Bible Verses

Book 45 The Book Of Romans

Who wrote the book of Romans: Paul When was it written: Approx. 5 7 A.D.

From what we know historically, Paul most likely wrote this letter to the church in Rome during one of his missionary journeys to Corinth. The purpose of this letter is to outline God’s plan of salvation and how it relates to living our daily lives. The book of Romans emphasizes a personal relationship with God.

Paul makes a point in addressing the letter to Jews and Gentiles alike who believe in Jesus and who want to accept him as Savior, as well as to those who already have.

Being justified (made right with God) through faith is definitely part of Paul’s message

Because the book of Romans (like most of the other books of the New Testament) is more doctrinal than eventful in nature, we will look at each of them from the perspective of what they have to say in regard to being a Christian—one who lives in faithful obedience for Christ and in Christ, according to the word he has given us, which is the Bible.

What We Learn From The Book Of Romans

The message of the gospel, which is salvation, is the one promised by the prophets (1:2)

Our salvation is the result of God’s grace and our obedience (1:5)

We are to encourage and build each other up by loving as Jesus loved and by using the message of the gospel (1:12)

We should never be ashamed of the gospel because it is the reason we can be saved—the reason Jews and Gentiles alike can be saved (1:16)

God does not tolerate sin and when he is ready he will punish people for their sins (1:18-2 5)

God clearly told us what he considers sinful; greed, envy, homosexuality, murder, deceit, malice, gossip, slander, God-haters, arrogance, and depravity (1:26-31)

God will reward us on the day of judgment according to our persistence in doing his will (2:6-7)

No one is righteous; meaning no one deserves to be saved— it is only because of God’s loving grace and mercy and our obedience to his commands (out of faith and a respectful awe of his loving grace and mercy) that we are able to spend eternity with him in heaven

We are to view our suffering and times of trial and hardship as positives because through those things we are able to see God at work in our lives (5:3)

We are to allow the hardships and difficulties we encounter to build our character, make us more persevering, and fill us with hope (5:5)

Salvation and grace are not a ‘ticket’ to keep on sinning— salvation is a gift to be honored and treated with respect (6:1-4)

We are to run from sin and its desires because as Romans 6:23 says, “The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our LORD.”

Sin is real and we are powerless against it without the Holy Spirit in our lives working to protect us from Satan (chapter 8)

If God is for us (if we put our faith in him), nothing can win against us (8:31)

We must confess Jesus as LORD and put our trust fully in him (10:9-11)

God’s explanation of the remnant of Israel and their ultimate destiny (chapter 11)

We are to be living sacrifices to God (12:1)

As Christians, we are all members of one body (12:4-8)

God’s expectations for us in regards to loving others and ourselves (12:9-13)

We are to submit to authorities here on earth (13:1-3)

We are to encourage one another and try to live in peace with each other (14:19)

Book 44 The Book Of Acts

Who wrote the book of Acts: Luke When was it written: Around 63 A.D.

The book of Acts is the historical account of the beginning of the Church and the spread of Christianity following Christ’s death, resurrection, and return to heaven. The book of Acts also provides the foundation of doctrine for the Church as God and Jesus intended it to be.

In the first chapter of Acts Luke briefly sums up Jesus’ post-resurrection time here on earth; specifically focusing on how the disciples received the Holy Spirit, the selection of a twelfth disciple to replace Judas Iscariot, and the information that after betraying Jesus, Judas killed himself out of remorse and shame.

In reading the book of Acts we learn that the Holy Spirit enabled the disciples and others chosen by God to do great and miraculous things as they disbursed themselves around the world to take the message of the gospel to any and all who would listen.

But none of these actions takes place solely for the purpose of wowing the crowd or to make a point. The miracles done or experienced by early leaders of the Church are done in conjunction with the teaching and acceptance of Jesus as Savior.

The most important chapter of the Book of Acts is chapter two. In chapter two we see the establishment of the Church and the foundation of the doctrinal beliefs and essentials of salvation. The sermon preached by Peter on the Day of Pentecost, took place forty days after Jesus rose from the grave and seven days following his return to heaven.

The crowd Peter is addressing is the same crowd who had flocked to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover. These were also the same people (many of them, anyway) who had taken up the ‘battle cry’ for Jesus to be killed.

Peter, knowing that the majority of the people there were staunchly entrenched in the Law of Moses and the teaching of the prophets, began by reading the message from the prophet, Joel.

