proverbs 16, acts 28, ezekiel 18-24, zechariah 1-8 (#131)€¦ · ezekiel 21— god has pulled his...

Proverbs16,Acts28,Ezekiel18-24,Zechariah1-8(#131)Proverbs16—WhatdoestheLorddointhefollowingverses:2,3,5,7,and33?

Acts28—TheywinteredontheislandofMaltaandweregivenwarmhospitalitybythefriendlyMaltese.PaulsurvivedapoisonoussnakebitewithoutanyeffectandhealedmanywhoweresickontheislandincludingthefatherofPublius,thechiefofficeroftheisland.A@erthreemonths,theysetsailforRome,andPaularrivedattheportofPerteoliabout130milessouthofRome.Astheytraveledonfoot,theyweregreetedbyRomanbelieversabout40milesoutsideofRome.InRomePaulwasabletorenthisownlivingquarterswithaRomansoldierguardinghim.HeinvitedtheJewishleadersfromRometocometohishouse,andhedeclaredthegospelofChristfromtheLawofMosesandtheProphets.A@erafulldayfrommorningtoevening,somebelievedandsomedidn’t.FromthatNmeonPaulwenttotheGenNlestopreachtheGoodNewsboldlyandwithouthindrancefortwoyears. Howisthea;tudeoftheJewsinRomedifferentfromtheJewsinJerusalemandAsia?Howdoyouaccountforthedifference?#1p.1470

Acts29—ThisisachapterwhichyouarewriNngasyouobeyHisWordandyieldtotheHolySpirit’sprompNngs.

Ezekiel19—EzekielisspeakingabouttherulersofIsrael.ThelionessisIsrael,andthefirst,stronglionreferstoJehoahaz(vv.2-4;Jeremiah22:11-12)whodiedinEgypt.ThesecondlionprobablyreferstothecurrentKingZedekiah(vv.5-9),whowastakentoBabylon(Jeremiah.39),andblinded.A@erthis,therewerenokingsle@whocouldsavethelandbecausetheyrefusedtolistentotheWordofGod.Next,hereferstoIsraelasavine.HeisspeakingtoZedekiahandtellinghimabouthowthisbeauNfulvinewasgoingtobepluckedupinwrathandwitheredbytheeastwind(v12;17:10).ItwouldbeplantedinBabylon(thedesert)andthelineofDavidwouldendatthisNme.ThevineofJudahwouldhavenobranchesworthyofascepter(Genesis.49:8-10)unNlthebirthofChrist(Maehew1:1;Luke1:30-33).WhatisthesignificanceofcallingJudahalionessanditsrulersalion?

Ezekiel20—GodhasEzekielrecountIsrael’shistoryofrebellionandGod’shistoryofHisfaithfulness.HespeaksoftheirNmeinEgypt,theExodus,thewilderness,andtheirconqueringofCanaanland.ThenaNonrebelledagainstGodnumerousNmes,andyetHeconNnuedtochastenandcorrectinordertodrawthembacktoHimself.GodthenhighlightshowfaithfulandpowerfulHeiswithaseriesof“Iwill”statements.WhatreasondidGodgiveforHisconLnuedfaithfulness,andhowdoesthisgiveyouhope?

Ezekiel21—GodhaspulledHissword(Jeremiah51:20-23)fromitsscabbard(vv.1-7),prepareditforbaele(vv.8-17),usedittoslaughteranddestroyJerusalem(vv.18-27),andfinallyuNlizedittoconsumetheAmmonites(vv.28-32).Inverses18-23,GodshowsHispoweroverpagansasHeoverrulestheirmethodsofmakingdecisions.GodthentellsEzekieltodemonstratehisreacNontothesejudgmentsbysighing(vv.6-7)andwailing(v12)beforethepeople.Read2Peter3:10-18.WhatisyourresponsetothecomingjudgmentofGod,andhowdoyouexpressthattoothers?

Ezekiel22—EzekielistoldtojudgeJudah.HelistsoutthechargesagainstherfollowedbyGod’sjudgment.HethenillustratesthesmelNngfurnaceandcomparesJudahtodross.GodwouldgatherthemupinJerusalemandmeltthem.Henextspeaksofthelandorjungleandhowtheleadersarelikelionsandwolvesseekingtodevourthepeople,andhowthepriestsdonotdisNnguishcleanfromunclean(Mae.7:6).Theprophetswereliarswhowhitewashedthesinsofthepeople(Ezekiel13).Lastly,GodwaslookingforsomeonetobuildupthewallandstandbeforeHiminthegap(breach)sothatHewouldnothavetodestroyJudah.DidGodfindanyonetostandinthegapsothatjudgmentdoesnothavetofallinEzekiel’sday?Whatdoweneedtodotobe“gapmen”?

Ezekiel23—Godtakesidolatryveryseriously.HecomparesittoprosNtuNonandadultery.IsraelhadbeengivingthemselvestoidolsandforeigngodssincetheNmeofEgypt.Godjudgedthenorthernkingdom(Samaria)in722B.C.whentheAssyrianstookthemcapNve.ThesouthernkingdomofJudahdidnotheedthiswarning;insteadtheyincreasedtheirsinsagainstGod.TheirsinswereallthemoregrievoustoGodbecauseHedweltamongtheminthetempleinJerusalem(1Corinthians.6:19-20).GodhaddelayedHispunishmentsothepeopleofJudahthoughtthatitmeanttheywouldnotbepunished(Ecclesiastes8:11).AreyougivingGodyourundivideddevoLon(2Cor.11:1-4;James4:1-10)?IsthereanyareathatiscompeLngwithGod?Bethoroughlyhonest.

Ezekiel24—GodrevealedtoEzekiel,whowasinBabylon,whatHewasdoinginJerusalem(Amos3:7;John15:15).ThedatemenNonedhereisJanuary15,588B.C.;thedaythatNebuchadnezzarbeganthesiegeofJerusalem.GodwouldburnJerusalemwiththefireofHisfuryandonlya@erHisfurywasspentwouldJerusalembecleanagain.GodhadEzekieldemonstratehowtheIsraelitesincapNvityshouldrespondtotheburningofJerusalem.InobediencetoGod,thatmorninghetoldthepeoplethathiswifewoulddie,whowasthedelightofhiseyes.Thatnightshedied,andhedidnotmournforherthewaythattheytradiNonallymourned.HeonlygroanedsilentlyaccordingtoGod’scommand.HewasillustraNngthattheyshouldnotmournforthelossofthecity,butrathertheyshouldhavebeenmourningovertheirsinsthatgrievedGod.Nowitwastoolate(Isa.55:6).

HowdidEzekielshowhiscompleteobediencetotheLordeventhoughGod’scommandseemedunbearable?Howdoesthisrelatetous?SeeLuke14:26-27,33.

