, by dr. lester sumrall....teaching tape, prophets of the bible, by dr. lester sumrall. it is a...

STUDY GUIDE

INDIANA CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY

PROPHETS OF THE

BIBLE

by DR. LESTER SUMRALL

Sumrall Publishing P. O. Box 12

South Bend, IN 46624

PLEASE NOTE: This study guide is designed to be a companion to the audio/video teaching tape, Prophets of the Bible, by Dr. Lester Sumrall. It is a college workbook with space allowed for your personal notes. All scriptures, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the New King James Version of the Holy Bible. Published by Thomas Nelson, Inc., Nashville, Tennessee, 1982.

Audio and videotapes are available from Sumrall Publishing.

Copyright © All Rights Reserved Reprinted January, 2002

PROPHETS OF THE BIBLE ISBN 0-937580-14-7

Printed by Sumrall Publishing P. O. Box 12

South Bend, Indiana 46624 www.sumrallpublishing.com

STUDY GUIDE


PROPHETS OF THE BIBLE

TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. The Fiercest Men Who Ever Lived............................................................ 4

2. Balaam–The Amazing Man Who Died with His Enemies ........................ 8

3. Hosea–The Prophet of Faithful Love....................................................... 14

4. Joel–The Prophet of Pentecost ................................................................. 18

5. Amos–The Prophet of Justice .................................................................. 23

6. Obadiah–The Servant of Jehovah ............................................................ 28

7. Jonah–The Willful Prophet ...................................................................... 32

8. Micah–The Prophet of the Kingdom ....................................................... 37

9. Nahum–The Prophet of Nineveh ............................................................. 45

10. Habakkuk–The Prophet of Faith .............................................................. 50

11. Zephaniah–The Prophet of the Day of the Lord ...................................... 54

12. Haggai–The Prophet of Restoration......................................................... 58

13. Zechariah–The Prophet of God’s Power.................................................. 64

14. Malachi–The Messenger of God.............................................................. 75

STUDY GUIDE



Lesson 1

THE FIERCEST MEN WHO EVER LIVED

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INTRODUCTION: They were neither history’s generals nor parliamentarians. They were not emperors of state with crowns of jewels and gold. They were not the demagogues of public oratory, emotionally moving the people with powerful speeches. The fiercest men who ever lived changed the course of mankind. They dug channels for the river of truth. READING: II Peter 1:21, For prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. 1. THE FIERCEST MEN WHO EVER LIVED DID NOT CHOOSE

THEIR VICTORIES They were chosen by another world. A. Jeremiah was chosen while he was still in his mother’s womb. Jeremiah 1:5, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; Before you were

born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations.” B. Samuel was chosen by God before his parents even conceived him. 1 Samuel 1:11, Then she made a vow and said, “O LORD of hosts, if You will

indeed look on the affliction of Your maidservant and remember me, and not forget Your maidservant, but will give Your maidservant a male child, then I will give him to the LORD all the days of his life, and no razor shall come upon his head.”

The Fiercest Men Who Ever Lived Lesson 1

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2. FIERCE MEN OF FAITH CALLED THE NONEXISTENT INTO BEING Romans 4:17, (As it is written, “I have made you a father of many nations”) in the presence of Him whom he believed; God, who gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did.

3. THESE FIERCE MEN WERE MEN OF PROPHECY A. Prophecy is defined as God telling us what will happen in the future.

I Peter 1:21, Who through Him believe in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.

B. Predictions are our opinions of what will happen in the future. Ezekiel 13:3, Thus says the Lord GOD: “Woe to the foolish prophets, who

follow their own spirit and have seen nothing!”

4. THESE MEN WERE PROPHETS RECEIVED BY AN UNWORTHY WORLD Hebrews 11:38, Of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, in dens and caves of the earth.

5. THESE FIERCE PROPHETS HAD DIFFERENT PERSONALITY TRAITS A. Elisha was bald. II Kings 2:23, Then he went up from there to Bethel; and as he was going up

the road, some youths came from the city and mocked him, and said to him, “Go up, you baldhead! Go up, you baldhead!”

B. Some prophets were “old” and stale. Like yesterday’s bread, they were crusty

and dry. C. Amos was a herdsman. He tended flocks of sheep and goats.

Amos 7:14, Then Amos answered, and said to Amaziah: “I was no prophet, nor was I a son of a prophet, but I was a sheepbreeder and a tender of sycamore fruit.”


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6. JEREMIAH WROTE WORDS OF INSTRUCTION He rebuked and inspired his generation. Jeremiah 36:6-7, “You go, therefore, and read from the scroll which you have written at my instruction, the words of the LORD, in the hearing of the people in the Lord’s house on the day of fasting. And you shall also read them in the hearing of all Judah who come from their cities. v. 7, “It may be that they will present their supplication before the LORD, and everyone will turn from his evil way. For great is the anger and the fury that the LORD has pronounced against this people.”

7. ELIJAH SPOKE LIKE THUNDERING BOLTS OF LIGHTNING I Kings 18:24, “Then you call on the name of your gods, and I will call on the name of the LORD; and the God who answers by fire, He is God.” So all the people answered and said, “It is well spoken.”

8. ELIJAH OPPOSED KINGS, GOVERNORS, AND MAGISTRATES II Kings 1:3, But the angel of the LORD said to Elijah the Tishbite, Arise, go up to meet the messengers of the king of Samaria, and say to them, ‘Is it because there is no God in Israel that you are going to inquire of Baal-Zebub, the god of Ekron?’”

9. ELIJAH CALLED FIRE DOWN FROM HEAVEN II Kings 1:10, So Elijah answered and said to the captain of fifty, “If I am a man of God, then let fire come down from heaven and consume you and your fifty men.” And fire came down from heaven and consumed him and his fifty.

10. HOSEA MARRIED A HARLOT God told Hosea to marry a harlot so he could be a visible, living symbol of the spiritual corruption of the nation. Hosea 1:2, When the LORD began to speak by Hosea, the LORD said to Hosea: “Go, take yourself a wife of harlotry and children of harlotry, for the land has committed great harlotry by departing from the LORD.”


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11. THESE FIERCE PROPHETS LIVED AND MINISTERED IN URGENCY They prepared the way for the soon coming of the Messiah. Malachi 4:5-6, “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD. v. 6, And he will turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the earth with a curse.”

12. THESE FIERCE MEN OF GOD WOULD NOT SELL THEIR SOULS LIKE OTHER MEN A. They did not sell themselves for earthly prestige.

I Samuel 18:8-10, Then Saul was very angry, and the saying displeased him; and he said, “They have ascribed to David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed only thousands. Now what more can he have but the kingdom?” v. 9, So Saul eyed David from that day forward. v. 10, And it happened on the next day that the distressing spirit from God came upon Saul, and he prophesied inside the house. So David played music with his hand, as at other times; but there was a spear in Saul’s hand.

B. They refused to sell themselves for money.

II Kings 5:20-23, But Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, said, “Look, my master has spared Naaman this Syrian, while not receiving from his hands what he brought; but as the LORD lives, I will run after him and take something from him.” v. 21, So Gehazi pursued Naaman. When Naaman saw him running after him, he got down from the chariot to meet him, and said, “Is all well?” v. 22, And he said, “All is well. My master has sent me, saying, ‘Indeed, just now two young men of the sons of the prophets have come to me from the mountains of Ephraim. Please give them a talent of silver and two changes of garments.’” v. 23, So Naaman said, “Please, take two talents.” And he urged him, and bound two talents of silver in two bags, with two changes of garments, and handed them to two of his servants; and they carried them on ahead of him.

C. They did not sell themselves for pleasure.

Judges 16:1, Now Samson went to Gaza and saw a harlot there, and went in to her.

STUDY GUIDE



Lesson 2

BALAAM — THE AMAZING MAN WHO DIED

WITH HIS ENEMIES

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INTRODUCTION: When the children of Israel were within sight of the “Promised Land,” they pitched their tents in the Plains of Moab on the east side of the Jordan River near Jericho. A bizarre, wizard-like prophet entered the stage and Israel’s drama. READING: Numbers 22:7, So the elders of Moab and the elders of Midian departed with the diviner’s fee in their hand, and they came to Balaam and spoke to him the words of Balak. 1. BALAAM’S APPEARANCE IN HISTORY

A. Balaam was a mystery man whose name meant “ancient” or “elder of the

people.” Baal means “master” or “lord.” B. Balaam came from Mesopotamia, 450 miles away, near the Euphrates River. He

had achieved fame as a prophet and was known as a “great one.”

Numbers 22:5-6, Then he sent messengers to Balaam the son of Beor at Pethor, which is near the River in the land of the sons of his people, to call him, saying: “Look, a people has come from Egypt. See, they cover the face of the earth, and are settling next to me! v. 6, “Therefore please come at once, curse this people for me, for they are too mighty for me. Perhaps I shall be able to defeat them and drive them out of the land, for I know that he whom you bless is blessed, and he whom you curse is cursed.”

Balaam–The Amazing Man Who Died with His Enemies Lesson 2

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C. He was hired by the powerful King Balak of Moab to curse Israel. Balak means “devastator.”

Numbers 22:16-17, …“Thus says Balak the son of Zippor: ‘Please let nothing hinder you from coming to me; v. 17, ‘for I will certainly honor you greatly, and I will do whatever you say to me. Therefore please come, curse this people for me.’”

Numbers 23:7, And he took up his oracle and said: “Balak the king of Moab

has brought me from Aram, from the mountains of the east. ‘Come, curse Jacob for me, and come, denounce Israel!’”

D. Although Balaam at first refused, he wavered and went with Balak’s

representatives.

Numbers 22:21, So Balaam rose in the morning, saddled his donkey, and went with the princes of Moab.

E. He was stopped by an angel and rebuked. Numbers 22:22, Then God’s anger was aroused because he went, and the

Angel of the LORD took His stand in the way as an adversary against him…. F. Balaam continued because of covetousness. Crush-footed, he went on his way,

warned by a donkey. Numbers 22:25, 28, And when the donkey saw the Angel of the LORD, she

pushed herself against the wall and crushed Balaam’s foot against the wall; so he struck her again.

v. 28, Then the LORD opened the mouth of the donkey, and she said to Balaam,

“What have I done to you, that you have struck me these three times?”

2. BALAAM TRIFLED WITH TRUTH His only job in history was to curse and destroy God’s people, Israel. His advice caused the deaths of 24,000 people. Numbers 31:15-16, And Moses said to them: “Have you kept all the women alive? v. 16, “Look, these women caused the children of Israel, through the counsel of Balaam, to trespass against the LORD in the incident of Peor, and there was a plague among the congregation of the LORD.” Numbers 25:9, And those who died in the plague were twenty-four thousand.


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3. BALAAM FELL PREY TO SUBTLETY AND GREED Jude 1:11, Woe to them! For they have gone in the way of Cain, have run greedily in the error of Balaam for profit, and perished in the rebellion of Korah. A. He blessed and cursed people for money. Holy things were a trade to him.

Religion became a tool of evil in his hands. Gold blinds the eyes and deafens the ears of the lustful.

Often a few empty letters before or after somebody’s name (i.e., Rev. or DD) will cause a soul to be sold.

B. Balaam was a hireling prophet who sought only to make a market for his gift.

4. BALAAM HAD A SPLIT PERSONALITY He was the Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde of the Bible. A. Balaam’s mission was a failure.

1) Balaam went to curse Israel.

Joshua 24:9 “‘Then Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, arose to make war against Israel, and sent and called Balaam the son of Beor to curse you.’”

2) He was hindered by a talking donkey.

II Peter 2:16, But he was rebuked for his iniquity: a dumb donkey speaking with a man’s voice restrained the madness of the prophet.

3) The curse became a blessing.

Deuteronomy 23:5, “Nevertheless the LORD your God would not listen to Balaam, but the LORD your God turned the curse into a blessing for you, because the LORD your God loves you.”

B. Balaam’s prophecies were true.

1) His prophecies were under divine control.

Numbers 22:18, Then Balaam answered and said to the servants of Balak, “Though Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold, I could not go beyond the word of the LORD my God, to do less or more.”


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2) These prophecies came through the prompting of the Holy Spirit.

Numbers 24:2, And Balaam raised his eyes, and saw Israel encamped according to their tribes; and the Spirit of God came upon him.

3) He blessed Israel three times.

Numbers 24:10, Then Balak’s anger was aroused against Balaam, and he struck his hands together; and Balak said to Balaam, “I called you to curse my enemies, and look, you have bountifully blessed them these three times!”

4) His final prophecy spoke of the Messiah!

Numbers 24:17, “I see Him, but not now; I behold Him, but not near; A Star shall come out of Jacob; A Scepter shall rise out of Israel, and batter the brow of Moab, and destroy all the sons of tumult.”

5. THE ERROR OF BALAAM

A. It is impossible for a man to curse God’s anointed.

Numbers 23:8, “How shall I curse whom God has not cursed? And how shall I denounce whom the LORD has not denounced?”

