Haritha

Book 40 The Book Of Matthew

Who wrote the Book of Matthew: Matthew

When was it written: 70 A.D.—almost forty years after Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection.

Who Was Matthew

Matthew was a tax collector in Capernaum. His given name was Levi and he was the son of Alphaeus. This is a different Alphaeus than the father of James the Lesser and Thaddeus (two of the other twelve disciples).

Jews considered tax collectors to be traitors and enemies because they were most often Jewish people working for the Roman government against their fellow Jews. They were known for their dishonesty and stealing from the Jews by demanding more taxes than were actually owed.

For Jesus to call Matthew to be a disciple—one of his closest friends and confidants—was a slap in the face to the lowly but very Jewish fishermen (Peter, Andrew, James, and John) and Bartholomew, who was a direct descendant of King David. But Jesus saw beyond the obvious into Matthew’s true heart.

He saw the desire for truth and the spirit of conviction and strength to take that truth to the masses.

Matthew’s account of the life and ministry of Jesus is detailed and verbatim (Jesus’ own words) throughout much of the book. Some might wonder how this can be since

Matthew’s account of the birth and teachings of Jesus

Some of the incidents in Matthew took place prior to Matthew’s being called and

Matthew didn’t write the book until long after the incidents had taken place. Given Matthew’s social status (well-educated and prominent), his attention to detail, and his ‘target audience’ in writing, it is only reasonable to assume he would have spent a considerable amount of time talking to Jesus; asking him what he said.

And because Jesus is Jesus, he would have had no trouble recalling his own words.

We must also remember that the Bible is the inspired word of God. Everything on its pages is just as God needs and wants it to be.

Matthew’s Purpose In Writing

While all four gospels that record the ministry, miracles, and messages of Jesus are in harmony with one another and none of them contradict the others in any way, they are written by different men, so they each have a different perspective or emphasis. Matthew’s target audience was the general Jewish population.

Matthew’s primary objective was to prove to his Jewish peers and readers that Jesus is the Messiah prophesied about by Isaiah, Jeremiah, Zechariah, and all the other prophets of the Old Testament.

Sermon on the Mount explained (Book of Matthew)

Matthew’s use of Old Testament prophesies, references to the Law of Moses, and repeated use of phrases like “kingdom of God” and “kingdom of heaven” is his way of relating the Gospel to the Jewish community in a way that coincides with their teachings and history rather than contradicting or opposing it.

What Does Matthew Tell Us About Jesus

Matthew’s recordation of the Gospel begins with the genealogy of Jesus—something that would definitely speak to the Jewish community he was writing for. In reading through the genealogy we should understand that it is more than ‘just’ a bunch of names.

From This Record We Should Come To Understand:

The significance of numbers to God. Fourteen generations from Abraham to David, fourteen generations from David to the exile of Judah to Babylon, and fourteen generations from the exile to the birth of Jesus.

• God doesn’t use perfect people to bring about his perfect plan. In the lineage of Jesus, we have:
• Tamar, whose father-in-law, Judah, slept with her thinking she was a prostitute.
• Rahab, another prostitute who saved the spies, was sent to check out the Promised Land. Rahab was the great-great-grandmother of King David.
• Ruth is a Moabite widow of an Israelite whose love and devotion to her mother-in-law resulted in love and marriage a second time around.
• David, the man after God’s own heart, also committed adultery, murder, and blatantly disobeyed God…but was always repentant and learned from his mistakes.
• King Manasseh, the son of King Hezekiah, and said to be the most wicked of Judah’s kings.
• Josiah is the youngest and most Godly king of Judah.
• Several generations of lowly tradesmen all the way down to Jacob and Joseph—Jesus’ earthly grandfather and father.

I am also certain that it is no mistake that Jesus’ earthly grandfather and father shared the names of two of God’s most faithful servants. Jacob was the father of the sons from which the twelve tribes of Israel came. Joseph was the second to the youngest of Jacob’s sons.

key Bible verses from the Book of Matthew with commentary

He was the young man God used in mighty ways after his brothers sold him into slavery and the man who saved his family from starvation by bringing them to Egypt.

Following the record of Jesus’ lineage Matthew gives the basic, but most important details of Jesus’ birth, the visit by the Magi, the family’s escape to Egypt, and their return to Nazareth some three years later.

These events are given to prove they are the fulfillment of prophecy—something the Jewish people put great stock in. But again, Matthew’s goal in writing was to prove Jesus is who he claimed to be while here on earth.

Matthew then jumps from Jesus’ ‘toddlerhood’ into his ministry; beginning with his baptism by John the Baptist in the Jordan River. Jesus’ baptism is significant for the following reasons:

His baptism was by immersion to set an example for those who choose to follow him in faith and obedience.

Following Jesus’ baptism, God is audibly heard for the first time in centuries when he says, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”

What follows is a list of the remaining highlights from the book of Matthew. Many of these are recorded in at least one of the other gospels, but some are not. And when they are recorded they are not in the same ‘order’ as they are in Matthew.

But again, the gospels never contradict each other. They are simply written from different perspectives for different types of audiences. In other words, what Matthew’s targeted audience would need in order to be convicted and convinced is not what Mark’s intended audience would need.

In all four gospels (and throughout the entire Bible), however, it is the same Jesus who did the same things for the same unselfish reason—to save us from our sins.

• Jesus’ baptism and temptation by Satan: Jesus was brought to the lowest levels of this side of death humans can experience—starvation, dehydration, extreme exhaustion and fatigue, and exposure to the elements. In spite of all of these, however, Jesus was able to refuse Satan’s temptations, which is proof you and I can, too.
• The Sermon on the Mount: The most famous of all of Jesus’ sermons, the Sermon on the Mount is a lesson in morality and integrity that all Christians should pattern their lives after.
• Miracles of Jesus: The book of Matthew is filled with accounts of Jesus’ miracles. Healing those who were blind, deaf, mute, crippled, racked with seizures, demonic possession, and even raising people from the dead, were some of the ways Jesus validated his identity.
• But the miracles he performed weren’t just about proving his identity. Jesus’ miracles came from his heart—a heart aching for his people. Jesus’ compassion and love come from the fact that he had his hand in our creation. He cannot help but love us that deeply—just like a parent cannot help loving their child.
• Jesus’ ministry: Besides the miracles Jesus did, his ministry involved a significant amount of teaching. Often times his teaching was in the form of parables, which are earthly stories with heavenly or spiritual meanings. Matthew and the other gospels record a good number of Jesus’ parables— all of which are relevant still today.
• How Jesus dealt with opposition: Jesus was well-received by the general public in the early stages of his ministry. His popularity ebbed and flowed, however, depending on where he was at and how much he ‘stepped on the toes’ of the people he was preaching to.

The religious leaders, however, never welcomed Jesus. They saw him as a threat to their position of power and sway over the people. Sadly the religious leaders of the day had gotten off track from where they were supposed to be according to the Mosaic Law.

Matthew on discipleship, faith, and the Kingdom of Heaven

They were more about ritual and ceremony than faith and obedience. They refused to see the truth of Jesus’ fulfillment of prophecy because they didn’t want to. Jesus dealt with this opposition in a number of ways depending on the particular circumstance. He:

• Ignored it and went on about his business
• He put the religious leaders in their place by exposing their piety and ignorance to the true law
• He avoided them
• Jesus’ no-nonsense message to the religious leaders, his disciples, and the general public. He begins by recognizing the fact that the Pharisees and teachers of the Law were in positions of authority.
• But he immediately followed this up by telling the people not to listen to them. He called them out for not practicing what they preached, so to speak, for distorting the Law, and for being men who were prideful, arrogant, and full of false religion. Following this ‘opening statement’ Jesus listed seven (another significant number) woes or warnings to them.
• He doesn’t hold anything back —calling them vipers and snakes (an obvious reference to Satan disguising himself as a snake when he tempted Eve and Adam). He ends this message by referencing his second coming. Afterward, he and his disciples left the crowds and went off to be by themselves.

Once they were alone with Jesus the disciples asked him when all of those things (the seven woes) would take place. What would be the signs of their coming, they asked. Jesus answered by telling them what they wanted to know.

But just like God’s patience ran out with Israel and Judah, it will run out with us, too. Jesus’ words are simply a reminder that we shouldn’t take that chance.

The plot to kill Jesus is put into action and Judas betrays Jesus: Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve, went to the chief priests and arranged to set Jesus up—revealing when and where he would be so that he could be arrested. Arrested for what? For being Jesus.

The Last Supper: The Last Supper was the name given to the Feast of the Unleavened Bread—the Passover meal. It is called the Last Supper because it is Jesus’ last meal. Prior to this day/evening, Jesus had entered Jerusalem amid shouts of praise. But in just a matter of those few days, the tide had shifted.

In a few short hours, many of the same people who had welcomed him to Jerusalem would be shouting, “Crucify him!”

