The Old Testament Summary

Transcription

1 The Old Testament Summary A TESTAMENT OF JESUS CHRIST

2 OLD TESTAMENT SUMMARY GENESIS Story Summaries 1. The Creation (1-2) 2. The Fall (3) 3. Cain and Abel (4) 4. Patriarchal Line from Adam to Noah (5) 5. Noah and the Flood (6-9) 6. Genealogy of Ham, Shem and Japheth (10) 7. The Tower of Babel (11) 8. Abrahamic Covenant & Sojourn in Egypt (11-12) 9. Abraham and Lot (13-15) 10. Abraham, Sarai and Hagar (13-16) 11. The Covenant of Circumcision (17) 12. Sodom and Gomorrah (18-19) 13. Abraham and Abimelech (20) 14. Abraham and Isaac (21-22) 15. Isaac and Rebekah (23) 16. Jacob and Esau (25) 17. Isaac and Abimelech (26) 18. Jacob receives Isaac s Blessing (27) 19. Jacob s Ladder (28) 20. Jacob, Leia and Rachel (29) 21. Reunion of Jacob and Esau (32-33) 22. Dinah and the Hivites (34) 23. The Deaths of Isaac and Rachel (35-36) 24. Joseph sold into Egypt (37) 25. Judah and Tamar (38) 26. Joseph and Potiphar s Wife (39) 27. Joseph Interprets Pharaoh s Dreams (40-41) 28. Joseph s Family Reunion (42-47) 29. Israel Blesses his Children (48-50) A TESTAMENT OF JESUS CHRIST

3 The Book of Genesis 1 The Creation Story (Gen: 1-2) Note: The Genesis creation story is almost identical to the account in Moses, so the account in Moses is referred to here. 1. God is the creator of heaven and earth: I am the Beginning and the End, the Almighty God; by mine Only Begotten I created these things; yea, in the beginning I created the heaven, and the earth upon which thou standest. (Moses 2:1) 2. In the beginning or in the first day, God began by creating darkness and light and separating them into night and day: And the earth was without form, and void; and I caused darkness to come up upon the face of the deep; and my Spirit moved upon the face of the water; for I am God. And I, God, said: Let there be light; and there was light. And I, God, saw the light; and that light was good. And I, God, divided the light from the darkness. And I, God, called the light Day; and the darkness, I called Night; and this I did by the word of my power, and it was done as I spake; and the evening and the morning were the first day. (Moses 2: 2-5) 3. On the second day, God creates the atmosphere of the earth by dividing the waters and called the atmosphere the Heavens: And again, I, God, said: Let there be a firmament in the midst of the water, and it was so, even as I spake; and I said: Let it divide the waters from the waters; and it was done; And I, God, made the firmament and divided the waters, yea, the great waters under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament, and it was so even as I spake. (Moses 2: 6-7) 4. On the third day, God creates dry land and separates it from the sea. He also creates vegetation: And I, God, said: Let the waters under the heaven be gathered together unto one place, and it was so; and I, God, said: Let there be dry land; and it was so. And I, God, called the dry land Earth; and the gathering together of the waters, called I the Sea; and I, God, saw that all things which I had made were good 12 And the earth brought forth grass, every herb yielding seed after his kind, and the tree yielding fruit, whose seed should be in itself, after his kind; and I, God, saw that all things which I had made were good. (Moses 2: 9-13) 5. On the fourth day, God created the Sun, Moon and Stars to give light, act as signs and provide seasons and time: And I, God, said: Let there be lights in the firmament of the

4 heaven, to divide the day from the night, and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and for years And let them be for lights in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth; and it was so. And I, God, made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night, and the greater light was the sun, and the lesser light was the moon; and the stars also were made even according to my word. 6. On the fifth day God created the animals of the sea and the birds of the air: And I, God, created great whales, and every living creature that moveth, which the waters brought forth abundantly, after their kind, and every winged fowl after his kind; and I, God, saw that all things which I had created were good. And I, God, blessed them, saying: Be fruitful, and multiply, and fill the waters in the sea; and let fowl multiply in the earth. (Moses 2: 21-22) 7. On the sixth day, God created the beasts and animals of the earth: And I, God, made the beasts of the earth after their kind, and cattle after their kind, and everything which creepeth upon the earth after his kind; and I, God, saw that all these things were good. (Moses 2: 25) 8. Also on the sixth day, God created man in His own image as males and females who would have dominion over the entire creation: And I, God, said unto mine Only Begotten, which was with me from the beginning: Let us make man in our image, after our likeness; and it was so. And I, God, said: Let them have dominion over the fishes of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. And I, God, created man in mine own image, in the image of mine Only Begotten created I him; male and female created I them. (Moses 2: 26-27) 9. God commands man to multiply and replenish the earth and to subdue it: And I, God, blessed them, and said unto them: Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth. (Moses 2: 28) 10. God declares that fruits and vegetables are to be eaten by His creation. God also declares that His creation was good and the sixth day ended. (Moses 2: 29-31) 11. God rested on the Seventh Day and sanctified that day and declared His work finished and good: And on the seventh day I, God, ended my work, and all things which I had

5 made; and I rested on the seventh day from all my work, and all things which I had made were finished, and I, God, saw that they were good; And I, God, blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it; because that in it I had rested from all my work which I, God, had created and made. (Moses 3:2-3) 12. God created all things spiritually before He created them physically: For I, the Lord God, created all things, of which I have spoken, spiritually, before they were naturally upon the face of the earth. (Moses 3:5) 13. God formed man from the dust of the earth: And I, the Lord God, formed man from the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul, the first flesh upon the earth, the first man also; nevertheless, all things were before created; but spiritually were they created and made according to my word. (Moses 3: 7) 14. All of God s creation is infused with spiritual and physical matter: And out of the ground made I, the Lord God, to grow every tree, naturally, that is pleasant to the sight of man; and man could behold it. And it became also a living soul. (Moses 3:9) 15. God creates the Garden of Eden, plants the tree of life and tree of knowledge of good and evil and creates the fountain of living waters. Eden is surrounded by 4 rivers: Pison, Gihon, Hiddekel and Euphrates. (Moses 3:9-14) 16. God puts man in the Garden and tells him to eat of every tree but the tree of knowledge of Good and Evil: And I, the Lord God, commanded the man, saying: Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat, But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it, nevertheless, thou mayest choose for thyself, for it is given unto thee; but, remember that I forbid it, for in the day thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die. (Moses 3: 16-17) 17. Man was not meant to be alone but to live in union with the woman: It was not good that the man should be alone. (Moses 3: 18) 18. God sends all the animals to Adam who gives them names. (Moses 3: 19-20) 19. God creates woman from the rib of man to be with the man: And I, the Lord God, caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam; and he slept, and I took one of his ribs and closed up the flesh in the stead thereof; And the rib which I, the Lord God, had taken

6 from man, made I a woman, and brought her unto the man. And Adam said: This I know now is bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of man. Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife; and they shall be one flesh. (Moses 3: 21-24) Notes 1. God did not create the Earth out of nothing but organized it from pre-existing eternal materials: You ask the learned doctors why they say the world was made out of nothing, and they will answer, "Doesn't the Bible say He created the world?" And they infer, from the word create, that it must have been made out of nothing. Now, the word create came from the word baurau, which does not mean to create out of nothing; it means to organize; the same as a man would organize materials and build a ship. Hence we infer that God had materials to organize the world out of chaos-chaotic matter, which is element, and in which dwells all the glory. Element had an existence from the time He had. The pure principles of element are principles which can never be destroyed; they may be organized and re-organized, but not destroyed. They had no beginning and can have no end. (Joseph Smith, History of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 7 vols. 6:308-9) 2. God created man from the dust of the ground not from evolution or from transplanting form another world: It is not just the book of Genesis that states that man was formed of the dust of the ground. The same language is used in the books of Moses and Abraham (Moses 3:7; Abraham 5:7). The temple ceremony also teaches this doctrine. Therefore, we have 4 doctrinal witnesses that man was formed of the dust of the earth. If a doctrine is established in the mouth of 2 or 3 witnesses, then can we discount a doctrine that is established by the mouth of 4 separate witnesses?

7 The Book of Genesis 2 The Fall (Gen: 3) Note: The Account of the fall is almost identical to the account in Moses, so the account in Moses is referred to here. 1. In the Premortal World, Satan offered to be God s son and to redeem us but only if God removed our freedom to choose and gave Satan His throne: And I, the Lord God, spake unto Moses, saying: That Satan, whom thou hast commanded in the name of mine Only Begotten, is the same which was from the beginning, and he came before me, saying Behold, here am I, send me, I will be thy son, and I will redeem all mankind, that one soul shall not be lost, and surely I will do it; wherefore give me thine honor. (Moses 4:1) 2. Jesus also offered to be God s Son on Earth and to submit to the will of the Father in all things and to give all Glory to God: But, behold, my Beloved Son, which was my Beloved and Chosen from the beginning, said unto me Father, thy will be done, and the glory be thine forever. (Moses 4:2) 3. God chose Jesus and thus Satan led a rebellion in heaven in an attempt to overthrow God. Satan wanted to destroy agency and wanted to be our ruler: Wherefore, because that Satan rebelled against me, and sought to destroy the agency of man, which I, the Lord God, had given him, and also, that I should give unto him mine own power; by the power of mine Only Begotten, I caused that he should be cast down. (Moses 4:3) 4. Satan lost the war in heaven and was cast to the earth. Now he attempts to deceive the children of God to make them subject to him (as was his original plan) and destroy the plan of the Father: By the power of mine Only Begotten, I caused that he should be cast down; And he became Satan, yea, even the devil, the father of all lies, to deceive and to blind men, and to lead them captive at his will, even as many as would not hearken unto my voice. (Moses 4:3-4) 5. Satan... sought to destroy the agency of man. (Moses 4:3) Satan s grand goal is to destroy our agency for when he does we become subject to him. Anything that coerces belief is of Satan and is not of God. God will force no person to join the Church nor will He pass any law that destroys agency.

8 6. Satan was symbolized by the serpent: A hiker looks down and finds a rattlesnake slithering between his legs. He heard neither rattle nor warning; danger lurks beneath without sound or alarm. A camper knows that a snake can find its way into his shoe or sleeping bag. Approaching in perfect silence, his bite comes from below with bitter poison. Of all God's creations, snakes are known to be quiet and sly, cunning and crafty, dangerous and beguiling. These are the characteristics of the evil one. (Gospeldoctrine.com) (Moses 4:5) 7. Satan believed he was destroying God s creation when he tempts Eve to partake of the fruit. He tells her that when she eats the fruit she will know good from evil and be like God. (Moses 4: 6-12) Satan didn t know the fall was always part of God s Plan: And Satan put it into the heart of the serpent, (for he had drawn away many after him,) and he sought also to beguile Eve, for he knew not the mind of God, wherefore he sought to destroy the world. (Moses 4:6) 8. Adam and Eve partake of the Fruit and a change occurs as they now know good from evil. They realize they are naked and make aprons from fig leaves and hide from God. (Moses 4: 12-19) 9. Adam blames Eve (and maybe God for giving her to him) for the transgression and Eve blames the serpent showing their natures had changed: And the man said: The woman thou gavest me, and commandest that she should remain with me, she gave me of the fruit of the tree and I did eat. And I, the Lord God, said unto the woman: What is this thing which thou hast done? And the woman said: The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat. (Moses 4: 18-19) 10. God curses the serpent (Satan) so that he is lower than even the beasts of the field (who have bodies). Satan and his angels will be the enemies of Adam and Eve s posterity but they will only have power to bruise the heel while the children of Adam can crush the head of Satan: And I, the Lord God, said unto the serpent: Because thou hast done this thou shalt be cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life; And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, between thy seed and her seed; and he shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel. (Moses 4: 20-21) Christ to whom reference is made, shall bruise the serpent's head-shall wound him in a vital part; while the serpent shall have power only to wound the

9 woman's "seed" in the heel-an unvital part. The victory shall be given to the seed of the woman. The Christ will overcome Lucifer. A prophecy of the future worldbattle of good and evil forces-between the Christ and Lucifer, with assurance from God of victory with the Christ. (BH Roberts - Falling Away, ) 11. God Curses the woman so that children will be conceived in sorrow and her desire will be to the man who shall preside over her: Unto the woman, I, the Lord God, said: I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception. In sorrow thou shalt bring forth children, and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee. (Moses 4:22) "The preposition translated here as 'over' is the Hebrew letter beth. Its primary meaning is 'in' or 'with' rather than 'over.' That changes the last phrase to 'he shall rule with thee.' This alternate translation supports President Kimball's preference to read 'preside' rather than 'rule' in this scripture, and it would also better capture God's intent for the family. The Proclamation on the Family declares that although divine responsibilities may differ, 'fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners.'" (Dawn Anderson, Dlora Dalton, and Susette Green, eds., Every Good Thing: Talks from the 1997 BYU Women's Conference [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1998], 345) Desire means "to long for, to stretch out towards, and to yearn for." This was not a curse upon Eve but a blessing. Let's suppose that just before my daughter was to be married, she came to me and asked for a father's blessing. Let's further suppose that when I laid my hands on her head, I gave her the following blessing: "I bless you that you will always feel a desire toward your husband. You will long to be with him in eternity. Your heart will stretch out to him in love, and you will yearn for his companionship. I further bless you that he will preside over your home in righteousness and honor." Would she feel I had cursed and punished her? Surely every righteous woman in the Church desires to be married to a husband and to be able to love him in that manner. (Gospeldoctrine.com) 12. God curses the man by saying the ground he works will be difficult and he will need to labor intensively for survival: And unto Adam, I, the Lord God, said: Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the fruit of the tree of which I commanded thee, saying Thou shalt not eat of it, cursed shall be the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life. Thorns also, and thistles shall it bring forth to thee, and thou shalt eat the herb of the field. By the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, until thou shalt return unto the ground for thou shalt surely die

10 for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou wast, and unto dust shalt thou return. (Moses 4: 23-25) Adam felt directly the effects of transgression in finding a barren and dreary earth, with a relatively sterile soil, instead of the beauty and fruitfulness of Eden. In place of pleasing and useful plants, thorns and thistles sprang up; and the man had to labor arduously, under the conditions of physical fatigue and suffering, to cultivate the soil that he might obtain necessary food. (James E. Talmage - Articles of Faith [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1981], 61) God tells Adam that he will need to work all the days of his life in order to eat until he dies. 13. God made Adam and Eve coats of skins and clothed them: Unto Adam, and also unto his wife, did I, the Lord God, make coats of skins, and clothed them. (Moses 4:27) Notes 14. Adam and Eve were cast out of the Garden so that they would not eat of the tree of life and live forever. A flaming sword and angels guard the Garden. (Moses 4: 28-31) Death was a blessing for if Adam and Eve partook of the tree of life they would have lived forever in their fallen state. Life is a period granted to us to repent, die and to be raised to a higher state than we were born into on this earth. 1. If knowing good from evil is being like God, those who reject Him lose the capacity to discern between the two. They lose an attribute of deity given to man with the Fall.

11 The Book of Genesis 3 Cain and Abel (Gen: 4) Note: The Account of Cain and Abel is contained within the Book of Moses account with far greater context and detail so the superior version is provided here but a brief version is told in Genesis Adam and Eve begin working the land and having children. They receive Commandments from the Lord including the law of sacrifice. (Moses 5: 1-5) 2. An angel tells Adam that the law of sacrifice is meant to point them towards the great sacrifice of Jesus: And then the angel spake, saying: This thing is a similitude of the sacrifice of the Only Begotten of the Father, which is full of grace and truth. (Moses 5: 7) 3. The Holy Ghost witnesses to Adam and Eve that Jesus is the Christ and that through Him all can be redeemed from the Fall: And in that day the Holy Ghost fell upon Adam, which beareth record of the Father and the Son, saying: I am the Only Begotten of the Father from the beginning, henceforth and forever, that as thou hast fallen thou mayest be redeemed, and all mankind, even as many as will. (Moses 5: 9) 4. Adam and Eve realize the Fall was a necessary part of the plan of salvation and thank God: And in that day Adam blessed God and was filled, and began to prophesy concerning all the families of the earth, saying: Blessed be the name of God, for because of my transgression my eyes are opened, and in this life I shall have joy, and again in the flesh I shall see God. And Eve, his wife, heard all these things and was glad, saying: Were it not for our transgression we never should have had seed, and never should have known good and evil, and the joy of our redemption, and the eternal life which God giveth unto all the obedient. (Moses 5: 10-11) 5. Satan came among the children of Adam and tempted them not to believe in Jesus and many began to worship him and to be carnal, sensual and devilish: And Satan came among them, saying: I am also a son of God; and he commanded them, saying: Believe it not; and they believed it not, and they loved Satan more than God. And men began from that time forth to be carnal, sensual, and devilish. (Moses 5:13)

12 6. God taught men the doctrine of Christ, that we can only be saved through His Gospel, and through the Holy Ghost prompted all men everywhere to repent: And the Lord God called upon men by the Holy Ghost everywhere and commanded them that they should repent; And as many as believed in the Son, and repented of their sins, should be saved; and as many as believed not and repented not, should be damned; and the words went forth out of the mouth of God in a firm decree; wherefore they must be fulfilled. (Moses 5: 14-15) 7. The Story of Cain and Abel: Adam and Eve had two sons named Cain and Abel. Cain loved Satan more than God and Abel loved the Lord more than Satan. One day, both Cain and Abel brought an offering to the Lord: Abel brought the best of his sheep and Cain brought some fruit from the ground. The Lord accepted Abel s sacrifice but did not accept Cain s as Cain only gave a sacrifice because Satan told him to and he did it without faith or sincerity. The Lord warned Cain that if he did not repent he would be delivered to Satan and would rule over him in perdition. Cain stopped listening to God and formed a pact with Satan to kill Abel in order to gain his property. Cain then kills Abel and then the Lord curses Cain and sets a mark upon him. Cain and his people live in the land of Nod, east of Eden, and pass down the secret combinations and works of the Devil to each new generation. (Moses 5: 16-48) How does Cain Rule over Satan? It appears that the reason Satan desired to have him was due to the fact that Cain had obtained a body of flesh and bones and therefore had superior power, and Satan was willing to accept and be obedient to him because of that condition. The natural conclusion is, therefore, that a devil with a body of flesh and bones has some power greater than one who was denied the physical body. (Joseph Fielding Smith - Answers to Gospel Questions, 5 vols. [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., ], 2: 171) 8. Cain forms the first pact with Devil and learns of the Devil s secret oaths and works and forms a secret society. They take oaths not to reveal the society to anyone on

13 pain of death. They murder in order to get gain or convert life into property. And Satan said unto Cain: Swear unto me by thy throat, and if thou tell it thou shalt die; and swear thy brethren by their heads, and by the living God, that they tell it not; for if they tell it, they shall surely die; and this that thy father may not know it; and this day I will deliver thy brother Abel into thine hands. And Satan sware unto Cain that he would do according to his commands. And all these things were done in secret. And Cain said: Truly I am Mahan, the master of this great secret, that I may murder and get gain. Wherefore Cain was called Master Mahan, and he gloried in his wickedness. (Moses 5: 29-31) 9. Cain defies God when asked about Abel: And the Lord said unto Cain: Where is Abel, thy brother? And he said: I know not. Am I my brother s keeper? (Moses 5:34) Cain set the pattern of the world... Are we our brothers' keepers? In other words, are we responsible to look after the well-being of our neighbors as we seek to earn our daily bread? The Savior's Golden Rule says we are. Satan says we are not. Tempted of Satan, some have followed the example of Cain. They covet property and then sin to obtain it. The sin may be murder, robbery, or theft. It may be fraud or deception. It may even be some clever but legal manipulation of facts or influence to take unfair advantage of another. Always the excuse is the same: "Am I my brother's keeper?" (Dallin H. Oaks - Brother's Keeper," Ensign, Nov. 1986, 20) 10. The Curse of Cain was that he would be a fugitive and vagabond in the earth and that the earth would no longer yield its fruit to him. The mark was different from the curse as the mark put upon Cain was an act of mercy, that nobody would find Cain and kill him. The account is a reconstruction by Abraham O. Smoot of the words of Elder David W. Patten, a member of the first Quorum of the Twelve in this dispensation, relating an event that occurred in As I was riding along the road on my mule I suddenly noticed a very strange personage walking beside me. He walked along beside me for about two miles. His head was about even with my shoulders as I sat in my saddle. He wore no clothing, but was covered with hair. His skin was very dark. I asked him where he dwelt and he replied that he had no home, that he was a wanderer in the earth and traveled to and fro. He said he was a very miserable creature, that he had earnestly sought death during his sojourn upon the earth, but that he could not die, and his mission was to destroy the souls of men. About the time he expressed himself thus, I rebuked him in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by virtue of the Holy Priesthood,

14 and commanded him to go hence, and he immediately departed out of my sight. (gospeldoctrine.com) 11. Lamech, a son of Cain, murders his brother Irad who begins revealing the secret society of Satan to the children of Adam: For Lamech having entered into a covenant with Satan, after the manner of Cain, wherein he became Master Mahan, master of that great secret which was administered unto Cain by Satan; and Irad, the son of Enoch, having known their secret, began to reveal it unto the sons of Adam; Wherefore Lamech, being angry, slew him, not like unto Cain, his brother Abel, for the sake of getting gain, but he slew him for the oath s sake. 12. The Wives of Lamech make his secret murders known and Lamech enters into hiding: And among the daughters of men these things were not spoken, because that Lamech had spoken the secret unto his wives, and they rebelled against him, and declared these things abroad, and had not compassion; Wherefore Lamech was despised, and cast out, and came not among the sons of men, lest he should die. (Moses 5: 53-54) 13. Satan establishes his secret oaths and societies in all times to carry out his evil work of killing to get gain: For, from the days of Cain, there was a secret combination, and their works were in the dark, and they knew every man his brother. (Moses 5:51) 14. From the beginning, God s gospel was declared by Holy Angels and Satan s counterfeit oaths and society was declared by evil spirits. Many loved Satan more than God and chose him in the days of Adam: And thus the works of darkness began to prevail among all the sons of men. And God cursed the earth with a sore curse, and was angry with the wicked, with all the sons of men whom he had made; For they would not hearken unto his voice, nor believe on his Only Begotten Son, even him whom he declared should come in the meridian of time, who was prepared from before the foundation of the world. (Moses 5: 55-57) 15. The Gospel was declared by holy angels to Adam and his posterity, ordinances were revealed and firm decree set forth that the Gospel would exist until the end of the world. And thus the Gospel began to be preached, from the beginning, being declared by holy angels sent forth from the presence of God, and by his own voice, and by the gift of the Holy Ghost. And thus all things were confirmed unto Adam, by an holy ordinance, and the Gospel preached, and a decree sent forth, that it should be in the world, until the end thereof; and thus it was. Amen. (Moses 5: 58-59)

15 The Book of Genesis 4 Patriarchal Line from Adam to Noah (Gen: 5) Note: The Account of the Patriarchal line is given greater context and detail in the Book of Moses. Enoch is hardly mentioned in Genesis while Moses dedicates several chapters to his story. 1. Adam and Eve had another son named Seth who was righteous and offered acceptable sacrifices unto the Lord. (Moses 6:1-4) 2. Adam and his children kept a book of remembrance and wrote scripture by the power of the spirit. Their language was pure and undefiled: And a book of remembrance was kept, in the which was recorded, in the language of Adam, for it was given unto as many as called upon God to write by the spirit of inspiration; And by them their children were taught to read and write, having a language which was pure and undefiled. (Moses 6: 5-6) 3. Adam was given the same Priesthood that we have in the Latter Days: Now this same Priesthood, which was in the beginning, shall be in the end of the world also. (Moses 6: 7) 4. Adam lives 930 years and then he dies. The Patriarchal line continues through: Adam, Seth, Enos, Cainan, Mahalaleel, Jared, Enoch, Methuselah (Moses 6: 12-22) The righteous dwelt in a land called Shulon and then moved to Cainan. 5. Satan had great power over the people at this time and many wars occurred and secret combinations to get power commited many murders: And the children of amen were numerous upon all the face of the land. And in those days Satan had great dominion among men, and raged in their hearts; and from thenceforth came wars and bloodshed; and a man s hand was against his own brother, in administering death, because of secret works, seeking for power. (Moses 6:15 ) 6. The Patriarchs were righteous men who taught the Gospel to the world: And they were preachers of righteousness, and spake and prophesied, and called upon all men, everywhere, to repent; and faith was taught unto the children of men. (Moses 6:23)) 7. Enoch is only briefly mentioned in Genesis but for a fuller account of his life see the Book of Moses: And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him. (Gen 5: 24)

16 The Book of Genesis 5 Noah and the Great Flood (Gen: 6-9) Setting: Most conservative Christian scholars date the flood around 2348 BC or 1652 years after Adam left the Garden. The World became so wicked that God had to send a flood to destroy the world of men at the time and to start anew. He commanded Noah and his family to build an ark and to spare 2 of every animal to repopulate the earth when the flood ended. 1. Noah and his sons were obedient to God until many of their daughters rebelled against God. (Genesis 6: 2) 2. God said that His spirit would not always strive with the people of the world. When God removes His Spirit destruction immediately comes. (Genesis 6:3) Nephi declared, "When the Spirit ceaseth to strive with man then cometh speedy destruction, and this grieveth my soul." (2 Ne. 26:11). 3. God decides to shorten the lifespan of man as long life did not seem to produce repentance: Yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years. (Gen 6:3) Nowadays nobody lives past 120 years, even though the Patriarchs lived close to a thousands years. 4. The people that lived during Noah s time were so evil that God regretted sending them to the earth. The people were entirely corrupt and filled with violence: And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart. (Genesis 6:3-12) 5. Only Noah and his Sons, Shem, Ham and Japheth were righteous: These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God. (Genesis 6:9 ) 6. God decides to destroy the earth with a flood because of the wickedness of the people: And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth. (Genesis 6:13)

17 7. God commands Noah to build an ark and to gather 2 of every kind of animal to reproduce in the earth after the flood. (Genesis 6: 17-20) 17 And, behold, I, even I, do bring a flood of waters upon the earth, to destroy all flesh, wherein is the breath of life, from under heaven; and everything that is in the earth shall die. 18 But with thee will I establish my covenant; and thou shalt come into the ark, thou, and thy sons, and thy wife, and thy sons' wives with thee. 19 And of every living thing of all flesh, two of every sort shalt thou bring into the ark, to keep them alive with thee; they shall be male and female. 20 Of fowls after their kind, and of cattle after their kind, of every creeping thing of the earth after his kind, two of every sort shall come unto thee, to keep them alive. 8. God Commands Noah to take 7 of every kind of clean beast and bird but only 2 of every unclean animal. He declares that the flood will last 40 days and nights. (Genesis 7: 1-5) 9. In the 600 th year of Noah s life, the Flood waters began to come down and Noah and his family entered the Ark with all the animals. (Genesis 7: 11-12) 10. The whole earth was covered in the flood and the flood was so deep that it covered the mountains: And the waters prevailed exceedingly upon the earth; and all the high hills, that were under the whole heaven, were covered. Fifteen cubits upward did the waters prevail; and the mountains were covered. (Genesis 7: 19-20) 11. Everything on the earth died except for what was in Noah s ark. The waters remained on the earth for 150 days: And every living substance was destroyed which was upon the face of the ground, both man, and cattle, and the creeping things, and the fowl of the heaven; and they were destroyed from the earth: and Noah only remained alive, and they that were with him in the ark. And the waters prevailed upon the earth an hundred and fifty days. (Genesis 7: 23-24) 12. God sent a great wind to remove the water from the earth and the Ark rested upon Mt. Ararat. (Genesis 8: 1-4) 13. Noah sends out Ravens and Doves to see if dry land can be found but they return to him indicating they cannot. Eventually a dove returns with an olive leaf, indicating the flood had receded. (Genesis 8: 5-8)

18 14. After the flood recedes, Noah leaves the ark and sacrifices some of the clean animals (there were 7) to God. (Genesis 8: 16-20) 15. God removes the curse from the land: Doctrine and Covenants 61 gives an interesting insight into the curse of Jehovah, "I, the Lord, in the beginning cursed the land, even so in the last days have I blessed it, in its time, for the use of my saints, that they may partake the fatness thereof." (DC 61:17) Also, "I the Lord, in the beginning blessed the waters; but in the last days, by the mouth of my servant John, I cursed the waters." (DC 61:14) The curse upon the land, it would seem was removed after the Flood. Still, it would produce according to a telestial law, but never again would the land be as barren and cursed as in Noah's day. (gospeldoctrine.com) 16. While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease. (Genesis 8: 22) Seasons of the year (summer, fall, winter, and spring) are first referred to in the Bible as being in existence after the flood. "While the earth remaineth" (meaning in its present or fallen state) the Lord promised Noah, "seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease." (Gen. 8:22.) The inference is that it was not until after the flood that it became necessary to plant in a particular time so that a harvest might be reaped. Presumptively before that earth-changing event both seedtime and harvest prevailed at all times the year around. Seasons as we know them with their varied climatic and other conditions come about because the axis of the earth is tilted 23 1/2 degrees. Revealed knowledge of all the great changes the earth has undergone is not presently available to men. We do know that the earth was created in a paradisiacal or terrestrial state; that it fell to its present telestial condition; that it will be renewed and receive again its paradisiacal glory during the millennium; and that eventually it is to become a celestial sphere. Some have speculated that the earth's axis tipped, possibly incident to the flood, so that seasons as we know them had their beginning. This speculation would account for some of the so-called prehistorical periods during which, according to geologists and others, climatic conditions on the earth were radically different from those that have prevailed during known time periods. This line of speculation also assumes that when the millennial era commences, when the whole earth again becomes a garden, that the axis thereof will return to its upright position so that seasons in the sense that they now exist will cease. (Mormon Doctrine, 2d ed. [Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1966], 684.)

19 17. God blesses Noah and his sons and tells them to multiply and replenish the earth: And God blessed Noah and his sons, and said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth. (Genesis 9:1) 18. God blesses man that he shall rule over all the beasts and that those beasts will fear him: And the fear of you and the dread of you shall be upon every beast of the earth, and upon every fowl of the air, upon all that moveth upon the earth, and upon all the fishes of the sea; into your hand are they delivered. (Genesis 9:2) 19. All animal life and things of the earth were created for the use of man: Every moving thing that liveth shall be meat for you; even as the green herb have I given you all things. (Gen 9:3) Many environmentalists now worship the earth and view animals as more important than humans. 20. God tells Noah not to eat the blood of creatures: But flesh with the life thereof, which is the blood thereof, shall ye not eat. (Gen 9: 4) 21. God tells man not to kill animals, except for food when needed: And surely blood shall not be shed, only for meat, to save your lives; and the blood of every beast will I require at your hands. (JST Gen. 9:11) 22. God says that anybody that commits murder shall be killed: Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man. (Gen 9:6) I know there are some benevolent and philanthropic people in these times who think that capital punishment ought to be abolished. Yet I think the Lord knows better than they. The law he ordained will have the best results to mankind in general. (Joseph Fielding Smith, Answers to Gospel Questions, 5 vols. [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., ], 1: 189.) 23. God covenants with Noah not to destroy the earth again with a flood. The Rainbow was a sign of the covenant that was made and reminded God of the covenant when He saw it. And I will establish my covenant with you; neither shall all flesh be cut off any more by the waters of a flood; neither shall there any more be a flood to destroy the earth. And God said, This is the token of the covenant which I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for perpetual generations: I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between me and the earth. (Gen 9: 11-13)

20 God is also talking of the Gospel covenants He made with Enoch: I will establish my covenant with you, which I made unto your father Enoch, concerning your seed after you. (JST Gen. 9:15) 24. Noah, Ham, Shem and Japheth begin multiplying and their descendants spread all over the earth. (Gen 9: 18-19) 25. Noah curses Ham, most likely for stealing the Priesthood garment. His descendants will be denied the Priesthood and be servants to the descendants of Shem and Japheth: It is hard to imagine that Ham's great indiscretion was to see his father's nakedness-that a curse upon him and his seed would come from such an act. Jewish traditions, not available to the scribes who wrote Genesis, would suggest that Ham's crime was quite different. They would suggest that Noah had inherited Adam's priesthood garment. They would suggest that Ham's crime was that he stole it from his father. Since the tradition was that the Father would pass the garment on to his firstborn son, Ham would have received it by inheritance. It would seem he got impatient, stealing it before Noah was ready to give it up. (gospeldoctrine.com) 26. Noah Blesses Shem who becomes the father of the Semitic races: "Shem was the traditional ancestor of the Shemitic or Semitic races, i.e., a group of kindred nations, which includes the Arabs, the Hebrews and Phoenicians, the Aramaeans or Syrians, the Babylonians and Assyrians. The languages spoken by these various nations were closely related, and were known as the Semitic languages." (Bible Dictionary, Shem) 27. Noah also blesses Japeth to dwell in the tents of Shem: God shall enlarge Japheth, and he shall dwell in the tents of Shem. (Genesis 9: 27) Years after the Flood, Noah dies at the Age of 950. (Genesis 9: 28-29) Notes 1. Noah was known as Gabriel in the pre-existence and he is next to Adam in authority: There is more to Noah than the story of the Flood. Unfortunately, we have only hints as to the greatness of his ministry and priesthood. The Prophet Joseph Smith stated, "The Priesthood was first given to Adam... then to Noah, who is Gabriel: he stands next in authority to Adam in the Priesthood; he was called of God to this office, and was the father of all living in this day, and to him was given the dominion. These men held keys first on earth, and then in heaven." (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, 157)

21 2. The Great Flood can be viewed as the Baptism of the earth: [The earth] was baptized by water. A great flow of water came, the great deep was broken up, the windows of heaven were opened from on high, and the waters prevailed upon the face of the earth, sweeping away all wickedness and transgression-a similitude of baptism for the remission of sins. God requires the children of men to be baptized. What for? For the remission of sins. So he required our globe to be baptized by a flow of water, and all of its sins were washed away, not one sin remaining. (Mark E. Petersen, Noah and the Flood [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1982], 56.) 3. Noah began in the Americas but the flood moved him to Asia Minor: Peculiar to the Latterday Saints is the doctrine that Noah floated from America to Asia Minor. President Kimball expressed it this way, "Noah carried his family through the flood. Civilization moved from the Mississippi River to Mount Ararat." ("Living the Gospel in the Home," Ensign, May 1978, 102) President George Q. Cannon stated: Men have supposed that because the ark rested on Ararat that the flood commenced there, or rather that it was from thence the Ark started to sail. But God in His revelations has informed us that it was on this choice land of Joseph where Adam was placed and the Garden of Eden was laid out. (Journal of Discourses, 11: 337.) 4. Every year you see a Rainbow, the Lord will not come in that year: Joseph Smith taught: The Savior will not come this year, nor forty years to come. The bow has been seen in the cloud, and in that year that the bow is seen, seed time and harvest will be. But when the bow ceases to be seen, look out for a famine. I have asked of the Lord concerning his coming, and while asking, the Lord gave me a sign and said: "In the days of Noah I set a bow in the heavens as a sign and token that in any year that the bow should be seen, the Lord would not come; but there should be seed time [and] harvest during that year. But whenever you see the bow withdraw, it shall be a token that there shall be famine, pestilence, and great distress among the nations." (Kent P. Jackson, comp. and ed., Joseph Smith's Commentary on the Bible [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1994], 113.)

22 5. Ham was the Father of Canaan: Ham's wife, Egyptus, was of Canaanite descent (see Moses 7:7-8, Abr. 1:21). Before the Flood, the Canaanites were a race briefly mentioned in Moses 7:7-8. Their son, Canaan, became the father of a new race of postdiluvian Canaanites and the Egyptians. "From this descent sprang all the Egyptians, and thus the blood of the Canaanites was preserved in the land." (Abr. 1:22) 6. Why did Noah get drunk: Applying our Word of Wisdom (D&C 89) to Noah's day makes the great prophet a sinner. The student of the Old Testament must get used to great and noble characters partaking of wine and occasionally drinking enough to become somewhat intoxicated. The theme is repeated, even among the righteous, in both the Old Testament and the Book of Mormon (Judges 19:21-22; 2 Sam. 13:28; Eccl. 9:7; Mosiah 22:7-10; Moro. 6:6). In general, drunkenness is discouraged but alcohol is not completely forbidden. Even in New Testament times, the early saints partook of wine as part of their sacramental oblations (Acts 2:13, 1 Tim. 5:23). It seems to be strictly forbidden only in our generation, "in consequence of evils and designs which do and will exist in the hearts of conspiring men in the last days" (D&C 89:4). (gospeldoctrine.com) 7. The Book of Jasher explains the Noah and Ham story from Genesis 9: The Book of Jasher tells us that "after the death of Adam, the garments were given to Enoch, the son of Jared, and when Enoch was taken up to God, he gave them to Methuselah, his son. And at the death of Methuselah, Noah took them with him in the ark. And as they were leaving [the ark], Ham stole those garments from Noah his father, and he took them and hid them from his brothers." Then Ham secretly gave the garments to his favorite son, Cush, who handed them down in the royal line. We meet this idea of the stolen garment often. We are told in one document that the garment of Adam was owned also by Noah and Ram, the brother of the biblical Jared; but the tradition is that Ham, the father of Cainan, saw the skn garment of his father, showed it to his brothers outside, made copies of it, and claimed it for himself. According to Rabbi Eliezer, Noah came to himself and saw what had happened - that Ham had stolen his garments. (The world used "nakedness" as the word; "skin garment," the same word, is simply a derived or secondary meaning. The word means "skin covering.") When Noah found out what he had done, he cursed Ham and said, "Because you grabbed it ahead of time [he was firstborn and would have received it by inheritance], Ham, you cannot have the priesthood until the end of time. Meanwhile, I will give the garment to Shem, and part of it to Japheth, but you cannot have it." Why? Because Noah had anticipated that Ham would get it illegally. (Temple and Cosmos: Beyond This Ignorant Present, edited by Don E. Norton [Salt Lake City and Provo: Deseret Book Co., Foundation for Ancient Research and Mormon Studies, 1992], )

23 The Book of Genesis 6 The Genealogy of Ham, Shem and Japheth (Gen: 10) Setting: The Sons of Noah multiply and replenish the earth and out of them come all the different nations 1. Japheth s descendants were gentiles and settled the Indo-European countries and other areas. (Gen 10: 1-5) "As we run our eye down the catalogue of nations in Gen. 10, we have little difficulty in recognising them; and beginning with the youngest, Japheth, we find of those known to the general reader, the Cymry of Wales and Brittany (Gomer), the Scythians (Magoa), the Medes (Madai), the Greeks (Ionians, Javan), and the Thracians (Tiras). Among their descendants, the Germans, Celts, and Armenians have been traced to the three sons of Gomer." (Edersheim, Alfred, Old Testament Bible History, chap. 8) "Tarshish may have been in Spain (60:8-9); Pul and Lud are both probably in northern Africa (Gen. 10:6 Gen. 10:6, Gen. 10:13 13; Jer. 46:9Jer. 46:9; Ezek. 30:5Ezek. 30:5) Tubal is probably in Asia Minor near the Black Sea (Ezek. 32:26Ezek. 32:26; Ezek. 38:2 38:2; Ezek. 39:1 39:1) and Javan is Greece (Ezek. 27:13Ezek. 27:13)." (Donald W. Parry, Jay A. Parry, and Tina M. Peterson, Understanding Isaiah [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1998], 592.) By the name Gentile is meant all those who are not Israelites and who are outside of the covenant made with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. The name originally had reference to the descendants of Japheth. ("Gen. 10:5Gen. 10:5.) It is used frequently in the scriptures in reference to the nations not of Israel. (Joseph Fielding Smith - The Way to Perfection [Salt Lake City: Genealogical Society of Utah, 1949], 141.) Descendants of Japeth 2 nd Generation from Noah Gomer Magog Madai Javan Tubal 3 rd Generation from Probable places of Noah Settlement Ashkenaz, Riphath, and Wales, Britain, Germany Togarmah Scythians, (modern day Ukraine and Kazakhstan) Medes (Iran, Iraq) Elishah, Tarshish, Kittim, Ionians and Thracians and Dodanim (Rodanim) (Greece),?Spain Near Black Sea, Georgia

24 Meshech Cappadocians (Asia Minor) 2. Ham s Descendants settled Africa and parts of the Middle East. (Gen 10: 6-20) Descendants of Ham 2 nd Generation from Noah Cush Mizraim Phut Canaan 3 rd Generation from Noah Seba, Havilah, Sabtah, Raamah, Sabtecha, and Nimrod Ludim, Ananim, Lahabim, Naphtuhim, Pathrusim, Casluhim, and Caphtorim None mentioned Sidon and Heth 4 th Generation from Noah Sheba and Dedan from Raamah Egypt, Palestine via Casluhim Canaan, modern day Israel Probable places of settlement Arabian peninsula, Ethiopia, Babylon via Nimrod 3. Nimrod was a descendant of Ham through Cush, which according to Jewish Legends, was a very wicked man who stole the garments of the Priesthood from Noah and set himself up as a God. "The first among the leaders of the corrupt men was Nimrod. His father Cush had married his mother at an advanced age, and Nimrod, the offspring of this belated union, was particularly dear to him as the son of his old age. He gave him the clothes made of skins with which God had furnished Adam and Eve at the time of their leaving Paradise. Cush himself had gained possession of them through Ham. From Adam and Eve they had descended to Enoch, and from him to Methuselah, and to Noah, and the last had taken them with him into the ark. When the inmates of the ark were about to leave their refuge, Ham stole the garments and kept them concealed, finally passing them on to his first-born son Cush. Cush in turn hid them for many years. When his son Nimrod reached his twentieth year, he gave them to him. These garments had a wonderful property. He who wore them was both invincible and irresistible. The beasts and birds of the woods fell down before Nimrod as soon as they caught sight of him arrayed in them, and he was equally victorious in his combats with men. The source of his unconquerable strength was not known to them. They attributed it to his personal prowess, and therefore they appointed him king over themselves. This was done after a conflict between the descendants of Cush

25 and the descendants of Japheth, from which Nimrod emerged triumphant, having routed the enemy utterly with the assistance of a handful of warriors. He chose Shinar as his capital. Thence he extended his dominion farther and farther, until he rose by cunning and force to be the sole ruler of the whole world. The first mortal to hold universal sway, as the ninth ruler to possess the same power will be the Messiah. "His impiousness kept pace with his growing power. Since the flood there had been no such sinner as Nimrod. He fashioned idols of wood and stone, and paid worship to them. But not satisfied to lead a godless life himself, he did all he could to tempt his subjects into evil ways, wherein he was aided and abetted by his son Mardon. This son of his outstripped his father in iniquity. It was their time and their life that gave rise to the proverb, 'Out of the wicked cometh forth wickedness.' "The great success that attended all of Nimrod's undertakings produced a sinister effect. Men no longer trusted in God, but rather in their own prowess and ability, an attitude to which Nimrod tried to convert the whole world. Therefore people said, 'Since the creation of the world there has been none like Nimrod, a mighty hunter of men and beasts, and a sinner before God.' "And not all this sufficed unto Nimrod's evil desire. Not enough that he turned men away from God, he did all he could to make them pay Divine honors unto himself. He set himself up as a god, and made a seat for himself in imitation of the seat of God. It was a tower built out of a round rock, and on it he placed a throne of cedar wood, upon which arose, one above the other, four thrones, of iron, copper, silver, and gold. Crowning all, upon the golden throne, lay a precious stone, round in shape and gigantic in size. This served him as a seat, and as he sate upon it, all nations came and paid him Divine homage." (Louis Ginzberg, The Legends of the Jews, 7 vols. [Philadelphia: Jewish Publication Society of America, ], vol. 1, "Nimrod".) 4. Ham s descendants found Babylon, one of the most powerful civilizations of antiquity. (Gen 10: 11-12) 5. The Philistines, ancient rivals of Israel were descended from Ham: The most relentless foes of the Israelites were the Philistines. According to Gen. 10:14Gen. 10:14, they were descendants of Ham through Mizraim and Casluhim "out of whom came Philistim."

26 6. Many of the descendants of Ham were Israel s adversaries: The Canaanite nations listed in these verses were especially important to the biblical scribes who wrote this account. Perpetual enemies of the Israelites, these nations were wicked and idolatrous. 7. Shem s descendants were the Semites who populated the Middle East. Descendants of Shem 2 nd Gen. from Noah Elam Asshur Arphaxad Lud Aram 3 rd Gen. from Noah 4 th Gen. from Noah Probable settlements Uz, Hul, Gether, and Mash Assyria Salah Lydians (Turkey) Syria Armenia, Elam (see map 5), Damascus, Bactrians and Mesaneans Eber who begat Peleg and Joktan Chaldeans 8. Peleg... in his days was the earth divided (Gen 10: 25) In the days of Peleg the Lord divided the earth, hence the eastern and western hemisphere, doubtless thinking by doing so he would have a better opportunity to preserve some of the human family from going down to perdition. But still the devil found ready access to the hearts of the people generally, and many became so corrupt that God had to destroy them. But before allowing his justice to overtake them, he saved unto himself certain good seed and planted it in different parts of his vineyard. (John Taylor - Unlocking the Old Testament [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1981], 11.) 9. The Arabs were descended from Shem through Joktan: "The earliest Arabians, according to the Bible, were the descendants of Joktan, who lived five generations after the flood. The Joktanites lived in the fertile regions of southern Arabia, and were the 'Arabians that were near the Ethiopians.' They were traders, some of whom in later years actually crossed the Red Sea to settle in Ethiopia. One of the sons of Joktan was Sheba, ancestor of the Queen of Sheba who visited Solomon. The northern Arabian tribes were, for the most part, descended from Abraham through Ishmael, son of his Egyptian wife, Hagar. His descendants inhabited the coastal area of western Arabia." (John Tvedtnes, "Who Is an Arab?" Ensign, Apr. 1974, 27)

27 The Book of Genesis 7 The Tower of Babel (Gen: 11: 1-9) Setting: In the plain of Shinar or in Mesopotamia shortly after the flood. 1. After the flood, the whole world spoke a single language. (Gen 11:1) 2. Most of the people settled in Mesopotamia around the Nile and Euphrates River. (Gen 11:2) 3. The people decided to build a tower that would reach heaven: And they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth. (Gen 11: 4) 4. God came down and confounded the language of the people and scattered them abroad in the earth because of their wickedness in building the tower: Therefore is the name of it called Babel; because the Lord did there confound the language of all the earth: and from thence did the Lord scatter them abroad upon the face of all the earth. (Gen 11: 9) Josephus Account: Genesis is very vague concerning the tower, so we turn to Josephus for some more details. Now it was Nimrod who excited them to such an affront and contempt of God... He also gradually changed the government into tyranny, seeing no other way of turning men from the fear of God, but to bring them into a constant dependence on his power. He also said he would be revenged on God, if he should have a mind to drown the world again; for that he would build a tower too high for the waters to be able to reach! And that he would avenge himself on God for destroying their forefathers! Now the multitude were very ready to follow the determination of Nimrod, and to esteem it a piece of cowardice to submit to God; and they built a tower, neither sparing any pains, nor being in any degree negligent about the work: and, by reason of the multitude of hands employed in it, it grew very high, sooner than anyone could expect; but the thickness of it was so great, and it was so

28 strongly built, that thereby its great height seemed, upon the view, to be less than it really was. It was built of burnt brick, cemented together with mortar, made of bitumen, that it might not be liable to admit water. When God saw that they acted so madly, he did not resolve to destroy them utterly, since they were not grown wiser by the destruction of the former sinners; but he caused a tumult among them, by producing in them divers languages, and causing that, through the multitude of those languages, they should not be able to understand one another. The place wherein they built the tower is now called Babylon, because of the confusion of that language which they readily understood before; for the Hebrews mean by the word Babel, confusion. (Antiquities of the Jews, Book I, 4:2-3) 1. Nimrod was an evil tyrant who tried to make the people dependent upon him and his government rather than God. Dependence on government can take us away from God. 2. Nimrod and the people built the tower to escape another flood and to seek revenge against God for destroying their ancestors in the flood. The people were so arrogant they thought they could reach heaven and make war with God and defeat Him. 3. God s judgment was not destruction but confusion of all of their languages so they couldn t understand each other and thus a scattering throughout the earth. 4. Babel means confusion in Hebrew. The Book of Mormon Account of the Jaredites The Book of Mormon tells the story of one of the groups scattered at this time. Unlike the others, the Jaredites did not have their language confused. They were, however, scattered from Mesopotamia to the Americas. "The Lord confounded the language of the people, and swore in his wrath that they should be scattered upon all the face of the earth; and according to the word of the Lord the people were scattered. And the brother of Jared being a large and mighty man, and a man highly favored of the Lord, Jared, his brother, said unto him: Cry unto the Lord, that he will not confound us that we may not understand our words....therefore he did not confound the language of Jared." (Ether 1:33-35) Jared and his brother received the promise that they would be taken to a choice land, "I will go before thee into a land which is choice above all the lands of the earth." (Ether 1:42)

29 The Book of Genesis 8 The Abrahamic Covenant & Sojourn in Egypt (Gen: 11: 10-12) Setting: Abraham lived in Ur of the Chaldees and then moves to Canaan. On his journey there, he receives the Abrahamic Covenant. The Pearl of Great Price account of Abraham s early life and the Abrahamic Covenant is included here as it gives far more detail than the account in Genesis. 1. Abraham was a descendant of Shem. (Gen 11:10-28) Shem-Arphaxad-Salah-Eber-Peleg-Reu-Serug-Nahor-Terah-Abaraham. 2. Pearl of Great Price Additions: Genesis says nothing about Abraham s visions of the creation and of the cosmos. It also is silent on Abraham s early life where his father tried to sacrifice him to heathen idols. The Book of Abraham Setting: The Book of Abraham was revealed by Revelation to the Prophet Joseph Smith when he was studying the papyri and mummies that the Latter Day Saints had purchased in This book recounts how Abraham sought the blessings of the priesthood, rejected the idolatry of his father, covenanted with Jehovah, married Sarai, moved to Canaan and Egypt, and received knowledge about the Creation. Abraham lived in the land of the Chaldeans (Modern Iraq) in the city of Ur with his father and sought the blessings of the Priesthood. However, his fathers had become wicked and idolatrous as they worshipped the gods of Egypt and sacrificed their children to those gods. Abraham tells us that the priest had sacrificed three virgins who would not worship the Egyptian gods and they tried to sacrifice him as well because he would not worship them. While Abraham was on the altar, Jesus appeared and delivered him miraculously and unloosed his bands, killed the priest and destroyed the idols. Jesus promised to lead Abraham out of this land and into a new land and to do a great work through him. After the priest is killed, a great famine strikes the land and causes great hardship for the people. Abraham s father repents for trying to sacrifice him to the Egyptian gods. Key Principles 1. Abraham earnestly sought the Priesthood which existed from before the world was created and was had from the beginning of time: It was conferred upon me from the fathers; it came down from the fathers, from the beginning of time, yea, even from the beginning, or before the foundation of the earth, down to the present time, even the right of the firstborn, or the first man, who is Adam, or first father, through the fathers unto me. (Abraham 1:3)

30 2. God promises Abraham that through his ministry, his name will be known in the earth forever: As it was with Noah so shall it be with thee; but through thy ministry my name shall be known in the earth forever, for I am thy God. (Abraham 1: 19) 3. Egyptians were descendants of Ham and his wife Egyptus who preserved the curse of the Canaanites in the book of Moses: And thus, from Ham, sprang that race which preserved the curse in the land. (Abraham 1: 24) This is not the curse placed on Cain but rather one placed on the Canaanites as recorded in Moses 7:6-8. A lot of LDS commentary equates the descendants of Cain and the Canaanites but the scriptural evidence suggests they are different (see commentary for Moses 7:6-8). 4. The land of Egypt was discovered by Ham s daughter Egyptus and her eldest son Pharaoh became the first ruler. Pharaoh was a righteous man who tried to imitate the patriarchal order of the ancients. Pharaoh, being a righteous man, established his kingdom and judged his people wisely and justly all his days, seeking earnestly to imitate that order established by the fathers in the first generations, in the days of the first patriarchal reign, even in the reign of Adam, and also of Noah, his father, who blessed him with the blessings of the earth, and with the blessings of wisdom, but cursed him as pertaining to the Priesthood. (Abraham 1: 26) 5. The Curse of the Canaanites was that they could not have the Priesthood. Thus, Ham s sons inherited the curse of their mother Egyptus and could not be ordained. They still claimed they had the Priesthood through Ham, however and Abraham s father believed it. Now, Pharaoh being of that lineage by which he could not have the right of Priesthood, notwithstanding the Pharaohs would fain claim it from Noah, through Ham, therefore my father was led away by their idolatry. (Abraham 1: 27)