B. Balaam believed he could get God to curse the people He had already blessed. C. Balaam’s error was his only reward.

6. THE WAY OF BALAAM

II Peter 2:15, They have forsaken the right way and gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Beor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness. A. He put his divine gift on the open market. B. He loved the wages of ungodly gains. C. The love of money is the root of all evil.

I Timothy 6:9-10, But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. v. 10, For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.


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7. BALAAM TAUGHT BALAK HOW TO CORRUPT ISRAEL

The doctrine of Balaam taught the Moabites how to corrupt the people he could not curse.

A. Spiritual prostitution occurred. The Israelites were tempted to sin.

Numbers 25:1-3, Now Israel remained in Acacia Grove, and the people began to commit harlotry with the women of Moab. v. 2, They invited the people to the sacrifices of their gods, and the people ate and bowed down to their gods. v. 3, So Israel was joined to Baal of Peor, and the anger of the LORD was aroused against Israel.

B. The church at Pergamos followed the doctrine of Balaam which taught the

Israelites to eat food sacrificed to idols and commit fornication.

Revelation 2:14, “But I have a few things against you, because you have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality.”

8. THE DEATH OF THE SOOTHSAYER

Balaam finally realized that the Lord would not curse Israel. Numbers 24:1, Now when Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel, he did not go as at other times, to seek to use sorcery, but he set his face toward the wilderness. A. He begged God to allow him to die the death of the righteous.

Numbers 23:10, “Who can count the dust of Jacob, or number one-fourth of Israel? Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my end be like his!” The answer to his prayer was much different from his request.

B. He laid snares for the Israelites and died fighting them. Joshua 13:22, The children of Israel also killed with the sword Balaam the son of Beor, the soothsayer, among those who were killed by them.


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9. BALAAM’S SEED IS STILL IN THE PULPIT People like Balaam are active in today’s church. They still seek Balak’s gold. Spiritually, the doctrine of Balaam never rises above the carnal reasoning and natural attractions of this world.

STUDY GUIDE



Lesson 3

HOSEA— THE PROPHET OF FAITHFUL LOVE

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INTRODUCTION: An unfaithful wife is a man’s greatest sorrow. Hosea was the fourth of the minor prophets. He was the last great prophet of the kingdom of Israel. He was Israel’s prophet of pathos. He reminds us of Jeremiah, Judah’s weeping prophet. Hosea wrote his autobiography as an older man. READING: Hosea 6:6, For I desire mercy and not sacrifice, and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings. Matthew 9:13, “But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice.’ For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.” John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” 1. HOSEA’S PROPHECY IN THREE PARTS

Hosea’s name means “salvation.” His wife’s name, Gomer, means “completion.” The book of Hosea can be divided into three parts.

A. The first three chapters of the book are about the prophet’s personal life.

B. Chapters 4-12 outline the gross iniquity of Israel at that time.

Hosea–The Prophet of Faithful Love Lesson 3

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C. The last two chapters are an expostulation of tearful entreaties with the promise of blessing to follow repentance. God wounded, then He poured in healing oil. Hosea describes the coming judgment of God’s supplication to Israel.

2. HOSEA’S BITTER DESTINY

The book of Hosea shows the nature of sin and God’s love. Hosea’s life represented the true spiritual conditions prevailing in Israel during his lifetime.

A. King Jeroboam led Israel into sin, apostasy, idolatry, and infidelity to God.

Though these conditions existed before he became king, he led Israel into a deeper separation from God.

II Kings 14:16, 23-24, So Jehoash rested with his fathers, and was buried in Samaria with the kings of Israel. Then Jeroboam his son reigned in his place. v. 23, In the fifteenth year of Amaziah the son of Joash, king of Judah, Jeroboam the son of Joash, king of Israel, became king in Samaria, and reigned forty-one years. v. 24, And he did evil in the sight of the LORD; he did not depart from all the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who had made Israel sin.

B. During the reign of Jeroboam II, the people worshiped golden calves. They offered pagan sacrifices in high places. This occurred during Hosea’s lifetime.

C. Israel never had a spiritual revival after this apostasy! A backslidden condition

is bad. Sometimes it is irreparable.

3. THE DRAMATIC LIFE OF HOSEA OPENS A. Hosea received a divine call to the office of prophet. B. The prophet met a young woman named Gomer. They loved one another and

were married. Then Hosea discovered that she was a harlot.

4. GOMER BECOMES DISSATISFIED Gomer probably anticipated a bright, easy life; but she found the parsonage lonely. Proverbs 23:7, For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.…


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Gomer complained, grumbled, and pouted. When Hosea came home, she was miserable, sullen, and unsympathetic. The bubble of happiness had burst. The home became a house, and the house became hell. A. Thoughts give birth to acts. Guard your thoughts! B. Acts cultivate habits. Guard your actions! C. Habits create character. Curb and control bad habits! D. Character decides the destiny of the soul!

5. THE BIRTH OF JEZREEL After a period of time, Jezreel was born. His name means “coming judgment.” Hosea 1:3-4, So he went and took Gomer the daughter of Diblaim, and she conceived and bore him a son. v. 4, Then the LORD said to him: “Call his name Jezreel, for in a little while I will avenge the bloodshed of Jezreel on the house of Jehu, and bring an end to the kingdom of the house of Israel.” Hosea hoped that the baby would bless his home and encourage Gomer. Gomer still allowed the flaming passion for pleasure to grip her. The Bible says that she sought lovers and sensual indulgences (Hosea 2:7).

6. HOSEA PRAYED God said that Israel had gone after lovers like Gomer. It is horrible when a person breaks up a home!

7. LO-RUHAMAH (UNLOVED) IS BORN A. Gomer strayed away and showed no love for her family. B. The town gossips began to buzz the news. Bowed in sorrow, Hosea prayed.

God’s answer remained the same, Preach to My people!

8. LO-AMMI (NOT MY PEOPLE) IS BORN Hosea said that Lo-Ammi was the child of adultery.


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9. GOMER LEAVES HER HOME FOR HER LOVERS Gomer deserted her husband, children, and home to chase after other lovers. After a long passage of time, Hosea’s friends brought him the sad news that Gomer was living a life of dissipation and drunkenness.

10. HOSEA LEARNS HOW GOD FEELS ABOUT BACKSLIDING God sorrows over our sin.

11. GOMER IS TO BE SOLD Hosea heard that Gomer was supposed to be sold as a slave at the auction. He ran to the town marketplace. He saw a woman. She was decrepit, haggard, dirty, ragged, sad, dejected, and ashamed. Bowed in disgrace, she was being sold at an auction. Hosea hardly recognized this degenerated, broken piece of humanity.

12. HOSEA BUYS HER BACK A. Her purchase price was half the price of a slave.

Exodus 21:32, “If the ox gores a male or female servant, he shall give to their master thirty shekels of silver, and the ox shall be stoned.”

B. Fifteen pieces of silver equal about $11.25. C. One-and-a-half omers of barley (9 bushels at $4 a bushel) costs about $36. D. Hosea bought Gomer for $47.25.

13. WHY DID HOSEA BUY GOMER BACK? Hosea did not buy Gomer back for his home, children, or ministry. He bought her back because he loved her.

14. A HOME REUNITED God hates sin, but loves the sinner. Gomer’s return to her home and family must have been similar to the homecoming of the prodigal son in Luke 15:20.

STUDY GUIDE



Lesson 4

JOEL— THE PROPHET OF PENTECOST

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INTRODUCTION: God has a purpose in raising up prophets. Joel’s message was Repent, for the day of the Lord comes. He summoned the people to repentance. He promised that if they were obedient to God, the land would be restored to its former fruitfulness. Joel’s name means “Jehovah is God.” He was one of the earlier prophets. He probably knew both Elijah and Elisha in his youth. READING: Joel 2:21, 26, Fear not, O land; Be glad and rejoice, for the LORD has done marvelous things! v. 26, You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied, and praise the name of the LORD your God, who has dealt wondrously with you; And My people shall never be put to shame. 1. THE DAY OF THE LORD

A. The phrase, the day of the Lord, usually refers to a period of time in contrast to

man’s or Satan’s day. It begins with the wrath of God, and extends through the Millennial Kingdom.

B. Jehovah will manifest Himself in the destruction of His enemies and rejoicing

of His friends. The attitude of a person’s heart and life will determine his reactions on that day.

C. The Holy Spirit will cover the faithful as signs of deliverance to believers, and

warning to unbelievers.

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2. THE PLAGUE OF LOCUSTS A. This plague will be felt by every human being and creature: drunkards, priests,

farmers, domesticated and wild animals.

1) Locusts will totally devour the vegetation.

Joel 1:4, What the chewing locust left, the swarming locust has eaten; What the swarming locust left, the crawling locust has eaten; And what the crawling locust left, the consuming locust has eaten.

2) No fruit will be left for the making of wine and strong drink.

Joel 1:5, Awake, you drunkards, and weep; And wail, all you drinkers of wine, because of the new wine, for it has been cut off from your mouth.

3) This literal plague is compared to a conquering army.

Joel 1:6-7, For a nation has come up against My land, strong, and without number; His teeth are the teeth of a lion, and he has the fangs of a fierce lion. v. 7, He has laid waste My vine, and ruined My fig tree; He has stripped it bare and thrown it away; Its branches are made white.

B. There has never been a plague like this plague of locusts will be.

Joel 1:2, Hear this, you elders, and give ear, all you inhabitants of the land! Has anything like this happened in your days, or even in the days of your fathers?

C. The people were told that even greater judgment would come if they did not

repent.

Joel 1:15, Alas for the day! For the day of the LORD is at hand; It shall come as destruction from the Almighty.

3. THE CALL TO PRAYER AND REPENTANCE

A. Joel begged a nation to repent with weeping and mourning. God called for

whole-hearted repentance.

Joel 2:12, “Now, therefore,” says the LORD, “Turn to Me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning.”


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B. This repentance must include the rending of hearts and fasting.

1) Hearts, not clothing, must be torn in anguish over their previous wrongdoing.

Joel 2:13, So rend your heart, and not your garments; Return to the LORD your God, for He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness; And He relents from doing harm.

2) If the people were to repent and honor God, He may hold off the promised

destruction.

Joel 2:14, Who knows if He will turn and relent, and leave a blessing behind Him; A grain offering and a drink offering for the LORD your God?

3) The entire community must be involved in the fast.

Joel 2:15-16, Blow the trumpet in Zion, consecrate a fast, call a sacred assembly; v. 16, Gather the people, sanctify the congregation, assemble the elders, gather the children and nursing babes; Let the bridegroom go out from his chamber, and the bride from her dressing room.

C. Seek the Lord in prayer.

1) Joel directed the priests in a specific prayer.

Joel 2:17, “Let the priests, who minister to the LORD, weep between the porch and the altar; Let them say, ‘Spare Your people, O LORD, and do not give Your heritage to reproach, that the nations should rule over them. Why should they say among the peoples, “Where is their God?”’”

2) Call upon the Lord before it is too late.

Isaiah 55:6, Seek the LORD while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near.

4. THE PROMISE OF RESTORATION AND BLESSING

A. God gives the former and latter rain.

Joel 2:23, Be glad then, you children of Zion, and rejoice in the LORD your God; For He has given you the former rain faithfully, and He will cause the rain to come down for you; The former rain, and the latter rain in the first month.


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1) In nature, copious rains at the proper time insure plentiful harvests.

Joel 2:24, The threshing floors shall be full of wheat, and the vats shall overflow with new wine and oil.

2) Supernaturally, the Holy Spirit will usher in great revival at the proper

time.

B. God will remove the armies that desolated them.

Joel 2:20, “But I will remove far from you the northern army, and will drive him away into a barren and desolate land, with his face toward the eastern sea and his back toward the western sea; his stench will come up, and his foul odor will rise, because he has done monstrous things.”

C. The Lord will restore the years lost to the pestilence.

Joel 2:25, “So I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten, the crawling locust, the consuming locust, and the chewing locust, My great army which I sent among you.”

5. SPIRITUAL REVIVAL IN THE FUTURE

A. The Spirit of the Lord will be poured out on all flesh.

Joel 2:28-29, “And it shall come to pass afterward that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions. v. 29, And also on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days.”

B. A partial fulfillment occurred at the revival in Jerusalem at Pentecost.

Acts 2:4, 16, And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

v. 16, “But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel.”

C. Spiritual gifts will be available to everyone.

Acts 2:17-18, “‘And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, that I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your young men shall see visions, your old men shall dream dreams. v. 18, And on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days; And they shall prophesy.’”


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D. Mercy will be shed abroad. Whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Joel 2:32, And it shall come to pass that whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved. For in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there shall be deliverance, as the LORD has said, among the remnant whom the LORD calls.

