God s Masterwork, Volume Three. Job: Magnificent Man of Misery A Survey of Job

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1 , Volume Three Poets, Prophets, and Promses A Survey of Job Danel Job: Magnfcent Man of Msery A Survey of Job The Heart of the Matter The subject of pan and sufferng s a popular one for a very smple reason humans experence a lot of t. At ths very moment, vast numbers of people around the globe are endurng physcal and emotonal trauma heartache, llness, death. Ours s a lfe of sufferng. We enter the world cryng. We walk through the world wth our shoulders bent nto the fery blast and cy blzzard of afflcton. We leave the world n death. As one wrter put t: Man s born for trouble, / As sparks fly upward. Who offered ths nsght? A phlosopher n an vory tower or a monk n a clostered monastery? No. These words drpped wth pan from the pen of a flesh-and-blood sufferer. These words came from the pen of Job. Dscoverng the Way 1. A Bref Glmpse nto the Lfe of Job At forty-two chapters, the book of Job s long... too long to cover every hghlght n one sermon, but we can get a bref glmpse of the book s fve major sectons. Tools for Dggng Deeper Volume Three Poets, Prophets, and Promses A Survey of Job Danel 2. Surveyng the Depths of Job s Sufferng Every sufferer asks the queston, Where s God? Job, n hs own way, asked the same queston. And the book that bears hs name answers that God s there at the begnnng, mddle, and end. Volume Two The Story of God s People A Survey of Joshua Esther Startng Your Journey Passng over the panful sores of Job leads us to conclude that answers to sufferng are not easy to come by. We learn from Job that our ultmate and fnal comfort comes not from answers to our questons but from God Hmself. Fnte, human reason s a deceptvely weak crutch for fath. Reason gropes n the dark for answers. Fath wats slently for God. Volume One Begnnngs A Survey of Geness Deuteronomy For related resources, please call: USA AUSTRALIA CANADA UK or vst or Orgnal outlne copyrght 1979 and Message Mate copyrght 2011, Inc. All rghts are reserved worldwde. Duplcaton of copyrghted materal for commercal use s strctly prohbted. Commtted to Excellence n Communcatng Bblcal Truth and Its Applcaton

2 Key Sectons Key People Key Sayngs Theme Key Verse Introducton to the Sufferng Scene 1 Job s purty and prosperty Scene 2 Satan s proposton and Yahweh s permsson Scene 3 Satan s persecuton and Job s patence Scene 4 Satan s persstence and Yahweh s permsson Scene 5 Poverty and plagues 1 2 Hstorcal Job, Yahweh, and Satan Have you consdered My servant Job? (1:8) Words of Job (Eyes on Self) Curses brth Curses lfe CHAPTER 3 Dscusson of the Sufferng Elphaz Job Zophar Bldad 4 14 Words of Three Frends (Eyes on Humanty) Elphaz Job Zophar Bldad Theologcal / Phlosophcal Job, Elphaz, Bldad, and Zophar... then Job... Elphaz... Bldad... Zophar answered JOB Job s monologue Words of Elhu (Eyes on Yahweh) To Job To three frends To Job God s soveregnty and humanty s struggle n the mdst of sufferng 42:2 Elphaz Job Bldad Submsson under the Sufferng Job s admsson Job s confesson CHAPTER 42:1 6 CHAPTER 42:7 17 Logcal Revelatonal Confessonal Hstorcal Elhu Yahweh Job Yahweh, Job, and the three frends God does great thngs whch we cannot comprehend (37:5). Correcton n the Sufferng Words of Yahweh (Emphass on Soveregnty) Whatever s under the whole heaven s Mne. (41:11) Therefore I retract, / And I repent n dust and ashes. (42:6) Restoraton from the Sufferng Yahweh s anger wth the three frends Yahweh s blessng on Job The LORD blessed the latter days of Job more than hs begnnng. (42:12) Chrst n Job Job s cry for a medator (9:33; 33:23 24) and hs fath n a Redeemer (19:25 27) foreshadow the ntercessory work of Chrst. Copyrght 1979, 1996, 2009, Inc. All rghts reserved worldwde. Copyrght 2011, Inc. All rghts are reserved worldwde. Duplcaton of copyrghted materal for commercal use s strctly prohbted. Commtted to Excellence n Communcatng Bblcal Truth and Its Applcaton