It was also during the Last Supper that Jesus instituted the practice of communion, where he washed the disciples’ feet, where he told Peter he (Peter) would deny him three times before the next day, and where he revealed that one of their own (Judas) would betray him that very night.

Jesus was arrested, ‘tried’, and crucified: After finishing the meal in the upper room, Jesus took his core group (Peter, James, and John) with him to the garden to pray. Following his time of prayer Judas, along with a group of armed men sent by the high priests came to the garden and arrested Jesus.

Jesus knew the events that were unfolding and those yet to come had to be, so he simply told the men to do what they had to do. The rest of the night happened just as Jesus said it would. Peter denied knowing Jesus three times prior to the rooster’s crowing to signal the start of a new day.

Judas hung himself in shame and remorse for what he had done. Jesus’ trial before the Sanhedrin was a farce and nothing more than a means by which to humiliate and try to discredit the Savior. Following this mock trial, Jesus is handed over to Pilot, the governor of Rome.

Pilot finds no fault in Jesus but bending under the ‘weight’ of pressure from the Jewish leaders and people, he sentences Jesus to death on the cross. Even if Pilot had stood his ground, ultimately Jesus would have received the same sentence. He had to die.

Jesus crucified and buried and resurrected: The details of Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection recorded in Matthew are agonizingly real. Little is left to the imagination.

Matthew very much wanted the Jewish community he was writing to and to know…to feel what on the surface appeared to be what they had done to the Messiah, but was in truth, what the Messiah had done for them (and us).

Jesus gives the great commission and returns to heaven: Matthew gives fewer details following Jesus’ resurrection than the other three gospels. His only detailed account of what happened after Jesus spoke with the women who had come to the tomb, was one that put the religious leaders to shame.

He revealed the fact that they tried to buy the silence of the soldiers guarding the tomb. They were willing to do anything to save face rather than accept the truth of Jesus’ holiness.

From the other gospels, however, we know that Jesus remained on earth for forty days following his resurrection. His last act on earth was to gather his disciples around him so that they could give them one last final set of instructions and so that they could witness his return to heaven.

That last ‘set of instructions’ is what is known as the Great Commission. It was not only given to them, however. It is to be the goal of everyone who accepts Jesus as Savior.

Key Verses In Matthew

Every book of the Bible provides us with words of wisdom, instruction, comfort, encouragement, admonishment, warning, promise, and hope. Let’s look at some of what the Book of Matthew has to offer.

“Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John consented.” Matthew 3:13-15

Matthew chapters 5-7, The Sermon on the Mount

“When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” They replied, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”

“Again, I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.

“Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.

Summary of the Gospel of Matthew Bible

Books 37 To 39 The Book Of Haggai, Zechariah, And Malachi

Who wrote Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi: Each of these books was written by the man it is named for.

Haggai was written around 520 B.C., Zechariah was written sometime around 500 to 480 B.C., and Malachi was written in the early 430s B.C.

Haggai

Haggai and Zechariah lived and prophesied at the same time. Haggai was most likely the older of the two men and from what we read in chapter two, he witnessed the destruction of The
Temple by the Babylonians.

This, combined with his deep faith and intimate relationship with God, was what drove Haggai to preach his message of determination and commitment to God and to the rebuilding of The Temple after King Darius allowed the rebuilding to continue after the job had been stopped due to opposition from neighboring kingdoms.

Haggai’s message is this: With disobedience comes punishment and with obedience comes great blessing.

summary of Haggai Zechariah and Malachi Bible

Zechariah

Zechariah was both a priest and a prophet. His preaching prophecies begin shortly after those of Haggai, but because he was so much younger, they continue long after Haggai is dead.

Zechariah’s main concerns were for the rebuilding of The Temple and the spiritual renewal of the Hebrew nation. They had been given a golden opportunity following their release from Babylonian captivity after Babylon fell to the Persian Empire.

While the Persian Empire was definitely the power- force in the world, they were not opposed to the Hebrew people (Israelites) worshipping God as they saw fit nor to them having a city (Jerusalem) or a building (The Temple) for worshipping their God. Because of this, Zechariah’s messages to the people are strong and forthright:

• Listen and learn from the prophets before him
• Turn back to God with a heart of repentance and obedience

He predicts his rejection by the religious leaders, his betrayal of thirty pieces of silver, his second coming, and the establishment of eternal peace and prosperity for those who are saved through him.

Every prophecy made by Zechariah (and the rest of the prophets) that has already taken place has done so with precise accuracy, so there is no reason to doubt the things that have not yet happened will happen in the very same way—with precise accuracy.

what Haggai, Zechariah and Malachi teach Christians

Malachi

Malachi was written after the rebuilding of The Temple. During that time many of the people had experienced a time of spiritual revival. The hands-on experience of rebuilding The Temple and restoring their city had been a tangible reminder of who God is and what they meant to him. But it didn’t last long.

After The Temple was rebuilt the people experienced hardships due to famine and drought that ruined their crops. Instead of turning to God for help, however, the people blamed God for their troubles and once again treated him with disrespect. They turned to foreign gods and idolatry.

Micah’s message is a message of warning against such actions. Micha reminds the people of God’s holiness and how his holiness is capable of extreme wrath AND extreme mercy—but that it was up to the people as to which one they experienced.

Micha also prophecies about the second coming of Christ. He proclaims it the day when everyone on earth will give an account for their actions and receive the pronouncement of their eternal destiny.

From Malachi To Jesus Christ

As previously stated, Malachi’s prophecies take place after the rebuilding of The Temple during the reign of King Darius the Great of Persia. It is at this point that God ceases to audibly speak. No more conversations in a garden.

No more burning bushes. No more parting of the waters. No more manna. No more coming to people in dreams and visions. No more “Thus sayeth the LORD”’s.

Instead, the Jews lived under the rule of the Persian Empire until 330 B.C., followed by the 160 + period known as the Hellenistic Period—the time in which the Greeks and their culture and philosophies ruled and forever changed the world.

Haggai Zechariah Malachi Bible study guide

During the years of the Grecian influence, the Jews were allowed to worship and observe their cultural practices without any interference or opposition. In fact, Alexander the Great even granted them exclusion from paying taxes during the Sabbath Years. It was also during this time that some of the Old Testament was translated into the Greek language.

But just like every other truly great empire, the Greek Empire imploded on itself. The switch in power led to a short period in history (just a few years) called the Hasmonean Period in which Jews were severely persecuted and copies of the scripture were destroyed.

Many theologians have questioned whether or not some of the original scriptures were destroyed in their entirety (no copies left) during this time.

While it is possible that letters, manuscripts, and other documents of a Biblical nature were permanently erased from existence during this period of time, it is important to remember that everything God wants us to know is contained in the Holy Scriptures.

The brief period of persecution ended with the revolt of Jews led by Judas the Maccabee and the entry into Jerusalem by Pompey, the Roman general.

Pompey’s march into Jerusalem and the surrounding areas officially began the period of time in which the Jews were under the leadership and rule of the Roman Empire (as was most of the rest of the known world at that point in time).

The Roman government was not particularly opposed to the Jews worshipping God or observing their laws (the Mosaic Law) in regard to holidays, festivals, etc., but the Emperor made it very clear that everyone’s first allegiance was to Rome.

The Roman government appointed procurators to rule over the provinces of their vast empire. And it was the procurator over the entire land of Palestine, Herod the Great, who was in control in the year 30 A.D.—the year Jesus was born and the year we once again began hearing from God.

Why the centuries of silence? Simply put…God’s timing is perfect.

Books 33 To 36 The Book of Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, and Zephaniah

Who wrote the books of Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, and Zephaniah: Each of the books was written by the man the book is named for.

When was it written: Micha was written prior to 685 B.C., Nahum was written in the last half of the 600th century B.C., Habakkuk was most likely written around 600 B.C., and Zephaniah was written around 630 B.C..

Micha

Little is known about Micah other than what we read in the book he authored. The fact that we know so little about Micah is just one more piece of evidence that popularity, power, and prestige are not necessary in order to do something great for God. All it takes is a genuine and sincere heart of faithful obedience.

The book Micah wrote reflects his simple life of genuine faith. Micah’s prophecies are a balance of hope and destruction. He stresses that God has no tolerance for idolatry, rebellion, and empty rituals. Instead, God demands his children to love and serve him with their entire being.

Micha’s prophecies take place during a time of prosperity and relative peace in Judah and near the end of the kingdom of Israel. The prosperity Judah was enjoying, however, was not very evenly distributed among the population.

The social injustices resulting from the disposition of Judah’s wealth were also a matter of great concern to Micah. He stresses that true wealth comes from a repentant heart and relationship with the LORD.

Nahum

Nahum isn’t one of the most ‘popular’ books of the Bible but it is most definitely a book that should be used to show unbelievers the powerful truth and validity of the Bible. And here’s why…

Nahum tells of the coming destruction of Nineveh (in 612 BC) due to their wickedness.

