Search The Scriptures —Study 1 — Zephaniah 1

Study 1 From the Book of Zephaniah is: Zephaniah 1

The effects of God’s universal judgment (verses 2, 3) upon Judah and Jerusalem are described in detail (verses 4-13).  The chapter ends with a terrifying picture of the day of the Lord (verses 14-18)

      1.      On whom particularly will God’s judgment fall according to this chapter, and why? Can you think of any modern counterparts to the sinful actions described?

     2.     Having considered the reasons for judgment, now ponder the accompaniments of the day of the Lord in verses 14-18. What may we learn from these about God’s view of sin?  Cf. Pr. 11:4; Ezk.

Notes

1.      Verse 4.  To ‘cut off… the name of’ mean to ‘obliterate the memory of’

2.     Verse 5.  ‘Milcom’: a foreign deity of this or a similar name was worshipped in several of the countries surrounding Judah.

3.     Verse 12.  ‘Thickening upon their lees’: cf. Je. 48:11. This picture, taken from the wine-trade, refers to the sedimentation of wine.  The idle, stagnant, muddy-minded men in Jerusalem, who thought they could settle down in their godless indifference, will be punished.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 0 — introduction of Zephaniah

Study 0  From the Book of Zephaniah is: The Introduction of the book Zephaniah

Zephaniah prophesied in the reign of Josiah, and probably in the early years of that reign, before Josiah began his religious reforms. For when Zephaniah delivered his message, idolatrous, customs, which Josiah abolished, were still openly practised (cf., e. g. 1: 4, 5 with 2 Ki. 23: 4, 5). Zephaniah was therefore a contemporary of Jeremiah and possibly began his ministry somewhat earlier. If the Hezekiah from whom his descent is trace (1:1) was, as many think probable, the king of that name, then Zephaniah was related to the royal house.

The theme of his prophecy is the day of the Lord, which was about to break.  It is pictured as a day of terrible judgment, under the imagery of war and invasion, in which Judah and Jerusalem would be thoroughly purged of those who practiced wickedness.  But, the judgement would embrace all nations; it was to be a day of universal judgement.

When the judgment was completed there would be a remnant of Israel, a lowly but upright people who, trusting in the Lord would rejoice in His favour. Zephaniah foresaw also that other nations, would ‘call on the name of the Lord and serve him with one accord’ (3:9). His message is marked by breadth of view and profound insight, and charged with an ardent vehemence of moral passion. 

Zephaniah’s word received a striking fulfillment in the fall of Nineveh, and a quarter of a century later in the fall of Jerusalem.  But, the fulfillment is not yet complete. The final day of God’s judgment has yet to come. 

Search The Scriptures —Study 2 — Joel 2: 18 – 3:21

Study 2  From the Book of Joel is: Joel 2: 18 – 3: 21

With this lesson, we end the book of Joel. Tomorrow we start the book of Zephaniah

    1.      What is God’s reaction to His people’s repentance? What principle does this teach?

    2.     How has the prophecy of 2:28, 29 been fulfilled far more wonderfully than Joel foresaw?

    3.     Chapter 3 is a vision of mercy upon Israel, and judgement on her enemies. In what ways had the nations angered God by their treatment of Israel, and what judgment would fall on them?  What according to 3:17 and 21 is the supreme blessedness of God’s people?

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Search The Scriptures —Study 1 — Joel 1:1 – 2: 17

Study 1 From the Book of Joel is: Joel 1:1 – 2: 17

Two addresses on the plague of locust, both describing in different ways its severity, and summoning the people to repent.

      1.      What teaching is given in this passage on the need for corporate repentance for national sin? What essentials of true repentance are given in 2:12, 13?

      2.     Gather together the teaching on ‘the day of the Lord’ in this passage. What is its significance?

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Search The Scriptures —Study 0 — Introduction of Joel

Study 0 From the Book of Joel is: The Introduction of the Book of Joel

Nothing is known of this prophet beyond what is stated in the first verse of this book, and the evident fact that he prophesied to Judah. It is generally agreed that he was either one of the earliest of the prophets, or one of the latest. The date is not important for the study of his message.

The occasion of his prophecy was an unprecedented plague of locust, apparently accompanied by drought (1:18-20).  He summoned the people to national repentance and self-humbling, and on their doing this, he was authorized to declare the speedy departure of the locusts, and the restoration of the land.

But, the prophet was given also a more distant vision. The plague of locusts was a symbol of the approaching day of the Lord, and Joel foresees the outpouring of the Spirit, and the gathering of the nations to answer for their misdeeds towards Israel. The Lord will triumph and Israel be blessed. 

Search The Scriptures —Study 2 — Jonah: 3 and 4

Study 2 From the Book of Jonah is: Jonah 3 and 4

With this study, we end the book of Jonah and will start the book of Joel tomorrow.

     1.      God is unchangeably consistent in His attitude to men.  What moral action is necessary to avoid judgement and find mercy? Cf. Joel 2:12-14. Acts 10: 34, 35. How did Jesus commend the Ninevites’ actions?  Cf. Mt. 12:41.

    2.     Jonah the patriot almost hides Jonah the prophet. How do 4:2b, 4, 10 and 11 rebuke his attitude? Contrast the attitude of Jonah with that of Jesus the Jew. Cf. Mt. 23: 37, 38; Mk. 10 45.