6. THE FUTURE BLESSINGS OF ISRAEL

A. The nations will be judged after the Battle of Armageddon.

Revelation 19:1-2, 11, 15, After these things I heard a loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, saying, “Alleluia! Salvation and glory and honor and power belong to the Lord our God! v. 2, “For true and righteous are His judgments, because He has judged the great harlot who corrupted the earth with her fornication; and He has avenged on her the blood of His servants shed by her.”

v. 11, Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war.

v. 15, Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.

B. Christ will return to earth to establish His sovereign rule. His role as Savior will

be completed.

Joel 3:2, 6-7, I will also gather all nations, and bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat; And I will enter into judgment with them there on account of My people, My heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations; They have also divided up My land.

v. 6, Also the people of Judah and the people of Jerusalem you have sold to the Greeks, that you may remove them far from their borders. v. 7, “Behold, I will raise them out of the place to which you have sold them, and will return your retaliation upon your own head.”

C. Jesus Christ will set up His everlasting kingdom.

Joel 3:20-21, But Judah shall abide forever, and Jerusalem from generation to generation. v. 21, “For I will acquit them of the guilt of bloodshed, whom I had not acquitted; For the LORD dwells in Zion.”

STUDY GUIDE



Lesson 5

AMOS— THE PROPHET OF JUSTICE

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INTRODUCTION: Amos’ name means “burden-bearer.” He was not educated in the school of the prophets, but was a layman called by God. His ministry occurred during a time when the people only thought of pleasure and prosperity. READING: Amos 5:4, 14-15, For thus says the LORD to the house of Israel: “Seek Me and live.”

v. 14, Seek good and not evil, that you may live; So the LORD God of hosts will be with you, as you have spoken. v. 15, Hate evil, love good; Establish justice in the gate. It may be that the LORD God of hosts will be gracious to the remnant of Joseph. 1. A CHARACTER SKETCH OF AMOS

Amos was a remarkable prophet. In many respects his life mirrored the life of Christ. A. Amos was a humble man. He did not hide his station in life.

Amos 7:14, Then Amos answered, and said to Amaziah: “I was no prophet, nor was I a son of a prophet, but I was a sheepbreeder and a tender of sycamore fruit.”

B. Amos was faithful to his calling. His message was, The Lord said…. He

proclaimed it 40 times after God called him to preach.

Amos 7:15, Then the LORD took me as I followed the flock, and the LORD said to me, “Go, prophesy to My people Israel.”

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C. He used illustrations in his preaching. D. He was fearless and intelligent. He told the truth even when it was unpopular.

He was unafraid to address the lazy rich. Those people spent their time lounging on soft couches, eating fine foods, and drinking wines. They were more concerned with their pleasure than the fact that Israel was suffering.

Amos 6:4-6, Who lie on beds of ivory, stretch out on your couches, eat lambs from the flock and calves from the midst of the stall; v. 5, Who sing idly to the sound of stringed instruments, and invent for yourselves musical instruments like David; v. 6, Who drink wine from bowls, and anoint yourselves with the best ointments, but are not grieved for the affliction of Joseph.

E. Amos was charged with treason. Amos 7:10 can be compared with John 19:12.

1) Amos 7:10, Then Amaziah the priest of Bethel sent to Jeroboam king of

Israel, saying, “Amos has conspired against you in the midst of the house of Israel. The land is not able to bear all his words.”

2) John 19:12, From then on Pilate sought to release Him, but the Jews

cried out, saying, “If you let this Man go, you are not Caesar’s friend. Whoever makes himself a king speaks against Caesar.”

2. AMOS PROPHESIED ISRAEL’S JUDGMENT

People have not changed much over time.

A. The Israelites did not appreciate their privileges.

Amos 3:2, “You only have I known of all the families of the earth; Therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities.”

B. God gave Israel the opportunity to know His will. He expected them to live

according to that will.

Luke 12:47, “And that servant who knew his master’s will, and did not prepare himself or do according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes.”


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C. Israel sought godless materialism, and offered meaningless worship.

Amos 5:21-24, “I hate, I despise your feast days, and I do not savor your sacred assemblies. v. 22, Though you offer Me burnt offerings and your grain offerings, I will not accept them, nor will I regard your fattened peace offerings. v. 23, Take away from Me the noise of your songs, for I will not hear the melody of your stringed instruments. v. 24, But let justice run down like water, and righteousness like a mighty stream.”

3. THE PEOPLE PERSISTED IN SIN

A. They loathed the upright.

Amos 5:20, Is not the day of the LORD darkness, and not light? Is it not very dark, with no brightness in it?

B. They oppressed the poor.

Amos 5:11, Therefore, because you tread down the poor and take grain taxes from him, though you have built houses of hewn stone, yet you shall not dwell in them; You have planted pleasant vineyards, but you shall not drink wine from them.

C. They did not heed the warnings given to them.

Amos 4:11, “I overthrew some of you, as God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah, and you were like a firebrand plucked from the burning; Yet you have not returned to Me,” says the LORD.

Amos 5:14, Seek good and not evil, that you may live; So the LORD God of hosts will be with you, as you have spoken.

4. AMOS TAUGHT ABOUT ISRAEL’S COMING JUDGMENT

A. Amos saw devouring locusts in a vision.

Amos 7:1-3, Thus the Lord GOD showed me: Behold, He formed locust swarms at the beginning of the late crop; indeed it was the late crop after the king’s mowings. v. 2, And so it was, when they had finished eating the grass of the land, that I said: “O Lord GOD, forgive, I pray! Oh, that Jacob may stand, for he is small!” v. 3, So the LORD relented concerning this. “It shall not be,” said the LORD.


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B. Another vision showed consuming fire. Amos 7:4-6, Thus the Lord GOD showed me: Behold, the Lord GOD called for conflict by fire, and it consumed the great deep and devoured the territory. v. 5, Then I said: “O Lord GOD, cease, I pray! Oh, that Jacob may stand, for he is small!” v. 6, So the LORD relented concerning this. “This also shall not be,” said the Lord GOD.

C. He saw a plumb line in his third vision. Amos 7:7-9, Thus He showed me: Behold, the Lord stood on a wall made with a plumb line, with a plumb line in His hand. v. 8, And the LORD said to me, “Amos, what do you see?” And I said, “A plumb line.” Then the Lord said: “Behold, I am setting a plumb line in the midst of My people Israel; I will not pass by them anymore. v. 9, The high places of Isaac shall be desolate, and the sanctuaries of Israel shall be laid waste. I will rise with the sword against the house of Jeroboam.”

D. His fourth vision of destruction concerned a basket of summer fruit.

Amos 8:2, 10-11, And He said, “Amos, what do you see?” So I said, “A basket of summer fruit.” Then the LORD said to me: “The end has come upon My people Israel; I will not pass by them anymore.” v. 10, “I will turn your feasts into mourning, and all your songs into lamentation; I will bring sackcloth on every waist, and baldness on every head; I will make it like mourning for an only son, and its end like a bitter day.” v. 11, “Behold, the days are coming,” says the Lord GOD, “That I will send a famine on the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD.”

E. Amos’ final vision was of the Lord standing at the altar.

Amos 9:1, 9-10, I saw the Lord standing by the altar, and He said: “Strike the doorposts, that the thresholds may shake, and break them on the heads of them all. I will slay the last of them with the sword. He who flees from them shall not get away, and he who escapes from them shall not be delivered. v. 9, “For surely I will command, and will sift the house of Israel among all nations, as grain is sifted in a sieve; yet not the smallest grain shall fall to the ground. v. 10, All the sinners of My people shall die by the sword, who say, ‘The calamity shall not overtake nor confront us.’”


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5. THE PROPHET’S PLEA TO FORSAKE SIN

Amos 5:14, Seek good and not evil, that you may live; So the LORD God of hosts will be with you, as you have spoken.

A. Strive to do good and not evil.

Romans 12:21, Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

B. The presence of God is guaranteed to people who turn away from their

wickedness.

Isaiah 55:7, Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; Let him return to the LORD, and He will have mercy on him; And to our God, for He will abundantly pardon.

C. Hate evil and love good.

Romans 12:9, Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good.

D. God is gracious and merciful.

II Chronicles 7:14, “If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”

CONCLUSION: God tried to arouse His people to their danger. He sent Amos to warn them. Amos feared God to the point that he was totally unafraid of anyone else, whether a king or fellow countryman. His message was, Prepare to meet your God.

STUDY GUIDE



Lesson 6

OBADIAH— THE SERVANT OF JEHOVAH

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INTRODUCTION: Obadiah is the shortest book in the Old Testament, and consists of only 21 verses. The name, Obadiah, means “servant of Jehovah.” His prophecy centers around the feud between Edom and Israel. The Edomites, descendants of Esau, had held a grudge against Israel since Jacob had cheated Esau out of his birthright. Obadiah rebuked the people of Edom for rejoicing and treachery during the destructive siege of Jerusalem. READING: Obadiah 1:10, “For violence against your brother Jacob, shame shall cover you, and you shall be cut off forever.” 1. EDOM’S PRIDE

A. The people of Edom had a careless attitude toward God.

Obadiah 1:3, The pride of your heart has deceived you, You who dwell in the clefts of the rock, Whose habitation is high…

B. Their attitude was the same attitude Goliath had toward David.

Obadiah 1:3, “…You who say in your heart, ‘Who will bring me down to the ground?’”

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C. Their pride gave them a false sense of security. 1) Proverbs 16:18, Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit

before a fall.

2) Luke 12:19, “And I will say to my soul, ‘Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat, drink, and be merry.’”

D. Edom was headed for destruction.

1) Even though the Edomites lived in high, inaccessible cliffs, God promised

to bring them down.

Obadiah 1:4, “Though you ascend as high as the eagle, and though you set your nest among the stars, from there I will bring you down,” says the LORD.

2) Since they had exalted themselves, they would be destroyed.

Proverbs 17:19, He who loves transgression loves strife, and he who exalts his gate seeks destruction.

E. Christians have no room to boast.

1) Jeremiah 9:23, Thus says the LORD: “Let not the wise man glory in his

wisdom, let not the mighty man glory in his might, nor let the rich man glory in his riches.”

2) Obadiah 1:12, …Nor should you have spoken proudly in the day of distress.

2. EDOM’S SIN AGAINST JACOB

A. They sided with the enemy in Israel’s capture.

Obadiah 1:11, In the day that you stood on the other side; In the day that strangers carried captive his forces, when foreigners entered his gates and cast lots for Jerusalem; Even you were as one of them.

B. Edom rejoiced when Israel was destroyed and put into bondage.

Obadiah 1:12, But you should not have gazed on the day of your brother in the day of his captivity; Nor should you have rejoiced over the children of Judah in the day of their destruction; Nor should you have spoken proudly in the day of distress.


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C. They plundered Israel’s property during their calamity.

Obadiah 1:13, You should not have entered the gate of My people in the day of their calamity. Indeed, you should not have gazed on their affliction in the day of their calamity, nor laid hands on their substance in the day of their calamity.

D. They blocked the way of escaping fugitives from Jerusalem.

Obadiah 1:14, You should not have stood at the crossroads to cut off those among them who escaped…

E. They helped capture fleeing Israelites.

Obadiah 1:14, …Nor should you have delivered up those among them who remained in the day of distress.

3. EDOM’S PUNISHMENT FROM GOD

A. Just retribution, The Day of the LORD, is near.

Obadiah 1:15, “For the day of the LORD upon all the nations is near; As you have done, it shall be done to you; Your reprisal shall return upon your own head.”

B. Edom would share Judah’s suffering.

1) Obadiah 1:15, “…Your reprisal shall return upon your own head.” 2) Romans 12:19, Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place

to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.

C. Edom’s punishment was utter destruction.

Obadiah 1:18, “The house of Jacob shall be a fire, and the house of Joseph a flame; But the house of Esau shall be stubble; They shall kindle them and devour them, and no survivor shall remain of the house of Esau,” for the LORD has spoken.

4. MOUNT ZION’S DELIVERANCE

A. Zion is to become a sanctuary of deliverance.

Obadiah 1:17, “But on Mount Zion there shall be deliverance…”


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B. Israel shall possess the possessions of Edom.

Obadiah 1:17, 20-21, “…The house of Jacob shall possess their possessions.” v. 20, And the captives of this host of the children of Israel shall possess the land of the Canaanites as far as Zarephath. The captives of Jerusalem who are in Sepharad shall possess the cities of the South. v. 21, Then saviors shall come to Mount Zion to judge the mountains of Esau, and the kingdom shall be the Lord’s.

C. There will be divine rule with holiness by the promised Messiah.

Obadiah 1:17, “But on Mount Zion…there shall be holiness…”

CONCLUSION: We are supposed to live holy lives before the Lord. We should show kindness to our enemies. God has not deserted His people, and nations that oppress Israel and the Jews will call down His judgments.