He then followed up with words penned by Kind David. Let’s take a look at what Peter had to say, so that you, too, will be able to experience the full impact of what he had to say afterwards:

‘“In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, and your old men will dream dreams. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy.

I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below, blood and fire and billows of smoke.

Following this message Peter testified that he had seen, heard, and experienced Jesus; meaning he could say beyond a shadow of a doubt that Jesus was indeed the one Joel, David, and all the other prophets of the Old Testament had spoken of.

Thousands in the crowd were convinced and ashamed of what they had done. Desperately wanting to rectify the situation, they asked Peter what they could do. And Peter replied with the words that are the source of salvation according to the teachings of Jesus:

The remainder of chapter two through the end of chapter eight is filled with historical accounts of how the early Church started growing. They faced opposition, hardships, and uncertainties, but they faced them with hope, faith, and a spirit of perseverance.

The people shared what they had with one another, fellowshipped together regularly, and formed close family-like bonds with one another out of their desire to worship God and develop a deeper relationship with him.

The spread of the Church brought with it the need for additional leadership. This resulted in some of Jesus’ faithful followers stepping up into the roles of evangelists and leaders. Among them was Stephen. Stephen’s commitment to the spread of Christianity cost him his life at the hands of the Sanhedrin (the Jewish court system).

While some might look at Stephen’s death as a blow to the Church, it was actually a blessing. Why? Because following Stephen’s death, the Sanhedrin went on a ‘witch hunt’ to try to shut the Church down; sending scores of new Christians to other cities and towns far and wide.

They left Jerusalem, but they were not silent, and the Church began to grow even more—to Samaria, Gaza, Judea, Damascus, and many other areas.

Chapter nine is another extremely important chapter in the Book of Acts. It is here we read of the conversion of Saul. Saul was a Pharisee of Pharisees (his words). He hated Christians and all they stood for. His hatred was so great that he devoted his time to hunting them down and killing them.

But God had other plans for Saul. God saw in him a passion so great that he (God) knew that he was capable of doing amazing things for the cause of Christ and the growth of the Church.

Saul’s conversion and name change to Paul resulted in giving us the greatest missionary of all time and thirteen New Testament books (which are letters to churches and individuals).
Chapter ten of the book of Acts is significant in the fact that Peter is sent by God to begin making salvation available to the Gentiles.

To this point, the gospel had been preached primarily to those who were Jewish or Samaritans. Yes, there are some Gentiles who had accepted Christ as their Savior prior to Peter’s visit to Cornelius, but by and large, Gentiles had been excluded.

Opening up their hearts and minds to accepting Gentiles into the Church was not an easy thing for some of the apostles to do. It went against everything they had been taught for generations. But God loves each of us and wants each and every one of us to have the opportunity to know him and spend eternity with him in heaven.

The remainder of the book of Acts tells of Paul’s missionary journeys and the continued spread of the Church under the leadership of Peter, John, Barnabas, Silas, and a few others. It is a book not only of history, though, but of doctrine that we must hold to today if we are to be the Church God called us to be.

In reading through the book of Acts you cannot help but learn that it isn’t easy to be a Christian in a sinful world and society. There are going to be times of ridicule and persecution.

Your faith is going to be tested. But you will also experience the joys and blessings that come from standing firmly on the truth and holding tight to the loving hands of God who will never leave your side.

Key Verses In Acts

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 Acts has to offer.

Book 42 The Book Of Luke

Who wrote the book of Luke: Luke

When was it written: Sometime between 59 and 63 A.D.

The gospel of Luke is the most orderly and complete telling of Jesus’ life and ministry. This is interesting in the fact that Luke was not one of the twelve disciples. He was also a Gentile by birth—the only Gentile to author books in the Bible (he also wrote Luke).

He was, however, a highly educated individual, a doctor by trade, and a devoted follower of Christ and assistant to Paul on his missionary journeys and in the early churches. Luke was also a keen historian and stickler for details. Many call him the first apologist, which is a person who makes reasonable ‘arguments’ and justifications for religious teachings.

Luke’s target audience was his fellow Gentiles. He wanted them to embrace the truth and experience the love and grace of

Luke’s Introduction To His Book Of The Gospel Answers This Question:

“Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word.

