Wednesday in the Word

what the Bible means and how we know

introduction

Covenants Introduction

by

Introduction to Covenants | WednesdayintheWord.com

God made a series of special promises, which we call covenants. There are two kinds of covenants and 5 significant covenants in Scripture.

What is a covenant?

  • There are two kinds of covenants in Scripture: unilateral and bilateral.
  • Unilateral – a commitment on the part of a greater party toward a lesser. The majority of covenants in the Bible are this type.
  • Bilateral – A commitment on the part of two equals towards each other to fulfill certain promises unconditionally (e.g. marriage).
  • A covenant is not the same as a contract.
  • A covenant is personal — based on gratitude, trust and hope.
  • A contract is impersonal – legalistic; based on distrust.
  • In a covenant relationship, the greater party commits himself to fulfill certain promises made to a lesser party.
  • In the Bible, God is the greater party. He brings commitment to the covenant relationship.
  • The lesser party in all Biblical covenants is a human being.
  • As a recipient, the person needs only to accept the promise by faith and trust that the commitment will stand.
Go to top
God’s unilateral
covenants with		SignScripture Reference
NoahrainbowGenesis 6:18; Genesis 9:-17
AbrahamcircumcisionGenesis 15; Genesis 17
Israel (the Old Covenant through Moses)keeping the SabbathExodus 19-31;
Deuteronomy 4-6
Davidan offspring2 Samuel 7
the body of Christ (New Covenant)the CupJeremiah 31:31-34; Matthew 26:26-28; 2 Corinthians 3; Galatians 4:21-23; Hebrews 9:15-17
Go to top

The Covenant stands

— despite threats

  • The seed is threatened in Egypt (Genesis 12).
  • The land is threatened by human whim (the story of Lot; Genesis 13).
  • The seed is threatened by tyrannical kings (Genesis 14).
  • Jesus said, “I will build my church and the gates of hell will no prevail against it (Matthew 16:18).”

— despite sin

As soon as God has made a covenant, mankind’s sin shows itself again as evidenced by:

Covenant made:Sin that followed:
God promises Noah He would never again destroy the earth (Genesis 8:20-9:17).Noah gets drunk (Genesis 9:18-17).
God promises Abraham that He will bring salvation to the world through him (Genesis 12:1-3).Abraham lies to Pharoah about Sarah (Genesis 12:10-20).
God promises Abraham that he would have many descendants (Genesis 15).Abraham takes Sarah’s advice and has a child by Hagar (Genesis 16).
God gives the 10 commandments to Moses (Exodus 20ff).Aaron leads Israel in idolatrous worship (Exodus 32)
God tells David that He will give David an eternal kingdom (2 Samuel 7).David commits adultery with Bathsheba and has Uriah killed (2 Samuel 11).
Jesus declares the New Covenant in the Upper Room (Luke 22:20).The disciples fall asleep in Gethsamene (Luke 22:45) and Peter denies Christ (Luke 22:54-62).

This repeating cycle shows that the grace of God, not the faithfulness of mankind, moves program of salvation to its conclusion.

Go to top

The Covenant with Noah

God gave Noah a 3-fold promise and a 3-fold command. The central point of the promise is that God will never again destroy the earth. The thrust of the command centers on the inestimable value of life.

God’s promises to Noah (Genesis 8:21-9:3)

  1. I will never again destroy the earth (Genesis 8:21-22) — God promises that life on earth will continue until the end of history. By His grace, God has not set the stage for the end of history when God will bring forth the redemption of mankind.
  2. Mankind will be prolific (Genesis 9:1) – When God blesses a person, he/she is productive. God blesses Noah’s family with the ability to produce life in His image.
  3. Mankind will have dominion over the rest of creation (Genesis 9:2-3)

God’s commands to Noah (Genesis 9:4-7)

  1. Not to eat blood in order to learn to value life (Genesis 9:4).
  2. To be just because mankind is made in God’s image (Genesis 9:5-6).
  3. To populate the earth (Genesis 9:7).
Go to top

The Covenant with Abraham

The flood taught us that judgment alone will not solve the problem of our rebellion to God. Following rebellion and judgment, God works a new act of salvation in the covenant with Abraham.

