OLD TESTAMENT SURVEY

Transcription

1 OLD TESTAMENT SURVEY By Rev. LeRoy Davis BSc. and Glenn Davis copyright 2003 by Rev. LeRoy Davis and Glenn Davis Lesson 26 ZECHARIAH Zechariah means Yahweh is renown or Yahweh remembers. It is a book of Messianic visions. 1. It contains 14 chapters. 2. It was written by Zechariah who was a prophet of Messianic vision. He ministered to the remnant from all tribes who returned from the Babylonian captivity and formed the new nation of Judah. He was of priestly descent, his grandfather Iddo returned from exile with Zerubbabel and Joshua - Ne. 12:4 3. Zechariah began his ministry 2 months after Haggai, midway between Haggai s second and third messages, Oct. - Dec. 520BC. 4. His ministry covered about 40 years ( BC.) and began about 16 years after the first remnant returned from Babylon. 5. Chapters 1-8 were written between BC. and chapters 9-14 were written between BC. THEME The theme is the first and second advent of the Messiah. CHRIST Christ is seen as the righteous Branch, the One whom Yahweh remembers. He is Yahweh's servant, the smitten Shepherd, the King-priest, who is King of the earth and the Builder of the true temple. KEY WORDS The key words - as is often the case - is a phrase the word of the Lord``[13]. Other important words are Jerusalem [41], Judah [22], against [18], house (of the Lord) [10], and jealous [5]. Other key phrases could be Lord of hosts``[53], saith the Lord'' [42], and that day'' [21]. KEY VERSE Zech.6:12,13 And speak unto him, saying, Thus speaketh the Lord of hosts, saying, Behold the man whose name is The Branch; and He shall grow up out of His place, and He shall build the temple of the Lord: (13) Even He shall build the temple of the Lord; and he shall bear the glory, and shall sit and rule upon His throne; and He shall be a priest upon His throne: and the counsel of peace shall be between them both. Zech.8:1-3 Again the word of the Lord of hosts came to me, saying, (2) Thus saith the Lord of hosts; I am jealous for Zion with great jealousy, and I was jealous for her with

2 great fury. (3) Thus saith the Lord; I am returned unto Zion, and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem: and Jerusalem shall be called a city of truth; and the mountain of the lord of hosts the holy mountain. PURPOSE 1. It was written to comfort Israel and call for national repentance. 2. It was a promise of preservation in oppression and of the fulfillment of the blessing of the covenant. 3. It was a warning of ultimate judgment. 4. It was to warn against formalism and exhort to obedience. 5. It was also written to give a view of the ultimate emergence of the true kingdom of Christ. 6. Like Haggai it was given to stir the remnant to complete the temple that had been left unfinished. EVENTS AND CHARACTERS 1. Zechariah contains the visions concerning the future. There was to be judgment upon the enemies of the church. Those enemies would be destroyed for afflicting the church. Spiritual Jerusalem would be rebuilt and Zion expanded among the nations. Jerusalem would be a protected city without walls. The priesthood would be cleansed and accepted. The people with the enabling power of the Holy Spirit and the Word would be a powerful witnessing people. The word of God would be a sanctifying force, sin would be removed and wickedness destroyed from the land. Christ would be the King of all the earth. 2. The Word of God challenges their fasting and feasting. The why and the reasons of such activities is examined. 3. God will protect and preserve His people and they are instructed to receive their coming King and continue to be His people. The King will come but they will reject and crucify Him and bring upon themselves the judgment of that rejection. Nevertheless out of that rejection will come the means of redemption and in spite of rejection the King will be crowned. Zechariah, who was the second prophet of the remnant after the return from Babylonian captivity, brought a message of encouragement to effect an inward spiritual change in the hearts of the people. Haggai's message was one of rebuke and the outward work of building the temple. Therefore, we see them working together (Ezra 5:1) and complimentary to one another. The temple was still being rebuilt when the first two sections of Zechariah were given so there is a partial fulfillment at that time. The temple had been rebuilt by the time the third section was given so it is clearly of Messianic times. NOTE: Zechariah contains more specific Messianic predictions than all the other minor'' prophets combined. 1:4-5 - They are reminded that their fathers failed by not hearing the former prophets and are encouraged not to follow their example. Notice the use of the word former. Former days and latter [or last] days refer to the two eras of the nation of Israel s existence - before and after the Babylonian Captivity. 1:8 - Notice the symbolic use of the red horse the horse of war and bloodshed. This horse also appears in the book of Revelation.