Zechariah—About520B.C.theprophetZechariahpartneredwiththeprophetHaggaitospuronZerubbabelandtheJewswhohadreturnedfromthecapNvityofBabylontofinishthetempleprojectthathadbeenhaltedduetotheopposiNonfromtheregionalauthoriNesandleaders.Thetemplewasfinishedabout515B.C.HealsoguidedJoshuatheHighPriesttoreestablishandpurifythepriesthoodwhichhadnotfuncNonedforabout65years,andalsotobeginagaintheworshipandsacrificialsystem.Becauseoffaith,obedience,andthereturntomoralpurityoftheremnant,YahwehagainwasabletogivetothemabounNfulharvestandmaterialblessings.Inabout480B.C.,Zechariahwrotechapters9to14whichdescribemanydetailsofthecomingking,coveringbothHisfirstandsecondadvent.HispropheciesarebothclearandbreathtakingandcomplimenttheotherpropheciesabouttheMessiahgivenintheOldTestament,thegospels,andthebookofRevelaNon.

Zechariah1—Fi@eenyearsa@erthereturnoftheremnantfromBabylon,ZechariahandHaggaivaliantlycombatthepeople’sapathy,theirfearofthosewhoopposetherebuildingofthetemple,thepreoccupaNonoftheJewswhowerebuildingtheirownhomes,andageneralspiritualdullnessbecauseofsinfulandself-centeredlives.TheLordspeaksthroughZechariahincallingareturnoftheJewstotheLordofHostsandaturningawayfromtheirevildeedsandways(vv.1-6).OnFebruary15,519B.C.GodgaveZechariaheightvisionsduringthesamenighttostrengthenGod’speopleandtomoNvatethemtorebuildthetemple.Thefirstvisionisoftheridinghorsemenandthemanamongthemyrtletrees.ThismanistheAngeloftheLord,thepre-incarnateChrist,wholovesandcaresforHispeople,andpromisesfutureprosperity,blessing,andmercytothem(vv.7-17).Inthesecondvisiontherearefour(animal)hornswhichrepresentedthenaNonsthatoppressedJudah,andthefourcra@smenarethenaNonsthatoverthrewthesenaNons(vv.18-21).Whomightberepresentedbythehornsandthecrabsmen?

Zechariah2—InthethirdnightvisionZechariahsawamanwithameasuringlineinhishand(surveyor)tomeasureJerusalem.ThepromiseisthatJerusalemwouldatsomeNmeinthefuturebesofullthatthewallswouldnotcontainpeopleinit.GodpromisedHisprotecNonandpresenceonthoseinthecity.YahwehwarnedthatthosewhoaresNllinBabylonshouldfleeandreturntoJerusalembecauseGod’sjudgmentwouldfallonthosewhostayinthecity.Verses10-13nowfocusonafutureMessianicNmewhentheLordcomestodwellwithHispeople,andalsomanynaNonswilljointhemselvestotheLord.NowinthisfutureKingdom,JudahwillbecalledtheHolyLandandthosewithinJudahwillbecalledHisHolyPeople(Isaiah62:12).

Zechariah3—ChapterthreegivesthefourthvisionofZechariahinwhichJoshuatheHighPriestrepresentstheremnantofIsraelthatreturnedfromBabylon.Satan,theprosecuNngaeorney,accusesJoshuaandthenaNonofIsraelofitssin.Yahweh,however,inHissovereigngrace,haschosenIsraelandnowsavesandcleansestheremnantandclothesherinsplendidrobesofHisrighteousness.AlthoughtheLordhadforeverelectedIsraeltobe

anaNonofprieststotheworld,eachindividualpersoninthenaNonhadapersonalresponsibilitytowalkinHiswaysandkeepHiscommandments.ThecleansingofIsraelandJoshuaareasignthattheLord’sservant,theBranch,isabouttocome.Whenthishappens,GodwilltakeawaytheguiltofIsraelinasingleday.AtthatNmeIsraelwilldwellinpeace,prosperity,andsecurity(Zechariah13:1).Whoarethedifferentcharactersgiveninthisvisioninchapterthree?Explaintheirrolesorwhotheyrepresent.

Zechariah4—Onceagainduringthatnightofmanyvisions,theAngeloftheLordawakensZechariahtorevealthefi@hvision.Inthisvision,heseesasolidgoldenlampstand(Menorah)withabowelonthetopfilledwithoiltosupplytheoiltoeachofthesevenbranchessothatthewickswillconNnuetoburnandprovidelight.Therearetwoolivetreespicturedwithoneoneachsideofthelampstand.TheoilforthelampstandrepresentstheHolySpirit.AsZerubbabelconNnuesfaithfulanddependsontheLordandHispower,thetemplewillbecompleted.Theolivebranchesoftheolivetreesarethekingly(Zerubbabel)andthepriestly(Joshua)officesthroughwhomGod’sblessingwillflowtoIsraelandtheworld.

Zechariah5—ThesixthvisionofZechariahisaflyingscrollthatwas30feetby15feet(thesizeoftheHolyPlaceintheTabernacle).GodwasannouncingthecursesontheJewswhodisobeyedthe10Commandments.Thetwocommandmentspointedoutherewerethethirdandeighthcommandmentswhichcondemnswearingfalsely(usingGod’sname)andstealing.AlthoughthesetwocommandmentsrepresentthewholeTenCommandmentswhichareagainstGod(Commandments1-4)andman(commandments5-10),thebreakingofthesetwocommandmentswasmostlikelyprevalentamongtheJewsatthisNme.GodpromisedseverejudgmentonthosewhopracNcedsuchsins(vv.1-4).TheseventhvisionwasthatofawomaninameasuringbasketthatseemstofocusontheremovalofthewickednessofIsraelandtotransportitbacktoBabylonwhereitstarted(Genesis11:1-4),andwheresomedayitwillend(RevelaNon17-19).ThiswickednessseemstorepresentthesinfulcommercialworldsystemunderSatan’scontrolwhichwillulNmatelybedestroyedbythesecondcomingofChristattheendoftheage(vv.5-11).Explainthespiritualsignificanceofthesetwostatements;(1)“Notbymightnorbypower,butbymySpiritsaystheLordAlmighty(4:6NIV),and“Whodespisesthedayofsmallthings(4:10NIV)?”

