyrian army would not find adequate water supplies for their use. He also fortified the defenses and restocked the armory. But the best thing he did to win the battle was to remind the people that Assyria could not defeat them unless the LORD gave Judah into its hands. Hezekiah did not believe that this would happen so he encouraged his people in their time of fear. The people believed him.

The Assyrians blasphemed God by saying that He is nothing more than the other gods of the nations that Assyria had conquered. This insult led Hezekiah and the prophet Isaiah to pray for deliverance. The LORD then sent His angel who killed many of the Assyrian men of valor which caused the defeated army to return to their own land in disgrace. Judah had not fired a single shot!

Does God issue any commands?

• God did not command Hezekiah to establish storehouses or to appoint men to distribute to the priests and Levites their provisions according to their ministrations but He had commanded Moses how to do it. Hezekiah was carrying out what had already been commanded in the Law of Moses.

Does God make any promises?

• Because Hezekiah and the people freely gave for the provision of  the priests and Levites God blessed them greatly. He often made promises in His Word concerning this principle. God blesses givers.
• Because the people prayed and trusted God when the Assyrians blasphemed Him God fought their battle for them.

Does this passage teach anything about Jesus?

• Hezekiah was a ruler of God's people who actually led spiritually, too. He encouraged the people to worship God and told them that God would lead and protect them. Jesus delivered the same kind of message when He was in Jerusalem. He told His disciples not to fear but to see what God would do for them.

Does this passage teach anything about yet-future events?

• Just as the people of God were victorious in battle by the hand of the LORD and not by their own might their enemies were defeated. This is similar to the battle in Revelation where Jesus leads His army but defeats the opposition with His double-edged sword. His army does not fire a single shot.

Journal Through the Bible: Week 97 Monday

source

II Chronicles 30:1-31:10

The people had not kept the Passover for many years so Hezekiah had the people of Judah prepare themselves to commemorate this event. He also invited the remnant from the northern kingdom of Israel, too. Many people came.The celebration turned the hearts of the people to their God and they tore down all idols and groves that they encountered.

Does God issue any commands?

Does God make any promises?

• Although the people had not properly consecrated themselves to celebrate the Passover (probably because they were so unfamiliar with it after not having it for so many generations) that Hezekiah prayed for them to be healed. The LORD hearkened to his prayer.

Does this passage teach anything about Jesus?

• The Passover represents the atonement made by Jesus.
• The feast of unleavened bread symbolized the sinlessness of Jesus.
• The burnt offerings symbolized the sacrifice of Jesus for our sins.
• The firstfruits symbolized that Jesus is the firstfruits of all who are resurrected.

Does this passage teach anything about yet-future events?

• The people gave so much to the priests to eat as a tithe of the bounty they had received from God that there was more than enough. We are told by Jesus that He has provisions set aside for us and that one day we will sit around His table and eat because we are his friends. There will be more than enough for all who hunger and thirst.

Journal Through the Bible: Week 96 Saturday

source

II Chronicles chapter 29

Again, what a breath of fresh air it must have been for Judah to have a Godly man on the throne once more! In the first month of his reign, Hezekiah reopened and repaired the Temple. He also commanded the priests and Levites to consecrate that holy place because he intended to bring the nation into a covenant relationship with God again. Even the old songs of David and Asaph, most likely the psalms, were sung in reverential worship. It was truly a national revival!

Does God issue any commands?

• God had commanded in the law that the priests and Levites consecrate themselves for His service. At the command of Hezekiah they did so again according to the words of the LORD.

Does God make any promises?

• The last verse of the chapter says that God had prepared the people for the work that Hezekiah commanded them to do. A promised blessing is always present when God prepares the people for worship! (The promise is that He will be in their midst.)

Does this chapter teach anything about Jesus?

• The sacrifices that Hezekiah had the priests and Levites restore to the Temple worship are all pictures of the atoning work of Jesus on the cross.

Does this chapter teach anything about yet-future events?

• This time of God working in the hearts of people, leading to revival and worship, pictures a future time when God will do the same world-wide. This will follow a darker time (the Tribulation) than the reign of Ahaz, but the LORD will work mightily to prepare the people just as He did in the days of Hezekiah.

Journal Through the Bible: Week 96 Friday

source

II Chronicles chapter 28

It is always abominable to read of the children sacrificed in the fire to the idol, Baal. It is abhorrent to read that a descendant of David, and a ruler in Judah, took part in this practice. Evidently Ahaz sacrificed more than one of his children in that manner. His abomination caused God to bring Syria, Israel, Edom, Assyria, and the Philistines against Judah. And just when it seemed that Ahaz couldn't get any worse he took the gods of Syria to be his gods. He made altars to them on every street corner in the capital city of Jerusalem.

Does God issue any commands?

• God had commanded the Children of Israel not to sacrifice their children to idols. He said through Solomon that children are His heritage and they belong to Him. (See Psalm 127.) Ahaz was a wicked king who disregarded this command.
• Through the prophet Oded, God commanded the people of Israel to free the people of Judah that they had enslaved in battle.(This had also been forbidden in Leviticus.)

Does God make any promises?

• God had promised that He would let Judah be defeated by her enemies if she did not follow His commands. God punished Ahaz by delivering the country to Syria and Israel. (Remember that each king was supposed to write out a copy of God's law for his own use. Evidently Ahaz did not do so. That, or he copied the law and blatantly disregarded it. Disgusting either way.) 

Does this chapter teach anything about Jesus?

• In spite of everything, God preserved a Godly son for the Davidic line when Hezekiah followed the rule of his evil father, Ahaz. In spite of everything we have done, God has preserved a Godly son for the Davidic line in Jesus who will follow the evil rule of the prince of this world.

Does this chapter teach anything about yet-future events?

• In this chapter Jerusalem was the site of false worship on every corner. The coming Jerusalem will be the center of true worship one day when the saints will worship their God everywhere and at all times.