31 Part 2: The Abrahamic Covenant (Abraham 2) The famine continued in Ur and it was so bad that Abraham s brother Haran died. Abraham took Sarai as his wife and his brother Nahor took his niece Milcah as a wife. They left Ur and stayed in the land of Haran. After the famine abated, Abraham s father, Terah, turned back to worshipping the Egyptian gods so he remained in the land of Haran. God told Abraham to take his nephew Lot and his family with him to the Land of Canaan. Jesus appeared in a vision to Abraham and made the Abrahamic covenant with him promising him land and blessing his posterity to carry the gospel and the priesthood to the nations of the world. Abraham and his party continue travelling until he sets up camp in the land of Jershon and offers sacrifices to the Lord and prays for his father who stayed in the land of Haran. They continue travelling to the plains of Moreh where Abraham sees God again and God tells him this land would be an inheritance for his descendants. Abraham continues travelling and endures another great famine in the land so he decides to travel to Egypt. Before departing, God warns Abraham that the Egyptians will kill him to take his wife Sarai so he is told to tell the Egyptians Sarai is his sister. Key Principles 1. The Abrahamic Covenant: God promised Abraham that his children would possess the land of Canaan for all time so long as they would worship Him. Through the children of Abraham would the Priesthood be passed and the Gospel be preached to the nations of the earth. Those that receive the Gospel become children of Abraham and God will bless those that bless Abraham but curse those that curse him. 6 For I have purposed to take thee away out of Haran, and to make of thee a minister to bear my name in a strange land which I will give unto thy seed after thee for an everlasting possession, when they hearken to my voice. 9 And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee above measure, and make thy name great among all nations, and thou shalt be a blessing unto thy seed after thee, that in their hands they shall bear this ministry and Priesthood unto all nations; 10 And I will bless them through thy name; for as many as receive this Gospel shall be called after thy name, and shall be accounted thy seed, and shall rise up and bless thee, as their father; 11 And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse them that curse thee; and in thee (that is, in thy Priesthood) and in thy seed (that is, thy Priesthood), for I give unto thee a promise that this right shall continue in thee, and in thy seed after thee (that is to say, the literal seed, or the

32 seed of the body) shall all the families of the earth be blessed, even with the blessings of the Gospel, which are the blessings of salvation, even of life eternal. (Abraham 2:6-11) Part 3: Abraham and Sarai s Sojourn in Egypt 1. God tells Abraham to conceal the fact that Sarai is his wife: Sarai was Abraham s half-sister as they shared the same father. Thus, Abraham was not lying when he said Sarai was his wife. However, he was clearly trying to conceal a truth and mislead the Egyptians so this story shows deception in itself is not a sin but bearing false witness is. 2. While in Pharaoh s Court, Sarai was brought before Pharaoh because she was very beautiful but Pharaoh was plagued by God and then he released her to Abraham. (Gen 12: 14-20) The Book of Jasher (Apocrypha) gives some more detail concerning this account: And the woman was then brought to Pharaoh's house, and Abram grieved on account of his wife, and he prayed to the Lord to deliver her from the hands of Pharaoh. And Sarai also prayed at that time and said, O lord God thou didst tell my Lord Abram to go from his land and from his father's house to the land of Canaan, and thou didst promise to do well with him if he would perform thy commands; now behold we have done that which thou didst command us, and we left our land and our families, and we swent to a strange land and to a people whom we have not known before. And we came to this land to avoid the famine, and this evil accident has befallen me; now therefore, O lord God, deliver us and save us from the hand of this oppressor and do well with me for the sake of thy mercy. And the Lord hearkened to the voice of Sarai, and the Lord sent an angel to deliver Sarai from the power of Pharaoh. And the king came and sat before Sarai and behold an angel of the Lord was standing over them, and he appeared to Sarai and said to her, Do not fear, for the Lord has heard thy prayer. And the king approached Sarai and said to her, What is that man to thee who brought thee hither? and she said, He is my brother. And the king said, It is incumbent upon us to make him great, to elevate him and to do unto him all the good which thou shalt command us; and at that time the king sent to Abram silver and gold and precious stones in abundance, together with cattle, men servants and maid servants; and the king

33 ordered Abram to be brought, and he sat in the court of the king's house, and the king greatly exalted Abram on that night. And the king approached to speak to Sarai, and he reached out his hand to touch her, when the angel smote him heavily and he was terrified and he refrained from reaching to her. And when the king came near to Sarai, the angel smote him to the ground, and acted thus to him the whole night, and the king was terrified. And the angel on that night smote heavily all the servants of the king, and his whole household, on account of Sarai, and there was a great lamentation that night amongst the people of Pharaoh's house. And Pharaoh, seeing the evil that befell him, said, Surely on account of this woman has this thing happened to me, and he removed himself at some distance from her and spoke pleasing words to her. And the king said to Sarai, Tell me I pray thee concerning the man with whom thou camest here; and Sarai said, This man is my husband, and I said to thee that he was my brother for I was afraid, lest thou shouldst put him to death through wickedness. And the king kept away from Sarai, and the plagues of the angel of the Lord ceased from him and his household; and Pharaoh knew that he was smitten on account of Sarai, and the king was greatly astonished at this. (Book of Jasher, 15:16-28 as taken from Tvedtnes, Hauglid, & Gee, Traditions About the Early Life of Abraham [Provo: FARMS, 2001], ) The Story of Sarai and Abram in Egypt was type of Moses and the Exodus Famine drives Abram and Sarai from Canaan into Egypt; famine drives the sons of Israel from Canaan into Egypt. Pharaoh considered Sarai as his personal possession just as Pharaoh felt he owned the children of Israel as slaves. Sarai's heart was to her husband not toward Pharaoh; the children of Israel's allegiance was to God not Pharaoh. Pharaoh and his household were plagued with terrible plagues by the hand of God before Sarai and before Moses. The magicians and wise men of Egypt were not able to stay the plagues in either instance. Pharaoh asks Sarai to leave him in order to stay the plagues; Pharoah asks Moses to take the children of Israel and go after ten plagues and the death of his son. Pharaoh gives a great spoil to Sarai upon leaving Egypt; the Israelites spoil the Egyptians upon their exodus. Abram and Sarai, now reunited, leave together for the land of Canaan; the Lord goes up with his people Israel to the Promised Land in Canaan. (Gospeldoctrine.com)

34 Part 4: Abraham s Vision of the Cosmos (Abraham 3) Abraham uses the Urim and Thummim that God had given him to receive a revelation on the Cosmos. Key Principles 1. Abraham sees Kolob as the star closest to God that governs all other planets of the same order: And the Lord said unto me: These are the governing ones; and the name of the great one is Kolob, because it is near unto me, for I am the Lord thy God: I have set this one to govern all those which belong to the same order as that upon which thou standest. (Abraham 3:3) "The movements of all stars in their orbits, and the revolving of one system around another center, were unknown to modern astronomers at the time Joseph Smith translated the Book of Abraham. But since Kirchhoff more perfectly discovered (1859) the principle of spectrum analysis, 'astro-physics has advanced by leaps and bounds.' It is now known that each star not only revolves around some center, but groups of stars revolve around a common center... "Isn't it very startling to think that Joseph Smith could have known such far-reaching truths concerning the infinite deeps long before they were discovered by the aid of the spectroscope and astrophotography." ("Astronomy Attests the Truth of the Book of Abraham," Improvement Era, 1916, Vol. Xix. May, 1916 No. 7) 2. One Day to the Lord is as 1000 years to us: And the Lord said unto me, by the Urim and Thummim, that Kolob was after the manner of the Lord, according to its times and seasons in the revolutions thereof; that one revolution was a day unto the Lord, after his manner of reckoning, it being one thousand years according to the time appointed unto that whereon thou standest. This is the reckoning of the Lord s time, according to the reckoning of Kolob. (Abraham 3:7) That means 100 years to us is only 2 hours to God. Most of us don t spend longer than 2 hours on earth, in Gods timetable. 3. Abraham sees the different set times of the Sun, Moon and Earth: The Sun takes 365 days to make a full rotation, the moon takes 29 days for a lunar cycle and the earth only takes 24 hours. The longer the rotation the greater the order and closer to God. The earth, moon, and sun motifs represent the 'three degrees of glory,' the telestial, terrestrial, and celestial kingdoms of heaven." (Richard Neitzel Holzapfel, "Every Window, Every Spire 'Speaks of the Things of God,' " Ensign, Mar. 1993, 16) The greatness of planets depends upon the rate of rotation around its axis. This description of the stars is confirmed by astronomers. The stars all have different rotational speeds, with the galaxies revolving around a central point. "The Milky Way, or simply the Galaxy, is the galaxy in which the Solar System is located. It is a barred spiral galaxy that is part of the Local Group of galaxies. It is one of billions of galaxies in the observable universe. (gospeldoctrine.com)

35 4. Kolob is closest to God s throne and thus moves according to God s rotation: And thus there shall be the reckoning of the time of one planet above another, until thou come nigh unto Kolob, which Kolob is after the reckoning of the Lord s time; which Kolob is set nigh unto the throne of God, to govern all those planets which belong to the same border as that upon which thou standest. (Abraham 3: 9) 5. Abraham saw all of Gods creations and he could not see an end to them: And he said unto me: My son, my son (and his hand was stretched out), behold I will show you all these. And he put his hand upon mine eyes, and I saw those things which his hands had made, which were many; and they multiplied before mine eyes, and I could not see the end thereof. (Abraham 3:12) 6. The Stars exist to give light to man on the earth: And it is given unto thee to know the set time of all the stars that are set to give light, until thou come near unto the throne of God. (Abraham 3: 10) 7. The Sun is called Shinehah (Egyptian), the Moon is Olea, the stars Kokob (singular) and Kokaubeam (plural) in Hebrew. In verse 13 it talks about Abraham's local system: This is Shinehah, which means in Egyptian, one eternal round. Shenha means to go around forever. This is the sun, and that is what the Egyptians call it. "And he said unto me: Kokob..." That's the Hebrew word for a star. It's a very interesting word, the same as the Babylonian word and the Arabic word also, Kakkabum and Kawakibu "And he said unto me: Kokaubeam, [that which is the plural of Hebrew], which signifies stars, or all the great lights, which were in the firmament of heaven." (Hugh Nibley - Ancient Documents and the Pearl of Great Price, edited by Robert Smith and Robert Smythe [n.p., n.d.], 5) 8. The Lord promises to multiply Abraham s seed as the stars in heaven: And it was in the night time when the Lord spake these words unto me: I will multiply thee, and thy seed after thee, like unto these; and if thou canst count the number of sands, so shall be the number of thy seeds. (Abraham 3: 14) 9. There is nothing that the Lord thy God shall take in his heart to do but what he will do it. (Abraham 3: 17) Elder M. Russell Ballard has asked us to emulate the Lord's pattern in following through on our good intentions. Speaking of standards, he said, "you must determine that you will live by them. This kind of commitment is a fundamental gospel principle. The scriptures teach that 'there is nothing that the Lord thy God shall take in his heart to do but what he will do it.' (Abr. 3:17.) You must be the same way. (Ensign, Nov. 1990, 37) Elder Neal A. Maxwell called this "divine determination." 10. Just as one planet is greater than another until we reach Kolob so too is one spirit greater than another until we reach Jesus Christ. The Heavens testify of Christ: And the Lord said unto me: These two facts do exist, that there are two spirits, one being more intelligent than the other; there shall be

36 another more intelligent than they; I am the Lord thy God, I am more intelligent than they all. (Abraham 3: 19) "Abraham learned that just as one planet or star is greater than another until one comes to Kolob-the great governing one (see Abr. 3:9)-so, too, one spirit is greater than another until one comes to Jesus Christ-the great governing one (see Abr. 3:19, 24). A careful comparison of the characteristics of Kolob with the characteristics of Jesus Christ demonstrates that Kolob was, and is, a profound symbol of the Savior. We offer a few examples. Just as Kolob is 'the great one' (Abr. 3:3), so Jesus Christ is 'the Great I AM' (D&C 29:1). Just as Kolob is 'the first creation' (Facsimile 2, fig. 1), so Jesus Christ is the first creation-'the firstborn' (D&C 93:21) of our Father's most important creations, his children. Just as Kolob is the source of light for other stars and planets (see Facsimile 2, fig. 5), Jesus Christ is the source of light for the immensity of space, including the sun, moon, stars, and earth (D&C 88:5-13). Truly, the book of Abraham is a remarkable text, preserving a unique testimony of Jesus Christ written in the design of the physical universe and emphasizing again that all things do indeed testify of the Savior (see Moses 6:63)." (Andrew Skinner, "The Book of Abraham: A Most Remarkable Book," Ensign, Mar. 1997, 20-21) 11. The Essence of man is eternal: yet these two spirits, notwithstanding one is more intelligent than the other, have no beginning; they existed before, they shall have no end, they shall exist after, for they are gnolaum, or eternal. (Abraham 3: 18) 12. We existed in the eternities as intelligences before God game and offered us advancement through spirit bodies: I dwell in the midst of them all; I now, therefore, have come down unto thee to declare unto thee the works which my hands have made, wherein my wisdom excelleth them all, for I rule in the heavens above, and in the earth beneath, in all wisdom and prudence, over all the intelligences thine eyes have seen from the beginning; I came down in the beginning in the midst of all the intelligences thou hast seen. (Abraham 3: 21) God has taken these intelligences, given to them spirit bodies, and given them instructions and training. Then he proceeded to create a world for them and sent them as spirits to obtain a mortal body, for which he made preparation. And when they were upon the earth, he gave them instructions on how to go about developing and conducting their lives to make them perfect, so they could return to their Father in heaven after their transitions. Then came the periods of time when souls were to be placed upon the earth and born to parents who were permitted to furnish the bodies. But no parent has ever yet on this earth been the parent of a spirit, because we are so far yet from perfection. Remember what was said a while ago, that "As man is, God once was; and as God is, man may become." They came with the definite understanding that they could return to become like God and go forward in their great development and progress. (Spencer W. Kimball -"Our Great Potential," Ensign, May 1977, 50) 13. Abraham sees God standing amidst the noble and great spirits, in the eternities, who were foreordained to be rulers in Gods kingdom: Now the Lord had shown unto me, Abraham, the intelligences that were organized before the world was; and among all these there were many of the

37 noble and great ones; And God saw these souls that they were good, and he stood in the midst of them, and he said: These I will make my rulers; for he stood among those that were spirits, and he saw that they were good; and he said unto me: Abraham, thou art one of them; thou wast chosen before thou wast born. (Abraham 3: 22-23) And as with Abraham, so with all the prophets, and for that matter so, to one degree or another, with the whole house of Israel and with all the members of the Lord's earthly churchall are participants in the blessings of foreordination. (Bruce R. McConkie - "God Foreordains His Prophets and His People," Ensign, May 1974, 72) Joseph Smith said, "Every man who has a calling to minister to the inhabitants of the world," and this includes all who hold the Melchizedek Priesthood, "was ordained to that very purpose in the Grand Council of heaven before this world was. I suppose that I was ordained to this very office in that Grand Council." (Teachings, p. 365.)." (Doctrinal New Testament Commentary, vol. 3, p. 329) 14. Jesus and the noble and great ones participated in the creation of the earth as a testing ground to see if we will keep the commandments of God in all things: And there stood one among them that was like unto God, and he said unto those who were with him: We will go down, for there is space there, and we will take of these materials, and we will make an earth whereon these may dwell; And we will prove them herewith, to see if they will do all things whatsoever the Lord their God shall command them. (Abraham 3: 24-25) Of the three big questions, the first two are answered in this chapter: Where did we come from? And why are we here? 15. Those who were faithful in the pre-existence qualified to receive bodies while those who were not faithful were not added upon. The First Estate was our premortal existence with God: And they who keep their first estate shall be added upon; and they who keep not their first estate shall not have glory in the same kingdom with those who keep their first estate; and they who keep their second estate shall have glory added upon their heads for ever and ever. (Abraham 3: 26) The next truth we learn from this scripture is that you and I, having been spirits and now having bodies, were among those who passed that first test and were given the privilege of coming to earth as mortal individuals. If we hadn't passed that test, we wouldn't be here with mortal bodies, but would have been denied this privilege and would have followed Satan or Lucifer, as he came to be known, as did one-third of the spirits created in that premortal existence who were deprived of the privilege of having mortal bodies. These are now among us, but only in their spiritual form, to make a further attempt to thwart the plan of salvation by which all who would obey would have the great glory of returning to God our Father who gave us life. (Harold B. Lee - Ensign, Jan. 1974, 4) 16. Those who keep their second estate or are faithful in their mortal lives on earth will gain eternal life with God the Father: and they who keep their second estate shall have glory added upon their heads for ever and ever. (Abraham 3: 26) 17. God asked for volunteers to be our Savior on Earth. Both Jesus and Lucifer volunteered but God chose Jesus so Lucifer and 1/3 of the hosts rebelled and failed the test of their first estate and

38 were cast out of heaven: And the Lord said: Whom shall I send? And one answered like unto the Son of Man: Here am I, send me. And another answered and said: Here am I, send me. And the Lord said: I will send the first. And the second was angry, and kept not his first estate; and, at that day, many followed after him. (Abraham 3: 27) Part 5: Abraham s Vision of the Creation (Abraham 4-5) Like Moses, Abraham had a vision of the creation of the earth. For the exact details, look at the Moses account but some of the differences in language will be noted here. This is the third account of the creation we have in our scriptures as the other two are in Genesis and Moses. We need three versions of the creation to comply with the law of witnesses. When the Lord says every word must be established by the mouth of two or three witnesses, He includes his own. Key Principles 1. What do we get from Abraham s version that is unique? Several things. First, the record is bold enough to declare that the Gods created the heavens and the earth. This would have been blasphemy for Christianity of 1835, to allow for more than one God. Second, the Gods organized and formed the earth rather than created it ex nihilo, out of nothing. Third, the Gods watched those thing which they had ordered until they obeyed and the Gods said: We will do everything that we have said, and organize them; and behold, they shall be very obedient (Abr. 4:18, 31). This demonstrates how God controls the elements. He commands, and they obey (Hel. 12:7-8). From chapter 5 we learn that the Gods counseled in the beginning, that the spirit of man is placed into the physical body, and that the creation took place according to the time of Kolob; for as yet the Gods had not appointed unto Adam his reckoning (Abr. 5:13). (Gospeldoctrine.com) 2. Creation was done by the Gods and not the singular God. And then the Lord said: Let us go down. And they went down at the beginning, and they, that is the Gods, organized and formed the heavens and the earth. (Abraham 4: 1) 3. The Gods organized the earth from pre-existing materials and not out of nothing: the Gods, organized and formed the heavens and the earth. (Abraham 4:1) 4. Each tree and herb could only reproduce after its own kind refuting evolution: And the Gods organized the earth to bring forth grass from its own seed, and the herb to bring forth herb from its own seed, yielding seed after his kind; and the earth to bring forth the tree from its own seed, yielding fruit, whose seed could only bring forth the same in itself, after his kind; and the Gods saw that they were obeyed. (Abraham 4: 12)

39 5. God creates by speaking and waiting for his creation to obey: And the Gods watched those things which they had ordered until they obeyed. (Abraham 4: 18) This must be a grand key as to why faith is such a necessary requirement. If creation hinges upon the created having faith in and thus obeying the creator, we must learn to trust God and obey so that creation endures. 6. Animal life was created to reproduce only after their own kind, again refuting evolution: And the Gods prepared the waters that they might bring forth great whales, and every living creature that moveth, which the waters were to bring forth abundantly after their kind; and every winged fowl after their kind. And the Gods saw that they would be obeyed, and that their plan was good. (Abraham 4:21) 7. There was a counsel of the Gods in planning and bringing forth the creation and man was created in the image of the gods: And the Gods took counsel among themselves and said: Let us go down and form man in our image, after our likeness; and we will give them dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. (Abraham 4: 26) 8. The Soul of man refers to united body and spirit: And the Gods formed man from the dust of the ground, and took his spirit (that is, the man s spirit), and put it into him; and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and man became a living soul. (Abraham 5: 7) 9. Before the fall, the earth existed near God s throne and Kolob. The fall was literal in that the earth fell from the presence of God and into a lower system. Now I, Abraham, saw that it was after the Lord s time, which was after the time of Kolob; for as yet the Gods had not appointed unto Adam his reckoning. (Abraham 5: 13) When the earth was framed and brought into existence and man was placed upon it, it was near the throne of our Father in heaven. But when man fell, the earth fell into space, and took up its abode in this planetary system. This is the glory the earth came from, and when it is glorified it will return again unto the presence of the Father, and it will dwell there, and these intelligent beings that I am looking at, if they live worthy of it, will dwell upon this earth. (Andrew Skinner, The Book of Abraham: A Most Remarkable Book, Ensign, Mar. 1997, 22)

40 The Book of Genesis 9 Abraham and Lot (Gen: 13-15) Setting: Abraham and Lot leave Egypt and then divide up the land in Jordan and Canaan. Chapter 13: Abraham and Lot s families both leave Egypt together until they arrive at the land that God led them to. When they arrived, they realized they would have to split up so Abraham gave Lot his pick of land. Lot chose to settle in the plain of Jordan and Abraham settled in the land of Canaan. Chapter 14: An alliance of 4 kings conquered many other city states of Canaan at the time. These 4 kings were Chederlaomer, Amraphel, Arioch and Tidal. For 12 years they subjected the city states of Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, Zeboiim until the 13th year in which these city states rebelled and went to war in the Vale of siddim. The rebellion was crushed and Lot, who lived in Sodom, was carried away captive by the conquering armies. Abraham heard about lots capture so he took 318 men and conquered the Kings of the region. Melchezidek, the great high priest of the region heard of this and blessed Abraham and Abraham paid tithes to Melchezidek. Melchezidek appears to have given Abraham the sacrament as well. Chapter 15: Abraham has another vision and sees God and expresses his worry that he does not have an heir. God promises Abraham that he will have a biological heir and that his posterity will be countless. He also tells Abraham that his posterity will be slaves in Egypt for 400 years but that then God will deliver them and give them the land from the Euphrates to the Nile. 1. God promises Abraham the Land of Canaan and promises that his posterity will be so numerous they cannot be counted. And the Lord said unto Abram, after that Lot was separated from him, Lift up now thine eyes, and look from the place where thou art northward, and southward, and eastward, and westward: For all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed for ever. And I will make thy seed as the dust of the earth: so that if a man can number the dust of the earth, then shall thy seed also be numbered. (Gen 13: 14-16) 2. Lot pitched his tent toward Sodom: Lot dwelled in the cities of the plain, and pitched his tent toward Sodom. (Gen 13:12)

41 Lot was given the choice of lands but was still looking for greener grass. So he pitched his tent with a view of Sodom. There are latter-day saints who do the same-they pitch their tents toward Sodom. They just want to see how the other half lives. They may partake of the tree of life, but they always have their eye on the great and spacious building. These are the saints who are eventually ashamed by the mockers (1 Ne. 8:28). They cannot serve two masters. Apparently, we cannot live with one foot in Zion and the other in Babylon. (Gospeldoctrine.com) 3. God gave Abraham victory over conquering kings with just a small number of his servants. Abram didn't just find Lot and bring him home. He slaughtered the enemy. He killed the kings. This event would go down in history as "the slaughter of the kings" not merely "the rescue of Lot" (Heb. 7:1). 4. JST gives us more information on Melchezidek, the great High Priest and King of Salem to whom Abraham paid tithing. And Melchizedek lifted up his voice and blessed Abram. Now Melchizedek was a man of faith, who wrought righteousness; and when a child he feared God, and stopped the mouths of lions, and quenched the violence of fire. And thus, having been approved of God, he was ordained an high priest after the order of the covenant which God made with Enoch, It being after the order of the son of God; which order came, not by man, nor the will of man; neither by father nor mother; neither by beginning of days nor end of years; but of God; And it was delivered unto men by the calling of his own voice, according to his own will, unto as many as believed on his name. For God having sworn unto Enoch and unto his seed with an oath by himself; that every one being ordained after this order and calling should have power, by faith, to break mountains, to divide the seas, to dry up waters, to turn them out of their course; To put at defiance the armies of nations, to divide the earth, to break every band, to stand in the presence of God; to do all things according to his will, according to his command, subdue principalities and powers; and this by the will of the Son of God which was from before the foundation of the world. And men having this faith, coming up unto this order of God, were translated and taken up into heaven. And now, Melchizedek was a priest of this order; therefore he obtained peace in Salem, and was called the Prince of peace.

42 And his people wrought righteousness, and obtained heaven, and sought for the city of Enoch which God had before taken, separating it from the earth, having reserved it unto the latter days, or the end of the world; And hath said, and sworn with an oath, that the heavens and the earth should come together; and the sons of God should be tried so as by fire. And this Melchizedek, having thus established righteousness, was called the king of heaven by his people, or, in other words, the King of peace. And he lifted up his voice, and he blessed Abram, being the high priest, and the keeper of the storehouse of God; Him whom God had appointed to receive tithes for the poor. Wherefore, Abram paid unto him tithes of all that he had, of all the riches which he possessed, which God had given him more than that which he had need. And it came to pass, that God blessed Abram, and gave unto him riches, and honor, and lands for an everlasting possession; according to the covenant which he had made, and according to the blessing wherewith Melchizedek had blessed him. (JST Gen. 14:25-40) 5. Melchezidek appears to have administered the sacrament to Abraham: And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God. (Gen 14:18) 6. The power of the Melchezidek Priesthood: For God having sworn unto Enoch and unto his seed with an oath by himself; that everyone being ordained after this order and calling should have power, by faith, to break mountains, to divide the seas, to dry up waters, to turn them out of their course; To put at defiance the armies of nations, to divide the earth, to break every band, to stand in the presence of God; to do all things according to his will, according to his command, subdue principalities and powers; and this by the will of the Son of God which was from before the foundation of the world. And men having this faith, coming up unto this order of God, were translated and taken up into heaven. (JST Gen 14)

43 The Book of Genesis 10 Abraham, Sarai and Hagar (Gen: 13-15) Setting: In the land of Canaan, in the house of Abraham. Story Summary The story of Hagar is told in two doublets in Genesis (16:1-16 and 21:8-21). The major characters in the story of Hagar include Abram, Sarai, Hagar, Ishmael and Isaac. Sarai is a wealthy Hebrew and the wife of Abram but she is unable to have children. Hagar, in contrast, is an Egyptian slave who is younger and able to have children. Because Sarai is barren and unable to have children, both Abram and Sarai begin to doubt the Lord's promise that Abram will be a father of many nations. Sarai decides to take matters into her own hands. Abram was promised many children, Sarai is barren therefore Abram must take unto himself another wife in order for this promise to be fulfilled. And so Sarai orders Abram to take their servant girl Hagar as a wife so that he could have offspring. Abram submits to the will of Sarai and takes Hagar as his wife. Eventually, Hagar becomes pregnant and then Sarai becomes jealous and begins to hate Hagar. Sarai complains to Abram who responds: "do to her as it pleaseth thee" (Gen 16:6). Hagar then leaves and finds herself in the wilderness where she is confronted by the messenger of the Lord. He tells Hagar to return unto Sarai and "I will multiply thy seed exceedingly (Gen 16:10). Hagar is also told to name her son Ishmael which means "God hears" symbolizing that God has heard her affliction and is blessing her. Hagar eventually returns unto Abram and Sarai and gives birth to Ishmael. However, Sarai eventually gives birth to her own son named Isaac and she again becomes jealous of Hagar and Ishmael. Ishmael ridicules Isaac when Abram hosts a feast for him and this deeply offended Sarai. Not wanting Ishmael to have any part of Isaac's inheritance, she again asks Abram to send Hagar and Ishmael away. This time, Abram seems a little more troubled by this request because he has bonded with Ishmael (Gen 21:11). However, God eventually appears to Abram and tells him that he should do as Sarai wishes and that He will still bless Ishmael and make a nation of him.

44 Notes So Hagar is eventually cast out again and she finds herself in the wilderness without means to feed her child. She begins to weep and places the child under some shrubs to die. However, God again hears the cries of Hagar and leads her to some water so that they could survive. The story of Hagar concludes with her finding her son Ishmael an Egyptian wife. 1. God commanded Abraham to take Hagar as a wife. Through revelation given to Joseph Smith, we learn from the Lord that [Sarah] administered unto Abraham according to the law when I commanded Abraham to take Hagar to wife (D&C132:65). Knowing that God willed Hagar to be included in this marriage trio and that she must have therefore believed in Abram s God directs us to consider her with equal acceptance. (Camille Fronk Olson, Women of the Old Testament, [SLC: Deseret Book, 2009], 37) 2. Abraham fathered the Arab nations through Ishmael: The descendants of Ishmael call Abraham their father. Ishmael would father 12 princes, analogous to his nephew Jacob s 12 sons. From this line would descend much of the Arab nations, the descendants of Abraham include many, many more peoples than those who are descended from Isaac, the son who is discussed most in the Bible. Entire nations are directly descended from Abraham, including citizens of the numerous Arab countries and those from multitudinous groups who have intermarried into other cultures and races. (Daniel H. Ludlow, Of the House of Israel, Ensign, Jan. 1991, 51) 3. Isaac means laughter because when Sarai heard God promise them an heir she laughed in disbelief. The birth of Isaac was a miracle. The name Isaac means to laugh or to rejoice. Certainly, the idea that Abraham and Sarah could have a child was laughable when they first were given the promise, but that laughter of incredulousness was turned to a laughter of rejoicing at the fulfillment of the promise 4. God s covenant would be through Isaac and not Ishmael. Through Isaac came the nation of Israel. "Let it not be grievous in thy sight because of the lad [Ishmael], and because of thy bondwoman; in all that Sarah hath said unto thee, hearken unto her voice; for in Isaac shall thy seed be called." (Gen. 21:12.) 5. God sometimes commands plural marriage: Abraham was commanded to take a second wife to increase his posterity.

45 6. God would not allow Israel to inherit the land yet because the Amorites did not yet deserve judgment: But in the fourth generation they shall come hither again: for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full. (Gen 15:16)

46 The Book of Genesis 11 The Covenant of Circumcision (Gen: 17) Setting: In the land of Canaan, in the house of Abraham. Story Summary Chapter 17: At the age of 99, God once again speaks with Abram and changes his name to Abraham and repeats His promise that Abraham s posterity will inherit the land of Canaan for eternity. God commands Abraham to mark the covenant between them by circumcising every male child. He also promises Abraham that his wife Sarai will have a son at the age of 90 and to change her name to Sarah. The covenant will continue through Isaac but God will make a great nation out of Ishmael s posterity. Notes 1. God commanded Abraham to be perfect: And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the Lord appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect. (Gen 17:1) 2. God Promises Abraham s seed the Land of Canaan for Eternity: And I will give unto thee, and to thy seed after thee, the land wherein thou art a stranger, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God. (Gen 17:8) 3. God marks the covenant He made with Abraham through Circumcision. All male descendants of Abraham were to be circumcised on the 8 th day after birth. This is my covenant, which ye shall keep, between me and you and thy seed after thee; Every man child among you shall be circumcised. And ye shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin; and it shall be a token of the covenant betwixt me and you. And he that is eight days old shall be circumcised among you, every man child in your generations, he that is born in the house, or bought with money of any stranger, which is not of thy seed. (Gen 17: 10-12) 4. God says that His covenant with Abraham shall continue through Isaac: But my covenant will I establish with Isaac, which Sarah shall bear unto thee at this set time in the next year. (Gen 17:21)

47 Setting: In the land of Canaan, in the house of Abraham and then in the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. Story Summary The Book of Genesis 12 Sodom and Gomorrah (Gen: 18-19) Chapter 18: One day Abraham was sitting in his tent when he looked up and saw 3 angels of the Lord. Abraham immediately went and prepared a meal for them and invited them to stay. They inform Sarah that she will have a child and she laughs and doesn t believe them. The Servants then look to Sodom and Gomorrah and tell Abraham that they have come to investigate how wicked the city has become. Abraham then bargains with God asking Him to spare the city if he can find 10 righteous people in the city and God agrees. Chapter 19: The Angels then travel to Sodom and see Lot hanging around the entrance. Lot invites them to his house in the city where he feeds them. However, before the angels can go to sleep a mob of men gather around Lot s house demanding he let them in to rape the 3 angels. Lot instead offers his virgin daughters for the mob to rape but they demand the men and begin to break the door down. The angels smite the mob with blindness and command Lot to take his family out of the city as they were sent by God to destroy it. Lot tries to convince his sons in law but they disbelieve him and refuse to leave. Eventually Lot leaves the city with his wife and two daughters but they are told not to look back, otherwise they will die. Lot s wife looks back and becomes a pillar of salt. Lot travels to the town of Zoar but is afraid to stay (he negotiated that it be saved so he could live there) and goes into the mountains to live instead with his 2 daughters. His daughters believe they are the last people on earth and so they get Lot drunk and sleep with him and give birth to two sons: Moab and Ben-Ammi. Notes 1. Is anything too hard for the Lord? In response to Sarah s disbelief that she would have a son at 90, the Angels said: Is anything too hard for the Lord? Saying that we should trust that God can do anything He says He can. (Gen 18:2)

48 2. Sarah lies to the angels and says she didn t laugh: Even very righteous matriarchs are not perfect. (Gen 18:15) 3. God will go to great lengths to spare the righteous and would have spared the entire city of Sodom if only 10 righteous people were found: And he said, Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak yet but this once: Peradventure ten shall be found there. And he said, I will not destroy it for ten s sake. (Gen 18: 32) 4. The term sodomy comes from this story in which the men of Sodom wanted to rape the angels of the Lord: But before they lay down, the men of the city, even the men of Sodom, compassed the house round, both old and young, all the people from every quarter: And they called unto Lot, and said unto him, Where are the men which came in to thee this night? Bring them out unto us, that we may know them. 5. God removes the righteous before destruction comes upon the wicked: The Angels were sent to destroy the city but before they did so they ensured all the righteous were gathered out. 6. God destroys Sodom and Gomorrah with fire and brimstone: Then the Lord rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the Lord out of heaven; And he overthrew those cities, and all the plain, and all the inhabitants of the cities, and that which grew upon the ground. (Gen 19: 24-25) 7. Lot s wife looked back to Sodom and became a pillar of Salt: But his wife looked back from behind him, and she became a pillar of salt. (Gen 19:26) Jesus told us to Remember Lot s wife. (Luke 17: 32) Just what did Lot s wife do that was so wrong? As a student of history, I have thought about that and offer a partial answer. Apparently, what was wrong with Lot s wife was that she wasn t just looking back; in her heart she wanted to go back. It would appear that even before she was past the city limits, she was already missing what Sodom and Gomorrah had offered her. (Jeffrey R. Holland) 8. The Fallout from Sodom and Gomorrah remains in the Dead Sea: The south end of the Dead Sea is known for its high salt content. The whole neighbourhood of the Dead Sea abounds with sulphur and bitumen. (Edersheim, Alfred, Old Testament Bible History, chap. 13) The area is now dry, arid, and inhospitable, but it wasn t always that way. For generations of Jewish travelers, this story was a reminder of the dangers of looking back. (Gospeldoctrine.com) 9. Lot s daughters commit incest and sleep with their Father: The story is descriptive and not prescriptive and makes no mention of God approving of this act.

49 The Book of Genesis 13 Abraham and Abimelech (Gen: 20) Setting: Abraham travels south and dwells between Kadesh and Shur and then in the land of Gerar in the House of Abimelech. Afterwards, Abimelech visits him at Beer-Sheeba. Story Summary Chapter 20: Abraham and his family travelled south and stayed in a place called Gerar. Abimelech was the king of Gerar and found Sarah very desirable. Abraham told Abimelech that Sarah was his sister so Abimelech took her and planned to sleep with her. However, God appeared to Abimelech in a dream and told him not to touch Sarah or he would die. Abimelech agreed and released her. He asked Abraham why he had wronged him in this way and Abraham responded that he thought it was a Godless city that would kill him and take his wife. Abimelech gives him wealth and invites him to dwell anywhere in the land. As a result, God heals Abimelech and his house of a curse of barrenness that had come upon them for taking Sarah. Chapter 21: Sarah miraculously gives birth to Isaac in her old age and then Abraham hosts a feast to celebrate. Sarah notices how Ishmael mocks the new child so she convinces Abraham to cast out Hagar and Ishmael (See Story of Hagar for more detail). Abimelech visits Abraham again and praises him, saying that God is with him always. He asks Abraham to make a covenant of peace with him and his household. Abraham agrees and they exchange gifts and then Abimelech returns to the land of the Philistines. Abraham digs a well called Beer-Sheeba and then dwells in the land of the Philistines for a while. Notes 1. Abraham doesn t seem to have dealt very fairly with Abimelech: Many persons think a prophet must be a great deal better than anybody else I am not, God judges men according to the use they make of the light which he gives them. (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, 303) 2. God blesses and heals those who honor his prophets: Abimelech and his wife were barren and without an heir. Abimelech honored Abraham as a prophet and blessed him with gifts and land. As a result, God blessed Abimelech and his wife to have heirs.

50 The Book of Genesis 14 Abraham and Isaac (Gen: 22) Setting: Abraham travels south and dwells between Kadesh and Shur and then in the land of Gerar in the House of Abimelech. Afterwards, Abimelech visits him at Beer-Sheeba. Story Summary Chapter 22: One day, God tells Abraham to take his only son Isaac to Mt. Moriah and to offer him as a sacrifice. Abraham is obedient and makes the journey to the mountain. Abraham then prepares the altar and the wood and Isaac asks him where the animal is that they are going to sacrifice. Abraham responds that God will provide the ram but then he binds Isaac to the altar and gets ready to sacrifice him when an angel appears and tells him not to do it. The Angel explains that this was a test to see if Abraham would put God first and not withhold his only son from Him. Abraham then sees a ram that God had provided and he sacrifice the ram instead. Abraham names the place Jehovah-Jireh and then has another vision of God. God promises to bless Abraham with an innumerable posterity for his obedience and for prioritizing God above even his only son. Abraham then returns to Beer-Sheeba and is informed that his brother Nahor had many children, including Rebekah. Notes 1. Abraham obeyed even when God asked him to do something terrible that seemed to contradict the promise He had made: Father Abraham and Mother Sarah knew knew the promise would be fulfilled. How? They did not know and did not demand to know. Isaac positively would live to be the father of a numerous posterity. They knew he would, even though he might need to die. They knew he could still be raised from the dead to fulfill the promise, and faith here preceded the miracle. (Spencer W. Kimball-Faith Precedes the Miracle [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1972], 12). 2. Abraham had faith that God would raise Isaac from the dead to fulfill His promise: Abraham was really going to do it, accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead (Heb. 11:19). 3. This story is meant to teach us that we must sacrifice all things for God, even that which is most dearest to us: The sacrifice required of Abraham in the offering up of Isaac, shows that if a man would

51 attain to the keys of the kingdom of an endless life, he must sacrifice all things. (Joseph Smith-History of the Church, 5:555.) 4. Abraham and Isaac were a similitude of the Father and the Son: 1. The father leads his son to be sacrificed. 2. A donkey is involved on the road to the sacrifice. 3. They leave their homeland to go to the place of sacrifice (Abraham & Isaac travel to the mountain, Jesus leaves heaven to come to earth). 4. To get from where they are to the place of sacrifice requires a journey. 5. Each son is the one and only son of his father. 6. The son is a descendant of Abraham. 7. The son had been born with divine intervention. 8. The sacrifices take place on the same mountain (called Mt. Moriah in the Old Testament, called Mt. Calvary in the New Testament also known as Mt. Zion, by the way) 9. The companions that were with them stayed behind (most likely on the hill across the valley, called the Mt. of Olives) when the son went with the father for the sacrifice. 10. The son carried the wood/cross to the place of sacrifice. 11. The son asked questions of the father. 12. The father knew what he was called to do. 13. The son was submissive to the will of the father. 14. The father was willing to sacrifice his son, if necessary. 15. The father believed in resurrection. 16. The father loved the son. 17. A resurrection was prophesied (Abraham said, We ll come back to you. Jesus said, I will rise on the third day. ) 18. The son was laid upon the wood/cross. 19. The son was bound to the wood/cross. 20. Abraham had a knife to pierce his son, Jesus skin was pierced by whips laced with bones, glass and rocks. 21. The Lord Himself provided the sacrifice (the ram, Jesus). [Note, the word order in the Hebrew text of Genesis 22:8 could read, The Lord will provide Himself the lamb for the burnt offering, my son. A foreshadowing of Jesus] 22. Blood was shed. 23. The sacrifice was a substitute (ram a substitute for Isaac, Jesus a substitute for us). 24. The sacrifice was a demonstration of love for God. 25. Men of great faith in God who were committed obediently to the will of God. 26. The ram was caught in the thorns, and Jesus had a crown of thorns on his head. 27. Abundant blessings flow because of the sacrifice (abundant life). 28. Abraham was tested, Jesus was tested. 29. The son ultimately survived the sacrifice. 30. The son was resurrected on the third day.

52 The Book of Genesis 15 Isaac and Rebekah (Gen: 23-24) Setting: Abraham s servant travels to Mesopotamia, to the city of Nahor and stays in the house of Bethuel and then returns to the House of Abraham. Story Summary Chapter 23: Sarah dies at the age of 127 and is buried in the cave of Machpelah, which Abraham buys from Ephron the Hittite. Chapter 24: Abraham makes his servant swear that he will go and find a wife for Isaac from his own kindred and not from among the Canaanites. The servant travels to Mesopotamia, to the city of Nahor and rests at a well. While at the well, the servant prays to God for a sign, that Isaac s wife will come and give him some water and then offer water to his camels as well. Rebekah, who was Abraham s niece and Isaac s cousin, came to the well and offered him and his camel s water thus fulfilling the sign the servant had prayed for. The servant returns with Rebekah and stays in her house and then recounts his story to Laban who was Rebekah s brother. Laban gives his blessing and is paid a generous dowry and Rebekah agrees to return with the servant to Abraham s house. When they return, Isaac marries Rebekah and then loves her. Notes 1. Abraham did not want Isaac to marry outside of the covenant: Abraham told his servant not to find a wife among the Canaanites but instead to go and find a woman who would share Isaac s beliefs and values. 2. Marriage came before love: The story of Rebekah s betrothal reveals the biblical attitude toward the nature and content of marriage. The union between man and woman must be grounded in the finest qualities, and Rebekah exhibits them to perfection. Her behavior shows modesty and hospitality; she is kind to animals and respectful of her own family. It is for such attributes that the servant prays; a woman who possesses them is indeed very beautiful. The marriage was arranged although the two principals had not as yet met. Modern man who thinks of marriage primarily as the fulfillment of a romantic relationship will find it difficult to see significant values in arranged marriages. But, for biblical man, the ideal was not first love, then marriage, as it is today, but the reverse, first marriage, then love.

53 The older system rested on the assumption that two persons will have a proper foundation for marriage if their backgrounds are generally compatible and if they set themselves to establish a home in which each partner plays his expected role. The two will come to know each other through marriage, and it is hoped that in time love will follow. Such love grows from shared experience, from mutual respect, and from affection for offspring. This arrangement raised fewer expectations and, therefore, was less subject to breakdown. At its best, it was no less productive of deep and abiding love than modern marriages that are expected to begin with it and maintain it forever. (The Torah: A Modern Commentary, ed. by W. Gunther Plaut [New York, The Union of American Hebrew Congregations, 1981], 168)

54 Setting: In the Houses of Abraham and Isaac. Story Summary The Book of Genesis 16 Jacob and Esau (Gen: 23-24) Chapter 25: After Sarah s death, Abraham marries Keturah and has many more children but he sends them away with gifts and gives all he has to Isaac. He lives to 175 and then dies and is buried by Isaac and Ishmael in Machpelah where Sarah was buried. Ishmael has many descendants and dies at 137 years old. Rebekah is barren but Isaac prays to the Lord who makes Rebekah miraculously conceive Jacob and Esau. The Lord tells them Jacob and Esau will be the father of 2 nations but that Esau will serve Isaac. Esau was a hunter while Jacob dwelt in tents. One day, Esau returned from a hunt and was famished so he asked Jacob for some food. Jacob said he would give Esau some food so long as Esau sold his birthright to Jacob. Esau didn t care much about his birthright so he sold it to Jacob for some food. Notes 1. Abraham was the father of more nations through Keturah: By his third wife, Keturah, Abraham had six sons, whom he sent to dwell in the east so that Isaac could inherit Canaan. Because they lived in an essentially desert land, they were nomads, and hence we read of the travelling companies of Dedanim, and of the Arabian in the wilderness. Some of them pitched their tents as far away as Babylon, it would seem. Perhaps the best-known tribe was the Midianite tribe. Moses father-in-law Jethro was a Midianite, and his descendants, the Kenites, settled in Palestine with the Israelites under Joshua. 2. Esau and Jacob s birth symbolized the struggle between the Israelites and the Edomites: Since Esau is of a ruddy (red) complexion and has an affinity for red foods, we realize he is the progenitor of the nation of Edom, which also means ruddy. Jacob is born hanging on to Esau s heel while trying to displace him and be born first. The two boys could not have been less alike Esau s name denotes hairiness in ancient Semitic language and so the country inhabited by Esau and his descendants is known variously as Seir (meaning hairy ) and Edom (meaning ruddy ). (Barry J. Beitzel, ed., Biblica: The Bible Atlas, [Australia: Global Book Publishing, 2006], 114) 3. Esau gave up spiritual blessings to satisfy a temporal appetite: The contrast between the spiritual and the temporal is also illustrated by the twins Esau and Jacob and their different attitudes toward their birthright. The firstborn, Esau, despised his birthright. (Gen. 25:34.) Jacob, the second twin, desired it.

55 Jacob valued the spiritual, while Esau sought the things of this world. When he was hungry, Esau sold his birthright for a mess of pottage. Behold, he explained, I am at the point to die: and what profit shall this birthright do to me? (Gen. 25:32.) Many Esaus have given up something of eternal value in order to satisfy a momentary hunger for the things of the world. ( Spirituality, Ensign, Nov. 1985, 61) 4. Like Esau, many of us forfeit our eternal inheritance for what equates to a simple meal: Esau s logic seems superficially sound, but in giving up his birthright for a single meal he becomes the poster child for sacrificing his future to the immediate needs of the body. He wasn t really going to die; it just seemed that way at the moment. Metaphorically, Jacob represents Satan tempting Esau to give up what is important for what he wants at the moment. For one mess of pottage, he loses his birthright. A million times over in a million subsequent tragedies, men have done the same thing whether for a mess of pottage, a drink, a cigarette, one night of indulgence, one peek at pornography, or one more hit of heroine the eternal inheritance is relinquished for a momentary pleasure. If only we could realize that the momentary pleasure we might feel by an act of disobedience can never be equal to the feelings of peace and happiness that result from obedience. (Janet G. Lee, New Era, Feb. 1994, 49)

56 The Book of Genesis 17 Isaac and Abimelech (Gen: 26) Setting: In the House of Abimelech in Gerar and then in Beer- Sheeba. Story Summary Chapter 26: There was a famine in the land so God told Isaac to go to King Abimelech s house in Gerar and to dwell there. He also promised Isaac that the Abrahamic covenant would be fulfilled through him. Isaac stays in Gerar and, just like Abraham, tells his hosts that Rebekah is his sister. Abimelech finds out this isn t true and issues a decree that nobody is to touch Rebekah and then asks Isaac to leave as he believes Isaac is greater than his city. Isaac becomes very wealthy and then Abimelech visits him and they swear an oath of peace to one another. Isaac founds a city at Beer-Sheeba. Esau takes to himself 2 Hittite wives which Isaac and Rebekah disapprove of. Notes 1. Isaac was a peacemaker and avoided contention with his neighbors: The third time Isaac succeeded in finding water of his own. He may have avoided years of contention and decades of war with his neighbors because he had the wisdom to dig a couple more wells. He avoided contention; he was a peacemaker; he trusted the Lord to make up the difference, for now the Lord hath made room for us, and we shall be fruitful in the land. (v. 22) 2. Altar tent and well: Altar, tent, and well: his worship, his home, his work. These basic things of life signified his relationship to God, his family, and his fellowmen. Isaac worshipped at the altar, dwelt with his family in the tent and worked at the well to supply for his family. 3. We should marry in the covenant: Esau married out of the Church; Esau did not marry in the everlasting covenant revealed to Abraham; Esau chose to live after the manner of the world, rather than to keep the standards of righteousness which the Lord had given them. (Bruce R. McConkie - Our Sisters from the Beginning, Ensign, Jan. 1979, 62)

57 Setting: In the House of Isaac. Story Summary The Book of Genesis 18 Jacob Receives Isaac s Blessing (Gen: 27) Chapter 27: Isaac became very old and lost his vision. Before he died, he wanted to give a patriarchal blessing to Esau so he asked him to go hunting in the woods and to bring him back some venison. While Esau was gone, Rebekah told Jacob to go and get two goats and she made a meal for Jacob to deceive Isaac with. Isaac also put on Esau s clothes and dressed himself in goat hair (Esau was much hairier than Isaac) to complete the deception. Jacob then approaches Isaac for a blessing but Isaac knows it is Jacobs voice. He asks to touch Isaac and feels the goat hair and is deceived into thinking Jacob is Esau. Isaac then blesses Jacob that the nations of the earth will serve him and the fatness and riches of the earth will be his. Jacob leaves and then Esau enters Isaac s tent and Isaac realizes Jacob had deceived him. Esau is very upset but Isaac says that he cannot annul the blessing given to Jacob that he will rule over Esau. Isaac blesses Esau but says he will live by the sword and serve his brother Jacob. Esau swears that he will kill Jacob for what he has done so Rebekah sends Jacob to live with her brother Laban. Notes 1. Rebekah was the guardian of the covenant: Rebekah had received revelation from God that Jacob would rule over Esau. She therefore came up with a plan to ensure Esau did not receive the blessing that God promised her Jacob would receive. Isaac realized after he had given Jacob the blessing that is was Gods will and told Esau it could not be undone. 2. Isaac promises Esau that one day his descendants would break free from serving Jacob s descendants: Many years after the reign of Solomon, when wicked king Jehoram was king in Jerusalem, Edom revolted from under the hand of Judah, and made a king over themselves, (2 Kgs. 8:20) thus finally fulfilling the prophecy of Isaac that Esau s descendants would someday be able to break the yoke of oppression off their necks. (gospeldoctrine.com)

58 3. Rebekah and Isaac used deceit to obtain a Priesthood blessing: Interestingly, this story shows Rebekah and Jacob using deceitful methods to fool their father Isaac to obtain a priesthood blessing. It begs the question, is deceit in itself sinful? Isaac had deceived Abimelech and so had Abraham. The wording of the commandment is not thou shalt not lie but thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor. Perhaps deceit that harms another person is sinful but deceit in itself is not always.