Zechariah6—Inthiseighthandfinalvisionareseenfourchariotspulledbydifferentcoloredhorses.SimilartothefourhorsemenofRevelaNon(6:1-8),thesecolorssymbolizevariousjudgments(war,famine,conquest,plagues).Thislastvisionconnectswiththefirstvision(1:7-17)andrepresentsGod’sangelichostswhogothroughouttheworldtojudgethenaNonsbeforethecomingkingdomoftheMessiah(vv.1-8).Gi@sofsilverandgoldarebeingreceivedfromtheJewswhosNllliveinBabylon.FromthissilverandgoldtheyweretomakearoyalcrownandputitontheheadofJoshua,theHighPriest.Joshuarepresentsapersoncalled“theBranch”whowillsomedayrulebothasakingandapriest.ThisMessiahwillbuildthetempleaswellassitonthethrone,rule,andintercedeforHispeople.ThecrownwastakenoffoftheheadofJoshuaandle@inthetempleasareminderthatGodwouldfulfillHispromiseofaKing-Priestwhowillruleinpeaceandrighteousness(vv.9-15).

Zechariah7—AdelegaNoncametoZechariahfromthecityofBethelwithaquesNonastowhethertheyshouldconNnuetomournandfastastheyhaddoneduringtheirmanyyearsinexileinBabylonsincethetempleisnownearlyrebuilt.Eventhoughhedoesn’tanswertheirquesNondirectlyunNl8:19,theLordstatesthattherealreasonfortheirfastwasnotgenuinerepentanceandmourningfortheirsin,butmoreoutofself-pityforwhattheyweresuffering.WhatYahwehreallywantedthemtodowasto“judgefairly,andshowmercyandkindnesstooneanother.Donotoppressthewidows,orphans,foreigners,andthepoor.Anddonotschemeagainsteachother(vv.9-10NLT).”TherealreasonfortheexileinBabylonisbecausetheirancestorsmadetheirheartsashardasarockandwouldnotobeythelawandthewordsoftheprophets.Becauseofthis,theLordscaeeredthemamongallthenaNonsandmadetheirlanddesolate. Whendoworship,prayer,churchaeendance,andotherspiritualacLviLesbecomeinsincereritual?Whatdoweneedtodotokeepthisfromhappening?

Zechariah8—TheLordlooksforwardtothekingdomofGodwhichisruledbytheMessiahwhoreturnstoJerusalemwhereboththeoldandyoungwillfillthestreets.Peoplewillcomefromtheeastandthewest,andtheLordwillbetheirfaithfulandrighteousGod(vv.1-9).NowYahwehlookstothepresentpeopleofJudahandIsraelandtellsthemtolettheirhandsbestrongandfinishtherebuildingofthetemple.NowastheyareobedienttotheLordandlivegodlylivesinacommunityofloveandrespect,GodwillblessthemandnotcursethemasHedidtheirforefathers.TheLordisdeterminedtodogoodtoJerusalemandthehouseofJudah,buttheymustrespondbyspeakingtruthtooneanother,andnotlieandplotevilintheirheartstowardtheirneighbor(vv.10-17).NowansweringthequesNonfromthemenfromBethelaboutfasNng(7:1-3),theLordsaidthatthefastsshouldbeturnedintofeastsinlightofGod’sjoyousblessingstoHisfaithfulpeople.DuringthemillennialruleoftheMessiah,manywillcometoJerusalemtoseektheLord’sfavor.DuringthatNmetheJewswillbehonoredandreveredbythenaNons(vv.18-23).Aberreadingthischapter,whatwillbesignsthatIsraelhasbeenrestored?Seeverses3-4,7-8,12,15-17,19,and20-23.

Sources for summary and questions: 1. Serendipity Bible for Groups, c. 1988 Littleton, CO. 2. MacArthur Study Bible ESV. 1997 Thomas Nelson, Inc. 3. Life Application Bible HCSB c. 1988 Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. 4. The Complete Bible Companion c.2014 Barbour Publishing, Inc. Uhrichsville, OH. 5. ESV Study Bible c. 2008 Crossway Bibles, Wheaton, IL. 6. The World Bible Handbook, Lawrence Richards, Word Inc. Waco, TX. 7. The Quest Study Bible NIV, c. 1994 Zondervan Publishing & Christianity Today, Grand Rapids, Mi & Wheaton, IL. 8. The Transformation Study Bible, c. 2009, David C. Cook. 9. Key Ideas Bible Handbook, Ron Rhodes, c. 2016, Harvest House Publishers, Eugene, OR. 10. 500 Questions & Answers from the Bible, c. 2006, Barbour Publishing, Uhrichsville, OH. 11. Homan Bible Handbook, c.1992, Homan Bible Publishers, Nashville, TN. 12. Moody Bible Commentary, c. 2014, Moody Publishers, Chicago, IL 13. Life Essentials Study Bible, c. 2011, Holman Bible Publishers, Nashville, TN. 14. The Message, c. 2002, Eugene Peterson, NavPress Publishing Group, Colorado Springs, CO. 15. NIV Study Bible, c. 2011, Zondervan, Grand Rapids, MI.16. Understanding the Bible, c.2000, Holman Publishers, Nashville, TN.

Proverbs17,Ezekiel25-30,Zechariah9-14(#132)Proverbs17—Inchapter17,givetheversewhereitisfoundandthewisdomthatisexpressedaboutthefollowingthemes;(1)grandchildrenandfathers,(2)ajoyfulheartandacrushedspirit,(3)anintelligentandunderstandingperson,(4)twothingsthataredetestabletotheLord,and(5)afriendandabrother.

Ezekiel25—GodfirstjudgedHispeople(Ezekiel9:5-6),andnowturnsHisa?en@ontothecountriessurroundingJudah(1Peter4:17-18).TheLordbeginseachofHisjudgmentswiththeword“because”(v.3).Hisjudgmentsarealwaysforareason.TheAmmonitessaid“Aha”andwerehappyaboutthefallofJudahandhercap@vity.BecauseofthisanimosityagainstJudah,Godwoulddestroythem.Moabsaid“Behold,thehouseofJudahislikealltheotherna@ons.”TheEdomitestookvengeanceonGod’speoplebyhelpingtheBabyloniansastheyfoughtagainstIsrael.ThePhilis@nestookrevengeuponJudah,andsotheLordwillwipeoutwhatremainsofthesecoastalpeople. Thephrase,“ThenyouwillknowthatIamtheLord(Yahweh),”oravariaKonappears65KmesinEzekielandfourKmesinthischapter.WhydoyouthinktheLordrepeatsthisphrasesooPeninEzekiel?

Ezekiel26—ThenextthreechaptersareconcernedwithTyre.InthischapterGodpaintsapictureofhowHewilldestroytheimpregnablecityofTyrelikethescrapingofarock.Nebuchadnezzarismen@onedbynameastheonewhowouldbesiegeanddestroythecity,andthenlater,AlexandertheGreatwouldwipeitoffthefaceoftheearthin332B.C.WhatsindidthisjudgmentonTyreaRack?