The name is Theophilus means ‘loved of God’. This fact has caused some theologians to wonder if the Theophilus Luke was writing to was not actually a person, but rather a title for all Christians and would-be Christians because we are loved of God.

The words ‘most excellent’ preceding his name, however, strongly indicate that the Theophilus Luke addresses in the opening verses of his book of the gospel is a real person—most likely a Roman official.

What Does Luke Tell Us About Jesus

The book of Luke is very thorough and it is the only one of the four gospels to give us several different accounts of events and teachings of Jesus’ ministry. For example, Luke is the only one of the four gospels that tells us the parable of the Good Samaritan, the prodigal son, and the post-resurrection encounter with Jesus on the road to Emmaus.

Because of Luke’s most thorough account of Jesus’ life and ministry, I am simply going to go through the book; listing the major sections of the book and provide you with interesting or noteworthy information to go with them.

Birth of John the Baptist: Luke is also the only one of the gospels that gives us the account of the miraculous birth of John the Baptist. John, who was Jesus’ cousin, was born to Zechariah, the priest, and his wife, Elizabeth—devoted Jews descended from Aaron.

They were also very old and had not been able to have children. So when an angel told Zechariah he was going to be a father, the old man questioned the angel Gabriel who had been sent to give him the message. Because of his doubt, Zechariah was struck dumb.

He and Elizabeth, however, did conceive a child and named him John as the angel had instructed Zechariah to do—at which time he was again able to speak. John was then raised up to know and honor God in all things and as prophesied, became the man who prepared the way for Jesus’ ministry.

Birth Of Jesus: The second chapter of Luke provides us with the most-often recited/read account of Jesus’ birth because it is the most complete and most beautifully told. Not only does it capture the facts, but the feelings of those involved.

The details encompassed in Luke’s account of Jesus’ birth are an excellent example of the extent of Luke’s interviews and research. Even secular scholars agree that Luke was a historian among historians—the best of the best.

Jesus As A Boy: Once again Luke stands alone in revealing to us the only details we have about Jesus’ boyhood beyond their return from Egypt as recorded in Matthew. From Luke, we are able to discern that Mary and Joseph were devoted to God and took their job as parents of this miraculous baby seriously.

By presenting Jesus at The Temple to be circumcised and blessed by Simeon and Anna, they were unwittingly fulfilling prophecy while keeping the Law as they had been raised to do.

We also see in the second chapter that even from an early age Jesus knew he had a one-of-a-kind purpose. He knew he was different, yet he was also  child who needed to be cared for and treated as any child should.

NOTE: One particularly interesting verse is Luke 2:50: “But they did not understand what he was saying to them.” This verse is in reference to Jesus’ reply to Mary’s question of why Jesus had run off from her and Joseph. Why had he worried them so? Jesus’ reply was that they should know he needed to be in his Father’s house.

Why Didn’t They Understand?

Their Lack Of Understanding Could Have Been A Number Of Things:

To that point, on the outside, Jesus was just like every other kid—including his siblings. It is quite possible that Mary and Joseph were so focused on just getting by that they had allowed the passage of time to dull their senses in regard to who Jesus really was.

They may have been focusing more on the fact that Jesus had been missing for a few days—something any conscious parent would do. Their misunderstanding may have been more about what he had done rather than why he had done it.

Following the accounts of Jesus’ pre-ministry life, Luke also gives us the account of Jesus’ baptism, the period of fasting, and the temptations from Satan. Included in the fact that Jesus was about thirty years old when he started his formal ministry and a genealogy of Jesus from the side of his earthly father, Joseph.

Following his baptism and time in the desert, we read in Luke 4 that Jesus returned to his hometown of Nazareth, but it was not the homecoming one would expect the Messiah to receive. Or was it? When Jesus first read from the scroll of Isaiah, everyone was proud of their ‘hometown boy’.

They were also amazed because as far as they knew, he was nothing more than the son of Joseph, a poor, but respected carpenter. When they questioned how he, the son of Joseph, could be so knowledgeable, Jesus warned them about the dangers of not accepting him for who he was.

This angered them and they drove him out of town. In all honesty, one would have to admit that the confusion in the minds of the people was somewhat justified. They’d known Jesus most of his life (since the family had returned from Egypt when Jesus was approximately three years old).

They had watched him grow up. Their children had played with him. They celebrated the Passover with him and his family. He was just another member of their community as far as they were concerned, so who was he to all of a sudden be telling them… He was Jesus, that’s who.