The Plan of Salvation: Genesis 12:1-3

  • One individual is called out to go to a land (12:1).
  • This one individual will become a nation (12:2).
  • This nation results in universal blessing to all nations (12:3).

God’s promises regarding the seed (Genesis 17)

  1. Abraham would be the father of many nations (17:4-6).
  2. God will be the God of Abraham’s descendants (17:7)
  3. Abraham’s see will be given the land of Canaan as their everlasting possession (17:8)

The promise to Abraham regarding the seed and the land were restated three times (Genesis 12; 15; 17), each providing an increased level of assurance. First, God made the promises. Next, God made a covenant for each. Finally, God swears to keep His covenant (Gen 22:15-18).

The promised seed is always narrowed to a spiritual seed, until only the spiritual seed is left in the New Testament. There is a continuing separation of faith from non-faith.

  • Cain versus Abel
  • Seth (not Cain)
  • Noah (not the rest of the world)
  • Shem (not Canaan)
  • Abraham (not his brothers)
  • Isaac (not Ishmael)
  • Jacob (not Esau)
  • 12 Tribes — believing remnant preserved through the exile
  • Christ – believing Israel and believing Gentiles
Go to top

The Old Covenant

  • Exodus 19:3-4 – Basis of the Covenant; The Mosaic Covenant is the result of God’s deliberate acts in history. He kept is promise to deliver Israel from Egypt.
  • Exodus 19:5-6 – Purpose of the Covenant: 1) a treasured possession; 2) a kingdom of priests; 3) a holy nation
  • Exodus 19:7-9 – Nature of the Covenant: This covenant requires Israel’s efforts and is therefore doomed.
  • Exodus 19:10-25 – Spiritual preparation of the people: clear lines of holiness were drawn and anyone who crossed over would die
  • Exodus 20:1-17 – The 10 Commandments: the centerpiece of the relationship between God and Israel, based on God’s grace and redemption. Ethics follows redemption.
Go to top

Davidic Covenant

Promise realized during David’s Lifetime (2 Samuel 7:8-11)

  • A great name (2 Samuel 8:13)
  • A Place for my people Israel
  • Rest from war (1 Kings 5:4)

Promises realized after David’s death (2 Samuel 7:11-16)

  • An eternal house
  • an eternal throne
  • An eternal kingdom
Go to top

Old vs New Covenant

Continuity

  • Basis is the same: God’s grace (Galatians 4:4-5).
  • Purpose is the same (1 Peter 2:9-10).
  • Same Character: Holy, righteous and good (Romans 3:21; Romans 7:16).
  • Both enacted with blood (Hebrews 9:16-21).
  • Same basic Commands: love the God and your fellow man (Matthew 22:24ff).

Discontinuity

  • New is based on a better promise (Hebrew 8:6; 1 Peter 2:9-10). The Old Covenant required Israel to remain faithful. Christ fulfilled the covenant for us and God promises to keep both parts of the covenant.
  • New has a better sacrifice (once for all; Hebrews 9:16)
  • New has a better provision (law written on our hearts; Ezekiel 35:24-28; Jeremiah 31:31-34; Joel 2:28).
  • New has a broader scope (Acts 1:8; Isaiah 42:4; Ephesians 3:6).
  • Old is earthly. New is heavenly in origin (Galatians 4:21ff).
Go to top

More: Introduction to…

Background & History

Series: Bible Study 101

Photo by Harald Arlander on Unsplash

Southern Kingdom Introduction

by

Introduction to the Southern Kingdom | WednesdayintheWord.com

After the death of King Solomon, two of his sons, Rehoboam and Jeroboam, fought for the throne. When Rehoboam harshly raised taxes on the people, the 10 northern tribes rebelled and installed Jeroboam as their king, creating the northern kingdom of Israel. The two southern tribes, Benjamin and Judah, remained with Rehoboam and became the kingdom of Judah.