3 , Volume Three Poets, Prophets, and Promses A Survey of Job Danel Psalms: Inspred Anthology of Pr ase A Survey of Psalms The Heart of the Matter Vrtually every emoton whch ever swept across the human soul s recorded n the Psalms. Ths book s the eptome, the very nucleus of worshp... and yet t drps wth the whole gamut of humanty. As we shall see, the Psalms address the full spectrum of human needs. More than any other Old Testament book, we turn to the Psalms for drecton, comfort, and encouragement. No rcher bank of wsdom and soul-gvng peace s found n the whole wde world. Tools for Dggng Deeper Dscoverng the Way 1. Some Introductory Facts Worth Rememberng To better apprecate the rchness of the Psalms, we need to keep n mnd what may appear as dry facts... but really aren t: the ttle of the book, the wrters, the organzaton, and two techncal hnts. Volume Three Poets, Prophets, and Promses A Survey of Job Danel 2. An Overvew Survey Worth Observng When we look at the book of Psalms as a whole, we can note these observatons: t s dvded nto fve books, t mentons three classes of nstruments, and t hghlghts three grand themes. Volume Two The Story of God s People A Survey of Joshua Esther Startng Your Journey Readers turn to Psalms more than any other book of the Bble to help them meet pressng needs and fnd nsght. Volume One Begnnngs A Survey of Geness Deuteronomy For related resources, please call: USA AUSTRALIA CANADA UK or vst or Orgnal outlne copyrght 1979 and Message Mate copyrght 2011, Inc. All rghts are reserved worldwde. Duplcaton of copyrghted materal for commercal use s strctly prohbted. Commtted to Excellence n Communcatng Bblcal Truth and Its Applcaton

4 PSALMS 1490 BC: DAYS OF MOSES Book One 41 Psalms HUMANITY PSALMS 1 41 Book Two 31 Psalms DELIVERANCE PSALMS Book Three 17 Psalms SANCTUARY PSALMS Book Four 17 Psalms REIGN OF GOD PSALMS Book Fve 44 Psalms WORD OF GOD PSALMS BC: DAYS OF EZRA Analogy Geness Exodus Levtcus Numbers Deuteronomy Content Personal Devotonal Lturgcal, Hstorcal General Prophetcal, Natural Doxology Theme Key Verse Chrst n Psalms Psalm 41:13 Psalm 72:18 19 Psalm 89:52 Psalm 106:48 Psalm 150 We worshp God for who He s and what He has done. 19:14 Jesus Chrst s antcpated, portrayed, and prophesed n such mages as the comng Kng, the Redeemer, the lovng Shepherd, and the Rghteous Sufferer. Copyrght 1979, 1996, 2009, Inc. All rghts reserved worldwde. Copyrght 2011, Inc. All rghts are reserved worldwde. Duplcaton of copyrghted materal for commercal use s strctly prohbted. Commtted to Excellence n Communcatng Bblcal Truth and Its Applcaton

5 , Volume Three Poets, Prophets, and Promses A Survey of Job Danel Proverbs: Relable Counsel for Rght Lvng A Survey of Proverbs The Heart of the Matter A proverb s a pthy statement of bte-szed wsdom. Up untl now n ths study of the Bble, we ve found hstory, bography, and poetry n Scrpture... but not much phlosophy except, perhaps, n Job. The book of Proverbs offers a wealth of nformaton to ad us n wse lvng. What the Psalms are to our devotonal lfe, the book of Proverbs s to our practcal lfe. In terse and strkng ways, the profound genus of these maxms les n ther shrewd concentraton of truth. As we shall see, they reman to ths day a marvelous source of nsghtful and penetratng nformaton. Tools for Dggng Deeper Dscoverng the Way 1. Name of the Book Understandng the lngustc background and fxng a practcal defnton of a proverb wll help us as we begn our study of the book of Proverbs. Volume Three Poets, Prophets, and Promses A Survey of Job Danel 2. Contents of the Book We could dvde Proverbs nto three large categores: subjects and statements, people and problems, and counselng and correcton. PROBLEM PROBLEM P PROBLEM PROB LEM Volume Two The Story of God s People A Survey of Joshua Esther Purpose of the Book Solomon wanted to accomplsh fve thngs by wrtng Proverbs. Startng Your Journey The message of the book s smple: knowledge s what you remember after you ve forgotten everythng you ve learned. Volume One Begnnngs A Survey of Geness Deuteronomy For related resources, please call: USA AUSTRALIA CANADA UK or vst or Orgnal outlne copyrght 1979 and Message Mate copyrght 2011, Inc. All rghts are reserved worldwde. Duplcaton of copyrghted materal for commercal use s strctly prohbted. Commtted to Excellence n Communcatng Bblcal Truth and Its Applcaton