The last half of chapter 4 and chapter 5 give us the same accounts as Matthew and Mark do—the calling of the first disciples and some of Jesus’ early miracles.

Chapter six begins with Luke’s account of Jesus’ interaction with the Pharisees over picking up heads of grain to eat and healing a man on the Sabbath. This is immediately followed by a listing of the twelve disciples and Luke’s condensed version of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount.

In parts of chapters ten, eleven, and twelve, Luke again records sections of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. From this, we see that Luke’s account of Jesus’ ministry is not solely chronological, but also topical; meaning he inserted sections of the Sermon on the Mount where they fit with some of the other things he was writing.

This doesn’t make the Bible any less accurate, though. It is simply telling the story from a different perspective to a different audience. The facts always have and always will remain the same.

Ministry, parables, and miracles of Jesus make up chapters seven through nine.

Chapter ten begins with Jesus sending out seventy-two followers in pairs. Their job was to go into towns and villages ahead of him to prepare the people for his coming.

These men were given explicit instructions as to how to present themselves, what to do, and what not to do. They were also given authority from God to heal people and cast out demons.

The time in which they were to do these things was obviously limited, as we read that they returned to him with a report of what had taken place (verse 17). Another verse that is of particular interest in this passage is verse 20: “However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”

Jesus’ words were words of warning against pride and arrogance— of falsely believing that what they were able to accomplish was their doing rather than God’s. It is a warning we need to heed today, as well.

Chapter ten ends with the parable of the Good Samaritan and our introduction to Jesus’ close friends and followers, Mary and her sister, Martha (their brother was Lazarus).

The next several chapters primarily consist of Jesus’ parables. Again, a parable is an earthly story with a heavenly or spiritual meaning.

The parables Luke records for us teach us about God’s forgiving and merciful character, the fact that God is personally interested in each of us, the importance of us forgiving others and treating them as we want to be treated, the power of persistent prayer, and the importance of standing firm in the truth.

The account of Zacchaeus the tax collector surrendering his life to Jesus is recorded only in the gospel of Luke, yet it is one of the most often-told accounts in the Bible. Zacchaeus’ conversion is a positive reminder of the fact that none of us are beyond saving or unloved by God.

Chapters twenty-two through twenty-four are devoted to the end of Jesus’ life here on earth. Luke begins his account with Judas’ agreement to betray Jesus and ends with the ascension to heaven.

Luke’s account is completely in line with those of the other three gospels, but as is the case with the other three, he includes some things the others do not and vice versa. Some of the things Luke includes that the others do not are:

The fact that an angel from heaven comforted Jesus while he was praying in the garden just prior to his arrest

The fact that Jesus put the soldier’s ear back on his head after Peter cut it off with a sword (while Jesus was being arrested)

That Peter and Jesus made eye contact right after Peter denied Jesus the third time

The friendship that was formed between Herod and Pilot as a result of Jesus’ arrest and death sentence

More of the words Jesus spoke while on the way to Golgotha

The account of Jesus speaking with Cleopas and someone else on the road to Emmaus. We don’t know for certain who Cleopas was or who was with him. We know it wasn’t one of the eleven chosen disciples (242:33), but we know whoever the two men were, they were faithful followers Jesus trusted enough to share his resurrected presence with.

Luke does not, however, share with readers the Great Commission. He simply says that Jesus blessed the disciples before leaving them and that they worshipped him and praised God in The Temple for all they had seen, heard, and experienced.

Key Verses In Luke

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

Luke 2, the account of Jesus’ birth and early life

“The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks.” Luke 6:45

While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. In their fright, the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead?

He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: “The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified, and on the third day be raised again.” Luke 24:4-7

salvation as he had. Luke’s joy in Christ is almost tangible and his hope for eternity in heaven is contagious.

So how did Luke gain such intimate and detailed insight into the life and ministry of Jesus?

Book 41 The Book Of Mark

Who wrote the book of Mark: Mark, who is justifiably assumed to be the son of Peter

When was it written: Around 5 5 A.D.

Mark is the shortest of the gospels and focuses on the facts surrounding Jesus’ ministry and miracles.

Like Matthew and the other gospels, Mark also has a target audience—Roman and other Gentile readers. Because these people groups were not familiar with Jewish laws and customs, Mark takes the time to explain these things in detail and why/ how they relate to Jesus’ ministry as the fulfillment of the Law. Mark is committed to convincing readers of Jesus’ deity as the Son of the one true and living God.