STUDY GUIDE



Lesson 7

JONAH— THE WILLFUL PROPHET

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INTRODUCTION: Jonah was a strong-minded prophet. His journey to Nineveh was the first-recorded, missionary journey to the Gentiles. This book gives us the wonderful assurance that God has always been willing to save the lost, regardless of personal prejudices. Jonah’s story is a whale of a tale. READING: Jonah 1:1-2, Now the word of the LORD came to Jonah the son of Amittai, saying, v. 2, “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry out against it; For their wickedness has come up before Me.” 1. JONAH’S FLIGHT

A. Jonah was called by God to be a prophet. He was commissioned to preach to Nineveh. God had compassion on the city’s people.

Jonah 1:2, “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry out against it…”

B. Jonah did not want God to forgive Nineveh, because its people were a threat to

Israel. Nineveh was the capital of Assyria, a rising world power. About 20 years earlier, the prophet Isaiah had predicted the invasion of Israel by the king of Assyria.

Isaiah 7:17, “The LORD will bring the king of Assyria upon you and your people and your father’s house; Days that have not come since the day that Ephraim departed from Judah.”

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C. Instead of going to Nineveh, Jonah tried to flee on a ship bound for Tarshish. Jonah 1:3, But Jonah arose to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the LORD. He went down to Joppa, and found a ship going to Tarshish; so he paid the fare, and went down into it, to go with them to Tarshish from the presence of the LORD.

2. EXPOSURE OF JONAH’S SIN

A. God pursued Jonah with a storm.

Jonah 1:4-5, But the LORD sent out a great wind on the sea, and there was a mighty tempest on the sea, so that the ship was about to be broken up. v. 5, Then the mariners were afraid; and every man cried out to his god, and threw the cargo that was in the ship into the sea, to lighten the load. But Jonah had gone down into the lowest parts of the ship, had lain down, and was fast asleep.

B. The ship’s crew questioned Jonah.

Jonah 1:6-8 So the captain came to him, and said to him, “What do you mean, sleeper? Arise, call on your God; perhaps your God will consider us, so that we may not perish.” v. 7, And they said to one another, “Come, let us cast lots, that we may know for whose cause this trouble has come upon us.” So they cast lots, and the lot fell on Jonah. v. 8, Then they said to him, “Please tell us! For whose cause is this trouble upon us? What is your occupation? And where do you come from? What is your country? And of what people are you?”

C. Jonah confessed.

Jonah 1:9-10, So he said to them, “I am a Hebrew; and I fear the LORD, the God of heaven, who made the sea and the dry land.” v. 10, Then the men were exceedingly afraid, and said to him, “Why have you done this?” For the men knew that he fled from the presence of the LORD, because he had told them.

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3. JONAH’S PUNISHMENT AND DELIVERANCE

A. Jonah was thrown into the sea by the ship’s crew.

Jonah 1:14-15, Therefore they cried out to the LORD and said, “We pray, O LORD, please do not let us perish for this man’s life, and do not charge us with innocent blood; for You, O LORD, have done as it pleased You.” v. 15, So they picked up Jonah and threw him into the sea, and the sea ceased from its raging.

B. He was swallowed by a great fish.

Jonah 1:17, Now the LORD had prepared a great fish to swallow Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.

C. Jonah prayed for forgiveness, and God delivered him.

Jonah 2:7, 9-10, “When my soul fainted within me, I remembered the LORD; And my prayer went up to You, into Your holy temple. v. 9, But I will sacrifice to You with the voice of thanksgiving; I will pay what I have vowed. Salvation is of the LORD.” v. 10, So the LORD spoke to the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto dry land.

4. JONAH IS RECOMMISSIONED

A. Jonah had learned his lesson. This time he obeyed God.

Jonah 3:1-3, Now the word of the LORD came to Jonah the second time, saying, v. 2, “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and preach to it the message that I tell you.” v. 3, So Jonah arose and went to Nineveh, according to the word of the LORD. Now Nineveh was an exceedingly great city, a three-day journey in extent.

B. The king of Nineveh heard the message and ordered the people to repent with sackcloth and ashes.

1) The king ordered a fast by all the people and animals. They could neither eat nor drink.

Jonah 3:6-7, Then word came to the king of Nineveh; and he arose from his throne and laid aside his robe, covered himself with sackcloth and sat in ashes. v. 7, And he caused it to be proclaimed and published throughout Nineveh by the decree of the king and his nobles, saying, Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste anything; do not let them eat, or drink water.

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2) Every citizen had to turn from his wickedness and beg God for

forgiveness so the city may be spared.

Jonah 3:8-9, But let man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and cry mightily to God; yes, let every one turn from his evil way and from the violence that is in his hands. v. 9, Who can tell if God will turn and relent, and turn away from His fierce anger, so that we may not perish?

C. God decided not to judge Nineveh.

Jonah 3:10, Then God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God relented from the disaster that He had said He would bring upon them, and He did not do it.

5. A CHARACTER SKETCH OF JONAH

Jonah was sanctified in spots. He was a strange mixture of strength and weakness. A. He was self-willed. He thought he knew how to protect Israel better than God.

Jonah fled from going to Nineveh.

Jonah 1:1-3, Now the word of the LORD came to Jonah the son of Amittai, saying, v. 2, “Arise, go to Nineveh” v. 3, But Jonah arose to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the LORD.…

B. At the same time, Jonah is godly and prayerful.

1) Though he was rebelling against God, Jonah would not deny Him.

Jonah 1:9, So he said to them, “I am a Hebrew; and I fear the LORD…”

2) He found God’s presence even in the belly of a great fish, which was in

the middle of the Mediterranean Sea.

Jonah 2:5-6, The waters surrounded me, even to my soul; The deep closed around me; Weeds were wrapped around my head. v. 6, I went down to the moorings of the mountains; The earth with its bars closed behind me forever; Yet You have brought up my life from the pit, O LORD, my God.

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C. Jonah was obedient after chastisement.

Jonah 3:4, And Jonah began to enter the city on the first day’s walk. Then he cried out and said, “Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!”

D. Jonah was bigoted and narrow-minded.

1) He was disappointed when Nineveh responded to his message and

repented.

Jonah 3:5, So the people of Nineveh believed God, proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest to the least of them.

2) Jonah was angry with God for not destroying Israel’s enemy. He begged

the Lord to let him die.

Jonah 4:1-3, But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he became angry. v. 2, So he prayed to the LORD, and said, “Ah, LORD, was not this what I said when I was still in my country? Therefore I fled previously to Tarshish; for I know that You are a gracious and merciful God, slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness, One who relents from doing harm. v. 3, “Therefore now, O LORD, please take my life from me, for it is better for me to die than to live!”

CONCLUSION: Many men have been placed on a shelf because they were not willing to do God’s will God’s way. The Lord has warned some people strongly, because He is not willing for anyone to perish. Now is the time to heed God’s warning and find the place of obedience.

STUDY GUIDE



Lesson 8

MICAH— THE PROPHET OF THE KINGDOM

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INTRODUCTION: God has always found someone to fight His battles. A prophet speaks for God. He warns of sin and judgment. He also predicts the future. Micah is one of the mightiest books ever written. After describing his present-day conditions, Micah looked to the future and saw a splendid vision of hope. He saw in his vision the coming Redeemer and a glimpse into the Millennium. Like Micah, we look forward to the time when Jesus Christ will rule the world in righteousness and peace. READING: Micah 3:8, But truly I am full of power by the Spirit of the LORD, and of justice and might, to declare to Jacob his transgression and to Israel his sin. 1. BIBLICAL QUOTATIONS FROM MICAH

A. The elders of Judah referred to Micah’s prophecy.

1) The reference in Micah:

Micah 3:12, Therefore because of you Zion shall be plowed like a field, Jerusalem shall become heaps of ruins, and the mountain of the temple like the bare hills of the forest.

2) The reference to the elders:

Jeremiah 26:18, “Micah of Moresheth prophesied in the days of Hezekiah king of Judah, and spoke to all the people of Judah, saying, ‘Thus says the LORD of hosts: “Zion shall be plowed like a field, Jerusalem shall become heaps of ruins, and the mountain of the temple like the bare hills of the forest.”’”

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B. The Magi were directed to Bethlehem from Jerusalem by Micah’s prophecy.


Micah 5:2, “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of you shall come forth to Me the One to be Ruler in Israel, whose goings forth are from of old, from everlasting.”

2) The reference quoted to the Magi:

Matthew 2:5-6, So they said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it is written by the prophet: v. 6, ‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are not the least among the rulers of Judah; For out of you shall come a Ruler who will shepherd My people Israel.’”

C. Jesus cited Micah when He sent out His twelve disciples.


Micah 7:6, For son dishonors father, daughter rises against her mother, daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; A man’s enemies are the men of his own household.

2) The reference by Jesus:

Matthew 10:35-36, “For I have come to ‘set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law’; v. 36, “and ‘a man’s enemies will be those of his own household.’”

2. WARNINGS AND PROMISES

A. Micah delivered a strong warning against iniquity. Sins particularly condemned were:

1) Idolatry

a) Micah 1:7, “All her carved images shall be beaten to pieces, And all

her pay as a harlot shall be burned with the fire; All her idols I will lay desolate, for she gathered it from the pay of a harlot, and they shall return to the pay of a harlot.”

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b) Micah 5:13, Your carved images I will also cut off, and your sacred pillars from your midst; You shall no more worship the work of your hands.

2) Evil plans and schemes

Micah 2:1, Woe to those who devise iniquity, and work out evil on their beds! At morning light they practice it, because it is in the power of their hand.

3) Covetousness

Micah 2:2, They covet fields and take them by violence, also houses, and seize them. So they oppress a man and his house, a man and his inheritance.

4) The greed of princes, prophets, and priests

Micah 3:1-2, 7, And I said: “Hear now, O heads of Jacob, and you rulers of the house of Israel: Is it not for you to know justice? v. 2, You who hate good and love evil; Who strip the skin from My people, and the flesh from their bones. v. 7, So the seers shall be ashamed, and the diviners abashed; Indeed they shall all cover their lips; For there is no answer from God.”

5) Witchcraft and sorcery

Micah 5:12, I will cut off sorceries from your hand, and you shall have no soothsayers.

6) Dishonesty

Micah 6:10-12, Are there yet the treasures of wickedness in the house of the wicked, and the short measure that is an abomination? v. 11, Shall I count pure those with the wicked scales, and with the bag of deceitful weights? v. 12, For her rich men are full of violence, her inhabitants have spoken lies, and their tongue is deceitful in their mouth.


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7) Universal corruption

Micah 7:2-4, The faithful man has perished from the earth, and there is no one upright among men. They all lie in wait for blood; Every man hunts his brother with a net. v. 3, That they may successfully do evil with both hands; The prince asks for gifts, the judge seeks a bribe, and the great man utters his evil desire; So they scheme together. v. 4, The best of them is like a brier; The most upright is sharper than a thorn hedge; The day of your watchman and your punishment comes; Now shall be their perplexity.

8) Treachery

Micah 7:5-6, Do not trust in a friend; Do not put your confidence in a companion; Guard the doors of your mouth from her who lies in your bosom. v. 6, For son dishonors father, daughter rises against her mother, daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; A man’s enemies are the men of his own household.

B. There is a promise of deliverance for the remnant of Israel.

Micah 2:12-13, “I will surely assemble all of you, O Jacob, I will surely gather the remnant of Israel; I will put them together like sheep of the fold, like a flock in the midst of their pasture; They shall make a loud noise because of so many people. v. 13, The one who breaks open will come up before them; They will break out, pass through the gate, and go out by it; Their king will pass before them, with the LORD at their head.”

C. The prophet directed his message to the rulers of the country.

Micah 3:1, 9-11, And I said: “Hear now, O heads of Jacob, and you rulers of the house of Israel: Is it not for you to know justice?” v. 9, Now hear this, You heads of the house of Jacob and rulers of the house of Israel, who abhor justice and pervert all equity, v. 10, who build up Zion with bloodshed and Jerusalem with iniquity: v. 11, Her heads judge for a bribe, her priests teach for pay, and her prophets divine for money. Yet they lean on the LORD, and say, “Is not the LORD among us? No harm can come upon us.”


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D. Micah proclaimed a promise to overthrow the enemy.

1) The Lord will destroy their weapons and defenses.

Micah 5:10-11, “And it shall be in that day,” says the LORD, “That I will cut off your horses from your midst and destroy your chariots. v. 11, I will cut off the cities of your land and throw down all your strongholds.”

2) God’s wrath will be poured out on the nations who have disobeyed Him.

Micah 5:15, “And I will execute vengeance in anger and fury on the nations that have not heard.”

E. Micah conveyed a message of hope to God’s chosen people who repent.

Micah 7:7-9, Therefore I will look to the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation; My God will hear me. v. 8, Do not rejoice over me, my enemy; When I fall, I will arise; When I sit in darkness, the LORD will be a light to me. v. 9, I will bear the indignation of the LORD, because I have sinned against Him, until He pleads my case and executes justice for me. He will bring me forth to the light; I will see His righteousness.