Scripture

  • 1 Kings 14:21-15:24 – Rehoboam, Abijah, Asa
  • 1 Kings 22:41-50 – Jehoshaphat
  • 2 Kings 8:16-16:20 (Jehoram through Ahaz, interspersed with Northern kings)
  • 2 Kings 18-25 – Hezekiah through the fall of Jerusalem
  • 2 Chronicles 10-26 (whole history)

Special Format – for the Kings of Judah, add’s the King’s mother

  • Opening: “1Now in the eighteenth year of King Jeroboam the son of Nebat, Abijam began to reign over Judah. 2He reigned for three years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Maacah the daughter of Abishalom. 3And he walked in all the sins that his father did before him, and his heart was not wholly true to the LORD his God, as the heart of David his father (1Kings 15:1-3).”
  • Closing: “7The rest of the acts of Abijam and all that he did, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Judah? And there was war between Abijam and Jeroboam. 8And Abijam slept with his fathers, and they buried him in the city of David. And Asa his son reigned in his place (1Kings 15:7-8).”
Go to top

Period of Conflict with Israel (931-870 BC)

Rehoboam (931-913 BC; 1 Kings 14:21-31; 2 Chronicles 10-12)

  • Rehoboam inherits after Solomon. He makes matters worse politically and economically. 10 nothern tribes rebel, leaving Judah and Benjamin loyal to him.
  • Continued warfare with Israel (1 Kings 14:30); probably around the border between the northern edge of Judah and the southern edge of Israel
  • Fortifies 15 cities in Judah and Benjamin, west and south of Jerusalem for defense against Egypt and Philistia.
  • Shishak, the King of Egypt, attackes Judah (150 cities) and defeats Rehoboam in 926 BC, emptied the treasuries of the Temple and the royal palace. Reason: 2 Chronicles 12:1 – he and all Israel abandoned the law of the Lord. Response: Rehoboam humbled himself and “there was some good in Judah”.

Abijam/Abijah (913-911; 1 Kings 15:1-8; 2 Chronicles 13:1-22)

  • His heart was not fully devoted to the Lord (1 Kings 15:30 yet pious speech on the brink of a battle with Jeroboam (2 Chronicles 13:4-12) on apostasy of the North
  • Constant state of war with Israel (1 Kings 15:6-8).

Asa (911-870; 1 Kings 15:9-24; 2Chronicles 14-16)

  • Good king but becomes proud. Covenant renewal at Jerusalem (2 Chronicles 15)
  • Built up fortified cities; victory over Egypt via reliance on God (2 Chronicles 14:11); victory in war with Baasha, king of Israel, at Ramah thanks to alliance with Be-Hadad of Damascus, rather than reliance upon God (2 Chronicles 16:7)
Go to top

Period of Alliance with Israel (870-835 BC)

Jehoshaphat (870-848 BC; 1 Kings 22:412-50; 2 Chronicles 17-20)

  • Good king; Removed the high places but later re-established them; rids shrine of prostitutes; sends priest into Judah to teach from “the book of the law” (2 Chronicles 17:9).
  • Strong ruler; fortifies norther town of the southern kingdom; built supply cities; makes judicial improvements; marriage alliance with the House of Omri; period of economic prosperity

Jehoram (853-841; 2 Kings 6:16-24; 2 Chronicles 21)

  • “He walked in the ways of the kings of Israel, as the house of Ahab had done, for he married the daughter of Ahab” (2 Chronicles 21:6; Murders his own brothers to gain political advantage; the prophet Elijah writes him a letter announcing divine judgment on him for his disobedience.
  • Two successful rebellions; Judah invaded by the Philistines and the Arabs: carry off all the goods found in the kings palace including his sons and wives (2 Chronicles 21:17)

Ahaziah (841 BC; 1 Kings 8:25-29; 2 Chronicles 22:1-9)

  • Wicked, influenced by his mother (Athaliah, daughter of Ahab); worshiped Baal (1Kings 22:53).
  • Reigns less than 1 year; allies with Joram (son of Ahab) and goes to war against Hazael king of Aram at Ramoth Gilead; killed by Jehu

