LUKE 7:1–10 For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, “Go,” and he goes; and that one, “Come,” and he comes. I say to my servant, “Do this,” and he does it (Luke 7:8). When Martin Luther began to argue that our justification before God is through … Continue reading “THE AUTHORITY OF THE BIBLE”
WHY STUDY GOD’S WORD?
2 TIMOTHY 2 “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who … correctly handles the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15). It may seem an odd question to ask—Why study the Bible?—especially when you probably wouldn’t be reading this if you didn’t believe that such a study is either … Continue reading “WHY STUDY GOD’S WORD?”
THE SILENT YEARS
MALACHI 3–4 “Surely the day is coming; it will burn like a furnace. All the arrogant and every evildoer will be stubble, and that day that is coming will set them on fire,” says the Lord Almighty. “Not a root or a branch will be left to them. But for you who revere My name, … Continue reading “THE SILENT YEARS”
THE LAW AND THE PROPHETS
PSALM 119 “Every word of God is flawless; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him. Do not add to His words, or He will rebuke you and prove you a liar” (Proverbs 30:5–6). When rabbis examined the final form of the Old Testament, they taught that it contained three categories of … Continue reading “THE LAW AND THE PROPHETS”
THE NEED FOR THE MESSIAH
MALACHI 1–2 “A son honors his father, and a servant his master. If I am a Father, where is the honor due Me? If I am a Master, where is the respect due Me?” says the Lord Almighty (Malachi 1:6a). A sad story that recurs over and over in the pages of the Bible is … Continue reading “THE NEED FOR THE MESSIAH”
FOUNDATION OF THE TEMPLE
ZECHARIAH 1–8 The angel said to those who were standing before him, “Take off his filthy clothes.” Then he said to Joshua, “See, I have taken away your sin, and I will put rich garments on you” (Zechariah 3:4). When the Jews returned from the Exile, they began rebuilding the temple. The physical temple represented … Continue reading “FOUNDATION OF THE TEMPLE”
THE COMING OF THE KING
ZECHARIAH 9–14 Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and having salvation, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey (Zechariah 9:9). Like Haggai, Zechariah prophesied after the return of the people from the Babylonian captivity. Chapters 1–6 of … Continue reading “THE COMING OF THE KING”
THE CHRISTIAN’S FIRST PRIORITY
HAGGAI Then the word of the Lord came through the prophet Haggai: “Is it a time for you yourselves to be living in your paneled houses, while this house remains a ruin?” (Haggai 1:3). The prophets Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi did not foretell God’s judgment on Israel and Judah; they preached after the Jews returned … Continue reading “THE CHRISTIAN’S FIRST PRIORITY”
THE PRAYER OF HABAKKUK
HABAKKUK 3 The Sovereign Lord is my strength; He makes my feet like the feet of a deer; He enables me to go on the heights (Habakkuk 3:19). Yesterday we saw that God told Habakkuk to live by faith. Modern liberal existential Christianity says that faith is a “leap in the dark.” We don’t know … Continue reading “THE PRAYER OF HABAKKUK”
THE DILEMMA OF HABAKKUK
HABAKKUK 1–2 Your eyes are too pure to look on evil; you cannot tolerate wrong. Why then do You tolerate the treacherous? Why are You silent while the wicked swallow up those more righteous than themselves? (Habakkuk 1:13). Josiah was the last good king of Judah. With the help of Jeremiah and other prophets, Josiah … Continue reading “THE DILEMMA OF HABAKKUK”