F. The prophet emphasized the fulfillment of God’s promise to Abraham. The

Lord will have compassion on the remnant of his inheritance.

Micah 7:18-20, Who is a God like You, pardoning iniquity and passing over the transgression of the remnant of His heritage? He does not retain His anger forever, because He delights in mercy. v. 19, He will again have compassion on us, and will subdue our iniquities. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea. v. 20, You will give truth to Jacob and mercy to Abraham, which You have sworn to our fathers from days of old.

3. HOPE FOR THE FUTURE

A. Micah predicted a kingdom established by the Lord.

Micah 4:1, Now it shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established on the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; And peoples shall flow to it.


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B. At that time, the entire world will be ruled from Jerusalem by the Lord God.

Micah 4:2, Many nations shall come and say, “Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; He will teach us His ways, and we shall walk in His paths.” For out of Zion the law shall go forth, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.

C. This kingdom will be based on God’s peace.

Micah 4:3, He shall judge between many peoples, and rebuke strong nations afar off; They shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.

D. This kingdom of peace will be governed by a God-given ruler. He will come

from Bethlehem.


4. THE MILLENNIAL PEACE

A. The faithful remnant will know peace through the Lord’s government.

Micah 4:6-7 “In that day,” says the LORD, “I will assemble the lame, I will gather the outcast and those whom I have afflicted; v. 7, I will make the lame a remnant, and the outcast a strong nation; So the LORD will reign over them in Mount Zion from now on, even forever.”

B. Israel will no longer desire to be ruled by earthly kings. Israel will abide in the

Lord.

Micah 5:4-5, And He shall stand and feed His flock in the strength of the LORD, in the majesty of the name of the LORD His God; And they shall abide, for now He shall be great to the ends of the earth; v. 5, And this One shall be peace. When the Assyrian comes into our land, and when he treads in our palaces, then we will raise against him seven shepherds and eight princely men.

C. The Prince of Peace will rule.

Isaiah 9:6, For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.


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5. THE TRIUMPH OF DIVINE GRACE

A. Empty worship is rejected by God.

Micah 6:6-7, With what shall I come before the LORD, and bow myself before the High God? Shall I come before Him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old? v. 7, Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, ten thousand rivers of oil? Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?

B. Micah revealed a simple way to God.

Micah 6:8, He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?

C. He described full salvation.

Micah 7:18-19, Who is a God like You, pardoning iniquity and passing over the transgression of the remnant of His heritage? He does not retain His anger forever, because He delights in mercy. v. 19, He will again have compassion on us, and will subdue our iniquities. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea.

6. POINTS OF INTEREST

Several specific prophecies in Micah have been fulfilled and become a part of history.

A. The fall of Samaria in 722 BC

Micah 1:6, “Therefore I will make Samaria a heap of ruins in the field, places for planting a vineyard; I will pour down her stones into the valley, and I will uncover her foundations.”

B. The invasion of Judah in 702 BC

Micah 1:9, 12, 16, For her wounds are incurable. For it has come to Judah; It has come to the gate of My people; To Jerusalem.

v. 12, For the inhabitant of Maroth pined for good, but disaster came down from the LORD to the gate of Jerusalem.

v. 16. Make yourself bald and cut off your hair, because of your precious children; Enlarge your baldness like an eagle, for they shall go from you into captivity.


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C. The fall of Jerusalem in 586 BC

Micah 3:12, Therefore because of you Zion shall be plowed like a field, Jerusalem shall become heaps of ruins, and the mountain of the temple like the bare hills of the forest. Micah 7:13, Yet the land shall be desolate because of those who dwell in it, and for the fruit of their deeds.

D. Judah’s captivity by Babylon, and its return from that captivity.

Micah 4:10, Be in pain, and labor to bring forth, O daughter of Zion, like a woman in birth pangs. For now you shall go forth from the city, you shall dwell in the field, and to Babylon you shall go. There you shall be delivered; There the LORD will redeem you from the hand of your enemies.

E. The birth of Jesus Christ in Bethlehem


STUDY GUIDE



Lesson 9

NAHUM— THE PROPHET OF NINEVEH

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INTRODUCTION: The theme of the book of Nahum is the destruction of Nineveh, the city Jonah warned. After repenting at Jonah’s message, the Assyrians fell even more deeply into the sin of idolatry.

God sent Nahum to declare His righteous judgment. Through His chastisement of Nineveh, we see God’s judgment on the world. Mercy which remains unheeded will finally bring judgment. READING: Nahum 1:3, The LORD is slow to anger and great in power, and will not at all acquit the wicked. The LORD has His way in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds are the dust of His feet. 1. NAHUM’S BACKGROUND

A. Nahum’s name means “full of comfort.” As the ungodly flourish and destroy

the innocent, there is comfort in the thought that God has promised to avenge the godly and innocent.

B. Nahum may have been from the area of Capernaum in Galilee. The name Capernaum (Kapher-Nahum) means “the village of Nahum.”

C. Nahum prophesied about 150 years after Jonah preached to Nineveh. His opening words are quite unusual.

Nahum 1:1, The burden against Nineveh. The book of the vision of Nahum the Elkoshite.

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2. THE CHARACTER OF NAHUM’S GOD

A. The God that Nahum preached to the people of Nineveh is jealous, furious, and wrathful toward His enemies.

Nahum 1:2, God is jealous, and the LORD avenges; The LORD avenges and is furious. The LORD will take vengeance on His adversaries, and He reserves wrath for His enemies.

B. The Lord God will not acquit the wicked.

Nahum 1:3, The LORD is slow to anger and great in power, and will not at all acquit the wicked.…

C. God has great power. Sin angers Him.

Nahum 1:3-6, The LORD is…great in power… v. 4, He rebukes the sea and makes it dry, and dries up all the rivers. Bashan and Carmel wither, and the flower of Lebanon wilts. v. 5, The mountains quake before Him, the hills melt, and the earth heaves at His presence, yes, the world and all who dwell in it. v. 6, Who can stand before His indignation? And who can endure the fierceness of His anger? His fury is poured out like fire, and the rocks are thrown down by Him.

D. God is good and slow to anger.

1) Nahum 1:3, The LORD is slow to anger… 2) Nahum 1:7, The LORD is good…

E. He is a stronghold in the day of trouble.

Nahum 1:7, The LORD is…a stronghold in the day of trouble…

F. God knows who relies on Him.

Nahum 1:7, …And He knows those who trust in Him.

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3. GOD’S VERDICT ON NINEVEH, THE CAPITAL OF ASSYRIA

A. He condemned the city to total destruction.

Nahum 1:8-9, But with an overflowing flood He will make an utter end of its place, and darkness will pursue His enemies. v. 9, What do you conspire against the LORD? He will make an utter end of it. Affliction will not rise up a second time.

B. Nahum prophesied that Nineveh would be captured while its defenders were drunk.

Nahum 1:10, For while tangled like thorns, and while drunken like drunkards, they shall be devoured like stubble fully dried.

C. Its name would be blotted out completely.

Nahum 1:14-15, The LORD has given a command concerning you: “Your name shall be perpetuated no longer. Out of the house of your gods I will cut off the carved image and the molded image. I will dig your grave, for you are vile.” v. 15, Behold, on the mountains the feet of him who brings good tidings, who proclaims peace! O Judah, keep your appointed feasts, perform your vows. For the wicked one shall no more pass through you; He is utterly cut off.

D. Nahum prophesied that God would personally dig Nineveh’s grave.

Nahum 1:11-14, From you comes forth one who plots evil against the LORD, a wicked counselor. v. 12, Thus says the LORD: “Though they are safe, and likewise many, yet in this manner they will be cut down when he passes through. Though I have afflicted you, I will afflict you no more; v. 13, For now I will break off his yoke from you, and burst your bonds apart.” v. 14, The LORD has given a command concerning you: “Your name shall be perpetuated no longer. Out of the house of your gods I will cut off the carved image and the molded image. I will dig your grave, for you are vile.”

4. NINEVEH’S FALL

A. Nineveh would be overwhelmed by a violent assault.

Nahum 2:2, 4, For the LORD will restore the excellence of Jacob like the excellence of Israel, for the emptiers have emptied them out and ruined their vine branches.

v. 4, The chariots rage in the streets, they jostle one another in the broad roads; They seem like torches, they run like lightning.


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B. The city will suffer total defeat.

Nahum 2:13, “Behold, I am against you,” says the LORD of hosts, “I will burn your chariots in smoke, and the sword shall devour your young lions; I will cut off your prey from the earth, and the voice of your messengers shall be heard no more.”

C. According to archeological evidence, Nineveh fell around 608-612 BC. It happened just as Nahum had predicted. So completely was the city destroyed that its site had become uncertain by the second century AD.

5. JUDGMENT AS A RESULT OF SIN

Nahum 3:5-7, “Behold, I am against you,” says the LORD of hosts; “I will lift your skirts over your face, I will show the nations your nakedness, and the kingdoms your shame. v. 6, I will cast abominable filth upon you, make you vile, and make you a spectacle. v. 7, It shall come to pass that all who look upon you will flee from you, and say, ‘Nineveh is laid waste! Who will bemoan her?’ Where shall I seek comforters for you?” A. Nineveh was a bloody city, full of lies and theft.

Nahum 3:1-3, Woe to the bloody city! It is all full of lies and robbery. Its victim never departs. v. 2, The noise of a whip and the noise of rattling wheels, of galloping horses, of clattering chariots! v. 3, Horsemen charge with bright sword and glittering spear. there is a multitude of slain, a great number of bodies, countless corpses; They stumble over the corpses.

B. It was an immoral city.

Nahum 3:4, Because of the multitude of harlotries of the seductive harlot, the mistress of sorceries, who sells nations through her harlotries, and families through her sorceries.

C. The city’s wealth and strength were not enough to save it.

Nahum 3:9-10, Ethiopia and Egypt were her strength, and it was boundless; Put and Lubim were your helpers. v. 10, Yet she was carried away, she went into captivity; Her young children also were dashed to pieces at the head of every street; They cast lots for her honorable men, and all her great men were bound in chains.


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D. Nineveh was incurably wicked.

Nahum 3:19, Your injury has no healing, your wound is severe. all who hear news of you will clap their hands over you, for upon whom has not your wickedness passed continually?

6. A LESSON FOR TODAY

A. Just as Nineveh reaped what it sowed, so will nations and individuals also reap what they sow.

Galatians 6:7, Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.

B. God is not slack concerning His promises or judgments.

II Peter 3:8-9, But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. v. 9, The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.

C. Everyone who sins will surely die.

Ezekiel 18:20, “The soul who sins shall die. The son shall not bear the guilt of the father, nor the father bear the guilt of the son. The righteousness of the righteous shall be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon himself.”

D. To the people who trust Him, God is a stronghold in a time of trouble.

Nahum 1:7, The LORD is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; And He knows those who trust in Him.

STUDY GUIDE



Lesson 10

HABAKKUK— THE PROPHET OF FAITH

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INTRODUCTION: The book of Habakkuk begins by asking God deep and disturbing questions. The prophet does not doubt God’s power and holiness, but he inquires why the heathen and Judah are permitted to continue in sin without the judgment of God falling on them. READING: Habakkuk 2:4, …But the just shall live by his faith. 1. TWO PERPLEXING QUESTIONS

A. Why do Judah’s sins go unpunished?

Habakkuk 1:2-4, O LORD, how long shall I cry, and You will not hear? Even cry out to You, “Violence!” And You will not save. v. 3, Why do You show me iniquity, and cause me to see trouble? For plundering and violence are before me; There is strife, and contention arises. v. 4, Therefore the law is powerless, and justice never goes forth. For the wicked surround the righteous; Therefore perverse judgment proceeds.

1) Evidence of destruction was everywhere. 2) Violence filled the land. 3) Strife and conflict abounded. 4) A lack of justice prevailed.

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B. How can a righteous God use an even more wicked nation to punish Judah?

Habakkuk 1:13, You are of purer eyes than to behold evil, and cannot look on wickedness. Why do You look on those who deal treacherously, and hold Your tongue when the wicked devours a person more righteous than he? Although Judah was sinful, the Chaldeans were far more ungodly. 1) The murdering Chaldeans oppressed the poor.

Habakkuk 2:6-7, “Will not all these take up a proverb against him, and a taunting riddle against him, and say, ‘Woe to him who increases what is not his; how long? And to him who loads himself with many pledges’? v. 7, Will not your creditors rise up suddenly? Will they not awaken who oppress you? And you will become their booty.”

2) As worshipers of idols, the Chaldeans announced that their strength came

from their gods.

Habakkuk 2:18-19, “What profit is the image, that its maker should carve it, the molded image, a teacher of lies, that the maker of its mold should trust in it, to make mute idols? v. 19, Woe to him who says to wood, ‘Awake!’ To silent stone, ‘Arise! It shall teach!’ Behold, it is overlaid with gold and silver, yet in it there is no breath at all.”