59 The Book of Genesis 19 Jacob s ladder (Gen: 28) Setting: In Beer-Sheba, Jacob travels toward Laban s house at Padan- Aram but stops in the wilderness of Beth-el to sleep and has a vision. Story Summary Chapter 27: Isaac tells Jacob not to marry a Canaanite woman but instead tells him to go to the house of Laban (his uncle) and to marry one of his cousins. While travelling to Laban s house, Jacob rested in the wilderness and he had a vision of a ladder that connected heaven and earth and saw angels climbing it. Jacob then sees God at the top of the Ladder who declares that through Jacob all the people of the earth will be blessed and that his posterity will inherit many lands. It is through Jacob that the Abrahamic covenant would be fulfilled. Jacob awakes and names the place of the dream Beth el which is also known as Luz. Jacob swears that if God will care for him that he will be faithful and pay 10% of everything in tithes. Notes 1. Jacob s ladder: Often, the Ladder is used as a metaphor for Christ. Through Christ, the gap between earth and heaven is bridged. Just as the veil of the temple was symbolically rent at the Crucifixion, symbolizing man s new access to the Holy of Holies, the Ladder allows mortal man to approach the Father. Furthermore, as Disciples of Christ, we progress one step at a time until we are worthy to enter the gates of heaven. The angels of heaven ascend and descend upon the Son of Man, Hereafter ye shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man. (John 1:51) Men and women often feel themselves in spiritual exile They long for an experience like Jacob s, to show that in the most desolate place there can be a shining something which bridges the gap between earth and heaven so that henceforth all the horizons of hope and trust are lifted and enlarged. (The Interpreter s Bible, ed. by G. A. Buttrick et al [New York, Abingdon Press, 1952] vol. 1, p ) 2. Lessons from Jacobs Vision: There are at least six significant things to ponder about Jacob s vision: Jacob was a righteous Melchezidek Priesthood holder who held the keys of the knowledge of God. He was a prophet who obtained the same promise Abraham and Isaac had obtained and covenanted with God. God promised to be with Jacob always and to return him to the land of his

60 inheritance. He also had a sacred experience at the House of the Lord where he made temple-like covenants. 3. Beth-El means House of God: Just like modern temples, Jacob made covenants and had revelatory experiences at Beth-El or the House of God. 4. The Rungs on the Ladder represented temple covenants: Elder Marion G. Romney of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said: When Jacob traveled from Beersheba toward Haran, he had a dream in which he saw himself on the earth at the foot of a ladder that reached to heaven where the Lord stood above it. He beheld angels ascending and descending thereon, and Jacob realized that the covenants he made with the Lord there were the rungs on the ladder that he himself would have to climb in order to obtain the promised blessings blessings that would entitle him to enter heaven and associate with the Lord. Temples are to us all what Bethel was to Jacob. Even more, they are also the gates to heaven for all of our unendowed kindred dead. We should all do our duty in bringing our loved ones through them. 5. Jacob covenants with God to pay tithing: And Jacob vowed a vow, saying, If God will be with me, and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat, and raiment to put on So that I come again to my father s house in peace; then shall the Lord be my God: And this stone, which I have set for a pillar, shall be God s house: and of all that thou shalt give me I will surely give the tenth unto thee. (Genesis 28: 20-22)

61 The Book of Genesis 20 Jacob, Leia and Rachel (Gen: 29) Setting: In the House of Laban and at a drinking well nearby. Story Summary Chapter 29: Jacob traveled towards Laban s house until he stopped at a well to drink. Rachel was tending sheep near the well when Jacob removed the stone from the well and helped her give her sheep water. He told Rachel that they were cousins so Rachel went and told Laban that Jacob arrived. Jacob stayed a month and then asked Laban if he could work 7 years in exchange for Rachel s hand in marriage. Laban agreed but when the seven years were up Laban tricked Jacob and sent Leia unto him on his wedding night. When Jacob awoke and realized the next day that he had consummated a marriage with Leia, he protested but Laban responded that he could also marry Rachel immediately if he served Laban for another seven years. Jacob agreed and married Rachel as well but he loved Rachel much more than Leia. God saw this and blessed Leia and made her fertile while he shut up Rachel s womb. Leia gives birth to Reuben, Simeon, Levi and Judah. Chapter 30: Jacob marries Bilhah, Rachel s maid, who bears Dan and Naphtali. He also marries Zilpah, Leah s maid, who bears Gad and Asher. Leah gives birth to Isaachar, Zebulun and Dinah while Rachel finally is able to conceive and gives birth to Joseph. Jacob negotiates with Laban to leave and offers to take only the spotted cattle with him. Chapter 31: Jacob increased Laban s herds and served him very well but eventually wanted to leave as God appeared to him and told him to return to Canaan. Laban was a deceitful man and had not treated Jacob fairly and planned to cheat him out of what he had earned. Laban s sons became envious and upset that Jacob might be leaving with part of their inheritance. Jacob took his family and secretly departed towards Canaan without telling Laban. Jacob didn t know but Rachel stole some figures from Laban. Laban found out that Jacob had left 3 days later and he rushed with his men and eventually overtook Jacob s party in Mt. Gilead. He searches Jacob s tent for the images Rachel stole, but she sits on them and pretends she is having her period so Laban leaves her alone. The Lord had appeared to Laban in a dream, however, and told him not to harm Jacob. Laban and Jacob talk out their problems and make a covenant of peace on Mt. Gilead.

62 Notes 1. Jacob loved Rachel for her beauty: While some think physical beauty is vanity, Jacob did not. The Bible records that Jacob loved Rachel for her beauty. 2. Abraham and Jacob were polygamists: Abraham was a polygamist; Jacob was a polygamist. The 12 tribes of Israel came from 4 different women. We are talking about the House of Israel, God s chosen people, the sheep of His fold, the covenant clan to whom all the promises belong. Quite the opposite of being shunned by a disapproving God, they were accepted and honored by a God that would even use their polygamist names to identify Himself, even the God of Abraham the polygamist, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob the polygamist. (Gospeldoctrine.com) 3. God had compassion on Leia: Jacob clearly favored Rachel and God saw Leia s predicament so he blessed her and compensated her by making her very fertile. She became the mother of the first 4 tribes of Israel. 4. Mandrakes: The story mentions that Leah used mandrakes as an aphrodisiac and as a fertility aid. Mandrakes are a plant that resemble the form of a man. In Jewish folklore, the mandrake was long believed to relieve barrenness; while in Germany and some other parts of Europe it was customary to place mandrakes under a bridal bed. 5. The Lord preserved Jacob through warning Laban in a dream: Laban appeared to be a dishonest man who was going to hurt Jacob so the Lord appeared to Laban in a dream and warned him not to. The Lord protected Jacob from the wrath of Laban.

63 The Book of Genesis 21 The Reunion of Jacob and Esau (Gen: 32-33) Setting: Jacob and Esau are reunited in Peniel. Esau returns to Edom and Jacob settles in Shechem. Story Summary Chapter 32: Jacob travels back to the land of Canaan and meets with the Angels of God. He then sends messengers to his brother Esau, who lives in the land, and offers peace. Esau says he will meet Jacob with 400 men and Jacob is afraid that Esau will kill him so he divides his party into two groups so that one may escape if he is attacked. He sends a series of servants with gifts to Esau in an attempt to appease him. That night, Jacob sees God face to face and it is said that they wrestled and God touched the thigh of Jacob. Jacob s name changes to Israel and he names the place he saw God Peniel. Chapter 33: Jacob sends his maidservants and children first to meet Esau and he stays in the back. This may have been done to signify he was not coming to fight but came in peace. Esau sees Jacob and he rushes to him and embraces and kisses him, forgiving him of all the wrongs Jacob had done against him. Esau tells Jacob to keep his gifts as he has enough. Notes 1. Jacob wrestled with a man, not God: President Joseph Fielding Smith offered the following: Who wrestled with Jacob on Mount Peniel? The scriptures say it was a man. The Bible interpreters say it was an angel. More than likely it was a messenger sent to Jacob to give him the blessing. To think he wrestled and held an angel who couldn t get away, is out of the question. The term angel as used in the scriptures, at times, refers to messengers who are sent with some important instruction. Later in this chapter when Jacob said he had beheld the Lord, that did not have reference to his wrestling. 2. Jacob wrestled vigorously for his blessings, as should we: Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob desired, sought for, wrestled for, and craved the presence of God. They prayed for it, worked for it, and lived for it. In the Old Testament we find a powerful, personal record of their success, and the Doctrine and Covenants tells us that these patriarchs have entered into their exaltation, according to the promises, and sit upon thrones, and are not angels but are gods (D&C 132:37). As members of the Church we are the seed of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and the inheritors of the Abrahamic covenant. What is the Abrahamic covenant to the righteous if it is not candidacy for exaltation? As with Jacob, the task of turning candidacy into reality is up to us. Let us wrestle for our

64 blessings that we are promised as we continue to worship in the temples of the Lord. (Andrew C. Skinner, Jacob: Keeper of Covenants, Ensign, Mar. 1998, 56) 3. The Meaning of Israel: The word Israel means one who prevails with God. Jacob s name was changed to Israel at the time he received the covenant that had been conferred upon Abraham, his grandfather (see Gen. 32:28). His lineal posterity are known in the earth as the house of Israel, although most of them have been scattered throughout the earth and their identity has been lost, except to the Lord. The covenant was later conferred upon Joseph the son of Jacob, and upon his son Ephraim who was given the birthright in Israel in the last days (see 1 Chr. 5:1 2; Jer. 31:9). In keeping with the Lord s covenant to Abraham, whenever an individual accepts the gospel of Jesus Christ, he becomes a member of the house of Israel, regardless of his actual lineage because he becomes an heir to the blessings of the covenant Whether in Abraham s time, or in New Testament times, or in the Fulness of Times, Israel is the name and inheritance confirmed upon all who accept the covenants of the gospel (see Rom. 11 and Jacob 5). And those who obey the covenants of the gospel will continue as members of the house of Israel in eternity, ruling forever as kings and priests over their posterity. (Robert J. Matthews, Our Covenants with the Lord, Ensign, Dec. 1980, 38) 4. Jacob s wrestle has left him weakened and unable to flee so that he has to entirely rely upon God: Now, his hip is so painful that he can barely walk. Remember his original plan divide the company into two groups? That way, if Esau attacks one, the other can make a quick getaway. Well Jacob can t run now While the injury prevented any possibility of a quick escape, it also required him to trust completely on the Lord. He couldn t run, but it didn t matter he had the Lord on his side. This is a good lesson for all of us especially the proud and self-reliant. We will find that when the Lord really puts us to the test, He removes all of our strength to fend for ourselves. Complete reliance on the Lord is one of the last lessons learned by the most righteous of saints. (gospeldoctrine.com) 5. Esau was a great example of forgiveness: From Esau s perspective, Jacob had used deception and trickery to steal what was rightfully his. Yet Esau did not even mention it and forgave his brother immediately. He was even so gracious that he refused to take the gifts Jacob offered. 6. Jacob and Esau were wealthy but not greedy: Esau declares, I have enough, my brother (v. 9). Jacob also says, I have enough (v. 11).

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66 The Book of Genesis 22 Dinah and the Hivites (Gen: 34) Setting: Jacob and his family settle in the land of Shalem and then Simeon and Levi raid the Hivite camp. Story Summary Chapter 34: Jacob settled in the land of Shalem and he purchased land from Hamor the Hivite. Jacob had a daughter, Dinah, who went to meet the other women of the land. While visiting, she was raped by Hamor s son Shechem who then desired her to be his wife. Hamor and Shechem then travel to Jacob s house and ask for Dinah s hand in marriage. They invite Jacob s family to intermarry with them but the sons of Jacob respond that they can t do so unless everyone is circumcised. The Hivites agree and every male was circumcised. However, on the third day after being circumcised, Simeon and Levi attacked the camp and killed Hamor, Shechem and every male in the camp. They then pillaged the valuables and took the women and children captive. Jacob was not pleased and feared retaliation from other people in the area. Notes 1. Jacob reacts to Simeon and Levi s murders later in Genesis: The story of violence committed by Levi and Simeon, as told in Genesis 34:25 31, is a case where the reactions of responsible people are not completely revealed until later. Some of Jacob s feelings about their deeds and some indications of their eternal consequences are given to the reader many chapters later, in Genesis 49:5 7. Simeon and Levi are brethren; instruments of cruelty are in their habitations. O my soul, come not thou into their secret; unto their assembly, mine honour, be not thou united: for in their anger they slew a man, and in their self-will they digged down a wall. Cursed be their anger, for it was fierce; and their wrath, for it was cruel: I will divide them in Jacob, and scatter them in Israel.] (Ellis T. Rasmussen, The Unchanging Gospel of Two Testaments, Ensign, Oct. 1973, 24) 2. Simeon and Levi lost their inheritance: [Simeon and Levi s] looting the city and taking of its wives and children, for which they evidenced no shame or repentance (34:30-31), would cause the descendants of Simeon and Levi to be dispersed among Israel with no definite allotment of territory, through their father s deathbed pronouncement (49:5-7). (The Apologetics Study Bible, T. Cabal [Nashville: Holman Bible Publishers, 2007], 57)

67 The Book of Genesis 23 The Deaths of Rachel and Isaac (Gen: 35-36) Setting: Jacob and his family travel to Beth-El and then to Beth-lehem where they bury Rachel. The family also travels to the tower of Edar and then Hebron to the House of Isaac. Story Summary Chapter 35: Jacob has another vision in which God tells him to go back to Beth-El and to build an altar there. Jacob is obedient and God tells him that great nations will arise from his posterity and that kings will be descended from him. God promises that Jacob s descendants will inherit the land of Canaan. Soon afterwards, Rachel goes into labor and gives birth to another son named Benjamin. Unfortunately, Rachel dies during childbirth and is buried in Beth-lehem. Jacob and his family continue travelling to the tower of Edar where Reuben sleeps with Bilhah, one of his father s wives. Jacob continues travelling to Hebron where he meets his father Isaac, who dies at the age of 180 and then is buried by both Jacob and Esau. Chapter 36: The Genealogy of Esau and the Edomites is given. Notes 1. God protects Israel as his family moves around Canaan: As the "terror of God was upon the cities that were round about them" (Genesis 35:5), so it is prophesied of the New Jerusalem that "the terror of the Lord also shall be there, insomuch that the wicked will not come unto it" (D&C 45:67).(Joseph Fielding McConkie, Gospel Symbolism [Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1999], 154) 2. Israel asks his family to put away their Strange Gods: Then Jacob said unto his household, and to all that were with him, Put away the strange gods that are among you, and be clean, and change your garments. (Genesis 35:2) 3. God told Israel to be clean and to change his garments: If Jacob is about to have a temple experience, we should not be surprised at his command to put away false gods, be clean, and change your garments. As we approach the temple, we too should repent before we are washed, anointed, and clothed in the garments of the temple. Moses sanctified Aaron, and his garments, and his sons, and his sons garments with him before they were authorized to work in the tabernacle. (Lev. 8:30) (gospeldoctrine.com) 4. God Promises Israel a great inheritance: The land which I gave Abraham and Isaac, to thee I will give it, and to thy seed after thee. This is a politically charged issue. Who has a God-given right to

68 the Holy Land? In Genesis 15:18-21, the Lord declared to Abraham: Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates that s a lot of land! On today s map, that includes Israel, part of Egypt, Lebanon, Jordan, Syria, and half of Iraq. Never in the annals of history have Jacob s descendants ever controlled all of that land. While Abraham s Arabic descendants through Ishmael have inherited the land, the Israelites have never been able to claim the whole thing. The days of King David were the days of greatest political dominion for the state of Israel and the boundaries didn t come close to being that expansive. The promise that Israel would be given all this land still needs to be fulfilled. Likely, the day will be a millennial one, he that putteth his trust in me shall possess the land and shall inherit my holy mountain. (Isa. 57:13) The promise that Israel would be given all this land still needs to be fulfilled. Likely, the day will be a millennial one, he that putteth his trust in me shall possess the land and shall inherit my holy mountain. (Isa. 57:13) (gospeldoctrine.com) 5. Reuben s birthright was given to Joseph s sons Ephraim and Manasseh: Now the sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel, (for he was the firstborn; but, forasmuch as he defiled his father s bed, his birthright was given unto the sons of Joseph the son of Israel: and the genealogy is not to be reckoned after the birthright. For Judah prevailed above his brethren, and of him came the chief ruler; but the birthright was Joseph s. (1 Chron. 5:1-2) 6. History of the Edomites: The name Edom was given to Esau, the first-born son of Isaac and twin brother of Jacob, when he sold his birthright to the latter for a meal of lentil pottage. The country which the Lord subsequently gave to Esau was hence called the country of Edom, Genesis 32:3; and his descendants were called Edomites. Edom was called Mount Seir and Idumea also. Edom was wholly a mountainous country. It embraced the narrow mountainous tract (about 100 miles long by 20 broad) extending along the eastern side of the Arabah from the northern end of the Gulf of Elath to near the southern end of the Dead Sea. The ancient capital of Edom was Bozrah (Buseireh). Sela (Petra) appears to have been the principal stronghold in the days of Amaziah (B.C. 838). 2 Kings 14:7; Elath and Ezion-geber were the seaports. 2 Samuel 8:14; 1 Kings 9:26; History. Esau's bitter hatred to his brother Jacob for fraudulently obtaining his blessing appears to have been inherited by his latest posterity. The Edomites peremptorily refused to permit the Israelites to pass through their land. Numbers 20:18-21; For a period of 400 years we hear no more of the Edomites. They were then attacked and defeated by Saul, 1 Samuel 14:47; and some forty years later by David. 2 Samuel 8:13, 14; In the reign of Jehoshaphat (B.C. 914) the Edomites attempted to invade Israel, but failed. 2 Chronicles 20:22; They joined Nebuchadnezzar when that king besieged Jerusalem. For their cruelty at this time they were fearfully denounced by the later prophets. Isaiah 34:5-8; Isaiah 63:1-4; Jeremiah 49:17; After this they settled in southern Palestine, and for more than four centuries continued to prosper. But during the warlike rule of the Maccabees they were again completely subdued, and even forced to conform to Jewish laws and rites, and submit to the government of

69 Jewish prefects. The Edomites were now incorporated with the Jewish nation. They were idolaters. 2 Chronicles 25:14, 15, 20; Their habits were singular. The Horites, their predecessors in Mount Seir, were, as their name implies, troglodytes, or dwellers in caves; and the Edomites seem to have adopted their dwellings as well as their country. Everywhere we meet with caves and grottos hewn in the soft sandstone strata. (Dictionary of the Bible, William Smith, Edom )

70 The Book of Genesis 24 Joseph is sold into Egypt (Gen: 37) Setting: Jacob and his family lived in Hebron and then Joseph travels to see his brothers in Dothan. Story Summary Chapter 37: Jacob loved and favored Joseph more than his other sons. He made Joseph a coat of many colors that would indicate his favor. His brothers knew Joseph was favored so they hated him. One day Joseph told his brothers about a dream he had in which his sheaf rose above his brothers sheaves and they paid homage to him. He also had another dream in which the sun, moon and stars all bowed before him. These dreams predicted that Joseph would rule over his family members and this just made them hate him even more. One day, Israel sent Joseph to find his brothers who were feeding sheep in Dothan. The brothers saw this as a perfect opportunity to get rid of Joseph so they conspired to beat him and leave him to die in a pit. After they threw him in a pit they saw some Ishmaelite traders who were headed to Egypt. They decided to sell Joseph to them as a slave instead. Joseph s brothers then killed a goat and spread its blood on Joseph s coat in order to convince Israel that Joseph was killed by a wild animal. Israel was devastated at the news and refused to be comforted. Joseph was sold to Potiphar, captain of the Pharaoh s guard. Notes 1. Joseph of Egypt is a type of Christ: 1. Both were granted a new name: Joseph was denominated Zaphnath-paaneah by Pharaoh (Gen. 41:45) Jesus' divine name was Christ. 2. Both were good shepherds. 3. Both were known as the most loved of their father. 4. Both were clothed in authority and power of their father. Joseph, for instance, was given the coat of many colours (Gen. 37:3), a symbol of priesthood authority. 5. Both were revelators, and revealed things pertaining to the future (JST, Gen. 50:24-38; Matt. 24). 6. Both were fully obedient to the will and wishes of their fathers and responded to their calls to serve, saying, Here am I (Gen. 37:13; Abr. 3:27). 7. Both were promised a future sovereignty, speaking equally of a temporal and an eternal role. 8. Both were betrayed by their brothers, at which time they were stripped of their garments. 9. Both were cast into a pit-christ to the world of spirits, Joseph into an empty cistern. 10. Both were betrayed with the utmost hypocrisy (Gen. 37:27; John 18:31).

71 11. Both were sold. It was Judah that sold Joseph for twenty pieces of silver (Gen. 37:26-28), as it was Judas (Greek for Judah) who sold Jesus for thirty pieces of silver (Matt. 26:15). 12. The blood-sprinkled coat of each was presented to his father. Joseph's coat of many colors was dipped in the blood of the goat (Gen. 37:31-32) the blood of Jesus Christ as the blood of the scapegoat, a sin offering, was symbolically presented to the Father. 13. Both blessed those with whom they labored in prison (Gen. 39:21-23; D&C 138). 14. Both were servants, and as such all that they touched were blessed. 15. Both were tempted with great sin and both refused its enticements (Gen. 39; Matt. 4:1-11). 16. Both were falsely accused: Joseph by Potiphar's wife, Christ by false witnesses. 17. Both stood as the source of divine knowledge to their day and generation. 18. Both were triumphant, overcoming all. 19. Both were granted rule over all (Gen. 41:40; 1 Pet. 3:22). 20. Both were thirty years old when they began their life's work (Gen. 41:46; Luke 3:23). 21. Both were saviors to their people, giving them the bread of life. Joseph saved his family with a temporal salvation; Christ as the Bread of Life saves the family of mankind with a spiritual salvation. 22. The rejection of both brought bondage upon the people. 23. Both were unrecognized by their people (Gen. 45:3-5; D&C 45:51-53). 24. Both would be recognized and accepted by their brothers only at the second time (Acts 7:13; D&C 45:51-53). 25. As Joseph's brothers bowed to him in fulfillment of prophecy, so all will yet bow the knee to Christ (Gen. 43:26-28; D&C 76:110). 26. Through both, mercy is granted to a repentant people. As Joseph's brothers sought forgiveness of him, so Christ's brothers will eventually seek forgiveness of him. 27. After the reconciliation, Israel is gathered. Having manifest himself to his brothers, Joseph charged them to return and bring their father and families to Egypt. So it shall be in the last days. After Israel have returned to their God, they, like Joseph's brothers, shall be sent to bring all the family of Israel into the kingdom ruled by Christ. (Joseph Fielding McConkie and Donald W. Parry, A Guide to Scriptural Symbols [Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1990], 71-72) 2. The Book of Mormon gives us a prophecy of Jacob that we do not find in Genesis: Moroni said unto them: Behold, we are a remnant of the seed of Jacob; yea, we are a remnant of the seed of Joseph, whose coat was rent by his brethren into many pieces; yea, and now behold, let us remember to keep the commandments of God, or our garments shall be rent by our brethren, and we be cast into prison, or be sold, or be slain. Yea, let us preserve our liberty as a remnant of Joseph; yea, let us remember the words of Jacob, before his death, for behold, he saw that a part of the remnant of the coat of Joseph was preserved and had not decayed. And he said Even as this remnant of garment of my son hath been preserved, so shall a remnant of the seed of my son be preserved by the hand of God, and be taken unto himself, while the remainder of the seed of Joseph shall perish, even as the remnant of his garment. (Alma 46:23-24.)

72 3. The Will of God Can t be thwarted: Joseph s brother sold him into Egypt in an attempt to prevent his dreams from coming true. However, that very act ensured Joseph s dreams would come true and that he would one day rule over them in Egypt. 4. Reuben and Judah: It was Reuben who convinced his brothers not to kill Joseph and Judah who had the idea to sell him into Egypt instead of killing him. 5. Joseph s Coat: Some apocryphal sources indicate that Joseph s coat was the garment of Adam passed down through the line of Patriarchs.

73 The Book of Genesis 25 Judah and Tamar (Gen: 38) Setting: In the House of Judah and then in the fields tending sheep. Story Summary Chapter 38: Judah marries Shuah and has three sons: Er, Onan and Shelah. Judah found a wife for his oldest son Er named Tamar but Er was wicked so it is said that the Lord slew him. Judah then tells Onan to take Tamar as his wife to give Er a posterity but Onan refuses so he dies as well. Judah then tells Tamar to remain a widow until Shelah is old enough to marry her so she went and lived at her father s house. When Shelah was grown, however, he did not take Tamar as a wife. Tamar heard Judah was tending sheep one day so she wrapped herself in a veil and went to seduce him. Judah thought she was a harlot so he asked her to sleep with him in exchange for a sheep. Tamar asks to hold some jewellery of his until he sends the sheep. After Judah sleeps with her, he tries to send her the sheep but Tamar is gone and can t be found. She eventually reveals that she is pregnant with twins and Judah is the father. She gives birth to two sons: Pharez and Zarah. Notes 1. Ancient Marriage Customs: Anciently, under a Levirate marriage of the Abrahamic Law, a widow was provided for by the family of the deceased. Specifically, it was the duty of a brother-in-law to marry the widow and provide for her. This practice may seem strange to us but it is part of the Lord s way of providing for widows. In addition, any children the brother has with the widowed woman would, in the eternities, belong to the deceased brother. The practice is based on the divine principle that with an eternal marriage, the covenant is not broken in death a widow is still sealed to her first husband they belong to each other, and all the children she bares belong to their covenant relationship in eternity. It also underscores the idea that when a woman marries her husband, she effectively leaves her nuclear family to become a member of her husband s family Therefore, if the husband died, the widow could not return to her nuclear family she no longer belonged to that family, but to the family of her dead husband. (Gospeldoctrine.com) 2. Tamar s actions were designed to get Judah to fulfill his responsibilities to her, since Shelah did not take her as a wife. In the end, Judah did not find fault with what she did because he knew he did not keep the law. 3. Judah fornicated with harlots: Unfortunately, Judah seems unworthy of the lineage that would come through him: King David and Jesus Christ. 4. Judah married a Canaanite but his lineage was preserved through Tamar: It was through Tamar that Judah s twin sons were born and through which Jesus would be born through Mary.

74 Setting: In the House of Potiphar in Egypt. Story Summary The Book of Genesis 26 Joseph and Potiphar s Wife (Gen: 38) Chapter 39: Joseph was sold by the Ishmaelite s to Potiphar, captain of the guard. Joseph was blessed by the Lord and served Potiphar so well that he was eventually made overseer of Potiphar s house. The Lord blessed all of Potiphar s house for Joseph s sake and he was a well-liked person. Potiphar s wife noticed Joseph s success and repeatedly tried to seduce him but Joseph refused to sin against God and Potiphar. One day, she noticed Joseph was alone so she tried to seduce him again but he refused and immediately fled. However, she ripped some of his clothing when he ran and then falsely accused him of trying to rape her. Potiphar believed his wife and threw Joseph into prison. However, the Lord blessed Joseph again so that he became highly favored with the Prison Warden and Joseph eventually ran the prison. The Lord blessed Joseph in everything that he did. Notes 1. Joseph was favored of the Lord and anything he did prospered: And his master saw that the Lord was with him, and that the Lord made all that he did to prosper in his hand. (Gen. 39:3) 2. The Lord consecrated Joseph s afflictions to his gain: Perhaps there is no greater example of the Lord turning an affliction into gain than the story of Joseph in Egypt. Joseph was sold into slavery and cast in prison but these circumstances led him to become second only to Pharaoh and to be able to preserve the Israelites from famine. 3. Joseph gives us an example in responding to breaking the law of Chastity: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God? (Gen 39: 9) 4. The righteous are not spared from oppression and false accusations: Joseph was innocent and a righteous man but he suffered at the hands of wicked people. Righteousness does not mean we escape hardship.

75 The Book of Genesis 27 Joseph Interprets Pharaoh s Dreams (Gen: 40-41) Setting: In the Prisons of Egypt and then in Pharaoh s Court. Story Summary Chapter 40: While Joseph was in prison, Pharaoh s chief butler and baker both offended Pharaoh and were thrown into prison. Both of them had dreams that they were very troubled by and didn t know anyone that could interpret them. The Chief Butler dreamed of a vine with 3 branches that brought forth ripe grapes which he then squeezed into Pharaoh s cup and gave them to him. Joseph told him that this meant that in 3 days the Butler would be restored to his former post and continue serving Pharaoh. Joseph asked that the Butler remember Joseph when this dream occurred and to speak to Pharaoh on his behalf. The Chief Baker s dream involved him having three white baskets on his head that birds began eating from. Joseph told him that this meant he would be hanged by Pharaoh in 3 days and the birds would eat his corpse. Three days later Pharaoh hosted a birthday feast and restored the butler and killed the baker, exactly as Joseph had predicted. However, the Butler did not remember to speak to Pharaoh on Joseph s behalf. Chapter 41: Two years after Joseph interpreted the baker and butler s dreams Pharaoh had a dream in which he stood by the river and saw 7 sickly cattle come up and eat 7 healthy cattle that were grazing in a meadow. He had another dream in which 7 healthy ears of corn came up out of one stalk followed by 7 unhealthy ears that devoured the healthy ones. Pharaoh gathered all the magicians and wise ones of Egypt to interpret his dreams but nobody could do so. Pharaoh s butler remembered that Joseph interpreted his dream earlier and told Pharaoh about Joseph s ability to interpret dreams. Pharaoh then called for Joseph and told him his dreams and Joseph interpreted them for him. Joseph said that the 7 healthy ears of corn and 7 healthy cattle represented 7 years of plenty and that the 7 unhealthy corn and cattle represented 7 years of famine that would follow afterwards. Joseph told Pharaoh to appoint a man to oversee preparation for the 7 years of famine by preparing during the 7 years of plenty and stockpiling food. Pharaoh was very pleased and believed Joseph s interpretation and made him a ruler in Egypt second only to him. Joseph oversaw the gathering in of food during the 7 years of plenty. Joseph took an Egyptian named Zaphnath-Paaneah and a wife named Asenath. He has two sons named Manasseh and Ephraim. Just as Joseph prophesied, a great famine hit the entire land for 7 years and people out of every country came to Egypt for food. Notes 1. The Interpretations of Dreams is a spiritual gift that belongs to God: Do not interpretations belong to God? Tell me them, I pray you (Gen. 40:8)

76 2. We should make preparations for famine while we have plenty: Just like Joseph, we should be wise during our time of plenty so that we can handle times of famine. 3. Those of Ephraim and Manasseh have Egyptian heritage: Joseph married an Egyptian girl so those descended from him have Egyptian and Israelite ancestors.

77 The Book of Genesis 28 Joseph s Reunion with his Family (Gen: 42-47) Setting: In the house of Israel in the land of Canaan and in the House of Pharaoh in Egypt. Story Summary Chapter 42: During this great famine, Israel heard that there was food in Egypt so he sent his 10 sons, except Benjamin, to buy some food. Joseph was governor of Egypt and was in charge of selling the food. When his brothers arrived to ask him for food, Joseph knew it was them but they did not recognize their brother. Joseph pretended not to know them and accused them of being spies. He said they had to stay in prison until one of them went and brought Benjamin back to prove they were telling the truth. Joseph gave them lots of food but held Simeon back until they returned with Benjamin. He also returned the money the brothers had brought to buy food. When the rest of the brothers arrived home they told their father Israel what happened but he refused to let them take Benjamin. Chapter 43: The famine continued and got worse in the land so Israel asked his sons to go get more food. They explained they could not unless they brought Benjamin so Judah promised to take all responsibility for his safety. When they arrived back in Egypt, Joseph hosted a feast for them and asked questions about his father Israel. The brothers were worried Joseph would think they were thieves so explained that they brought the money that was returned to them earlier by Joseph. Joseph explained that it was he who returned the money and then went out of the room and wept. He sat them according to their birth order but gave Benjamin 5x as much as any other brother. Chapter 44: Joseph tells his servant to give the brothers lots of food but to put his silver cup in Benjamin s sack to frame him for theft. He sends the brothers away and then has his servant chase them down and accuse them of theft. As planned, he finds the cup in Benjamin s sack and takes him back as a prisoner. The brothers return and Judah pleads with Joseph to let Benjamin go and he will be Joseph s servant instead as it would break his father s heart to lose Benjamin. Chapter 45: After Judah plead with Joseph he cleared the room and confessed to them all that he was their brother Joseph. Joseph told them to forgive themselves for God allowed them to sell him into Egypt so that he could preserve their family. He then tells them the famine will last 5 more years so they need to go and get their father and return to Egypt and settle in the land Goshen. Pharaoh heard that Joseph s brothers had come to Egypt so he was very gracious with them and gave them wagons to go and bring their father back and promised them that all the riches of Egypt were theirs. The brothers return and tell Israel that Joseph is alive but he doesn t believe them until he sees the wagons and gifts from Egypt. Israel is excited and sets off to see his son Joseph again.

78 Chapter 46: Israel travelled to Beer-Sheba, offered sacrifices and had a vision in which God told him to settle in the land of Egypt and that he would make a great nation out of his descendants. Israel s entire house migrates to Egypt and the list of all the children and grand-children of Israel is given. Joseph meets his father in the land of Goshen and they have a happy reunion. Israel declares he is ready to die because he has seen Joseph. They settle as Shepherds in Goshen. Chapter 47: Joseph and his family come before Pharaoh and ask his permission to dwell as shepherds in the land of Goshen. Pharaoh is gracious and gives them the land so Israel blesses Pharaoh. They settle in the best land of Egypt called Rameses. The famine gets worse and money becomes useless so Joseph begins accepted cattle in exchange for food. Eventually the people had to barter their lands for food so Joseph got Pharaoh all the land of Egypt and put a 20% tax on the people that they would have to pay to Pharaoh. Israel lives another 17 years in Egypt to the age of 147 and knows he is about to die so he makes Joseph promise to bury him with his fathers and Joseph agrees. Notes 1. God prepared a way to preserve Israel during a famine by having Joseph sold into Egypt: God truly works in mysterious ways. Who would have known that Joseph being sold into Egypt would lead to the deliverance of his family? 2. Joseph was deceitful with his brothers: Again, deceitfulness in itself must not be a sin as there must be some kind of vicious motive, which Joseph did not have. He was testing his brothers to see if they had changed and would sacrifice themselves for Benjamin. 3. Joseph was an example of mercy and forgiveness: Joseph could have been resentful and sought retaliation and revenge but instead he forgave his brothers and told them to forgive themselves. 4. Joseph and his brothers are a type of Christ and Israel. Joseph's relationship with his brothers is a type for Jehovah's relationship with the children of Israel. The scriptures speak of this latter relationship as a marriage instead of a brotherhood, but the betrayal, mercy, forgiveness, and redemption are the same. In this respect Joseph is a type for Christ. Joseph was disregarded by Jacob's sons; Jehovah was rejected by the children of Israel, "thou hast been weary of me, O Israel." (Isa. 43:22) Joseph's brothers considered murder and rejected him; the children of Israel played the harlot in worshipping other gods, "Hast thou seen that which backsliding Israel hath done? She is gone up upon every high mountain and under every green tree, and there hath played the harlot." (Jer. 3:6) Joseph was sold as a slave for 20 pieces of silver; Jesus, the pre-mortal Jehovah, was sold for 30 pieces of silver (Matt. 26:15)

79 Joseph commanded his servants to frighten his brethren and show them their wickedness (Gen. 44); Jehovah commanded his prophets to demonstrate the same, "Cry aloud, spare not... and shew my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins." (Isa. 58:1) Joseph's brethren bought corn from Joseph but never had to pay for it; Jehovah, the Bread of Life, also offers a free meal, "come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price." (Isa 55:1) Joseph had mercy for his brethren in spite of being treated brutally; Jehovah has mercy for the children of Israel in spite of them playing the harlot, "I will mention the loving kindnesses of the Lord, and he praises of the Lord, according to all that the Lord hath bestowed on us, and the great goodness toward the house of Israel, which he hath bestowed on them according to his mercies, and according to the multitude of his loving kindnesses." (Isa 63:7; Isa 54:6-8) Joseph forgives and forgets the betrayal; Jehovah forgives Israel saying, "I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins." (Isa. 43:25) Joseph was sent by God to preserve the lives of his family; Jehovah was sent by God to save Israel and all mankind. Joseph's emotions were overwhelming when reunited with his brethren; Jehovah's love for Israel is overwhelming (3 Ne. 17:6, 20-21) Joseph fell upon their necks, wept, and kissed his brethren; the Lord will unite the city of Enoch and Zion, "we will fall upon their necks, and they shall fall upon our necks, and we will kiss each other." (Moses 7:63) Joseph surprised his brethren revealing his identity with "I am Joseph;" the Messiah will surprise the Jews announcing his identity with "I am Jesus that was crucified. I am the Son of God." (D&C 45:52) Joseph prepared a temporal salvation for Israel; Jehovah prepared a temporal and spiritual salvation for Israel. (Gospeldoctrine.com)

80 The Book of Genesis 29 Israel Blesses His Children (Gen: 48-50) Setting: In the land of Goshen, in the House of Israel and then in the field of Machpelah where Abraham and Isaac are buried. Story Summary Chapter 48: Joseph hears that his father is sick so he takes his two children Ephraim and Manasseh with him to visit his father. Israel tells them of his vision in which God promised to bless and multiply his posterity and then formally adopts Ephraim and Manasseh as his own children. Joseph then brings Ephraim and Manasseh forward and Israel puts his right hand on Ephraim and his left hand on Manasseh and blesses them. Joseph thinks he has it wrong and tells his father that Manasseh is the firstborn but Israel responds that he knows what he is doing and that Ephraim will be greater than Manasseh. Israel promises that from Manasseh will come a great nation but from Ephraim will come a greater multitude of nations. Israel also promises Joseph a double portion of blessings compared to his brothers. Chapter 49: Israel gathers forth all of his sons to bless them and prophecy concerning their posterity. He begins by telling Reuben he will not excel and has lost his blessing because he slept with his father s wife. He then tells Simeon and Levi that they are cruel men who had committed murder and thus their posterity would be scattered. He blesses Judah, saying that from him would come Shiloh or the Messiah (Jesus) and that he would rule over his brethren. Zebulun s posterity would live on the seacoast and engage in maritime pursuits. Issachar s descendants would be agricultural laborers who would settle in lower Galilee. Dan would judge his people and be a serpent. Gad would be attacked often but would generally be victorious when the wars ended. Asher was blessed to have fertile land that would provide riches for Israel. Naphtali is promised that his children would be given a fertile territory and that they will spread in the land. Joseph is promised that he will be a fruitful bough and that multitudes of nations will come from his posterity. Joseph would be attacked but preserved by God and would be given the blessings of heaven. Joseph would be blessed unto the everlasting hills. Israel closes by prophesying that the tribe of Benjamin will be aggressive like a wolf and will conquer their enemies. Israel then declares he is about to die and wants to be buried with his ancestors in the field of Machpelah. Chapter 50: Israel dies and is embalmed and mourned over for 40 days. Joseph then buries his father with his ancestors, as Israel requested. Joseph s brothers fear that since their father died, Joseph will cast them out of Egypt. However, Joseph tells them he forgives them and will nourish them. Joseph lives to be 110 years old and prophecies that his posterity will be led out of Egypt and into the land that God had promised them. Joseph dies and is embalmed and buried in Egypt.

81 Notes 1. Ephraim and Manasseh displaced Reuben and Simeon: Reuben had slept with his father s wife and Simeon had murdered the men of Shechem and lost their inheritance. Ephraim received the birthright and Manasseh received Simeon s share. 2. Joseph s posterity would overrun the entire earth: Joseph is a fruitful bough, even a fruitful bough by a well; whose branches run over the wall. (Genesis 49:22) Joseph s peculiar blessing, which I have just read to you, was that he should enjoy possessions above Jacob s progenitors to the utmost bounds of the everlasting hills. This would seem to indicate a very distant land from Palestine. (Orson Pratt, in Journal of Discourses, 14:9.) The seed of Joseph came to the land of America at the time Lehi and his family departed from the Mediterranean world. The land of America is specifically designated by the Lord as the land reserved for a remnant of the house of Joseph (3 Nephi 15:12). (ldsscriptureteachings.org) 3. America is the land of Everlasting Hills promised to the posterity of Joseph. Lehi was a descendant of Manasseh and his family would inherit the land of the Americas.

82 OLD TESTAMENT SUMMARY EXODUS Story Summaries 1. Israel in Bondage and the Early Life of Moses. (1-2) 2. Moses and the Burning Bush (3-4) 3. Moses and the Plagues of Egypt (5-12) 4. Moses Parts the Red Season (13-15) 5. Quail and Manna in the Wilderness (16-17) 6. Jethro s Counsel to Moses (18) 7. The 10 Commandments (19-20) 8. The Law of Moses (21-24) 9. Instructions for the Tabernacle (25-31) 10. The Golden Calf (32) 11. Moses Repeats the Law and the Tabernacle is constructed (33-40) A TESTAMENT OF JESUS CHRIST

83 Exodus 1 Israel in Bondage and the Early Life of Moses (Exodus 1-2) Setting: In the land of Goshen in Egypt and in the Court of Pharaoh. Moses flees to Midian to the House of Jethro. Story Summary Chapter 1: Joseph died and the children of Israel multiplied exceedingly so that they filled all the land of Egypt. Eventually, a new Pharaoh came to power who did not know Joseph and he became fearful that the children of Israel would outnumber the Egyptians. Pharaoh decided to put the Israelites in bondage and force them to build the treasure cities of Pithom and Raamses. He put cruel taskmasters over them and oppressed them greatly. The Israelites still continued to multiply so Pharaoh told the Hebrew midwives to kill any male child but to let the female children live. The midwives disobeyed him so Pharaoh decreed to all his people that male Hebrew children were to be killed. Chapter 2: Two Levites had a male child and they hid him for 3 months. However, once they realized they could not hide him forever they tried to save his life by putting the baby in an ark of bulrushes and floating him down the river. The baby s sister watched the baby float downstream until she saw that Pharaoh s daughter found him and had compassion on him. The sister offered to find the baby a nurse and Pharaoh s daughter agreed so the baby s sister found the mother who pretended to be his nurse. Pharaoh s daughter adopted the child and named him Moses and he was raised in the court of Pharaoh. Moses grew up and one day witnessed an Egyptian taskmaster smiting a Hebrew slave so Moses killed the Egyptian and buried his body. However, Pharaoh found out what Moses had done so Moses fled to Midian where he rested at a well. There, he meets the seven daughters of Reuel and saves them from raiders and helps them feed their flocks. Reuel is grateful and offers Moses one of his daughters as a wife. He takes Zipporah to wife and has a son named Gershom. Meanwhile, in Egypt, Pharaoh dies and the cries of the Hebrew slaves reached God who would shortly deliver them. Notes 1. The chosen people of God were allowed to be put in bondage: Even though God promised great blessings to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob he still allowed great afflictions to come upon His chosen people. 2. God planned the delivery of the Israelites long before they asked. Divine protection ensures we accomplish our life Missions: God ensured Moses would reach Pharaoh s daughter and would be spared from Pharaoh s decree. Moses was foreordained to deliver the Israelites of this period from bondage and nothing could prevent him from accomplishing his mission.

84 3. Moses killed an Egyptian: Moses was a great prophet and yet he killed a man for being harsh to a slave. 4. Moses was a symbol of Christ: Moses was a symbol of Christ and he was great because of his meekness. Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth. (Numbers 12:3) 5. Joseph most likely came to power during the rule of the Hyksos: Many scholars believe that Joseph came to power during a period in which the Hyksos ruled Egypt (Semitic people) and this explains how Joseph could find favour in their eyes. When the Hyksos were overthrown Josephs name was most likely purged from all monuments, however one scholar claims he found the Egyptian name Yufni, which would be the Hebrew Yosef (my search for Joseph, Signs of the Times Oct.1977, pp 5-8) 6. Midrash Commentary: In the Midrash Rabbah it is asserted that Moses, with his bare fists, killed an Egyptian taskmaster who was in the act of seducing a Hebrew woman. This is confirmed in the Koran. 7. Reuel was Jethro who was a descendant of Midian, who was a son of Abraham and Keturah. 8. The Israelites lived in Egypt for 430 years from the time Joseph moved there to when Moses delivered them. (Exodus 12:40) 9. There were probably around 600, 000 Israelites in Egypt: By the time Moses is born, records indicate that the number of Israelites was 600,000 (Josephus, Antiquities of the Jews, Book I, 9:3) They started only with 70.

85 Exodus 2 Moses and the Burning Bush (Exodus 3-4) Setting: In Mt. Horeb and the House of Jethro. Moses then returns to Egypt. Story Summary Chapter 3: Moses lived as a shepherd for a while until one day he felt inspired to climb Mt. Horeb where he saw the Lord out of the midst of a bush that appeared to be burning but was not consumed. The Lord declares that He is the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and that He has heard the cries of the Israelites who are in bondage in Egypt and is about to deliver them into their own land in Canaan. The Lord tells Moses that he will go to Pharaoh to release the Israelites but Moses is humble and doesn t know why God chose him to do it. The Lord promises Moses He will be with him and tells Moses to say that I AM sent him who was the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Moses was told to gather the Elders of Israel and to tell Pharaoh that the Israelites are going to leave Egypt and settle elsewhere but God knows Pharaoh will say no so He promises to visit Egypt with plagues until Pharaoh releases the Israelites from bondage. God promises that in the end, the Israelites will spoil the Egyptians. Chapter 4: Moses tells the Lord that nobody will believe that he was sent by God so the Lord gives him a display of his power. He tells Moses to drop his rod to the ground and it becomes a snake and then he picks it back up and it returns to being a rod. Moses is then told to put his hand in his bosom and when he takes it out it is filled with leprosy. He puts his hand back in his bosom and the leprosy vanishes. God tells Moses these two signs should convince them but if they don t then he is to pour water from the river onto the ground and it will become blood. Moses continues to doubt his abilities and tells the Lord he is slow of speech and not eloquent enough to be God s spokesperson. The Lord tells Moses that he is the one who created his mouth and that he will remove his weakness and give Moses the words to say. Moses continues to doubt the Lord s promise so the Lord tells Moses that Aaron can be his spokesperson. Moses returns to the house of Jethro and then gathers his family and returns to Egypt with the Rod of God in his hand. God then tells Moses to tell Pharaoh to release Israel, who is like a first-born son to Him or Egypt will lose all of its first-born sons. Moses and Aaron then gather all the Elders of Israel and Aaron tells them of the vision of Moses in Mt. Horeb and the people believed. Notes 1. We must approach God with reverence as where He dwells is Holy: Draw not nigh hither: put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground. (Exodus 3:5)

86 2. Moses was a humble man and did not think himself capable of the task God gave him: And Moses said unto God, Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt? (Exodus 3:11) 3. The Lord tells Moses His name is I AM : And God said unto Moses, I Am That I Am: and he said, thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I Am hath sent me unto you. (Exodus 3:14) 4. The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob is another title for God: And God said moreover unto Moses, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, The Lord God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath sent me unto you: this is my name for ever, and this is my memorial unto all generations. (Exodus 3:15) 5. Jesus declared that He was I AM during His mortal ministry: Art thou greater than our father Abraham, which is dead? And the prophets are dead: whom makest thou thyself? Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad. Then said the Jews unto him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham? Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am. (John 8:53-58) 6. God chose men who were not eloquent to be His spokesperson: Some of God's choicest servants-enoch, Moses, and Elijah-were slow of speech. While a radiant countenance and eloquent speech are desirable qualities in preaching the gospel, it is the Holy Ghost, not the sentence structure, which begets conversion. (Spencer J. Condie- Ensign, Oct. 1980, 34) 7. Moses forgot to circumcise his own son which God was not pleased with: Moses was raised as an Egyptian so he was probably not as well acquainted with Hebrew laws. His wife Zipporah circumcises his son and appeases the Lord. (Exodus 4: 24-26) 8. Moses doubted God s ability to make up for His weakness but Enoch did not: Enoch and Moses were both called of God to be His spokesman and both were described as doubting their ability to do so and being slow of speech. Enoch, in the end, trusted that the Lord could make up for his weakness and as a result he became mighty in speech. However, Moses did not have the faith or confidence and instead asked that God send Aaron instead. Moses never became mighty in speech, as a result. The lesson here is that faith and confidence can turn our weaknesses into strengths while doubting the Lord s ability can make us lose out on blessings.