3 1: God is displeased because those who He had used to bring discipline had delighted in destruction and were now at ease. He promises to return and rebuild His house. Although this was fulfilled in the building of the physical Temple, it looks forward to the ultimate temple of the New Testament - His people. 1: The four horns [powers or kingdoms] show the nations which had oppressed the Jews: The Assyrians, Persians, Babylonians, and the Egyptians. The four carpenters represent the ones who destroyed these nations: Nabopolassar [Babylon], conquered the Assyrian empire, Cyrus who defeated the Babylonians, Alexander the Great who overran the Persians, and Ptolemy who rule Egypt. 2:4-5 - A picture of New Testament times. No need of physical protection for God Himself will be her protection and her glory. 2:8 - Apple of His eye - common saying. It is applied to the people of God. In the Old Testament that was the true believers among the nation of Israel - not all Jews. In the New Testament age, Christians are the people of God and are the apple of His eye not Jews unless they are also Christians. 2:11 - Again looking forward to New Testament times when all nations will come into the Kingdom of God. 3:1 - We see the discouragement at rebuilding the Temple had a satanic origin. 3: Jesus is the Servant of the Lord called the Branch - seven eyes - perfect perception - remove the iniquity in one day - the cross - which brings peace with God and with others. 4:6-7 - Famous Scripture showing that all is accomplished by God s Spirit not by human effort. We get overwhelmed sometimes when we look at things from a human perspective, we need to raise our vision to see as God sees. All mountains or obstacles are razed or leveled by the grace of God coming into the situation. 4:10 - Sometimes things start small but don t be discouraged, they will grow. 6: Again we meet Jesus as the Branch Who will build and rule in the Temple. 7:5-7 - They were doing things for themselves not out of a motive of serving and loving God. They were reminded to listen and obey the things the previous prophets had warned their forefathers about. 7: They are reminded of the sins of their fathers and how they had rudely refused to listen and had hardened their own hearts. Therefore God had not heard them when they cried and had dispersed them. 8: What does God expect of us? It boils down to righteousness. 8: speaks of the mass evangelism we see in the book of Acts and New Testament. 9:8 - Many times oppressors and armies passed through natural Israel but for Spiritual Israel the Lord is her guard and she will not be oppressed. 9:9 - The prophecy the Jesus would come having salvation and entering Jerusalem

4 riding on a donkey. 11: The prophecy that Christ would be betrayed for 30 pieces of silver - they were even cast down as Judas did when he tried to return them. 12: The prophecy that Jesus would be pierced at the cross as indeed happened when He was stabbed with the spear. There would be great mourning as a result of the death of Jesus. In the days leading up to 70AD families were divided and there were many suicides and murder-suicides and great mourning throughout the entire land. 13:1 - Christ opened the foundation of forgiveness on the cross. 13:7 - Another picture of that horrible night of crucifixion as the disciples all fled. LESSONS TO REMEMBER 1. God makes His will clear often by vision or revelation of His word. 2. God desires that people sacrifice in order to hear from Him. 3. Christ is the King, we must submit to Him, and give Him His rightful place. 4. God is jealous for His house and will have it restored. 5. The purposes of God are summed up in the Messianic Kingdom. OUTLINE I Voice and Visions of Zechariah (of the future) 1-6 A. The Rider 1:7-17 B. Four Horns C. Measuring Rod 2 D. Joshua's Garments 3 E. Candlestick and Olive Trees 4 F. Flying Roll 5:1-4 G. The Woman 5-11 H. Four Chariots 6:1-8 I. Crowning of Joshua 6:9-15 II Israel's Fasts 7-8 A. Why? 7:1-14 B. Answer 8:1-23 III Israel's Folly 9-14 A. Coming King 9 B. Call of the King 10 C. Crucifixion 11 D. Curse of the King 12 E. Compassion of the King 13 F. Coronation 14 OUTLINE (ALTERNATIVE) I Eight Symbolic Visions 1-6 II Four Didactic Messages 7-8 III Two Prophetic Burdens 9-14

5 MALACHI Malachi means messenger of Yahweh or my messenger. Malachi is short for Malachiah which also means messenger of Yahweh. He has been called the unknown prophet. It is a book of the Messenger of the Lord. 1. It contains 4 chapters. 2. It was written by Malachi, the last of the post-exilic prophets and the last of the Old Testament prophets. 3. He prophesied to the remnant who had returned from the Babylonian captivity about 100 years after Haggai. 4. The date of the book is around BC., some have suggested 458 BC. but it is the same general period. The date is based on: a] - Temple had been built for a long time and worship was established but the priests had become tired of it. b] - He mentions Judah s governor, but does not mention Nehemiah. c] - Sins rebuked by Malachi rebuked by Nehemiah when he returned to Jerusalem [sins - priestly indifference to temple worship and defilement of tithes, intermarriage of heathen women, Sabbath breaking]. The sins Malachi catalogued culminated in the murder of Christ. THEME The theme is God's love in spite of sin. CHRIST Christ is seen as the Messenger of the New Covenant, the Refiner, Purifier of His people, and the Cleanser of the temple. He is the Sun of Righteousness with healing in His wings. KEY WORDS The key word is curse(d) [7]. Other words that often appear are Where?(in, fore), What?[13], Covenant [6] and treacherously [5]. Phrases that could be considered important are saith the Lord'' [25], Lord of hosts'' [24][ and ye say'' [11]. KEY VERSE Mal.3:1,9,10 Behold, I will send my messenger, and He shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, who ye seek shall suddenly come to His temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, He shall come, saith the Lord of hosts. (9) Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation. (10) Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. PURPOSE 1. The main purpose of the book was to rebuke a stubborn people and challenge them to turn from their ingratitude, and the despising of the name of Yahweh by defilement