6 PROVERBS Prologue to Wse Lvng The fear of the LORD s the begnnng of knowledge. (1:7) 1 9 Prncples for Wse Lvng The fear of the LORD s the nstructon for wsdom, / And before honor comes humlty. (15:33) 10:1 31:9 Personfcaton of Wse Lvng Charm s decetful and beauty s van, / But a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be prased. (31:30) CHAPTER 31:10 31 Emphass Wsdom especally for youth Wsdom for all Framework Style Theme Key Verse Chrst n Proverbs Subjects and statements People and problems Counselng and correcton A book flled wth short statements that declare a profound truth provdng wsdom for lfe The fear of the LORD s the begnnng of wsdom. (9:10) 9:10 Wsdom s ncarnate n Chrst n whom are hdden all the treasures of wsdom and knowledge (1 Cornthans 1:24, 30; Colossans 2:3). Copyrght 1979, 1996, 2009, Inc. All rghts reserved worldwde. Copyrght 2011, Inc. All rghts are reserved worldwde. Duplcaton of copyrghted materal for commercal use s strctly prohbted. Commtted to Excellence n Communcatng Bblcal Truth and Its Applcaton

7 , Volume Three Poets, Prophets, and Promses A Survey of Job Danel Ecclesastes: Searchng for the Meanng of Lfe A Survey of Ecclesastes The Heart of the Matter The book of Ecclesastes, as short as t s, s one of the most mysterous works n the Bble. It looms before us as the sphnx of Hebrew lterature, wth ts knotty, unresolved struggles ntermngled wth ts unanswered arguments and cyncal observatons of lfe. All ths s compounded by the fact that the wrter, Solomon, referred to hmself throughout the book as the Preacher. Its content marks a decded departure from the orthodox, a bold and even mprudent alenaton from Jehovah... and yet n a few verses, we read strong words n defense of a lfe devoted to the lvng Lord. In ths study, we ll attempt to unravel the rddle and understand the message of Ecclesastes. Dscoverng the Way 1. Some Essentals Worth Knowng Let s answer a few questons. Who wrote Ecclesastes? What does ts ttle mean? What s unque about t? What s the theme of the book? Tools for Dggng Deeper Volume Three Poets, Prophets, and Promses A Survey of Job Danel 2. A Survey of the Book Solomon s ntroducton occurs n 1:1 11. Hs nvestgaton of a lfe dssatsfed appears n 1:12 6:9. Hs conclusons about lfe lved apart from God are n 6:10 11:6. Hs contrastve warnng between youth and old age s n 11:7 12:8. And hs eplogue s n 12:9 14. Volume Two The Story of God s People A Survey of Joshua Esther Startng Your Journey For all of Solomon s wsdom... and folly, he concluded wth a smple but profound truth: Fear God and keep Hs commandments.... For God wll brng every act to judgment (Ecclesastes 12:13 14). Volume One Begnnngs A Survey of Geness Deuteronomy For related resources, please call: USA AUSTRALIA CANADA UK or vst or Orgnal outlne copyrght 1979 and Message Mate copyrght 2011, Inc. All rghts are reserved worldwde. Duplcaton of copyrghted materal for commercal use s strctly prohbted. Commtted to Excellence n Communcatng Bblcal Truth and Its Applcaton

8 ECCLESIASTES Introducton Wrter Theme Questons and llustratons Investgaton and Dscoveres I set my mnd to seek and explore by wsdom. (1:13) Admonton Concluson PERSONAL PURSUITS Knowledge CONCLUSIONS Wthout God s help: A warnng to the young THE END OF THE SEARCH Humans cannot A pcture Fear God! Amusements dscover what s of old age Possessons good for them to do. Obey Hm! A fnal Madness and folly admsson Labor Phlosophy Rches V A N I T Y Wthout God s revelaton: Humans do not know what wll come after them. Someday you wll face Hm! CHAPTER 1:1 11 1:12 6:12 7:1 11:6 11:7 12:8 12:9 14 Search Nature Phlosophy Materalsm Fatalsm Relatonshps Theology Style Theme Key Verses Chrst n Ecclesastes Proverbal Personal Poetcal The meannglessness of lfe apart from God 2:11; 12:13 14 The one Shepherd (12:11) who offers abundant lfe Copyrght 1979, 1996, 2009, Inc. All rghts reserved worldwde. Copyrght 2011, Inc. All rghts are reserved worldwde. Duplcaton of copyrghted materal for commercal use s strctly prohbted. Commtted to Excellence n Communcatng Bblcal Truth and Its Applcaton

