Monthly Archives: April 2024

God Was Never Silent – His Story from Malachi to Matthew Part 2

Posted on by
Reply

God Was Never Silent

His Story from Malachi to Matthew – Part 2

We now find ourselves toward the end of the Old Testament (approximately 14 years after Ezra led the people back to Jerusalem to worship in the temple and perform sacrifices) and the focus of our study is on 2 significant individuals – one named Nehemiah and the other named Malachi. Both are men of God and their messages, though slightly difference in context, are designed to encourage the Jewish people to remain faithful to their God and their covenant with Him while they await the Messiah.

Nehemiah will lead a third return to Jerusalem and his mission was to motivate the people to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem to protect them from their enemies and also to encourage the people of God to live in their land, reject their idolatrous ways, properly worship their God, live obediently to the Mosaic Law, be subject to the external world powers and kingdoms, and wait for the promised Messiah.

The message of Isaiah was the very hope they clung to; “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.” (Isaiah 9:6-7)

Malachi (the last recorded prophet of the Old Testament) has the burden condemning the abuses of unfaithfulness (both people and priest) and call the people to a life of repentance and faith. This was not an easy task as nearly a century had passed since the last 2 prophets (Haggai and Zechariah) rebuked the children of God for their similar disobedience and complacency. It’s as though the cycle continues to repeat itself over and over. He closes out his book with a message of hope that ultimately comes through the birth of the Messiah, but that would have to wait another 4 centuries and see 2 additional Gentile Empires influence and dominate their way of life. Malachi’s words were simple but not always well received. They were to follow God with their whole heart, be obedient to His commands and not squander the spiritual heritage that was entrusted to them. Some did just that and that will prepare the people of God for a future (4 centuries plus) laced with further persecution, ridicule, and misunderstanding by their Gentile rulers and oppressors. Yet God will have a remnant of those who genuinely believe and will see to it that His salvation will come through the birth of His Son – Jesus Christ the Messiah!

god-was-never-silent-part-2Download

God Was Never Silent – His Story from Malachi to Matthew

Posted on by
Reply

God Was Never Silent

His Story from Malachi to Matthew – Part 1

We sometimes ignore the events between the “Testaments” (Old and New) depending on the “religious” and denominational influences in our lives. In doing that we really miss out on what was going on in the Palestine region (The Land of Promise) as well as those who lived there after the Jewish exile to Babylon, and the subsequent Gentile rule of the Persians, Greeks, and Romans up to the birth of the Savior of the world, Jesus Christ as recorded in the Gospels. This period, referred to as The Times of the Gentiles by Daniel the prophet, is rich with the influence and purposes of God as He prepares the world for the birth of His Son through a virgin named Mary.

It’s not that God stopped working after Malachi penned his book and then all the sudden re-engaged with the Jews and the whole of mankind during the time of Matthew. On the contrary, God guided His people (the chosen ones – descendants of Abraham) even during some of the darkest days they ever faced. It all started with the Jewish exile to Babylon because of the disobedience of their leaders (starting with Solomon) and the people’s unwillingness to make permanent changes in their behavior toward God and their fellow man.

The Exile (Babylonian captivity) lasted 70 years, just as Jeremiah the prophet said it would. The Jews (as they became known, probably a shortened version of the tribe of Judah) were instructed to return from Babylon to Jerusalem and rebuild their temple and their city which had been destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar. It was God who prompted the heart of Cyrus, King of Persia, the then ruler of the Persian Empire which (included Palestine) to allow the Jews to return and rebuild the Temple and the City of Jerusalem,

The Jews would be under the control of the Perian Empire and its rulers for approximately 2 centuries. During that time the Jews returned to Jerusalem under the leadership of Zerubbabel, Ezra and Nehemiah and would rebuild the Temple and the city of Jerusalem, although not to the grandeur of the time of David and Solomon. During the post exile period (Times of the Gentiles), God also used the influences of the prophets Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi to influence the Jewish people and their leaders. Other prophets like Daniel and Ezekiel (who primarily prophesied during the exile) along with Isaiah provide hope for a future kingdom that they had yet to witness and participate in. This “hope” would one day become a reality, but it begins with the birth of the Messiah (Jesus Christ, The Son of God), along with His death on a cross that ushers in a Kingdom that is still at work. Although many rejected Him, Jesus established His church, and all believers await His return to establish His reign that will have no end! This first lesson is an overview of events from the time of the exile (Babylonian Captivity) up to and including the return to rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem. The lesson will highlight the works of Zerubbabel, Ezra, and the early influences of Nehemiah as they work to rebuild the Temple. This will help lay a groundwork of an understanding of the Intertestamental Period from Malachi to Matthew.