2. THE PROPHET MADE A SPIRITUAL DECISION

Habakkuk 2:1, I will stand my watch and set myself on the rampart, and watch to see what He will say to me, and what I will answer when I am corrected.

A. He waited upon the Lord for the answer. B. He prepared his heart for God’s rebuke.

3. GOD REPLIED TO THE PROPHET’S INQUIRY

A. God had already called the Chaldeans to be the instrument of Judah’s punishment.

Habakkuk 1:5-7, “Look among the nations and watch; Be utterly astounded! For I will work a work in your days which you would not believe, though it were told you.


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v. 6, For indeed I am raising up the Chaldeans, a bitter and hasty nation which marches through the breadth of the earth, to possess dwelling places that are not theirs. v. 7, They are terrible and dreadful; Their judgment and their dignity proceed from themselves.”

B. The nations have always been used as God’s object lessons.

Habakkuk 1:12, Are You not from everlasting, O LORD my God, my Holy One? We shall not die. O LORD, You have appointed them for judgment; O Rock, You have marked them for correction.

C. Judgment must begin in the house of the Lord.

I Peter 4:17, For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God?

4. THE SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM

Habakkuk 2:20, But the LORD is in His holy temple. Let all the earth keep silence before Him.”

A. Be patient. Wait for the salvation of the Lord.

Habakkuk 2:3, For the vision is yet for an appointed time; But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; Because it will surely come, it will not tarry.

B. Be faithful. Mankind’s faith must be in God, not in himself.

Habakkuk 2:4, “Behold the proud, His soul is not upright in him; But the just shall live by his faith.”

C. God will triumph. Everyone shall behold His salvation.

Habakkuk 2:14, For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.

Habakkuk 3:13, You went forth for the salvation of Your people, for salvation with Your Anointed. You struck the head from the house of the wicked, by laying bare from foundation to neck. Selah.


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5. THE PROPHET PRAYED AND PRAISED GOD

A. Habakkuk asked God for revival.

Habakkuk 3:2, O LORD, I have heard your speech and was afraid; O LORD, revive Your work in the midst of the years! In the midst of the years make it known; In wrath remember mercy.

B. God’s glory appeared in response to the prophet’s prayer.

Habakkuk 3:3-4, God came from Teman, the Holy One from Mount Paran. Selah His glory covered the heavens, and the earth was full of His praise. v. 4, His brightness was like the light; He had rays flashing from His hand, and there His power was hidden.

C. Habakkuk praised the Lord for the lesson he learned.

Habakkuk 3:17-19, Though the fig tree may not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines; Though the labor of the olive may fail, and the fields yield no food; Though the flock may be cut off from the fold, and there be no herd in the stalls; v. 18, Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation. v. 19, The LORD God is my strength; He will make my feet like deer’s feet, and He will make me walk on my high hills.…

CONCLUSION: Habakkuk was challenged with real problems. He taught us not to trust times, seasons, people, or jobs. We should only trust in God. We must live by faith. When we do so, we shall come out of the refiner’s fire as pure as gold. 1 Peter 1:6-7, In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, v. 7, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

STUDY GUIDE



Lesson 11

ZEPHANIAH— THE PROPHET OF

THE DAY OF THE LORD

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INTRODUCTION: Zephaniah wrote about the searching judgments of God. The day of the Lord is the key to this book. He used this phrase often. When the word “day” is used in Scripture with a number before it (for example, three days, or 40 days), it refers to a normal, 24-hour day. When the word “day” is used alone (like the phrase, the day of Peter), it refers to the time in which that person lived. Therefore, the day of the Lord means the time of the Lord’s work. READING: Zephaniah 1:14-15, 17, The great day of the LORD is near; It is near and hastens quickly. The noise of the day of the LORD is bitter; There the mighty men shall cry out. v. 15, That day is a day of wrath, a day of trouble and distress, a day of devastation and desolation, a day of darkness and gloominess, a day of clouds and thick darkness, v. 17, “I will bring distress upon men, and they shall walk like blind men, because they have sinned against the LORD; Their blood shall be poured out like dust, and their flesh like refuse.” 1. A TIME OF SPIRITUAL JUDGMENT

A. The day of God’s wrath is a time of spiritual judgment. It will be a judgment

against idolatry.

Zephaniah 1:4-5, “I will stretch out My hand against Judah, and against all the inhabitants of Jerusalem. I will cut off every trace of Baal from this place, the names of the idolatrous priests with the pagan priests;

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v. 5, Those who worship the host of heaven on the housetops; Those who worship and swear oaths by the LORD, but who also swear by Milcom.”

B. Judgment will fall on those who turn their backs on the Lord.

Zephaniah 1:6, “Those who have turned back from following the LORD, and have not sought the LORD, nor inquired of Him.”

C. Judgment will fall on godless rulers.

Zephaniah 1:18, Neither their silver nor their gold shall be able to deliver them in the day of the Lord’s wrath; But the whole land shall be devoured by the fire of His jealousy, for He will make speedy riddance of all those who dwell in the land.

2. THE DAY OF MAN’S REPENTANCE

A. The day of the Lord will be the day of humanity’s repentance. The meek are urged to seek the Lord.

Zephaniah 2:3, Seek the LORD, all you meek of the earth, who have upheld His justice. Seek righteousness, seek humility. It may be that you will be hidden in the day of the Lord’s anger.

B. Israel saw God’s judgments on other nations as a warning.

Zephaniah 3:7, I said, “Surely you will fear Me, you will receive instruction”; So that her dwelling would not be cut off, despite everything for which I punished her. But they rose early and corrupted all their deeds.

C. The righteous are urged to wait on the Lord.

Zephaniah 3:8, “Therefore wait for Me,” says the LORD, “Until the day I rise up for plunder; My determination is to gather the nations to My assembly of kingdoms, to pour on them My indignation, all my fierce anger; All the earth shall be devoured with the fire of My jealousy.”

3. THE DAY OF THE LORD IS THE DAY OF GOD’S SALVATION

Zephaniah 3:20, “At that time I will bring you back, even at the time I gather you; For I will give you fame and praise among all the peoples of the earth, when I return your captives before your eyes,” says the LORD.


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A. The faithful remnant will be gathered from captivity.

Zephaniah 3:13, “The remnant of Israel shall do no unrighteousness and speak no lies, nor shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth; For they shall feed their flocks and lie down, and no one shall make them afraid.”

B. The heathen will be converted.

Galatians 3:8-9, And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel to Abraham beforehand, saying, “In you all the nations shall be blessed.” v. 9, So then those who are of faith are blessed with believing Abraham.

C. People everywhere shall worship God.

Ephesians 2:11-13, Therefore remember that you, once Gentiles in the flesh; who are called Uncircumcision by what is called the Circumcision made in the flesh by hands; v. 12, that at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. v. 13, But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

4. THE DAY OF RESTORATION IS COMING

Zephaniah 3:15,18-19, The LORD has taken away your judgments, He has cast out your enemy. The King of Israel, the LORD, is in your midst; You shall see disaster no more.

v. 18, “I will gather those who sorrow over the appointed assembly, who are among you, to whom its reproach is a burden. v. 19, Behold, at that time I will deal with all who afflict you; I will save the lame, and gather those who were driven out; I will appoint them for praise and fame in every land where they were put to shame. A. On this day the church will be a purified people, without spot or wrinkle.

Ephesians 5:27, That He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.


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B. This day will result in a chastened people. They will be meek and purged of spiritual and natural pride.

Zephaniah 3:11-12, In that day you shall not be shamed for any of your deeds in which you transgress against Me; For then I will take away from your midst those who rejoice in your pride, and you shall no longer be haughty in My holy mountain. v. 12, I will leave in your midst a meek and humble people, and they shall trust in the name of the LORD.

C. On that day of restoration they will be a beloved people. They were redeemed

with a price.

I Corinthians 6:20, For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.

D. This is a day of praise among all people and nations. Israel will be a delight to

both God and mankind.

Zephaniah 3:20, “At that time I will bring you back, even at the time I gather you; For I will give you fame and praise among all the peoples of the earth, when I return your captives before your eyes,” says the LORD.

STUDY GUIDE



Lesson 12

HAGGAI— THE PROPHET OF RESTORATION

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INTRODUCTION: The Lord used Haggai to stir His people into giving to the work of His kingdom. The sacrificial response of the people broke the spirit of poverty and brought tremendous blessing. Today, humanity’s problems are the same as those of ancient Israel. God’s answer is also the same. The message of Haggai is still pertinent today. READING: Haggai 2:9. “‘The glory of this latter temple shall be greater than the former,’ says the LORD of hosts. ‘And in this place I will give peace,’ says the LORD of hosts.” 1. THE SETTING FOR HAGGAI’S MESSAGE

Haggai’s message was given after Israel returned from its Babylonian captivity. Haggai 1:1, In the second year of King Darius, in the sixth month, on the first day of the month, the word of the LORD came by Haggai the prophet to Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, saying.

2. ISRAEL HAD NOT FULFILLED ITS COMMISSION

The people of Israel had not fulfilled the commission to rebuild the temple. A. Haggai 1:5-14, Now therefore, thus says the LORD of hosts: “Consider your

ways! v. 6, “You have sown much, and bring in little; You eat, but do not have enough; You drink, but you are not filled with drink; You clothe yourselves, but no one is warm; And he who earns wages, earns wages to put into a bag with holes.”v. 7, Thus says the LORD of hosts: “Consider your ways!

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v. 8, “Go up to the mountains and bring wood and build the temple, that I may take pleasure in it and be glorified,” says the LORD. v. 9, “You looked for much, but indeed it came to little; and when you brought it home, I blew it away. Why?” says the LORD of hosts. “Because of My house that is in ruins, while every one of you runs to his own house. v. 10, “Therefore the heavens above you withhold the dew, and the earth withholds its fruit. v. 11, “For I called for a drought on the land and the mountains, on the grain and the new wine and the oil, on whatever the ground brings forth, on men and livestock, and on all the labor of your hands.” v. 12, Then Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, with all the remnant of the people, obeyed the voice of the LORD their God, and the words of Haggai the prophet, as the LORD their God had sent him; and the people feared the presence of the LORD. v. 13, Then Haggai, the Lord’s messenger, spoke the Lord’s message to the people, saying, “I am with you, says the LORD.” v. 14, So the LORD stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the spirit of Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and the spirit of all the remnant of the people; and they came and worked on the house of the LORD of hosts, their God.

B. Ezra 1:1-3, Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, so that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and also put it in writing, saying, v. 2, Thus says Cyrus king of Persia: All the kingdoms of the earth the LORD God of heaven has given me. And He has commanded me to build Him a house at Jerusalem which is in Judah. v. 3, Who is among you of all His people? May his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem which is in Judah, and build the house of the LORD God of Israel (He is God), which is in Jerusalem.

3. ISRAEL WAS INTERESTED IN ITS OWN COMFORT

The nation had become more interested in its comfort than its divine commission. Rebuilding the temple had taken second place in their lives.

Haggai 1:3-4, Then the word of the LORD came by Haggai the prophet, saying, v. 4, “Is it time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, and this temple to lie in ruins?”


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4. IMPOVERISHED ISRAEL The nation’s lack of concern for the temple caused a lack of blessing. Their refusal to donate to the work resulted in their own poverty. Haggai 1:5-11, Now therefore, thus says the LORD of hosts: “Consider your ways! v. 6, “You have sown much, and bring in little; You eat, but do not have enough; You drink, but you are not filled with drink; You clothe yourselves, but no one is warm; And he who earns wages, earns wages to put into a bag with holes.” v. 7, Thus says the LORD of hosts: “Consider your ways! v. 8, “Go up to the mountains and bring wood and build the temple, that I may take pleasure in it and be glorified,” says the LORD. v. 9, “You looked for much, but indeed it came to little; and when you brought it home, I blew it away. Why?” says the LORD of hosts. “Because of My house that is in ruins, while every one of you runs to his own house. v. 10, “Therefore the heavens above you withhold the dew, and the earth withholds its fruit. v. 11, “For I called for a drought on the land and the mountains, on the grain and the new wine and the oil, on whatever the ground brings forth, on men and livestock, and on all the labor of your hands.”

5. THE PEOPLE AND LEADERSHIP OBEY

The people and their leaders heard Haggai’s message. They repented and began to obey the will of the Lord.

Haggai 1:12-15, Then Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, with all the remnant of the people, obeyed the voice of the LORD their God, and the words of Haggai the prophet, as the LORD their God had sent him; and the people feared the presence of the LORD. v. 13, Then Haggai, the Lord’s messenger, spoke the Lord’s message to the people, saying, “I am with you, says the LORD.” v. 14, So the LORD stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the spirit of Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and the spirit of all the remnant of the people; and they came and worked on the house of the LORD of hosts, their God, v. 15, on the twenty-fourth day of the sixth month, in the second year of King Darius.