3.     What aspects of the character of God stand out in this short book?

Notes

1.      3:3. ‘An exceedingly great city’: The administrative district of Nineveh, which could be referred to here (as distinct from the city alone), was thirty to sixty miles across.

2.     4:2. ‘Repentest of evil’: the Hebrew root means ‘to breath heavily’. A change of mind is not so much meant; the thought is almost that the Lord takes a deep breath of relief that He does not have to act in judgment as the consistency of His character would otherwise demand.

3.     4:6. ‘A plant’ a fast-growing, trailing or climbing plant with broad leaves.

4.     4:9-11. ‘Jonah (for selfish reasons) pities the insignificance plant for which he was not responsible.  Should not God much more (and unselfishly) have pity on the poor ignorant inhabitants with their cattle in the evil city of Nineveh?

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Search The Scriptures —Study 1 — Jonah: 1 and 2

Study 1 From the Book of Jonah is: Jonah 1 and 2

The key to Jonah’s flight is found in 4:2. He feared the tenderness of God. If he went to Nineveh as commanded, Nineveh might repent, and be spared (cf. Je. 18:8) to become later the destroyer of Israel. If he did not go, God’s judgment would fall upon Nineveh, and Israel would be saved.

    1.      ‘But Jonah’ (verse 3); ‘But the Lord’ (verse 4). Cf. Acts 11:8, 9 (where the context also concerns Gentiles). Of what truth had Jonah lost sight? Cf. 1 Tim. 2:4. How did the Lord retain control of the situation?  With 1:7b cf. Pr. 16:33, and notice ‘appointed’ in 1:17.

2.     Jonah (like Adam and Eve, Gn. 3:8-10) tried to escape from the presence of the Lord. (1:3, 10; cf. 2:4). Why was this impossible? In the light of this passage, look up Ps. 139:23, 24 and apply it to yourself.

3.     Jonah’s prayer, remarkable for its lack of direct petition, speaks of distress and passes into thanksgiving.  What was the fundamental cause of his distress? What caused the transition?

Notes

1.      1:3. ‘Flee…from the presence of the Lord’: this amounted to renouncing his vocation, for the prophet stood in the presence of the Lord (cf. 1. Ki.17:1).

2.     1:17. “three days and three nights’: cf. Mt. 12:40.  According to Jewish reckoning this may mean one full day with the night before and the night after.

3.     2:7. To the Hebrews, ‘remembering’ could be much more than a bare mental process; he could mean recreating to the imagination the historic deeds of the Lord; the use of the word repays detailed study.  With this passage cf. Pss. 77:11, 12; 105:4-6; 143:5.

4.     2:9. The vow was probably some sort of sacrificial thank-offering. Vowing is a biblical practice; but the Old testament counsels against hasty (Pr. 20:25) and empty (Ec. 5:5) vows.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 0 — The Book of Jonah

Study 0 From the Book of Jonah is: Jonah Introduction of the Book of Jonah

Introduction

Jonah is mentioned in 2 Ki. 14:25 as having predicted the victories of Jeroboam II by which the borders of the kingdom of Israel were greatly enlarged. If Jonah prophesied at the beginning of Jeroboam’s reign, he would precede Amos by about twenty years only. At that time Assyria was already a great power, and had begun to reach out westwards: in fact, Jeroboam’s victories were partly due to Assyrian raids upon Damascus and neighbouring states, which weakened these kingdoms. It would seem that Jonah was afraid of Assyria, whose cruelties were well known, and whose power was dreaded.

To this man came the commission to go to Nineveh and cry against it. One might have thought that such a commission would not be unwelcome, but to Jonah it was so hateful that he resolved rather to resign his prophetic office than obey it.  The book is the story of what happened.  It is one of the most remarkable books in the Bible, and rich in spiritual teaching.

Search The Scriptures —Study 10 — Matthew 7:13-29

Study 10 From the Book of Matthew is: Matthew 7:13-29

With this study we will pause briefly to study the small book of Jonah

    1.      In verses 13-23 what threefold responsibility does our Lord lay upon those who would enter His kingdom (verses 13-14); (b) as to a right discrimination between false and true (verses 15-20); and (c) as to the condition of being acknowledged by Him at the last (verses 21-23)?

2.     To what categories of men do verses 24-27 refer? In what way do the two houses differ? How is it possible to be building – yet building foolishly?

3.     Verses 15-20. In what way, may we tell the false prophet? Cf. Dt. 13: 1-5; 1 Jn. 4-6. Can you think of any modern guise in which he appears?

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Search The Scriptures —Study 9 — Matthew 7:1-12

Study 9 From the Book of Matthew is: Matthew 7:1-12

      1.      Compare verses 1-5 with verses 6, 16; and see Jn. 7:24.  If judging is not always wrong, what is our Lord here condemning?

      2.     What is he teaching of verses 7:12 on the practice of prayers? What place is there for persistency, and what place for trusting? Is there any conflict between these two ideas?

Note. Verse 6.  This indicates that, while Christians must not be guilty od condemning anyone, they must learn to discriminate in their witness cf. Pr. 9:8.

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