Ezekiel27—EzekielthendescribesTyreasaship;beau@fulandexpensivelymade.Itwasloadedwithrichesandgrewinwealthbecauseofitsloca@onontheseaaswellasforitstraderoutesthatintersectedalloftheotherna@ons.Godwouldbreaktheshipandsinkit.Themerchantsofthena@onswouldlamentthelossofthewealthofTyrebecauseofitsfinancialeffectonthem.WhatsindidthisjudgmentonTyrerebuke?

Ezekiel28—Godnextrebukestheprince(ruler)ofTyre.Theprincethoughtofhimselfasagod.Hisheartwasfilledwithpride.Althoughverses11-19speakoftheKingofTyre,itseemsevidentthatSatanwastherealpersonbehindtheKingofTyre.TheLordweavesthelifeoftheKingofTyreandthehistoryofSataninsuchawaythatitisdifficulttotellwhichiswhich.GodthenaddressesthecityofSidonandpromisestoremovethemfromthelandaswell.Aberthesejudgments,Israelwouldnolongerhaveanyenemiessurroundingher.Thefinalsec@onofthis

chapterdealswithIsraelbeingsecureintheirownlandandprotectedbyGod.Givethestatementsinverses11-17thatseemtogobeyondtheKingofTyretoactuallyspeakofthehistoryandthepersonofSatan.

Ezekiel29—ThenextfourchaptersprophesyagainstEgypt.ThekingofEgyptconsideredhimselfagreatdragonthat(crocodile/monster)guardedtheNile.Pharaohthoughtthatheownedtheriverandthathe“created”it.Godwouldshowhimwhoreallymadetheriverandwhoreallyownedit.YahwehcalledPharaohaweakreedthatneverhelpedIsraelwhensheneededitbutonlyhurther.AsarewardforNebuchadnezzarfulfillingHisprophecyagainstTyre,GodwouldgivehimEgypttoplunder.IsraelturnedtoEgyptforaidinsteadofGod.WhereshouldwegoforrefugeinKmesoftrouble?

Ezekiel30—Godnextusesthepictureofarms.GodwouldbreakboththearmsofPharaohandneverallowthemtohealagain.GodwouldalsostrengthenthearmsofthekingofBabylonsothatNebuchadnezzarwouldbevictoriousoverEgyptandallofherallies.DidGodliterallybreakthearmsofPharoah?Explain.

Zechariah9—Thefirstsevenversesspeakofthejudgmentofthesurroundingna@onsthatoppressedIsraelincludingDamascus,TyreandSidon,andtheci@[email protected]@ondonebyAlexandertheGreatashisarmymarchedthroughthenorthandwestsideofPales@ne.VerseeightspeaksofGod’ssupernaturalprotec@onofHispeople(vv.1-8).VerseninegivesustheremarkableprophecyofChrist’sTriumphalEntryintoJerusalem(Ma?hew21:1-11)thatactuallyhappened500yearsaberitwaswri?en.ThenEzekielspeaksofChrist’ssecondcomingandhowHe“willproclaimpeacetothena@onsandHisdominionwillextendfromseatosea(v.10HCSB).”Becauseofthecovenantsealedwithblood,GodwillagainestablishHisrela@onshipwithJudah,andshewillberepaidtwoblessingsforeachofhertroubles(v.12).Goingbacktothenearfulfillmentofprophecy,theJewswillhavevictoryovertheGreeks(v.13).ThisprobablyhappenedwhentheMaccabeesdefeatedtheGreeksin167B.C.ThentheprophetseemstomoveforwardintothefarfuturewhentheMessiahprotectsandrescuestheJewishna@onattheendofthetribula@onperiodandbringsthemintoHisKingdomwheretheyfinallyexperiencepeace,joy,andprosperity(vv.9-17). Inreadingversenine,howwasJesusanexampletous?SeealsoMaRhew21:5,John13:12b-15,andPhilippians2:3-11.

Zechariah10—WhenthepeopleaskforspringrainfromtheLordandnotfromfalseidols,thenHewillsendthemtherainfortheircrops.Unlikethefaithlessnessofthefalseshepherds,theLordwilltendHisflockandmakethemlikeamajes@chorseinba?le.Thecornerstone,thetentpeg,andba?lebowwillcomefromthetribeofJudah.Atthis@meaunitedIsraelwillberestoredbytheLord,andthepeoplewillbecomegreatwarriorsinba?lebecauseYahwehiswiththem.InthissecondexodustheLordwillgathertheJewsfromallthena@onsfromwhichtheyweresca?ered,andtheywillreturn(v.9)topopulatethelandofIsraelandwillbecompletelyrestored(Ezekiel36:24,37:21-22). WhoisZechariahtalkingaboutwhenhespeaksof“thecornerstonethatwillcomefromJudah?”Giveversesfromscripturetoprovethis.

Zechariah11—FromthegloryofthetrueShepherdduringHismillennialkingdominchapters9and10,thischapterpicturestherejec@onofthetrueShepherdatHisfirstcomingwhenHewassoldfor30piecesofsilver,thepriceofaslave(Exodus21:32).TheLordcommandedZechariahtoplaytheroleofagoodshepherdwhowastoshepherdthesheepthatweredes@nedtobeslaughteredbecauseoftheirwickedrulers.Threeshepherdsweredestroyedinonemonth(v.8),andthesepossiblyrepresentedthepriests,elders,andthescribeswhowereallkilledin70A.D.whenTitusandtheRomanarmycameanddecimatedJerusalemandkilledmorethanonemillionJews.ThentheLordtoldZechariahtoplaytheroleofafoolishandcorruptshepherdwhodoesn’tcareorhealthebroken,butonlyslaughtersthesheeptomakehimselffat. Explainwhatwasmeantbytwostaffscalled“favor”and“union.”Whatwasthemeaningofthebreakingintwoofthetwostaffs?

Zechariah12—Thena@onsoftheworldwillcomeagainstJerusalemandJudahtodestroythemattheba?leofArmageddonattheendofthetribula@onperiod,buttheLordwillbeashieldtoprotectJerusalemandJudahandmakethemlikeaflamingtorchthatwillconsumethena@onswhocomeagainstthem(v.1-9).Wecomenowtothesignificantmomentofthemourning,repentance,andconversionofIsrael,whentheJewsthatremainaliverecognizeJesusastheirMessiah,theonewhomtheyhadpierced.Theroyalline,thepriestlyline,andallthepeoplewillhavedeepsorrowfortheirrejec@onoftheMessiah,andtheHolySpiritwillbepouredoutonthem(vv.10-14). Whoistheperson“Nathan”menKonedinverse12,andwhywashemenKonedinsteadofSolomon?SeeIChronicles3:5,Luke3:31,andJeremiah22:30.