Mark’s explanations of Jewish laws and customs are interwoven within the accounts of Jesus’ miracles and messages so that readers will see the purposefulness of everything Jesus did.
And finally, it is worth noting that Mark devotes one-third of his writing to one week in Jesus’ life—his last week on earth.

This makes a powerful statement as to the depth of Mark’s gratitude for the gift of salvation through Jesus’ death on the cross. It also demonstrates Mark’s desire to live out the Great Commission (Matthew 28)—to take the message of the gospel to all nations.

Who Was Mark

Mark was a devoted follower of Jesus even though can safely assume from various scriptures throughout the New Testament that Mark was considerably younger than Jesus and the disciples.

His close association with Jesus combined with his young age is one more piece of evidence (in addition to those given below) that the belief that Mark was the son of Peter is correct. While there is no indisputable proof that Peter and Mark were father and son, there are several strong indicators pointing in that direction:

Mark’s style of writing and his ‘voice’ are very similar in nature to Peter’s.

• Mark was active in the ministry—both with Barnabas, his cousin, and Paul. This fact, coupled with the fact that we know he was considerably younger than Paul and Peter also makes it a logical assumption.
• Peter refers to Mark (also known as John Mark) as his son. Scholars are not sure whether this is in a biological sense or spiritual sense, so that is why this statement is not considered indisputable.

What Does Mark Tell Us About Jesus

Rather than begin with the miracle of Jesus’ birth like Matthew and Luke do, Mark begins his account of Jesus’ life here on earth by telling readers about John the Baptist and his role in bringing Jesus onto the scene.

The account of Jesus’ baptism, God’s audible voice being heard, and a greatly condensed mention of Jesus’ time of fasting and being tempted by Satan immediately follow.

Mark’s intent was not to make light of what happened to Jesus in the desert. But quite frankly, the people Mark was reaching out to didn’t understand the concept or reasoning behind fasting and they certainly didn’t comprehend the power of Satan and sin in our lives.

They didn’t even see sin as sin. In other words, expounding on these events wouldn’t have promoted Mark’s efforts to convince the non-Jews he was writing for that Jesus is the Messiah.

But the need to be baptized for the forgiveness of sins and that God literally spoke to express his pleasure and approval of what had taken place…those things needed to be shared.

From here Mark, like the other gospel accounts, informs readers of the calling/selection of the first disciples and the fact that Jesus wasted no time in preaching, teaching, and healing.

With that being said, I want to list for you what Mark felt was most important for his targeted audience to know about Jesus and his ministry:

• Mark is the only one to mention the fact that some of Jesus’ earliest miracles took place in the home of Simon Peter’s mother-in-law. If indeed Mark is Peter’s son, this would definitely have made a lasting impression upon young Mark, because the probability of him being an eyewitness to these events was quite high.
• Jesus wasn’t content to stay in one place. Verse 1:38 expresses Jesus’ desire and commitment to reach as many people as possible.
• Mark wasn’t shy about letting readers know that Jewish religious leaders were highly opposed to Jesus. From the very beginning, they were looking for ways to trick Jesus, catch him in a lie, or some other offense. But they couldn’t so they resorted to name-calling and threats. His purpose in exposing their thoughts and feelings wasn’t to come to their defense, though. It was to discredit them even more because no matter what they said or did, Jesus had an appropriate answer that exposed their pride and ignorance to the truth.

Mark gives us two different accounts of Jesus breaking the Sabbath by allowing his disciples to pick up heads of grain to eat as they passed by some fields and by healing a man on the Sabbath. Both were considered work, which was strictly forbidden according to the Law of Moses.

Jesus countered their accusations by asking questions that would only serve to expose their true motives for calling him out. Jesus wasn’t antagonizing them solely for the purpose of ‘picking a fight’.

He wanted…he needed to expose them for who and what they really were. These men were the religious leaders of their day. They were highly respected (and feared) by the Jewish community—and had been for hundreds of years.

Jesus wasn’t there to win a popularity contest between him and them. He was there to seek and save the lost, to be the fulfillment of the Law (thus ending the old Law), and to establish the Church as God intended it. He had to help the people see and understand that the old ways were no longer necessary.