87 Exodus 3 Moses and the Plagues on Egypt (Exodus 5-12) Setting: In the land of Egypt and in Pharaoh s Court, Moses and Aaron usher in the 10 plagues of Egypt. Story Summary Chapter 5: Moses and Aaron go before Pharaoh and tell him that God demands that he release the Israelites from slavery. Pharaoh responds that he does not know God and therefore will not obey Him. Instead, Pharaoh oppresses the Israelites even more and demands they make brick without straw and meet their daily quotas still. The Israelites get angry at Moses for bringing this hardship upon them and Moses complains to God as well. Chapter 6: God answers Moses complaints by saying that He will now deliver the people with a strong hand since Pharaoh did not listen. God declares that His name is Jehovah and that he will keep His covenant with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and will make the children of Israel His people and lead them to the land He promised their forefathers would be their inheritance. The genealogies of Reuben, Simeon and Levi are given. Chapter 7: Moses and Aaron go before Pharaoh and again ask him to release the Israelites but Pharaoh asks for a sign. Aaron puts down the rod of Moses and it becomes a serpent but the magicians of Egypt do the same thing with their rods. The serpent of Moses eats up all of the other serpents, demonstrating the superiority of the God of Moses over the Egyptian Gods, but Pharaoh s heart is hardened. Moses then meets Pharaoh on the banks of the river and ushers in the first plague as he turns the river into blood and all of the fish died and there was a lack of drinking water. This continues for 7 days but Pharaoh s heart remains hardened. Chapter 8: Moses again goes unto Pharaoh and tells him to let his people go but Pharaoh still refuses so he sends a plague of frogs over the land. Pharaoh calls for Moses and asks him to stop this plague and he will let the people go. Moses asks God to stop the plague, which He does, but Pharaoh breaks his word and refuses to let the people go. Moses then ushers in the third plague of lice that afflicts everyone in the land. The Magicians tried to mimic this plague but could not so they told Pharaoh that this was the work of God but Pharaoh would not listen to them. The next day Moses ushers in the fourth plague of flies that swarm the land but do not enter Goshen, where the Israelites dwell. Pharaoh is afflicted and yet again asks Moses to halt the plague in exchange for letting the people go. Moses halts the plague but Pharaoh breaks his word yet again. Chapter 9: Since Pharaoh broke his word yet again, Moses ushers in the fifth plague in which all of the animals of Egypt would die but none of the animals of the Israelites would. Pharaoh sees that the plague occurs as Moses declares but still hardens his heart. Moses is then told to sprinkle ashes of the furnace before Pharaoh to usher in the sixth plague of boils and pustules on all men and beasts in Egypt. This still did not convince Pharaoh

88 so Moses ushered in the seventh plague of thunder, hail and fire that killed all that were not protected and destroyed the crops of the Egyptians. Pharaoh yet again asks Moses to stop this plague and he will let the people go but once Moses stops the hail, Pharaoh hardens his heart and refuses to keep his word. Chapter 10: Moses then ushers in the 9th plague of Locusts that afflicted the people and destroyed all the fruits and herbs left in Egypt. Pharaoh s servants beg him to let the Israelites go so Pharaoh asks Moses to stop the plagues but breaks his word yet again. Moses then ushers in the 9 th plague of complete darkness that will cover the land of Egypt for 3 days. Pharaoh tells Moses that the next time he sees him he will kill him and still refuses to let the people go. Chapter 11: God tells the people to borrow silver and gold from the Egyptians as they are about to be delivered. Moses ushers in the 10 th and final plague of death that will come upon all the firstborn of Egypt (including firstborn animals). Chapter 12: The Lord institutes the Passover. God tells Moses and Aaron that the month they are delivered shall be their new first month of the year. On the 10 th day of the month, the Israelites are commanded to take a male lamb without blemish and are told to kill the lamb on the 14 th day and shall take the blood of the lamb and wipe it over their door posts. They are to eat the flesh of the lamb with unleavened bread and bitter herbs and then burn whatever is left over in the morning. When the destroying angel comes to kill all the firstborn of Egypt, it will pass by every house with the blood of the lamb upon their doors. This new feast was to be observed in remembrance forever. They were to eat unleavened bread for 7 days form the 14 th to the 21 st day of the month and have holy convocations on the first and seventh days and do no work. The Israelites are obedient and the destroying angel passes them by but kills all the firstborn in Egypt. There is great mourning and lamentation in the land and Pharaoh finally agrees to release the Israelites with all of their provisions as well. The Israelites spoil the Egyptians and take unleavened bread to eat and all 600,000 depart 430 years from when Joseph settled in Egypt. Notes 1. The Israelites complained and blamed Moses for their hardships: Leadership is often not a glorious thing but more of a burden. Moses was only being obedient to what God told him to do but the people blamed him for their problems. 2. God declares that His name is Jehovah: And I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, by the name of God Almighty, but by my name Jehovah was I not known to them. (Exodus 6:3) 3. The Plagues of Egypt Summarized: 1. Waters turned to blood 2. Plague of frogs 3. Infestation of lice 4. Swarm of flies

89 5. Animals die 6. Boils and pustules plague man and beast 7. Thunder, hail, and fire 8. Locusts destroy all the fruit and herbs 9. Darkness for 3 days 10. Firstborn die 4. The 10 Plagues of Egypt mimic the Destruction of the Wicked in Revelation Plague 1 Plague 2 Destruction of Egypt All the waters in the river were turned to blood; the fish died; the river stank Frogs came up and covered the land of Egypt Destruction of Babylon The sea became as the blood of a dead man: and every living soul died in the sea (Rev. 16:3) I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon (Rev. 16:13) Plague 3 Plague of lice Maggots eat the flesh of wicked (D&C 29:18) Plague 4 Flies swarm over Egypt I the Lord God will send forth flies upon the face of the earth (D&C 29:18) Plague 6 Boils afflict man and beast there fell a noisome and grievous sore upon the men which had the mark of the beast (Rev. 16:2, 11) Plague 7 Thunder and hail and the hail turns to fire on the ground hail and fire mingled with blood (Rev. 8:7) Plague 8 East wind brings locusts which destroy Plague of locusts torment wicked for five months fruit and herbs (Rev. 9:3-10) Plague 9 Thick darkness in all the land for 3 days Light from sun, moon, and stars hidden (Rev. 8:12) 5. Did God really harden Pharaoh s heart? As the text of the King James Version stands, the behavior of the Lord is inconsistent with his attributes as reflected in other parts of holy writ. Fortunately, there are places in the Bible where it is clearly indicated that on occasion the Pharaoh hardened his own heart (see Ex. 8:32; Ex. 9:34) or simply that his heart was hardened without it being attributed to the Lord (see Ex. 7:14, 22). The JST reports And Pharaoh hardened his heart, that he hearkened not unto them. (JST, Ex. 7:13.) In fact, the inspired translation is corrected systematically in all nine occurrences in this particular context. (See JST, Ex. 4:21; JST, Ex. 7:13; JST, Ex. 9:12; JST, Ex. 10:1, 20, 27; JST, Ex. 11:10; JST, Ex. 14:8, 17.) (George a Horton Jr. A prophet looks at Exodus through Deuteronomy) 6. Satan can imitate some of the Miracles of God: Satan-inspired and man-made counterfeits of spiritual gifts have been present throughout our religious history. This is evident from the enchantments wrought by Pharaoh s sorcerers and magicians (see Ex. 7:11, 22; Ex. 8:7), and from Isaiah s warnings against wizards that peep, and that mutter and them that have familiar spirits (Isa. 8:19). The Savior warned against false Christs and false prophets who shall show great signs and wonders, insomuch, that, if possible, they shall

90 deceive the very elect according to the covenant. (JS H 1:22.) The Apostle John said, Try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. (1 Jn. 4:1.) (Ensign, Sept. 1986, 71 72) 7. The Passover symbolized the Atonement of Christ Passover of Egypt Atonement of Christ The Passover occurred in the spring, the beginning of the Hebrew calendar (Ex 12:2) Jesus was crucified in the spring at the time of the Passover The people are saved by household (Ex 12:4) The atonement saves families through binding priesthood power Firstborn of Egypt die for sin Firstborn of the Father was made a sacrifice for sin Great signs attend the Exodus Great signs attend the crucifixion (Matt. 27:51-54) Egypt suffered 3 days of darkness Nephites suffered 3 days of darkness (3 Ne. 8:20-23) Sacrificial lamb was a male without blemish (Ex 12:5) So was Christ Lamb was not to have a broken bone (Ex 12:46) Both thieves' legs were broken, but not Jesus' Lamb killed in the evening (Ex 12:6) Jesus gives up the ghost in the evening (John 19:31-33) Eat the flesh of the lamb (Ex 12:8) People commanded to eat the flesh of Jesus of Nazareth (John 6:54) Passover made into a regularly kept feast and ordinance (Ex 12:14) Sacrament established in remembrance of the Savior Bread was to be unleavened Jesus, the Bread of Life, was "unleavened" in purity and righteousness (1 Cor. 5:6-7) A stranger or foreigner was not to eat the Passover Sacrament is for baptized members of the church; (Ex. 12: 45) wicked are forbidden (1 Cor. 11:29) None was left until morning (Ex 12:10) Christ was taken from the cross before the beginning of the next day (John 19:31-33) This element symbolizes the Second Coming, when Israelites were to be ready to go and were there will be no more time for preparation (Matt. commanded, "ye shall eat it in haste" (Ex. 12:11) 24:17-24) Gods of Egypt destroyed (Ex. 12:12) Babylon destroyed "in one day" for worshipping her gods (Rev. 18:8-9) Passover saves Israel from destroying angel Atonement saves Israel from destroying angels (Rev. 8-9; D&C 86:5) Moses becomes leader for his people Christ begins to reign in the Millennium

91 Exodus 4 Moses Parts the Red Sea (Exodus 13-15) Setting: Moses leads the Israelites out of Egypt and parts the Red Sea. They then dwell in the wilderness for 40 years. Story Summary Chapter 13: God declares that Israel is to sanctify and give to God all firstborn of man and beasts. Israel is told to keep the feast of unleavened bread to remember God s deliverance from Egypt. God leads the Israelites out of Egypt through the wilderness, by way of the Red sea and Moses takes the bones of Joseph with them. The Lord leads them by day in a pillar of a cloud and by night in a pillar of fire. Chapter 14: God tells the Israelites to set up camp by the Red Sea and Pharaoh s scout s find out and let him know. Pharaoh believes they are trapped so he gathers his armies and chases after them to put them back into bondage. When the hosts of Israel see the approaching Egyptian armies they begin to fear and accuse Moses of leading them to their deaths. They murmur that it is better to serve the Egyptians than to die. Moses tells them to be still and behold the salvation of the Lord. Moses puts forth his rod and east wind comes and parts the Red Sea for the Israelites to pass through and escape the approaching army. The Lord stands between the Egyptians and the Israelites and doesn t let them pass. After the Israelites safely cross the Red Sea, the Lord tells Moses to put forth his hand and to destroy the Egyptian armies by bringing the sea back down upon them. The Egyptians are utterly destroyed and the Israelites know for a surety that the Lord is God of the whole earth. Chapter 15: The Israelites celebrate victory over the Egyptians by writing songs that praise the Lord. They declare that the Lord is a man of war and that all the nations of the earth should revere Him. Miriam, the prophetess sister of Aaron, took instruments and danced with the daughters of Israel. The Israelites then camp in the wilderness but don t have any water so they begin to murmur once again. The Lord tells Moses to cast a tree into the waters which makes them drinkable and the Lord promises that if the Israelites will keep His commandments that the Lord will preserve and protect them. Chapter 16: The Israelites continue to complain and yearn for their slavery days in Egypt as the uncertainty of freedom in the wilderness frightens them. The Lord promises to send down manna (bread) from heaven that the people are to gather 6 days of the week. On the sixth day, double the manna will be sent down so that they can prepare for the Sabbath. Quails are sent in the evening so that the people have meat to eat. Some of the people break the Sabbath and try to find manna on that day while others took more than was needed. The Israelites lived off of manna during the 40 years that they wandered in the wilderness so the Lord told Moses to store up some Manna so that future generations can remember the wilderness experience.

92 Notes 1. The Israelites complained and blamed Moses for their hardships: Leadership is often not a glorious thing but more of a burden. Moses was only being obedient to what God told him to do but the people blamed him for their problems. They had witness the mighty miracles of the Lord in delivering them but at the next sign of trouble their faith failed them and they doubted and complained. 2. We should not fear but should trust in the salvation of the Lord: And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord. The Lord shall fight for you. (Exodus 14:10-12) 3. The Red Sea Principle: The third lesson from the Lord s spirit of revelation in the miracle of crossing the Red Sea is that along with the illuminating revelation that points us toward a righteous purpose or duty, God will also provide the means and power to achieve that purpose. Trust in that eternal truth. If God has told you something is right, if something is indeed true for you, He will provide the way for you to accomplish it. (Jeffrey R. Holland Cast Not Away Therefore Your Confidence) 4. The people can yearn more for the security and predictability of slavery than the uncertainty of freedom: The Israelites started to yearn for their days in Egypt when they faced the uncertainty of freedom. 5. When we murmur against the Lord s anointed prophets we murmur against Him: The Lord heareth your murmurings which ye murmur against him: and what are we? Your murmurings are not against us, but against the Lord. (Exodus 16:8) 6. The Lord miraculously provides manna and quail for the people: When the Israelites could not do anything to feed themselves, God fed them as they had done all that they could have done. 7. The Lord provided more than enough during the week to prepare for the Sabbath: The Lord knew that the people still needed to eat on the Sabbath so he made sure they had a double portion on the day before. If we keep the Sabbath, God will double our portions on other days. 8. The Lord tried to teach the people to rely on Him and not on their riches: The Lord specifically told them to only take enough manna as they needed for the day and not to store it up. This taught the people that the Lord was their caregiver and provider and helped them avoid the temptation of storing up riches for security.

93 Exodus 5 Quail and Manna in the Wilderness (Exodus 16-17) Setting: The Israelites dwell in the wilderness for 40 years. Joshua leads a host of Israelites against Amalek in Rephidim. Story Summary Chapter 16: The Israelites continue to complain and yearn for their slavery days in Egypt as the uncertainty of freedom in the wilderness frightens them. The Lord promises to send down manna (bread) from heaven that the people are to gather 6 days of the week. On the sixth day, double the manna will be sent down so that they can prepare for the Sabbath. Quails are sent in the evening so that the people have meat to eat. Some of the people break the Sabbath and try to find manna on that day while others took more than was needed. The Israelites lived off of manna during the 40 years that they wandered in the wilderness so the Lord told Moses to store up some Manna so that future generations can remember the wilderness experience. Chapter 17: The people continued to murmur against Moses and the Lord and feared that they would die of thirst. Moses goes to the Lord who tells him to hit a rock in Horeb and that water will come flowing out of it. Shortly afterwards, Amalek and an army attack the Israelites in Rephidim. Moses tells Joshua to gather an army and to meet the Amalekites in battle and that he will raise his hand to ensure their victory. When Moses would raise his hands, the Israelites would win but when Moses would drop his hands Amalek would win. Aaron and Hur held up the hands of Moses and gave him a seat to rest ensuring the Israelites were victorious. Notes 1. The Israelites complained and blamed Moses for their hardships: Leadership is often not a glorious thing but more of a burden. Moses was only being obedient to what God told him to do but the people blamed him for their problems. They had witness the mighty miracles of the Lord in delivering them but at the next sign of trouble their faith failed them and they doubted and complained. 2. The people can yearn more the security and predictability of slavery than the uncertainty of freedom: The Israelites started to yearn for their days in Egypt when they faced the uncertainty of freedom in the wilderness. 3. When we murmur against the Lord s anointed prophets we murmur against Him: The Lord heareth your murmurings which ye murmur against him: and what are we? Your murmurings are not against us, but against the Lord. (Exodus 16:8)

94 4. The Lord miraculously provides manna and quail for the people: When the Israelites could not do anything to feed themselves, God fed them as they had done all that they could have done. 5. The Lord provided more than enough during the week to prepare for the Sabbath: The Lord knew that the people still needed to eat on the Sabbath so he made sure they had a double portion on the day before. If we keep the Sabbath, God will double our portions on other days. 6. The Lord tried to teach the people to rely on Him and not on their riches: The Lord specifically told them to only take enough manna as they needed for the day and not to store it up. This taught the people that the Lord was their caregiver and provider and helped them avoid the temptation of storing up riches for security. 7. The People were ready to stone Moses who done such great things for them: Once again, it must have been difficult for Moses to lead such a wicked and faithless people. There were times where his leadership was so criticized that they were ready to kill him. 8. We tempt the Lord when we doubt Him and demand he prove His existence in our lives: And he called the name of the place Massah, and Meribah, because of the chiding of the children of Israel, and because they tempted the Lord, saying, Is the Lord among us, or not? 9. The people must sustain and support the prophets or Israel will fail: The lord was teaching the Israelites a lesson, as they had just threatened to stone and kill Moses. He gave victory to the Israelites if they held up Moses but if they let him fall then they would lose as well. The people must sustain their leaders or face defeat.

95 Setting: Jethro visits Moses in the wilderness. Story Summary Chapter 18: When Jethro, the Father-in-law of Exodus 6 Jethro s Counsel to Moses (Exodus 18) Moses, heard what God had done for Moses and the Israelites he travelled with Zipporah and the two sons of Moses (Gershom and Eliezer) to meet him. They had a pleasant reunion and offered sacrifices to the Lord. The next day, Moses sat to judge the people and Jethro saw that it took the entire day and was too burdensome for Moses to handle alone. Jethro advises him to find God-fearing men to help bear this burden and to settle small matters themselves and leave only the big issues for Moses himself to adjudicate. Moses accepted Jethro s counsel and followed it, allowing others to share the burdens of leadership. Notes 1. Leaders need to balance their lives and set limits or they will burn out: Thou wilt surely wear away, both thou, and this people that is with thee: for this thing is too heavy for thee; thou art not able to perform it thyself alone. (Exodus 18:18) 2. Leaders should look for God-fearing men to share the burden: Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them, to be rulers of thousands, and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens: And let them judge the people at all seasons: and it shall be, that every great matter they shall bring unto thee, but every small matter they shall judge: so shall it be easier for thyself, and they shall bear the burden with thee. (Exodus 18: 21-22) 3. Leaders of tens, fifties, hundreds and thousands: Moses was counselled to create a system whereby other men could be given stewardship over certain groups of people and they would all answer to Moses.

96 Setting: The Israelites camp at Mt. Sinai. Story Summary Chapter 19: Israel camps at the base of Mt. Sinai and Moses ascends the Mountain to speak with God. God promises Israel that if they obey His commandments they will be a peculiar treasure to Him. The people of Israel agree to obey the Lord and to become His people. The Lord tells Moses He will appear to the Host of Israel in a thick cloud so that they can hear Him speak to Moses and believe him. The Lord then tells Moses to tell the people not to ascend the Mountain as any who do will die while the Lord is present. Moses ascends the Mountain and is told to return with Aaron and warn the people once again not to ascend the Mountain. Exodus 7 The 10 Commandments (Exodus 19-20) Chapter 20: The Lord reveals the Ten Commandments unto Moses. He commands the people to worship nothing else but God and to avoid idolatry (prioritizing anything above God). He tells them not to use His name in vein and to keep the Sabbath Day Holy. We are to honor our parents, avoid killing, stealing and committing adultery. Finally, the Lord commanded us not to bear false witness against our neighbors and to avoid covetousness. The Israelites saw the Lord speaking to Moses from afar and were afraid of Him so they asked Moses only to speak with them. Moses tells them that God will prove them and told them not to make any gods of silver and gold but to only make an altar of earth to burn sacrifices to the Lord. Notes 1. Those that obey God become a peculiar treasure to Him: Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine. (Exodus 19:5) 2. The people could not look upon God or they would die: The Lord had to hide his glory with a thick cloud and with thunders and lightning s to warn the people not to ascend the Mountain as they would die if they gazed upon Him. 3. Many fear the Lord and desire only to deal with men: And they said unto Moses, Speak thou with us, and we will hear: but let not God speak with us, lest we die. (Exodus 20:19) 4. It is good to fear God so that we avoid sin: And Moses said unto the people, Fear not: for God is come to prove you, and that his fear may be before your faces, that ye sin not. (Exodus 20:20)

97 5. The 10 Commandments: (Exodus 20:1-17) 1 And God spake all these words, saying, 2 I am the Lord thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. 3 Thou shalt have no other gods before me. 4 Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: 5 Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; 6 And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments. 7 Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain. 8 Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. 9 Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: 10 But the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: 11 For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day, and hallowed it. 12 Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee. 13 Thou shalt not kill. 14 Thou shalt not commit adultery. 15 Thou shalt not steal. 16 Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour. 17 Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour s house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour s.

98 Exodus 8 The Law of Moses (Exodus 21-24) Setting: The Israelites camp at Mt. Sinai. Story Summary Chapter 21: The Lord reveals other parts of the Law of Moses including laws around releasing servants and capital punishment for murder, abortion and other crimes. The Israelites live the lesser law of an eye for an eye. Laws pertaining to damage done from oxen are also discussed. Chapter 22: The Law of Moses is expounded upon, including laws around dealing with thieves, arson, borrowing, sexual immorality, sacrifices to false gods, afflicting widows, usury, reviling God and the firstborn of men and beasts. Chapter 23: The Lord reveals laws pertaining to integrity, the sabbatical year and the 3 feasts the children of Israel are supposed to keep. An angel will guide the people and sickness will be removed. The nations of Canaan will be driven out gradually and the children of Israel are commanded to completely overthrow the Canaanite nations. Chapter 24: The Lord tells Moses to come up the mountain and to bring Aaron, Nadab and Abihu and 70 Elders of Israel to worship from afar. Moses recorded all the words of the Lord and built an altar with 12 pillars. The people all agreed to make a covenant with the Lord so Moses sprinkled the blood of the sacrifices over them. The Lord then calls Moses to ascend the Mountain and Moses spends 40 days and nights in the mountain of the Lord. To the Israelites below, it appeared like a devouring fire on top of the mountain. Notes 1. The Death penalty is given in the case of murder: He that smiteth a man, so that he die, shall be surely put to death. (Exodus 21:12) 2. The Penalty for Abortion was death: If men strive, and hurt a woman with child, so that her fruit depart from her, and yet no mischief follow: he shall be surely punished, according as the woman s husband will lay

99 upon him; and he shall pay as the judges determine. And if any mischief follow, then thou shalt give life for life. (Exodus 21: 22-23) 3. Thieves were required to pay back what was stolen fourfold: If a man shall steal an ox, or a sheep, and kill it, or sell it; he shall restore five oxen for an ox, and four sheep for a sheep. 4. Thieves who break into houses at night can be killed but not during the day: If a thief be found breaking up, and be smitten that he die, there shall no blood be shed for him. If the sun be risen upon him, there shall be blood shed for him. (Exodus 22: 2-3) 5. If a person borrows something and it breaks the borrower shall restore it: And if a man borrow ought of his neighbour, and it be hurt, or die, the owner thereof being not with it, he shall surely make it good. (Exodus 22:14) 6. If a man sleeps with a woman who is not married then that man shall marry her: And if a man entice a maid that is not betrothed, and lie with her, he shall surely endow her to be his wife. (Exodus 22:16) 7. Witchcraft was punished with death: Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live. (Exodus 22:18) 8. Bestiality was punished with death: Whosoever lieth with a beast shall surely be put to death. (Exodus 22:19) 9. Idolatry was punished with death: He that sacrificeth unto any god, save unto the Lord only, he shall be utterly destroyed. (Exodus 22:20) 10. Strangers were not to be vexed or oppressed: Thou shalt neither vex a stranger, nor oppress him: for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt. (Exodus 22:21) 11. Widows and orphans were not to be afflicted, on pain of death. (Exodus 2: 22-24) 12. Usury (interest at unreasonably high rates) was forbidden: If thou lend money to any of my people that is poor by thee, thou shalt not be to him as an usurer, neither shalt thou lay upon him usury (Exodus 22:25) 13. Reviling God or His servants was forbidden: Thou shalt not revile the gods, nor curse the ruler of thy people. (Exodus 22:28) 14. We are commanded not to be unrighteous witnesses that give false reports: Thou shalt not raise a false report: put not thine hand with the wicked to be an unrighteous witness. (Exodus 23:1) 15. We are commanded not to do evil just because a lot of people are doing it: Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil. (Exodus 23:2)

100 16. We are commanded to help our enemies when we see them suffering: If thou meet thine enemy s ox or his ass going astray, thou shalt surely bring it back to him again. (Exodus 23:4) 17. We are commanded not to take bribes to abuse our positions of trust: And thou shalt take no gift: for the gift blindeth the wise, and perverteth the words of the righteous. (Exodus 23:8) 18. Every seventh year, the land was to lie still: And six years thou shalt sow thy land, and shalt gather in the fruits thereof: But the seventh year thou shalt let it rest and lie still. (Exodus 23: 10-11) 19. Three feasts were to be observed: The Feast of unleavened bread (Passover), the Feast of Harvest (first fruits of labors at harvest time) and the Feast of Ingathering.

101 Exodus 9 Instructions for the Tabernacle (Exodus 25-31) Setting: The Israelites camp at Mt. Sinai. Story Summary Chapter 25: The Lord asks for willing offerings of materials to build the tabernacle (portable temple). He also instructs the Israelites to build the Ark of the Covenant, the Mercy Seat and the Candlestick. Chapter 26: The Tabernacle is to be built with ten curtains and boards with a veil separating the most holy place where the ark will rest. Chapter 27: The Lord says that the Tabernacle will include an altar for burnt offerings and a court surrounded by pillars. A light is to always be burning in the tabernacle. Chapter 28: Aaron and his sons are to be consecrated and anointed to minister in the priest s office Aaron s garments are to include a breastplate, an ephod, a robe, a coat, a miter, and a girdle The breastplate of judgment is to contain twelve precious stones with the names of the tribes of Israel thereon The Urim and Thummim are to be carried in the breastplate. Chapter 29: Aaron and his sons are to be washed, anointed, and consecrated various sacrificial rites are to be performed Atonement is to be made for the sins of the people The Lord promises to dwell among them. Chapter 30: An altar of incense is to be placed before the veil Atonement is to be made with the blood of the sin offering Atonement money is to be paid to ransom each male Priests are to use holy anointing oil and perfume. Chapter 31: Artisans are inspired in building and furnishing the tabernacle Israel is commanded to keep the Lord s Sabbaths The death penalty is decreed for Sabbath desecration Moses receives the stone tablets of testimony that were written by the finger of God.

102 Notes 1. God is only interested in genuine offerings from willing people: Speak unto the children of Israel, that they bring me an offering: of every man that giveth it willingly with his heart ye shall take my offering. (Exodus 25:2) 2. God requires a temple to dwell amongst mortals: And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them. (Exodus 25:8) 3. God commanded the Israelites to use animal fur in His temple: And thou shalt make curtains of goats hair to be a covering upon the tabernacle: eleven curtains shalt thou make. (Exodus 26:7) 4. God commanded His Priests to wear Holy Garments that have been consecrated: And thou shalt make holy garments for Aaron thy brother for glory and for beauty. And thou shalt speak unto all that are wise hearted, whom I have filled with the spirit of wisdom, that they may make Aaron s garments to consecrate him, that he may minister unto me in the priest s office. (Exodus 28:2-3) 5. Aaron was commanded to sacrifice an ox as a sin offering for the people. This ordinance pointed the people towards the Atonement of Christ. (Exodus 29:14) 6. Temple workers had to perform certain washings and anointing s: So they shall wash their hands and their feet, that they die not: and it shall be a statute for ever to them, even to him and to his seed throughout their generations. (Exodus 30:21) 7. The Lord inspires artists to do beautiful works that testify of Him: And I have filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship, To devise cunning works, to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass (Exodus 31:3-4) 8. The Sabbath Day is a sign between God and Israel forever: Speak thou also unto the children of Israel, saying, verily my Sabbaths ye shall keep: for it is a sign between me and you throughout your generations; that ye may know that I am the Lord that doth sanctify you. Ye shall keep the Sabbath therefore; for it is holy unto you: every one that defileth it shall surely be put to death: for whosoever doeth any work therein, that soul shall be cut off from among his people. (Exodus 31: 13-14)

103 Setting: The Israelites camp at Mt. Sinai. Story Summary Chapter 32: While Moses was speaking with Lord in Mt. Exodus 10 The Golden Calf (Exodus 32) Sinai, the people became impatient and demanded that Aaron make them Gods so he told them bring him all their gold and he created a golden calf. God tells Moses what they are doing and that He is not pleased but Moses acts as intermediary between God and Israel and asks Him to show mercy. Moses and Joshua then descend the mountain and see the Israelites are sinning, having orgies and worshipping the golden calf. Moses breaks the tablets and burns the idol. He asks all the Israelites that are on the Lords side to come unto him and all the sons of Levi joined Moses. Moses then told them to kill any who persisted in the idolatry so 3000 of the Israelites died that day. Moses then tells the people he is going to try to make an atonement for their sins and asks the Lord to spare the people. The Lord plagues the Israelites for their sins. Notes 1. This episode shows how wicked and fallen people are and how quickly they turn to evil: They have turned aside quickly out of the way which I commanded them: they have made them a molten calf, and have worshipped it, and have sacrificed thereunto, and said, These be thy gods, O Israel, which have brought thee up out of the land of Egypt. And the Lord said unto Moses, I have seen this people, and, behold, it is a stiffnecked people: (Exodus 32: 8-9) 2. The Lord will blot out those who do not keep His commandments: And the Lord said unto Moses, Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book. (Exodus 32:33) 3. We worship modern Golden Calf s when we counsel others to act contrary to the Lord s teachings: Another golden calf in modern guise is crafted when Church members counsel contrary to that of the Church leadership. Of Almon Babbitt, the Lord said, 'There are many things with which I am not pleased; behold, he aspireth to establish his counsel instead of the counsel which I have ordained, even that of the Presidency of my Church; and he setteth up a golden calf for the worship of my people.' (D&C 124:84.) "...Anything can become a 'golden calf.' When activities or material blessings become so important that by turning to them we turn from God, we are breaking the second commandment. We are walking 'in [our] own way, and after the image of [our] own god, whose image is in the likeness of the world, and whose substance is that of an idol, which waxeth old and shall perish.' (D&C 1:16; emphasis added.) The solution is to prioritize our loyalties and turn our affections back to God." (Dennis Largey, "Refusing to Worship Today's Graven Images," Ensign, Feb. 1994, 10-13)

104 4. As a result of their disobedience, God removed Moses and the Priesthood from Israel: Although ancient Israel saw the cloud in which Jehovah descended upon Mount Sinai and heard his voice, they were not permitted to see him. If they had tried, they would have perished. (See Ex. 19:9, ) The Lord explained that they were 'exceedingly sinful. And no sinful man hath at any time, neither shall there be any sinful man at any time that shall see my face and live.' (JST Ex. 33:20.) Israel 'hardened their hearts and could not endure his presence.' They turned instead to the worship of a golden calf. Angered by their actions, the Lord 'swore that they should not enter into his rest while in the wilderness, which rest is the fulness of his glory.' (D&C 84:24.) "Since they could not abide the Lord's presence, the priesthood and the ordinances that would have set them onto the path of eternal life were withheld. God 'took Moses out of their midst, and the Holy Priesthood also; and the lesser priesthood continued.' (See D&C 84:25-26; JST Ex. 34:1-2.)" (Melvin J. Petersen, "I Have a Question," Ensign, Dec. 1985, 61) JST Exodus 34:1-2 I will take away the priesthood out of their midst 5. The First set of Tablets with the Doctrines of the Higher law were destroyed and the second set of Tablets did not contain all of the same information: Clearly some of what was originally contained on the first set of tablets was written again on the second (the Ten Commandments, for example.) But it is much more important to note that vital doctrines upon the first set-specifically, the ordinances of the higher priesthoodwere omitted from the second... (Jeffrey R. Holland - Christ and the New Covenant: The Messianic Message of the Book of Mormon [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1997], )

105 Exodus 11 Moses Repeats the Law and the Tabernacle is Constructed (Exodus 33-40) Setting: The Israelites camp at Mt. Sinai. Story Summary Chapter 33: After the Golden Calf incident, the Lord could no longer dwell in the midst of Israel so He told them to travel to the land of the Canaanites by themselves. Moses erects the Tabernacle of the Congregation and sees the Lord face to face. Afterwards, the Lord tells Moses he must hide his glory and Moses sees God s back but not His face as he passes by. Chapter 34: The Lord tells Moses to get two new stone tablets and to ascend Mt. Sinai so that He can write on them again. The Lord recites the Laws that He had earlier recited to Moses and covenants with Israel to be their God and to lead them to their inheritance in Canaan. Moses fasts 40 days and nights and then descends and Israel sees that his face shines with light and they were afraid. Chapter 35: Moses recites the laws of the Sabbath and asks for donations for the tabernacle and tells the people that artisans will be inspired as they help build it. Chapter 36: The Artisans are inspired help build the tabernacle and the dimensions of the tabernacle are described. Chapter 37: Bezaleel makes the ark, mercy seat, cherubim, candlestick and incense altar. Chapter 38: Bezaleel makes the altar and other items for the Tabernacle. 600,000 men make offerings to the Lord. Chapter 39: Holy garments are made for Aaron and the priests, including a breastplate. The tabernacle is completed and Moses blesses the people. Chapter 40: The Lord tells Moses to erect the Tabernacle on the first day of the first month. Notes 1. God reveals to Moses that He has a body: And it shall come to pass, while my glory passeth by, that I will put thee in a clift of the rock, and will cover thee with my hand while I pass by: And I will take away mine hand, and thou shalt see my back parts: but my face shall not be seen. (Exodus 33: 22-23) 2. Moses was transfigured so that his face shined with glory: And when Aaron and all the children of Israel saw Moses, behold, the skin of his face shone; and they were afraid to come nigh him.. (Exodus 34:30)

106 3. Ancient Israel performed sealing s, anointing s and were given Holy Garments after being anointed in the tabernacle: And thou shalt bring Aaron and his sons unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and wash them with water. And thou shalt put upon Aaron the holy garments, and anoint him, and sanctify him; that he may minister unto me in the priest s office. (Exodus 40: 12-13) 4. The Sons of Aaron are entitled to the Aaronic Priesthood: And thou shalt anoint them, as thou didst anoint their father, that they may minister unto me in the priest s office: for their anointing shall surely be an everlasting priesthood throughout their generations. (Exodus 40:15) 5. When the Lord was present, a cloud appeared over the Tabernacle by day and fire appeared by night: For the cloud of the Lord was upon the tabernacle by day, and fire was on it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel, throughout all their journeys. (Exodus 40:38)

107 OLD TESTAMENT SUMMARY LEVITICUS Story Summaries 1. Instructions for Sacrifices and Offerings. (1-7) 2. Instructions for the Levitical Priesthood. (8-10) 3. Instructions for dealing with unclean things (11-15) 4. Instructions for the Day of Atonement. (16) 5. Instructions for Living a Holy Life (17-27) A TESTAMENT OF JESUS CHRIST

108 Setting: The Israelites camp at Mt. Sinai. Story Summary Leviticus 1 Instructions for Sacrifices and Offerings (Leviticus 1-7) Chapter 1: Animals without blemish are sacrificed as an atonement for sins Burnt offerings are a sweet savor unto the Lord. Chapter 2: How offerings of flour with oil and incense are made. Chapter 3: Peace offerings are made with animals without blemish, whose blood is sprinkled on the altar Israel is forbidden to eat fat or blood. Chapter 4: Sinners are forgiven through sin offerings of animals without blemish Priests thereby make an atonement for the sins of the people. Chapter 5: The people are to confess and make amends for their sins Forgiveness comes through a trespass offering Priests thereby make an atonement for sin. Chapter 6: The people must first make restitution for sin, then offer a trespass offering, and thereby gain forgiveness through atonement made by the priests. Chapter 7: Laws governing various sacrifices are listed The children of Israel are forbidden to eat fat or blood They worship by sacrifice Through sacrifice they gain forgiveness, make vows, consecrate their property, render thanks, and are reconciled to God. Notes 1. Why the Emphasis on Blood? Blood was chosen to dramatize the consequences of sin and symbolizes both life and the giving of one s life. Death is the consequence of sin and so the animal was slain to show what happens when man sins. The animal was also a type of Christ as its blood was shed to save man. The blood of Christ is what covers sins and so it is a symbol of the process by which man becomes reconciled with God. 2. Symbolism of Horns on Altar: The horns on the altar of sacrifice were a symbol of power and so the horns on the altar suggested there was power to save. To put the blood of the sin offering on the horns of the altar of incense signified that the atoning blood had power to make Israel s prayers to God more effectual. 3. Sin vs. Trespass Offerings: Sin offerings are for our sinful natures while trespass offerings are for specific acts committed.

109 4. Sin Offerings of animals without blemish pointed to Christ: Christ was the first fruits of God and was without blemish. He was sacrificed to pay for our sins. The Law of Sacrifice was a lesson that pointed the Israelites toward Christ.

110 Setting: The Israelites camp at Mt. Sinai. Story Summary Leviticus 2 Instructions for the Levitical Priesthood (Leviticus 8-10) Chapter 8: Aaron and his sons are washed, anointed, clothed in their priesthood robes, and consecrated before all Israel Moses and Aaron offer sacrifices to make reconciliation and atonement with the Lord. Chapter 9: Aaron makes an atonement by sacrifice for himself and all Israel He and his sons offer sacrifices The glory of the Lord appears to all Fire from the Lord consumes the offerings on the altar. Chapter 10: Nadab and Abihu perform unauthorized sacrifices and are slain by a fire from the Lord Aaron and his other sons are forbidden to mourn for them Aaron and his sons are to abstain from wine and strong drink They are to teach all that the Lord revealed to Moses. Notes 1. The Israelites had a very similar temple ceremony: And Moses brought Aaron and his sons, and washed them with water. And he put upon him the coat, and girded him with the girdle, and clothed him with the robe, and put the ephod upon him, and he girded him with the curious girdle of the ephod, and bound it unto him therewith. And he put the breastplate upon him: also he put in the breastplate the Urim and the Thummim. And he put the mitre upon his head; also upon the mitre, even upon his forefront, did he put the golden plate, the holy crown; as the Lord commanded Moses And Moses brought Aaron s sons, and put coats upon them, and girded them with girdles, and put bonnets upon them; as the Lord commanded Moses. (Leviticus 8: 6-9, 13) 2. Moses anointed Aaron s head with consecrated oil to sanctify him: And he poured of the anointing oil upon Aaron s head, and anointed him, to sanctify him. (Leviticus 8:12) 3. Four Types of Sacrifice: A. Burnt Offering (Lev 1: 1-17; 6: 8-13): Whole animal was burned as a pleasing odour to Yahweh. It symbolized consecration to Yahweh in praise and love. B. Peace Offering (Lev 3: 1-17; 7:11-21): An expression of thanks for deliverance that was consummated by the covenant meal. Only blood, fat and internal organs were sacrifice and the remainder was eaten by worshippers. C. Sin Offering (Lev 4: 1-5:13): Offerings made for unintentional violations of the holiness of Yahweh. D. Tribute or Gift Offering (lev 2:1-16; 6:14-23) Cereal offering cooked with incense that represents the person giving themselves to Yahweh.

111 4. Nadab and Abihu perverted the ordinances of the Lord and substituted them with their own ordinances: Think of Nadab and Abihu, who offered strange fire ordinances of their own devising upon the altar of the Lord, and wonder if the fire from heaven that devoured them was not a type and a shadow of the spiritual destruction awaiting all who pervert the right ways of the Lord with ordinances of their own. (Bruce R. McConkie, The Millennial Messiah, 80).

112 Setting: The Israelites camp at Mt. Sinai. Story Summary Leviticus 3 Instructions for Dealing with Unclean Things (Leviticus 11-15) Chapter 11: The Lord reveals which living things may and may not be eaten, and which things are clean and unclean He commands Israel: Be holy, for I am holy. Chapter 12: The Lord reveals the law of purification of women after childbirth, including a sin offering. Chapter 13: Laws and tokens are revealed for discerning and controlling leprosy Leprous garments are to be burnt and the leprous individual is to be quarantined. Chapter 14: Laws, rites, and sacrifices are revealed for cleansing lepers, their garments, and leprous houses. Chapter 15: Laws, rites, and sacrifices are revealed for cleansing those who have a discharge and other types of uncleanness. Notes 1. Basis of Dietary laws: Two conditions determined the cleanliness of animals. They had to be cloven-footed (that is, the hooves had to be separated into two parts), and they had to chew their cud (see v. 3). Seafood was limited to those that had scales and fins. This requirement eliminated all shellfish, such as lobster and shrimp, and fish such as sharks and dolphins, as well as other sea creatures such as the eel (see vv. 9 12). Birds forbidden were generally birds of prey that lived on carrion, or, as in the case of the stork and heron, those that may have eaten other unclean creatures. (Exodus 33: 22-23) Camels, Hares, swine, weasels, mice, turtles, ferrets, chameleons, lizards, snails and moles were forbidden but they could eat locusts, beetles and grasshoppers. 2. Child birth made a woman unclean for a period of time: If she had a male she was unclean for 7 days and then he was circumcised on the 8 th. She continued to be unclean for 33 days but if she had a girl she was unclean 2 weeks and had to purify for threescore and six days.

113 Setting: The Israelites camp at Mt. Sinai. Story Summary Chapter 16: How and when Aaron must enter the holy place is explained Sacrifices are offered to reconcile Israel to God The scapegoat carries away the sins of the people The sins of all Israel are forgiven on the Day of Atonement. Notes Leviticus 4 Instructions for the Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16) 1. The Day of Atonement: The Day of Atonement, which took place in the fall of the year, was the most sacred and solemn of all the Israelite festivals. In it we most clearly see the typology or symbolism of Christ s work for Israel. It was a day of national fasting and one that signified that the sins of Israel had been atoned for and that the nation and its people were restored to a state of fellowship with God. The feast included the following major items (see Leviticus 16 where the details are given): 1. The high priest had to go through meticulous preparation to be worthy to act as the officiator for the rest of the house of Israel. This included sacrifices for himself and his house, as well as washing and purification through the sprinkling of sacrificial blood on various objects in the tabernacle. 2. The high priest put off the official robes he normally wore and clothed himself in simple, white linen garments. (See Revelation 19:8 for the significance of white linen garments.) 3. Two goats were chosen by lot. One was designated as the goat of the Lord, and one was designated as the scapegoat, or in Hebrew, the goat of Azazel. The goat of Jehovah was offered as a sin offering, and the high priest took its blood into the holy of holies of the tabernacle and sprinkled it on the lid of the ark of the covenant (called the mercy seat ), thus making atonement for the sins of Israel. 4. The other goat, Azazel, was brought before the high priest, who laid his hands upon its head and symbolically transferred all of the sins of Israel to it. Then it was taken out into the wilderness and released where it would never be seen again. One commentator explained the significance of Azazel by saying that it represented the devil himself, the head of the fallen angels, who was afterwards called Satan; for no subordinate evil spirit could have been placed in antithesis to Jehovah as Azazel is here, but only the ruler or head of the kingdom of demons. (C. F. Keil and F. Delitzsch, Commentary on the Old Testament, bk. 1: The Pentateuch, The Third Book of Moses, 10 bks. [n.d.], p. 398.) 2. The Day of Atonement symbolizes the Mission of Christ: Christ is the great high priest (Hebrews 3:1) who, unlike the high priest of the Aaronic Priesthood, was holy and without spot and did not need to make atonement for his own sins before he could be worthy to officiate for Israel and enter the holy of holies (Hebrews 7:26 27). His perfect life was the ultimate fulfillment of the symbol of wearing white garments.

114 b. The true tabernacle (or temple, or house of the Lord) is in heaven, and the earthly tabernacle made by Moses was to serve as a shadow or type of the heavenly one. (See Hebrews 8:2 5; 9:1 9.) c. Christ is the Lamb of Jehovah as well as the High Priest. Through the shedding of his blood he became capable of entering the heavenly Holy of Holies where he offered his own blood as payment for the sins of those who would believe in him and obey his commandments. (See Hebrews 9:11 14, 24 28; 10:11 22; D&C 45:3 5.) (Lund, Old Testament Types and Symbols, Symposium, )

115 Leviticus 6 Instructions for Living a Holy Life (Leviticus 17-27) Setting: The Israelites camp at Mt. Sinai. Story Summary Chapter 17: Sacrifices are to be offered only to the Lord at the tabernacle of the congregation Israel is forbidden to sacrifice to devils All eating of blood is forbidden Shedding of blood is required for an atonement for sins. Chapter 18: Israel shall not live as the Egyptians and the Canaanites Marriages to many close relatives and others are forbidden Homosexual behavior and other sexual perversions are an abomination The land expels those nations that practice sexual abominations. Chapter 19: Israel is commanded: Be holy, live righteously, love your neighbor, and keep the commandments The Lord reveals and reaffirms sundry laws and commandments Enchantments, wizardry, prostitution, and all evil practices are forbidden. Chapter 20: The death penalty is prescribed for sacrificing children to Molech, cursing father and mother, adultery, homosexual behavior, bestiality, spiritualism, and other abominations Various laws and ordinances are listed. Chapter 21: The priests are to be holy The high priest is not to marry a widow, a divorced person, or a harlot Descendants of Aaron with physical blemishes may not offer the bread of God upon the altar. Chapter 22: Those of the priests and their families who may eat of the holy things are described Sacrificial animals are to be perfect and without blemish. Chapter 23: Israel is to hold a holy convocation on each weekly Sabbath Israel is to keep the Feasts of the Passover, of Unleavened Bread, of Pentecost or Firstfruits, of Trumpets, of the Day of Atonement, and of Tabernacles. Chapter 24: A perpetual fire is to burn outside the veil in the tabernacle A blasphemer is put to death by stoning Israel s law is one of an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. Chapter 25: Each seventh year is to be kept as a sabbath year Each fiftieth year is to be one of jubilee, in which liberty is proclaimed throughout the land Laws are revealed for the sale and redemption of lands, houses, and servants The land is the Lord s, as are the servants Usury is forbidden. Chapter 26: Temporal and spiritual blessings will abound in Israel if the people keep the commandments Cursing, scourging, and desolation will be theirs if they disobey the Lord When His people repent, the Lord will show mercy unto them.

116 Chapter 27: How properties are consecrated unto the Lord is explained Israel is commanded to pay tithes of their crops, flocks, and herds. Notes 1. Israel was a Theocracy as those who did not keep the religious law were cast out of society: And thou shalt say unto them, Whatsoever man there be of the house of Israel, or of the strangers which sojourn among you, that offereth a burnt offering or sacrifice, And bringeth it not unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, to offer it unto the Lord; even that man shall be cut off from among his people. (Leviticus 17: 8-9) 2. Blood represents our fallen state: For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul. (Leviticus 17:11) 3. Israel was commanded to maintain a unique culture and to separate from other worldly cultures: After the doings of the land of Egypt, wherein ye dwelt, shall ye not do: and after the doings of the land of Canaan, whither I bring you, shall ye not do: neither shall ye walk in their ordinances. Ye shall do my judgments, and keep mine ordinances, to walk therein: I am the Lord your God. (Lev 18: 3-4) 4. Incest was forbidden for immediate families, including half-siblings and in-laws. (Lev 18: 1-20) 5. Those who commit adultery with another man s wife have defiled themselves: Moreover thou shalt not lie carnally with thy neighbour s wife, to defile thyself with her. (Leviticus 18:20) 6. Homosexuality was forbidden: Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination. (Lev 18:22) 7. Sex with animals was forbidden: Neither shalt thou lie with any beast to defile thyself therewith: neither shall any woman stand before a beast to lie down thereto: it is confusion. (Lev 18:23) 8. Immigrants and visitors were expected to keep the law and culture of the Israelites: Ye shall therefore keep my statutes and my judgments, and shall not commit any of these abominations; neither any of your own nation, nor any stranger that sojourneth among you. (Lev 18: 26) 9. The land itself casts out its inhabitants when they are too wicked: And the land is defiled: therefore I do visit the iniquity thereof upon it, and the land itself vomiteth out her inhabitants. (Lev 18:25) 10. Israel was commanded to be Holy, just as God is Holy: Speak unto all the congregation of the children of Israel, and say unto them, Ye shall be holy: for I the Lord your God am holy. (Lev 19:2)

117 11. Israelites were commanded to leave some of their harvest for the poor and the stranger: And thou shalt not glean thy vineyard, neither shalt thou gather every grape of thy vineyard; thou shalt leave them for the poor and stranger: I am the Lord your God. (Lev 19:10) 12. Stealing, Cheating and Lying are forbidden: Ye shall not steal, neither deal falsely, neither lie one to another. (Lev 19:11) 13. Employers must not withhold honest earned wages: Thou shalt not defraud thy neighbour, neither rob him: the wages of him that is hired shall not abide with thee all night until the morning. (Lev 19:13) 14. The Israelites were commanded to take care of the disabled: Thou shalt not curse the deaf, nor put a stumbling block before the blind, but shalt fear thy God: I am the Lord. (Lev 19:14) 15. The Israelites were to be impartial in judgments and to live by the rule of law: Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment: thou shalt not respect the person of the poor, nor honour the person of the mighty: but in righteousness shalt thou judge thy neighbour. (Lev 19:15) 16. Spreading Rumors about others is a form of bearing false witness against a neighbor: Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer among thy people: neither shalt thou stand against the blood of thy neighbour: I am the Lord. (Lev 19:16) 17. The Lord Commanded the Israelites to Love their neighbors as themselves: Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the Lord. (Lev 19:18) 18. The Prohibition against mixing fabrics, seeds and animals explained: These and other prohibitions were designed to forbid the Israelites to engage in fertility cult practices of the Canaanites. The Canaanites believed in sympathetic magic, the idea that symbolic actions can influence the gods and nature. Mixing animal breeds, seeds, or materials was thought to marry them so as magically to produce offspring, that is, agricultural bounty in the future. (Jonathan Morrow-Think Christianly, p.166) 19. Prohibitions against cutting ones hair and beard explained: It was a ritual custom of the heathen to cut or trim their beards and hair into special shapes in honor of a particular pagan deity. To honor the sun god Ra, the ancient Egyptians had their dark locks cropped short or shaved with great care so the hair that remained on the crown appeared in the form of a circle surrounding the head (from which the halo derives), while the beard was dressed in a square form. Alternatively, a round bald spot might be shaved on the head. It is this type of false worship the Bible forbids. Shaving one's beard and cutting one's hair for normal good grooming is something entirely different and not at all condemned in the Scriptures. In fact, the apostle Paul takes great pains to address proper grooming of one's hair in I Corinthians 11:2-15. ( Leviticus htm)

118 20. Tattoos and Piercings were forbidden: Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print any marks upon you: I am the Lord. (Lev 19: 28) 21. Seeking after psychics and mediums was forbidden: Regard not them that have familiar spirits, neither seek after wizards, to be defiled by them: I am the Lord your God. (Lev 19:3) And the soul that turneth after such as have familiar spirits, and after wizards, to go a whoring after them, I will even set my face against that soul, and will cut him off from among his people. (Lev 20:6) 22. The Elderly were to be respected and revered: Thou shalt rise up before the hoary head, and honour the face of the old man, and fear thy God: I am the Lord. (Lev 19:32) 23. Strangers and Immigrants were to be treated as native Israelites and loved the same: But the stranger that dwelleth with you shall be unto you as one born among you, and thou shalt love him as thyself; for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God. (Lev 19:34) 24. Just weights and measures shall be used in commerce, avoiding inflation: Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment, in meteyard, in weight, or in measure. Just balances, just weights, a just ephah, and a just hin, shall ye have: I am the Lord your God, which brought you out of the land of Egypt. (Lev 19: 35-36) 25. Those who engage in child sacrifice are to be put to death. The community that turns its eyes to such abominations is to be cut off: Again, thou shalt say to the children of Israel, Whosoever he be of the children of Israel, or of the strangers that sojourn in Israel, that giveth any of his seed unto Molech; he shall surely be put to death: the people of the land shall stone him with stones. And I will set my face against that man, and will cut him off from among his people; because he hath given of his seed unto Molech, to defile my sanctuary, and to profane my holy name. And if the people of the land do any ways hide their eyes from the man, when he giveth of his seed unto Molech, and kill him not: Then I will set my face against that man, and against his family, and will cut him off, and all that go a whoring after him, to commit whoredom with Molech, from among their people. (Lev 20: 2-5) 26. The Canaanites committed all sorts of evil and being cast out of the land was God s judgment upon them: And ye shall not walk in the manners of the nation, which I cast out before you: for they committed all these things, and therefore I abhorred them. But I have said unto you, Ye shall inherit their land, and I will give it unto you to possess it, a land that floweth with milk and honey: I am the Lord your God, which have separated you from other people. (Lev 2): 23-24) 27. The same laws applied to both citizen and stranger: Ye shall have one manner of law, as well for the stranger, as for one of your own country: for I am the Lord your God. (Lev 24:22) 28. Every seventh year was a Sabbath Year for the land in which it rested and was not harvested: Six years thou shalt sow thy field, and six years thou shalt prune thy vineyard, and gather in the fruit thereof; But in the seventh year shall be a sabbath of rest unto the land, a sabbath for the Lord: thou shalt neither sow thy field, nor prune thy vineyard. (Lev 25:3-4)

119 29. After 7 Sabbath Years was a Jubilee year in which all captives were set free and debts forgiven: And thou shalt number seven Sabbaths of years unto thee, seven times seven years; and the space of the seven Sabbaths of years shall be unto thee forty and nine years. 9 Then shalt thou cause the trumpet of the jubilee to sound on the tenth day of the seventh month, in the Day of Atonement shall ye make the trumpet sound throughout all your land. 10 And ye shall hallow the fiftieth year, and proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof: it shall be a jubilee unto you; and ye shall return every man unto his possession, and ye shall return every man unto his family. 11 A jubilee shall that fiftieth year be unto you: ye shall not sow, neither reap that which groweth of itself in it, nor gather the grapes in it of thy vine undressed. 30. The Jubilee Year symbolized the Atonement of Christ and Resurrection of Man: The jubilee seems to have been typical, 1. Of the great time of release, the Gospel dispensation, when all who believe in Christ Jesus are redeemed from the bondage of sin repossess the favour and image of God, the only inheritance of the human soul, having all debts cancelled, and the right of inheritance restored It is worthy of remark that the jubilee was not proclaimed till the tenth day of the seventh month, on the very day when the great annual atonement was made for the sins of the people; and does not this prove that the great liberty or redemption from thraldom, published under the Gospel, could not take place till the great Atonement, the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus, had been offered up? (Clarke, Bible Commentary, p. 1:592.) 31. The Jubilee was a time for the Israelites to show that they had forgiven debts just as God had forgiven their sins: Every Israelite was called upon to proclaim throughout the land, by nine blasts of the cornet, that he too had given the soil rest, that he had freed every encumbered family estate, and that he had given liberty to every slave, who was now to rejoin his kindred. Inasmuch as God has forgiven his debts, he also is to forgive his debtors. (In Rushdoony, Institutes of Biblical Law, p. 141.) 32. God made a covenant with Israel to bless them if they kept His Commandments. They would have food in abundance, peace in the land, victory over their enemies and their nation will expand and multiply. God promises to authorize His temple to be built and that He will dwell among the people. 3 If ye walk in my statutes, and keep my commandments, and do them 4 Then I will give you rain in due season, and the land shall yield her increase, and the trees of the field shall yield their fruit. 5 And your threshing shall reach unto the vintage, and the vintage shall reach unto the sowing time: and ye shall eat your bread to the full, and dwell in your land safely. 6 And I will give peace in the land, and ye shall lie down, and none shall make you afraid: and I will rid evil beasts out of the land, neither shall the sword go through your land. 7 And ye shall chase your enemies, and they shall fall before you by the sword. 8 And five of you shall chase an hundred, and an hundred of you shall put ten thousand to flight: and your enemies shall fall before you by the sword. 9 For I will have respect unto you, and make you fruitful, and multiply you, and establish my covenant with you.

