Search The Scriptures —Study 18 — Jeremiah 27 and 28

Study 18 From the Book of Jeremiah is: Jeremiah 27 and 28

Five kings of surrounding nation seek Zedekiah’s co-operation in an attempt to throw off the yoke of Babylon. Jeremiah opposes the plan.

1.     What means did Jeremiah use to impress upon the five kings the futility of resistance to Babylon? Notice the claim which God made for Himself in His message to these heathen rulers (27:4-7).

2.     What did Jeremiah condemn in the propaganda of the prophets’?

3.     In chapter 28 we have a leading prophet of the time attacking Jeremiah, and we can consider the two men at close range in what respects did they resemble each other, and in what respects did they differ?  Ponder Jeremiah’s now unwavering courage in predicting passive acceptance of Babylonian control in the face of prominent religious opposition. What ought we to learn from this?

Note. 27:16-22. Only a part of the vessels of the Temple had at this time been carried off to Babylon.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 17 — Jeremiah 26

Study 17 From the Book of Jeremiah is: Jeremiah 26

Jehoiakim was a very different king from Josiah.  At the beginning of his reign, therefore, God sent Jeremiah to warn the people against being led astray into further disobedience to Him.

1.     What reason does God give for sending His servant on this dangerous mission? See verse 3 and cf. 2 Ch. 36:15; 2 Pet. 3:9; Lk. 13:34, 35.

2.     Note the points of resemblance between Jeremiah and Jesus (see Study 8, Question 3; and Mt. 16:14) e.g., cf. Mt 24:1, 2; 26:61; 27:4, 24, 25. Consider also the experiences of Jeremiah and Uriah in the light of what Jesus foretold for His disciples. Cf. Jn. 15:18-20; 16:33; 1 Pet. 4:12, 13.

Notes

1.     Verses 4-6. It seems probable that this brief summary of Jeremiah’s words is given more fully in chapter 7.

2.     Verse 18.  ‘Micah of Moresheth’: see Mi. 1:1, 14.

3.     Verse 24. ‘Ahikam the son of Shaphan’: one of those sent by King Josiah to consult the prophetess Huldah (2 Ki. 22:12, 13), and the father of Gedaliah, who was made governor after the fall of Jerusalem (40:5, 6).

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Search The Scriptures —Study 48 — Matthew 28:1-20

Study 48  From the Book of Matthew is: Matthew  28:1-20

With this lesson, we end the book of Matthew and will go back once again to the book of Jeremiah starting with Jeremiah 26.

1.     Note the foremost place taken by women disciples in the story of the resurrection appearances.  Why should this be (cf. Jn. 14:21)? Contrast the effect of the news of the resurrection on the disciples with the response of Christ’s enemies recorded in verses 11:15. How does this prove the truth of Lk. 16:30, 31?

2.     Verses 18-20. Note the fourfold repetition of the word ‘all’ in Christ’s final commission. What is the threefold task given to the Christian church? Are we obeying, as we ought to do, in the light of (a) Christ’s authority, and (b) the promise of His presence?

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Search The Scriptures —Study 47 — Matthew 27:51-66

Study 47 From the Book of Matthew is: Matthew 27:51-66

1.     What is the significance of the torn curtain of the Temple (verse 51)? Cf. Heb. 9:8; 10:19-23.  How are the manifestations recorded in verses 52, 53 linked with these truths?

2.     What made Joseph of Arimathea (and Nicodemus, Jn. 19:39) come out into the open at this late stage? Is it not at first sight strange that they should now publicly associate themselves with Christ?  What, in the purposes of God, did such a burial demonstrate and make possible?

Note. Verse 62. ‘Next day, that is, after the day of Preparation’: it looks as if, in their concern to safeguard the tom, the Jewish leaders even broke their own sacred sabbath laws.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 46 — Matthew 27:32 - 50

Study 46 From the Book of Matthew is: Matthew 27:32 – 50

1. What were the real sufferings of Christ?  In what way are physical, mental and spiritual sufferings here indicated?

1.     What, if any, truth is there in the taunt of verses 41-43? Why did God not intervene? What is the meaning behind Christ’s own sense of desertion in verse 46? Can you hold this truth with that contained in 2 Cor. 5:19. ‘God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself’? See also 2 Cor. 5:21.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 45 — Matthew 27: 15-31

Study 45 From the Book of Matthew is: Matthew 27: 15-31

1.     In these verses the Jewish people made a fateful choice. Note especially verses 20 and 25. It was the choice of what kind of saviour they wanted (see Note below). What was the result of this choice in the life of the nation?

2.     In how many ways did Pilate seek to avoid a decision about Christ? Cf. Lk. 23:7. Read again the question in verse 22. Is this not a question which I, too, must ask and answer?

Note.  Verses 16, 17. There is good textual evidence in favour of reading ‘Jesus Barabbas’. This makes the question of verse 17 even more telling.  This was a choice between a false claimant and the true Saviour.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 44 — Matthew 27: 1-14

Study 44  From the Book of Matthew is: Matthew 27:1-14

1.     What lessons concerning the inevitable judgment upon sin are to be found in the account of the death of Judah?  Can you see any sense in which we may be tempted to act like Judas in our situation, or is he unique?

2.     Consider the silence of Jesus in these last hours of His life.  Cf. lk. 23:9. In the light of this, read 1. Pet. 2:-23 and note the lessons for our own life and witness.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 43 — Matthew 26: 57 - 75

Study 43 From the Book of Matthew is: Matthew 26: 57 – 75

1.     The trials of Jesus and Peter were running concurrently, but with such different results.  What was Peter’s failure, and what was the reason for it? Do you see any difference between this and the failure of Judas?

2.     Verses 59 – 68. In what ways was the trial of Jesus unworthy of the name of Justice? In contrast note the majesty of Jesus at this point. What would you consider the salient characteristics of His witness here?

Note. Verse 64. ‘You have said so’ is more than the equivalent of ‘Yes’. It indicates that Christ’s Kingship was real, but different from the concept in Caiaphas’ mind.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 42 — Matthew 26:30-56

Study 42  From the Book of Matthew is: Matthew 26: 30 -56

1.     How do these verses indicate the strength to do God’s will that Christ found through His knowledge of Scriptures? Consider how frequently during these last hours our Lord quoted the Old Testament. What ought we to learn from this concerning the way to face the demands of Christ’s service?

2.     Wherein lay the particular agony to Jesus of the experience in the garden? Why did He shrink so much from the cross? Consider this section in the light of Heb. 5:7-9; 10:1; 1 Pet. 2:24.

3.     What does our Lord pinpoint as the reason for the disciples’ failure in the garden? Consider in how many ways they did fail that night, and how relevant this is to our situation. Cf. What Peter wrote in 1Pet. 5:8-9.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 41 — Matthew 26:17-29

Study 41 From the Book of Matthew is: Matthew 26:17-29

1.     What does the phrase in verse 18, ‘My time is at hand’, teach us of Christ’s understanding and control of the situation even at this moment? Notice the repetition of this reference to ‘the hour’ (verse 45) Cf. Jn. 12:23, 27; 13: 1.  Note also in verse 24 the combined recognition of God’s foreordained purpose and man’s personal responsibility.

2.     In the institution of the Lord’s supper, Matthew notes the idea of a covenant in verse 28. In what way does this link with Ex. 24: 6-8 and with Je. 31:31–34?  What ought drinking from such a cup to mean to us?

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