Zechariah13—Finally,Israelasana@onwillrecognizeJesusastheirMessiah,andtheLordwillwashawayalloftheirsinandimpurity.Idolatry,falseprophets,anduncleandemonicspiritswillberemovedfromtheland.Verses

eightandnineseemstojumpaheadtothe@meoftheendwhentwo-thirdsofIsraelwillbecutoffbecauseofunbelief,andonlyathirdoftheJewswillbesavedtoentertheKingdomwiththeMessiah.Thistrus@ngremnantwillberefinedinthefurnaceofsufferingandwillbecometheLord’speople.Verse7bsays,“Striketheshepherd,andthesheepwillbescaRered(ESV).”WherewasthisversequotedintheNewTestament,whoquotedit,andaboutwhomwasitquoted?

Zechariah14—ThischapterseemstobetheclearestteachingintheOldTestamentabouttheMillennialKingdom.ChristwillreturntotheMountofOlives,willconquerallthena@onsthathavecomeagainstJerusalemtodestroyit,andwillbecomekingoveralltheearth.AberthearmiesoftheLordconquertheirenemiesattheBa?leofArmageddon,therewillbeafullrestora@onofIsraelaswasprophesiedthroughoutthewri@ngsoftheprophets.Atthis@meJerusalemwillbethemosthonoredcityofall,andthesurvivorsofthena@onswillcomeuptoJerusalemtoworshiptheKingandcelebratetheFes@valofBooths(Tabernacles)yearaberyear.Aberthousandsofyearsofthereignofevil,thecharacterofthisagewillbeholinessthatwillbefullydisplayedbytheKingandHispeople.Verse4says,“OnthatdayHisfeetwillstandontheMountofOlives(NIV).”WhereintheNewTestamentdoesitspeakaboutJesusascendingtoheavenfromtheMountofOlives,andwhatpromisewasgivenbythetwomendressedinwhiteaPerHehadascended?Howdoesthispromiseapplytoyourdaytodaylife?


Proverbs 18, Ezekiel 31-37, Malachi 1-4 (#133)

Proverbs 18— Verse 22 says, “A man who finds a wife finds a treasure, and he receives favor from the Lord (NLT).” List as many of the good qualities of your wife you can think of, and share them with her. If you are single, list the qualities you would like to see in your wife if you were to marry.

Ezekiel 31— God now speaks directly to Pharaoh and his pride. Pharaoh thought Egypt was indestructible. God reminds him of another nation that thought the same thing, Assyria. God pointed out to Pharaoh of what He did to Assyria and said that He would do the same to Pharaoh and Egypt. The Lord would cut them down like a tree, strip them of their glory, and cast the nation into Sheol (hell). What was the great nation of Assyria compared to? See verse 2b, 3. Why?

Ezekiel 32— Pharaoh considered Egypt to be a strong lion among the nations. God considered Egypt a sea serpent. The Lord would cause His nets to capture Egypt and drag her down to the Pit. All the nations would see what happens to Egypt and tremble for their own safety. What is “Sheol” as found in 31:16 and 32:21?

Ezekiel 33— God had ordained Ezekiel as a watchman (3:16). The Lord instructed Ezekiel that if he knew the sword was coming and sounded the warning, and if the people do not listen, their blood would be on their own hands. But if he sees the sword coming and does not give the people a warning and a chance to repent, then their blood will be on his hands. Ezekiel did not speak any words for seven years other than the words that God gave him to speak. When God finally released him to speak, his first words were a warning about their sins. Does God take joy when people eternally perish? See verse 11 and II Peter 3:9. Explain.

Ezekiel 34— Ezekiel was a watchman and served the people when they were in danger. The leaders of Israel were to be shepherds and care for the people day by day. The religious leaders and rulers were supposed to be feeding the sheep, protecting them, and helping to unite them. Instead, they were plundering them in order to gorge their own appetites. Even though the leaders failed, one day God will be their shepherd, and He will never fail them. Notice the “I will” statements of God throughout this chapter and take assurance from them. Starting with verse 22, Ezekiel jumps ahead to the Kingdom age when Israel will have a perfect shepherd to care for them. Who is this shepherd, and what will this Shepherd do for Israel? See verses 22-31.

Ezekiel 35— God again has a message for Edom (Mount Seir). The Edomites were guilty of the sins of hatred, anger, envy, and pride. Their hatred stems from a grudge that began in Genesis 27 with Esau and Jacob, and

continued on to that very day. Because of their hostility and rivalry, Edom helped Babylon ravage Jerusalem (Obad. 10-14). In Obadiah 1-4, Edom boasted of their security in the rocks, but in the 49th chapter of Jeremiah God humiliates them. Read 1 Peter 5:5b.

Ezekiel 36— Beginning with this chapter until the end of the book, Ezekiel focuses on returning to the land, rebuilding the temple, and restoring the kingdom to the glory of God. God will restore the land (vv. 33-36) and His people (v. 24-29). Yahweh will do this to bring glory to His holy name (vv. 20-23). God promises that “I am for you” in verse 9 (Rom. 8:31). How did Israel profane the name of the Lord? #7 p. 1239. Also see Romans 2:21-24. Do you profane the name of Jesus Christ by the way you talk and live among the unbelievers?

Ezekiel 37— Ezekiel prophecies the miraculous resurrection, restoration, and unification of Judah and Ephraim in the latter days. In a vision, the prophet saw a valley of dry bones which represented the Jews who were scattered to the four winds. Then the bones come together, and God put tendons and flesh on them, but they still were lifeless. Next, God breathed into them the breath of life, and with God’s Spirit in them they stood to their feet and became a vast army. Yahweh will restore the Jews from all the nations where they had gone, and bring them back to their land. They will again be one united nation with one king and one temple. What is one event in recent history that makes the future fulfillment of the prophecy of chapter 37 possible?

Malachi— This book, written about 430 B.C., was the last book in the Old Testament, and Malachi was the last of the Old Testament prophets. This prophecy was written to confront God’s people with their sins and to restore their relationship to the Lord. The writing style of Malachi was to use a series of questions and answers by both God and the people, in order to awaken the people to their disobedience and unfaithfulness. His purpose was to bring them to genuine repentance. In the last chapter, Malachi announces the coming of the prophet Elijah before the dreadful day of the Lord. After Malachi, the next prophet to appear (400 years later) was John the Baptist who came in the spirit of Elijah to prepare the way for the first coming of Jesus the Messiah.

Malachi 1— In the previous 85 years, the temple and the walls of Jerusalem were rebuilt but the people began to cool off spiritually and allow old sinful patterns to return. First, the Lord shows His love for Israel by choosing Jacob over Esau (vv. 1-6). Israel did not reciprocate that love, but rather despised His name by offering blind and crippled sacrifices that demonstrated an attitude of almost indifference toward their relationship with Yahweh. The Lord of Hosts wants His name to be great among the nations everywhere, but Judah had profaned His name by offering defective sacrifices (vv. 7-14). Israel despised the Lord by offering defective animals as a sacrifice thinking that any animal would be acceptable to God. How do we as Christian offer defective sacrifices to the Lord instead of giving Him our best? Is the Lord really worth our best in every area of our lives? Is there any area you personally fall short?