120 11 And I will set my tabernacle among you: and my soul shall not abhor you. 12 And I will walk among you, and will be your God, and ye shall be my people. (Lev 26: 3-12) 33. The Lord warns that if the people do not keep His commandments then cursing s will come upon them. 15 And if ye shall despise my statutes, or if your soul abhor my judgments, so that ye will not do all my commandments, but that ye break my covenant: 16 I also will do this unto you; I will even appoint over you terror, consumption, and the burning ague, that shall consume the eyes, and cause sorrow of heart: and ye shall sow your seed in vain, for your enemies shall eat it. 17 And I will set my face against you, and ye shall be slain before your enemies: they that hate you shall reign over you; and ye shall flee when none pursueth you. 18 And if ye will not yet for all this hearken unto me, then I will punish you seven times more for your sins. 19 And I will break the pride of your power; and I will make your heaven as iron, and your earth as brass: 20 And your strength shall be spent in vain: for your land shall not yield her increase, neither shall the trees of the land yield their fruits. 21 And if ye walk contrary unto me, and will not hearken unto me; I will bring seven times more plagues upon you according to your sins. 22 I will also send wild beasts among you, which shall rob you of your children, and destroy your cattle, and make you few in number; and your high ways shall be desolate. 23 And if ye will not be reformed by me by these things, but will walk contrary unto me; 24 Then will I also walk contrary unto you, and will punish you yet seven times for your sins. 25 And I will bring a sword upon you, that shall avenge the quarrel of my covenant: and when ye are gathered together within your cities, I will send the pestilence among you; and ye shall be delivered into the hand of the enemy. 26 And when I have broken the staff of your bread, ten women shall bake your bread in one oven, and they shall deliver you your bread again by weight: and ye shall eat, and not be satisfied. 27 And if ye will not for all this hearken unto me, but walk contrary unto me; 28 Then I will walk contrary unto you also in fury; and I, even I, will chastise you seven times for your sins. 29 And ye shall eat the flesh of your sons, and the flesh of your daughters shall ye eat. 30 And I will destroy your high places, and cut down your images, and cast your carcases upon the carcases of your idols, and my soul shall abhor you. 31 And I will make your cities waste, and bring your sanctuaries unto desolation, and I will not smell the savour of your sweet odours. 32 And I will bring the land into desolation: and your enemies which dwell therein shall be astonished at it. 33 And I will scatter you among the heathen, and will draw out a sword after you: and your land shall be desolate, and your cities waste. 34 Then shall the land enjoy her sabbaths, as long as it lieth desolate, and ye be in your enemies land; even then shall the land rest, and enjoy her sabbaths. 35 As long as it lieth desolate it shall rest; because it did not rest in your sabbaths, when ye dwelt upon it.

121 36 And upon them that are left alive of you I will send a faintness into their hearts in the lands of their enemies; and the sound of a shaken leaf shall chase them; and they shall flee, as fleeing from a sword; and they shall fall when none pursueth. 37 And they shall fall one upon another, as it were before a sword, when none pursueth: and ye shall have no power to stand before your enemies. 38 And ye shall perish among the heathen, and the land of your enemies shall eat you up. 39 And they that are left of you shall pine away in their iniquity in your enemies lands; and also in the iniquities of their fathers shall they pine away with them. 34. God promises that when Israel confesses their iniquity and humbles themselves that He will remember the covenant He made with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and will not permit the Israelites to be completely destroyed. He will restore them and become their God again. 40 If they shall confess their iniquity, and the iniquity of their fathers, with their trespass which they trespassed against me, and that also they have walked contrary unto me; 41 And that I also have walked contrary unto them, and have brought them into the land of their enemies; if then their uncircumcised hearts be humbled, and they then accept of the punishment of their iniquity: 42 Then will I remember my covenant with Jacob, and also my covenant with Isaac, and also my covenant with Abraham will I remember; and I will remember the land. 43 The land also shall be left of them, and shall enjoy her Sabbaths, while she lieth desolate without them: and they shall accept of the punishment of their iniquity: because, even because they despised my judgments, and because their soul abhorred my statutes. 44 And yet for all that, when they be in the land of their enemies, I will not cast them away, neither will I abhor them, to destroy them utterly, and to break my covenant with them: for I am the Lord their God. 45 But I will for their sakes remember the covenant of their ancestors, whom I brought forth out of the land of Egypt in the sight of the heathen, that I might be their God: I am the Lord. 46 These are the statutes and judgments and laws, which the Lord made between him and the children of Israel in Mount Sinai by the hand of Moses. (Lev 26: 40-46) 35. Israelites were commanded to pay 10% of their wealth to the Lord as tithing: And concerning the tithe of the herd, or of the flock, even of whatsoever passeth under the rod, the tenth shall be holy unto the Lord. (Lev. 27: 32)

122 OLD TESTAMENT SUMMARY NUMBERS Story Summaries 1. Preparing to Enter the Promised Land. (1-9) 2. The Rebellion against Moses. (10-12) 3. Israelite Spies and Wandering 40 Years in the Wilderness. (13-14) 4. The Rebellion of Korah, Dathan and Abiram (15-19) 5. The Brass Serpent. (20-21) 6. Balaam the Fallen Prophet. (22-25) 7. Joshua Succeeds Moses and Laws of Sacrifice Set Forth. (26) A TESTAMENT OF JESUS CHRIST

123 Setting: The Israelites camp in the wilderness at Mt. Sinai. Story Summary Chapter 1: Moses and the princes in Israel count from each tribe (except Levi) those males twenty years of age and older they total 603,550 The Levites are appointed to attend the tabernacle. The males are appointed to go to war. Chapter 2: The order and leaders of the tribes and armies of Israel in their tents are given. Numbers 1 Preparing to Enter the Promised Land (Numbers 1-9) Chapter 3: Aaron and his sons minister in the priest s office The Levites are chosen to do the service of the tabernacle They are the Lord s, replacing the firstborn of all families of Israel Their number, charge, and service are given Chapter 4: When the camps of Israel move, Aaron and his sons cover the holy things in the tabernacle The Levites of the families of Kohath, Gershon, and Merari carry the burden of the tabernacle. Chapter 5: Lepers are put out of the camp Sinners must confess and make restitution to gain forgiveness Women believed to be immoral undergo a trial of jealousy before the priests. This is also called an ordeal of bitter water. Chapter 6: The law of the Nazarite is explained, whereby the children of Israel may consecrate themselves to the Lord by a vow They drink no wine nor strong drink and do not cut their hair unless defiled and must shave their heads The Lord reveals the blessing to be used by Aaron and his sons in blessing Israel. Chapter 7: The princes of Israel make offerings for the tabernacle at its dedication The Lord speaks to Moses from the mercy seat, between the cherubim, upon the ark. Chapter 8: The Levites are washed, consecrated, and set apart by the laying on of hands They are the Lord s in place of the firstborn of every family They are a gift to Aaron and his sons to do the service of the tabernacle. Chapter 9: Israel is again commanded to keep the Passover A cloud rests upon the tabernacle by day and by night, plus a fire by night When the cloud rests, Israel camps; when it lifts, they journey. Notes 1. The Levites were not conscripted: God had foreordained those born into the Levite line to care for the temple and thus were exempt from conscription.

124 2. Only those of the Levite lineage could hold the Priesthood and administer in the temple: And thou shalt take the Levites for me (I am the Lord) instead of all the firstborn among the children of Israel; and the cattle of the Levites instead of all the firstlings among the cattle of the children of Israel. (Numbers 3:41) 3. The Ordeal of bitter water: If a woman was accused of adultery a specific ordeal was prescribed to determine her guilt. The priest would make a concoction and she would drink it. If she became sick she was guilty but if she did not she was innocent. Specifically her belly would swell and her thigh would begin rotting. This was one of the only ordeals in the Bible that relied upon direct divine intervention to determine guilt. (Numbers 5: 12-31) 4. Aaron and his sons were to bless the children of Israel with the following prayer: The Lord bless thee, and keep thee: The Lord make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace. (Numbers 6: 24-26) 5. The Lord literally dwelt amongst the Israelite at this time and led them personally: 16 So it was always: the cloud covered it by day, and the appearance of fire by night. 17 And when the cloud was taken up from the tabernacle, then after that the children of Israel journeyed: and in the place where the cloud abode, there the children of Israel pitched their tents. 18 At the commandment of the Lord the children of Israel journeyed, and at the commandment of the Lord they pitched: as long as the cloud abode upon the tabernacle they rested in their tents. (Num. 9: 16-18)

125 Setting: The Israelites camp in the wilderness at Mt. Sinai and then move to the wilderness of Paran. Story Summary Chapter 10: Silver trumpets are used to call assemblies and to blow alarms The cloud is taken from the tabernacle, and the Numbers 2 Rebellion Against Moses (Numbers 10-12) children of Israel march forth in their prescribed order The ark of the covenant goes before them in their journeying s. Chapter 11: Fire from the Lord consumes the rebels in Israel Israel murmurs and lusts for meat instead of manna Moses complains that he cannot bear the burden alone He is commanded to choose seventy elders to assist him The Lord promises meat until it becomes loathsome to the Israelites The seventy elders are chosen, they prophesy, the Lord comes down, and Eldad and Medad prophesy in the camp Israel is provided with quail The people lust, a great plague follows, and many die. Chapter 12: Aaron and Miriam complain against Moses, the most meek of all men becase he took and Ethiopian wife The Lord promises to speak to Moses mouth to mouth and to reveal to him the similitude of the Lord Miriam becomes leprous for a week for murmuring against Moses and then is healed. Notes 1. Silver trumpets were used to gather Israel: And the sons of Aaron, the priests, shall blow with the trumpets; and they shall be to you for an ordinance for ever throughout your generations. (Numbers 10:8) 2. The Ark went before the Host of Israel and scattered their enemies: And it came to pass, when the ark set forward, that Moses said, Rise up, Lord, and let thine enemies be scattered; and let them that hate thee flee before thee. And when it rested, he said, Return, O Lord, unto the many thousands of Israel. (Numbers 10:35-36) 3. The Israelites constantly complained which displeased the Lord: And when the people complained, it displeased the Lord: and the Lord heard it; and his anger was kindled; and the fire of the Lord burnt among them, and consumed them that were in the uttermost parts of the camp. (Numbers 11:1) 4. Moses asks the Lord for help as he does not want to lead the Israelites alone so the Lord tells him to ordain a Quorom of the 70 to help bear the burden of the prophet: I am not able to bear all this people alone, because it is too heavy for me. And if thou deal thus with me, kill me, I pray thee, out of hand, if I have found favour in thy sight; and let me not see my wretchedness.

126 And the Lord said unto Moses, Gather unto me seventy men of the elders of Israel, whom thou knowest to be the elders of the people, and officers over them; and bring them unto the tabernacle of the congregation, that they may stand there with thee. And I will come down and talk with thee there: and I will take of the spirit which is upon thee, and will put it upon them; and they shall bear the burden of the people with thee, that thou bear it not thyself alone. (Numbers 11: 14-17) 5. The 70 and the prophets still had the Melchezidek Priesthood but the masses did not: "The Melchizedek Priesthood was never fully taken. The difficulty of untangling the pre-mosaic ritual from that which was given as a part of the carnal law is further complicated by the fact that the Melchizedek Priesthood, though taken from the people generally, was always had in Old Testament times. Joseph Smith said, 'All the prophets had the Melchizedek Priesthood and were ordained by God himself' (Smith, Joseph. Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith. Joseph F. Smith, comp. Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1976., p. 181). Moses, Aaron, and at least the quorum of the seventy all held that priesthood. Certainly Joshua held the Melchizedek Priesthood when he succeeded Moses as prophet, seer, and revelator." (Joseph Fielding McConkie, Gospel Symbolism [Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1999], 79) 6. When Moses heard Eldad and Medad were prophesying he was asked to make them stop but Moses was excited and wished that everyone in Israel was a prophet. The Prophet is not jealous of others spiritual gifts. 26 But there remained two of the men in the camp, the name of the one was Eldad, and the name of the other Medad: and the spirit rested upon them; and they were of them that were written, but went not out unto the tabernacle: and they prophesied in the camp. 27 And there ran a young man, and told Moses, and said, Eldad and Medad do prophesy in the camp. 28 And Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of Moses, one of his young men, answered and said, My lord Moses, forbid them. 29 And Moses said unto him, Enviest thou for my sake? Would God that all the Lord s people were prophets, and that the Lord would put his spirit upon them! (Numbers 11: 26-29) 7. The Lord provided the people who murmured with Quail but at the same time cursed them with plagues: Sometimes the Lord gives us what we ask for even when it isn t to our benefit. And while the flesh was yet between their teeth, ere it was chewed, the wrath of the Lord was kindled against the people, and the Lord smote the people with a very great plague. (Numbers 11:33) 8. Moses married an Ethiopian woman and was criticized by Aaron and Miriam: "And Miriam and Aaron spake against Moses because of the Ethiopian woman whom he had married: for he had married an Ethiopian woman. (Numbers 12:1) According to Josephus, when Moses was a general of the Egyptian army in the attack against the Ethiopians, he married an Ethiopian woman as a political alliance to end the war (see Josephus, Antiquities of the Jews, bk. 2, chap. 10, par. 1). 9. Moses was called the meekest man on earth even though he had done great miracles: Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth. (Numbers 12:3)

127 10. The Lord judged those who criticized and murmured against Moses: And the cloud departed from off the tabernacle; and, behold, Miriam became leprous, white as snow: and Aaron looked upon Miriam, and, behold, she was leprous. (Numbers 12:10) Miriam s sin was not in seeking to be like Moses in terms of spiritual gifts but rather in seeking to share with him the calling of presiding priesthood officer.

128 Numbers 3 Israelite Spies and Wandering 40 Years in the Wilderness (Numbers 13-14) Setting: The Israelites camp in the wilderness of Paran and send spies to the land of Canaan. Story Summary Chapter 13: Moses sends twelve spies to search the land of Canaan. After 40 days, Ten of them bring an evil report, telling only of the strength of the inhabitants and said that the people that lived there were giants whom they could not overcome. Caleb (one of the spies) declares that the Israelites are able to overcome them and possess the land. Chapter 14: Israel murmurs and speaks of returning to Egypt as they fear the inhabitants of Canaan. Joshua and Caleb try to convince the Israelites that the Lord will deliver them but the people are ready to stone them. The Lord declares judgments on the Israelites but Moses mediates between Israel and the Lord. The Lord declares that the adults of Israel will not enter the Promised Land, except for Joshua and Caleb who had faith to obey the Lord s command. The Lord slays the false spies by a plague but some rebels try to go alone and are slain by the Amalekites and Canaanites. Notes 1. Joshua and Caleb did not fear the might of the Canaanites and believed the Lord could deliver them the land that was promised. And they spake unto all the company of the children of Israel, saying, the land, which we passed through to search it, is an exceeding good land. If the Lord delight in us, then he will bring us into this land, and give it us; a land which floweth with milk and honey. Only rebel not ye against the Lord, neither fear ye the people of the land; for they are bread for us: their defence is departed from them, and the Lord is with us: fear them not. (Numbers 12:7-9) 2. Failure to believe God s promises leads to not receiving them. The Israelites were ready to stone Joshua and Caleb rather than go against the Canaanites. God declared that because of their lack of faith they will not inherit the land that He has promised them. However, because Caleb and Joshua believed in the Lord, the Lord declared that their seed would inherit the land. 3. We all must have faith that God can lead us to the Promised Land or we will not inherit it. The 10 spies and the hosts of Israel refused to put their faith in the Lord and obey His commandments even though they had seen mighty miracles. Likewise, if we fail to have faith in the journey and destination God has set out for our lives, we will not enter our own Promised Land.

129 4. Failure to obey the Lord and a lack of faith led to wandering 40 years in the wilderness and not inheriting the Promised Land. 30 Doubtless ye shall not come into the land, concerning which I sware to make you dwell therein, save Caleb the son of Jephunneh, and Joshua the son of Nun. 31 But your little ones, which ye said should be a prey, them will I bring in, and they shall know the land which ye have despised. 32 But as for you, your carcases, they shall fall in this wilderness. 33 And your children shall wander in the wilderness forty years, and bear your whoredoms, until your carcases be wasted in the wilderness. (Numbers 14: 30-33) 5. When we disobey the Lord we lose His protection just as the Israelites who disobeyed were delivered to their enemies. 41 And Moses said, Wherefore now do ye transgress the commandment of the Lord? but it shall not prosper. 42 Go not up, for the Lord is not among you; that ye be not smitten before your enemies. 43 For the Amalekites and the Canaanites are there before you, and ye shall fall by the sword: because ye are turned away from the Lord, therefore the Lord will not be with you. 44 But they presumed to go up unto the hill top: nevertheless the ark of the covenant of the Lord, and Moses, departed not out of the camp. 45 Then the Amalekites came down, and the Canaanites which dwelt in that hill, and smote them, and discomfited them, even unto Hormah. (Numbers 14: 41-45)

130 Numbers 4 The Rebellion of Korah, Dathan and Abiram (Numbers 15-19) Setting: The Israelites camp in the wilderness of Paran. Story Summary Chapter 15: Various sacrificial ordinances bring forgiveness to repentant Israel Those who sin willfully are cut off from among the people A man is stoned for gathering sticks on the Sabbath day The Israelites are to look on the fringes of their garments and remember the commandments. Chapter 16: Korah, Dathan, Abiram, and 250 leaders rebel and seek priestly offices. They complain about Moses s leadership and attempt to rebel against him and replace him as leader. Moses suggests that they bring their offerings to the Lord to see whether He agrees with them and will accept their rebellion. The people go before the Lord at the Tabernacle and the Lord tells the congregation of Israel to separate themselves form Korah, Dathan and Abiram as the earth opens up and swallows them. Fire from the Lord consumes the 250 rebels who had also made unworthy offerings to the Lord. Israel murmurs against Moses and Aaron for slaying the people so The Lord sends a plague, from which 14,700 die. Chapter 17: As a test, a rod for each tribe is placed in the tabernacle of witness Aaron s rod buds and blossoms and brings forth almonds It is kept as a token against rebels. This was designed as a symbol to show the people whom the Lord had called to lead. Chapter 18: Aaron and his sons are called to minister in the priest s office Levites are called to minister in the service of the tabernacle Levites receive no land inheritance but are supported by the tithes of the people. Chapter 19: Directions are given for the sacrifice of a red heifer The water of separation is used for purification from sin Ceremonially unclean persons are sprinkled with the water of separation. Notes 1. The Lord differentiates between sinning in ignorance and sinning purposefully. Ye shall have one law for him that sinneth through ignorance, both for him that is born among the children of Israel, and for the stranger that sojourneth among them. But the soul that doeth ought presumptuously, whether he be born in the land, or a stranger, the same reproacheth the Lord; and that soul shall be cut off from among his people. (Numbers 15: 29-30) 2. The Lord commanded the people to put signs on their garments that made them remember their covenants.

131 38 Speak unto the children of Israel, and bid them that they make them fringes in the borders of their garments throughout their generations, and that they put upon the fringe of the borders a ribband of blue: 39 And it shall be unto you for a fringe, that ye may look upon it, and remember all the commandments of the Lord, and do them; and that ye seek not after your own heart and your own eyes, after which ye use to go a whoring. (Numbers 15: 38-39) 3. Korah, Dathan and Abiram sought the Melchezidek Priesthood when they were not ordained: Throughout time, many groups have murmured against the Lord for not including everyone in the Priesthood. Sometimes it is the Lord s will that certain groups be foreordained to certain purposes and we have to accept that this is His will. The Joseph Smith Translation in footnote a clarifies that the word priesthood in this verse is the high priesthood, or Melchizedek Priesthood. 4. Depart, I pray you, from the tents of these wicked men. If we separate ourselves from evil influences, then we may avoid the Lord s judgments that come upon the wicked. (Numbers 15:26) 5. The Levites were professional priests who received pay from the people: And, behold, I have given the children of Levi all the tenth in Israel for an inheritance, for their service which they serve, even the service of the tabernacle of the congregation. (Numbers 18:21)

132 Setting: The Israelites travel from Kadesh through the Land of Edom and then into the Land of the Moabites. Story Summary Chapter 20: Miriam dies in Kadesh. The Israelites again fear Numbers 5 The Brass Serpent (Numbers 20-21) death as they have no water so they blame Moses and yearn for their days in Egypt. Moses goes to the Lord to find out what to do and the Lord tells him to strike a rock at Meribah with his rod and water will come forth. Moses does so and water comes forth but the Lord tells Moses and Aaron they will not enter the Promised Land because they rebelled against Him at the waters of Meribah. Moses then sends word to the King of Edom, asking for permission to pass through his lands but the King refuses and says he will attack the Israelites if they do. Moses and Aaron then travel up Mt. Hor and the Lord says that Aaron is about to die and Eleazar is to be his successor. Aaron dies and is mourned over for 30 days. Chapter 21: King Arad of the Canaanites discovered Israel was travelling through the land so he sent his armies to attack them and take Prisoners. The Lord then gives Israel victory over Arad and they destroy all of his cities at Hormah. Even after the Lord delivers them yet again, the Israelites murmur for Egypt so the Lord sends fiery serpents to afflict the people. The people realize they have sinned so they ask Moses to intervene for them so the Lord tells Moses to construct a serpent of brass. Anyone that was bitten by the fiery serpents were told to look at the serpent of brass and they would be healed. Israel then asks King Sihon of the Amorites for safe passage through the land but he refuses and attacks them so Israel again defeats him and occupies all of those cities. Finally, the Israelites conquer Og the King of Bashan and take his land as well. Notes 1. Failing to believe God s promises leads to not receiving them. God asks Moses, "...how long will they not believe in me, for all the signs which I have wrought among them?" Their punishment is that they cannot enter the Land they had been promised because they had no faith that God would deliver it to them. If we don t have faith that we can do what God commands or promises we may lose out on those promises. In a similar way, God told Moses to speak to the Rock at Meribah (Remember, Moses was insecure about his speech) but instead Moses hit it with his staff. Most likely, Moses was about to die anyways, but God said

133 that Moses could not enter the Promised Land because of His lack of faith that he could do what God asked him to. 2. Moses may have been barred from entering the Promised Land for taking credit for the Lord s Miracle: Moses had integrity in great measure, but in that unguarded moment he had presumptuously taken credit for the Lord's miracle and was forbidden to enter the Promised Land. (Spencer W. Kimball - Faith Precedes the Miracle, 243) 3. The way to salvation and healing is simple and it is to simply look to Christ to live. However, because of how simple this is many look beyond the mark and fail to do so and die. Left at this point, one wonders what happened. How many were obedient? How many were not? Did anyone look and live? Answers to these questions are found in the Book of Mormon. One prophet explained: "He [the Lord] sent fiery flying serpents among them; and after they were bitten he prepared a way that they might be healed; and the labor which they had to perform was to look; and because of the simpleness of the way, or the easiness of it, there were many who perished" (1 Ne. 17:41). (Carlos E. Assay Look to God and Live'," Ensign, Nov 1978, 52) 4. The Brass Serpent symbolized Christ on the Cross The type raised up in the wilderness, the serpent on the pole, symbolized Christ upon the cross. Jesus himself taught this truth. Many times he forecast his cruel form of death; and on at least one occasion, he made reference to Moses and the wilderness incident. Note these words of the Master: And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life (John 3:14-15). We, like Israel of old, must rivet our eyes and minds upon the cross of Christ if we hope to gain eternal life, because through his resurrection we will gain the victory over physical death. And his atonement opens up to us a way to overcome our sins, a way to spiritual rebirth, and a way back to the presence of God. Oh, how we must look to Christ and live. The direction of our look is critical. From the rooftop King David "saw a woman washing herself; and the woman was very beautiful to look upon" (2 Sam. 11:2). He looked across the way, and his heart was filled with lust. He looked; he fell. Judas Iscariot fixed his eye upon thirty pieces of silver. Greed overcame his righteous desires. His misplaced look cost his life, his soul, and the thirty coins. (See Matt. 27:3-10.) Our looks must not be allowed to wander across the way or to become fixed upon the perishable things of the world. The eye, "the light of the body" (Matt. 6:22), must be trained to look upward. We must look to God and live! (Carlos E Assay- 'Look to God and Live'," Ensign, Nov 1978, 52)

134 5. Alma Expounds upon the Brass Serpent Episode The Son of God... was spoken of by Moses; yea, and behold a type was raised up in the wilderness, that whosoever would look upon it might live. And many did look and live. But few understood the meaning of those things, and this because of the hardness of their hearts. But there were many who were so hardened that they would not look, therefore they perished. Now the reason they would not look is because they did not believe that it would heal them. O my brethren, if ye could be healed by merely casting about your eyes that ye might be healed, would ye not behold quickly, or would ye rather harden your hearts in unbelief, and be slothful, that ye would not cast about your eyes, that ye might perish? If so, wo shall come upon you; but if not so, then cast about your eyes and begin to believe in the Son of God, that he will come to redeem his people, and that he shall suffer and die to atone for their sins; and that he shall rise again from the dead, which shall bring to pass the resurrection, that all men shall stand before him, to be judged at the last and judgment day, according to their works. (Alma 33:18-22) 6. The Stubborn Sinner will refuse to look unto Christ and be healed: As the Israelites were suffering from physical sickness, they were given the opportunity to be healed, almost in an instant, and yet they declined. Similarly, the stubborn sinner will often wallow in spiritual sickness rather than "look upon the Son of God with faith, having a contrite spirit" (Hel 8:15). The spiritually ill continue to suffer-even to the point of spiritual death-because they do "not believe that [the Lord] would heal them" (Alma 33:20). (Gospeldoctrine.com)

135 Numbers 6 Balaam the Fallen Prophet (Numbers 22-25) Setting: The Israelites camp amongst the Moabites. Story Summary Chapter 22: Balak, the King of the Moabites, saw that Israel was near and was afraid his people would be conquered like the rest of the Canaanites. Balak knows of a man named Balaam who had a reputation for being a prophet so he asks him to curse Israel for his sake. The Lord appears to Balaam and tells him not to curse the Israelites because they are a blessed people. Balaam sends away Balak s messengers but Balak sends them back promising Balaam great riches and honor if he comes with them. Balaam asks God again and God tells him he can accompany the Moabites if he desires but can t do anything more than God allows him to. While travelling, God sent an Angel with a sword to block Balaam s path. The donkey Balaam was riding saw the angel so would not go further so Balaam began hitting the donkey. The Lord then opened the Donkey s mouth who asked Balaam why he was hitting him. Balaam responds that the donkey has mocked him so he would kill him if possible. The Lord then opened Balaam s eyes and he saw the angel that his donkey had seen and he fell on his face. The Angel told Balaam the donkey saved his life as if he had kept riding the angel would have killed him. The Angel gives permission for Balaam to continue with Balak but could only do what God told him to. Balaam finally meets up with Balak and they go to the high places of Baal to meet his people. Chapter 23: Balaam instructs Balak to build 7 altars and prepare bullocks and rams for sacrifice. He then goes to the Lord to see what he is allowed to do. The Lord tells him that he must bless Israel so Balaam does so and Balak is furious. Balak asks Balaam to ask the Lord again if he can curse the Israelites. Balaam receives the same message and tells Balak that he cannot curse the Israelites but must bless them. He prophesies that the Israelites will conquer their prey like a lion. Balak asks Balaam again to go to another place and offer sacrifices and ask the Lord again to curse the people. Chapter 24: Balaam prophesies and blesses Israel again saying that they will conquer the surrounding area. Those that bless Israel will be blessed while those who curse Israel will be cursed. Balak is angry that Balaam has blessed Israel three times and tells him to leave his camp. Balak and Balaam then part ways. Chapter 25: The Israelites camped in Shittim and began committing whoredoms and worshipping idols with the Moabites that lived there. As a consequence of such evil, the Lord commands that all those who committed such acts were to be killed. Phinehas (son of Eleazar) sees an Israelite named Zimri fornicating with a Midianite woman named Cozbi so he kills them both with a spear and the plagues sent among the camp stop. 24,000 Israelite were killed by plagues because of their whoredoms and idolatry. The Lord blesses Phinehas for his zealotry and promises his children will hold the Priesthood.

136 Chapter 31: Balaam s story is also told in part of Numbers 31. Balaam returns to Balak and tells him that he cannot curse the Israelites personally but that Balak can tempt them with prostitutes and idols in order to get them to curse themselves. Balak heeds this advice and is successful in tempting many Israelites so God sends plagues among them. Deuteronomy 23 & Joshua 11: Deuteronomy records that Balaam was among the Midianites who were killed for the matter of Peor which was where Balaam revealed the Israelites weaknesses to Balak. In Joshua 13:22 it is recorded that Balaam was killed by Reubenites who had occupied the land of Moab. Notes 1. Balaam sold his Priesthood power for money: "Rewards of divination"? Do prophets accept payment for obtaining the word of the Lord? This aspect of Balaam's ministry really bothered Peter who condemned him as one who had "forsaken the right way" and one who "loved the wages of unrighteousness." (2 Pet. 2:15) (gospeldoctrine.com) 2. Joseph Smith Translation corrects a seeming paradox: There appears to be a paradox that God gave Balaam permission to go but then tried to stop him when he did. The JST reads, "If the men come to call thee, rise up if thou wilt, and go with them; but yet the word which I shall say unto thee, that shalt thou do." (Monte S. Nyman and Charles D. Tate, Jr., eds., Joseph Smith Translation: The Restoration of Plain and Precious Things [Provo: BYU Religious Studies Center, 1985], 82) 3. The Priesthood Power can never be used contrary to God s will: The Story of Balaam teaches us that God put s a limit on how we can use His power. Balaam desired to act contrary to God s will but God would not allow it and even sent an Angel to halt Balaam s path. In the end, Balaam could only use his priesthood to bless Israel and not curse it. 4. Sometimes following the will of the Lord makes us lose riches and honor: Balak said to Balaam Therefore now flee thou to thy place: I thought to promote thee unto great honour; but, lo, the Lord hath kept thee back from honour. (Numbers 24:11) 5. Miracle of the talking donkey: This seems to be the only recorded instance, in the scriptures, of an animal talking to a person. 6. Balaam was a prophet who was tempted by money and power: I wonder how often some of us get our direction from the Church and then, Balaam-like, plead for some worldly rewards and finally receive an answer which says, in effect, if you are determined to be a millionaire or to gain this or that worldly honor, go ahead, with the understanding that you will continue to serve the Lord. Then we wonder why things don't work out for us as well as they would have done if we had put first in our lives the things of God's kingdom. And don't we all know people who, though they were once firm and steadfast in testimony, are now opposing the Lord's purposes and interests on earth because money

137 and power have twisted their judgment of what should or should not be. (Kent P. Jackson and Robert L. Millet, eds., Studies in Scripture, Vol. 3: Genesis to 2 Samuel [Salt Lake City: Randall Book, 1985], 202) 7. Peter used Balaam as an example of a false prophet: Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness; But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man s voice forbad the madness of the prophet. (2 Peter 2: 15-16) 8. Jude condemns Balaam for gainsaying or selling his Priesthood power for money: Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core. (Jude 1:11) 9. Balaam betrayed Israel by telling Balak to tempt them with idols and prostitutes: Balaam was a fallen prophet, at this point, as his heart was on the riches of the world. He told Balak to tempt the Israelites with prostitutes and idols and as a result, Israel was cursed by god Himself. Revelation 2:14 records that Balaam "taught Balak to cast a stumbling block before the children of Israel. 10. The Israelites committed Whoredoms and Idolatry with the Moabites as a result of Balaam s counsel.

138 Numbers 7 Joshua Succeeds Moses and Laws of Sacrifice set forth (Numbers 26) Setting: The Israelites camp near Moab. Story Summary Chapter 26: Moses and Eleazar count the Israelites on the plains of Moab near Jericho The males twenty years and older, excluding Levites, total 601,730 Only Caleb and Joshua remain from those numbered at Sinai. Chapter 27: The law of inheritances to sons, daughters, and kinsmen is explained Moses will see but not enter the Promised Land Joshua is called and set apart to lead Israel. Chapter 28: Sacrifices are to be offered each morning and evening, on the Sabbath, on the first day of each month, at Passover, on each day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, and at the Feast of Firstfruits. Chapter 29: Sacrifices are to be offered during the seventh month, including at the Feast of Trumpets and at the Feast of Tabernacles. Chapter 30: Vows and oaths must be kept Fathers may disallow vows of daughters, and husbands may disallow vows of wives. Notes 1. Israelite Inheritance Laws And thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel, saying, If a man die, and have no son, then ye shall cause his inheritance to pass unto his daughter. And if he have no daughter, then ye shall give his inheritance unto his brethren. And if he have no brethren, then ye shall give his inheritance unto his father s brethren. And if his father have no brethren, then ye shall give his inheritance unto his kinsman that is next to him of his family, and he shall possess it: and it shall be unto the children of Israel a statute of judgment, as the Lord commanded Moses. (Numbers 27: 8-11) 2. We are to have integrity and keep our promises: If a man vow a vow unto the Lord, or swear an oath to bind his soul with a bond; he shall not break his word, he shall do according to all that proceedeth out of his mouth. (Numbers 30:2) 3. Husbands had power over their wives to disallow vows: Every vow, and every binding oath to afflict the soul, her husband may establish it, or her husband may make it void. (Numbers 30:13)

139 Numbers 8 Israel s Conquest and Inheritance of Canaan begins (Numbers 31-36) Setting: The Israelites camp in the plains of Moab. Story Summary Chapter 31: The Lord tells Moses to send an army to destroy the Midianites. Moses gathers 1000 warriors from each tribe and sends 12,000 men to destroy the Midianites. They kill all the men and take the women and children captive and loot their cities. Moses tells the Israelites to kill the women who committed whoredoms but to spare those that did not. The Israelites divide the spoils of war amongst themselves. Not a single Israelite was killed in the battle. Chapter 32: Reuben, Gad, and half the tribe of Manasseh receive their inheritances east of the Jordan They covenant to join other tribes in conquering Canaan. Chapter 33: Israel s journeys from Egypt to Canaan are reviewed The people are commanded to drive out the inhabitants of the land Any remaining inhabitants will vex Israel. Chapter 34: Moses specifies the borders of Israel s inheritance in Canaan and names the princes of the tribes who will divide the land. Chapter 35: The Levites are to possess their own cities Cities of refuge are established for those guilty of manslaughter Murderers are to be executed by the revenger of blood. Chapter 36: Some daughters in Israel are directed to marry within their own tribe Inheritances are not to move from tribe to tribe. Notes 1. Those that do not give their whole hearts to God will wander lost in the wilderness and never reach the Promised Land: Surely none of the men that came up out of Egypt, from twenty years old and upward, shall see the land which I sware unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob; because they have not wholly followed me: Save Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenezite, and Joshua the son of Nun: for they have wholly followed the Lord. And the Lord s anger was kindled against Israel, and he made them wander in the wilderness forty years, until all the generation, that had done evil in the sight of the Lord, was consumed. 2. If we sin against the Lord we will not be able to escape judgment: Moses told the Reuben, Gad and Manasseh that if they don t honor their vow to help conquer Canaan their sin will find you out. But if ye will not do so, behold, ye have sinned against the Lord: and be sure your sin will find you out. (Numbers 32:23)

140 3. Some people will tempt and corrupt entire nations: But if ye will not drive out the inhabitants of the land from before you; then it shall come to pass, that those which ye let remain of them shall be pricks in your eyes, and thorns in your sides, and shall vex you in the land wherein ye dwell. (Numbers 33:55) 4. Manslaughter and Murder laws: Those who commit murder are to be killed but those who commit manslaughter are sent to cities of refuge. They need to stay in those cities until the High Priest dies otherwise they can be killed. 5. Standard of Proof is higher for the death penalty: Whoso killeth any person, the murderer shall be put to death by the mouth of witnesses: but one witness shall not testify against any person to cause him to die. Moreover ye shall take no satisfaction for the life of a murderer, which is guilty of death: but he shall be surely put to death. (Numbers 35:30-31) 6. The concept of Blood Atonement is given. Shedding blood defiles the land until the murderer is killed: So ye shall not pollute the land wherein ye are: for blood it defileth the land: and the land cannot be cleansed of the blood that is shed therein, but by the blood of him that shed it. (Numbers 35:33)

141 OLD TESTAMENT SUMMARY DEUTERONOMY Story Summaries 1. The First Speech of Moses. (1-6) 2. The Second Speech of Moses. (5-10) 3. The Laws (Part of the Second Speech) (11-26) 4. Choosing Life or Death. (27-30) 5. The Last Days of Moses. (31-34) A TESTAMENT OF JESUS CHRIST

142 Deuteronomy 1 The First Speech of Moses (Deuteronomy 1-6) Setting: The Israelites camp in the plains of Moab. Story Summary The word "Deuteronomy" comes from the Greek word for "the second law" or "the law copied or repeated." In the book of Deuteronomy Moses is writing a series of speeches to the people of Israel in the plains of Moab on the day before they entered the land of Canaan, the Promised Land. these messages are intended to speak to every member of the congregation of Israel, not just the religious. The purpose of Moses was to remind them of God's law, and everything that God did for them, and every promise God made to them. Moses explained to them that their new life in the land of Canaan would be blessed or cursed depending on their ability to walk after God and His law. These words were spoken to them on the 11th month of the final year of Israel's wandering in the wilderness, the 40th year after they left Egypt. In the first speech (Deuteronomy 1:1-4:43), Moses warns the people of Israel about the sins which had kept their fathers from entering the Promised Land. He repeatedly encourages them to obey God and reminds them about the events that took place in the 40 years of wandering in the wilderness. He carefully explains what happens when there are difficult situations and they choose not to trust the Lord but rather act in obstinance, doubt, fear, and finally disobedience. ( Chapter 1: Moses begins the recitation of all that befell Israel during forty years in the wilderness The children of Israel are commanded to go into and possess Canaan Judges and rulers are chosen to assist Moses Israel s spies bring an evil report The adults of Israel will perish The Amorites defeat the armies of Israel. Chapter 2: The children of Israel press forward to their promised land They pass through the lands of Esau and of Ammon in peace but destroy the Amorites. Chapter 3: The children of Israel destroy the people of Bashan Their lands, on the east of the Jordan, are given to Reuben and Gad Moses sees Canaan from Pisgah but is denied entrance thereto He counsels and strengthens Joshua. Chapter 4: Moses exhorts the children of Israel to keep the commandments, to teach them to their children, and to be exemplary before all nations They are forbidden to make graven images or worship other gods They are to witness that they have heard the voice of God They will be scattered among all nations when they worship other gods They will be gathered again in the latter days when they seek the Lord their God Moses extols the mercy and goodness of God to Israel.

143 Notes 1. When a case is too difficult for men to decide, they should take it to God: Ye shall not respect persons in judgment; but ye shall hear the small as well as the great; ye shall not be afraid of the face of man; for the judgment is God s: and the cause that is too hard for you, bring it unto me, and I will hear it. (Deut 1:17) 2. We should never fight a battle without the accompanying grace of God: And the Lord said unto me, Say unto them, Go not up, neither fight; for I am not among you; lest ye be smitten before your enemies. (Deut 1:42) 3. The Lord caused the other nations of the earth to fear Israel: This day will I begin to put the dread of thee and the fear of thee upon the nations that are under the whole heaven, who shall hear report of thee, and shall tremble, and be in anguish because of thee. (Deut 2:25) 4. We should not fear man if the Lord is with us: Ye shall not fear them: for the Lord your God he shall fight for you. (Deut 3:22) 5. We are not to add to or take away from the word of God without authorized approval: Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you. (Deut 4:2) 6. Israel was a great nation because God was involved in all things: For what nation is there so great, who hath God so nigh unto them, as the Lord our God is in all things that we call upon him for? And what nation is there so great, that hath statutes and judgments so righteous as all this law, which I set before you this day? (Deut 4: 7-8) 7. We must diligently guard our testimonies as we will forget what our eyes have seen and hearts have known: Only take heed to thyself, and keep thy soul diligently, lest thou forget the things which thine eyes have seen, and lest they depart from thy heart all the days of thy life: but teach them thy sons, and thy sons sons. (Deut 4: 9) 8. Moses prophesies that Israel will be scattered among the nations for their idolatry but God will reclaim them in the Latter Days: And the Lord shall scatter you among the nations, and ye shall be left few in number among the heathen, whither the Lord shall lead you. 30 When thou art in tribulation, and all these things are come upon thee, even in the latter days, if thou turn to the Lord thy God, and shalt be obedient unto his voice. (For the Lord thy God is a merciful God;) he will not forsake thee, neither destroy thee, nor forget the covenant of thy fathers which he sware unto them. (Deut 4: 27, 30-31) 9. God s relationship with Israel was peculiar throughout history as he led them out from another nation and did many might miracles on their behalf and personally spoke with them. Or hath God assayed to go and take him a nation from the midst of another nation, by temptations, by signs, and by wonders, and by war, and by a mighty hand, and by a stretched out arm, and by great terrors, according to all that the Lord

144 your God did for you in Egypt before your eyes? Unto thee it was shewed, that thou mightest know that the Lord he is God; there is none else beside him. (Deut 4: 34-35) 10. The Lord is God of heaven and earth and there is none other: Know therefore this day, and consider it in thine heart, that the Lord he is God in heaven above, and upon the earth beneath: there is none else. (Deut 4: 39)

145 Deuteronomy 2 The Second Speech of Moses (Deuteronomy 5-10) Setting: The Israelites camp in the plains of Moab. Story Summary The second speech (Deuteronomy 4:44-26:19) goes into the details about the law. It is really the main message here that Moses gives them, the first speech was more of an introduction and preparation for this message. It deals mainly with the legal aspects of the law, moral, civil, and ceremonial. It deals first with the 10 Commandments (Deuteronomy chapters 5-11) and secondly the details behind God's law with the emphasis on following God statutes, religious ordinances, and living with one another as the people of God (Deuteronomy chapters 12-26). ( Chapter 5: Moses tells of the covenant God made with Israel in Horeb He reviews the Ten Commandments Sabbath observance also commemorates the deliverance from Egypt God talks with man Blessings flow from obedience. Chapter 6: Moses proclaims, The Lord our God is one Lord, and, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God The children of Israel are commanded to teach their children Moses exhorts them to keep the commandments, testimonies, and statutes of the Lord that they may prosper. Chapter 7: Israel is to destroy the seven nations of Canaan Marriages with them are forbidden lest apostasy result Israel has a mission as a holy and chosen people The Lord shows mercy unto those who love Him and keep His commandments He promises to remove sickness from the children of Israel if they obey. Chapter 8: The Lord tested the children of Israel in the wilderness for forty years Eating manna taught them that man lives by the word of God Their clothing did not wear out The Lord chastened them If they serve other gods, they will perish. Chapter 9: Other nations are driven out of Canaan because of their wickedness Moses rehearses the rebellions of Israel and tells how he mediated between the people and the Lord On two occasions he went without food and water for forty days. Chapter 10: The tables of stone containing the Ten Commandments are placed in the ark All that God requires is that Israel love and serve Him How great and mighty is the Lord! Notes 1. The Israelites saw God speak to them out of a mountain of fire: The Lord talked with you face to face in the mount out of the midst of the fire. (Deuteronomy 5:4)

146 2. The Israelites are to worship only one Lord: Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord. (Deut 6:4) 3. We should love God with all our heart, soul and might: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. (Deut 6:5) 4. The Lord warns the people not to forget Him during their prosperity: And it shall be, when the Lord thy God shall have brought thee into the land which he sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give thee great and goodly cities, which thou buildedst not, And houses full of all good things, which thou filledst not, and wells digged, which thou diggedst not, vineyards and olive trees, which thou plantedst not; when thou shalt have eaten and be full; Then beware lest thou forget the Lord, which brought thee forth out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage. (Deut 6: 10-12) 5. We should fear the Lord so that we keep His commandments: Thou shalt fear the Lord thy God, and serve him, and shalt swear by his name. Ye shall not go after other gods, of the gods of the people which are round about you. (Deut 6: 13-14) 6. We are to diligently keep all the commandments of the Lord: Ye shall diligently keep the commandments of the Lord your God, and his testimonies, and his statutes, which he hath commanded thee. (Deut 6: 17) ] 7. Keeping the commandments extends our lives and blessings: Ye shall observe to do therefore as the Lord your God hath commanded you: ye shall not turn aside to the right hand or to the left. Ye shall walk in all the ways which the Lord your God hath commanded you, that ye may live, and that it may be well with you, and that ye may prolong your days in the land which ye shall possess. (Deut 5: 33-34) 8. The Lord Chose the weakest and smallest nation to consecrate and set apart for Himself: For thou art an holy people unto the Lord thy God: the Lord thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth. The Lord did not set his love upon you, nor choose you, because ye were more in number than any people; for ye were the fewest of all people: But because the Lord loved you, and because he would keep the oath which he had sworn unto your fathers, hath the Lord brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you out of the house of bondmen, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt. (Deut 7: 6-8) 9. Keeping our covenants leads to great blessings and deliverance. (Deut 7: 12-16) 12 Wherefore it shall come to pass, if ye hearken to these judgments, and keep, and do them, that the Lord thy God shall keep unto thee the covenant and the mercy which he sware unto thy fathers: 13 And he will love thee, and bless thee, and multiply thee: he will also bless the fruit of thy womb, and the fruit of thy land, thy corn, and thy wine, and thine oil, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep, in the land which he sware unto thy fathers to give thee. 14 Thou shalt be blessed above all people: there shall not be male or female barren among you, or among your cattle. 15 And the Lord will take away from thee all sickness, and will put none of the evil diseases of Egypt, which thou knowest, upon thee; but will lay them upon all them that hate thee.

147 16 And thou shalt consume all the people which the Lord thy God shall deliver thee; thine eye shall have no pity upon them: neither shalt thou serve their gods; for that will be a snare unto thee. 10. Israel was not to fear their enemies but were to trust that God would fight their battles for them: Thou shalt not be affrighted at them: for the Lord thy God is among you, a mighty God and terrible. (Deut 7:21) 11. Sometimes we wander in the wilderness so that God may prove our hearts and see whether we will obey Him or not: And thou shalt remember all the way which the Lord thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or no. (Deut 8:2) 12. Manna taught the Israelites that God is the real provider and we are to live according to His word and not according to fleshly lusts: And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the Lord doth man live. (Deut 8:3) 13. God will chasten us, just like a Father chastens a Son. Thou shalt also consider in thine heart, that, as a man chasteneth his son, so the Lord thy God chasteneth thee. (Deut 8:5) 14. When we become wealthy we need to remember it is God that has given us that wealth: And when thy herds and thy flocks multiply, and thy silver and thy gold is multiplied, and all that thou hast is multiplied; Then thine heart be lifted up, and thou forget the Lord thy God, which brought thee forth out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage; And thou say in thine heart, my power and the might of mine hand hath gotten me this wealth. But thou shalt remember the Lord thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day. (Deut 8: 13-14, 17-18) 15. Those who break their covenants with God will perish: And it shall be, if thou do at all forget the Lord thy God, and walk after other gods, and serve them, and worship them, I testify against you this day that ye shall surely perish. (Deut 8:19) 16. The Lord passed judgment on the Canaanites for their wickedness and that s why He ordered Israel to destroy those nations. Not for thy righteousness, or for the uprightness of thine heart, dost thou go to possess their land: but for the wickedness of these nations the Lord thy God doth drive them out from before thee, and that he may perform the word which the Lord sware unto thy fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. (Deut 9:5) 17. Moses says that the Israelites were a stiffnecked people who were constantly rebelling against God: Remember, and forget not, how thou provokedst the Lord thy God to wrath in the wilderness: from the day

148 that thou didst depart out of the land of Egypt, until ye came unto this place, ye have been rebellious against the Lord Ye have been rebellious against the Lord from the day that I knew you. (Deut 9:7, 24) 18. God requires that we love, fear and serve Him: And now, Israel, what doth the Lord thy God require of thee, but to fear the Lord thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the Lord thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul, To keep the commandments of the Lord, and his statutes, which I command thee this day for thy good? (Deut 10: 12-13) 19. The Lord cares for the strangers and widows and expects us to love them: For the Lord your God is God of gods, and Lord of lords, a great God, a mighty, and a terrible, which regardeth not persons, nor taketh reward: He doth execute the judgment of the fatherless and widow, and loveth the stranger, in giving him food and raiment. Love ye therefore the stranger: for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt. (Deut 10: 17-19)

149 Deuteronomy 3 The Laws (Deuteronomy 11-26) Setting: The Israelites camp in the plains of Moab. Story Summary The second speech (Deuteronomy 4:44-26:19) goes into the details about the law. It is really the main message here that Moses gives them, the first speech was more of an introduction and preparation for this message. It deals mainly with the legal aspects of the law, moral, civil, and ceremonial. It deals first with the 10 Commandments (Deuteronomy chapters 5-11) and secondly the details behind God's law with the emphasis on following God statutes, religious ordinances, and living with one another as the people of God (Deuteronomy chapters 12-26). Chapter 11: Thou shalt love and obey the Lord thy God If the children of Israel obey, they will be blessed with rain and harvests and will drive out mighty nations Israel must learn God s laws and teach them Blessings flow from obedience; cursings attend disobedience. Chapter 12: Israel is to destroy the Canaanite gods and places of worship The Lord will designate where His people will worship The eating of blood is forbidden Israel s worship must conform to the divine standard. Chapter 13: The Lord tests His people to see if they will worship false gods Prophets, dreamers, relatives, or friends who advocate worship of false gods will be put to death Idolatrous cities will be destroyed. Chapter 14: The Israelites are children of the Lord Jehovah Unclean beasts, fish, and fowl are not to be eaten The Israelites are to tithe all the increase of their seed annually. Chapter 15: Every seven years, all debts are to be released The people are admonished to care for the poor Hebrew servants are to be released and given gifts during the seventh year The firstling males of herds and flocks are the Lord s. Chapter 16: Israel is to keep the Passover, the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the Feast of Weeks, and the Feast of Tabernacles All males are to appear annually before the Lord at these three feasts Judges are not to make dishonest judgments nor take gifts. Chapter 17: Those who worship false gods will be put to death Priests and judges are to determine the hard cases Kings are not to acquire horses, wives, or gold for themselves The king must study the laws of God daily.