9 , Volume Three Poets, Prophets, and Promses A Survey of Job Danel Song of Solomon: Poem of Fathful Love A Survey of Song of Solomon The Heart of the Matter Ths lyrc poem n dalogue has been the vctm of some of the most ngenous nterpretatons magnable. It s probable that Solomon would be stunned to hear some of them hmself! It seems best that we allow Solomon s song smply to say what t says rather than attemptng to force upon these eght chapters some strange, fancful, or allegorcal twst. It s an ntmate, tender, romantc expresson of physcal love between a man and a woman frst, pror to ther marrage... then, after the weddng. If anythng other than ths s to be safely seen here, t s an analogy related to Chrst and Hs devoted love for Hs brde, the church. Dscoverng the Way 1. Some Introductory Essentals To start, let s answer a few essental questons. Who wrote Song of Solomon? When was t wrtten? Why has t been preserved? How should t be nterpreted? Tools for Dggng Deeper Volume Three Poets, Prophets, and Promses A Survey of Job Danel 2. A Survey of the Long Song The ttle of the song s found n 1:1. Then Solomon descrbed hs days of courtshp (1:2 3:5), the day of hs weddng (3:6 5:1), and hs lfe after marrage to hs beloved (5:2 8:14). Volume Two The Story of God s People A Survey of Joshua Esther Startng Your Journey Three personal applcatons come to mnd. Frst, reachng the deepest level of love takes commtment. Second, understandng the dfferent expressons of love takes patence. And thrd, becomng the best knd of lover takes tme. Volume One Begnnngs A Survey of Geness Deuteronomy For related resources, please call: USA AUSTRALIA CANADA UK or vst or Orgnal outlne copyrght 1979 and Message Mate copyrght 2011, Inc. All rghts are reserved worldwde. Duplcaton of copyrghted materal for commercal use s strctly prohbted. Commtted to Excellence n Communcatng Bblcal Truth and Its Applcaton

10 SONG OF SOLOMON The Courtshp The Weddng The Maturng Marrage 1:2 3:5 3:6 5:1 5:2 8:14 Emphass Brde muses about her beloved Groom speaks tenderly to hs brde Wfe longs for and descrbes her lovng husband Husband speaks of hs wfe n ntmate terms Both partners declare a permanent seal on ther love Chef Speaker The Brde ( Darlng ) The Groom ( Beloved ) Wfe ( Darlng ) Husband ( Beloved ) Duet Theme Key Verse Chrst n Song of Solomon The joy and ntmacy of love wthn the commtted marrage relatonshp 8:7 Foreshadows the brdegroom relatonshp of Chrst wth Hs church Copyrght 1979, 1997, 2009, Inc. All rghts reserved worldwde. Copyrght 2011, Inc. All rghts are reserved worldwde. Duplcaton of copyrghted materal for commercal use s strctly prohbted. Commtted to Excellence n Communcatng Bblcal Truth and Its Applcaton

11 , Volume Three Poets, Prophets, and Promses A Survey of Job Danel Profle of a Prophet Matthew 24:3 5, 11, 24; 2 Peter 1:19 21 The Heart of the Matter The Old Testament prophets were dynamc fgures, who contnue to speak to our age wth an undenable relevance. It s doubtful that any other group of men n all lterature presents a more mpressve or colorful pcture of courage, godlness, or percepton. They were men who knew God and trusted Hm aganst nsuperable odds. Sometmes gnored and other tmes hated, mocked, and attacked, they stood frm (usually all alone) aganst the most mposng and nfluental people of ther tmes. Through them, however, God warned and rebuked and announced certan judgment, most of whch was passed off as extreme fanatcsm. But to ths day, the prophets messages throb wth btng realsm. Ther voces are slent, but ther words lve on. Dscoverng the Way 1. Names Used for the Prophets In Hebrew, three key words descrbe the role of prophets: ro eh, chozeh, and nabh. But the prophets were also known by varous desgnatons. Tools for Dggng Deeper Volume Three Poets, Prophets, and Promses A Survey of Job Danel 2. Roll Call of the Prophets The prophets can be dvded nto an early group, a kngdom group (wth some mnsterng to Israel and some to Judah), and a captvty group. Volume Two The Story of God s People A Survey of Joshua Esther 3. Characterstcs of a Prophet Eght character trats dstngushed true prophets of God. Startng Your Journey Prophets have passed off the scene, but God stll rases up preachers and teachers to speak boldly for Hm. They deserve our prayers and support. Volume One Begnnngs A Survey of Geness Deuteronomy For related resources, please call: USA AUSTRALIA CANADA UK or vst or Orgnal outlne copyrght 1979 and Message Mate copyrght 2011, Inc. All rghts are reserved worldwde. Duplcaton of copyrghted materal for commercal use s strctly prohbted. Commtted to Excellence n Communcatng Bblcal Truth and Its Applcaton