His writings speak of Nineveh’s enemies waiting for just the right time to take their city, about the waters around them bringing about their demise, and how they would cease to exist. And each of these things happened exactly as Nahum said they would.

The Babylonians along with the Medes and other smaller armies joined forces in taking the northern portion of the Assyrian Empire and reducing it to nothing. This was quickly followed by record floodwaters practically swallowing Nineveh (which was a coastal city) whole.

What was left of it and the Assyrian Empire was ravaged and burned by the Babylonians and their allies.

When it was all said and done nothing but a few piles of charred ruins remained of what had been (for a while) the most powerful government and army in the world.

Why? Because, Nahum tells us in chapter one, that God will not leave the guilty unpunished. He is the creator and master of the universe and ultimately his plan for his creation will prevail.

What Micah Nahum Habakkuk Zephaniah teach Christians

The destruction of Nineveh was merely a step in the direction of God’s plan to someday restore the house of Jacob and to bring each and every one of us to judgement for the pronouncement of our home for eternity.

One cannot read the three short chapters that make up the book of Nahum without gaining a greater respect for the power and truth of God’s existence and the truth of his Word.

Habakkuk

The book of Habakkuk is a book of prophecy, but it is a bit different from some of the other books of prophecy in the fact that Habakkuk not only tells us what God said to him, but also what he said to God. It is their conversation about the people of Israel.

Habakkuk’s prophecies took place at the same time Jeremiah and Nahum were prophesying. From his writings, we learn that Habakkuk was a man deeply committed to and concerned with the traditions and keeping of the Law of Moses.

He was also a man of great faith and compassion toward the oppressed. It was his compassion for those who were mistreated by those who were power-hungry and self-serving that led to the conversations between him and God that are the book of Habakkuk.

The book of Habakkuk is a beautiful book to read—full of promise, hope, and reminders that God isn’t offended by our questions. He does, however, expect us to trust him to know and do what is best in his time, and to follow him faithfully no matter what.

NOTE: Part of the book of Habakkuk is repeated in a Psalm.

Zephaniah

Zephaniah was a descendant of King Hezekiah and a man with clout and social standing in Judah. He was well-versed in political issues and the social issues of the day.

It is his knowledge of these things that gives the book of Zephaniah a heart, so to speak. He knows how far course the people have gotten from who and what God intended them to be, and his messages from God to the people are messages that:

• Warn the people of the terror of the destruction they are headed for
• Offer hope for God’s unfailing mercy for those who repent

The events of Zephaniah can be summed up by saying that there is a day of judgment coming; both on Judah for their disobedience, and on all mankind. Zephaniah does make it clear, however, that God will be merciful to those who seek to do God’s will in their lives.

Key Verses In Micha, Nahum, Habakkuk, And Zephaniah

Every book of the Bible provides us with words of wisdom, instruction, comfort, encouragement, admonishment, warning, promise, and hope. Let’s look at some of what these books have to offer.

“…Do not my words do good to him whose ways are upright?” Micah 2:7b

“The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.” Zephaniah 3:17

Book 32 The Book Of Jonah

Who wrote the Book of Jonah: Jonah

When was it written: Most likely between 825 and 800 B.C. during the time the Assyrians asserted themselves as a dominating world power, but before they had taken the Northern Kingdom of Israel.

Why was it written: It was written to give us an example of the extent of God’s mercy on those who repent—even those who are gentiles. Jonah, like most of us, needed to understand that God loves each and every person he creates and that he will not turn anyone away who wants to come to him.

Jonah’s Mission

Jonah was chosen by God to go to the city of Nineveh to preach a message of repentance. But Jonah didn’t want to go and from what we know from world history, his reasons were most likely a mix of fear and prejudices.

Instead of going, Jonah tried to run away and hide from God in the process.

Once in the water, a great fish swallowed Jonah. Jonah remained inside the fish for three days, during which time he asked God to forgive his disobedience and promised he would go wherever God wanted him to go and do whatever God wanted him to do.

The fish then spewed Jonah out onto the shore and Jonah did as he promised God he would do.

Nineveh

Before we continue with the message and teachings of Jonah, let’s take a little closer look at why Jonah was so opposed to going to Nineveh.

Nineveh was an Assyrian stronghold. It was also a HUGE city (even by today’s standards) and the people there were about as far from being godly as you could get.

The Assyrians and Israelites had been adversaries since the Exodus. They were known for their strength, ingenuity, and ruthless tactics. In Jonah’s mind, saving Nineveh was a waste of time.

Jonah’s Message

The message God wanted Jonah to take to the people of Nineveh was simply this: Repent or else. God gave the people of Nineveh forty days to repent. If they did not, he said he would destroy them and their city.

Jonah’s message was well-received. From the lowest citizen of Nineveh clear up to the king, Jonah tells us that the people repented. They repented (in the words of the king) in hopes that God would have mercy on them and allow them to live.

Their quick acceptance of Jonah’s message/warning indicates they were familiar with God’s hand against Israel’s adversaries— that it was quick, sure, and devastating. It also indicates a belief in God.

Granted, they weren’t convinced God was the one and only true God, but they recognized his existence and power.

The Rest Of The Story…

The final chapter of Jonah gives us even more insight into Jonah’s attitude and his relationship with God. We see that Jonah’s obedience was somewhat self-serving and that he was still dealing with some prejudices against the people of Nineveh. He was sorry they had repented. He would rather have seen them destroyed.

None Are Worthy All Are Loved

God was quick to remind Jonah that it wasn’t his place to decide who God should save and who he shouldn’t. But God’s sparing the people of Nineveh from the destruction he sent Jonah to warn them about was about a lot more than ‘just’ the people of Nineveh. Remember—Jonah was a prophet.

What the Book of Jonah teaches Christians

Recording The Events Of Jonah’s Life As A Prophet Is Meant To Remind Us That:

• None of us are worthy of God’s mercy but none are excluded from receiving it if they repent
• Obedience to God should always be our first priority
• Prejudices have no place in the hearts of God’s children

Sadly the people of Nineveh did not stand by their change of heart. Instead, they returned to their sinful lifestyle—a lifestyle God eventually punished them for.

Nineveh no longer exists today, but archeologists have found some remains of the once-opulent city in the present-day area of Mosul, Iraq.

Book 28-31 The Book of Hosea, Joel, Amos, And Obadiah

Who wrote these books: Each was written by the man whose name is the title of the book—Hosea, Joel, Amos, and Obadiah.

When Were They Written:

• Hosea was written at the end of the kingdom of Israel (720 to 730 B.C) Hosea’s prophecy comes at the end (disappearance) of the Northern Kingdom.
• Joel was written during the reign of King Joash, King of Judah—most likely around 830-840 B.C.
• Amos was written between 760 and 750 B.C. during the reigns of Judah’s King Uzziah and Israel’s King Jeroboam II.
• The date of Obadiah’s writing is uncertain. Experts believe it was either during the invasion of Jerusalem by the Philistines and Arabians in the 840-850 B.C. period of time or sometime during the siege of Jerusalem by Babylon.

Historical context of Hosea, Joel, Amos, and Obadiah in the Bible

Hosea

Hosea is a book of prophecy calling God’s people to repent. God doesn’t just give Hosea words to say, though. He makes Hosea’s life one big object lesson—and a most unusual one, at that.

God paired Hosea with a wife named Gomer. Gomer was a terrible wife. She was unfaithful and promiscuous. Yet when God told Hosea to take her back and to do so without resentment and anger, he did.

God likened Gomer’s treatment of her marriage to Israel’s relationship with God. They were unfaithful and promiscuous. They ‘prostituted’ themselves out to false gods and idols, yet God welcomed them back (during the reign of King David) and will welcome them back again when they humble themselves to him.

Hosea also warns us to worship God only, to get rid of all idols in our lives, and that the cost of not doing so is God’s wrath with no holds barred. Hosea doesn’t hold anything back. His messages from God are blunt.

But God, in his ever-loving way; also gives Hosea the tender words in Hosea 6:6 which say, “For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings.”

Bible study guide for Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah books

Joel

Why was it written: To warn the people that they were facing God’s judgment for their harsh disobedience but to assure them of God’s forgiveness if they repent of their sins and return to him.

Like Hosea, God uses something tangible to get his message across through Joel. But with Joel God uses locusts. Locust ‘invasions’ were not uncommon in the land; destroying crops and livestock. But only for a while.

A new season meant new growth. God wanted the people of Judah to know that he would destroy their position in the world because of their disobedience and sinful ways. But only for a while. Joel relates God’s message that:

“Then you will know that I, the LORD your God, dwell in Zion, my holy hill. Jerusalem will be holy; never again will foreigners invade her….But Egypt will be desolate, Edom a desert waste, because of violence done to the people of Judah, in whose land they shed innocent blood.

Bible study guide for Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah books

Amos

Amos, a shepherd from the tiny town or village of Tekoa, lived and prophesied during the same time Isaiah did. Both were from Judah and both men were completely devoted to the LORD.