150 Chapter 18: How priests are supported Divination, spiritualism, and the like are abominations A Prophet (Christ) will arise like unto Moses. Chapter 19: Cities of refuge are appointed for cases of manslaughter Murderers will be put to death Two or three witnesses are required in court cases False witnesses will be punished. Chapter 20: Laws are revealed for selecting soldiers and making war Hittites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites will be utterly destroyed. Chapter 21: How amends are made for murders by unknown persons Equity is required in dealing with wives and children Stubborn and rebellious sons will be put to death. Chapter 22: Moses sets forth laws pertaining to lost property, wearing of proper clothes, caring for interests of others, marrying virgins, and sexual immorality. Chapter 23: Moses specifies those who may and may not enter the congregation He sets forth laws concerning sanitation, servants, usury, and vows. Chapter 24: Laws are given concerning divorce, newly married persons, making merchandise of men, taking pledges, leprosy, oppression of servants, and leaving gleanings of crops. Chapter 25: Judges prescribe punishment for the wicked The marriage law provides for a brother s widow Just weights and measures are required Israel is commanded to blot out the Amalekites from under heaven. Chapter 26: The children of Israel are to offer to the Lord a basket of the firstfruits of Canaan They are commanded to keep the law of tithing They covenant to keep the commandments, and the Lord promises to make them a holy people and a great nation. Notes 1. We are blessed if we obey God but cursed if we disobey: Behold, I set before you this day a blessing and a curse; A blessing, if ye obey the commandments of the Lord your God, which I command you this day: And a curse, if ye will not obey the commandments of the Lord your God, but turn aside out of the way which I command you this day, to go after other gods, which ye have not known. (Deut 11: 26-28) 2. Israelites were commanded not to eat the blood of animals: Only be sure that thou eat not the blood: for the blood is the life; and thou mayest not eat the life with the flesh. (Deut 12:23) 3. Hints at the Canaanite depravity: Thou shalt not do so unto the Lord thy God: for every abomination to the Lord, which he hateth, have they done unto their gods; for even their sons and their daughters they have burnt in the fire to their gods. (Deut 12: 31) 4. The Israelites kept the Law of Tithing: Thou shalt truly tithe all the increase of thy seed that the field bringeth forth year by year. (Deut 14:22)

151 5. Every 7 years there was a release from debt: At the end of every seven years thou shalt make a release. And this is the manner of the release: Every creditor that lendeth ought unto his neighbour shall release it; he shall not exact it of his neighbour, or of his brother; because it is called the Lord s release. (Deut 15: 1-2) 6. Israel was commanded to give to those in need: For the poor shall never cease out of the land: therefore I command thee, saying, Thou shalt open thine hand wide unto thy brother, to thy poor, and to thy needy, in thy land. (Deut 15:11) 7. Israelites were not to take bribes or be unjust in judgments: Thou shalt not wrest judgment; thou shalt not respect persons, neither take a gift: for a gift doth blind the eyes of the wise, and pervert the words of the righteous. (Deut 16:19) 8. The Standard of Proof for the Death Penalty is Higher: At the mouth of two witnesses, or three witnesses, shall he that is worthy of death be put to death; but at the mouth of one witness he shall not be put to death. (Deut 17:6) 9. Kings in Israel were to study the law of God every day: 18 And it shall be, when he sitteth upon the throne of his kingdom, that he shall write him a copy of this law in a book out of that which is before the priests the Levites: And it shall be with him, and he shall read therein all the days of his life: that he may learn to fear the Lord his God, to keep all the words of this law and these statutes, to do them: That his heart be not lifted up above his brethren, and that he turn not aside from the commandment, to the right hand, or to the left: to the end that he may prolong his days in his kingdom, he, and his children, in the midst of Israel. (Deut 17: 18-20) 10. Consulting Mediums or Spiritualists was forbidden: There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch, Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer. For all that do these things are an abomination unto the Lord: and because of these abominations the Lord thy God doth drive them out from before thee. (Deut 18: 10-12) 11. False prophets are detected when they make predictions that don t come true: When a prophet speaketh in the name of the Lord, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the Lord hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him. (Deut 18:22) 12. Those who bear false witness receive the same punishment that would have befallen the person they lied about: One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sinneth: at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established. If a false witness rise up against any man to testify against him that which is wrong; Then both the men, between whom the controversy is, shall stand before the Lord, before the priests and the judges, which shall be in those days; And the judges shall make diligent inquisition: and, behold, if the witness be a false witness, and hath testified falsely against his brother; Then shall ye do unto him, as he had thought to have done unto his brother: so shalt thou put the evil away from among you. (Deut 19: 15-19)

152 13. Israel was not to fear larger armies but to trust in God: When thou goest out to battle against thine enemies, and seest horses, and chariots, and a people more than thou, be not afraid of them: for the Lord thy God is with thee, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt. And it shall be, when ye are come nigh unto the battle, that the priest shall approach and speak unto the people, And shall say unto them, Hear, O Israel, ye approach this day unto battle against your enemies: let not your hearts faint, fear not, and do not tremble, neither be ye terrified because of them; For the Lord your God is he that goeth with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you. (Deut 20: 1-4) 14. Israel s rules of war are set forth. They are to make tributary nations of those who desire peace but are to utterly destroy the nations of the Canaanites. Cities that exist outside of their inheritance are to be destroyed but the women, children and cattle are to be taken as spoils of war. (Deut 20: 10-14) 15. Women who are prisoners of war must be taken as wives if men desire them. (Deut 21: 10-14) 16. Equity is required amongst wives and children. But he shall acknowledge the son of the hated for the firstborn, by giving him a double portion of all that he hath: for he is the beginning of his strength; the right of the firstborn is his. (Deut 21: 17) 17. Rebellious Children were stoned: If a man have a stubborn and rebellious son, which will not obey the voice of his father, or the voice of his mother, and that, when they have chastened him, will not hearken unto them: Then shall his father and his mother lay hold on him, and bring him out unto the elders of his city, and unto the gate of his place; And all the men of his city shall stone him with stones, that he die: so shalt thou put evil away from among you; and all Israel shall hear, and fear. (Deut 21: 18-21) 18. Transgender practices are an abomination to God: The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman s garment: for all that do so are abomination unto the Lord thy God. (Deut 22:5) 19. Laws of Sexual Morality: If a husband hates his wife and claims she isn t a virgin, proof was to be presented. If it was determined he was lying he had to pay her family money and could not divorce her. If he was telling the truth she was stoned. Adultery was punished with death and if a man raped a woman he was killed. (Deut 22) 20. Certain groups were not permitted to join Israel: Moabites, Ammonites, bastards, amongst others. (Deut 23) 21. Prostitutes and sodomites were not permitted to live amongst Israel: There shall be no whore of the daughters of Israel, nor a sodomite of the sons of Israel. (Deut 23:17)

153 22. You can charge interest if you lend money to a stranger but not to a family member: Unto a stranger thou mayest lend upon usury; but unto thy brother thou shalt not lend upon usury: that the Lord thy God may bless thee in all that thou settest thine hand to in the land whither thou goest to possess it. (Deut 23:20) 23. Hand vs sickle: A person could help himself to a small portion of food from a neighbor but not a large one: When thou comest into the standing corn of thy neighbour, then thou mayest pluck the ears with thine hand; but thou shalt not move a sickle unto thy neighbour s standing corn. (Deut 23:25) 24. Selling people into slavery was forbidden: If a man be found stealing any of his brethren of the children of Israel, and maketh merchandise of him, or selleth him; then that thief shall die; and thou shalt put evil away from among you. (Deut 23:7) 25. Employers were not to withhold wages from employees: At his day thou shalt give him his hire, neither shall the sun go down upon it; for he is poor, and setteth his heart upon it: lest he cry against thee unto the Lord, and it be sin unto thee. (Deut 23:15) 26. People were to be punished for their own sins and not for others: The fathers shall not be put to death for the children, neither shall the children be put to death for the fathers: every man shall be put to death for his own sin. (Deut 23:16) 27. Leftovers were to be given to the strangers, fatherless and widows: When thou gatherest the grapes of thy vineyard, thou shalt not glean it afterward: it shall be for the stranger, for the fatherless, and for the widow. (Deut 24:21) 28. If a man died, his brother was to take his wife as his own and raise up their children in the dead brother s name. (Deut 25: 5-9) 29. We are to rejoice in every good thing that the Lord has given us: And thou shalt rejoice in every good thing which the Lord thy God hath given unto thee, and unto thine house, thou, and the Levite, and the stranger that is among you. (Deut 26:11) 30. Killing others for money was forbidden: Cursed be he that taketh reward to slay an innocent person. And all the people shall say, Amen. (Deut 26:25)

154 Deuteronomy 4 Choosing Life or Death (Deuteronomy 27-30) Setting: The Israelites camp in the plains of Moab. Story Summary The third speech (Deuteronomy 27:1-31:30) is primarily a message about the blessings of obedience and the curses of disobedience. Moses mainly directs his message to the elders, the priests, the Levites, and all the leaders who are responsible to carry out the ceremonies. Chapter 27: The children of Israel are to cross the Jordan, build an altar, and worship the Lord They are the Lord s people but will be cursed if they do not obey Him. Chapter 28: If the children of Israel are obedient, they will be blessed temporally and spiritually If they are disobedient, they will be cursed, smitten, and destroyed; diseases, plagues, and oppression will come upon them; they will serve false gods and become a byword among all nations; fierce nations will enslave them; and they will eat their own children and be scattered among all nations. Chapter 29: The children of Israel make a covenant with the Lord under which they will be blessed if they are obedient, and cursed if they are disobedient If they are disobedient, their land will be as brimstone and salt. Chapter 30: The scattered Israelites will be gathered from all nations when they remember the covenant Moses places life or death, blessing or cursing, before the people. Notes 1. If Israel keeps the commandments God will bless them with: Cities and Fields will be blessed. Fruits of the body, ground and cattle will be blessed. Baskets and stores are also blessed. Those who leave Israel are blessed and those who return again are blessed. All enemies will be destroyed and flee seven ways. Other nations will fear Israel. The Lord will bless the storehouses and the land. Israel will be set apart and made a holy people who are unique to the Lord. The earth will give forth abundantly and be a blessing to Israel. Israel will lend to nations and not borrow. Israel will be made the head of all nations. 2. If Israel does not keep the commandments their blessings will turn to curses: Israel will be cursed in the city and in the field. Israel s basket, store, fruit of the body, land and cattle will all be cursed.

155 Those who come into Israel will be cursed and those who go out form it will as well. Israel will be cursed, vexed and rebuked in all they do. Pestilence will consume them until they are consumed. Plague, disease and death will come upon them. The heaven will be brass and the earth will be iron to them wile rain will be like dust. Israel s enemies will have victory over them. They will be smitten with madness, blindness and fear. They will be oppressed and spoiled. Israel will not enjoy the fruits of their labor as others will come in and steal them. Israel will be enslaved to other nations and their children born into captivity. Israel will be at the bottom of nations and will borrow but not lend. Ultimately, Israel will be besieged by foreign nations and destroyed. Israel will be left few in number and scattered among the nations. Israel will fear for their lives and will not find rest. (Deut 28) 3. If we keep our covenants we will be prospered in all we do: Keep therefore the words of this covenant, and do them, that ye may prosper in all that ye do. (Deut 29:9) 4. The Lord Promises to regather Israel when they repent: If any of thine be driven out unto the outmost parts of heaven, from thence will the Lord thy God gather thee, and from thence will he fetch thee: And the Lord thy God will bring thee into the land which thy fathers possessed, and thou shalt possess it; and he will do thee good, and multiply thee above thy fathers. (Deut 30: 4-5) 5. The Lord gives us a clear choice between life and death and it is up to us to choose: I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live: That thou mayest love the Lord thy God, and that thou mayest obey his voice, and that thou mayest cleave unto him: for he is thy life, and the length of thy days: that thou mayest dwell in the land which the Lord sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them. (Deut 30: 19-20)

156 Setting: The Israelites camp in the plains of Moab. Story Summary Deuteronomy 5 The Last Days of Moses (Deuteronomy 31-34) The last words and acts of Moses are recorded followed by his death and burial. The Lord tells Moses that the Israelites will apostatize and to record a song for them to remember when cursing come upon them. Moses blesses all of the tribes of Israel and gives Joseph a greater portion. Moses sees the Promised Land but does not enter and dies at the age of 120. The Children of Israel mourn him for 30 days but to this day nobody knows where he was buried. Joshua succeeds Moses as prophet and leader of Israel. Chapter 31: Moses counsels Joshua and all Israel to be strong and of good courage and declares Joshua to be their new leader The law is to be read to all Israel every seven years The children of Israel will follow false gods and corrupt themselves. Chapter 32: Israel will sing the song of Moses and acclaim: God speaks to heaven and earth; the children of Israel were known in the premortal life; God chose them in this life; they forgot the Rock of their salvation; He sent terror, a sword, and vengeance upon them; there is no God beside Him Moses will be gathered to his people. Chapter 33: Moses blesses the tribes of Israel Levi is blessed to teach the Lord s judgments and His law Joseph is blessed above all; the Lord will gather Israel in the latter days Israel will triumph Chapter 34: Moses sees the Promised Land and is taken by the Lord Joshua leads Israel Moses was Israel s greatest prophet. Notes 1. Israel was commanded to rehearse the Law of God regularly so that they knew it: Gather the people together, men, and women, and children, and thy stranger that is within thy gates, that they may hear, and that they may learn, and fear the Lord your God, and observe to do all the words of this law: And that their children, which have not known anything, may hear, and learn to fear the Lord your God, as long as ye live in the land whither ye go over Jordan to possess it. (Deut 31: 12-13) 2. The Lord tells Moses the Israelites will break their covenant: For when I shall have brought them into the land which I sware unto their fathers, that floweth with milk and honey; and they shall have eaten and filled themselves, and waxen fat; then will they turn unto other gods, and serve them, and provoke me, and break my covenant. (Deut 31:20)

157 3. The Lord asked Moses to record a song that Israel would learn and remember when they break their covenants: And it shall come to pass, when many evils and troubles are befallen them, that this song shall testify against them as a witness; for it shall not be forgotten out of the mouths of their seed. (Deut 31:21) 4. Heaven and earth stand as a witness of our works: Gather unto me all the elders of your tribes, and your officers, that I may speak these words in their ears, and call heaven and earth to record against them. (Deut 31:28) 5. The Lord gives each nation their inheritance and sets their boundaries: When the most High divided to the nations their inheritance, when he separated the sons of Adam, he set the bounds of the people according to the number of the children of Israel. (Deut 32:8) 6. Israel was without wisdom and did not consider the long-term consequences of their actions: For they are a nation void of counsel, neither is there any understanding in them. O that they were wise, that they understood this, that they would consider their latter end! (Deut 32: 29-30) 7. Moses blesses the tribe of Joseph (Ephraim and Manasseh) above all: 13 And of Joseph he said, Blessed of the Lord be his land, for the precious things of heaven, for the dew, and for the deep that coucheth beneath, 14 And for the precious fruits brought forth by the sun, and for the precious things put forth by the moon, 15 And for the chief things of the ancient mountains, and for the precious things of the lasting hills, 16 And for the precious things of the earth and fulness thereof, and for the good will of him that dwelt in the bush: let the blessing come upon the head of Joseph, and upon the top of the head of him that was separated from his brethren. 17 His glory is like the firstling of his bullock, and his horns are like the horns of unicorns: with them he shall push the people together to the ends of the earth: and they are the ten thousands of Ephraim, and they are the thousands of Manasseh. (Deut 32: 13-17) 8. Joshua was set apart by the laying on of hands by Moses who had proper authority to do so: And Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom; for Moses had laid his hands upon him: and the children of Israel hearkened unto him, and did as the Lord commanded Moses. (Deut 34:9)

158 OLD TESTAMENT SUMMARY JOSHUA Story Summaries 1. Crossing the Jordan River. (1-4) 2. The Destruction of Jericho. (5-6) 3. The Conquest of Canaan. (7-12) 4. The Distribution of Canaan to the Tribes. (13-22) 5. Joshua s Farewell Address. (23-24) A TESTAMENT OF JESUS CHRIST

159 Joshua 1-Crossing the Jordan River (Joshua 1-4) Setting: In the Land of Canaan, near the River Jordan and in the city of Jericho. Story Summary Chapter 1: The Lord tells Joshua that He will be with him just like He was with Moses and to be strong and of good courage. Joshua prepares to enter Canaan and gathers the Reubenites, Gadites and half of Manasseh who had already received their land inheritance. Chapter 2: Joshua then sends two spies to scout Jericho who are detected by the King. They hide in a harlot named Rahab s house and she lies and tells the King they have fled. Rahab tells the two men she knows the Lord has given them the land and asks for mercy when they conquer it. The two men agree to spare Rahab s household and she lets them down a rope out of the window. They tell her to mark her house with a scarlet rope and no Israelite will enter and destroy those within. The two spies return and giver their report to Joshua that all the nations fear Israel. Chapter 3: The Lord tells Joshua He will do mighty miracles through him just like Moses. The next day, Joshua tells the Levites to carry the Ark of the Covenant through the river Jordan and it miraculously parts to allow the host of Israel to pass through. They cross the river Jordan on dry ground, just as Moses led Israel through the Red Sea. Chapter 4: Joshua places twelve stones to commemorate the crossing of the Jordan where the Levites stood with the ark. Joshua is magnified before the children of Israel as they cross the Jordan. After the priests bearing the ark pass over, the river returns to its course. Notes 1. Be Strong and of Good Courage: Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest. (Josh 1:9) 2. We are to study and meditate on the law of God daily: This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. (Josh 1:8) Stones at the River Jordan serve as a reminder to fear God: That all the people of the earth might know the hand of the Lord, that it is mighty: that ye might fear the Lord your God for ever. (Josh 4:24)

160 4. The Lord preserves the righteous when His judgments come upon a nation: Rahab helped the Israelite spies and as a result indicated to them that she should be spared from destruction. Before judgment comes a way for the Lord to preserve the righteous.

161 Joshua 2-The Destruction of Jericho (Joshua 5-6) Setting: The Israelites camp in Gilgal and then march on Jericho. Story Summary Chapter 5: The inhabitants of Canaan fear Israel as they hear that they miraculously crossed the River Jordan. The males of Israel are circumcised because the last generation had all perished and had not circumcised their children. Israel keeps the Passover and eats the fruit of the land because the Lord stopped sending manna on this day. The captain of the Lord s host appears to Joshua. Chapter 6: The Lord appears to Joshua and tells him to march around Jericho once a day for 6 days and then on the 7 th day to march around Jericho 7 times and blow the rams horn. When the Priests blow the ram s horns on the seventh day, the host is to shout and Jericho will fall. They are to march with the Ark of the Covenant and 7 priests are to accompany it with 7 ram s horns. The Israelites follow this strategy and Jericho is destroyed, except for the House of Rahab, which is spared. The treasures of Jericho are consecrated to God and Joshua s fame spreads. Notes 1. The Captain of the Lord s Host: And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted up his eyes and looked, and, behold, there stood a man over against him with his sword drawn in his hand: and Joshua went unto him, and said unto him, Art thou for us, or for our adversaries? And he said, nay; but as captain of the host of the Lord am I now come. (Josh 5: 13-14) 2. How Jericho was destroyed: And ye shall compass the city, all ye men of war, and go round about the city once. Thus shalt thou do six days. And seven priests shall bear before the ark seven trumpets of rams horns: and the seventh day ye shall compass the city seven times, and the priests shall blow with the trumpets. And it shall come to pass, that when they make a long blast with the ram s horn, and when ye hear the sound of the trumpet, all the people shall shout with a great shout; and the wall of the city shall fall down flat, and the people shall ascend up every man straight before him. (Joshua 6: 3-5) 3. The Lord went to great lengths to spare Rahab: And the city shall be accursed, even it, and all that are therein, to the Lord: only Rahab the harlot shall live, she and all that are with her in the house, because she hid the messengers that we sent. (Joshua 6:17)

162 Joshua 3-The Conquest of Canaan (Joshua 7-12) Setting: The Israelites enter Canaan and conquer many cities. Story Summary Chapter 7: Some of the Israelites, led by Achan, disobeyed the Lord s command to consecrate the spoils of Jericho and took the spoils for themselves. As a result, when the Israelites sent 3000 men to defeat the people of Ai, the Israelites were defeated. Joshua goes before the Lord to complain about the defeat and the Lord tells Joshua that some in Israel have broken His laws and need to be removed in order for God to continue blessing Israel. Joshua investigates and discovers Achan from the house of Judah has stolen some gold and silver. As a result, Achan and his household are condemned to die and are stoned and then burnt with fire. Chapter 8: Joshua uses an ambush to destroy the people of Ai. He sends a wave of soldiers at them and then they pretend to flee and another battalion enters the city when Ai pursuits the fleeing battalion. The city of Ai is destroyed and then the army of Ai is shattered by Joshua and his legions. Not a single citizen of Ai is left alive. He builds an altar in Mount Ebal. The words of the law, both blessings and cursings, are read to the people. Chapter 9: The surrounding Canaanite nations hear of the destruction of Ai and form an alliance to destroy Israel. The Gibeonites pretend they are from a far land and send an emissary to Israel to ask to be their servants. Joshua makes them servants to the congregation of Israel and it is written that they did not consult the Lord on the matter. As a result of their oath of peace, Joshua refused to harm the Gibeonites when he discovered they were really native Canaanites and not from a far off land. The Gibeonites became hewers of wood and drawers of water to the Israelites instead of being destroyed. Chapter 10: Five Amorite Kings hear of the Gibeonites alliance with Israel and band together to destroy them. The Gibeonites ask Israel for help and Joshua leads an army against the Amorites. The Israelites are victorious and the Amorites flee but great hailstones fall from the sky and destroy the fleeing armies. Joshua commands the sun and the moon to stand still so that the destruction of the Amorites can be completed. The Five Amorite kings of Hebron, Jerusalem, Jarmuth, Lachish and Eglon hide in a cave but are found by Joshua and are all hung on a tree. The Israelites army then conquers Libnah, Lachish, Gezer, Eglon, Hebron, Debir and every other surrounding city. They destroy everyone in every city and leave none alive. Chapter 11: The remaining kings of Canaan band together to form a final alliance in an attempt to destroy Israel. They meet Israel in battle at the waters of Merom and are utterly destroyed by the Israelites whom God

163 strengthened. Joshua burns the city of Hazor and kills every remaining Canaanite, except for the Gibeonites who had made pace. Chapter 12: A list of all the kings conquered by Israel is listed. Og of Bashan and Sihon of Heshbon were destroyed on the other side of the Jordan River and their land given to the Rebunites, Gadites and half of Manasseh. The Kings of Jericho, Ai, Jerusalem, Hebron, Jarmuth, Lachish, Eglon, Gezer, Debir, Geder, Hormah, Arad, Libnah, Adullam, Makkedah, Beth-el, Tappuah, Hepher, Aphek, Lasharon, Madon, Hazor, Shimron-meron, Achshaph, Taanach, Megiddo, Kedesh, Jokenam, Dor, Gilgal and Tirzah are all destroyed. Notes 1. Deliverance is predicated upon obedience: Achan and his household were disobedient to the commands of the Lord and, as a result, the Israelites lost their next battle. The Lord will not be mocked and give blessings when the people do not obey. (Joshua 7) 2. The Lord was not with Israel while they had accursed objects: The Lord refused to continue blessing Israel while those who had sinned against Him remained in the congregation. It was only when Achan and his household were removed that the Lord blessed Israel again. 3. The Lord does not always offer unsolicited advice. Joshua didn t go to him to ask if the Gibeonites were telling the truth: And the men took of their victuals, and asked not counsel at the mouth of the Lord. And Joshua made peace with them, and made a league with them, to let them live: and the princes of the congregation sware unto them. (Joshua 8: 14-15) 4. The Lord miraculously destroyed the Amorites with hailstones: And it came to pass, as they fled from before Israel, and were in the going down to Beth-horon, that the Lord cast down great stones from heaven upon them unto Azekah, and they died: they were more which died with hailstones than they whom the children of Israel slew with the sword. (Joshua 10:11) 5. The Sun and the Moon stand still so that daylight remains to destroy the Amorites: Then spake Joshua to the Lord in the day when the Lord delivered up the Amorites before the children of Israel, and he said in the sight of Israel, Sun, stand thou still upon Gibeon; and thou, Moon, in the valley of Ajalon. And the sun stood still, and the moon stayed, until the people had avenged themselves upon their enemies. Is not this written in the book of Jasher? So the sun stood still in the midst of heaven, and hasted not to go down about a whole day. (Joshua 10: 12-13)

164 Joshua 4-The Distribution of Canaan to the Tribes (Joshua 13-22) Setting: The Israelites inherit the Land of Canaan. Story Summary Chapter 13: There remain some lands yet to be possessed. Some inhabitants are not expelled but instead continued living amongst the Israelites. The inheritances of Reuben, Gad, and one half of Manasseh are confirmed. The Levites do not receive an inheritance but are consecrated to the Lord. Chapter 14: The land is divided by lot among 9½ tribes Caleb inherits Hebron as a special reward for his faithfulness. Chapter 15: Judah is given an inheritance in Canaan The Jebusites dwell with Judah at Jerusalem. Chapter 16: The children of Joseph (Ephraim and Manasseh) receive their inheritances Some Canaanites continue to dwell among the Ephraimites. Chapter 17: Manasseh and Ephraim both receive an additional inheritance Ephraim is to drive out the Canaanites from the hill country. Chapter 18: The tabernacle of the congregation is set up at Shiloh Benjamin receives an inheritance by lot. Chapter 19: Simeon, Zebulun, Issachar, Asher, Naphtali, and Dan receive their inheritances by lot. Chapter 20: Six cities of refuge are appointed for those guilty of manslaughter. Chapter 21: The Levites receive forty-eight cities with their suburbs The Lord fulfills all His promises and gives Israel rest. Chapter 22: The 2½ tribes are dismissed with a blessing to return back across the Jordan River. They build an altar of testimony by the Jordan to show they are the Lord s people. The Other 10 Tribes think they are committing idolatry but they explain it is a testimony that they follow the same God. It is not an altar for sacrifices or burnt offerings.

165 Notes 1. Ephraim and Manasseh receive a double portion: And Joshua spake unto the house of Joseph, even to Ephraim and to Manasseh, saying, Thou art a great people, and hast great power: thou shalt not have one lot only: But the mountain shall be thine; for it is a wood, and thou shalt cut it down: and the outgoings of it shall be thine: for thou shalt drive out the Canaanites, though they have iron chariots, and though they be strong. (Joshua 17: 17-18) 2. One of the first things they did when they inherited the land was construct a temple: And the whole congregation of the children of Israel assembled together at Shiloh, and set up the tabernacle of the congregation there. And the land was subdued before them. (Joshua 18: 1) 3. The Lord keeps His promises and fulfilled His part of the covenant: And the Lord gave unto Israel all the land which he sware to give unto their fathers; and they possessed it, and dwelt therein. (Joshua 21:43) 4. Joshua s admonition to the Reubenites Gadites and Half of Mannaseh: But take diligent heed to do the commandment and the law, which Moses the servant of the Lord charged you, to love the Lord your God, and to walk in all his ways, and to keep his commandments, and to cleave unto him, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul. ( Joshua 22:5) 5. Sometimes the transgression of one can bring wrath upon all. Achan stole the riches of war and God cursed Israel for it: Did not Achan the son of Zerah commit a trespass in the accursed thing, and wrath fell on all the congregation of Israel? And that man perished not alone in his iniquity. (Joshua 22:20)

166 Setting: Joshua gives his farewell address to the congregation of Israel in Shechem. Story Summary Chapter 23: Joshua becomes old and calls Israel together for his farewell address. He exhorts Israel to be courageous, keep the commandments, love the Lord, and neither marry among nor cleave unto the remnants of the Canaanites who remain in the land When the children of Israel serve other gods, they will be cursed and dispossessed. Joshua 5-Joshua s Farewell Address (Joshua 23-24) Chapter 24: Joshua recites how the Lord has blessed and led Israel. Joshua and all the people covenant to choose the Lord and serve Him only Joshua and Eleazar die The bones of Joseph, taken from Egypt, are buried in Shechem. Notes 1. Joshua exhorts the Israelites to be courageous in keeping the commandments: Be ye therefore very courageous to keep and to do all that is written in the book of the law of Moses, that ye turn not aside therefrom to the right hand or to the left. (Joshua 23:6) 2. Joshua promised that one Israelite was stronger than 1000 of their enemies: One man of you shall chase a thousand: for the Lord your God, he it is that fighteth for you, as he hath promised you. (Joshua 23:10) 3. The Israelites are forbidden to marry the remnant of the Canaanites: Else if ye do in any wise go back, and cleave unto the remnant of these nations, even these that remain among you, and shall make marriages with them, and go in unto them, and they to you. (Joshua 23:12) 4. Those who transgress their covenants shall perish: When ye have transgressed the covenant of the Lord your God, which he commanded you, and have gone and served other gods, and bowed yourselves to them; then shall the anger of the Lord be kindled against you, and ye shall perish quickly from off the good land which he hath given unto you. (Joshua 23:16) 5. We all must choose whether to serve God or not: Now therefore fear the Lord, and serve him in sincerity and in truth..and if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. (Joshua 24:14-15)

167 6. Joshua sets a witness stone before the congregation of Israel: And Joshua said unto all the people, Behold, this stone shall be a witness unto us; for it hath heard all the words of the Lord which he spake unto us: it shall be therefore a witness unto you, lest ye deny your God. (Joshua 24:27)

168 OLD TESTAMENT SUMMARY JUDGES Story Summaries 1. Othniel, Ehud and Shamgar. (1-3) 2. Deborah and Barak. (4-5) 3. Gideon delivers Israel from the Midianites. (6-8) 4. Jotham s Fable and Abimelech. (9) 5. Jephthah s Rash Vow. (10-12) 6. Samson and Delilah. (13-16) 7. Micah and the Danites. (17-18) 8. Israel s Civil War with Benjamin. (19-21) A TESTAMENT OF JESUS CHRIST

169 Judges 1-Othniel, Ehud and Shamgar(Judges 1-3) Setting: In the Land of Canaan, the Israelites are conquered by various kings for apostatising and then delivered by various judges when they repent. This cycle continues throughout the period of the judges. Story Summary Chapter 1: Judah, Simeon, and Joseph continue to conquer the Canaanites. Remnants of the Canaanites remain in the lands of Judah, Manasseh, Ephraim, Zebulun, Asher, Naphtali, and Dan. The Israelites refuse to destroy them but instead make many of them tributaries. Chapter 2: An angel rebukes Israel for disobeying the Lord s command to destroy the Canaanites. Joshua dies and the next generation forgets the great miracles that the Lord had performed for their ancestors. The Israelites begin to worship the Canaanite Gods of Baal and Ashtaroth. The Lord sends judges to reclaim Israel and they repent for a period but when the judge dies Israel returns to their sins and are worse than before. Chapter 3: The children of Israel intermarry with the Canaanites, worship false gods, and are cursed. God allows the Israelites to be enslaved by the king of Mesopotamia named Chusan-rishathaim for 8 years. The Israelites cried for help so God raises up Othniel, son of Kenaz, (who was the brother of Caleb) who leads the Israelites to victory over their oppressors. The Israelites have peace for 40 years until Othniel dies. After Othniel dies, the Israelites return to their wicked ways and forsake God once again. As a result, Eglon the King of Moab was allowed to enslave them for 18 years. However, God eventually heard the cries of the Israelites and sent the next judge named Ehud to deliver them. Ehud prepares gifts for Eglon and tells him he has a secret message. When he is alone with Eglon he stabs him in the belly and kills him and then safely escapes. After he escapes, Ehud leads the Israelites in battle and defeats the Moabites granting rest to the land for 80 years. After Ehud dies, Israel again falls into apostasy and bondage and is rescued by a judge named Shamgar, who killed 600 Philistines with an ax goad. Notes 1. The next generation can easily forget the Lord s hand in their history: And also all that generation were gathered unto their fathers: and there arose another generation after them, which knew not the Lord, nor yet the works which he had done for Israel. (Judges 2:10) 2. Israel had not kept their culture pure but instead welcomed those who worshipped foreign Gods and as a result they lost their culture: And they forsook the Lord, and served Baal and Ashtaroth. (Judges 2:13)

170 3. The Cycle of Rebellion and Repentance in the Judges Era: And when the Lord raised them up judges, then the Lord was with the judge, and delivered them out of the hand of their enemies all the days of the judge: for it repented the Lord because of their groanings by reason of them that oppressed them and vexed them. And it came to pass, when the judge was dead, that they returned, and corrupted themselves more than their fathers, in following other gods to serve them, and to bow down unto them; they ceased not from their own doings, nor from their stubborn way. (Judges 2: 18-19) Breaking our covenants with the Lord leads to slavery and bondage but God will deliver us if we repent. Unfortunately, when God delivers us, we have a tendency to return to our sinful ways thus creating a cycle. 4. Othniel delivers Israel from the King of Mesopotamia: And the Spirit of the Lord came upon him, and he judged Israel, and went out to war: and the Lord delivered Chushan-rishathaim king of Mesopotamia into his hand; and his hand prevailed against Chushan-rishathaim. And the land had rest forty years. And Othniel the son of Kenaz died. (Judges 3: 10-11) 5. Ehud delivers Israel from the Moabites: So Moab was subdued that day under the hand of Israel. And the land had rest fourscore years. (Judges 3:30) 6. Shamgar delivers Israel from the Philistines: And after him was Shamgar the son of Anath, which slew of the Philistines six hundred men with an ox goad: and he also delivered Israel. (Judges 3:31)

171 Judges 2-Deborah and Barak (Judges 4-5) Setting: In the Land of Canaan, the Israelites are conquered by various kings for apostatising and then delivered by various judges when they repent. This cycle continues throughout the period of the judges. Story Summary Chapter 4: After the death of Ehud, Israel once again returned to their sins and broke their covenant with the Lord. As a result, Israel was allowed to be conquered by Jabin, King of Canaan. The Lord then raised up Deborah, who judged Israel at the time, to deliver them. Deborah calls forth Barak and tells him to gather an army of men to deliver Israel from Jabin. Barak says he will do it if Deborah accompanies him, so she agrees to go with the army. However, she prophesies that Barak will not have the glory but that a woman will kill the captain of Jabin s army. They do battle and the Lord miraculously destroys the army of Jabin but the captain of the army (Sisera) flees and hides in the tent of a local Hebrew woman. While he is sleeping, the woman, named Jael, hammers nails into his head and kills him. Israel is victorious once again and the prophesy of Deborah is fulfilled. Chapter 5: Deborah and Barak sing a song of praise because Israel is delivered from Canaanite bondage. The Song seems to indicate that the Lord destroyed the Chariots of Jabin with a flood and won the battle for Israel. Deborah ushers in peace for Israel for another 40 years. Notes 1. Deborah was a prophetess and judge: And Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, she judged Israel at that time. And she dwelt under the palm tree of Deborah between Ramah and Beth-el in mount Ephraim: and the children of Israel came up to her for judgment. (Judges 4:4-5) 2. The Lord fought for Deborah and Barak and destroyed Jabin s armies: Lord, when thou wentest out of Seir, when thou marchedst out of the field of Edom, the earth trembled, and the heavens dropped, the clouds also dropped water. (Judges 5:4)

172 Judges 3-Gideon delivers Israel from the Midianites (Judges 6-8) Setting: In the Land of Canaan, the Israelites are conquered by various kings for apostatising and then delivered by various judges when they repent. This cycle continues throughout the period of the judges. Gideon lives in Ophrah. Story Summary Chapter 6: The Israelites, yet again, broke their covenant with God and began doing evil so the Midianites conquered them and ruled over them for 7 years. Israel cries to God for help so an Angel is sent to Gideon who is told to deliver Israel from bondage. Gideon gives the angel gifts and then tears down his father s altar to Baal and replaces it with an altar to God. The other Israelites find out that Gideon tore down the altar to Baal so they try to kill him. Gideon blows a trumpet and gathers some Israelites to battle. He places a fleece of wool on the floor and tells God that if dew only accrues on the fleece and not on the ground beside it he will know that God is with him. God does so but that isn t enough for Gideon who asks God again to let dew accrue on the ground and not the fleece this time. God is patient with Gideon and he arises and dew is not on the fleece but is on the ground proving that God is with him. Chapter 7: Gideon arises and prepares to do battle but God tells Gideon there are too many Israelites to go to battle so they won t recognize God s hand in victory if they win. Gideon tells those who are fearful to leave the war camp and people leave with only remaining. God thinks this is still too many so he tells Gideon to bring them all to a drinking spot and to only take those who drank by putting their hands to their mouth and to leave any who drank by going on their knees. Only 300 Israelites drank with their hands and thus the rest were dismissed. God tells Gideon that if he is still afraid to go to war to go down to the Midianites and listen for another sign. Gideon does so and hears a man tell a dream where Gideon and Israel destroy them. Gideon now believes the Lord is with him so he arms every man with a trumpet and a lamp and tells them to cry: The sword of the Lord and of Gideon. They surround the camp and when the Midianites hear this they begin killing each other and Israel is victorious. 120,00 Midianites are killed. Chapter 8: Gideon and his 300 continue pursuing the fleeing Midianite armies but become hungry so they stop in Succoth and Penuel to ask for food but are denied. Gideon promises to return and destroy them when he is done with the Midianites. Gideon overtakes and kills the remaining 15,000 Midianites and their kings. Gideon returns to Succoth and Penuel and destroys them as well for not helping him. The Israelites then try to make Gideon a king and declare this his line will rule over them. Gideon refuses to be king and tells them that the Lord will be their king. Peace returns to Israel for 40 years and the Midianites are subdued. Gideon has 70 sons and many wives and then dies. After Gideon s death, Israel once again turns to idolatry and sin.

173 Notes 1. God was patient with Gideon s sign-seeking: Gideon seemed to require lots of signs from God before he would trust that God was with him. God appears to have been very patient with Gideon and gave him the signs he sought. 2. God sometimes does deliberate extraordinary miracles so that we may believe in Him: There were over 30,000 Israelites who were willing to go to war but God chose to use only 1% of those who were willing to prove that He was God. 3. Gideon refused to be king but told Israel only God should be their king: Then the men of Israel said unto Gideon, Rule thou over us, both thou, and thy son, and thy son s son also: for thou hast delivered us from the hand of Midian. And Gideon said unto them, I will not rule over you, neither shall my son rule over you: the Lord shall rule over you. (Judges 8: 22-23) 4. Gideon destroyed those who refused to help Israel in its time of need: If we turn away God s servants and people when they are in need then curses may fall upon us. 5. Gideon had many wives and 70 sons: Like the patriarchs before, Gideon had many wives and practiced polygamy.

174 Setting: In the Land of Canaan, the Israelites are conquered by various kings for apostatising and then delivered by various judges when they repent. This cycle continues throughout the period of the judges. Gideon lives in Ophrah. Story Summary Judges 4-Jotham s Fable and Abimelech (Judges 9) Chapter 9: Abimelech, a son of Gideon born of one of his wives in Shechem, conspires against his brothers and kills all 70 except for Jotham who escaped. Abimelech is made king and Jotham recites a fable and declares that if Abimelech and his people have sinned against Gideon s house fire will come down and consume them. Abimelech reigned for 3 years when it is written that God sent an evil spirit to turn Abimelech s people against him. A man named Gaal raises an army against Abimelech but Abimelech defeats Gaal and then sets his men on fire when they lock themselves in a tower. Abimelech continues to pursuit the rebels to Thebez where he begins a siege of a tower and a woman throws a millstone on his head that kills him. Right before he dies, he asks his own solder to finish him off so that it can t be said that a woman killed him. Thus the curse of Jotham was fulfilled and Abimelech was no more. Notes 1. Israel begins choosing leaders not anointed by God: Abimelech was not chosen by God to be king but Israel installed him as a king anyways. As a result of ignoring God s will, tragedy came upon Israel. 2. Jotham s Fable: 7 And when they told it to Jotham, he went and stood in the top of mount Gerizim, and lifted up his voice, and cried, and said unto them, Hearken unto me, ye men of Shechem, that God may hearken unto you. 8 The trees went forth on a time to anoint a king over them; and they said unto the olive tree, Reign thou over us. 9 But the olive tree said unto them, Should I leave my fatness, wherewith by me they honour God and man, and go to be promoted over the trees? 10 And the trees said to the fig tree, Come thou, and reign over us. 11 But the fig tree said unto them, Should I forsake my sweetness, and my good fruit, and go to be promoted over the trees? 12 Then said the trees unto the vine, Come thou, and reign over us.

175 13 And the vine said unto them, Should I leave my wine, which cheereth God and man, and go to be promoted over the trees? 14 Then said all the trees unto the bramble, Come thou, and reign over us. 15 And the bramble said unto the trees, If in truth ye anoint me king over you, then come and put your trust in my shadow: and if not, let fire come out of the bramble, and devour the cedars of Lebanon. (Judges 9) Meaning: The trees represent Israel trying to choose a king to rule over them. They approach the olive tree, fig tree and vine but all say that they will not rule because that is not what God has put them on earth to do. All of these trees bear fruit that is valuable and enjoyable represents any of the other 70 sons of Gideon who were approached to be made king. Finally they make the bramble king (a thorn bush), signifying the worthlessness of such an act as bramble cannot provide shelter for the trees and is more likely to catch fire and include all the trees in its ruin. The thorn bush does not yield valuable fruit and represented Abimelech. The thorn bush tells the other trees to take shelter under it (Which is an empty boast and impossible task) otherwise fire will consume everyone.

176 Setting: In the Land of Canaan, the Israelites are conquered by various kings for apostatising and then delivered by various judges when they repent. This cycle continues throughout the period of the judges. Story Summary Judges 5-Jepthah s Rash Vow (Judges 10-12) Chapter 10: After Abimelech s death, Tola judged Israel for 23 years and then died. Jair came after Tola and judged for 22 years and had 30 sons and then died. After Jair s death, the Israelites once again forsake God and start adopting the religion of the Canaanites. God allows Israel to become slaves to the Philistines and Ammonites for 18 years because of their disobedience. The Israelites call to God for help but God says He will not deliver them anymore because they keep disobeying. The Israelites nevertheless put away their false Gods and begin trying to serve the Lord again. They look for a leader to fight against the Ammonites. Chapter 11: Gilead had many sons but one was from a harlot and was named Jephthah. Gilead s other sons thrust Jephthah out of their house and disinherited him. However, when Ammonites came to make war with Israel they sent envoys to Jephthah asking him to be their captain and to lead them against the Ammonites. Jephthah corresponds with the King of the Ammonites who accuses the Israelites of stealing their lands. Jephthah responds that the Lord is the one who gave the Israelites the land. Jephthah then makes a rash vow to God that if He gives the Israelites victory he will sacrifice the first thing from his house that comes to greet him as he returns. When he returns, it is his daughter who greets him and he rents his clothes and is grieved that he must sacrifice her. She goes away for 2 months to bewail her virginity and then returns and is either sacrificed to a convent of some sort or killed. Chapter 12: The Ephraimites do battle with Jephthah and the Gileadites and lose as 42,000 Ephraimites are killed. Jephthah judges Israel another six years and then dies. After Jephthah, Ibzan judges Israel for 7 years and dies. Elon then judges for 10 years and Abdon for 8 years and then dies. Notes 1. There comes a point at which God will stop delivering us and leave us to the false Gods we worship: Yet ye have forsaken me, and served other gods: wherefore I will deliver you no more. Go and cry unto the gods which ye have chosen; let them deliver you in the time of your tribulation. (Judges 10: 13-14) 2. The Spirit of the Lord comes upon Jephthah and gives him great power: Then the Spirit of the Lord came upon Jephthah. (Judges 11:29)

177 3. Ambiguity of the sacrifice of Jephthah s daughter: The Bible never specifically tells us whether Jephthah actually sacrificed his daughter as a burnt offering. Judges 11:39 seems to indicate that he did: "He did to her as he had vowed." However, since his daughter was mourning the fact that she would never marry instead of mourning that she was about to die (Judges 11:36-37), this possibly indicates that Jephthah gave her to the tabernacle as a servant instead of sacrificing her. Old Testament Student Manual (LDS): Many have supposed that Jephthah offered his daughter as a human sacrifice, and a literal reading of the text may support that view. But if that is true, some difficult questions are raised. Jephthah was regarded as a great hero and deliverer of Israel, and even his sacrifice of his daughter is treated in a way that suggests the author of Judges viewed it as a commendable act. In Hebrews 11:32 35 Jephthah is used as one of the examples of great faith. Would this case be true if he had engaged in human sacrifice, an act viewed as one of the greatest of abominations in ancient Israel? Why does Jephthah s daughter bewail her virginity (Judges 11:37) rather than mourn the approaching loss of her life? After Jephthah had fulfilled his vow of sacrificing his daughter, the text states that she knew no man (v. 39) (Old Testament Student Manual: Genesis 2 Samuel, 3rd ed. [Church Educational System manual, 2003], 256). It is widely accepted by most Biblical scholars that Jephthah s vow was fulfilled by committing his daughter to a life without marriage and children, hence the phrase she knew no man. This would have been devastating indeed, for in that day marriage and children were critical parts of a woman s life. Likewise, it would have been devastating for Jephthah, as she was his only child and he would have no more posterity because of his rash vow.

178 Judges 6-Samson and Delilah (Judges 13-16) Setting: In the Land of Canaan, the Israelites are conquered by various kings for apostatising and then delivered by various judges when they repent. This cycle continues throughout the period of the judges. Story Summary Chapter 13: Once again, the Israelites apostatized and were conquered by the Philistines for 40 years as a result. When God decided to deliver Israel yet again, He sent an angel to the wife of a man named Manoah (from the tribe of Dan) who was barren and told her that she shall have a son and not to drink wine or cut his hair as he will be a Nazarite that God will use to deliver Israel. Manoah s wife tells him what happens and he asks her to take him to the angel, which she does. They speak with the angel and then offer a sacrifice to God and then angel ascends to heaven in the flame. Shortly afterwards they had a son and named him Samson and the spirit of the Lord came upon him. Chapter 14: Samson grew up and one day went down to Timnath and saw a Philistine woman that he wanted as a wife. He asks his parents to help him marry her but they want him to marry an Israelite. While in Timnath, Samson was attacked by a lion but he killed the lion with his bare hands. He returns to the lion and sees that a group of bees have created a hive in the lion s carcass and he uses this as the basis of a riddle to challenge the Philistines. He then marries the woman and hosts a feast in which he gambles with a bunch of men that they cannot solve his riddle within 7 days of the feast. At the end of the feast, the men approach Samson s wife and ask her to betray Samson or they will set her house on fire. She deceives Samson and gets him to tell her the riddle and then tells the Philistines. They guess his riddle but Samson knows they cheated so he kills 30 of them and then his wife is given to another man. Chapter 15: Some time later, Samson goes to visit his wife but he is stopped by his father in law who tells him that he has given her to another man and to take her younger sister as a wife instead. Samson is enraged and catches 300 foxes and sets their tails on fire and sets them loose amidst the corn fields of the Philistines. The Philistines discovered that Samson had done this so they burn his former wife and father in law alive. Samson seeks revenge and kills a great many of them. As a result, the Philistines send a war band to defeat Samson so the men of Judah, who are afraid, bind Samson and bring him to them. When he is taken to the Philistines he breaks the cords that bind him and kill 1000 Philistines with the jawbone of an ass. Samson then asks God for some water and water miraculously comes forth from the jawbone of the ass. Samson judges Israel for 20 years. Chapter 16: Samson travels to Gaza and visits a harlot and is surrounded by Philistines who want to kill him. He removes the gate of the city and carries it to the hill Hebron. Afterwards, he met a woman named Delilah and he

179 chose to love her. The Philistines then visited her and bribed her to find out the source of Samson s strength and to betray him to the Philistines. He tells her that if they bind him with 7 green bowstrings that he will lose his strength so Delilah does so and calls in a Philistine ambush. Samson easily breaks free and fights off the ambush and Delilah becomes angry with him for lying to her about his strength. He tells her that if they bind him with ropes that were never used that he will lose his strength so she does so and sets up another ambush that he fights off. A third time Samson tells Delilah that if they weave the 7 locks of his hair with a web that he will lose his strength. Once again she does so and sets up an ambush that Samson fights off. After much more nagging from Delilah, Samson finally tells her that if they shave his head he will lose his strength. Delilah shaves his head and calls a successful ambush this time. They gouge out Samson s eyes and bind him between some pillars and begin praising and worshipping their god Dagon. Samson said a final prayer, asking God to give him strength to destroy his enemies and God granted him his former strength one last time. Samson destroys the pillars holding up the building causing it to collapse and kill himself and all the Lords of the Philistines. Samson s family find his body and bury him with his father. Notes 1. Samson was miraculously conceived: Samson s mother was barren and an Angel of the Lord prophesied of his birth and mission. (Judges 13) 2. Samson kills a lion with his bare hands. Miraculous strength was a gift of the spirit: And the Spirit of the Lord came mightily upon him, and he rent him as he would have rent a kid, and he had nothing in his hand: but he told not his father or his mother what he had done. (Judges 14:6) 3. Revealing Holy Secrets to the enemies of God can lead to our destruction: The source of Samson s strength was a holy secret that Samson gave to Delilah. As a result, Samson lost his gift and was killed by his enemies. 4. Samson s hair represented the Covenant he made with God: His hair was the symbol of his covenant with God and to cut his hair meant to cut the covenant. Thus, breaking covenants leads to losing our gifts and being delivered to our enemies. 5. Samson put his own desires ahead of Gods: If we place our own desires ahead of the Lord s will, then we will not reach our divine potential. Samson was given a great gift but he used that gift for evil and to satisfy his own will. As a result, he lost his gift and was ultimately killed.

180 Setting: In the Land of Canaan, the Danites seek a new inheritance in the city of Laish. They conquer it and rename it Dan. Story Summary Chapter 17: A man named Micah has a house of gods (images) and consecrates his own priests. He hires a Levite to be one of his priests and believes that God will bless him for this action. Judges 7-Micah and the Danites (Judges 17-18) Chapter 18: The Danites send men to seek out land for a larger inheritance and some dwell with Micah. They ask the Levite, who lives with Micah, to bless their journey and he does so. The Danites believe they find some land inhabited by the Zidonians so they send 600 armed men to take the land. On the way, the 600 men stop at Micah s house and ask for the Levite to become their priest and he agrees. Micah sends a battalion of men to stop the Danites but the Danites were too many so Micah returns home. The Danites arrive at Laish, kill all the inhabitants and rename the place Dan. They erect the graven images of Micah in the city. Notes 1. Micah s false gods destroyed a nation: Micah s creation of false Gods led to the Danites erecting them in their city and then worshipping them until the captivity of the land. (Judges 18) 2. Micah worshipped God as he wanted and not as God had commanded: Micah thought he could create his own gods and hire his own priests and that God would favor him for it. Worshipping God in our own way is vanity as God did not bless Micah s actions. 3. The Danites received false blessings from the Levite Priest: The Danites got the Levite Priest to bless their journey, but it was not the will of God. As a result, a peaceful town was destroyed.

181 Judges 8- Israel s Civil War with Benjamin (Judges 19-21) Setting: In the Land of Canaan, the men of Gibeah rape a Levite s wife which starts a war between all the tribes of Israel and the tribe of Benjamin. Story Summary Chapter 19: A Levite s concubine returns to her father. Her husband takes her back, and they lodge overnight in Gibeah. While staying overnight, local men of Gibeah demand that the Levite come out so that they can have sex with him. The man who is hosting the Levite tells them to take his daughter and the Levites concubine and rape them instead. The men of Gilbeah rape the concubine all night and then she dies. The Levite husband cuts her into twelve pieces and sends them to the tribes of Israel. Chapter 20: All of Israel gather to discuss the sickening and atrocious acts of the Benjamites. The Levite husband tells them his story and Israel decides to kill the men of Gibeah for the atrocious rape and murder of the concubine. They send an army to the land of the Benjamites and demand they hand over the men of Gibeah but the Benjamites refuse. The Israelites seek direction from God who tells them Judah should lead the Israelite armies against Benjamin. Israel attacks Benjamin but Benjamin is victorious in the first and second battles so Israel retreats and asks God if they should continue the war. God tells them to continue the war and he will deliver Benjamin on the next day. Israel sends a battalion to hide around Gibeah and lures out the armies of Benjamin away from the city. While away, the battalion around Gibeah enters the city and destroys it and the Benjamites are surrounded. 25, 000 Benjamites are killed and all their cities are destroyed. Only 600 Benjamites survive and hide in the wilderness. Chapter 21: Israel mourns the destruction of the tribe of Benjamin and realize that the people of Jabesh-gilead had not honored their oath to send solders to fight in the war. They decide to kill everyone who lived there but to spare the virgins and give them as wives to the surviving Benjamites. There aren t enough wives still so the Israelites tell the Benjamites to kidnap women who dance in Shiloh and they will turn a blind eye to it so that the Benjamites can have more wives. Notes 1. A Dark time in Israel: In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes. (Judges 21:25 ) 2. Descriptive not prescriptive: This is a shameful and disgusting episode in Israelites history and is recorded as a descriptive narrative but their actions are not endorsed by God.