12 The Bble Old Testament Thrty-nne Books New Testament Twenty-seven Books Hstorcal Prophetc Legal Hstorcal Poetc Prophetc Bographcal Doctrnal CHRIST Copyrght 2011, Inc. All rghts are reserved worldwde. Duplcaton of copyrghted materal for commercal use s strctly prohbted. Commtted to Excellence n Communcatng Bblcal Truth and Its Applcaton

13 , Volume Three Poets, Prophets, and Promses A Survey of Job Danel Isaah: Prnce among the Prophets A Survey of Isaah The Heart of the Matter The fnal decades of the eghth century BC produced several great men, but perhaps the most sgnfcant of these was a blue-blooded prophet named Isaah. That s qute a statement when you consder hs contemporares were Amos, Hosea, and Mcah. Poltcally and socally, the Hebrews were n terrble shape. World forces were grdng for a battle for supremacy. Followng Uzzah s godly ffty-two-year regn as kng over Judah, many of the people enjoyed peace and extravagant prosperty, whch led to two dstnct classes of people: the very rch and the very poor. Abuses, landgrabbng, extorton, dleness, ndfference, a corrupt cty government, and excessve drnkng marked those tmes. Relgously, the Hebrews lost ther dstnctveness and fell under the sway of dolatry, superstton, customs, and cults from the East. Dscoverng the Way 1. An Introducton to Isaah s Day To get a handle on the book of Isaah s sxty-sx chapters, we need to get a handle on the geography, socety, and relgon of Isaah s day. Tools for Dggng Deeper Volume Three Poets, Prophets, and Promses A Survey of Job Danel 2. Isaah s Call and Style Before the very throne of God, Isaah was gven a unque and holy callng. God sent the prophet to pronounce both judgment and peace upon Judah. Volume Two The Story of God s People A Survey of Joshua Esther 3. Insghts from Isaah s Journal We can learn mportant thngs from the book as a whole as well as gan great value from some specfc sectons. Startng Your Journey We can glean four practcal and lastng lessons from Isaah. Frst, greatness s often found n msunderstood people. Second, lonelness s the prce we pay for havng convctons. Thrd, our concepton of sn s molded by our dea of God. And fourth, when everythng else fades and fals, God s Word stands frm. Volume One Begnnngs A Survey of Geness Deuteronomy For related resources, please call: USA AUSTRALIA CANADA UK or vst or Orgnal outlne copyrght 1979 and Message Mate copyrght 2011, Inc. All rghts are reserved worldwde. Duplcaton of copyrghted materal for commercal use s strctly prohbted. Commtted to Excellence n Communcatng Bblcal Truth and Its Applcaton

14 ISAIAH The Judgment of God THE SUPREMACY OF THE LORD The Delverance of God THE SERVANT OF THE LORD THE FUTURE PLAN OF THE LORD Servant Songs: 42:1 9 49: : :13 53: Emphass Bble wthn Bble Theme Key Verses The law and judgment for dsobedence Old Testament God s grace and delverance Comfort... Promse... Hope... The justce and mercy of God 2:3 5; 6:1 3; 53:1 12 New Testament Chrst n Isaah Hs frst and second advents are prophesed throughout the book (chld of a vrgn n 7:14, the shoot from the stem of Jesse n chapter 11, the Sufferng Servant n chapter 53). Copyrght 1979, 1997, 2009, Inc. All rghts reserved worldwde. Chronologcal Chart of Hebrew Hstory (FROM ABRAHAM TO CAPTIVITY) Abraham and Patrarchs Moses and Joshua Judges and Samuel Kngs: Saul Davd Solomon 930 BC UNITED KINGDOM NORTHERN: ISRAEL About 200 years. 19 kngs. All wcked. DIVIDED KINGDOM Assyran Invason 722 BC About a sxty-year mnstry of the prophet Isaah BC Babylonan Captvty BC SOUTHERN: JUDAH About 350 years. 20 monarchs. 12 wcked, 8 good. Copyrght Used by permsson. All rghts reserved. Copyrght 2011, Inc. All rghts are reserved worldwde. Duplcaton of copyrghted materal for commercal use s strctly prohbted. Commtted to Excellence n Communcatng Bblcal Truth and Its Applcaton