Queen Athaliah (841-835 BC; 2 Kings 11:1-16; 2 Chronciles 22:10-23:15)

  • Daughter of Jezebel; very wicked. Installs Baalism
  • Slaughters her grandchildren (Ahaziah’s children) so she can seize the throne; baby Joash rescued and hidden for the 6 years of her reign; Jehoida, the high priest, secretly anoints Joash as king at age 7, overthrows and executes Athaliah.
Go to top

Four godly kings (935-731 BC)

Joash (835-796 BC; 2 Kings 12; 2 Chronicles 23:16-24:27)

  • Before Joash takes the throne, Jehoida begins religious reform, tearing down the altars to Baal (2 Kings 11:18)
  • Joash “does right in the Lord’s eyes” but fails to remove the high places.
  • Repairs the damaged Temple, collecting money for the repairs from people who donate when they make sacrifices
  • After Jehoida’s death, Joash slides downhill spiritually, listening to advisors promoting Baal.
  • Reigns 40 years. Losses a battle to Hazael, king of Damascus, who damages Judah. Joash pays tribute to Hazael to avoid destruction of Jerusalme, handing over the gold of the Temple and the royal palace.
  • Assassinated by his own officials.

Amaziah (796-767 BC; 2 Kings 14:1-20; 2 Chronicles 25)

  • He did right in the eyes of the Lord but not wholeheartedly (2 Chronicles 25:2); late in life worships Edom’s pagan gods after victory over Edom.
  • Reigns 29 years. Punishes those who conspired against his father.
  • Has victory of Edom and regains territory lost by revolt under Jehoram.
  • Defeated and captured by Jehoash (king of Israel) just west of Jerusalem.
  • Jehoash proceeds to Jerusalem, destroys 600 feet of city wall, seizes booty and captives. Eventually a conspiracy rises against him, he flees and is killed.

Uzziah/Azariah (767-740; 2 Kings 14:21-22; 2 Kings 15:1-7; 2 Chronicles 26)

  • One of the best southern kings. Leads them into a “golden” period, simultaneous with a “golden” period in the north.
  • Did what was right the Lord’s eyes but high places not removed.
  • Pride leads to his downfall.
  • Usurps the priestly role and the Lord strikes him with leprosy
  • Rules 52 years over a time of peace.
  • Many building projects, expands the territory, giving him a worldwide reputation.
  • Improved Judah’s position simultaneous with Jeroboam II’s enlargement. The two areas together were approximately the size of the kingdom under David & Solomon.

Jotham (740-731 BC; 2 Kings 15:32-38; 2 Chronicles 27:1-9)

  • Did right in the Lord’s eyes. “Grew powerful because he walked steadfastly before the Lord.”
  • Maintains Judah’s strong military and economic position.
  • Wins a battle with the Ammonites.
Go to top

Years of Assyrian Dominance (743-640 BC)

Ahaz (731-715; 2 Kings 16: 2 Chronicles 28)

  • Made idols for worshiping Baal and sacrificed his sons in the fire.
  • While meeting with Tiglath-Pilesar in Damascus, admired a pagan altar and made a copy of it in Jerusalem, establishing it as the official place of sacrifice, ignoring the Levitical priesthood (2 Kings 16).
  • King in Judah at the time of the fall of the northern kingdom (722 BC). Becomes Assyrians next target.
  • Willingly submits to Tiglath-Pileser

Hezekiah (715-686 BC; 29 years; 2 Kings 18-20; 2 Chronicles 29-32)

  • Among the best of the Kings of Judah. “Did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, just as his father David had done”
  • 2 Kings 18:5: Trusted in the Lord. No king like him before or after.
  • Reversed the apostasy and idolatry of Ahaz
  • Reopens and repairs the temple, purifies the temple and reinstitutes the Levitical priesthood (2 Chronicles 29)
  • Celebrates a long-neglected Passover, inviting the northerners to come.
  • Successful builder (especially the famous tunnel in Jerusalem to transport water during a siege)
  • Assyria the main world power, yet Hezekiah stands against them.