god-was-never-silent-part-1Download

Forging a Nation of God Worshippers – The Story of Moses and Joshua – Part 2

Posted on by
Reply

We learned from last weeks lesson (Forging a Nation of God Worshippers Part 1) that the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob would deliver the children of Israel from Egyptian bondage and lead them back to the land He promised Abraham. “Then the Lord said to him, “Know for certain that for four hundred years your descendants will be strangers in a country not their own and that they will be enslaved and mistreated there. But I will punish the nation they serve as slaves, and afterward they will come out with great possessions. You, however, will go to your ancestors in peace and be buried at a good old age. In the fourth generation your descendants will come back here, for the sin of the Amorites has not yet reached its full measure.” (Genesis 15:13-16).

This lesson begins with Moses leading the Israelites out of Egypt and immediately they face their first challenge. The Israelites found themselves stuck between the armies of Pharoah and the Red Sea. While the angel of God held back the armies of Pharoah, the Lord parted the Red Sea allowing the Israelites to cross on dry land. Once the Israelites were safely across, the armies of Pharoah continued their pursuit and found themselves under the judgement of God for their actions against His people. The lesson concludes with Joshua leading the Israelites into the Land of Promise.

The conclusion of our 2-part series will show how God fulfills His promises and displays His power as written in the Books of Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy:

God Protects – He parts the Red Sea and saves them from the Egyptians

God Provides – He supplies them with nourishment (manna and water)

God Commands – He gives them specific Laws to obey

God Guides – He leads them to the Land of Promise

God Abides – He dwells among them and defines how to properly worship their Creator

God Instructs – He teaches them how to “be right” with God and man

God Chooses – He honors those who honor and obey Him

God Affirms – He blesses and honors Joshua with the task of leading the Israelites to the Land of Promise and Joshua does just as he was instructed.

God’s promise to Joshua: “This Book of the Law shall not depart out of your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:8-9)

forging-a-nation-of-god-worshippers-part-2Download

Forging a Nation of God Worshippers – The Story of Moses and Joshua – Part 1

Posted on by
Reply

Forging a Nation of God Worshippers

The Story of Moses and Joshua – Part 1

This lesson picks up the story found at the end of the Book of Genesis where Joseph (son of Jacob, now called Israel), found himself in Egypt (through the providence of God) and created a path for the Israelites to survive a famine and grow from a family tribe of approximately 70 people to a nation of over 1 million souls by the time of their Exodus from Egypt.

Initially the Israelites were favorably disposed and, in many cases, held in high esteem while they resided in Egypt. However, things changed, and a new Pharoah came to power and the Israelites were enslaved and forced to build buildings and other infrastructural components in Egypt all the while being severely mistreated. The Lord told Abraham many years prior that this would happen; “Then the Lord said to him, “Know for certain that for four hundred years your descendants will be strangers in a country not their own and that they will be enslaved and mistreated there. But I will punish the nation they serve as slaves, and afterward they will come out with great possessions. You, however, will go to your ancestors in peace and be buried at a good old age. In the fourth generation your descendants will come back here, for the sin of the Amorites has not yet reached its full measure.” (Genesis 15:13-16)

During the Israelite’s bondage in Egypt, they cried out to be delivered from this oppression and God heard their cries and answered their prayers. God had plans to deliver His chosen people and the man who would lead them out from Egypt was Moses. This is the story of not just their exodus form Egypt but a formation of a people who would learn to worship their God, the only True God, and witness His mighty power, the likes of which no one has ever seen before.

There will be highs and lows, hills and valleys, victories and defeats, joy and sorrow, rebellion and obedience, blessings, and curses, but in the end, God will deliver them as He said He would. Our primary focus for this lesson is the events leading up to the Exodus from Egypt, and how God delivers the Israelites from Egyptian bondage. It’s a true story and one worth taking the time to seriously contemplate as no other nation, culture or people group has been blessed, protected, or cared for as God has done for the Israelites. He is a Promise Keeping God!

forging-a-nation-of-god-worshippers-part-1Download