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6. WHEN PEOPLE RESPOND TO GOD, HE RESPONDS TO THEM A. Remember the former glory.

Haggai 2:1-3, In the seventh month, on the twenty-first of the month, the word of the LORD came by Haggai the prophet, saying: v. 2, “Speak now to Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and to the remnant of the people, saying: v. 3, ‘Who is left among you who saw this temple in its former glory? And how do you see it now? In comparison with it, is this not in your eyes as nothing?’”

B. Be strong, for the Lord is with you.

Haggai 2:4, “‘Yet now be strong, Zerubbabel,’ says the LORD; ‘and be strong, Joshua, son of Jehozadak, the high priest; and be strong, all you people of the land,’ says the LORD, ‘and work; for I am with you,’ says the LORD of hosts.”

C. The Lord’s covenant and Spirit are with you.

Haggai 2:5, ‘According to the word that I covenanted with you when you came out of Egypt, so My Spirit remains among you; do not fear!’

D. The promise of judgment

Haggai 2:6, “For thus says the LORD of hosts: ‘Once more (it is a little while) I will shake heaven and earth, the sea and dry land.’”

E. A messianic promise

Haggai 2:7, “‘And I will shake all nations, and they shall come to the Desire of All Nations, and I will fill this temple with glory,’ says the LORD of hosts.”

F. A promise of prosperity

Haggai 2:8, “‘The silver is Mine, and the gold is Mine,’ says the LORD of hosts.”

G. A promise of abundant glory and peace

Haggai 2:9, “‘The glory of this latter temple shall be greater than the former,’ says the LORD of hosts. ‘And in this place I will give peace,’ says the LORD of hosts.”


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7. POVERTY IS A RESULT OF SIN

A. Israel’s uncleanness is described.

Haggai 2:11-14, “Thus says the LORD of hosts: ‘Now, ask the priests concerning the law, saying, v. 12, “If one carries holy meat in the fold of his garment, and with the edge he touches bread or stew, wine or oil, or any food, will it become holy?”’” Then the priests answered and said, “No.” v. 13, And Haggai said, “If one who is unclean because of a dead body touches any of these, will it be unclean?” So the priests answered and said, “It shall be unclean.” v. 14, Then Haggai answered and said, “‘So is this people, and so is this nation before Me,’ says the LORD, ‘and so is every work of their hands; and what they offer there is unclean.’”

B. The people’s poverty resulted from disobedience to God. They refused to give to His work and obey His command to rebuild the temple.

Haggai 2:15-17, “‘And now, carefully consider from this day forward: from before stone was laid upon stone in the temple of the LORD; v. 16, ‘since those days, when one came to a heap of twenty ephahs, there were but ten; when one came to the wine vat to draw out fifty baths from the press, there were but twenty. v. 17, ‘I struck you with blight and mildew and hail in all the labors of your hands; yet you did not turn to Me,’ says the LORD.”

C. Abundance came when the people began to give to God.

Haggai 2:18-19, “‘Consider now from this day forward, from the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month, from the day that the foundation of the Lord’s temple was laid; consider it: v. 19, ‘Is the seed still in the barn? As yet the vine, the fig tree, the pomegranate, and the olive tree have not yielded fruit. But from this day I will bless you.’”

8. ISRAEL IS ESTABLISHED

The Lord God promised to establish Israel as a nation of prominent, international strength. Haggai 2:20-23, And again the word of the LORD came to Haggai on the twenty-fourth day of the month, saying,


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v. 21, “Speak to Zerubbabel, governor of Judah, saying: ‘I will shake heaven and earth. v. 22, I will overthrow the throne of kingdoms; I will destroy the strength of the Gentile kingdoms. I will overthrow the chariots And those who ride in them; The horses and their riders shall come down, every one by the sword of his brother. v. 23, ‘In that day,’ says the LORD of hosts, ‘I will take you, Zerubbabel My servant, the son of Shealtiel,’ says the LORD, ‘and will make you like a signet ring; for I have chosen you,’ says the LORD of hosts.”

STUDY GUIDE



Lesson 13

ZECHARIAH— THE PROPHET OF GOD’S POWER

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INTRODUCTION: The people of Judah were taken into captivity because of their disobedience to God. When they returned from Babylon, they began to rebuild the temple. Soon they became discouraged and stopped the work. Sixteen years later, they resumed rebuilding under the inspiration and guidance of Zechariah. The book of Zechariah begins with the challenge of restoring the temple. Then the prophet touches on the spiritual life of the nation, and prophetic events concerning the Messiah. READING: Zechariah 7:12-14, “Yes, they made their hearts like flint, refusing to hear the law and the words which the LORD of hosts had sent by His Spirit through the former prophets. Thus great wrath came from the LORD of hosts. v. 13, “Therefore it happened, that just as He proclaimed and they would not hear, so they called out and I would not listen,” says the LORD of hosts. v. 14, “But I scattered them with a whirlwind among all the nations which they had not known. Thus the land became desolate after them, so that no one passed through or returned; for they made the pleasant land desolate.” 1. TIMELY ADMONITIONS

A. Zechariah 1:2-4, “The LORD has been very angry with your fathers. v. 3, “Therefore say to them, ‘Thus says the LORD of hosts: “Return to Me,” says the LORD of hosts, “and I will return to you,” says the LORD of hosts. v. 4, “Do not be like your fathers, to whom the former prophets preached, saying, ‘Thus says the LORD of hosts: “Turn now from your evil ways and your evil deeds.”’ But they did not hear nor heed Me,” says the LORD.”

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B. People should heed the Word of the Lord before their lives end.

Zechariah 1:5, “Your fathers, where are they? And the prophets, do they live forever?”

C. God’s Word did not fail; it was fulfilled.

Zechariah 1:6, “Yet surely My words and My statutes, which I commanded My servants the prophets, did they not overtake your fathers? So they returned and said: ‘Just as the LORD of hosts determined to do to us, according to our ways and according to our deeds, So He has dealt with us.’”

2. NIGHT VISIONS

Zechariah received ten visions concerning Jerusalem. A. All the visions had one tremendous unifying thought stated in the last three

verses of the first vision.

1) The Lord is jealous with a great jealousy for Jerusalem. 2) He was displeased with the nations that helped afflict Israel. 3) The Lord would return to Jerusalem with mercy. His temple would be

built there.

a) The temple was needed to serve as a regular place of worship for the religious community.

b) In its function as the supreme place of prayer, repentance, and

atonement, it would help the people not to fall into spiritual laziness.

B. Each vision had a specific meaning which tied into the general theme. God is jealous over Jerusalem, and the nations will be punished for abusing His covenant people.

1) The rider on the red horse

Zechariah 1:8, 12-16, I saw by night, and behold, a man riding on a red horse, and it stood among the myrtle trees in the hollow; and behind him were horses: red, sorrel, and white.


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v. 12, Then the Angel of the LORD answered and said, “O LORD of hosts, how long will You not have mercy on Jerusalem and on the cities of Judah, against which You were angry these seventy years?” v. 13, And the LORD answered the angel who talked to me, with good and comforting words. v. 14, So the angel who spoke with me said to me, “Proclaim, saying, ‘Thus says the LORD of hosts: “I am zealous for Jerusalem and for Zion with great zeal. v. 15, I am exceedingly angry with the nations at ease; for I was a little angry, and they helped; but with evil intent.” v. 16, ‘Therefore thus says the LORD: “I am returning to Jerusalem with mercy; My house shall be built in it,” says the LORD of hosts, “And a surveyor’s line shall be stretched out over Jerusalem.”’”

2) The four horns represent the four great empires which scattered Israel: Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, and Rome.

Zechariah 1:18-19, Then I raised my eyes and looked, and there were four horns. v. 19, And I said to the angel who talked with me, “What are these?” So he answered me, “These are the horns that have scattered Judah, Israel, and Jerusalem.”

3) The four craftsmen symbolize the four instruments of judgment used on

the four empires.

Zechariah 1:20-21, Then the LORD showed me four craftsmen. v. 21, And I said, “What are these coming to do?” So he said, “These are the horns that scattered Judah, so that no one could lift up his head; but the craftsmen are coming to terrify them, to cast out the horns of the nations that lifted up their horn against the land of Judah to scatter it.”

4) The man with the measuring line bears the message that Jerusalem is to be

measured supernaturally. The Lord Himself shall be the wall around the glorious city.

Zechariah 2:1-2, 5, Then I raised my eyes and looked, and behold, a man with a measuring line in his hand. v. 2, So I said, “Where are you going?” And he said to me, “To measure Jerusalem, to see what is its width and what is its length.”

v. 5, “‘For I,’ says the LORD, ‘will be a wall of fire all around her, and I will be the glory in her midst.’”


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5) The vision of Joshua, the high priest, portrays the removal of iniquity and the promise of future glory for Israel.

Zechariah 3:3-7, Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and was standing before the Angel. v. 4, Then He answered and spoke to those who stood before Him, saying, “Take away the filthy garments from him.” And to him He said, “See, I have removed your iniquity from you, and I will clothe you with rich robes.” v. 5, And I said, “Let them put a clean turban on his head.” So they put a clean turban on his head, and they put the clothes on him. And the Angel of the LORD stood by. v. 6, Then the Angel of the LORD admonished Joshua, saying, v. 7, “Thus says the LORD of hosts: ‘If you will walk in My ways, and if you will keep My command, then you shall also judge My house, and likewise have charge of My courts; I will give you places to walk among these who stand here.’”

6) The golden lampstand and two olive trees demonstrate that the Lord will rebuild His temple, and witness by the power of His Spirit.

Zechariah 4:2-4, 6, And he said to me, “What do you see?” So I said, “I am looking, and there is a lampstand of solid gold with a bowl on top of it, and on the stand seven lamps with seven pipes to the seven lamps. v. 3, “Two olive trees are by it, one at the right of the bowl and the other at its left.” v. 4, So I answered and spoke to the angel who talked with me, saying, “What are these, my lord?” v. 6, So he answered and said to me: “This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ says the LORD of hosts.’”

7) The flying scroll is the Word of God. It represents the Word which goes

out into the world to judge it.

Zechariah 5:1-4, Then I turned and raised my eyes, and saw there a flying scroll. v. 2, And he said to me, “What do you see?” So I answered, “I see a flying scroll. Its length is twenty cubits and its width ten cubits.”v. 3, Then he said to me, “This is the curse that goes out over the face of the whole earth: ‘Every thief shall be expelled,’ according to this side of the scroll; and, ‘Every perjurer shall be expelled,’ according to that side of it.”


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v. 4, “I will send out the curse,” says the LORD of hosts; “It shall enter the house of the thief and the house of the one who swears falsely by My name. It shall remain in the midst of his house and consume it, with its timber and stones.”

8) The basket, or ephah, was used as a measuring container. It is a symbol of trade. The woman in the basket represents corruption and wickedness. She is carried back to Babylon.

Zechariah 5:6-11, So I asked, “What is it?” And he said, “It is a basket that is going forth.” He also said, “This is their resemblance throughout the earth: v. 7, “Here is a lead disc lifted up, and this is a woman sitting inside the basket”; v. 8, then he said, “This is Wickedness!” And he thrust her down into the basket, and threw the lead cover over its mouth. v. 9, Then I raised my eyes and looked, and there were two women, coming with the wind in their wings; for they had wings like the wings of a stork, and they lifted up the basket between earth and heaven. v. 10, So I said to the angel who talked with me, “Where are they carrying the basket?” v. 11, And he said to me, “To build a house for it in the land of Shinar; when it is ready, the basket will be set there on its base.”

9) The four chariots reveal the judgment of the Lord on the nations.

Zechariah 6:1, 5-8, Then I turned and raised my eyes and looked, and behold, four chariots were coming from between two mountains, and the mountains were mountains of bronze. v. 5, And the angel answered and said to me, “These are four spirits of heaven, who go out from their station before the Lord of all the earth. v. 6, “The one with the black horses is going to the north country, the white are going after them, and the dappled are going toward the south country.” v. 7, Then the strong steeds went out, eager to go, that they might walk to and fro throughout the earth. And He said, “Go, walk to and fro throughout the earth.” So they walked to and fro throughout the earth. v. 8, And He called to me, and spoke to me, saying, “See, those who go toward the north country have given rest to My Spirit in the north country.”


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10) The symbolic crowning of Joshua is a vision of the Second Coming of Christ.

Zechariah 6:10-13, “Receive the gift from the captives; from Heldai, Tobijah, and Jedaiah, who have come from Babylon; and go the same day and enter the house of Josiah the son of Zephaniah. v. 11, “Take the silver and gold, make an elaborate crown, and set it on the head of Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest. v. 12, “Then speak to him, saying, ‘Thus says the LORD of hosts, saying: “Behold, the Man whose name is the BRANCH! From His place He shall branch out, and He shall build the temple of the LORD; v. 13, Yes, He shall build the temple of the LORD. He shall bear the glory, and shall sit and rule on His throne; So He shall be a priest on His throne, and the counsel of peace shall be between them both.”‘

3. BURDENSOME FASTING A question arose about the 70-year-old ritual of fasting. The oppressed people sent a delegation to the prophets and priests to see if the fasts could end. God answered immediately.