Manasseh (686-642 BC; 2 Kings 21; 2 Chronicles 33)

  • Evil and idolatrous for most of his life; experiences divine punishment and repents at the end of his life.
  • Reigns 55 years, the longest of any king north or south. Captured by an Assyrian King as divine punishment but later restored.
  • Rebuilt the outer wall of Jerusalem.

Amon (642-640 BC; 2 Kings 21:19-23; 2 Chronicles 33:21-25)

  • Reverts to idolatry.
  • Assassinated by his own officials
Go to top

Years of Babylonian Dominance (640-586 BC)

Josiah (640-609 BC; 2 Kings 22-23:30; 2 Chronicles 34:1-35:27)

  • Among the best of the kings. Reigns over an era of peace and prosperity and religious reform.
  • Begins religious reform in the 18th year of his reign, when workmen repairing the temple rediscover the Book of the Law (1 Kings 22:8; 2 Chronicles 34:14).
  • The prophetess Huldah warns that Judah will be punished for her sins but not in Josiah’s day.
  • Josiah cleanses the temple, removes pagan priests, poles and prostitutes and celebrates Passover according to the Mosaic laws (2 Kings 23:22).
  • Became King at age 8 and was killed in battle with Neco of Egypt.

Jehoahaz/Shallum (609 BC; 2 Kings 23:31-33; 2 Chronicles 36:1-4)

  • Does evil in the eyes of the Lord.
  • Replaced after 3 months by Neco of Egypt. Taken prisoner to Egypt and dies there.

Jehoiakim/Eliakim (609-598 BC; 2 Kings 23:34-24:5; 2 Chronicles 36:5-8)

  • Does evil. Josaih’s reforms are forgotten.
  • Burns a scroll of Jeremiah’s prophecies (Jeremiah 36)
  • 605 BC – Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon soundly defeats the Egyptians at Carchemish and establishes Babylon as the new world power.
  • Nebuchadnezzar invades Jerusalem and Judah becomes one of his vassal states, paying high taxes
  • Deports some of the nation into exile, including Daniel (Daniel 1:1-6).
  • 602 BC – Against Jeremiah’s advice, Jehoiakim decides to rebel against Babylon and his rebellion is put down.
  • 601 BC – Babylon seiges Jerusalem,
  • 597 BC – Babylon enters the city and deports a second wave of exiles, including the Ezekiel. Jehoiakim dies on the way to captivity in Babylon.

Jehoiachin (598 -597 BC; 2 Kings 24:6-16; 2 Chron 36:8-10)

  • Rules only 2 months (December – March) during the siege of Jerusalem.
  • 597 BC – Babylon enters the city and deports a second wave of exiles, including the Ezekiel. Jehoiachin also taken captive by Babylon, and Babylon installs his uncle as king.

Zedekiah (597-586 BC; 2 Kings 24:17-25:7; 2 Chron 36:11-21; Jeremiah 29:1-10)

  • Final king of Judah. Also did evil in the Lord’s eye.
  • The people never accepted him as king because he was installed by the Babylonians.
  • 589 BC – Despite Jeremiah’s warnings, Zedekiah revolts against Babylon in some sort of alliance with Egypt, prompting a second siege of Jeruslam.
  • 586 BC – the Babylonians destroy Jerusalem, burning down the temple and Solomon’s palace.
  • Gedaliah installed as governor. Zedekiah is caught, blinded and taken to Babylon along with the final wave of exiles.
  • 2 Kings 25:21; 2 Chronicles 26:15-17.
Go to top

Invasions of Jerusalem

There were 4 significant invasions of Jerusalem in Old Testament history:

  1. By Shishak, king of Egypt, ca. 925 BC during the reign of Rehoboam (1 Kings 14:25-26; 2 Chronicles 12).
  2. By the Philistines and Arabians between 848–841 BC during the reign of Jehoram of Judah (2 Chronciles 21:8–20).
  3. By Jehoash, king of Israel, ca. 790 BC (2 Kings 14; 2 Chronciles 25).
  4. By Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, in the fall of Jerusalem in 586 BC.
Go to top

Resources

Alfred Edersheim Old Testament Bible History:

  • Book 5 — Birth Of Solomon To Reign Of Ahab
  • Book 6 — The Reign Of Ahab To The Decline Of The Two Kingdoms
  • Book 7 — From The Decline Of The Two Kingdoms To The Assyrian And Babylonian Captivity
Go to top

Maps

Go to top

Series: Bible Study 101

Where to next?