182 The Book of Ruth Setting: In the country of Moab and then in Bethlehem. Story Summary Chapter 1: During the period of the Judges rule, there was a famine in the land. During this famine, Elimelech and Naomi (two Israelites) went to live in Moab with their two sons: Mahlon and Chilion. Elimelech died and then their two sons took Moabite wives: Orpah and Ruth and dwelled there for 10 years. After Mahlon and Chilion died, Naomi was left with her 2 daughters-in-law and they decided to return to the land of Judah. Naomi tells them to leave her as she cannot provide them with new husbands so Orpah leaves but Ruth refuses to leave and declares that only death will part them. Ruth says that wherever Naomi goes she will go and that Naomi s God will be her God. Naomi accepts Ruth s devotion and they both return to Bethlehem. Naomi tells everyone to call her Mara as she believes the Lord has cursed her as she hast lost her entire family. Chapter 2: Naomi had a wealthy relative, through Elimelech s side, named Boaz so Ruth asked Naomi if she could gather leftover corn from his fields. Naomi agrees and Ruth goes to glean corn in the field of Boaz. Boaz sees Ruth gleaning corn and asks his servants who she is. His servants tell him about Ruth s devotion to Naomi and Boaz tells Ruth that she is welcome to glean the fields and stay amongst them. Ruth asks why she has found grace in his sight and he says it is because of her devotion to Naomi. Boaz invites her to eat and drink with his servants and tells his servants to leave her good barley stalks and to let her do as she pleases. Ruth goes home and brings Naomi some food and tells her of the kindness of Boaz. Naomi tells her to continue working in Boaz s field until the end of the harvest. Chapter 3: Naomi tells Ruth that she thinks she should try and get Boaz to be her husband so she tells Ruth to wash and anoint herself and wear her best clothes and to go and visit him one night. Ruth visits Boaz as he is guarding his harvest and she uncovers his feet and asks him to marry her as he is a close relative of Naomi. Boaz says that Ruth has a nearer relative whose duty it is to marry her, but if he doesn t then Boaz says he will take Ruth as a wife. Ruth returns home and tells Naomi of what had transpired. Chapter 4: The next morning, Boaz finds the nearest kinsman and gathers 10 elders of Israel to settle the matter. He tells the kinsman that Naomi has some land to sell and that Ruth needs a husband and it would be his duty to give Ruth a child but that child would be raised as the son of Mahlon. The nearest kinsmen turns down the offer and gives Boaz his shoe as a sign that Boaz may get the land and marry Ruth. Boaz and Ruth get married and then Ruth conceives a son and an heir for Naomi. That son was named Obed, who would be the grandfather of King David and ultimately an ancestor of Jesus Christ. Notes

183 1. Ruth s Devotion to Naomi: And Ruth said, Entreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God: Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the Lord do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me. (Ruth 1: 16-17) 2. Ruth is rewarded for her devotion to Israel by Boaz: And Boaz answered and said unto her, It hath fully been shewed me, all that thou hast done unto thy mother in law since the death of thine husband: and how thou hast left thy father and thy mother, and the land of thy nativity, and art come unto a people which thou knewest not heretofore. The Lord recompense thy work, and a full reward be given thee of the Lord God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust. (Ruth 2: 11-12) 3. New Converts who leave their land and culture will receive a full reward of the God of Israel: Many new converts give up their families and cultures to join the church. Like Ruth, they will be recompensed by God and be given a full reward. 4. Ruth was known as a virtuous woman: And now, my daughter, fear not; I will do to thee all that thou requirest: for all the city of my people doth know that thou art a virtuous woman. (Ruth 3:11) 5. God provided for Ruth and Naomi: Naomi believed she was being cursed as she had lost her family but God recompensed her and made her an ancestor of King David and Jesus Christ. 6. Great trials precede Great Blessings: God always knew that Naomi and Ruth would be given the great honor of being ancestors to David and Jesus. However, he tried their faith first and allowed great trials to come upon them. Often times, great trials precede great blessings. 7. The Greatest King of Israel came from a foreign woman: The greatest King of Israel - the symbol of faithfulness to God - comes from a Moabite woman - a foreigner named Ruth.

184 OLD TESTAMENT SUMMARY 1 & 2 SAMUEL 1 Samuel 1. Samuel the Boy Prophet. (1-3) 2. War with the Philistines and losing the Ark (4-7) 3. Anointing of King Saul. (8-10) 4. Reign of King Saul (14-15) 5. David and Goliath. (16-17) 6. Saul Hunts David. (18-24) 7. The End of Saul s Reign. (25-31) 2 Samuel 1. David s Reign over a Divided Kingdom (1-4) 2. David s Reign over a United Kingdom (5-10) 3. David and Bathsheba. (11-12) 4. Absalom s Rebellion. (13-20) 5. The End of David s Reign. (21-24) A TESTAMENT OF JESUS CHRIST

185 1 Samuel 1-Samuel the Boy Prophet (Chapters 1-3) Setting: In Elkanah s house in Ramah and then in Shiloh at the House of the Lord. Story Summary Chapter 1: A man named Elkanah has two wives: Peninnah who bore many children and Hannah who was barren. Elkanah and his family would travel regularly to worship at the temple and Hannah would be mocked for her barrenness by some of the people. Hannah becomes so sorrowful that she prays to the Lord at the temple and says that she will give her child to the Lord if He heals her of her barrenness. Eli, the high priest, hears her and blesses her that God will hear her petition. Hannah returns home and she miraculously conceives and tells her husband she is going to stay home from the next trip to the temple because the next time she returns she is going to give her son to the Lord. Hannah weans Samuel and then returns to the temple and offers her son to be a servant of the Lord for his whole life. Chapter 2: Hannah sings a song of Praise to the Lord. Samuel serves the Lord faithfully before Eli, the High Priest, but Eli s sons Hophni and Phinehas do not worship God but serve idols and commit many sins. They take more from sacrifices than they are supposed to and commit many whoredoms. Hannah continues to visit every year and Samuel grows up before the Lord. Hannah is blessed with 5 more children because of her faithfulness in sacrificing Samuel. Eli confronts his sons about their wickedness but his sons do not listen and Eli does not do enough to correct them. As a result, God sends a messenger to pronounce judgment upon Eli s household and declares that none of his household shall live to an old age and that his sons will both die soon on the same day. He also promises that God will raise up a new High Priest who will do His will. Chapter 3: Samuel grew and continued to serve the Lord faithfully. One night, he went to sleep and heard a voice in the night calling his name. Samuel thought it was Eli so he went to see what he wanted but Eli told him he did not call him and to go back to sleep. Samuel heard the voice calling him 2 more times and went unto Eli two more times until Eli realized that it was the Lord that was calling Samuel. Eli tells Samuel it is God speaking to him and to say: Speak Lord, thy servant heareth the next time he hears the voice. Samuel does as Eli tells him and the Lord tells Samuel about the judgments awaiting Eli s house because of the wickedness of Eli s sons and his failure to do anything to correct them. Samuel goes back to sleep and then awakes and tells Eli of his vision. Eli knows the message is from God and accepts the judgment that is upon him. Samuel continues to grow and is blessed by the Lord and becomes a great prophet that everyone recognizes. Chapter 4: Israel goes to war with the Philistines and loses a great battle. As a result, they return and get the Ark of the Covenant for their next battle and the Philistines become afraid that God is with the Hebrews. Israel fights but even with the ark they lose 30,000 men and are defeated. Eli s sons Hophni and Phinehas are killed and the ark is carried away by the Philistines. A messenger returns to Shiloh and tells Eli of the death of his sons

186 and the loss of the Ark of the Covenant. Eli, who was 98, is grief stricken and dies. His daughter-in-law has a son named Ichabod and then dies. Notes 1. Hannah makes a covenant with the Lord to give her child to serve Him if He heals her barrenness: And she vowed a vow, and said, O Lord of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid, and remember me, and not forget thine handmaid, but wilt give unto thine handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the Lord all the days of his life, and there shall no razor come upon his head. (1 Sam 1:11) 2. God gives us trials that can only be overcome with miracles at times. Great trials precede great blessings: Hannah was barren and there was nothing that could be done to change that. She turned to the Lord and the Lord turned her barrenness into great fruitfulness as her son would become a great prophet. 3. Hannah encourages us not to be arrogant for God knows all: Talk no more so exceeding proudly; let not arrogancy come out of your mouth: for the Lord is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed. (1 Sam 2:3) 4. The First Shall be last and the last shall be first. Those that seem more blessed may struggle and those that seem cursed may prosper in the end. God will balance the scales according to His judgments. They that were full have hired out themselves for bread; and they that were hungry ceased: so that the barren hath born seven; and she that hath many children is waxed feeble 7 The Lord maketh poor, and maketh rich: he bringeth low, and lifteth up. (1 Sam 2:5,7) 5. The Lord chastises Eli for honoring his sons above God: Wherefore kick ye at my sacrifice and at mine offering, which I have commanded in my habitation; and honourest thy sons above me, to make yourselves fat with the chiefest of all the offerings of Israel my people? (1 Sam 2:29) 6. God will remove his servants that do not do His will. Even God s chosen servants can sin and fall: And I will raise me up a faithful priest that shall do according to that which is in mine heart and in my mind: and I will build him a sure house; and he shall walk before mine anointed for ever. (1 Sam 2:35) 7. Samuel was attentive and obedient the voice of the Lord: Therefore Eli said unto Samuel, Go, lie down: and it shall be, if he call thee, that thou shalt say, Speak, Lord; for thy servant heareth. So Samuel went and lay down in his place. (1 Sam 3:9) 8. The Consequences of Permissive Parenting: For I have told him that I will judge his house for ever for the iniquity which he knoweth; because his sons made themselves vile, and he restrained them not. (1 Sam 3:13)

187 9. The Relics of God lose their power when wielded unrighteously: The Ark had been a conduit through which many miracles had been done but when the Israelites tried to use it against the will of God it did not benefit them.

188 1 Samuel 2-War with the Philistines and Losing the Ark (Chapters 4-7) Setting: In cities throughout Israel and in the Land of the Philistines. Story Summary Chapter 4: Israel goes to war with the Philistines and loses a great battle. As a result, they return and get the Ark of the Covenant for their next battle and the Philistines become afraid that God is with the Hebrews. Israel fights but even with the ark they lose 30,000 men and are defeated. Eli s sons Hophni and Phinehas are killed and the ark is carried away by the Philistines. A messenger returns to Shiloh and tells Eli of the death of his sons and the loss of the Ark of the Covenant. Eli, who was 98, is grief stricken and dies. His daughter-in-law has a son named Ichabod and then dies. Chapter 5: The Philistines brought the Ark back to Ashdod and put it in the temple to one of their Gods, Dagon. The next day, they arose to find that the statue of Dagon had fallen on its face before the Ark of the Lord. The Lord then began smiting the Philistines of Ashdod for desecrating the Ark so they sent it to Gath and the Ekron but the Lord smote the inhabitants of each city when the Ark was there. The Philistines realized they could not keep the ark so they decided to send it back to Israel. Chapter 6: The Philistines all gather together and call their priests and diviners and ask them what to do about the Ark. They decide to send a cart back to Israel along with the Ark and some gold for a trespass offering. The Ark arrives on a cart of oxen in the land of Beth-shemesh and it is received by the Levites there. Unfortunately, 70 men looked into the Ark, who were not authorized to do so, and they were all killed. Chapter 7: The men of Kirjath-jearim eventually came and retrieved the ark and put it in the house of Abinadab for 20 years. Samuel exhorts Israel to repent and says that God will deliver them from the Philistines if they sotp worshipping idols and turn back to God. Samuel then gathered Israel to Mizpeh and then the Philistines attacked them. The Israelites asked Samuel to pray to God on their behalf and Samuel does so and the Lord hears his prayer. The Lord then thundered before the Philistines and broke their morale so that Israel pursued them and destroyed them. The Lord afflicted the Philistines all the days of Samuel and the Israelites took back their lands that they had lost to the Philistines. Samuel continued to judge Israel for the rest of his life. Notes 1. The Relics of God lose their power when wielded unrighteously: The Ark had been a conduit through which many miracles had been done but when the Israelites tried to use it against the will of God it did not benefit them.

189 2. The Lord Delivers and Preserves us when we repent: The Lord rescued the Israelites at Mizpeh and it is written that He preserved them against the Philistines during the life of Samuel. (1 Samuel 7)

190 Setting: In the House of Saul s Father and then in Mizpeh. Story Summary Chapter 8: Samuel s sets his sons as judges over 1 Samuel 3-The Anointing of King Saul (Chapters 8-10) Israel but they are corrupt judges as take bridges and pervert judgment. The people of Israel then gather together and demand that Samuel give them a king as Samuel is getting old and his sons are not worthy of replacing him as judge. Samuel is displeased and seeks the Lords guidance. The Lord tells Samuel that the people have rejected Him and to allow them to have a king but to first tell them of the burdens the king will put upon them. Samuel tells the people the will of the Lord but they reject it and demand a king. Samuel then sets out to find a King for Israel. Chapter 9: Saul was a Benjamite and he was much taller than most Israelites. One day his father told him that their donkeys had been lost so Saul sets off to find those donkeys and takes a servant with him. Saul has a hard time finding the donkeys and is about to return home when his servant tells him he knows of a prophet in the area who can help him find the donkeys. Meanwhile, the Lord had told Samuel to look for a Benjamite to make captain over Israel. When Samuel met Saul, he knew that this was the man the Lord spoke of. Saul was in disbelief as he tells Samuel he is from the smallest tribe and of one of the smallest families of that tribe. Samuel continues to eat with Saul and sends the servant away so that they can discuss God s plan. Chapter 10: Samuel anoints Saul with oil and makes him captain of the Israelite host. Saul is skeptical that he is really called of God so Samuel tells him of three signs that will occur to confirm this call: (1) he will meet two men who will tell him that his donkeys are safe (2) He will meet three men carrying different things and (3) Saul will meet a company of prophets and the spirit will come upon him and open his mouth to prophesy with them. All of what Samuel prophesied came true and Saul started to believe Samuel. Samuel then called all of Israel together at Mizpeh and told them that they had rejected the Lord so they would now have a king. He calls on Saul, who tries to hide, but since he s taller than everyone they find him and make him King of Israel. Notes 1. The people demanded a king to take care of them: And said unto him, Behold, thou art old, and thy sons walk not in thy ways: now make us a king to judge us like all the nations (1 Sam 8:5) That we also may be like all the nations; and that our king may judge us, and go out before us, and fight our battles. (1 Sam 8: 20)

191 2. It is not the will of the Lord that we should have a king. Only God should be our king: But the thing displeased Samuel, when they said, Give us a king to judge us. And Samuel prayed unto the Lord. And the Lord said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them. (1 Sam 8: 6-7) 3. The Samuel Principle: God will give us what we ask for, even if it is against His will. He respects our agency: And the Lord said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them. (1 Sam 8: 6-7) 4. The Israelites chose an earthly king over their heavenly king: God said that the Israelites had rejected Him because they sought an earthly king.

192 1 Samuel 4-The Reign of King Saul (Chapters 11-15) Setting: In the House of Saul s Father and then in Mizpeh. Story Summary Chapter 11: Nahash, an Ammonite king, besieges the people of Jabeshgilead. The Israelites attempt to make peace but Nahash says only if every Israelite gauges out their right eyes. Messengers are sent to Saul who tell him about the situation and he angered so he cuts up his oxen and sends it to Israel saying that the same will be done to their oxen if they don t come fight with him. 330,000 Israelites answer his call and go to battle with the Ammonites and defeat them soundly. The people celebrate and anoint Saul King of Israel in Gilgal. Chapter 12: Samuel speaks to the host of Israel and they agree that he has been a righteous judge. He recounts a bit of their history and exhorts them to keep the commandments and be blessed or to break them and be cursed. Samuel then calls down thunder and lightning s as a witness that the Israelites were wicked in asking for a king and warns them they will be destroyed if they turn away from God. Chapter 13: Saul and his son Jonathan defeat a Philistine Garrison in Geba. The Philistines retaliate by gathering a massive army to go to war so many Israelites begin hiding in caves and forests. Saul becomes anxious so he sends for Samuel to offer a sacrifice to the Lord but Samuel does not come so Saul does it himself. Samuel arrives shortly afterwards and tells Saul that because he made this unauthorized sacrifice God will remove him as king. Samuel leaves Saul with only 600 men to fight the Philistines. Chapter 14: Jonathan and his assistant go to scout out the Philistines. They decide that if the Philistines see them and tell them to fight that they will as this will be a sign that God has delivered them. Jonathan and his Armor bearer defeat 20 Philistines and an earthquake accompanies their attack. Saul and the Israelites realize what is happening so they attack the Philistine garrison and defeat them. The Philistines flee and Saul declares that none may eat until he is fully avenged. Jonathan doesn t hear him and eats some honey and the rest of the Israelites are finally given permission to eat. Saul seeks counsel from God but God does not answer so Saul assumes someone in the congregation has sinned. Saul discovers that Jonathan tasted some honey so Saul sentences him to death. The Israelites tell Saul not to kill Jonathan as the Lord was clearly with him this day and he led them in victory. Saul continues to lead the Israelites in battle against the surrounding people. War with the Philistines continues throughout the reign of Saul. His sons are: Jonathan, Ishui and Melchi-shua; his daughters are Merab and Michal. Saul s wife is named Ahimaaz. Chapter 15: Samuel commands Saul to go out and destroy the Amalekites and to spare none. Saul gathers an army of 210,000 men and goes to battle but he tells the Kenites to leave before they destroy the Amalekites

193 which they do. Saul destroys everything but he allows king Agag to live and does not destroy the herds of the Amalekites. The Lord tells Samuel He is not happy with Saul s actions as king as he did not obey the command to destroy the Amalekites with exactness. Samuel tells Saul that the Lord is not pleased but Saul excuses his actions saying they took the animals to sacrifice to God. Samuel tells Saul that to obey is better than sacrifice and Saul confesses that he feared the people more than God and that s why he let them keep the animals. Samuel declares that Saul will be removed as King and then kills Agag himself to comply with Gods command. Notes 1. The hand of the Lord is against those who break their covenants: But if ye will not obey the voice of the Lord, but rebel against the commandment of the Lord, then shall the hand of the Lord be against you, as it was against your fathers. (1 Sam 12:15) 2. Saul is removed as king for making an unauthorized sacrifice to the Lord: But now thy kingdom shall not continue: the Lord hath sought him a man after his own heart, and the Lord hath commanded him to be captain over his people, because thou hast not kept that which the Lord commanded thee. (1 Sam 13:14) 3. To obey is better than sacrifice. God prefers obedience to His commandments over ritual: And Samuel said, Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. (1 Sam 15:22) 4. Rebellion and Stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry to the Lord: For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the Lord, he hath also rejected thee from being king. (1 Sam 15:23) 5. Saul feared the people more than God and this led to his downfall: And Saul said unto Samuel, I have sinned: for I have transgressed the commandment of the Lord, and thy words: because I feared the people, and obeyed their voice. (1 Sam 15:24) 6. Samuel pronounces the death penalty upon Agag: And Samuel said, As thy sword hath made women childless, so shall thy mother be childless among women. And Samuel hewed Agag in pieces before the Lord in Gilgal. (1 Sam 15:33)

194 1 Samuel 5-David and Goliath (Chapters 16-17) Setting: Samuel travels to Bethlehem to visit the House of Jesse and then David goes to Saul s Palace. The Israelites battle the Philistines at Shochoh in Judah. Story Summary Chapter 16: The Lord tells Samuel to go to Bethlehem as He has chosen one of the sons of Jesse to replace Saul as King. Samuel is afraid Saul will kill him so the Lord tells him just to tell Saul he is making a sacrifice to the Lord in Bethlehem. Samuel arrives and sees the sons of Jesse and assumes that Eliab, a large and imposing man, must be king. The Lord tells Samuel that Eliab is not the man for the Lord Judges according to the heart and not according to the outward appearance. Jesse brings forth the rest of his sons before Samuel and Samuel tells him that none of these are to be king. Jesse says there is one last son for Samuel to see, the youngest shepherd boy named David. David comes before Samuel and Samuel immediately recognizes David to be the next king so he anoints him with oil and the spirit of the Lord came upon David. Meanwhile, back in Saul s court, his servants realize that he is beginning to go mad so they suggest he find a musician who can soothe him. David is known to be a musician so David is chosen as Saul s armor bearer and personal musician. Chapter 17: The Israelites gathered for war with the Philistines in a place called Shochoh where a valley separated the Israelites host from the Philistine host. The Philistines nominated a champion named Goliath of Gath, who was 9 feet 6 inches tall, and was arrayed in impressive battle armor. Every day this giant would come out and challenge the hosts of Israel to nominate a champion to fight him and if they could defeat him the Philistines would be servants of the Israelites. However, if he defeated the Israelite champion, the Israelites were to be servants to the Philistines. Goliath kept issuing this challenge every day for 40 days and no Israelite dared fight him. One day, Jesse told his son David to go and bring his brothers some provisions as they were part of the Israelites army. When David arrived, he heard the challenge issued by Goliath and resolved to answer it himself. David s brothers mocked him and Saul did not think David could fight Goliath until David told him that he killed a lion and a bear and that God would deliver Goliath into his hands. Saul finally agrees to let David fight and tries to give him the best armor he can find but David says he can t wear it as he is not used to it. David instead took a staff, a sling and five stones to go against the mighty giant Goliath. David then went before Goliath to answer his challenge and Goliath was offended that David had come only with a staff and sling so he curses him. David responds that Goliath has come with weapons of man but he has come armed with the Spirit of God. Goliath charges at David but David slings a stone at Goliath s forehead and kills him instantly. David then took Goliath s sword and cut off his head causing the Philistines to flee in terror. The Israelites were emboldened by David s victory so they chased after the Philistines and began destroying

195 them. David returns to Saul with the head of Goliath and Saul asks David who his father is and David responds that Jesse is his father. Notes 1. The Lord judges us according to our hearts and not our outward appearance: But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart. (1 Sam 16:7) 2. Once again, the Lord chooses those that the world would reject to make great: Jesse didn t even think to bring David before Samuel as he just assumed David could not be king. The Lord chose a young shepherd boy to be the next King but nobody else would have. (1 Sam 16) 3. David was anointed with consecrated oil and set apart by Priesthood power: Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of the Lord came upon David from that day forward. (1 Sam 16:13) 4. Music soothes the soul: And it came to pass, when the evil spirit from God was upon Saul, that David took an harp, and played with his hand: so Saul was refreshed, and was well, and the evil spirit departed from him. (1 Sam 16:23) 5. David responds to Goliath s challenge with incredible faith: And David spake to the men that stood by him, saying, what shall be done to the man that killeth this Philistine, and taketh away the reproach from Israel? For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God? (1 Sam 17:26) 6. David convinces Saul that he can beat Goliath with the help of God: David said moreover, The Lord that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine. And Saul said unto David, Go, and the Lord be with thee. (1 Sam 17:37) 7. Being armed with the spirit of God is greater than any weapon that man can form: Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied. (1 Sam 17:45) 8. The Lord often delivers His people through unconventional means: And all this assembly shall know that the Lord saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the Lord s, and he will give you into our hands. (1 Sam 17:47) 9. How to defeat the Goliath s in our lives: Goliath is a symbol for what might seem like an insurmountable obstacle in our lives. David defeated Goliath through faith, courage and reliance on God. Like David, we can overcome the impossible with faith, courage and reliance on God.

196 1 Samuel 6-Saul Hunts David (Chapters 18-24) Setting: David avoids death in the house of Saul and flees to Ramah. He travels throughout Israel, hiding in forests and cave from Saul s hunting party. Story Summary Chapter 18: David and Jonathan (Saul s Son) become best friends and David is made captain over the armies of Israel. The people of Israel start to say that Saul had slain thousands but David tens of thousands and Saul became jealous of David from that day forward. The next time David sang for him, Saul tried to kill him with a javelin but the Lord protected David. Saul then resolves to kill David by sending him to war with the Philistines. Saul backtracks on his promise that whoever kills Goliath could marry his daughter and gives his firstborn to another. However, Saul approves David marrying his daughter Michal as he believes she can be a snare unto David. He tells David that he can marry Michal if he brings him 100 philistine foreskins, as Saul believes David will fall in battle. David kills 200 Philistines and brings Saul the foreskins and then marries Michal. Chapter 19: Saul tells his son Jonathan and the rest of his servants to kill David but Jonathan warns David instead and speaks to Saul and convinces him not to kill David for the time being. David returns from hiding to Saul s house, once again, and continues to lead the Israelites in victories against the Philistines and becomes more famous. Saul tries to kill David yet again by throwing javelins at him while he is playing music but David avoids them and hides. His wife Michal helps stall the guards by creating a dummy and putting it in their bed and telling them that David is sick. Saul discovers the deception but Michal tells him that David threatened to kill her so that s why she helped him. David escapes to Ramah and dwells with Samuel and tells him of Saul s madness. Saul sends 3 groups of messengers to Ramah and all prophesy and then Saul personally goes to Ramah but when he arrives, strips naked and prophesies and lies in the streets all night. Chapter 20: Jonathan promises David that he will do everything he can to protect him. They make a covenant that David will be kind to the house of Saul when God destroys all of his enemies. David knows he must go to a feast with the king soon so Jonathan makes a plan to let David know of Saul s intentions before the feast. He tells David to hide by a rock before the feast and he will shoot 3 arrows near the rock that will tell him what to do. Jonathan goes to feast with his father and lies to him about where David is saying that David went to Bethlehem to offer sacrifices. Saul is enraged at Jonathan and hurls a javelin at him but Jonathan escapes and warns David of Saul s intentions. Jonathan and David weep together and then David departs. Chapter 21: David travels to house of Ahimelech, a priest, and tells him he is on a secret mission for Saul and asks for food and weapons. He takes the sword of Goliath and then travels to Gath to meet with the Philistine

197 king Achish of Gath to ask for help. David realizes this was a bad idea when he is discovered to be an Israelite general so he pretends that he is crazy and the king believes it and sends him away. Chapter 22: David hides in a cave and gathers 400 discontented Israelites and becomes a captain over them, while he hides his parents in Moab from the wrath of Saul. While in the cave, a prophet named Gad tells David he has to flee to Judah to be safe so David does so. Meanwhile, in the house of Saul, Saul blames his servants for not knowing Jonathan was helping David so Doeg the Edomite tells Saul that Ahimelech helped David with provisions. Saul calls Ahimelech and his house before him and questions them and tells his men to kill them for not knowing that David was out of favor with the king. Saul s men refuse to kill the priests so Doeg the Edomite kills them and destroys the entire city of Nob where Ahimelech and the priests lived. One priest, Abiathar, escapes and joins David and David apologizes and promises to protect him. Chapter 23: David learns that the Philistines are raiding the Israelite city of Keilah so he asks God if he should go and defeat the Philistines and God tells him to do so and promises victory. David defeats the Philistines and rescues the city of Keilah but Saul learns of this and plans to come and kill David there. David prays to God, asking if the people of Keilah will give him up and the Lord tells him that they will, even though he just saved them. David takes his 600 men and hides in the forest and continues moving and hiding from Saul. Jonathan finds David and encourages him saying that he will one day be King of Israel and not to fear. David flees and hides from Saul continually until Saul receives word that the Israelites are being attacked by the Philistines so he leaves his pursuit of David to fight them. Chapter 24: Saul continues pursuing David with 3000 men into the wilderness of En-gedi. When he arrives, Saul goes into a cave to go pee but doesn t realize that David and his men are in that cave and they surround him and have his life in their hands. David cuts off part of Saul s skirt but refuses to kill him and instead lets him leave the cave safely. When Saul leaves, David chases him and reasons with him that he was able to kill Saul and yet he chose not to, proving that he is not Saul s enemy. Saul is impressed with David s righteousness and declares that surely David will be king one day and asks David not to cut off his house when he is. David agrees and the two depart in a covenant of peace. Notes 1. Jonathan loved David as his own soul: And Jonathan caused David to swear again, because he loved him: for he loved him as he loved his own soul. (1 Sam 20:17) 2. David refuses to take vengeance on Saul and leaves it in the hands of God to do so: The Lord judge between me and thee, and the Lord avenge me of thee: but mine hand shall not be upon thee. (1 Sam 24:12) 3.

198 1 Samuel 7-The End of Saul s Reign (Chapters 25-31) Setting: David travels around Israel continuing to avoid Saul and then goes to the land of the Philistines to live with them for a while. Story Summary Chapter 25: Samuel dies and is buried in Ramah and Israel mourns over him. David travels to Carmel and asks a local named Nabal for some provisions for his army as he has been protecting Nabal s shepherds. Nabal rejects David s offer so David resolves to come and kill Nabal. Nabal s wife Abigail hears of her husband s rejection so she secretly sends David provisions and then visits him and begs him not to attack her household. David agrees and Abigail returns home and it is written that the Lord smote Nabal 10 days later and then David took Abigail as his wife. David also took another woman named Ahinoam as a wife so he had 2 wives at this point because Saul gave his old wife Michal to another man. Chapter 26: Saul gathers an army and, yet again, seeks to kill David in the wilderness of Ziph. David s spies find out where Saul is camped so David and Abishai surround him at night but David refuses to kill him yet again declaring that God will remove His anointed. David wakes Saul up and lets him know that once again, he could have killed him but chose not to. Saul blesses David and says David will still prevail and that he will no longer seek to harm David. Chapter 27: David doesn t believe that Saul will leave him alone so he flees to the land of the Philistines and goes again unto the King of Gath named Achish. King Achish agrees to let David be his servant and live in a place called Ziklag. David and his men raid the surrounding locals and utterly destroy their towns so that no witnesses are left alive. David lies to Achish and says that he has raided Israelite cities and Achish believes him. Chapter 28: The Philistines gather for war against Israel and Achish tells David he must fight for the Philistines. Meanwhile, Saul gathers the armies of Israel to battle the Philistines but when he sees their armies he is greatly afraid. Saul, who had previously had all the wizards and sorcerers in the land killed, resolves to seek out the witch of Endor for guidance as God is not answering him. Saul disguises himself and then goes to the witch but she knows it is Saul and tells him that she won t do it because he is laying a trap for her. Saul promises not to punish her so she summons the spirit of Samuel who tells Saul that he and his sons will die the next day and Israel will be destroyed by the Philistines in battle. Saul collapses after the vision and then eats a meal and departs.

199 Chapter 29: The Lords of the Philistines realize that David and his Hebrews are living amongst them and they demand that Achish send them away as they don t trust the Hebrews not to turn on them in battle. David objects as he wishes to fight with the Philistines but Achish sends David to return to the land of the Philistines he is living in. Chapter 30: While David and his men were marching with the Philistines, the Amalekites raided Ziklag and took their families captive and burned their city to the ground. David and his army lament and the people are tempted to stone David. However, David prays and the Lord tells him to pursue the Amalekites and he will be able to rescue every single captive. David leads his men and 200 of them are tired and need to stay behind. The other 400 overtake the Amalekites and destroy all but 400 who escape on camels. David recovers every captive and item that was plundered and decides that even those men who stayed behind still got equal share of the spoils of war. David also sends some of the spoils to surrounding Israelites settlements as gifts. Chapter 31: The Israelites and Philistines battle and it s a massacre as Israel is slaughtered. Saul s sons are killed and then Saul is severely wounded so he kills himself before the Philistines can capture him. The Israelites in the surrounding settlements fled and the Philistines took their cities and put Saul s body in their temple as a trophy. Some of the Israelites heard of what they did to Saul s body so they infiltrate the Philistine temple and take his body down and burn it. Notes 1. David let God execute vengeance for him: David was tempted to slay Nabal for wronging him but the Lord sent Abigail to restrain him from committing evil. 10 days later, the Lord took vengeance on Nabal Himself. Vengeance belongs to the Lord and not to us. 2. David refuses to take vengeance on Saul and leaves it in the hands of God to do so: The Lord judge between me and thee, and the Lord avenge me of thee: but mine hand shall not be upon thee. (1 Sam 24:12) 3. The Lord will remove His own anointed that have fallen away and not leave it to someone else: And David said to Abishai, Destroy him not: for who can stretch forth his hand against the Lord s anointed, and be guiltless? David said furthermore, As the Lord liveth, the Lord shall smite him; or his day shall come to die; or he shall descend into battle, and perish. (1 Sam 26: 9-10) 4. A tragic end for those who do not obey the Lord: Saul is a sad example of a man who was anointed and then fell away and his house was left desolate. God is no respecter of persons and will remove even kings He has anointed if they do not obey Him.

200 2 Samuel 1-David s Reign over a Divided Kingdom (Chapters 1-4) Setting: David is anointed King of Judah and moves to Hebron. Story Summary Chapter 1: An Amalekite messenger travels to Ziklag and lets David know that Saul and Jonathan are dead. David asks him how and the Amalekite tells him that Saul asked him to kill him as he was wounded. David mourns and orders the Amalekite killed for doing that. He laments their loss with a tribute. Chapter 2: David moves to Hebron and is anointed king over the House of Judah but Abner, a captain in Saul s army, makes Saul s son Ishbosheth King over all of Israel. Ishbosheth will only reign 2 years but David will reign in Judah for 7. David s army meets some of Abner s men at the Pools of Gilead and a battle breaks out where Abner and his men begin to flee. David s men chase them and kill 360 of them while only 20 of David s men die. Eventually Abner convinces Joab to stop chasing them and to stop the bloodshed and he returns home. Chapter 3: The Civil war continues and David s house becomes stronger while Saul s weakens. David has 6 sons with five different wives (Amnon, Absalom, Adonijah all play important roles). Meanwhile, in the House of Saul, Abner is scolded by Ishbosheth for sleeping with one of Saul s concubines so Abner decides to defect over to David. He writes a letter to David asking to defect and David agrees as long as Abner brings Michal, his former wife, with him. Abner agrees and brings Michal with him but her husband follows behind her weeping until Abner forces him to return. Abner arrives in Hebron and David throws a feast for him and then David sends Abner to begin convincing the rest of Israel to unite behind him as king. Joab finds out (Abner killed his brother in the battle at Gilead) and protests to David saying that Abner is a spy. When Abner returns, Joab (without David s approval) murders Abner for killing his brother. David finds out and curses the house of Joab saying it will always be afflicted for this evil act. David mourns for Abner and the people believe he had nothing to do with it. Chapter 4: Jonathan had a son named Mephibosheth who was dropped as a baby when his nurse fled the Philistines, which made him lame. When Ishbosheth (King of Northern Kingdom) hears that Abner is dead he becomes very afraid. Two of his captains decide to kill him and take his head to David, expecting a reward for killing his enemy. David instead kills them for killing a righteous person and buries Isbosheth with Abner in Hebron. Notes 1. Revenge leads to cursing: Joab sought revenge on Abner for fairly killing his brother in battle. As a result, Joab s house was cursed for generations.

201 2 Samuel 2-David s Reign over a United Kingdom (Chapters 5-10) Setting: David is anointed King of all Israel and establishes himself in Jerusalem. Story Summary Chapter 5: All of Israel sends representatives to David in Hebron, asking him to be king over them. They anoint him King at the age of 30 and he reigns for 40 years. David then leads an army to Jerusalem and they fight the Jebusites and take the city and call it the City of David. David expands his kingdom and takes even more concubines and wives to himself. He has more children, Solomon and Nathan amongst them. The Philistines come to battle with David so he meets them and defeats them at Baal-perazim. The Philistines prepare to attack again so God tells David to March behind Philistine lines and when they hear the sound of marching in the trees to strike. They follow God s command and are victorious again. Chapter 6: David reclaims the Ark of the Covenant from Baael of Judah and then puts in a cart to take it back to Jerusalem. David and Israel play many instruments and dance before the ark. Unfortunately, the ark became unsteady and a man named Uzzah touched the ark to steady it and was struck dead for doing so. David becomes afraid of the ark and will not bring it into Jerusalem so it abides in the house of Obed-Edom for a time. Once David sees that Obed-Edom s house was blessed for having the ark, David order that it enter Jerusalem. When the ark enters, David famously dances in a loin cloth before the ark and makes his wife Michal despise him for it and accuses him of getting naked before the other maids. David says God chose him to be the ruler and he will humble himself before the Lord even further and the maids will honor him. Chapter 7: David realizes he lives in a nice palace but the ark is housed in a tent so he asks the prophet Nathan if he should build a temple. Nathan tells him to do so but then goes to sleep that night and the Lord tells Nathan to stop David from doing so for the Lord has ordained one of David s sons to build him a temple in the future. David then praises the Lord for making him King and asks Him to bless his house forever. Chapter 8: Under David s reign, the Kingdom of Israel expanded to include all of the land that was promised to Abraham. David defeats the Philistines, Moabites, Syrians, Ammonites, Amalekites and other surrounding peoples and he becomes a great king in the eyes of the world.

202 Chapter 9: David discovers that Mephibosheth, the lame son of Jonathan, still lives so he restores to him all of Saul s land because of the love he had for Jonathan. David says that Mephibosheth shall always eat at the kings table as one of David s sons. Chapter 10: The King of the Ammonites dies and his son Hanun takes the throne. David was friends with the king so he sends some envoys to comfort Hanun. Hanun s advisors convince him the Israelites are spies so he shaves their beards and cuts their clothes and sends them back in shame. The Ammonites know that David is not pleased so they gather an army composed of Syrians and other peoples and prepare for battle. The Israelites are victorious under Joab and Abishai s leadership. The Israelites pursuit the Syrian and Ammonite army to Helam and decimate them. From this time forward, the Syrians no longer would help the Ammonites and they sought peace with Israel. Notes 1. David takes more concubines and wives: And David took him more concubines and wives out of Jerusalem, after he was come from Hebron: and there were yet sons and daughters born to David. (5:13) 2. David moves the capital from Hebron to Jerusalem: It was during the reign of King David that Jerusalem became the capital of Israel. 3. Uzzah was struck dead for trying to correct the church without authority: Steadying the ark can be compared to trying to correct some perceived problem in the Church or with a leader without having the authority to do so. The result is often spiritual death. 4. Why was David denied the right to build a temple? In Chronicles, David told Solomon that God told him he had seen too much war and bloodshed to build a temple to God. (1 Chronicles 22:8) 5. The Abrahamic Covenant was fulfilled under King David: God promised that Abraham s descendants would control all of the land in the surrounding areas. Under King David, this became a reality but it has never been a reality since.

203 2 Samuel 3-David and Bathsheba (Chapters 11-12) Setting: David commits great sins in Jerusalem with Bathsheba and then conquers the Ammonite royal city. Story Summary Chapter 11: Joab continued leading the Israelites in battle against the Ammonites and David stayed in Jerusalem. David goes for a walk one night and sees a beautiful woman bathing so he sends messengers to find out who she is. He finds out that she is Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah the Hittite, so he has his messengers bring her to him and he commits adultery with her. Bathsheba conceives so David hatches a plan to bring her husband home to make it look like it is his child. Uriah is brought back but he refuses to lay with his wife as he doesn t believe it is proper while the rest of the armies of Israel are at war and sleeping on the floor. David then sends Uriah to deliver a message to Joab which says to put Uriah in the front lines of the worst battle and to let him die. Uriah delivers the message, Joab puts him in the front lines and Uriah dies along with many other Israelites warriors. Joab sends a messenger back to David telling him of the death of Uriah and the other warriors. Bathsheba mourns Uriah but then she marries David and they have a son. Chapter 12: The Lord sends the prophet Nathan to David to deliver him a message. Nathan tells David an allegory of rich man and a poor man. The rich man had many flocks while the poor man only had one little lamb. One day, a visitor came to the rich man so the rich man took the poor man s lamb and prepared a feast for the visitor instead of using some from his own flock. David is outraged and declares that the rich man should be put to death for such an evil act. Nathan declares that David is the rich man in the story and that God will curse him for his evil acts. God tells David that war will always be upon his house, his wives will be given to his neighbors and the child he has conceived with Bathsheba will die. Shortly afterwards, David s new son gets sick and despite David s fasting and prayers, he dies. David and Bathsheba have another son named Solomon and this one would be favored of the Lord. Meanwhile, Joab takes the royal city of the Ammonites and David joins him to triumphantly finish the battle and plunder the city. Psalm 51: This Psalm was written by David and expresses his remorse and attempt to repent for his sin with Bathsehba and for murdering Uriah. David declares that he has sinned and begs God to forgive him and to not remove His spirit for him. David says he would offer sacrifices but knows God does not want them but instead wants a broken heart and contrite spirit. Notes 1. David takes more concubines and wives: And David took him more concubines and wives out of Jerusalem, after he was come from Hebron: and there were yet sons and daughters born to David. (5:13)

204 2. God is no respecter of persons: David was loved by the Lord and was the mightiest king of Israel that would ever sit on the throne. Nevertheless, the law of God applied to him just as it does to a lowly peasant and David would face the eternal consequences of his actions. 3. David was not content with what he had: David failed to realize he was the rich man with an abundance of sheep and instead coveted the single sheep that another man had. Covetousness thus led to his downfall. 4. David lost his exaltation for murdering Uriah: David s wives and concubines were given unto him of me, by the hand of Nathan, my servant, and others of the prophets who had the keys of this power; and in none of these things did he sin against me save in the case of Uriah and his wife; and, therefore he hath fallen from his exaltation, and received his portion; and he shall not inherit them out of the world, for I gave them unto another, saith the Lord. (D&C 132:39) 5. JST says God did not excuse David s sin while the King James text says He did: The Lord also hath not put away thy sin (JST, 2 Samuel 12:13). 6. David is still in Hell suffering for the sin of murdering Uriah: For David is not ascended into the heavens: (Acts 2: 34) 7. Elder Joseph Fielding Smith, commenting on David s sin, said: David committed a dreadful crime, and all his life afterwards sought for forgiveness. Some of the Psalms portray the anguish of his soul; yet David is still paying for his sin. He did not receive the resurrection at the time of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Peter declared that his body was still in the tomb, and the Prophet Joseph Smith has said, David sought repentance at the hand of God carefully with tears, for the murder of Uriah; but he could only get it through hell: he got a promise that his soul should not be left in hell. Again we ask: Who wishes to spend a term in hell with the devil before being cleansed from sin? (Answers to Gospel Questions, 1:74.)

205 2 Samuel 4-Absalom s Rebellion (Chapters 13-20) Setting: In Jerusalem in the House of David. Absalom sets himself up as king in Hebron and then David flees to Manaheim. A great battle occurs in the Wood of Ephraim. David returns to Jerusalem after defeating Absalom and this his army lays siege to Abel. Story Summary Chapter 13: David s firstborn son Amnar becomes infatuated with his sister Tamar so his friend Jonadab helps him hatch a plot so that he can lie with her. Amnon pretends he is sick and then asks his father to send his sister Tamar to come care for him. When she arrives Amnon sends everyone else out and then when they are alone he asks her to sleep with him. She says no and tells him to ask the King for permission but Amnon rapes her anyways. After Amnon rapes her he sends her away and she rents her clothes and mourns for what has just happened. She tells her brother Absalom what has happened and he hates Amnon for it. David learns of it and is very angry but thinks Amnon should not be punished. Two years later, Absalom plots revenge and invites all of David s sons to a feast where he orders Amnon killed while he is drunk and the rest of David s sons flee. David learns of what has happened and is overcome with grief. Absalom flees to Geshur and hides for 3 years. Chapter 14: This chapter tells of how Absalom and David reconcile. Joab sends for a wise woman of Tekoah to come and pretend she is in mourning before David. She tells David she had two sons who fought and one killed the other but she did not want her remaining son to die. She says that the sin will be on her head so that he can live and David says he will protect her. The woman then asks to speak freely and tells David we re all going to die and to let Absalom return home. David discerns that Joab put her up to this and then sends for Absalom to return home. Absalom is brought back to Jerusalem but is prohibited from seeing David. He lives in Jerusalem for 2 years, has 3 kids (names one Tamar after his sister) and is called the most beautiful man in Israel. Absalom then sends for Joab to try and arrange a meeting with David but Joab doesn t listen so Absalom sets his fields on fire. This gets his attention and he arranges a meeting with David where David kisses him and they reconcile. Chapter 15: Absalom grows in power and begins creating discontent among the people, pointing out that their need for justice is not being met. He convinces the people that if he were the judge, he would give justice to all. After 40 years, Absalom asks David to go to Hebron and David allows him to go with 200 men and his counselor Ahithophel. When in Hebron, Absalom declares himself king and many Israelites decide to follow him. David decides that Absalom has grown in power and decides to flee out of Jerusalem but leave behind 10 concubines to keep the house. David tells his servant Ittai the Gittite to return to his people but Ittai swears allegiance to

206 David forever. David tells the priests to stay behind with the Ark of the Covenant as well. David and his party travel up the Mount of Olives and David asks his servant Hushai to return and pretend to serve Absalom but to send news through a network of spies back to David. Chapter 16: Ziba, servant of Mephiboseth (Who David restored all of Sauls land to) comes to David and gives him donkeys and food. He tells David that Mephiboseth has sided with Absalom in an attempt to gain more power. David declares that Ziba will receive all of Mephiboseth s land and wealth when he returns to power. As David is passing through the city of Bahurim, Shimei (a man from Saul s house) comes and curses David and says he has lost his throne because he betrayed Saul. David accepts the cursing and tells his servants not to harm Shimei. Meanwhile, Absalom takes Jerusalem and then sleeps with David s concubines before all of Israel, fulfilling Nathan s earlier prophecy. Chapter 17: Ahithophel counsels Absalom to let him take men and ambush David while Husai (David s spy) tells him to instead gather all of Israel to battle David. Absalom favors Husai s counsel and then Husai uses his network of spies to let David know what Absalom is planning. David s spy network is discovered but his spies are able to hide and escape. David takes all his people and they cross the River Jordan to the city Mahanaim, while Ahithophel hangs himself because the king did not heed his counsel. David and his people are treated kindly and given food while Absalom s army continues to pursuit them and came pin Gilead. Chapter 18: David divides his army and sets 3 captains over them: Joab, Abishai and Ittai. He seeks to join them in battle but they tell him to stay behind so he says he will but they must not kill Absalom if they find him. A great battle occurs in which there are 20,000 casualties and it is written that the wood killed more men than the sword. While traveling through the woods, Absalom s long hair gets caught on an oak tree and he is left vulnerable and hanging. David s men find him and refuse to kill him but Joab decides to kill him and ignore David s orders. Joab sends two messengers back to David and he learns that Absalom has died. David is overcome with grief and declares that he would rather have died than to have let Absalom die. Chapter 19: David continues to mourn and Joab visits him and tells him that it is inappropriate to focus on mourning when so many sacrificed their lives to bring David this victory. David heeds his advice and tells Israel not to worry about which side they were on as he will forgive all. He replaces Joab with Amasa (commander under Absalom) to show that there is no ill will. David and his people start the trek back to Jerusalem when Shimei comes and begs forgiveness. David forgives him for cursing him and then hears Mephibosheth s claims that Ziba left him in Jerusalem and slandered him to David. David says to split the land with Ziba but Mephibosheth says Ziba can have it all. David rewards those who gave him comfort in Mahanaim, including an old man named Barzillai. There is some argument between Israel and Judah as the rest of Israel wonder why Judah gets to monopolize King David. Chapter 20: The controversy continued and a man named Sheba led many in Israel away and refused to follow King David while Judah swore loyalty to David. David returns to Jerusalem and does not sleep with the 10 concubines he left behind but provides for them until their death. David sends Abishai with a bunch of men to quell the rebellion of Sheba and then they meet up with Amasa and Joab. Joab pretends to greet Amasa with a

207 kiss and then kills him. The army pursuits Sheba to a city called Abel and then begin laying siege to it until a woman asks to negotiate. They agree to kill Sheba and toss his head over the wall and then Joab withdraws his army and returns to Jerusalem. Notes 1. The Prophecy of the Lord is fulfilled: The Lord prophesied that David would lose his concubines for his sin with Bathsheba and Absalom (his own son) took his concubines before all of Israel. 2. David appears to have lost favor with the Lord: After David s sin with Bathsheba and the murder of Uriah his house was continually at war and he lost his wives. He was deposed as king and his children rebelled against him.

208 2 Samuel 5-The End of David s Reign (Chapters 21-24) Setting: David rules from Jerusalem and battles the Philistines in the surrounding area. Story Summary Chapter 21: A famine occurs in Israel for three years and David asks God why it is occurring. God tells David that the famine is because Saul unjustly killed the Gibeonites. David calls the Gibeonites forth and asks them how they can make amends. They say that if he delivers them 7 of Saul s sons then they will be pleased. David agrees and the 7 men are executed for the sins of their father. David gathers the bones of Saul and Jonathan and sends them for a proper burial in their home country. After this, the famine ends. Meanwhile, David continues fighting the Philistines and they threaten to kill David so his people tell him he isn t allowed to fight with them anymore. The Israelites are victorious and kill many giants that fight for the Philistines including one with 6 fingers and 6 toes each. Chapter 22: David praises the Lord in a psalm of thanksgiving. He declares that God is his protector and savior and has put all enemies under his feet. Chapter 23: David declares that the Spirit of the Lord spoke through him and that rulers must be just. David extolls the deeds of mighty men who served under him. Josheb killed 800 men at once and is part of a trio of great warriors: Josheb, Eleazar and Shaman who defeated the Philistines on numerous occasions. Abishai slew 300 men at once and was a mighty man of valor. Benaiah was also a mighty warrior who killed a fearsome Egyptian and a lion as well. Chapter 24: David decides to conduct a census and discovers that there are 800,000 fighting men in Israel and 500,000 in Judah. David realizes he has sinned (see note below) and asks God for forgiveness. The prophet Gad tells David that God will let him choose 1 of 3 punishments for his sin: 7 years of famine, 3 months of being deposed as king or 3 days of pestilence in the land. David chooses 3 days of pestilence so the Lord sends a pestilence that kills 70,000 people. David begs God to let the punishment only come upon him and his house so God has Gad deliver a message to David that he must build an altar for the pestilence to end. David builds an altar and purchases the oxen to sacrifice to the Lord and then the pestilence ends. Notes 1. The Lord saves from death and hell and hears from his temple: When the waves of death compassed me, the floods of ungodly men made me afraid; The sorrows of hell compassed me about; the snares of death prevented me; In my distress I called upon the Lord, and cried to my God: and he did hear my voice out of his temple, and my cry did enter into his ears. (2 Sam 22: 5-7)

209 2. God s way is perfect as he is a shield to those that rust in Him: As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the Lord is tried: he is a buckler to all them that trust in him. (2 Sam 22:31) 3. God strengthens us to overcome our enemies: He teacheth my hands to war; so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms.for thou hast girded me with strength to battle: them that rose up against me hast thou subdued under me. (2 Sam 22: 39-40) 4. God will put all enemies under our feet if we serve Him: It is God that avengeth me, and that bringeth down the people under me, and that bringeth me forth from mine enemies: thou also hast lifted me up on high above them that rose up against me: thou hast delivered me from the violent man. (2 Sam 22:48) 5. The Spirit of the Lord gives us power to speak God s words: The Spirit of the Lord Spake by me, and his word was in my tongue. (2 Sam 23:2) 6. Rulers must be just and rule by the fear of God: The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spake to me, He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God. (2 Sam 23:3) 7. Why was conducting a census a sin? As to why God was angry at David, in those times, a man only had the right to count or number what belonged to him. Israel did not belong to David; Israel belonged to God. In Exodus 30:12 God told Moses, When you take a census of the Israelites to count them, each one must pay the LORD a ransom for his life at the time he is counted. Then no plague will come on them when you number them. It was up to God to command a census, and if David counted he should only do it at God's command, receiving a ransom to "atone" for the counting. This is why God was angry again with Israel and is also why David was conscience-stricken after he counted Israel. David knew it was wrong and begged God to take away the guilt of his sin (2 Samuel 24:10). ( 8. David refused to give offerings to the Lord that cost him nothing: And the king said unto Araunah, Nay; but I will surely buy it of thee at a price: neither will I offer burnt offerings unto the Lord my God of that which doth cost me nothing. (2 Sam 24:24)

210 OLD TESTAMENT SUMMARY 1 & 2 KINGS & CHRONICLES 1 Kings 1. Solomon is anointed King. (1-2) 2. Wisdom of King Solomon. (3-4) 3. Solomon Constructs a Temple. (5-9) 4. Solomon and the Queen of Sheba (10-11) 5. Division of Northern Kingdom. (12-16) 6. Elijah and the Priests of Baal. (17-19) 7. Ahab and Jezebel. (20-22) 2 Kings 1. Elijah is translated and Elisha succeeds. (1-2) 2. Elisha prophesies victory over Moabites (3) 3. Elisha and the Widow s Oil. (4) 4. Elisha heals Naaman the Leper. (5) 5. The Armies of Heaven defeat the Syrians. (6-7) 6. The fall of Ahab s House. (8-10) 7. The Reign of King Joash. (11-12) 8. The Death of Elisha. (13) 9. The Assyrian Captivity. (14-17) 10. The Reign of Hezekiah in Judah. (18-20) 11. King Josiah s Reforms. (21-23) 12. The Babylonian Captivity. (24-25) 1&2 Chronicles Chronicles covers the same events as 1-2 Kings. A TESTAMENT OF JESUS CHRIST

211 Setting: Solomon is anointed King in Jerusalem. Story Summary Chapter 1: King David became very old and frail so the people 1 Kings 1-Solomon is Anointed King (Chapters 1-2) found him a virgin named Abishag to take care of him in his old age. Adonijah, one of David s sons, senses weakness and attempts a coup. He gathers support from Joab and Abiathar the High Priest but many chose not to follow Adonijah, including Nathan the prophet. Adonijah then invites everyone but Solomon and those loyal to David to a feast where he prepares to crown himself king. Nathan lets Bathsheba know of Adonijah s plot and advises her to go and inform David, which she does. Nathan also speaks with David and then David calls those loyal to him and tells Zadok the Priest and Nathan the prophet to anoint Solomon King and then to blow the trumpet for all to see. They follow David s orders and then a messenger is sent to Adonijah s feast and all the people there become afraid and flee. Adonijah is brought before Solomon who decides to spare him. Chapter 2: David is about to die so he gives Solomon some parting advice. He promises that if he keeps the commandments that God will bless him and he will succeed as king. He tells Solomon to execute Joab and Shimei and to be kind to Barzillai s house as they aided him in Manaheim. David then dies, ending his 40 year reign and what Israel would consider its glory years. Adonijah then asks Bath-sheba to ask Solomon if he can marry Abishag (David s last wife) and Bath-sheba agrees to try. Solomon suspects that Adonijah has malicious intentions so he refuses the request and orders his right hand man Benaiah to go and ill Adonijah, which he does. Solomon decides to strip Abiathar of his priesthood and puts him on house arrest. He orders Benaiah to kill Joab because he killed Abner and Amasa and Benaiah fulfills his command. Shimei is put on house arrest and told that if he leaves his land he will be killed. Three years later, Shimei leaves his land and Solomon orders Benaiah to kill Shimei. Notes 1. God save the King: And let Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet anoint him there king over Israel: and blow ye with the trumpet, and say, God save king Solomon. 2. Why did Solomon Kill Adonijah? When a king died, all of his possessions was to pass to his heir and this included his wives. Adonijah was most likely seeking to become king again by enhancing the legitimacy of his claim.