15 , Volume Three Poets, Prophets, and Promses A Survey of Job Danel Jeremah: Weepng, Warnng, and Watng A Survey of Jeremah The Heart of the Matter Jeremah was not the brghtest among the prophets; Isaah held that dstncton. Nor s the book of Jeremah the most dffcult to understand; that award probably goes to the one by Ezekel. Jeremah s not even the most nfluental (that s Danel) nor the most notorous ( Jonah, wthout a doubt) nor the most to be pted (hello, Hosea). But of all the prophets, for sure, Jeremah was the most heroc; he was as a pllar of ron and walls of bronze ( Jeremah 1:18). Consder ths: for forty-two years, he stood alone n Judah, preachng, warnng, and pleadng, tryng to awaken the naton about the judgment that would surely come f they ddn t turn around. But n all those years, he never once saw any sgn of encouragement. And when doom fnally fell, Jeremah lved through the whole humlatng experence, wrtng a bref sequel ttled Lamentatons. But before we get to the lament, we must frst look at the jeremad the sad prophecy of doom. Dscoverng the Way 1. An Understandng of the Man Jeremah was known as and consecrated to be a prophet from before hs brth. And when the tme was rght, God called Jeremah... but he was reluctant to answer the call. Tools for Dggng Deeper Volume Three Poets, Prophets, and Promses A Survey of Job Danel 2. A Survey of the Book Jeremah mnstered durng a rebellous and perverted poltcal and relgous clmate. In obedence to hs call, he preached warnngs of judgment untl Jerusalem fnally fell. Volume Two The Story of God s People A Survey of Joshua Esther Startng Your Journey Four lngerng lessons emerge from Jeremah. Frst, God chooses and uses unlkely people for unbelevable tasks. Second, when God s Word s gnored, serous consequences are nevtable. Thrd, no amount of carnal pleasure can erase the lonely slence of a dsobedent lfe. Fourth, success s not always the reward of fathfulness; sometmes, the most deservng are the least rewarded. Volume One Begnnngs A Survey of Geness Deuteronomy For related resources, please call: USA AUSTRALIA CANADA UK or vst or Orgnal outlne copyrght 1980 and Message Mate copyrght 2011, Inc. All rghts are reserved worldwde. Duplcaton of copyrghted materal for commercal use s strctly prohbted. Commtted to Excellence n Communcatng Bblcal Truth and Its Applcaton

16 JEREMIAH Theme Key Verses Judah s Sn and Judgment Jeremah s call Idolatry Corrupt leadershp Moral compromse 1 45 Exhortatons to Judah Promses of restoraton (30 33) Fall of Jerusalem and aftermath (39 45) Judgment s comng; repent! Propheces aganst the Natons Egypt Damascus Phlsta Kedar and Hazor Moab Elam Ammon Babylon Edom :23 24; 8:11 12, 21; 9:23 24; 31:1 40 A Soberng Endng Jerusalem n runs CHAPTER 52 Chrst n Jeremah The fountan of lvng waters (2:13); the rghteous Branch, the comng Shepherd, the LORD our rghteousness (23:4 6); the New Covenant (31:31); Redeemer (50:34) Copyrght 1980, 1997, 2009, Inc. All rghts reserved worldwde. Copyrght 2011, Inc. All rghts are reserved worldwde. Duplcaton of copyrghted materal for commercal use s strctly prohbted. Commtted to Excellence n Communcatng Bblcal Truth and Its Applcaton