But that is where the similarities end. While Isaiah lived among the royal court of the Judean kings and was well acquainted with the kings (especially King Hezekiah). Amos, on the other hand, was sent by God to the people of Israel (they had not yet been taken into Assyrian captivity).

Amos’s message was no different than the messages of the other prophets in these days:

• God is angry and brokenhearted
• God is calling on Israel and Judah to confess, repent, and turn back to him
• God’s patience is wearing thin and punishment is not far away

Amos’ prophecies are different, however, in the fact that they address the issue of social justice vs. injustice. He issues stern warnings to anyone whose feelings of superiority because of their wealth, leads them to exploit others, or who exploits others in order to become wealthier and more powerful.

Lessons from Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah for Christians

Obadiah

Obadiah’s prophecies take a different tone, Rather than focus on the shortcomings of Israel and Judah, Obadiah’s prophecies are against Edom—the descendants of Esau.

The Edomites were (and still are) in contention with anyone descended from Jacob because of Jacob’s deception against Esau which led to Esau losing his birthright. They proudly gloated over Israel and Judah’s demise and their role in luring them away from God.

Obadiah warned them, however, that when all is said and done they (the Edomites) will be completely destroyed, but Israel will be restored to their place of honor as God’s chosen ones.

The prophecies of Obadiah mirror what Joel said (even though they lived in different centuries). The prophecies of Obadiah have not all come to pass, yet. But they will. You can be sure of it because God is a man of his word.

Book 2 The Book Of Exodus

Who wrote the book of Exodus: Moses

When was it written: Between 1446 B.C. and 1406 B.C.

Why Was It Written:

• To give us the account of God calling Moses to lead Israel out of Egypt
• To give us the account of Israel’s years of slavery to Egypt
• To give us the history of Israel’s exodus from Egypt
• To give us the Ten Commandments
• To give us an account of how God instructed Israel to worship

Key Events In Exodus:

• Israelites become slaves to Egypt
• Birth of Moses
• Moses runs away
• God speaks to Moses
• The plagues
• The Passover
• The Exodus from Egypt
• The parting of the Red Sea
• God provides food and water for the Israelites
• God speaks to Moses on Mt. Sinai and gives him the Ten Commandments
• The building of the Tabernacle and establishment of the priesthood
• The construction of the Ark of the Covenant
• God leads Israel by a cloud

Israelites Become Slaves In Egypt

The book of Exodus opens with a recap from Genesis; giving us a brief census of Joseph’s family (the Israelites) who came to Egypt to live once they knew he was still alive.

Only eight verses later we learn that a new king comes to power after Joseph has died who knows nothing about what Joseph did to save Egypt and other countries from the famine and drought.

The king’s lack of knowledge combined with the fact that the vast number of Israelites now living there made him uncomfortable. He worried to the point of being paranoid that Israel would rise up against the Egyptians and take over their country. In order to ensure this did not happen, he forced them into slavery.

The fact that the new king was unaware of Joseph’s contributions to the world, let alone Egypt, is troubling, but also somewhat ironic. It is troubling in the fact that in such a relatively short amount of time (three or four generations) something so important would not have been recorded or passed down.

This is especially surprising with the Egyptians because they were so advanced in recording their history.

Ignorance of Joseph’s contributions is ironic in the fact that the Israelites didn’t learn anything from Egypt’s mistake of not passing down important history to later generations. The Israelites did the very same thing—as you will see later on in the Old Testament—with similarly devastating results.

The Israelites remained enslaved by Egypt for 400 years, which is exactly what God told Abraham would happen.

Birth Of Moses

Approximately 350 years after the Egyptians started using the Israelites as slaves, God started preparing for their time of deliverance by way of a baby boy born to Amram and his wife, Jochebed. The baby’s name was Moses.

But because Pharaoh was so fearful of the potential of the power in the number of Israelites, he ordered all baby boys born to the Israelite women to be murdered.

Because the baby (who is not called by any name to this point) was so fair (and I’m sure love also played a significant role), they hid the child for three months—until it became impossible to keep him quiet and contained.

At that point, Jochebed prepared a baby-safe ‘boat’ and sent her young daughter to put the baby in the river at just the right time and place that the Pharaoh’s daughter would be at the river bathing.

The princess found the baby and took him into her life and her home; giving him the name Moses and raising him as her own. It didn’t matter to her that he was an Israelite (Hebrew) baby. She was a woman with motherly instincts and that surpassed any racial barriers that could have been an issue.

Moses Runs Away

Moses was raised as an Egyptian but knew this was not his biological heritage. His love for his people led him to commit manslaughter against an Egyptian soldier. As a result of his unintentional crime, he ran away to the land of Midian where he worked as a shepherd, fell in love, got married, and had a son.

While Moses was able to run away from the judicial system of Egypt, he was not able to run away from God. God knew where Moses was the entire time. In fact, it would be fair to say that God orchestrated the events in Moses’ life as a way to prepare him for the grueling task of leading a huge group of people through the desert.

God Speaks To Moses And The Plagues

Chapters three through eleven of the book of Exodus provide us with the account of God’s initial meeting with Moses by way of a burning bush all the way through the night of the tenth plague God brings down upon Egypt as punishment for Pharaoh’s refusal to let the Israelite’s leave.

Moses’ initial attitude toward God was not what you might expect from someone who had just heard God’s voice speaking directly to him. And in spite of the fact that God tells us in the book of Numbers that Moses is the most humble man who has ever lived, Moses tells God “No”…more than once.

After God convinces Moses that he is the man for the job—that rescuing Israel from the bondage of slavery is his purpose in life—Moses returns to the land of his birth to do whatever God tells him to do.

The Pharaoh proudly refuses to meet God’s demands. His pride results in misery and suffering for his entire kingdom. Bloody water, infestations of gnats, flies, locusts, and frogs, crops and livestock being destroyed…nothing gets to this evil man. It isn’t until God goes straight to Pharaoh’s heart that the Israelites are allowed to leave.

The tenth plague, which killed the firstborn in every Egyptian household, was enough to put Pharaoh over the edge. Not only did he tell Moses to take the Israelites and get out of his land, he told them to take whatever they wanted with them. He just wanted them out!

The parallels and ironies between Moses and the Israelites’ rescue from slavery and Jesus bringing salvation to all who ask for it are interesting and worth looking at:

Like Moses, Jesus’ life was in danger when he was a baby, so God told Joseph to take Jesus and Mary to Egypt until they could return to their home in safety.

Moses was raised by non-biological parents. Jesus was raised by a man who was not his biological father.

Jesus spent his entire ministry wandering around with no place to call home. The purpose of his travels was to take the message of the Gospel to as many as possible; saving them from their sin and giving them the hope of heaven. Moses spent 40 years wandering around the desert leading the Israelites to the Promised Land God had been preparing for them.

The Passover

Two weeks before God sent the death angel to Egypt to kill the firstborn in every household, God gave Moses a very specific set of instructions for a celebratory meal the Israelites were to eat on the evening before they left Egypt. The meal is called the Passover Meal and is still celebrated to this day by those of the Jewish faith.

In addition to the specifics of the meal—what it was to consist of, how it was to be prepared, and how it was to be eaten—God told Moses that the day he gave him these instructions was to be the first day of the first month of the Israelite’s year.

The Passover was to be their new beginning. A fresh start to a new life in a new home. Starting over.

Each dish of the Passover meal is symbolic of something having to do with the exodus from Egypt and the relationship between God and Israel.

From the unleavened bread that symbolizes a pure and untainted relationship with God and the need for expediency to the blood ‘painted’ on the doorposts as a sign to the death angel to spare the lives of those inside.

The Exodus From Egypt

To the very day of what? To the very day, Jacob and his family arrived in Egypt to live. The reason this is so telling is that Moses, the writer of Exodus, would have had no way of knowing this. Not one living soul on earth would have known that.

Only God could have known this not-so-trivial piece of information, which is just one more piece of evidence of the authorship of the Bible.

Full of hope, questions, and fear mingled with excitement, and full of faith in Moses and the God they thought had forgotten about them.

The Parting Of The Red Sea

Everything God does has purpose and everything God does is part of a plan for his creation. And that includes the route the Israelites took when they left Egypt. God directed Moses to take the Israelites on a less direct route as they headed for the Promised Land of Canaan. This route took them on the desert road straight to the Red Sea.

God’s reasoning was this: The Israelites had spent four hundred living as slaves. They were not aggressive people and were not trained to fight or defend themselves. They were used to a life of submission without question.

Had they taken the most direct route they would have encountered the Philistines within a matter of a few days. The Philistines, as we know, were a combative and aggressive people. The Philistines wouldn’t have hesitated to attack the Israelites. And what would the Israelites have done? They would have dissolved like snow in the hot, summer sun.

The Israelites lacked fortitude and faith. This was to be expected, given their situation for so long, but God’s plan was to use their journey and the experiences he had planned for them to grow their faith and develop their character, stamina, and strength (fortitude).