Malachi 2— Since the priests were not honoring the name of the Lord of Hosts, they would be cursed. In place of clearly teaching God’s Word, they caused many to stumble by their instruction. Instead of being a messenger of the Lord, they had violated the covenant of Levi and showed partiality in the way they have carried out their ministry. Because of this evil, the descendents of the priests would suffer, would be despised, and would be humiliated before the people (vv. 1-9). After condemning the priests, the Lord now speaks of the ways the people have lived faithlessly. First of all, they have married foreign wives who serve alien gods. “May all men who do this be cut off from Judah with their descendents (v. 12)!” A second evil the men are committing that makes their sacrifices offered to the Lord unacceptable is that they have acted treacherously against the wife of their youth. Instead of being faithful to the covenant made before the Lord, they have divorced their wives even though the wives have continued faithful to them. The Lord’s desire is to have godly offspring from the marital union (vv. 10-16). The people expect God to bless them even though they do evil and disavow the covenant He made with them (v. 17). Why did God say that He “hates divorce” according to this chapter? See verses 13-16 (NKJV, NIV 84, and NLT).

Malachi 3— Verse 1 gives us two messengers, John the Baptist (Matthew 11:10) and the Messiah, Jesus Christ. The emphasis of these verses is Christ’s second coming when He comes in judgment. He will purify the priests of Levi so that they will present offerings to the Lord in righteousness. Malachi then lists a series of sins committed by those who do not fear the Lord (vv. 1-6). A major responsibility of the Jews was to bring the tithes and offerings to the temple to support the priests so that they can fully dedicate themselves to the Lord. Malachi says they were robbing God because the tithe belongs to the Lord. If they would but test the Lord, He would rebuke the devourer of the crops and bless them with bountiful harvests (vv. 7-12). Then the Jews say “It is useless to serve the Lord!” Instead of serving God for who He is, they selfishly said, “If I serve God, what will I get out of it?” God responds by saying that those who honor and serve Him will have their names written in a book of remembrance, and that this remnant will be His special possession and receive His compassion (vv. 13-18). Although tithing was never given as a command in the New Testament, it is a principle of giving that was begun before the Law (Genesis 14:18-20, 28:20-22), and was given to Israel under the law (Leviticus 27:30-33). Do you give the full tithe or more of your earnings to the Lord? If not, are you willing to test the Lord in this? Principles in the New Testament about giving are found in Luke 6:38 and II Corinthians 9:6-8. This is a personal question.

Malachi 4— As the Old Testament comes to an end, the Lord gives a final warning for those who choose to live wicked lives. However, for those who fear the name the Lord of Hosts, there will be healing and blessing. The people of Judah are commanded to follow the statues and ordinances that Moses gave at Mount Horeb (Sinai). Now God’s prophets will be silent for 400 years, but Malachi announces the next prophet to come, John the Baptist, who comes in the spirit of Elijah. Elijah, however, will come before the great and awesome Day of the Lord. The name, “The Lord of Hosts” appears 23 times in this small book, and more frequently than any other book in the Old Testament. Why is God called the “Lord of Hosts,” and why is this name for God so important in the postexilic (after exile) period? See II Kings 6:17 and Matthew 26:53. Why is the fact that God is the “Lord of Hosts” such a comfort to us?

Proverbs19,Ezekiel38-43,Joel1-3(#134)Proverbs19—Whatarethetwoversesinthischapterthatdealwiththe9thcommandment?

Ezekiel38—IsraelandGod’speoplewillhaveenemiesun4ltheveryendofthisage.Thischapterandthenextonespeakofacoali4onofna4ons(Gog)comingagainstIsraelinthela@erdays(v.16).Astheybegintoa@ackawall-lessIsraelwhensheisatpeace,Yahwehwillriseupagainsttheinvadersanddestroythemcompletely(v.14).GodwillshowHiswrathbeforethena4onsthroughanearthquake(vv.19-20),astormincludinghailstonesandfire(v.22),byconfusingtheenemy,andcausingthemtodestroyeachother(v.21).Inverses18to23,theLordwillriseupandmiraculouslydefendIsraelwhenitisa?ackedbyacoaliBonofnaBons.ShareastoryhowtheLordhasmiraculouslydefendedorprotectedyouorsomeoneyouknow.

Ezekiel39—Godcon4nuestospeakofHiscomingjudgmentagainstthosewhohaveinvadedIsrael.Hewillu@erlydestroythemandcausethebirdsandthebeaststoeattheirfleshanddrinktheirblood.Indoingthis,Godwillmakethena4onsknowthatHeistheLord(vv.6-7),theHolyOneofIsrael(v.7).HewillalsomakeknowntoIsraelthatHeistheirGod(vv.21-22).TheLordhaspunishedIsraelbyhidingHisfacefromthem(vv.23-24);butinthisday,HewillrevealHimselftotheminsuchawaythattheycannolongerdenyorturnawayfromHim,andHewillpouroutHisSpiritonthem(v.29). Whendoesthisba?letakeplace?SeeRevelaBon16:16-21,19:19-21,andZechariah14:1-15.

Ezekiel40—TherestofthebookofEzekieldescribesthefuturestateofIsraelinthela@erdayswhenGodbuildstheMillennialtempleinJerusalem.Israel,andpar4cularlyJerusalem,hadbeendestroyedin586B.C.ThepeopleweretakenintoexileinBabylon.Surroundedbythisdoomandgloom,GodcalledEzekieltolookforwardtothegloriousfutureofIsraelthatGodhadplanned.Theremnantreturnedin538B.C.tobuildthetemple.Thetemple,however,thatZerubbabelfinallybuiltin515B.C.cannotcomparewiththegrandvisionthatEzekieldescribeshere.ThegloryoftheLorddidnotresideinthetempleofZerubbabel,butitdidresideinthetempledescribedbyEzekielinchapter43.TherearesomanydetailsgivenintheseninechaptersthatarevastlydifferentfromthetempleofZerubbabelincludingitssize(875feetoneachofthefoursides),agoverningprince,andtheriverthatflowsfromthethresholdofthetempleintotheDeadSeathatcausesittobecomefresh.Themeasurementsofthenewtempleoutercourt,EastGate,NorthGate,SouthGate,InnerCourt,Chambersforthepriests,andVes4bulearealldescribedindetail.IfthisindeedistheMillennialTemplewhereJesuswilldwell,whydotheyneedtoreturntoanimalsacrificesthataredescribedinverses38to43sinceJesusmadeoneperfectofferingforallsinsforallBme?