6 of the temple worship and corruption in their daily lives. 2. There is also reproof for neglect of temple and its worship. They were guilty of robbing God. 3. The priests are rebuked because they were profaning the temple worship. 4. It was written to encourage the faithful regarding the intent of God to fulfill His Messianic promises. EVENTS AND CHARACTERS 1. The catalogue of sins is given. They were lacking in gratitude, offering blemished sacrifices that would be an insult to a human governor if they were offered to him. Yet they felt those sacrifices were good enough for God. They had deserted their wives so the land was full of adulterers. They had broken their covenant with the wife of their youth and married foreign wives. 2. God would come and deal with them in judgment because of their actions, attitudes and arguments. The saints would receive justice and be remember and rewarded for their faithfulness. Haggai and Zechariah had been sent to rebuke the people for their neglect of rebuilding the temple. Malachi a generation later is sent to rebuke them for their neglect, profanity, and formalism in regard to the temple worship. The fact that his ministry was needed shows that while outward idolatry had been cured spiritual idolatry was very much alive. Malachi used the question and answer method. There being 23 questions in the book, to present his message. He pointed to the priests as the messengers of the Lord referring to the New Covenant messenger, John the Baptist. He also pointed to the Messiah as the Messenger of the New Covenant. NOTE: There are 400 years between Malachi and John the Baptist in which no prophetic voice was heard in the land, they are referred to as the silent years. 1:2-3 - Why did God choose Jacob over Esau? No other reason than In grace he chose Jacob. That is one of the hard things to understand but it shows the almighty power of God. He is the Creator and He will do what He will do. 1:6-7 - God points out that they honour their natural relations more than they honour Him. Because God isn t visible they think they can get away with giving Him second best - who is to know? How often do we get caught in the same trap? We think we can give God second best because no human being will know the difference. It shows our concept of God needs a little work. 1:10 - As we have seen often in the Prophets - God was always interested in the heart attitude not the ritual. 2:7 - The priests - teachers in the NT - have the responsibility to faithfully teach God s Word. 2: This is picked up in 1 Peter 3:7 where Peter tells husbands to honour their wives or their prayers may be hindered. God will not be manipulated. If we refuse to honour and protect those who are under our care, God will not listen when we are in trouble and need protection. 2: Why has God made families? Because He wants the earth full of Godly people and one of the best ways to accomplish that is having parents train up their children

7 in the ways of God. Therefore, God hates divorce. That is not to say that all divorce is wrong - sometimes it is necessary to protect an innocent person from an evil person - but it is not ideal and it involves a covenant death with is hard on all parties. 3:6 - The unchanging nature of God. 3: Famous verse on tithing and the only time I know of where we are told to test God. Money is a very tangible test. It is something we can see and feel and know very quickly how it works. 3: God listens to what we say. Do we think serving God is pointless? God is insulted. 3:16 - God also hears when we say the right things. Sometimes we think God only hears the wrong things. 4:5-6 - John the Baptist is pictured as Elijah. LESSONS TO REMEMBER 1. Apostasy always brings sorrow. 2. It does not pay to rob God. 3. Obedience brings immeasurable blessing. 4. Sins of hypocrisy harden and blind the heart. 5. Disobedience brings the curse. OUTLINE I The Lord's Complaints 1-2 A. Nation's Spiritual Sins 1:1-2:9 i Denying God's Love 1:1-5 ii Despising God's Name 1:6 iii Defiling God's Altar 7-14 iv Disregarding God's Law 2:1-9 B. Nation's Special Sins 2:10-17 i Detestable Worship ii Deserted Wives iii Distorted Words 17 II The Lord's Coming, Judgment and Justice 3-4 A. To Deal in Judgment with Sinners 3:1-15 i Judgment of Actions 3:1-5 ii Judgment of Attitudes 6-12 iii Judgment of Arguments B. To Deal in Justice with Saints 3:16-4:6 i Justice with the Saints 3:16-4:6 ii The Righteous to be: a. Remembered 3:16-18 b. Rewarded 4:1-4 c. Revisited 5 d. Revived 6

8 OUTLINE (ALTERNATIVE) I Message to the Priests (Religious) 1:1-2:9 II Message to the People (Social) 2:10-17 III Message to the Faithful (Moral) 3-4