The Philistines, as it turns out, weren’t the only ones the Israelites needed to be worried about. Pharaoh’s grief was short-lived in comparison to his desire to keep the Israelites under his control. So within a matter of a day or two, Pharaoh regretted his decision to let them go and sent his army to bring them back.

When the Israelites realized they were being pursued and that the only way they could retain their freedom was to be on the other side of the Red Sea, they panicked, which was exactly what God knew they would have done had they been confronted by the Philistines.

“We were better off as slaves!” they cried. “We are all going to die!” they cried. “This is all your fault, Moses!” they cried.

Moses the humble and faithful wasn’t discouraged, though. He knew and kept at the forefront of his mind what the Israelites wouldn’t—that God hadn’t taken them out of Israel to desert them and leave them at the mercy of whoever or whatever. He also didn’t allow the Israelites to wallow in self-pity and faithlessness.

Moses quieted their fearful and angry outbursts and promised that God would continue to deliver them from the hands of Pharaoh.

Using Moses by having him lift his staff out over the water, God parted the Red Sea so that the Israelites could walk across (without even getting their feet wet). All 600,000 men plus women, children, and non-Israelite people with them passed through just as Pharaoh’s army was closing in.

The army was in the sea and God closed the waters back over them; drowning the entire army and their horses. When t the Israelites saw what God had done for them through Moses, they put their faith and trust in God and Moses…for a while, anyway.

God Leads Israel By A Cloud

To reassure Israel that he was with them night and day, no matter what, God led his people on their journey by causing a pillar-like cloud to move in front of them by day and a pillar of fire to move in front of them at night. When the cloud or pillar stopped, the people stopped. When it moved, they moved.

God Provides Food And Water For The Israelites

When the Israelites left Egypt they took provisions in the way of food, water, gold, and other things to use for trade, but the food and water they took was not enough to last the entire journey. When their food and water supply was diminished, the Israelites once again started whining and complaining. And once again God came to their rescue.

God didn’t just meet their needs, though. He met their needs miraculously. God supplied water from a rock and food called manna from heaven. Even the providing of life’s basic needs was an exercise in faith, however.

Water wasn’t always in abundance or even naturally accessible. On more
than one occasion God supplied water to the Israelites by causing it to miraculously pour out of a rock.

Manna was a nutritionally complete wafer God provided each and every day. God was adamant, however, that the Israelites gathered only enough for one day and one day only. In doing so the people’s faith would grow when they discovered that God would not disappoint them or leave them unfed.

Unfortunately, the memory of the Red Sea didn’t last long. Some of the people couldn’t bring themselves to trust God’s promise for daily food. Instead, they tried storing away some manna for the following day.

When the new day came, however, they found the manna was spoiled and full of maggots— except on the day before the Sabbath. On the day prior to the Sabbath, they gathered enough for the following day of rest and it was always fresh and tasty on that day.

God’s promises were good then and they are still good today.

God Speaks To Moses On Mt. Sinai And Gives Him The Ten Commandments

The Ten Commandments are the basis of God’s commands and expectations for us even still today. It is also the basis for our societal law.

In giving Moses the Ten Commandments God was initiating his covenant with Israel. Instead of just promising to provide and protect them, God made it crystal clear that he expected something in return.

Moses’ relationship with God was special and unique. Moses spoke to God face to face and was spoken to by God. There are several references in the book of Exodus that tell us of these conversations. In addition to God speaking to Moses via the burning bush, we find multiple references in chapters thirty- two, thirty-three, and thirty-four, as well as others.

One of the most interesting and intriguing conversations that took place between God and Moses was the conversation that took place just after God gave Moses the first stone tablet containing the Ten Commandments. Here is what happened…

Moses had been on the mountain talking to God; receiving vital instructions from God pertaining to worship, daily living, and living obediently to the God who had rescued them and who was their source of provision and protection.

But as we will see throughout the entire Old Testament, the Israelites weren’t very good at waiting for God or trusting his timing or his divine holiness and power.

In spite of the fact that they had already witnessed and benefitted from God’s miraculous works (multiple times over), they grew impatient at Moses’ absence for several days. They were ‘certain’

God had forgotten them and they were determined to make a god to take his place—an idol made from melting down the gold jewelry they had brought with them out of Egypt. Even more shocking is the fact that Aaron helped them.

God in his ability to see and know all things saw the people worshipping the golden calf they had formed. And to put it bluntly, God lost it. His anger was so intense that he wanted to destroy every single one of them.

God told Moses that his (God’s) anger against Israel was so great that he was going to destroy them. Their lack of trust and gratitude was too great for him to put up with any longer. Moses listened to what God had to say, but then Moses did something incredible. He reasoned with God and soothed God’s anger…

But Moses sought the favor of the LORD his God. “O LORD,” he said, “why should your anger burn against your people whom you brought out of Egypt with great power and a mighty hand?

Why should the Egyptians say, ‘It was with evil intent that he brought them out, to kill them in the mountains and to wipe them off the face of the earth?’ Turn from your fierce anger; relent and do not bring disaster on y our people.

Remember your servants, Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, to whom you swore by your own self I will make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and I will give your descendants all this land I promised them, and it will be their inheritance forever.”

After this conversation, Moses left to return to the people. But when he saw them dancing around the idol and committing all sorts of sinful acts, Moses’ anger was more than he could handle. And that is when he hurled the Ten Commandments to the ground; shattering them into countless pieces.

God didn’t hold Moses’ anger against him. Nor do we have any reason to believe God was angry or displeased with Moses for breaking the stone tablet.

But the laws God had written—the Ten Commandments—were (and still are) the foundation of all the other laws God gave the people of Israel, so he called Moses back up on the mountain to meet with him again in chapter thirty- four, where he once again inscribed the laws on a stone tablet Moses chiseled out for him.

The Building Of The Tabernacle And Establishment Of The Law And The Priesthood

The Ten Commandments weren’t the only thing God and Moses talked about. In addition to the Ten Commandments God gave Moses detailed and specific instructions for living. We know these instructions as the Mosaic Law or The Law of Moses.

The Law God gave Israel was highly detailed. Nothing was left to question. And God expected complete obedience and adherence to his laws. Nothing less than complete obedience was acceptable.

In looking at the Law today, we do so with raised eyebrows and scowls. The things God commanded his people to do seem gross, and even senseless. But they are not. Nothing God does or says is senseless or strange. Messy, yes, but never senseless or strange.

As we delve deeper into the Old Testament books of Leviticus and Deuteronomy, we will be given more details on the Law of Moses, but in regards to what we read in the later chapters of Exodus concerning the construction of the Tabernacle and the establishment of the priesthood, we need to remember the following:

God’s instructions for worship were meant to teach the people to see God as holy and above all things

God’s blessing of Bezalel and Oholiab in chapter thirty-five was evidence that God blesses each of us with specific talents and gifts we are to use to bring him honor and glory

God expects us to be set apart—he expects our worship to be intentional and deliberate rather than happenstance and casual

The Tabernacle was the first time God had designated a specific place for worship and sacrifice. It was the first ‘church building’ and it serves as our introduction to the truth that God demands a special place in our life and that he demands and desires that we set apart time in our life for only him—to worship and to acknowledge our need for him as our Savior.

Assigning Priests

God’s reasoning for selecting Aaron’s family for the establishment of the priesthood was not because Aaron’s family was superior or more blessed. God established the priesthood with Aaron and his sons because of Aaron’s commitment to God and because he was the closest ‘thing’ to Moses.

God needed Moses to do so many other things that he knew it would be impossible for Moses to live under the guidelines he was about to establish for the priesthood. But Aaron… Aaron could.

Aaron wasn’t perfect, though. Remember how easily he caved when the people wanted the golden calf? But Aaron was sincere. He had a genuine heart for the LORD.

He was also highly respected and trusted by his fellow Israelites. Aaron had been with them his whole life—unlike Moses. Aaron was one of them, so serving in the role of spiritual leader was one he was well-suited for.

Once again we see God’s attention to detail in the construction of the priestly garments. And once again God’s detailed instructions are not without sound reasoning—the primary one being to set Aaron and his sons apart.

They were men of authority but with the authority came a tremendous amount of responsibility. They were held to a much higher standard than the rest of Israel. They were answerable to God in ways the others were not.

The Construction Of The Ark Of The Covenant

The Ark of the Covenant is a wooden chest or box made according to God’s specific and detailed instructions by Bazalel—the man God blessed with exquisite skills in crafting things from wood, gold, silver, bronze, and stone.

The purpose of the Ark of the Covenant was to hold objects representing the covenant (promise) God had made to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob (Israel), and to the people themselves—the promise to bless them abundantly in having the distinction of being God’s chosen people and to give them the Promised Land for their own.

The Ark was a highly sacred object—so much so that later on in the Old Testament we read about the time God struck someone dead for merely touching it in order to keep it from falling.