Ezekiel41—Ezekielnowturnshisa@en4ontotheInnerTemple.WiththischapterthroughtheendofEzekiel,thewordholyisgiventhirty-five4mes.God’stemplewillbeholy.Hispeoplewillbeholy.Thelandwillbeholy.ThereasonthatalltheseareholyisbecauseGodHimselfisholyandHewillmakeeverythinginHispresenceholyforHisname’ssake.Ezekielgivesexac4ngmeasurementsfortheInnerTempleandHolyofHolies.Thewholestructureiscarvedwithcherubimandpalmtrees.Ezekielstartedbydescribingtheoutsideofthetempleandthenmovedtotheinsideofthetemple.God’sholinesswillbereflectedinallofit.IstheholinessofGodreflectedinyouroutwardacBonsaswellasyourinwardthoughts?AsktheHolySpirittobringtoyourmindanythingthatdispleasesHim(Psalm39:23-24).ForpersonalreflecBononly.

Ezekiel42—Foragreatverse-by-verse3-Danima4onofthetemplevisith@p://www.bibliaprints.com/.Itreallyhelpstovisualizethetemple.Thischapterdealswiththechambersandgalleriesfortheprieststoeatandtoserve.Thepriestsandtheplacetheyareinareholy.Eventheirclothesareholyand,therefore,theymustchangetheirclothesbeforeleavingthetemplecomplextobewithotherpeople.Thefinalversespeaksofawalltomakeasepara4onbetweentheholyandthecommon.Verse20says,“Hemeasuredthetemplecomplexonallfoursides.Ithadawallallaroundit,875feetlongand875feetwide,toseparatetheholyfromthecommon(HCSB).”Whatwasholy,andwhatwascommon,andhowdidthewallseparateit?#7p.1250

Ezekiel43—InEzekiel11:22-23,weseethegloryoftheLordleavingthetemple.Now,inchapter43,thegloryoftheLordreturnstodwellaslongastheearthlasts.Inthetempletherewillbesinging,worship,andtheofferingofsacrifices.ItwillbetheplacewhereGod’sglorydwells.ThesolesofHisfeetwillrestthere(v.7).ThepresenceandgloryoftheLordreturnstotheMillennialtemplesoGodcandwellwithHispeople.WheredoesGoddwelltodayonearth?WherewillGoddwellacertheMillennium?SeeICorinthians6:19-20,Ephesians2:19-22,ICorinthians3:16,andRevelaBon21:3.

Joel—ThenameJoelmeans,“TheLord(Yahweh)isGod.”ItisbelievedbymostscholarsthatJoelwaswri@ensomewherebetween835B.C.and796B.C.,possiblyduringthereignofKingJoash.TheimmediatesekngofthebookwasadayoftheLord’sjudgmentwhenaninvasionoflocustscameanddestroyedallofthecrops.Hecallsthepeopletofas4ngandrepentancebecauseoftheirsinwhichhascausedthisplague.Joelgoesfrompresentday

http://www.bibliaprints.com/

devasta4ontoafuture4mewhenthefortunesofIsraelwillberestoredandGodwillpouroutHisSpiritonallhumanity.Atthesame4me,theLordwillsendjudgmentonthena4onsfortheirwickednesswhenHeswingsHissicklebecausetheharvestisripe(3:13).Withallofthedoomandgloominthefirsthalfofthebook,thesecondhalfspeaksofGod’sblessingandfinalrestora4onofJudahandJerusalemwiththepromiseofsecurity,peace,andprosperityfromgenera4ontogenera4on.

Joel1—TheprophetJoelspeaksfortheLordandtellsthepeoplethattheplagueoflocuststhathascomeisasignofGod’sjudgmentonthepeopleofJudahfortheirsins.Alertheswarmsoflocustshadgone,notonlywereallofthevegeta4on,theleavesfromthetrees,andthecropsdestroyed,buteventhebarkofthetreeswasstrippedoff.Withoutfigs,grapes,olives,dates,wheat,barley,andvariousfruittrees,therewasnofoodformanoranimals.Judahneedstoproclaimasacredfast,cryouttotheLord,andrepentoftheirevilways.ThepeopleofJudahweretoldto“cryouttotheLord”inthisBmeofdevastaBon.HaveyouevercriedouttotheLordwhenyouwereinaBmeofgreatdistress?Ifso,sharethestorywithyourgroup.SeealsoPsalm34:6andPsalm145:19.

Joel2—Asawatchmanonawall,JoelwassoundingthealarmfortheDayoftheLordwascoming,andinfactisverynear.Theplagueoflocustsislikeaforestfirethatconsumeseverythinginitspathandthena4onswritheinhorrorbeforeit.ThisdayoftheLord’sjudgmentisterribleanddreadful(vv.1-11).However,ifthepeopleofJudahwillturntoYahwehwithalltheirheartswithgenuinefas4ng,weeping,andmourning,thenHemightrelentfromsendingdisasterandhavepityonHispeople(vv.12-17).NowJoelchangesfromproclaimingdoomanddespairtothedeclaringofvictory,salva4on,andprosperity.Evenwhenagreatnorthernarmy(Ezekiel38-39)comesagainstthem,thisarmywouldbebanishedtothetwogreatseas.TheLordwouldrepaythemfortheyearsthatthelocustshaveeatenandwillrestorethemsothattheywouldneveragainbeputtoshame(vv.18-27).Joelcon4nuestolookforwardintothefuturewhenGod’sSpiritwillbepouredoutonallpeopleduringthisawe-inspiringDayoftheLord’sjudgment,andHisruleoveralltheearth(vv.28-32). WhereintheNewTestamentdowefindaparBalfulfillmentofJoel’spropheciesofverses28-29?WhereintheNewTestamentdoweseeverse32quoted?

Joel3—Atthis4me,GodwillrestorethefortunesofJudahandJerusalemwhenallthena4onsaregatheredtotheValleyofJehoshaphat(theLordwillJudge)tobejudgedfortheirgreatwickednessagainstGod’speople.Thena4onssca@eredtheIsraelites,sellingthemintoslavery,andtakingtheirgoldtobeau4fythetempleoftheirgods(vv.1-13).“Mul4tudes,mul4tudesinthevalleyofdecision!FortheDayoftheLordisnearinthevalleyofdecision(v.14ESV).”TheLordwilltakevengeanceonthosewhooppressedHispeople,butwillbearefugeandstrongholdfortheIsraelites.DuringthisKingdomageastheMessiahrules,theJewswillhavetheverypresenceoftheLord,greatmaterialprosperity,andtheforgivenessoftheirsins.Thisrighteouskingdomwillnotend,butwillcon4nueonfromgenera4ontogenera4onaslongastheearthlasts(vv.14-21).HowistheprophecyofJoel

similartotheprophecyofEzekielandZechariah?CompareJoel3:18,Ezekiel47:1-12,andZechariah14:8.HowdotheversesofJoel,Ezekiel,andZechariahdifferfromRevelaBon22:1-2.