Resource Library

What is…?

Who is…?

Introduction to…

Background & History

Photo by Carolyn V on Unsplash

Introduction to…

by

Introductions | WednesdayintheWord.com

Introductions to background, history, chronology and books of the Bible.

Go to top

Series: Bible Study 101

Where to next?

Resource Library

What is…?

Who is…?

Introduction to…

Background & History

Top photo by Carolyn V on Unsplash

Prophets Introduction

by

Introduction to the Prophets | WednesdayintheWord.com

Introduction to understanding the prophets and their role.

What is a prophet?

  1. Prophets were successors to Moses (Deuteronomy 18:9-22). They mediate the Lord’s will to the people and they function as his spokesmen.
  2. Prophets were guardians of the theocracy. They were sent by God to remind the kings of their covenant obligations (Deuteronomy 17:14-20).
  3. Prophets were covenant prosecutors. They brought the covenant to bear on the people (e.g. Hosea 4:1).
  4. Prophets were witnesses to God’s sovereign rule over history. They give a word of warning. They say when this comes to pass, you will know that God is sovereign over history. For example, Ezekiel says “Then you will know that I am the Lord” over 65 times.
  5. Prophets were intercessors. They pray to God for their people (e.g. Genesis 20:7; 1 Samuel 12:23).
  6. Prophets were “forth-tellers.” They were preachers to their contemporaries. Prophet were not primarily “fore-tellers” (predicting the future).

Function of Prophets

  • “Covenant enforcement mediators” between God and the people
  • Primary function: speak for God to their contemporaries about covenant status. They explain and clarify the blessings of obedience and the consequences of disobedience (See Lev 26; Dt 4; Dt. 28-32). Blessings: life, health, prosperity, agricultural abundance, respect and safety. Curses: death, disease, drought, dearth, danger, destruction, defeat, deportation, destitution, disgrace
  • Convey God’s message (“Thus says the Lord”)
  • Speak an unoriginal message; They are not inspired to announce any new doctrines. They uphold everything Moses taught and apply it to the people in their culture.

Speaking vs Writing Prophets

  • Speaking prophets (e.g. Elijah and Elisha); Most prophets were only speaking.
  • 16 Writing prophets (4 major; 12 minor)
  • Nature of ministry is the same for writing and speaking prophets.
  • Samuel became a leader of a group of prophets. He established the role and office of prophet.

Modes of prophetic inspiration

  • Direct, personal awareness (e.g. “The Word of the Lord came to me…”)
  • Dreams and visions
  • Both of these are through the Spirit of God
  • Mode of Communication: Oracles

Genre: Interpreting Prophecy

Go to top

Who are the prophets?

Many people in Scripture prophesy occasionally but not all who do so hold the office of prophet. Therefore, scholars count the prophets differently.

  • Major Prophets: Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel
  • Minor Prophets: Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi
  • Jews count 48 male and 7 female prophets but the list is debated.

The classification between “major” and “minor” refers to the size of the book, NOT the significance of the message.