Once the Ark of the Covenant was built, God instructed that the tablet on which he had written the Ten Commandments, along with some manna be placed inside. Aaron’s staff—the one that budded—was also placed inside.

Throughout Israel’s history, the Ark of the Covenant was kept in the Tabernacle, taken into battle to signify God’s presence and protection, and was housed in places designated by God—including the temple constructed by Solomon.

At one point in history, the Philistines captured the Ark of the Covenant and took it into their possession, but they soon realized God was punishing them severely for this act, so they returned it to the Israelites.

When the Babylonians took Israel captive and destroyed the temple in 587BC the Ark of the Covenant disappeared and its fate is still not known even to this day. It is safe to say, however, that the Ark of the Covenant, like the twelve tribes of Israel living as God’s chosen people, no longer exists.

Israel refused to participate in God’s covenant so there was no longer a need for the symbolic covenant which was the Ark of the Covenant.

The Glory Of The LORD

The book of Exodus ends with the completion of the work of building the Tabernacle and its surroundings as directed by God. Once this was done God caused a cloud to set over the top of the Tabernacle.

God then instructed the people that when the cloud was lifted from over the Tabernacle they were to pack up everything according to the instructions he had given them and set out on the next leg of their journey. When the cloud stopped moving, they would know they had arrived at their next destination.

Key Verses In Exodus

Every book of the Bible provides us with words of wisdom, instruction, comfort, encouragement, admonishment, warning, promise, and hope. Let’s look at some of what the Book of Exodus has to offer.

“But Moses said, “O LORD, please send someone else to do it. Then the LORD’s anger burned against Moses and he said, “What about your brother Aaron the Levite? I know he can speak well.

“Obey these instructions as a lasting ordinance for you and your descendants. When you enter the land that the LORD will give you as he promised, observe this ceremony.

And when your children ask you, ‘What does this ceremony mean to you?” then tell them, ‘It is the Passover sacrifice to the LORD, who passed over the houses of the Israelites in Egypt and spared our homes when struck down the Egyptians” Then the people bowed down and worshipped.

The Ten Commandments: Exodus 20:1-17

“Worship the LORD your God, and his blessing will be on your food and water. I will take away sickness from among you, and none will miscarry or be barren in your land. I will give you a full lifespan. I will send my terror ahead of you and throw into confusion every nation you encounter. I will make all your enemies turn their backs and run.” Exodus 23:25-27

“So God was kind to the midwives and the people increased and became even more numerous. And because the midwives feared God, he gave them families of their own.” Exodus 1:20-21

“God heard their groaning and he remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob. So God looked on the Israelites and was concerned about them.” Exodus 2:24-25 “The LORD said, “I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt.

I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering. So I have come down to rescue them from the hand.

“He said, “If you listen carefully to the voice of the LORD your God and do what is right in his eyes if you pay attention to his commands and keep all his decrees

“Pharaoh and all his officials and all the Egyptians got up during the night, and there was loud wailing in Egypt, for there was not a house without someone dead.” Exodus 12:30

“and they believed. And when they heard that the LORD was concerned about them and had seen their misery, they bowed down and worshiped.” Exodus 4:31

“And when the Israelites saw the great power the LORD displayed against the Egyptians, the people feared the LORD and put their trust in him and in Moses and his servant.” Exodus 14:31

Book 1 The Book Of Genesis

Who wrote the book of Genesis: Moses

When was it written: Between 1446 and 1406 B.C.

Why Was It Written:

• To give us the history of how the universe was created
• To tell us how sin came into existence
• To give us the account of the flood and why God chose to ‘start over’
• To give us the history of the beginning of the Israelite (Jewish) nation— God’s chosen people

Key Events In Genesis:

• The creation of the universe
• The creation of man (Adam and Eve)
• Eve tempted by Satan
• Adam and Eve sin and are removed from the Garden of Eden
• The first murder
• God’s broken-heartedness over the sinfulness of mankind
• The building of the ark by Noah and the flood
• God scatters the people over the earth
• God calls Abraham to be the father of the Israelite nation
• The account of Isaac
• Isaac’s sons, Jacob and Esau
• Jacob becomes the father of the 12 tribes of Israel
• The account of Joseph and why the tribes of Israel ended up in Egypt

The Creation Of The Universe

In the first chapter of Genesis, we are given a day-by-day account of how God created the universe. From speaking light into existence on day one to the creation of all the wild animals, livestock, and creatures that move along the ground on day six, God created it all.

It is interesting to note the distinctions God makes between the different kinds of animals he creates—wild, livestock, and creatures that move along the ground. These distinctions are made in this text and again when God instructs Noah as to what he is to take onto the ark with him.

The fact that God takes the time to categorize the animals like this should tell us that he has specific intentions and purposes for them—specific intentions and purposes he wants us to be aware and respectful of.

The fact that he differentiated between wild animals and livestock is interesting—especially because at this point in time humans were vegetarians. That’s right

God knew he would change our diet to include meat, so why wait? Was it to give the animal population time to expand and grow? Who knows… except God, of course.

In much the same way as he puts humans on a higher level of importance than animals, God feels some animals are more acceptable or important to others. Cattle and sheep, for example, are acceptable sacrifices later on when he establishes the Law of Moses whereas pigs are always considered unclean and animals like bears and fish were never considered ‘sacrifice worthy’.

As you look at the events of creation; knowing what we now know about things like the water cycle, the food chain, the lunar cycle, etc., how can anyone doubt the all-knowing, holy nature of God and his perfect, infallible ability to create everything to be just as it should be!

The Creation Of Man (Adam And Eve)

Day six was a big day for God. He not only created all the animals, but he created Adam and then Eve, too.

Eve Tempted By Satan And Adam And Eve Sin And Are Removed From The Garden Of Eden

Genesis brings all the wonder and beauty of God’s perfect world to a screeching halt when the serpent, which God had created, was invaded by Satan. Satan then tempts Eve to disobey God and sin enters the world forever.

For believers and unbelievers alike, the presence of Satan brings up the following questions:

Where did Satan come from in the first place?

To understand the answers to these questions it is important that you remember that God didn’t give us the full and complete story in Genesis. He gave us the abridged chronological account; filling in more details as he saw fit throughout the rest of the Bible.

God, Jesus, and the angels existed in the heavens prior to the creation of the earth. Satan was one of those angels. His name is given to us as Lucifer. Lucifer, however, decided he wanted to be God’s equal—or greater.

So to sum all of this up, Satan was an angel with authority who decided to over-exert his authority by trying to make himself equal to or greater than God. He failed and was cast out of heaven; being sent to earth to exert his power here.

Why did God put the tree in the garden if he didn’t want Adam and Eve to bother it?

When God created Adam he took him to the garden and told him he could have anything he wanted that was there except the fruit from the tree in the middle of the garden.

He told Adam that if he ate from the tree he would surely die. It is doubtful that God meant Adam would die immediately, but rather that it would make the human body temporary—less in the image of God and Jesus.

But as for why he put it there in the first place, the answer is relatively simple: God needed and wanted Adam to choose to honor God through his obedience. He wanted to know that Adam could be counted on to make responsible decisions about the earth he (God) had just put Adam in charge of. Unfortunately, Adam didn’t ace the test.

Eve wasn’t there at the time. God didn’t create Eve until after he had instructed Adam not to bother the tree. So does this mean Eve is less at fault? No, she knew. In fact, she went one further and told Satan they couldn’t even touch the tree. But again, it’s all about making responsible choices—choosing God over anything else.

If God didn’t want sin, then why did he let Satan into the garden?

Great question, right? If God didn’t want Satan in heaven and if he wanted man to praise him, then why allow the option for sin? The answer to this question (or questions) isn’t all that complex, but it does require you to look at the Bible as a whole rather than picking it apart piece by piece, account by account. Are you ready?

God knew Adam and Eve would sin. His all-knowing nature didn’t allow him not to. But he had to let them choose. He had to let them choose so that Satan would know just how limited his powers were.

While Adam and Eve’s sin definitely caused a chasm between man and God, it did not keep them from God. God’s willingness and ability to bring healing, forgiveness, and restoration makes Satan the loser. And that is what Jesus’ death and the final judgment are all about—defeating Satan.

So you see, God allows Satan to exert his powers here on earth so that

Our love, faith, and obedience to God is sincere rather than orchestrated by him and

Satan will never accomplish what he hopes to accomplish—to be greater than God.

The First Murder

Adam and Eve obey God’s command to reproduce several times over. Their oldest two sons, Cain and Abel are grown men making their own living in chapter four of Genesis when the trouble breaks out.

Cain is jealous of Abel’s sacrifice to God. He is jealous because God is more pleased with Abel’s gift. Jealousy leads to resentment. Resentment leads to anger and hatred. Hatred then leads to murder.

Sin, when left unattended, quickly gets out of control.

God’s Broken-Heartedness Over The Sinfulness Of Mankind, The Building Of The Ark By Noah, And The Flood

Adam and Eve had several other children in addition to Cain and Abel. One of those children was a son named Seth. From Seth’s lineage was born Methuselah, the oldest man to ever live. And nine generations later Noah was born to Methuselah’s son, Lamech.