17 , Volume Three Poets, Prophets, and Promses A Survey of Job Danel Lamentatons: A Prophet s Broken Heart A Survey of Lamentatons The Heart of the Matter Most of us have never been nvolved n a mop-up scene after a battle or followng a calamty. But those who have can testfy that t s one of the most panful and pathetc experences a human can endure. The ravages of war and the consequences of dsaster are usually beyond belef or descrpton. Few are those who can capture the tragc scene n words. Jeremah was one of the few. Hs bref, btng journal of what he saw and felt followng the fall of hs beloved naton s contaned n ths short book. It s one of the most vvd remnders n all the Bble of that verse n Galatans: Do not be deceved, God s not mocked; for whatever a man sows, ths he wll also reap (6:7). And so wll a cty. And so wll a naton. Dscoverng the Way 1. General Facts about the Book Jeremah s regarded by tradton as the author of the book, wrtten shortly after the fall of Jerusalem n 586 BC. It s a book of tears. Tools for Dggng Deeper Volume Three Poets, Prophets, and Promses A Survey of Job Danel 2. Tmeless Truths from the Book Lamentatons s dvded nto fve chapters, from whch we can draw fve truths. Volume Two The Story of God s People A Survey of Joshua Esther Startng Your Journey One endurng prncple emerges from the ash heap of Lamentatons: a hgh callng flaunted by low lvng nevtably leads to deep sufferng. Volume One Begnnngs A Survey of Geness Deuteronomy Orgnal outlne copyrght 1980 and Message Mate copyrght 2011, Inc. All rghts are reserved worldwde. Duplcaton of copyrghted materal for commercal use s strctly prohbted. Commtted to Excellence n Communcatng Bblcal Truth and Its Applcaton For related resources, please call: USA AUSTRALIA CANADA UK or vst or

18 LAMENTATIONS Jerusalem s Desolaton The Lord s Anger Jeremah s Gref The Lord s Anger Jeremah s Prayer CHAPTER 1 CHAPTER 2 CHAPTER 3 CHAPTER 4 CHAPTER 5 Underlyng Emoton Lonely, groanng Angry, exhortng Broken, weepng Desperate, angushed Weary, pleadng Short Prayers 1:20 22 See us! 2:20 22 Look at us! 3:55 66 Judge them! 4:20 Avenge us! 5:21 Restore us! Theme Key Verses Chrst n Lamentatons Mournng over sn; the severty of God s judgment; hope n Hs mercy 1:1, 5 2:14, 17 3: : :5, Jesus, lke Jeremah, wept over the sns of Jerusalem (Matthew 23:27 38; Luke 13:34 35). Copyrght 1980, 1997, 2009, Inc. All rghts reserved worldwde. Copyrght 2011, Inc. All rghts are reserved worldwde. Duplcaton of copyrghted materal for commercal use s strctly prohbted. Commtted to Excellence n Communcatng Bblcal Truth and Its Applcaton

19 , Volume Three Poets, Prophets, and Promses A Survey of Job Danel Ezekel: Strong Man of God A Survey of Ezekel The Heart of the Matter Stuart Brscoe chose an apt ttle for hs lttle book on Ezekel: All Thngs Werd and Wonderful. A reader can t read the prophet Ezekel s wrtngs three mnutes wthout encounterng the strange, the phenomenal, the wonderful. In hs own unpredctable manner, Ezekel told hs readers about the Lord; he genunely desred that people understand who God s. How needed are hs words n our own day! Ezekel wrote, preached, dramatzed, warned, and prophesed for more than two decades. Wth great enthusasm and magnaton, he vgorously declared God s message before an exled generaton of Jews dscouraged captves who needed a strong leader. Because modern mnds see humanty as awesome and God as tresome, a bg dose of Ezekel s long overdue. May God, Jehovah, emerge and, n all Hs glory, eclpse humanty beneath Hs almghty shadow as we hear and heed Ezekel s message. Dscoverng the Way 1. Introducton: Let s Meet the Man Ezekel began hs mnstry to the Babylonan exles when he was a 30-year-old, marred man a man clearly blessed by God, who commssoned hm to preach that hope comes when we focus on God s glory. Tools for Dggng Deeper Volume Three Poets, Prophets, and Promses A Survey of Job Danel 2. Content: Let s Survey Hs Book The book of Ezekel can be dvded nto four sectons: personal (chapters 1 3), judgment on Judah (chapters 4 24), destructon of the natons (chapters 25 32), and restoraton of God s people (chapters 33 48). Volume Two The Story of God s People A Survey of Joshua Esther Startng Your Journey Four tmeless prncples come from the book. Frst, those who sgnfcantly mpact others for God have God s hand on them, God s Word n them, and God s message speakng through them. Second, truth gans authentcty when t s modeled. Thrd, nothng s mpossble wth God. Fourth, there s always hope when we focus on God s glory. Volume One Begnnngs A Survey of Geness Deuteronomy For related resources, please call: USA AUSTRALIA CANADA UK or vst or Orgnal outlne copyrght 1980 and Message Mate copyrght 2011, Inc. All rghts are reserved worldwde. Duplcaton of copyrghted materal for commercal use s strctly prohbted. Commtted to Excellence n Communcatng Bblcal Truth and Its Applcaton