ProphetApproximate
Date		Kings of JudahKings of IsraelForeign Kings
Obadiah845 BC?JehoramJoram
Joel835 BC?JoashJehu
Jonah782 BCJeroboam IIShalmaneser (Assyria)
Hosea760-720 BCUzziah; Jotham;
Ahaz;
Hezekiah		Jerobam II;
Zechariah;
Shallum;
Menahem;
Pekahiah;
Pekah;
Hoshea
Amos760 BCUzziahJeroboam II
Isaiah739-685 BCUzziah; Jotham;
Ahaz;
Hezekiah;
Manasseh		Fall of Israel 722 BC
Micah739-685 BCJotham;
Ahaz;
Hezekiah;		Pekah;
Hoshea
Nahum650 BCManassehAshurbanipal
(Assyria)
Zephaniah640 BCJosiah
Jeremiah627-580 BCJosiah;
Jehoahaz;
Jehoiakim;
Jehoiachin;
Zedekiah;
(Gedaliah)		Babylon:
Nabopolassar;
Nebuchadnezzar
Habakkuk609 BCJehoiakimNabopolassar
(Babylon)
Daniel606-530 BCJehoiakim;
Jehoiachin;
Zedekiah;		Babylon:
Nebuchadnezzar;
Neriglissar;
Labashi-Marduk;
Evil-Merodach;
Nabonidus.
Cyrus (Medo-Persia)
Ezekiel593-570 BCZedekiah;Babylon:
Nebuchadnezzar
Haggai520 BCGovernor: ZerubbabelMedo-Persia:
Dairus I
Zechariah520 BCGovernor: NehemiahMedo-Persia:
Dairus I
Malachi433 BCGovernor: NehemiahMedo-Persia:
Dairus IL

Note: The dates of Obadiah and Joel are unknown.

Chart: Israels King’s & Prophets

BibleGateway: Chart of Kings & Prophets

Go to top

The Minor Prophets and their Message

  1. Hosea  – The Lord loves Israel despite her sin.
  2. Joel – Judgment precedes Israel’s future spiritual revival. 
  3. Amos – God is just and must judge sin.
  4. Obadiah – Sure retribution must overtake merciless pride.
  5. Jonah – Divine grace is universal in its sweep.
  6. Micah – Bethlehem-born Messiah will be mankind’s Deliverer.
  7. Nahum – Doom is to descend on wicked Nineveh.
  8. Habakkuk – Justification by faith is God’s way of salvation.
  9. Zephaniah – The Day of the Lord must precede kingdom blessing.
  10. Haggai – The Lord’s Temple and interests deserve top priority.
  11. Zechariah – The Lord will remember His people Israel.
  12. Malachi – Let the wicked be warned by the certainty of judgment.

-adapted from The New Unger’s Bible Handbook

Go to top

Series: Bible Study 101

Where to next?

Resource Library

What is…?

Who is…?

Introduction to…

Background & History

Photo by Carolyn V on Unsplash

01 Nehemiah 1:1-3 Introduction

by

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 38:42 — 9.3MB) | Embed

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | Android | RSS | More

1The words of Nehemiah the son of Hacaliah. Now it happened in the month of Chislev, in the twentieth year, as I was in Susa the capital,  2that Hanani, one of my brothers, came with certain men from Judah. And I asked them concerning the Jews who escaped, who had survived the exile, and concerning Jerusalem.  3And they said to me, “The remnant there in the province who had survived the exile is in great trouble and shame. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates are destroyed by fire.” – Nehemiah 1:1-3 ESV

Nehemiah is one of the few Old Testament books with sections written in the first person. It’s interesting how Nehemiah introduces himself.

His name means “God comforts”. He tells us he is the son of Hacaliah, a man not mentioned anywhere else in Scripture. He names his kinsman (Hanani), revealing that he is a member of the Jewish race. When the exiled Jews returned to Judah, he remained behind, living in the citadel of Susa, the winter palace of of the Persian empire.

Almost as an after-thought in the last verse of chapter 1, Nehemiah mentions  he is a man of great political influence: “I was cupbearer to the king.”

During his life in exile, Nehemiah must have gained an good education and progressed up through the ranks of government to become the man who tasted the king’s wine before the king drank it.  His position gave him intimate access to the most powerful king of the day, political standing, and presumably the wealth and stature commensurate to the title.

When we took our son to college, we attended a parents “Q&A” session with a panel of five deans of the university.  To begin the session, each Dean’s introduced himself.  I’ve never heard so many names dropped in my life! Each dean was determined to mention every famous person whose path he had crossed at any point in his career.   After the fifth dean finished, we had been there an hour and no one had asked a question yet.