We often make the mistake of thinking that these people lived one after the other. We don’t really take into consideration that like most of us, Seth’s children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren knew their grandparents.

But they did. In fact, when you do the math, you will discover that Methuselah died shortly after Noah became the father of Shem, Ham, and Japheth at the age of 500.

This Means:

• Noah knew his father and grandfather well
• Neither Lamech nor Methuselah had been dead very long before the flood, which began when Noah was 600 years old

Apparently, however, Lamech and his wife didn’t do such a great job with all their kids because only Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD. Only Noah was worth saving. But God needed a way to repopulate the earth, so along with Noah and Mrs. Noah, God saved their three sons (the only children they had before or after the flood)—Shem, Ham, and Japheth.

The account of the flood is preceded by telling us that God’s heart was broken —filled with great pain over the depravity of the very ones he had created. They had allowed sin to rule their lives. And so simply put, he starts over.

It is important to note, however, that starting over didn’t erase sin. Noah and his family weren’t perfect or sinless. But he was faithful and obedient—just like God calls us all to be.

Following the flood God instructs Noah’s sons and their wives to repopulate the earth. This is something that took place over time. God didn’t whoosh more people into existence to help things along, as some believe.

These were the three sons of Noah, and from them came the people who were scattered over the earth.” (NIV)

The Lineage Of Noah’s Sons

Chapter ten of the book of Genesis gives us a listing or table of nations. In reading through the list you can see the names of the people groups who later stand in opposition to Israel and those from whom the nation of Israel comes.

For example, the sinful people of Nineveh, who Jonah was sent to minister to, come from Ham’s son, Cush. The Babylonians are also descended from him, as are the Canaanites and those who perished in Sodom and Gomorrah.

On the other hand, Shem’s son, Arphaxad had a son who had a son who had a son…. Nine generations after Arphaxad was born, Abram, who later was renamed Abraham, was born to Terah.

God Scatters The People Over The Earth

Just like Satan had aspirations of being God’s equal, the people on earth decided they might possibly do the same.

Did they zap them here and there? Possibly, but it is more reasonable to assume that each group of people that spoke and understood each language naturally congregated together and went off to form their own society. It is equally reasonable to assume that they were blessed with God’s divine guidance, protection, and provision to get where they were going.

God Calls Abraham To Be The Father Of The Israelite Nation And The Account Of Isaac

Prior to God calling Abram to be the beginning—the father—of the Israelite nation, we have no insight into whether or not Abram had a relationship with God. We assume he did because of his willingness to blindly obey—to leave his aging father, the only home he’d ever known, and everything else that was familiar to him. But we don’t know for sure.

The story of Abram/Abraham’s travels and the events leading up to the birth of Isaac, the son God promised Abraham and his wife Sarah in their very old age, is filled with unusual incidents and experiences.

Among these experiences is the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah because of their horrendous behavior. Rape, homosexuality, greed, lust, and disrespect for life in general… are among the things God finds despicable and issued a death sentence for.

One of the two most relevant experiences to us today, though, is the birth of Ishmael, who is Abraham’s son born to him by his wife’s maid, Hagar.

Here is the story in a nutshell…

Sarah’s lack of faith that God could give her a child in her old age led her to convince Abraham to sleep with her maid, Hagar, in hopes of giving him a son. And Abraham said yes—definitely a moment of weakness in his faith.

Hagar got pregnant and gave birth to a baby boy she named Ishmael. Abraham naturally loved the child because it was his, but Sarah was miserable. Even before the baby was born Hagar started goading Sarah over the fact that she was able to give Abraham something Sarah couldn’t.

Time passed and when God was ready, he did indeed allow Sarah to conceive and give Abraham the son they always wanted even though she was nearly 100 years old!

When Isaac was weaned, they had a celebration feast. Hagar and Ishmael were there, but it was during the feast that Sarah decided enough was enough. The two had to go. God assured Abraham it was okay to send them away. Ishmael and his descendants are the people we know as Egyptians and Assyrians, Iraqis, Iranians, and other Middle East nationalities.

The other highly relevant event in Abraham’s life is an expression of extreme faith on Abraham’s part that cemented his place as the father of all Israel. Again, in a nutshell…

God told Abraham to take his young son, Isaac, up on a mountain and sacrifice him. So off he and Isaac went.

You would think Abraham’s heart had to be pounding out of his chest with dread and grief because of what God had told him to do, but it wasn’t—or at least it doesn’t appear to be. When Isaac asks where the sacrifice is, Abraham tells the boy not to worry—that God will provide it for them in due time.

When they arrive at their destination and get everything ready, there is still no lamb, so Abraham binds Isaac to the altar and is just about ready to kill him when God speaks to Abraham.

He tells Abraham not to harm Isaac—that he (God) now knows there is nothing Abraham wouldn’t do for him. And then God miraculously provides father and son with the lamb Abraham knew in his heart would be there.

Wow! That’s faith like none other! It is also the ultimate example of how God withheld nothing from us—not even his only son, Jesus.

In today’s society, we would be confident that Isaac would be in need of some serious counseling or therapy, but all evidence points to the contrary. Later on in scripture, we see that Isaac had nothing but love and respect for his father.

Isaac’s Sons, Jacob, And Esau

Ever the obedient son, Isaac goes back to the place of his parents’ upbringing so he can marry someone from their own people. He marries Rebekah—his cousin. Their marriage is filled with lies and deceptions of the worst kind.

Rebekah has an extreme case of ‘playing favorites’ between her twin sons, Jacob and Esau—to the point of convincing Jacob to carry out a plot to deceive Isaac who is old and sick, into giving him the birthright that rightfully belongs to Esau.

God had told Rebekah prior to giving birth that Jacob would indeed be the one in charge, but Rebekah wasn’t willing to trust God to keep his word. She took matters into her own hands. Her actions are something we are still paying for today.

Because of Rebekah’s mishandling of the situation, Esau became a rebellious malcontent. He married the daughters of Ishmael, therefore contributing to the issue of contention between Christians and the Islamic people groups of the Middle East.

Jacob Becomes The Father Of The 12 Tribes Of Israel

Rebekah took matters into her own hands and tried to do God’s work for him, but God is bigger than all the deceit and manipulation in the world. God knew before Jacob and Esau were even conceived that it was Jacob he wanted as the father of the 12 tribes of Israel.

So no matter who or what tried to rearrange or reinvent God’s plan, God’s ultimate plan won out. It always does. It always will.

Jacob also returns to his roots—his mother’s family—to find a bride. He falls madly in love with Rachel, but because deception runs in the family, Jacob’s uncle Laban tricks Jacob into marrying Rachel’s older and matronly sister, Leah.

Multiple wives are not forbidden in God’s eyes at this time (why, we will never understand), so a week after marrying Leah, Jacob gets to marry Rachel. In a desperate attempt to try to win Jacob’s love, Leah is bent on giving Jacob as many sons as possible.

She even gives Jacob her maid as another source of baby-making. Rachel, who has Jacob’s complete love and devotion, on the other hand, is barren. But her love for her husband drives her to give her maid to Jacob, too.

In the end, the twelve tribes of Israel come from Leah, her maid, Rachel’s maid, and even Rachel. God blessed Jacob and Rachel’s love by blessing them with two sons—Joseph and Benjamin. Sadly, however, she died giving birth to Benjamin, the last of Jacob’s twelve sons.

You would think that after seeing what favoritism does to a family, Jacob would have done anything and everything in his power to make sure that didn’t happen to his family. But no—Joseph and Benjamin are clearly Jacob’s favorite sons…especially Joseph.

The Account Of Joseph And Why The Tribes Of Israel End Up In Egypt

The last thirteen chapters of Genesis provide for us with one of the most beautiful and amazing life stories in the Bible. It is the story of Joseph.

The account of Joseph’s life allows us to see Joseph grow from an overly- confident teenager to a slave in a strange and distant land, to a young man in authority, to a wrongly convicted prisoner, to the ruler of all of Egypt. He was, in all reality, one of the most important and influential people in the world.

His sphere of influence allowed him to save his father, brothers, and their families from starvation because of a major drought and famine in that area of the world. Through a series of events that is both intriguing and heart-wrenching, Joseph is reunited with his father and brothers.

The reunion between Joseph and his brothers was the second-most emotional event recorded in the Bible—the first being the death of Jesus on our behalf. More than the emotion it evokes, however, is the messages God sends to us through the life of Joseph.

The Messages Are This:

As long as there is breath in our lungs there is hope for forgiveness and restoration between us and God.

God’s methods and means of accomplishing his plan won’t always make sense to us, but if we have faith, we will always realize the blessings that come from trusting him.

God will make something beautiful out of the worst situation if we let him.