Mark tells us that the Pharisees and other religious leaders hated Jesus so much that they conspired with the Herodians (who were extremely corrupt and pro-Roman government) to kill Jesus.

Mark is the only writer to mention the fact that people came from Idumea to see and listen to Jesus. This is especially relevant due to the fact that Idumea is the Greek name for Edom, the land of Esau’s descendants.

In addition to the miracles Mark records, he records a number of Jesus’ parables including the Parable of the Sower that explains why some people will reject the truth even though they know it as truth.

Mark, like the other gospels, records the account of Jesus sending out the twelve disciples to teach, preach, and heal.

Chapter 6 gives us an account of the beheading of John the Baptist.

We are given detailed accounts of Jesus’ feeding of 5,000 men (plus women and children) using only five little loaves of bread and two fish. This miracle is one that had literally thousands of witnesses and benefactors and could not be explained away on any level.

Jesus summed it up best in verse 8 when he said, “You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to the traditions of men.”

In addition to mentioning the fact that at least a few Edomites came to investigate Jesus, a Syrophoenician woman boldly approached Jesus requesting he drive the demons out of her daughter.

The term ‘syrophoenician’ could have denoted

• She was Phoenician but living in the Roman province of Syria instead of Africa, or
• She was biracial—part Syrian and part Phoenician. Either way, she was a Gentile who was unafraid to approach Jesus and unashamed to admit her faith. And that was exactly the point Mark wanted to make—that Jesus is the Savior of all mankind.

Like Matthew, Mark gives us the account of Peter’s confession of faith but adds the not-so-little detail that after praising Peter for his acknowledgment of truth, he warns the disciples not to tell anyone about him.

This statement is extremely troubling and contradictory to many. Why shouldn’t they tell people? Hadn’t Jesus been preaching and doing miracles in order to get people to believe he was God’s Son, their Savior? Hadn’t he sent the disciples out to do the very same?

Hadn’t Jesus said he was there to seek and save the lost? Yes, to all of those. But Jesus knew things were about to change. He was in the final months of his ministry and life here on earth.

He still had lots to do and little time left to do it, so he needed as little opposition as possible. So instead of focusing on large crowds, he focused his attention on small groups of people and individuals—among those where he would have the greatest impact.

Mark provides insight into the conversations Jesus has with his disciples—conversations about how they are to present themselves and conduct themselves while going about the business of ministry.

He reminds them that the kingdom of God is not an earthly one and that they shouldn’t be concerned with power and popularity, but with speaking and holding to the truth in bold humility no matter what.

The remainder of the book of Mark contains the accounts of many of the same incidents the other gospels give us including Jesus’ message about the signs of the end of the age, what faith really is, the cost of following Jesus, and what it means to be truly great in the eyes of God.

The final chapters of Mark give us the account of the Last Supper, Jesus’ arrest and trial before the high priests and Pilot, his death on the cross, his burial and resurrection, and a couple of references to his post-resurrection appearances to the disciples.

The Book Of Mark Ends With:

The statement that after seeing Jesus return to heaven the disciples went out and preached just as they had been told to do and that the LORD confirmed his word by allowing them (the disciples) to do mighty works in his name.

The Controversy Surrounding The Book Of Mark

Some scholars say that the last few verses of Mark (Mark 16:9-20) are not found in the earliest manuscripts of Mark; causing questions as to whether or not they should actually be part of the Bible. In fact, footnotes in the Bible make note of this. However, when you look at the whole picture, you see that these statements are not completely accurate.

Yes, the verses are missing from some of the early manuscripts, but not all—not by any means. While verses 9-20 are not present in less than a half-dozen early manuscripts (fourth to twelfth century), they are present in several hundred others dated from the second to thirteenth century; including the old Latin (second century), Armenian (fifth century), Ethiopian (seventh century), and the Byzantine (450 A.D.) just to name a few.

It should also be noted that the history and doctrine contained in these verses are repeated without any hint of contradiction in multiple other places in the Bible and that ALL scripture is God-breathed. It is all there because God wants it to be.

Key Verses In Mark:

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 Mark has to offer.

“These are the twelve he appointed: Simon (to whom he gave the name Peter); James son of Zebedee and his brother John (to them he gave the name Boanerges, which means Sons of Thunder); Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.” Mark 3:16-19

Mark 13, the Signs of the End of the Age

“Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him.” Mark 16:6

“He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.” Mark 16:15-16

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.”

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.

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.

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