20 EZEKIEL About the Prophet EZEKIEL S CALL AND COMMISSION Judgment on Judah GOD S GLORY DEPARTS Judgment on the Natons ALL NATIONS ANSWER TO GOD Restoraton of God s People GOD S GLORY RETURNS God s hand on hm God s word n hm God s message through hm Theme Key Verse Chrst n Ezekel God wll be known through Hs judgment and restoraton; God s soveregn over heaven and earth. 39:28 The tender twg that becomes a stately cedar (17:22 24); the carng Shepherd (chapter 34) Copyrght 1980, 1997, 2009, Inc. All rghts reserved worldwde. Copyrght 2011, Inc. All rghts are reserved worldwde. Duplcaton of copyrghted materal for commercal use s strctly prohbted. Commtted to Excellence n Communcatng Bblcal Truth and Its Applcaton

21 , Volume Three Poets, Prophets, and Promses A Survey of Job Danel Danel: Man of Integrty, Message of Prophecy A Survey of Danel The Heart of the Matter It s doubtful that any Old Testament prophet played a more sgnfcant role n the hstory of Israel than Danel. Taken from hs homeland whle stll a teenager (no more than 15 years old) and pushed through a hghly compettve crash course n a foregn culture, Danel emerged as the premer prophet durng the regns of several monarchs of the captvty era. In ths person, we fnd a model of ntegrty, flawless to the core. And n hs propheces, we dscover a panorama of truth regardng God s plan for the Gentle natons outlned nowhere else n such clear detal. Wth the book of Danel s New Testament counterpart, Revelaton, we can ft together a farly complete account of future events set forth n the pages of Scrpture. Dscoverng the Way 1. Danel s Crcumstances and Character Danel exhbted ntegrty throughout hs long lfe as a teenager, a counselor, a hghrankng offcal, and an ntercessor. Tools for Dggng Deeper Volume Three Poets, Prophets, and Promses A Survey of Job Danel 2. Danel s Tests and Results Danel s ntegrty held frm when confronted wth peer pressure, professonal promoton, publc prase, physcal danger, and ssues of everyday prvate lfe. Volume Two The Story of God s People A Survey of Joshua Esther 3. Danel s Vsons and Propheces Danel s personal lfe was marked by ntegrty. Hs prophetc lfe was marked by vsons of Gentle natons, the Persan kngdom, and the perod of the end-tmes trbulaton. Startng Your Journey Danel s message for us today s twofold: a person of ntegrty s a powerful nstrument n the hand of God, and a promse wth authorty s a calm assurance n the heart of humanty. Volume One Begnnngs A Survey of Geness Deuteronomy For related resources, please call: USA AUSTRALIA CANADA UK or vst or Orgnal outlne copyrght 1980 and Message Mate copyrght 2011, Inc. All rghts are reserved worldwde. Duplcaton of copyrghted materal for commercal use s strctly prohbted. Commtted to Excellence n Communcatng Bblcal Truth and Its Applcaton

22 DANIEL Bographcal Secton Danel Interprets Others Dreams MAIN EMPHASIS: DANIEL THE PROPHET Introducton and settng (1) Nebuchadnezzar s apocalyptc dream (2) Hstorcal narratves (poltcal and personal) (3 6) Prophetcal Secton Angel Interprets Danel s Dreams MAIN EMPHASIS: THE PROPHECIES OF DANIEL Danel s foundatonal vson (7) Prophetc vsons (near and far) (8 12) POLITICAL POWERS... IN DANIEL S DAY... AND AFTERWARD Babylonan Rule Medo-Persan Rule Grecan Rule Roman Rule Nebuchadnezzar Belshazzar Darus Cyrus Alexander the Great Four generals Last of the Gentle powers Theme Key Verses Chrst n Danel God s soveregnty over kngdoms and Hs unfoldng plan for the future 2:20 22, 44; 4:34 37 The stone that wll crush earth s kngdoms (2:34 35, 44); Son of Man (7:13 14); the comng Messah who wll be crucfed (9:25 26) Copyrght 1980, 1997, 2009, Inc. All rghts reserved worldwde. Copyrght 2011, Inc. All rghts are reserved worldwde. Duplcaton of copyrghted materal for commercal use s strctly prohbted. Commtted to Excellence n Communcatng Bblcal Truth and Its Applcaton