Contrast that experience with the humble way Nehemiah introduces himself:

  • He tells us of his unknown father.
  • He tells us of his commitment to his fellow Jews.
  • He tells us where he lives.
  • He recalls his prayer.
  • Then — he finally tells us that he’s cupbearer to the king.

How do you introduce yourself? What things about you are the most important to tell someone first?  Do people know about your prayer life before they get your business card? Do they know of your passion for God before they know your job title?

For Nehemiah, being part of the people of God was his identity.  His job was an afterthought.

For more detail and explanation, please listen to the podcast.

Next:  02 Nehemiah 1:4-11 Between two worlds

Series: Nehemiah: Restoration & Redemption

Photo used here under Flickr Creative Commons.

01 James 1:1 Who was James?

by

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 43:24 — 9.9MB) | Embed

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | Android | RSS | More

01 James 1:1 Who was James? - Bible Study | WednesdayintheWord.com

If I could sum up James, in one verse, it would be Luke 6:46.  “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you?”  The central question of the book of James is are you living what you claim to believe. 

Basics

  • The Epistle of James is one of the earliest New Testament epistles, probably around 45-48 AD.
  • James, the brother of the Lord, was martyed in 62 AD.
  • There are two traditions for how James died.
  • Josephus wrote in his book Antiquities that the High Priest at the time seized the opportunity of the death of Festus (the procurator of Judea) to get rid of his political enemies, including James.
  • Eusebius preserved the account of the Palestinian Christian writer Hegesippus in Ecclesiastical History. Hegesippus tells us that after refusing to deny Jesus as Lord, James was thrown from pinnacle of temple. 
  • Both accounts could be true as James could have been stoned and his body thrown from the temple.
  • Note: James the brother of John was executed very early (Acts 12:1-2).

Who was James?

  • James had a brother named James (Matthew 13:25).
  • James was probably not a believer during the earthly ministry of Jesus (Mark 3:20-21; John 7:5).
  • Jesus appeared to James after the resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:7), probably converting James and commissioning him similar to the way he converted and commissioned Paul.
  • James was a believer after the resurrection (Acts 1:13-14).
  • Church history clearly and unambiguously teaches that James became the leader of the church in Jerusalem. 
  • James is counted among the apostles and leaders of the church (Galatians 1:19; Acts 12:17).

Occasion of his letter

  • The early church wrestled with how to incorporate Gentile believers into the church (Acts 11:1-18).
  • This struggle would lead to the teaching of the Judiazers that Gentile Christians must keep the law.
  • After the martyrdom of Stephen, believing Jews left Jerusalem and traveled to other regions (Acts 8:1).
  • Largely Jewish congregations are growing in various places.  These are the congregations to whom James writes.
  • But the church in Antioch became a mixed Jewish/Gentile church and Barnabas goes looking for Saul/Paul to teach them (Acts 11:21-26).
  • Paul and James agree on the issue of whether Gentile coverts must keep the law (Galatians 2:1-9; Acts 21:18-22).
  • James settled the controversy (Acts 15:13-19).

James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes in the Dispersion: Greetings. – James 1:1

Summary

  • James describes himself as a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ. 
  • James doesn’t mention he is Jesus’ brother, but he may have been called to ministry by Jesus himself. 
  • James became the most important leader of the church in Jerusalem. 
  • He addresses the letter to 12 tribes of the dispersion.  The dispersion refers to the historical scattering of the Jews around the Mediterranean following the martyrdom of Stephen. 
  • James is involved in Jewish Christian ministry. 
  • All the evidence we have suggests that James and Paul agree. 
  • The evidence also suggests James and Paul were concerned with different flocks and those different flocks have different issues and struggles.
  • This letter is one of the earliest applications of the gospel we have. 

Please listen to the podcast for more detail and explanation.

Next: 02 James 1:1-8 Why does God test our faith?

Series: James: The Gospel in Shoe Leather

Study: James Resources

Photo by Elisei Abiculesei on Unsplash