A. Their fasts were merely religious formulas.

Zechariah 7:5, “Say to all the people of the land, and to the priests: ‘When you fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventh months during those seventy years, did you really fast for Me; for Me?’”

B. The people should have listened to earlier prophets.

Zechariah 7:7, “‘Should you not have obeyed the words which the LORD proclaimed through the former prophets when Jerusalem and the cities around it were inhabited and prosperous, and the South and the Lowland were inhabited?’”

C. The people are exhorted to listen to today’s prophets. If they take heed and

obey, they will live right.

Zechariah 8:9, “Thus says the LORD of hosts: ‘Let your hands be strong, you who have been hearing in these days These words by the mouth of the prophets, who spoke in the day the foundation was laid for the house of the LORD of hosts, that the temple might be built.”


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D. When the people live justly, their fasts will become joy and gladness. God revealed specific ways for them to live.

1) Show mercy and compassion.

Zechariah 7:9-10, “Thus says the LORD of hosts: ‘Execute true justice, show mercy and compassion everyone to his brother. v. 10, Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the alien or the poor. Let none of you plan evil in his heart against his brother.’”

2) Truth should prevail in all our dealings with other people.

Zechariah 8:16-17, “‘These are the things you shall do: Speak each man the truth to his neighbor; Give judgment in your gates for truth, justice, and peace; v. 17, Let none of you think evil in your heart against your neighbor; And do not love a false oath. For all these are things that I hate,’ says the LORD.”

3) When peace and truth reign, the fasts will become festivals.

Zechariah 8:18-19, Then the word of the LORD of hosts came to me, saying, v. 19, “Thus says the LORD of hosts: ‘The fast of the fourth month, the fast of the fifth, the fast of the seventh, and the fast of the tenth, shall be joy and gladness and cheerful feasts for the house of Judah. Therefore love truth and peace.’”

4. THE KINGLY MESSIAH: PROPHECY AND ITS FULFILLMENT

Zechariah gives more specific predictions about the coming of Jesus Christ than any other prophetic book in the Old Testament except Isaiah.

A. Christ would be God’s Servant, the Branch.

1) Prophecy:

Zechariah 3:8, “‘Hear, O Joshua, the high priest, you and your companions who sit before you, for they are a wondrous sign; For behold, I am bringing forth My Servant the BRANCH.’”


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2) Fulfillment:

Matthew 12:18, “Behold! My Servant whom I have chosen, My Beloved in whom My soul is well pleased! I will put My Spirit upon Him, and He will declare justice to the Gentiles.”

B. He would be the Good Shepherd.

1) Prophecy:

Zechariah 9:16, The LORD their God will save them in that day, as the flock of His people. For they shall be like the jewels of a crown, lifted like a banner over His land.

2) Fulfillment:

John 10:11, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.”

C. The Messiah would be the Smitten Shepherd.

1) Prophecy:

Zechariah 13:7, “Awake, O sword, against My Shepherd, against the Man who is My Companion,” says the LORD of hosts. “Strike the Shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered; Then I will turn My hand against the little ones.”

2) Fulfillment:

Matthew 26:31, Then Jesus said to them, “All of you will be made to stumble because of Me this night, for it is written: ‘I will strike the Shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’”

D. Jesus Christ would come as a lowly King.

1) Prophecy:

Zechariah 9:9, “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your King is coming to you; He is just and having salvation, lowly and riding on a donkey, a colt, the foal of a donkey.”


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2) Fulfillment:

Matthew 21:4-5, All this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying: v. 5, “Tell the daughter of Zion, ‘Behold, your King is coming to you, lowly, and sitting on a donkey, a colt, the foal of a donkey.’”

E. Christ would be betrayed for thirty pieces of silver.

1) Prophecy:

Zechariah 11:12-13, Then I said to them, “If it is agreeable to you, give me my wages; and if not, refrain.” So they weighed out for my wages thirty pieces of silver. v. 13, And the LORD said to me, “Throw it to the potter”; that princely price they set on me. So I took the thirty pieces of silver and threw them into the house of the LORD for the potter.

2) Fulfillment:

Matthew 27:9-10, Then was fulfilled what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet, saying, “And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the value of Him who was priced, whom they of the children of Israel priced, v. 10, “and gave them for the potter’s field, as the LORD directed me.”

F. He would be wounded in the house of His friends.

1) Prophecy:

Zechariah 13:6, “And one will say to him, ‘What are these wounds between your arms?’ Then he will answer, ‘Those with which I was wounded in the house of my friends.’”

2) Fulfillment:

Matthew 26:20-21, 23, When evening had come, He sat down with the twelve. v. 21, Now as they were eating, He said, “Assuredly, I say to you, one of you will betray Me.” v. 23, He answered and said, “He who dipped his hand with Me in the dish will betray Me.”

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G. Christ’s hands would be pierced.

1) Prophecy:

Zechariah 12:10, “And I will pour on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace and supplication; then they will look on Me whom they pierced. Yes, they will mourn for Him as one mourns for his only son, and grieve for Him as one grieves for a firstborn.”

2) Fulfillment:

John 19:34, 37, But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out. v. 37, And again another Scripture says, “They shall look on Him whom they pierced.”

H. Jesus Christ would be our King and Priest.

1) Prophecy:

Zechariah 6:13, “‘Yes, He shall build the temple of the LORD. He shall bear the glory, and shall sit and rule on His throne; So He shall be a priest on His throne, and the counsel of peace shall be between them both.’”

2) The fulfillment of this verse is yet to come.

I. Christ will return on the Mount of Olives.

1) Prophecy:

Zechariah 14:3-4, Then the LORD will go forth and fight against those nations, as He fights in the day of battle. v. 4, And in that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, which faces Jerusalem on the east. And the Mount of Olives shall be split in two, from east to west, making a very large valley; Half of the mountain shall move toward the north and half of it toward the south.

2) The fulfillment of this verse is yet to come.

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5. THE FUTURE KINGDOM

A. It will be a glorious city whose wall is the Lord.

Zechariah 2:4-5, “‘…Jerusalem shall be inhabited as towns without walls, because of the multitude of men and livestock in it. v. 5, ‘For I,’ says the LORD, ‘will be a wall of fire all around her, and I will be the glory in her midst.’”

B. This kingdom will not need arms or armies. It will be ruled by the Prince of

Peace.

Zechariah 9:10, “‘I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim and the horse from Jerusalem; The battle bow shall be cut off. He shall speak peace to the nations; His dominion shall be ‘from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth.’”

C. The Messiah will come as a mighty Sovereign.

Zechariah 14:8-11, And in that day it shall be that living waters shall flow from Jerusalem, half of them toward the eastern sea and half of them toward the western sea; In both summer and winter it shall occur. v. 9, And the LORD shall be King over all the earth. In that day it shall be; “The LORD is one,” and His name one. v. 10, All the land shall be turned into a plain from Geba to Rimmon south of Jerusalem. Jerusalem shall be raised up and inhabited in her place from Benjamin’s Gate to the place of the First Gate and the Corner Gate, and from the Tower of Hananeel to the king’s winepresses. v. 11, The people shall dwell in it; And no longer shall there be utter destruction, but Jerusalem shall be safely inhabited.

CONCLUSION: The book of Zechariah concludes with a glimpse into the far more glorious Jerusalem of the future! Daniel and John do the same thing in their prophecies. They give us an idea of what God has for us in the future. It is up to the individual to accompany the people for whom it is prepared.

STUDY GUIDE



Lesson 14

MALACHI— THE MESSENGER OF GOD

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INTRODUCTION: Malachi’s message is one of God’s love and the restoration of His people. He bluntly reveals their sin in language they understand. God is broken-hearted over Israel’s carelessness. They are callused, ungrateful, and unable to see that God’s love is of any special advantage. READING: Malachi 3:7, 11-12, Yet from the days of your fathers you have gone away from My ordinances and have not kept them. Return to Me, and I will return to you,” says the LORD of hosts. “But you said, ‘In what way shall we return?’” v. 11, “And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, so that he will not destroy the fruit of your ground, nor shall the vine fail to bear fruit for you in the field,” says the LORD of hosts; v. 12, “And all nations will call you blessed, for you will be a delightful land,” says the LORD of hosts. 1. THE SINS OF THE PEOPLE AND PRIESTS

A. They lacked reverence for God.

Malachi 1:6, “A son honors his father, and a servant his master. If then I am the Father, where is My honor? And if I am a Master, where is My reverence? Says the LORD of hosts to you priests who despise My name. Yet you say, ‘In what way have we despised Your name?’”

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B. They offered corrupt animals as sacrifices to God.

Malachi 1:7, “You offer defiled food on My altar. But say, ‘In what way have we defiled You?’ By saying, ‘The table of the LORD is contemptible.’”

C. The people refused to work unless they were paid.

Malachi 1:10, “Who is there even among you who would shut the doors, so that you would not kindle fire on My altar in vain? I have no pleasure in you,” says the LORD of hosts, “Nor will I accept an offering from your hands.”

D. They robbed God of tithes and offerings.

Malachi 3:8-10, “Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed Me! But you say, ‘In what way have we robbed You?’ In tithes and offerings. v. 9, You are cursed with a curse, for you have robbed Me, even this whole nation. v. 10, Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house, and try Me now in this,” says the LORD of hosts, “If I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you such blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it.”

E. Men divorced their wives to marry heathen women.

Malachi 2:11, Judah has dealt treacherously, and an abomination has been committed in Israel and in Jerusalem, for Judah has profaned the Lord’s holy institution which He loves: He has married the daughter of a foreign god.

2. THEY DISHONORED GOD

A. They failed to respond to divine love.

Malachi 1:2, “I have loved you,” says the LORD. “Yet you say, ‘In what way have You loved us?’ Was not Esau Jacob’s brother?” says the LORD. “Yet Jacob I have loved.”

B. The people brought reproach upon the name of God.

Malachi 1:6, “A son honors his father, and a servant his master. If then I am the Father, where is My honor? And if I am a Master, where is My reverence? Says the LORD of hosts to you priests who despise My name. Yet you say, ‘In what way have we despised Your name?’”

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C. They justified their wickedness by claiming that they had served God in vain.

Malachi 3:14-15, “You have said, ‘It is useless to serve God; What profit is it that we have kept His ordinance, and that we have walked as mourners before the LORD of hosts? v. 15, ‘So now we call the proud blessed, for those who do wickedness are raised up; They even tempt God and go free.’”

3. GOD’S UNCHANGABILITY IS MANKIND’S HOPE

A. It is only because of God’s mercy that we are not consumed.

Lamentations 3:22-23, Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. v. 23, They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.

B. God’s holiness demands punishment for sin.

Ezekiel 18:20, “The soul who sins shall die.…” C. Man cannot atone for his own sin.

Jeremiah 2:22, “For though you wash yourself with lye, and use much soap, yet your iniquity is marked before Me,” says the Lord GOD.

D. Jesus Christ is our Divine Substitute. He alone satisfied the demands of a

righteous God.

II Corinthians 5:21, For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

4. MESSENGERS OF REPENTANCE

A. God called His children to repent through Malachi.

1) He pleaded with them to change their wicked ways.

Malachi 3:7, “…Return to Me, and I will return to you…”

2) He promised to send a messenger to them.

Malachi 3:1, “Behold, I send My messenger, and he will prepare the way before Me. And the Lord, whom you seek, will suddenly come to His temple, even the Messenger of the covenant, in whom you delight. Behold, He is coming,” says the LORD of hosts.

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B. John the Baptist preached a message of repentance.

1) He urged people to repent.

Luke 3:2-3, While Annas and Caiaphas were high priests, the word of God came to John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness. v. 3, And he went into all the region around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.

2) He identified Jesus Christ.

John 1:29, The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!”

C. Jesus commanded His disciples to be witnesses.

Acts 1:8, “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

D. The message has been the same throughout all the different messengers:

Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!

1) John the Baptist preached it.

Matthew 3:1-2, In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, v. 2, and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!”

2) Jesus revealed it.

Matthew 4:17, From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

3) The twelve disciples were sent to declare it.

Matthew 10:7, “And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’”

CONCLUSION: When a person takes the first step to repentance, God has already made a hundred steps toward him. Listen to the voice of His Holy Spirit as He pleads and entreats you to come to Him. God longs to receive and enfold the wanderer in His embrace.

LeSEA PUBLISHING530 E. Ireland Rd., South Bend, IN 46614

www.leseapublishing.com1-888-584-4847

, by dr. lester sumrall....teaching tape, prophets of the bible, by dr. lester sumrall. it is a...

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