Proverbs20-26,Ezekiel44-48(#135)Proverbs20—Readthefollowingverses;Proverbs6:9-11,19:15,20:4,13,22:13,and24:32-34.Whatisthelessonthattheseversesteachus?WhatdidPaulteachaboutthistheme?SeeIIThessalonians3:6-10.

Ezekiel44—GodgaveEzekielinstruc4onsonwhowastoserveinthenewtempleandhowtheyweretoserve.GodisveryexactinHisinstruc4onsanddemandsholinessfromthosewhoserveHim.OneofthereasonsthatthepresenceoftheLordle@theoldtemplewasbecausethepriestswerenotservingHiminthewaythatHehadprescribed.TheywereactuallyworshippingidolswithintheLord’stemple.TheLevitessquanderedtheirprivilegetoservetheLordGodAlmighty,andtheywilllivewiththeirpunishmentduringtheKingdomage.TheywillnotbeabletoservetheLorddirectly,butwillstandasanexampletoIsraelandberequiredtoteachIsraelallthelawsofGodastheyshouldhavedonewhileSolomon’stemplewass4llstanding.ThosepriestswhoaredescendentsofZadok,whofaithfullyservedGodevenwhileothersdidnot,willbehonoredtoserveHimface-to-face.Thedu4esandprivilegesofthefaithfulpriestsareenumeratedincludingthetypeoffabrictheclothesweremadeof,theirtypeofhairstyle,whotheyshouldandshouldnotmarry,andthelawsandstaturesthattheyshouldkeep. WhatmaybethereasontheeastgatewillremainforeverclosedaJerthegloryoftheLordentersthroughthatgateandfillstheMostHolyPlaceinthetemple(43:1-5)?

Ezekiel45—Asacreddistrictthatisapproximately55squaremilesissetasideasholytotheLordforthetemplearea,thepriestsofZadok,theLevites,andtheprince.GodhasEzekielgointogreatdetailaboutthesacrificesandofferingsthataretobepresentedtotheLord.YahwehwantedtomakeclearwhatHisexpecta4onswereforjus4ceandfairness.HedetaileddowntotheouncehowHispeopleweretomeasureeverything,andhowmuchtheyweretogiveasanoffering.Thespecialfeastsaredelineatedinverses18to25.Whatarethefeasts(fesRvals)thatwillbecelebratedduringtheMillennialKingdom?ExtraquesRon:WhatfeastswillbemissingduringtheMillenniumfromthosethatweregivenbyMosestobecelebratedbyIsraelintheOldTestament?SeeLeviRcus23.Whydoyouthinkthesefeastsaremissing?

Ezekiel46—God’stemplewillbesoholythattheprincemayonlyworshipatthethresholdofthegateandthepeopleonlyattheentrance(vv.2-3).OntheSabbathdaysandNewMoonstheprincewillleadallthepeopleinworshipbypresen4ngburntandfellowshipofferingsthatwillbegiventotheprieststosacrificeonhisbehalf.WhenthepeopleentertheoutercourtofthetempletoworshipGodontheSabbathday(northorsouthgates),theyarerequiredtoleavethroughtheoppositegateofthatwhichtheyhadentered(v.9).ThepriestsalsoaretoofferaburntandagrainofferingtotheLordeverymorning(v.13,Rom.12:1-2).WhoistheprincemenRonedin44:3,45:22,46:16andotherpassages,andwhatishisfuncRon?

Ezekiel47—Theprophetseesastreamofwaterflowingfrombeneaththetemplefromtheeastandthesouth,andthiswaterflowswithincreasingdepthasitmovestowardtheDeadSea.ThiswatercausesthesaltyDeadSeawatertobecomefresh,andtherewillbelifeeverywherethewatergoes.Thetreesnexttoriverwillbeforfood,andtheleavesofthetreeswillbeforhealing(vv.1-12).TheLorddescribestheboundariesofthelandofIsraelduringthekingdomagewhicharesubstan4allylargerthandescribedbyMoses(Numbers34:1-5).Residentalienswillbetreatedlikena4ve-bornIsraelitesandwillbeen4tledtoownproperty(vv.13-23). Thewaterthatflowsfromthetemplewillhavelife-givingproperResforphysicalhealingandprosperity.Ofwhatspiritualsignificancedoesthiswaterremindus?SeeJohn7:37-39.

Ezekiel48—GodlaysoutthelandofIsraelandassignseachtribeandfamilytheirinheritance(Psalm47:4).TheLordwillul4matelykeepHispromisetoAbraham(Genesis13:14-17;15:17-21)andgiveIsraelallthelandthatwassworntothem.Thetribeswillsurroundtheholycityonthenorthandsouth,andtheprinceshallownaswathrunningeasttowest.TheHolyCitywillbeinthecenterofIsrael.Themostimportantdis4nc4onofthiscitywillbetheawesomepresenceofYahweh/JehovahamongHispeople.ThereforethecitywillberenamedJehovahShammah–theLordisthere!(48:35).TherearesevenprincipalcompoundnamesforJehovah/YahwehintheOldTestament.BesidesJehovahShammah,givethemeaningoftheothersixcompoundnamesforJehovah.JehovahJirehmeans,“theLordwill___________”(Genesis22:13-14).JehovahRaphameans,“theLordwho___________”(Exodus15:26).JehovahShalommeans,“theLordis_________”(Judges6:24).JehovahTsidkenumeans,“theLordisour__________________”(Jeremiah23:6).JehovahNissimeans,“theLordismy___________”(Exodus17:8-15).JehovahRa’ahmeans,“theLordismy______________”(Psalm23:1).

Proverbs21—ExplainthreewaysthepoweroftheLordismanifested.Seeverses1,30,and31.

Proverbs22—Verse6says,“Trainupachildinthewayheshouldgo;evenwhenheisoldhewillnodepartfromit(ESV).”Brieflygivesomeoftheelementsnecessaryinordertoproperlytrainachildsothatheorshewillliveagodlylifewhenthatchildbecomesanadult?

Proverbs23—Whataretheconsequencesofbecomingaddictedtoalcoholoranyothersubstance?Seeverses29-35.

Proverbs24—WhatshouldbeourreacRonwhenthugs,rapists,terrorists,murderers,evilpeople,orevenourpersonalenemiesreceivejusRce?HowcanwekeepfromgloaRng?Seeverses17-18.

Proverbs25—Howarewetotreatourenemiesandthosethatdoeviltous?Seeverses21-22,Mahhew5:44,andRomans12:19-21.

Proverbs26—Whatarethesinscausedbythetongueinverses20to28?


proverbs 16, acts 28, ezekiel 18-24, zechariah 1-8 (#131)€¦ · ezekiel 21— god has pulled his...

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