Joseph’s arrival in Egypt wasn’t an accident or even just the result of his older brothers’ hateful actions. Joseph’s arrival in Egypt was God’s plan for him— as was Joseph’s rise to power. For without Joseph’s rise to power, the rest of the family, which was the nation of Israel to that point, would never have settled there.

And settling there was God’s plan for them long before it even happened.

God told Abraham that before that took place they would be enslaved and mistreated for 400 years, but that when their period of enslavement ended, they would become a people of wealth and would return to the Promised Land—the land in which Abraham was living. And that is exactly what happened.

The reasons God chose to enslave the Israelites are not really revealed. Humility? So they would truly understand the difference between wealth and poverty? So they would be more aware of God’s miraculous provision? Why doesn’t really matter, though? Not when living by faith.

Key Verses In Genesis

Every book of the Bible provides us with words of wisdom, instruction, comfort, encouragement, admonishment, warning, promise, and hope. Let’s look at some of what the Book of Genesis has to offer.

“Then the LORD said, “My Spirit will not contend with man forever, for he is mortal; his days will be a hundred and twenty years.” –Genesis 6:3

“The LORD God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.” -Genesis 2:18

“So the LORD God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man’s ribs and closed up the place with flesh. Then the LORD God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man.” –Genesis 2:21-22

“For this reason, a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.” –Genesis 2:24

“Then Joseph said to his brothers, “Come close to me.” When they had done so, he said, “I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt! And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with ourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you.” -Genesis 45:4-5

“Then he threw his arms around his brother Benjamin and wept, and Benjamin embraced him weeping. And he kissed all his brothers and wept over them. Afterward, his brothers talked with him.” -Genesis 45:14-15

“The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. And the LORD God commanded the man, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden, but you must not eat from the three of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die.” -Genesis 2:15-17

“To Adam, he said, “Because you listened to your wife and ate from the tree about which I commanded you, ‘You must not eat of it/ Cursed is the ground because of you; through painful toil, you will eat of it all the days of your life.” -Genesis 3:17

But I will establish my covenant with you, and you will enter the ark—you and your sons and your wife and your sons’ wives with you.” -Genesis 6:18

“But God remembered Noah and all the wild animals and the livestock that were with him in the ark, and he sent a wind over the earth, and the waters receded.” -Genesis 8:1

“The LORD smelled the pleasing aroma and said in his heart: “Never again will I curse the ground because of man, even though every inclination of his heart is evil from childhood. And never again will I destroy all living creatures, as I have done. As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease.” –Genesis 8:21-22

“I establish my covenant with you: Never again will all life be cut off by the waters of a flood; never again will there be a flood to destroy the earth….I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth.” Genesis 9:11 and 13

“Then the LORD God said to the woman, “What is this you have done?” The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate ” -Genesis 3:13

The LORD saw how great man’s wickedness on the earth had become, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all the time. The LORD was grieved that he had made man on the earth, and his heart was filled with pain ” -Genesis 6:5-6

Bible Verses Don’t Give Up Introduction

Life is too difficult to handle. A lot of struggles, sacrifices, and failed dreams that sometimes tend us to feel like giving up.

But be reminded that God loves you and wants you to live life to the fullest. God is good.

He will not harm you. He will do the best he can for you to be better. You are in good hands.

If you are struggling in life, don’t give up there are better things yet to come.

There are many things that demand your time and attention such as work, family, and friends but left behind those unhealthy jobs, friends, and habits. Fight for good. Do good. Fight for you and be you.

Use this bible verse about not giving up to find strength in God. Keep fighting and don’t give up!

Our life is like a race, we may encounter hurdles, obstacles, and other things that might stop our race but always remember that all races have a finish line.

We may not get the prize but the finish line is always there.

Our problem has an end and without giving up it will lead us to the finish line which means we can achieve our goal by not giving up the race in life.

God will help you, He is always there. Be courageous because He is always with you.

He is just like your biological father if you tripped, your father will give you his right hand for you to stand.

In other words, God will help you by giving you His right hand to make you stand so that you can continue your race.

God has a lot of plans for you. Maybe not now but in the future. Just keep on going. So giving up should not be on your list.

A lot of promises broke you but in God’s words, you must trust. So trust the process. Continue your life.

If you encounter problems, trust God that He will not let you be drawn to your problems.

He will give the solutions, maybe not in a miraculous way but He will use other people to uplift you and help you with your problems.

A Light In The Dark

For little children, darkness can bring about feelings of anxiety and fear. Darkness can harm adults, too, making us lose our way and exposing us to danger.

I know hikers who have been forced to sleep out in the wilds of the Rocky Mountains after the sun quickly set and darkness engulfed any signs of a trail.

Those hardy souls who are adventurous enough to brave Alaska’s frigid winters encounter more than their share of darkness.

The sun doesn’t shine for days at a time, leaving hikers unusually vulnerable and bringing disorder to those huddled safely inside who are desperately trying to figure out if it is morning or evening.

Closer to home, even a brief power outage can turn a familiar room into a potential disaster area full of obstacles that seem to lurch out at your shins or your head.

And who among us hasn’t experienced the momentary frights that can occur when we are awoken by an unusual noise in the hallway during a pitch-black night?

A missionary I know once told me about a South American tribe whose members traveled only at night.

In order to keep from losing their way or falling off of one of their region’s many cliffs, the men and women of this tribe lit tiny candles that they carried on strings.

The candles provided enough illumination for only the next step or two, but that was enough.

Our lives often seem like pilgrimages on rough trails winding through dark and dangerous lands. But God’s Word is like a candle that clarifies our path and shows us the way to go.

There are many books in the world, but only one stands supreme. The Bible is God’s matchless revelation to us.

Since the invention of the printing press more than five centuries ago, the Bible has been the world’s best-selling book.

For millennia people copied its contents onto papyrus, parchment, and paper so they could share its wise words with others. Scholars and missionaries have translated its message into hundreds of languages.

Brave souls have risked their lives to spread its message or even gone to their deaths rather than deny its teachings.

Why have so many people made such a fuss about this one book for such a long, long time? As the verse from Psalm 119 suggests, the Bible is a source of certain light in an often dark and confusing world.

Psalm 119, which is the longest single chapter in the entire Bible, gives plenty of other reasons people throughout the ages have turned to this unique book.

Titled “In praise of God’s Word,” the psalm lists benefits that come from studying and applying the Bible: it helps us walk in accordance with God’s law; it encourages us to remain steadfast and pure; it teaches us to distinguish truth from falsehood and right from wrong; and it strengthens weary souls, bringing hope, comfort, and courage.

George Fox was an English preacher during the seventeenth century and the founder of the Society of Friends, or Quakers.

In one of his many sermons, he told his listeners about the light of God’s love: “I also saw that there was an ocean of darkness and death, but an infinite ocean of light and love which flowed over the ocean of darkness.”

God has given us the Bible, and with its illumination, we can conquer the darkness of our world.

God, thank you for sharing your Word with us. May its words find a home in my heart and light my way.

The Creator of All That Is

These familiar opening words of the Bible proclaim the most amazing of God’s many powers. He is the Creator of all that exists. And he created it out of nothing.

I find that truth difficult to comprehend.

My own life is full of incomplete tasks that are evidence of my inability to understand simple instructions, much less comprehend the magnificence of a God who made everything without instructions, raw materials, or others to help him.

As a young wife and mother, I decided to learn to sew.

My mother had been a wonderful seamstress, but I had been interested in more active endeavors and was seldom inside watching her craft the dresses and suits I loved wearing.

Her creations were touched with imaginative details and made from the most stylish linens and silks of the day.

When I walked into the fabric store I was hopeful that attempting much more simple styles would promise success, even to a novice like me.

The saleslady was helpful and assured me that with easy patterns I would be able to make darling dresses for my two little girls.

An hour later I left the store with all the supplies I needed and headed home to dust off the sewing machine that I had inherited from my mother.

It didn’t take long for frustration to set in.

Confusing instructions filled the flimsy pattern paper: “Cut on the bias,” “Gather the sleeve,” and “Match the notches on facings.” I did complete those early projects but the results were less than stellar.

Fortunately, there are other complex tasks I can comprehend and perform. And millions of people in our world have achieved greatness in their abilities to accomplish innumerable feats.

Man-made inventions and human discoveries reveal the wonders of the mind and spill into our lives at a pace that’s dizzying.

Even so, none of them even begin to compare with what God has done, and we all can see our own limitations when measured against his handiwork.

We stand in awe of the complexity of the world in which we live and believe the truth of Genesis 1:1.

But not everyone believes as we believe. Numerous explanations appear in textbooks and claim superiority over the assertion that a power we know as God called life into being.

Finite and rational minds grapple with the complexities of the world around them and seek ways to explain definitively how our world began.

But we who believe him and the biblical account of creation marvel at the power and majesty of our Creator.

Our acceptance doesn’t diminish the wonder of God’s work but leaves room for its mystery.

Father, we worship you with amazement as we bask in the beauty of your creation. Thank you for all you have done.