212 3. If one in power allows injustice under his command then that injustice is on his head: And the king said unto him, Do as he hath said, and fall upon him, and bury him; that thou mayest take away the innocent blood, which Joab shed, from me, and from the house of my father. And the Lord shall return his blood upon his own head, who fell upon two men more righteous and better than he, and slew them with the sword Their blood shall therefore return upon the head of Joab, and upon the head of his seed for ever: but upon David, and upon his seed, and upon his house, and upon his throne, shall there be peace for ever from the Lord. (1 Kings 2: 31-33)

213 Setting: Solomon rules in wisdom from Jerusalem. Story Summary 1 Kings 2-The Wisdom of King Solomon (Chapters 3-4) Chapter 3: Solomon makes an alliance with the Pharaoh of Egypt and marries his daughter. The people sacrificed in the high places because there was no temple built yet so Solomon went to sacrifice in Gibeon when the Lord visited him in a dream. Solomon prayed for the wisdom to discern good from evil and God was pleased that Solomon had sought this instead of wealth or power so he grants him wisdom, wealth and power. Solomon awakes and returns to Jerusalem where he will have to use his new gift of discernment. Two women come before him with a child as both claim to be the child s mother and seek custody. They each claim the other had a son that died and the living son is theirs. Solomon then grabs a sword and says he will cut the baby in half and divide it among the mothers. One woman said not to and to give the baby to the other woman while the other woman wanted the baby split in half. Solomon reasoned that the baby was the woman s who would not see her child split in half and gave her the child. Chapter 4: The officers in Solomon s court are listed. Solomon s wisdom exceeds anyone s on the earth and the kings of the earth would travel to him to hear his wisdom. Notes 1. Solomon Prays for the Gift of Discernment: Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people? 2. The Lord Blesses Solomon for seeking after wisdom instead of riches: And God said unto him, Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for thyself long life; neither hast asked riches for thyself, nor hast asked the life of thine enemies; but hast asked for thyself understanding to discern judgment; Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee. And I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches, and honour: so that there shall not be any among the kings like unto thee all thy days. (1 Kings 3: 11-13) 3. The Wisdom of God is required to be a judge: And all Israel heard of the judgment which the king had judged; and they feared the king: for they saw that the wisdom of God was in him, to do judgment. (1 Kings 3: 28)

214 4. God made Solomon the wisest man on earth: And Solomon s wisdom excelled the wisdom of all the children of the east country, and all the wisdom of Egypt And there came of all people to hear the wisdom of Solomon, from all kings of the earth, which had heard of his wisdom. (1 Kings 4: 30-34)

215 Setting: Solomon constructs a temple in Jerusalem. Story Summary Chapter 5: Solomon decides that it s time that he starts to build a temple to the Lord. He asks Hiram, the King of Tyre, for the lumber that would be needed and Hiram agrees in exchange for wheat and oil. Solomon then conscripts thousands of laborers to harvest timber and quarry stone for the temple. Chapter 6: Solomon builds the temple and the dimensions and ornaments of it are described. The Lords promises to accept the temple if the people keep the commandments. 1 Kings 3-Solomon Constructs a Temple (Chapters 5-9) Chapter 7: Solomon orders the construction of a palace along with a baptismal font that sits on twelve oxen. The palace is described in detail. The temple and palace are both finished and adorned with gold and many precious things. Chapter 8: Solomon gathers the Elders of Israel together and then orders the Ark placed in the Holy of Holies in the Temple. Only the two tablets of Moses remain in the Ark. Solomon then gives a dedicator prayer and consecrates the temple to be used as the House of the Lord. Solomon asks that the temple be a place where God will answer prayers and forgive sins when the Israelites repent. Solomon then sacrifices hundreds of thousands of animals and hosts a great feast and then the people disperse in joy. Chapter 9: After Solomon dedicates the Temple the Lord appears to him and tells Him that he accepts the Temple but that he expects the people to continue to keep His commandments. The Lord promises to bless Solomon s posterity if they will be faithful but if they serve other Gods then Israel and Solomon s house will both be destroyed. Solomon gives Hiram of Tyre 20 cities as payment for the material for the Temple. He uses his conscripted labor (all Canaanites and no Israelites) to fortify cities and then to build a navy. Solomon reigns in peace and amasses great wealth. Notes 1. The Lord Accepts His Temple if the people keep his commandments: Concerning this house which thou art in building, if thou wilt walk in my statutes, and execute my judgments, and keep all my commandments to walk in them; then will I perform my word with thee, which I spake unto David thy father. (1 Kings 6:12)

216 2. The Temple was to be a place where the Israelites went to pray and where God would forgive them when they repented. 3. There is no man who has not sinned: If they sin against thee, (for there is no man that sinneth not). (1 Kings 8: 48) 4. God separates His people from the rest of the earth: For thou didst separate them from among all the people of the earth, to be thine inheritance, as thou spakest by the hand of Moses thy servant, when thou broughtest our fathers out of Egypt, O Lord God. (1 Kings 8: 53) 5. The Lord Accepts Solomon s Temple: And the Lord said unto him, I have heard thy prayer and thy supplication, that thou hast made before me: I have hallowed this house, which thou hast built, to put my name there for ever; and mine eyes and mine heart shall be there perpetually. (1 Kings 9:3)

217 Setting: In Solomon s Court in Jerusalem. Story Summary Chapter 10: The Queen of Sheba hears of the wisdom and wealth of Solomon so she travels with a large entourage to see if the rumors are true. Solomon receives her at court and she asks many questions which Solomon answers to her satisfaction. The Queen of Sheba is greatly impressed and declares that Solomon s wisdom and wealth is greater than the stories say. She gives him many gifts including lots of gold and spices and Solomon gives her gifts in return and she returns home. The tremendous wealth and impressive ornaments of his palace are described. Solomon is the wisest and wealthiest man on earth. 1 Kings 4-Solomon and the Queen of Sheba (Chapters 10-11) Chapter 11: Solomon took to himself wives from many different heathen nations, which the Lord had told Israel not to do. The Lord warned the Israelites that if they married outside the faith that they would adopt the customs, beliefs and religion of those they married and this is exactly what Solomon did. Solomon had over 700 wives and 300 concubines and as he grew old he began adopting their beliefs and his heart turned from the Lord. Solomon built altars to the heathen Gods that his wives worshipped including Chemosh and Molech. The Lord was displeased that Solomon broke His commandment and worshipped other gods. He promised to take the kingdom from his son but to leave him as king of one tribe (Judah) for David s sake. The Lord then allows Solomon s adversaries to rise in prominence to challenge him. This includes Hadad the Edomite and Rezon of Damascus who stir up all sorts of trouble for Israel during Solomon s reign. Jeroboam, the son of one of Solomon s servants, was then given a message by Ahijah the prophet that he would become King. He took Jeroboam s new garment and ripped it into 12 pieces and then gave him back 10 and said he would rule over 10 tribes of Israel because of Solomon s idolatry. The Lord tells Jeroboam that if he keeps the commandments his house will be made great like David s was. Solomon hears of this prophesy and seeks to kill Jeroboam so Jeroboam flees to Egypt to live until Solomon s death. Solomon reigns 40 years and then dies and his son Rehoboam succeeds him as king. Notes 1. The Lord had blessed Solomon with great wisdom and wealth: The Lord had kept his promise to David and made his house the wisest and wealthiest on the planet. Those who serve the Lord will have wisdom and wealth that surpass all others.

218 2. The Consequences of Idolatry: Solomon committed idolatry even though he had personally seen God in a vision twice. As a result, the Lord divided Israel and Solomon s heirs would only rule over 1 tribe instead of all 12. His inheritance was cut by over 90%. 3. The Lord allows adversaries to have power over us when we break His commandments: And the Lord stirred up an adversary unto Solomon, Hadad the Edomite: he was of the king s seed in Edom. (1 Kings 11:14) 4. Sometimes we are blessed because of righteous ancestors: Solomon committed idolatry but his children were not entirely cut off because of David s righteousness. 5. God will raise up replacements for his anointed if they sin: God is no respecter of persons and removed the crown from Solomon s heir because Solomon committed idolatry. Jeroboam was raised to take his place.

219 1 Kings 5-The Division of the Northern Kingdom and Judah (Chapters 12-16) Setting: Rehoboam travels to Shechem and is made King of Northern Israel. He sets up idols in Dan and Bethel. Story Summary Chapter 12: Rehoboam travels to Shechem so that all of Israel could anoint him king. Jeroboam, who is still exiled in Egypt, hears of the death of Solomon and travels with the congregation of Israel and asks Rehoboam not to be as oppressive as his father was. Rehoboam asks his elder advisors what to do and they tell him to be a kind and gracious servant to the people. However, his younger counselors tell him to be even more oppressive than his father was and to say that if his father used whips to keep the people in line he will use scorpions. Rehoboam chose to listen to the young advisors and tells the people he will be more oppressive and puts heavier burdens on them. 10 Tribes of Israel rebel and leave the Kingdom while Rehoboam rules over the tribe of Judah in Jerusalem. The rebelling 10 tribes anoint Jeroboam to be their king, fulfilling God s prophesy to Solomon that his son would only rule over 1 tribe. Rehoboam prepares for a civil war but Shemaiah the prophet tells Rehoboam not to go to war as God has caused this division in Israel. Rehoboam listens and ceases preparing for war. Meanwhile, Jeroboam sets up his new capital in Shechem and settles in as king. He fears that the people will have to continue going to Jerusalem to worship at the temple so he creates two golden calves and sets them in Dan and Beth-El for the people to worship. He creates a new priesthood order of those who are not Levites and offers sacrifices to these new idols that he creates. Chapter 13: A prophet from Judah visits Rehoboam in Bethel, as he is worshipping at an altar, and declares that a King named Josiah will be born in Judah and he will sacrifice humans on this altar. As a sign that this will come to pass, the prophet declares that the altar will break and the ashes will spill out. Jeroboam does not like this prophesy so he reaches out to grab the prophet and his hand shrivels up and the altar breaks and the ashes spill out. He becomes afraid and asks the prophet to restore his hand and the prophet does so. Jeroboam invites the prophet back with him to receive a reward but the prophet declines and departs. However, a prophet in the Northern Kingdom hears of this man s visit and invites him back to eat with him, telling him an angel said it was okay. The prophet from Judah is deceived and goes to eat dinner with the Northern prophet and then at dinner is told that he disobeyed God and will die for this. After dinner, the prophet from Judah leaves and is eaten by a lion as punishment. Chapter 14: Jeroboam has a son named Abijah who becomes sick so Jeroboam asks his wife to travel in disguise to Shiloh and seek the prophet Ahijah s counsel. Jeroboam s wife does so but the Lord tells Ahijah that the woman in disguise is Jeroboam s wife and to give her a prophesy of doom. The prophet declares that The Lord s

220 judgment is upon the House of Jeroboam and it will be destroyed for engaging in idolatry and not keeping the commandments. He also declares that when the woman returns to her house her son will immediately die. The woman returns and the prophesy is fulfilled as Abijah dies. Jeroboam reigns for 22 years and then dies and his son Nadab reigns in his stead. Meanwhile, in Judah, Rehoboam reigns 17 years over a very wicked people who committed sodomy and idolatry continually. Shishak, king of Egypt, raids Jerusalem and plunders it as God removes his protection. The Northern Kingdom and Judah are at war continually throughout Rehoboam s reign. Rehoboam dies and Abijam reigns in his stead. Chapter 15: Abijam continues to reign in wickedness in Judah but the Lord spares him for David s sake. He continues to war with Jeroboam of the Northern Kingdom and then dies and his son Asa reigns in his stead. Asa was a righteous king who destroyed the idols in Judah and outlawed Sodomy. He even removed his own mother from being queen for committing idolatry. Meanwhile, in the Northern Kingdom, Nadab reigns in wickedness just like his father Jeroboam. During a battle with a city called Gibbethon, Baasha (son of Ahijah) kills Nadab and replaces him as king. Baasha destroys the entire house of Jeroboam, fulfilling the prophesy of Ahijah. Baasha continues his war with Judah and then takes a city called Ramah in order to block travel into Jerusalem. Asa, King of Judah, pays the King of Syria to help him destroy Ramah and he agrees. Judah and Syria are victorious in Ramah and the city is dismantled. Asa dies and Jehoshaphat succeeds him as king. Baasha, King of the North, is not much better than Jeroboam and continues to reign in wickedness. Chapter 16: Baasha reigns in wickedness and the prophet Jehu declares that the Lord will cut his house off. He dies and his son Elah reigns for 2 years until he is killed while drunk by one of his captains named Zimri. Zimri kills all of the males in Elah s house fulfilling the prophecy of Jehu. Zimri only reigns as king for 7 days when the Israelites crown their General Omri King and he immediately lays siege to Zimri in Tirzah. When Zimri sees the battle is lost he sets his house on fire and commits suicide. However, there is a short civil war in which another man named Tibni challenges Omri for the throne but Omri wins. Omri builds a city called Samaria and moves there to reign. Omri was a very evil king and then he died and his son Ahab took the throne. Ahab ruled for 22 years and was more evil than any king before him. He married Jezebel the Zidonian and then began worshipping Baal and built him a temple in Samaria. Notes 1. The Kingdom of Israel was divided because of idolatry: Solomon s sin led to the division of Israel. When we sin, we are not united but will be scattered and divided as well. 2. Jeroboam ordained priests that were not of the right lineage and this was sin: After this thing Jeroboam returned not from his evil way, but made again of the lowest of the people priests of the high places: whosoever would, he consecrated him, and he became one of the priests of the high places. (1 Kings 13:33)

221 3. Idolatry and Sodomy lead to destruction: Once again the Israelites did not follow God but instead adopted the ways of the Canaanites. As a result, God removed His protection and war came upon Israel.

222 1 Kings 6-Elijah and the Priests of Baal (Chapters 17-19) Setting: In the Northern Kingdom in the city of Samaria. Story Summary Chapter 17: The Lord raises up Elijah the prophet to declare a message unto the evil King Ahab. He tells him that there will be no rain until he says there will be as a consequence of his wickedness. The Lord then tells Elijah to hide himself in the wilderness by a brook and He will send ravens to bring him food. Eventually, because of the drought, the brook dries up and the Lord tells Elijah to go to Zarephath where He has commanded a widowed woman to feed him. Elijah is obedient and visits the widow and asks for some bread and water. The widow says she is preparing her last meal for her child and then they are preparing to die but Elijah tells her to feed him first and then the Lord will provide for her. The widow feeds Elijah in faith and then she is miraculously supplied with the food that she needs to survive. Unfortunately, the widow s son became sick and died and the widow thought God was punishing her for some previous sin. Elijah raises the widow s son from the dead and the Widow declares that she knows Elijah is a prophet of God. Chapter 18: After three years of drought and famine in Samaria, the Lord tells Elijah to visit Ahab so that the drought may stop. The Governor of Ahab s house was named Obadiah and he was a righteous man who was concealing and providing for 100 prophets of the Lord whom Jezebel had declared to be killed. Ahab sends Obadiah out to look for grass to feed the horses and mules and while looking he meets Elijah. Elijah tells Obadiah to tell Ahab where he is so that they can talk. Obadiah tells Ahab where Elijah is and Ahab goes out to meet him and blames him for the famine and drought. Elijah declares that the famine and drought are a result of his wickedness in worshipping Baal and asks him to gather all Israel to Mt. Carmel along with 450 prophets of Baal. Ahab does as Elijah asks and he tells the people that they need to make up their mind and either serve the Lord or Baal but not both. Elijah then tells the people that he will sacrifice a bull and so will the 450 priests of Baal and whoever brings down fire from heaven will prove their God is the true God. The people think this is a good plan so the prophets of Baal dress their sacrifice and then pray day and night but nothing happens. Elijah begins mocking them so they cut themselves in some religious ritual but still nothing occurs. Elijah then builds an altar of 12 stones (for each tribe of Israel) and fills a trench around it with water and begins praying to the Lord until fire comes out of heaven and consumes the sacrifice. The people are convinced that the Lord is God so Elijah orders all the priests of Baal to be killed and for Ahab to return home to eat and drink as rain is about to come upon the land. He tells his servant to go and look 7 times by the sea and on the seventh time he sees a cloud arising that brings rain to the land. Elijah then travels to the city of Jezreel and arrives before Ahab.

223 Chapter 19: Jezebel hears that Elijah killed all the prophets of Baal so she makes an oath that the Gods should kill her if she has not killed Elijah within 24 hours. Elijah flees and hides in the wilderness and asks God to die but God instead sends an angel who gives him food and water. Elijah eats but then makes a 40 day trip without food or water up into Mt. Sinai to speak to God. Elijah does not hear the Lord in the wind or earthquake but through a still small voice. He tells Elijah to return again to the wilderness of Damascus and to anoint Hazael king of Syria, Jehu king of Israel and Elisha to be the next prophet after him. The Lord declares that war is going to come upon Israel but He knows there are 7000 that do not worship Baal so He will preserve them. Elijah obeys the Lords command and meets Elisha plowing in a field. He puts his mantle on Elisha, signifying that Elisha is called to be the next prophet, and Elisha says goodbye to his family and then follows Elijah. Notes 1. If we give the Last of our Resources to God He will provide for us: From a logical perspective, it made no sense for the widow to feed Elijah. However, she had faith and because she put the Lord first and sacrificed everything the Lord provided her with abundance. Paying tithing when it doesn t make sense to will produce miracles. (1 Kings 17) 2. The Lord turned famine into abundance and death into life: The Widows faith and sacrifice was rewarded with miraculous abundance of food during a famine and Elijah rose her son from the dead. (1 Kings 17) 3. Failing to keep the commandments can lead to natural disaster: And he answered, I have not troubled Israel; but thou, and thy father s house, in that ye have forsaken the commandments of the Lord, and thou hast followed Baalim. (1 Kings 18:18) 4. Indecisiveness can lead to sin: And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? If the Lord be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word. (1 Kings 18:21) 5. One Priesthood holder is worth infinitely more than a thousand false priests: Then said Elijah unto the people, I, even I only, remain a prophet of the Lord; but Baal s prophets are four hundred and fifty men. (1 Kings 18: 22) 6. Repentance and confession brought healing to the land: The hosts of Israel realized that Baal was not God and removed Baal s influence from among them. As a result, the drought stopped and the land was healed. (1 Kings 18) 7. The Holy Spirit of the Lord speaks with a still, small voice to us: And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the Lord. And, behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the Lord; but the Lord was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the Lord was not in the earthquake: And after the earthquake a fire; but the Lord was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice. (1 Kings 19: 11-12)

224 8. The Lord Numbers all those that serve Him and preserves them when Judgment comes: Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him. (1 Kings 19: 18)

225 1 Kings 7-Ahab and Jezebel (Chapters 20-22) Setting: In the Northern Kingdom in the city of Samaria. Story Summary Chapter 20: Ben-Hadad the King of Syria begins a siege of Samaria and then sends a messenger to Ahab demanding that he hand over all his wealth, children and wives. Ahab agrees to this but Ben-Hadad then says he wants literally everything and Ahab then declines. A prophet then tells Ahab that the Lord will give him victory against Ben-Hadad to prove that He is God. Ahab then gathers an army and raids Ben- Hadad and his allies while they are getting drunk. Ben-Hadad narrowly escapes but the Israelites kill everyone they can find. The prophet warns Ahab that Ben-Hadad will return next spring so he must prepare his defenses. Ben-Hadad s advisors believe they lost because the Israelites worship a hill God and the battle was in the hills. They resolve to battle Israel in the plains and return again next spring. The prophet tells Ahab the Lord will give him victory again and Ahab leads the Israelites to victory as they slay 100,000 Syrians in the plains. The remaining 27,000 soldiers flee to a city called Aphek but then a wall falls down killing them all. Ben-Hadad begs Ahab for mercy so Ahab spares his life and makes a treaty with him but this was contrary to the Lords command. A prophet asks an Israelite to smite him but the Israelites refuses so the prophet declares a lion will eat him when he leaves and sure enough this happens. The prophet asks another man to wound him so this man does so and the prophet disguises himself and then asks Ahab for some advice. He says that he was told to guard a prisoner in war and if he did not then he would die but he got distracted and the prisoner got away. He asked Ahab to pass judgment and Ahab says surely the man must die. The prophet removes his disguise and declares that Ahab will die for not following the Lords command to kill Ben-Hadad. Chapter 21: A man named Naboth has a nice vineyard in Jezreel near Ahab s palace which Ahab covets. Ahab asks him for it in exchange for a nicer one but the man says the Lord wont allow it. Ahab is really upset and Jezebel says she will simply frame Naboth, kill him and then take his vineyard. She has 2 men bear false witness against Naboth and the people stone him to death for blasphemy. Ahab takes possession of Naboth s vineyard but then Elijah delivers Ahab a message that he will die in the same place Naboth was killed and Jezebel will be killed also. His house will be utterly cut off just like Jeroboam and Baasha s houses were. Ahab believes Elijah and appears to repent and be contrite for his actions. As a result, the Lord says he will not destroy Ahab s house until Ahab is dead. Chapter 22: Jehoshaphat, King of Judah and Ahab the King of Israel make an alliance and decide to attack Syria. They seek the blessing of the Lord in this matter so Ahab gathers 400 of his prophets and asks them what will

226 happen and they declare that Israel will be victorious. Jehoshaphat is sceptical and asks Ahab if there s another prophet that they can consult and Ahab tells him there is Micaiah but that he hates him for he never prophesies anything good about Ahab. They call Micaiah who tells them that he sees their armies scattered without a leader. Zedekiah, one of the false prophets, hits Micaiah and then Ahab throws him in jail. The prophet declares that if Ahab returns home then he is not a real prophet. Ahab and Jehoshaphat ignore Micaiah s warning and go off to war. Ahab disguises himself as a regular soldier but he is discovered and killed by the Syrians. The battle is lost and Ahab is brought back to be buried in Samaria where the dogs lick his blood. Ahab s son Ahaziah succeeds him as king but he is a wicked king as well who continues to worship Baal. Meanwhile, in Judah, Jehoshaphat is relatively righteous but the people are not. He dies and then his son Jehoram reigns in his stead. Notes 1. Jezebel becomes a symbol of a woman who tempts her husband to do wickedly: But there was none like unto Ahab, which did sell himself to work wickedness in the sight of the Lord, whom Jezebel his wife stirred up. (1 Kings 21: 25) 2. False prophets lulled Israel into believing they were secure: The 400 prophets that Ahab gathered were not interested in the word of the Lord but in simply upholding Ahab s will. False prophets do not seek the Will of God and bring destruction upon those that trust in them. (1 Kings 22) 3. True prophets are often a minority and don t always tell us things we want to hear: Ahab easily found 400 prophets who would tell him what he wanted to hear but the real prophet was a minority voice that was hated and scoffed at. (1 Kings 22) 4. The Lord influenced the false prophets to bring judgment upon Ahab: The prophet told Ahab that the Lord influenced the false prophets so that he would listen to them and be defeated. God s influence is everywhere. 5. Ignoring the prophets warning leads to destruction: Ahab and Jehoshaphat went prophet shopping until they found an answer they wanted. They ignored the warning from the true prophet and as a result, they were destroyed.

227 2 Kings 1-Elijah is Translated and Elisha Succeeds Him (Chapters 1-2) Setting: Elijah and Elisha travel throughout Israel. Story Summary Chapter 1: The Moabites rebel against Israel when Ahab dies. His son Ahaziah becomes sick and then sends messengers to the Canaanite Priests of Baal-zebub to see if he will recover. Elijah tells the priests that he will die because they do not worship the God of Israel. Ahaziah gets the message and sends fifty men to Elijah but Elijah calls down fire from heaven that consumes them. This happens a second time and then the third time that 50 men are sent the captain begs Elijah to spare their lives so he does and they all return to give Ahaziah the message. Ahaziah dies and Jehoram reigns in his stead. Chapter 2: God decides to bring Elijah up to heaven in a whirlwind but first Elijah travels and meets groups of prophets in Bethel and Jericho who prophesy that he will be translated. Elijah and Elisha finally come to the river Jordan and Elijah parts the river Jordan with his staff and they pass over to the other side. Once they cross Elijah asks Elisha if there s anything he can do before he is translated and Elisha responds that he wants a double portion of the spirit. Elijah responds that this is a hard thing but if he sees Elijah go up into heaven that he will have what he asks for. God then sends a chariot of fire and brings Elijah up to heaven in a whirlwind. Elisha takes the mantle of Elijah that was left behind for him and then parts the River Jordan and crosses over. The prophets see Elisha doing this and recognize that he is the successor of Elijah. They doubt that Elijah was taken up to heaven and ask Elisha if they can go look for him and he says it s pointless but they can if they want to. They look and Elijah is not found anywhere. Elisha then travels to a city where the drinking water was contaminated so he pours salt in it and blesses it and it is healed. Elisha then travels to Beth-El where some young men begin mocking him for being bald so he curses the children and calls 2 bears that eat 42 of the children. Notes 1. Elisha asks for a double portion of the spirit: And it came to pass, when they were gone over, that Elijah said unto Elisha, Ask what I shall do for thee, before I be taken away from thee. And Elisha said, I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me. (2 Kings 2:9) 2. Elijah is translated: Elijah did not taste of death but was instead brought to heaven in a whirlwind on a chariot of fire. Not everyone dies as some are transformed in a twinkling of an eye.

228 3. Why did Elisha kill the youth with a bear? The KJV says children but the translation is lads which means young men who are of age to be soldiers. It would seem the young men had formed an organized mob who were deliberately harassing the prophet of God and calling him baldhead which was a scornful insult in those days. They also told him to go up which Elijah had done so this was a threat that they wanted him dead. Most likely, a group of young men formed a mob to harass Elisha and threatened to kill him so the bears were unleashed on them.

229 Setting: Israel and Judah battle the Moabites. Story Summary 2 Kings 2- Elisha Prophesies Victory over the Moabites (Chapters 3) Chapter 3: Jehoram, Ahab s son, reigns in Israel for 12 years and does evil but is not as bad as his father was as he destroys the temples of Baal. However, when Ahab died, the Moabites decided to rebel against the Israelites so Jehoram sought the aid of Jehoshaphat (King of Judah) to quell the rebellion. Jehoshaphat agrees to help so he gathers and army and joins Israel along with the King of Edom. While their armies travel in the wilderness they ran out of water so Jehoshaphat sought a prophet to determine if this war would be successful. They meet with Elisha who says he will prophesy but only for Jehoshaphat s sake as he appears to lack any respect for Jehoram. He calls a minstrel who plays and then he tells them that if they dig ditches then the Lord will fill those ditches with water for their army so that they can destroy the Moabites. In the morning the Lord causes water to fill the ditches but the Moabites think it is blood as the sun is reflecting off of the water making it look red. They believed Judah and Israel battled each other so they gathered their armies to finish off any survivors. When the Moabites arrived at the Israelite camp they were surprised to see a healthy Israelite army destroy them. The Israelites destroyed their cities until the Moabite king sacrificed his son so the Israelites return home in disgust. Notes 1. Like Jehoshaphat, we should ensure our course of action is consistent with the counsel of the prophets: But Jehoshaphat said, is there not here a prophet of the Lord that we may inquire of the Lord by him? (2 Kings 3:11) 2. The Lord provided miraculously for the armies of Israel when they sought His blessing: The Israelites were dying of hunger and thirst so they turned to God for help. God answered by filling ditches with water for the armies to drink.

230 2 Kings 3- Elisha and the Widow s Oil (Chapter 4) Setting: Israel and Judah fight battles and Elisha does the work of the Lord. Story Summary Chapter 4: A widow comes to Elisha and tells him that her husband, who was a god-fearing man, is dead and that creditors are trying to collect on debts but she has nothing to pay them with. Elisha tells her to borrow jars from her neighbors and then to take the little bit of oil she has and to drop some in each jar. The jars miraculously fill and then she takes the oil and sells it to pay off her debt and live off the rest. Elisha travels to Shunem where he meets a woman who recognizes he is a prophet so she feeds him regularly and builds him a room where he can sleep whenever he is passing through. Elisha is touched so he decides to bless her with a son, even though she is barren. The woman conceives and has a son at the exact time that Elisha prophesied. The son grows until one day he gets sick and then dies so the woman travels immediately to Mt. Carmel to seek Elisha s help. Elisha promises to help and sends his servant Gehazi to lay his staff on the boy s face until Elisha can arrive. Elisha lines his body up with the boys and then the boy is miraculously raised from the dead. Elisha travels to Gilgal where he meets a group of prophets and begins eating with them. One of the prophets accidentally put a poisonous herb in the stew and they all exclaim that they are about to die so Elisha pours some flour into the pot and the poison is removed. In another miracle, a certain man has 20 loaves of bread to feed 100 people. Elisha tells him to feed it to the people and the Lord will multiply it. The man does so and all 100 people are able to eat. Notes 1. The Lord provides for widows in miraculous ways: The widow had no way to provide for herself and her family had served God faithfully so God did a miracle in order to provide for her. (2 Kings 3) 2. Promised Blessings are Temporarily Removed as a Trial of Faith: Elisha had promised the woman she would have a son but her son died in his youth. The woman put her faith in God and sought the help of the prophets and as a result the promised blessing was restored.

231 Setting: Namaan seeks the counsel of Elisha the prophet. Story Summary 2 Kings 4- Elisha Heals Namaan the Leper (Chapter 5) Chapter 5: Naaman was a captain of the Syrian army who had achieved many victories with the help of God. Despite his great successes, Naaman also suffered from leprosy. The Syrians had captured some Israelites and one of the women they captured became Namaan s wife s servant. She told Namaan about the prophet Elisha and that he could help him with his leprosy. Naaman sends a letter to the King of Israel, asking to be healed of leprosy, and the King believes this is an impossible task and becomes afraid. Elisha hears of the request and tells the King to send Namaan to him and he will prove there is a prophet in Israel. Elisha tells Namaan to go and wash in the River Jordan 7 times and he will be healed. Namaan is angry at this counsel as it appears too simple so he departs back to Syria. While travelling, his wise servant reminds him that if Elisha had asked him to do some great thing he would have done it but because it was so simple he refused. Namaan humbles himself and washes in the Jordan 7 times and his healed. He is so happy that he tries to pay Elisha for healing him but Elisha refuses any payment. Namaan declares he will worship no God but the one in Israel but asks Elisha if it s still okay if he bows in the temple of Rimmon and Elisha says this is okay. Namaan departs and then Elisha s servant Gehazi follows shortly thereafter and lies to him saying that Elisha would like the reward now to give to two visiting prophets. Namaan gives him the money and then Gehazi returns home and Elisha knows what he has done. Elisha curses Gehazi for taking payment for doing God s work and says he and his house will have leprosy forever. Notes 1. We often overlook simple prescribed solutions that heal us: And his servants came near, and spake unto him, and said, my father, if the prophet had bid thee do some great thing, wouldest thou not have done it? How much rather then, when he saith to thee, Wash, and be clean? Then went he down, and dipped himself seven times in Jordan, according to the saying of the man of God: and his flesh came again like unto the flesh of a little child, and he was clean. (2 Kings 5: 13-14) 2. Namaan was excused from bowing in the temple of Rimmon: Interestingly, the Lord allowed Namaan to continue to bow in the temple of Rimmon when the king bowed. Sometimes, honoring the law of one s country is permissible. 3. Gehazi was cursed for accepting payment for God s work: Gehazi tried to get payment for healing Namaan when it was God that did the healing. As a result, Gehazi was cursed with leprosy. When we do the work of God we should not accept payment.

232 2 Kings 5-Elisha and the Armies of Heaven Defeat the Syrians (Chapters 6-7) Setting: The Syrian army surrounds Elisha in Dothan and then are led to Samaria. Story Summary Chapter 6: A group of prophets told Elisha that their house was too small so they asked him permission to build a new one. Elisha tells them to go ahead so they beginning cutting wood when one of the prophets loses an axe he borrowed in the river. Elisha casts a stick in the river and the iron axe floats to the top near the stick and they reclaim it. Meanwhile, the Syrians are at war with Israel and they decide to set up an ambush for them. Elisha warns the King of Israel about the ambush and saves many lives. The King of Syria thinks that spies in his ranks are informing Israel but soon learns that Elisha the prophet is the one who is informing the King of Israel about the ambush attempts. The King takes an army and surrounds Elisha in his city and the servant of Elisha becomes very afraid. Elisha tells him not to fear and asks God to open his eyes and he sees heavenly chariots of fire surrounding the Syrian army. Elisha then asks God to blind the Syrians when they attack and then God smites the Syrian host with blindness. Elisha then pretends to lead them to who they are seeking but instead leads them to Samaria and delivers them to the King of Israel. The King asks Elisha if he should kill the Syrians but Elisha tells him not to and instead to make them a feast and send them away in peace. A little while later, Ben-Hadad of Syria lays siege to the city of Samaria and the people begin to starve as they hold out. The King is walking along the walls when he hears two women tell him they had to eat their own children to survive. The King is grieved and declares that he will kill Elisha this day and sends an assassin after him. Elisha knows an assassin is coming so tells the Elders of Israel to shut the door. The King arrives before the assassin and then asks him why he should keep trusting in the Lord when such terrible things occur? Chapter 7: Elisha responds to the King and says that within 24 hours there will be such abundance in Israel that barley and meal will be sold cheaply at the gates. A captain disbelieves this prophesy so Elisha says he will see it come true but will not eat from it. Four leprous men decide that they have nothing to lose so they approach the Syrian camp at night and see nobody there. God had sent illusions to deceive the Syrians into thinking a Great War host was coming so they fled in terror, abandoning their camp. The lepers return and tell the King about the abandoned camp but the King believes the Syrians are preparing an ambush. The King sends scouts and realizes the Syrians truly did flee so the Israelites loot the camp and have an abundance of food. Elisha s prophesy comes true as barley and meal are sold cheaply and the captain who scoffed was trampled by the crowd. Notes

233 1. Heavenly armies protect a single man against an earthly war host: Elisha was surrounded by the Syrians but God sent heavenly chariots to rescue him and blind the Syrians. God will move Heaven and earth to protect His servants. 2. A man of God is never alone but is always supported by the armies of Heaven: And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them. And Elisha prayed, and said, Lord, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the Lord opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha. (2 Kings 6: 16-17) 3. God sends Illusions to defeat the Syrians: For the Lord had made the host of the Syrians to hear a noise of chariots, and a noise of horses, even the noise of a great host: and they said one to another, Lo, the king of Israel hath hired against us the kings of the Hittites, and the kings of the Egyptians, to come upon us. (2 Kings 7:6)

234 2 Kings 6-The Fall of Ahab s House (Chapters 8-10) Setting: The Syrian army surrounds Elisha in Dothan and then are led to Samaria. Story Summary Chapter 8: Elisha prophecies a seven year famine and tells the Shunammite woman to leave the land to escape the famine. The woman leaves and lives amongst the Philistines for 7 years. She returns and then the king restores her land as he learns she is the woman Elisha had helped. Elisha travels to Damascus and Ben-Hadad, the King, was sick so he sent a servant to ask Elisha if he would recover. Elisha tells the servant Hazael to tell him he will recover but knows he will die and then begins crying over the wicked deeds Hazael will commit against Israel as King. Hazael returns and then kills Ben-Hadad and becomes king. Jehoram marries Ahab s daughter and does evil in the sight of God. Edom revolts against Judah and becomes independent. Jehoram dies and is replaced by his son Ahaziah as king who was just as evil as his father. Ahaziah and Joram go to war with Hazael and Joram is wounded in battle. Chapter 9: Elisha sends a man from the company of prophets to secretly anoint Jehoshaphat s son Jehu King. The prophet visits Jehu and does as Elisha instructed and tells Jehu he must destroy Ahab s house along with Jezebel. Jehu speaks to the army commanders and they all agree that Jehu is the true king and prepare to rebel against Joram. Jehu meets up with Joram and Ahaziah in Naboth s vineyard and where Jehu kills them both. Jehu then goes to Jezreel and confronts Jezebel in her room. He tells her eunuchs to kill her so they throw her out the window to her death and the dogs eat her bones so she cannot be buried. This fulfills Elijah s prophesy. Chapter 10: Jehu writes letters to the servants of Ahab s 70 sons instructing them to kill every last son of Ahab. The servants agree and send the heads of the 70 sons of Ahab to Jehu in Jezreel. Jehu declares that he is fulfilling the prophecy of Elijah and finishes killing the rest of Ahab s house along with Ahaziah s relatives as well. Jehu then plans to lure out all the Baal worshipers so that he can kill them. He declares that he will worship Baal more than his predecessor did and gathers all Ball worshippers to a temple. After they are all gathered he has them all slaughtered by his soldiers and destroys the temple of Baal. Jehu continues worshipping the Golden calves in Dan and Bethel, however. Meanwhile, Israel continues to lose territory to the Syrians as a result of their disobedience to God. Jehu rules for 27 years and then dies and his son Jehoahaz succeeds him.

235 Notes 1. Utter Desolation will ultimately come upon the wicked: Ahab and Jezebel appeared to prosper from their sins in the short term. However, in the long term, their houses were completely destroyed and no trace of them was left.

236 2 Kings 7-The Reign of King Joash (Chapters 11-12) Setting: In Jerusalem. Story Summary Chapter 11: Athaliah, Ahaziah s mother, kills the rest of the royal family when she hears her son is dead so that she can reign as queen. However, the daughter of King Joram, named Jehosheba, escapes with Ahaziah s son Joash and protects him from the massacre. They hide for 6 years in the temple while Athaliah is reigning in the land. A Priest named Jehoiada has several captains swear to protect Joash and to make him king one day. Jehoida anoints Joash king and the soldiers cheer so Athaliah goes into the temple and cries treason. The soldiers pursue her outside the temple and then kill her and then the people proceed to destroy all the temples of Baal. They rejoice that Athaliah s reign is over and that Joash is now king. Chapter 12: Joash is a righteous king who reigns for 40 years in Jerusalem and is guided by Jehoida the Priest. Joash commands the Priests to use the temple donations to repair the temple but they delay doing so. Joash tells them they can t collect any more donations until repairs are done so Jehoida puts out a collection box and raises the money for the repairs. Meanwhile, Hazael the King of Syria, conquers the city of Gath and begins to threaten Jerusalem. Joash decides to gather the treasures and gold of his ancestors and gives them to Hazael so that he will not attack Jerusalem. Hazael accepts the money and returns to Syria. Joash is eventually killed by two of his servants who conspire to murder him and he is replaced by his son Amaziah on the throne. Notes 1. The Lord preserves the Line of David: The Lord protected the boy king Joash from the wrath of Athaliah and eventually assured he would take the throne to preserve David s line in Judah.

237 2 Kings 8-The Death of Elisha (Chapter 13) Setting: In Jerusalem. Story Summary Chapter 13: 23 years into Joash s reign, Jehoahaz began to reign in wickedness in Samaria. As a result of their wickedness, Israel is vexed by Hazael and the Syrians during the reign of Jehoahaz. Jehoahaz prays to the Lord for deliverance and He sends a savior who delivers them from the Syrians. However, this isn t enough to keep Israel from sinning and they continue in their evil ways. Jehoahaz dies and then his son Jehoash takes the throne and continues to reign in wickedness. He eventually dies and then his son Jeroboam succeeds him. Elisha becomes sick so Jehoash visits him before he dies. Elisha tells him to take a bow and arrow and then puts his hand on the king s hand and tells him to shoot the bow out the window. He says that he shot the arrow of deliverance and prophesies that Israel will be victorious over Syria. He asks Jehoash to strike the arrows on the ground but he only strikes them 3 times and Elisha says he should have hit them 5 or 6 times. As a result of only striking three times, the Israelites will only defeat the Syrians three times. Elisha dies shortly thereafter and is buried. The Moabites invade the land and then bury one of their men in the sepulchre of Elisha and when his body touches the bones of Elisha he is miraculously raised from the dead. God has mercy on Israel and gives them victory over the Syrians 3 times, fulfilling the prophesy of Elisha. Notes 1. When we break our covenants, we are delivered to our enemies: And the anger of the Lord was kindled against Israel, and he delivered them into the hand of Hazael king of Syria, and into the hand of Ben-hadad the son of Hazael, all their days. (2 Kings 13:3)

238 2 Kings 8- Destruction of the Northern Kingdom and Assyrian Captivity (Chapters 14-17) Setting: In the land of Israel. Story Summary Chapter 14: Amaziah reigns for 29 years in Judah and is a relatively good king. He kills the assassins who executed his father and wins a battle over the Edomites. Amaziah then challenges Jehoash, the King of Israel, to a battle and is defeated. The Israelite armies storm Jerusalem and loot their treasures and return back to Samaria. Amaziah flees to Lachish where he is killed but his son Azariah is made King. Meanwhile in Israel, Jeroboam II succeeds Joash and reigns in Samaria but does evil in the sight of the Lord. He retakes Hamath and Damascus from Judah and then he dies and his son Zechariah becomes King. Chapter 15: Azariah reigns 52 years in Judah and is a relatively good king but doesn t remove the false temples. Azariah becomes a leper and then needs to live in seclusion so his son Jotham manages his royal court and then becomes King when Azariah dies. Meanwhile, in Israel, Zachariah reigns in Samaria and does evil in the sight of the Lord. A man named Shallum kills him and then becomes king for a month before Menahem kills him and becomes king. Menahem rules for 10 years in Samaria and is another evil king. He levies a burdensome tax on the people to pay a bribe to the King of Assyria to not attack. Menahem dies and Pekahiah becomes king for two years before he is killed in a conspiracy by Pekah who replaced him as king. Pekah rules wickedly for another 20 years and during his reign the Assyrians conquer many territories in Israel and take many captives. Eventually, a man named Hoshea kills Pekah and becomes king. Meanwhile, in Judah, Jotham reigns for 16 years and is a good King in the eyes of God. However, he constantly battles Israel and Syria and then dies and his son Ahaz reigns. Chapter 16: Ahaz reigns 16 years in Judah and is so wicked that he sacrifices his son to the God Moloch. Syria and Israel then attack Jerusalem so Ahaz sends for help from the Assyrians and offers them all the treasures of the temple to help. The King of Assyria agrees to help and they retake Damascus and carry away the people captive there. King Ahaz meets the King of Assyria in Damascus and admires the altar he has created to his god so Ahaz decides to alter the temple in Jerusalem to resemble the heathen altar. Ahaz dies and then Hezekiah reigns in his stead. Chapter 17: Hoshea reigns in Samaria for 9 years and is the vassal of the King of Assyria. Eventually, he betrays the King of Assyria by trying to make an alliance with Israel and Egypt and doesn t pay tribute to Assyria. The

239 King of Assyria finds out and invades Israel and takes over Samaria and then sends the people to exile in a city called Halah. The Northern Kingdom would never recover and this marks the end of it. This happened because Israel broke its covenant and rejected the prophets. The King of Assyria populates Samaria with people from many different lands who do not worship the God of Israel so lions are sent to kill many of the new Samarians. The King of Assyria commands an Israelite priest to teach the people to worship God but the people of Samaria worship their own Gods. Notes 1. Israel broke their covenant and as a result lost their inheritance and went into exile: Israel had broken their covenant to serve the Lord and had gone and worshipped other Gods and partook in their evil acts and as a result Samaria was lost and the Israelites were taken into exile by the Assyrians. In the same way, when we break our covenant with God we lose our eternal inheritance and are cast into exile (outer darkness). 2. Before Judgment, the Lord sends Prophets to warn of impending destruction: Yet the Lord testified against Israel, and against Judah, by all the prophets, and by all the seers, saying, Turn ye from your evil ways, and keep my commandments and my statutes, according to all the law which I commanded your fathers, and which I sent to you by my servants the prophets. (2 Kings 17: 13) 3. Why was the Northern Kingdom of Israel destroyed? And they rejected his statutes, and his covenant that he made with their fathers, and his testimonies which he testified against them; and they followed vanity, and became vain, and went after the heathen that were round about them, concerning whom the Lord had charged them, that they should not do like them. And they left all the commandments of the Lord their God, and made them molten images, even two calves, and made a grove, and worshipped all the host of heaven, and served Baal. And they caused their sons and their daughters to pass through the fire, and used divination and enchantments, and sold themselves to do evil in the sight of the Lord, to provoke him to anger. (2 Kings 17: 15-17) When we reject God s laws and covenants and reject the testimonies of his servants and seek after the vain things of worldly cultures we are exiled. When we worship other gods, kill our children, seek after wizards and sorcerers and do evil we are exiled. 4. The Ten Lost Tribes: As a result of the Assyrian captivity, the 10 tribe kingdom of Northern Israel was destroyed and scattered. The 10 tribes that made up this kingdom were sent into exile and are now known as the 10 lost tribes of Israel.

240 Setting: In Jerusalem during the reign of King Hezekiah. Story Summary 2 Kings 10- The Reign of Hezekiah (Chapters 18-20) Chapter 18: Hezekiah reigned in Judah for 29 years and was a very righteous king, comparable to David. He destroyed all of the temples to other Gods and broke the brass serpent of Moses that the people were worshipping. During his reign, the King of Assyria (Shalmaneser) besieges Samaria and destroys it leading to the destruction of the Northern Kingdom of Israel. A few years later the new king of Assyria (Sennacherib) threatens to besiege Jerusalem so Hezekiah tries to pay him off with treasures from the temple. His envoys meet with the Assyrian messengers who tell them there is nothing they can do to resist them, including relying on their God or on their ally Egypt. The Assyrians tell them they are planning to take them to another land and occupy Jerusalem. Chapter 19: King Hezekiah hears the message from the Assyrians so he rents his clothes and dons sackcloth and ashes and goes to the temple to seek God s counsel. He then sends messengers to the prophet Isaiah who declares that the King of Assyria will return home and be killed in his own land. The King of Assyria sends Hezekiah another letter saying that there is nothing the God of Israel can do to overcome the Assyrian army. Hezekiah prays again and God tells him that the King of Assyria won t even be able to shoot an arrow at Jerusalem and that Judah will have plenty to eat. The next night the Lord sends an angel of death who destroys the Assyrian army of 185,000 soldiers forcing the King of Assyria to flee home. When he returns home he is assassinated by his own sons. Chapter 20: Hezekiah becomes sick and the prophet Isaiah tells him that he will die of this sickness. Hezekiah prays to God for healing and because he has been a faithful servant God declares (through Isaiah) that he will add 15 more years to his life and will heal him. Isaiah tells him to put figs on his boils and as a sign that he will be healed his sundial will go backwards 10 degrees. Hezekiah is healed and continues reigning as king. Later on, some messengers from Babylon come and Hezekiah gives them a tour of the temple and Jerusalem. Isaiah then prophecies of the Babylonian captivity and declares that Hezekiah s house and belongings will all be carried into Babylon. Hezekiah dies and his son Manasseh reigns in his stead. Notes 1. The Lord Miraculously Destroys the Assyrian Armies with an Angel of Destruction: And it came to pass that night, that the angel of the Lord went out, and smote in the camp of the Assyrians an hundred fourscore and five thousand: and when they arose early in the morning, behold, they were all dead corpses. (2 Kings 19:35)

241 2. The Lord healed Hezekiah of sickness and his life was extended because of his righteousness: I beseech thee, O Lord, remember now how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight. And Hezekiah wept sore. And it came to pass, afore Isaiah was gone out into the middle court, that the word of the Lord came to him, saying, Turn again, and tell Hezekiah the captain of my people, Thus saith the Lord, the God of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will heal thee: on the third day thou shalt go up unto the house of the Lord. And I will add unto thy days fifteen years; and I will deliver thee and this city out of the hand of the king of Assyria; and I will defend this city for mine own sake, and for my servant David s sake. (2 Kings 20: 3-6) 3. Prophecies of Judgment come upon Israel before destruction: Behold, the days come, that all that is in thine house, and that which thy fathers have laid up in store unto this day, shall be carried into Babylon: nothing shall be left, saith the Lord. And of thy sons that shall issue from thee, which thou shalt beget, shall they take away; and they shall be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon. (2 Kings 20: 17-18)

242 2 Kings 11- Josiah s Reforms (Chapters 21-23) Setting: In Jerusalem during the reign of Manasseh, Amon, Josiah, Jehoahaz and Jehoiakim. Story Summary Chapter 21: Manasseh reigns in Jerusalem for 55 years and commits all sorts of evil acts turning the people to Baal worship, turning to sorcery and even sacrificing his own son to the heathen gods. Under Manasseh, the Israelites were more wicked than the surrounding nations. The Lord declares that because of their wickedness, Judah will be scattered and destroyed. Manasseh dies and his son Amon reigns in his stead for two years and is just as evil as his father so he is killed by his own servants. The people kill the assassins and make Amon s son Josiah king. Chapter 22: Josiah reigns in Jerusalem for 31 years and is a righteous king, comparable to David. 18 years into Josiah s reign, he asks his servant Shaphan to travel to the temple and tell them to use the donations to repair the temple. Shaphan returns with a book of the law that they have found and Josiah reads it and rents his clothes, realizing that the people have broken God s law continually. Josiah sends his servants to the prophetess Huldah to find out what they should do and she tells them that God will visit Judah in judgment but that Josiah will die in peace because he humbled himself and sinned in ignorance. Chapter 23: Josiah gathers all of the people to the temple and reads to them the Law of Moses from the Book that he has found. Josiah and the people make a covenant before God promising to keep His commandments from that day forward. Josiah then has all the temples of Baal destroyed and kills all the false priests. He destroys the prostitution houses and proceeds to destroy the rest of the altars to the heathen gods. He destroys Topheth, where the people were sacrificing their children to Molech. He destroys altars to Ashtoreth (built by Solomon), Chemosh and Milcom and continues to tear down all the high places in the land. Josiah then returns to Jerusalem and orders the people to start observing Passover, as they had not done so since the days of the Judges. Josiah drove out all of the wizards, sorcerers and others who practiced abominations before God. Nevertheless, despite Josiah s attempts at reform, the Lord declared that judgment was still coming upon Judah. Josiah eventually battles the Pharaoh of Egypt at Megiddo and is slain and brought back to Jerusalem. His son, Jehoahaz, becomes king but only for 3 months as he turns the people back to idolatry. The King of Egypt captures him and then makes Josiah s other son, Jehoiakim, king. Jehoiakim is like his brother and ignores Josiah s reforms and returns the people to idolatry. He reigns a total of 11 years.

243 Notes 1. Wickedness leads to destruction: And I will forsake the remnant of mine inheritance, and deliver them into the hand of their enemies; and they shall become a prey and a spoil to all their enemies; Because they have done that which was evil in my sight, and have provoked me to anger, since the day their fathers came forth out of Egypt, even unto this day. (2 Kings 21: 14-15) 2. The prophetess Huldah: It would appear women could be prophets as well as the King of Israel sought Huldah s word concerning the fate of Israel and the Lord spoke through her. (2 Kings 22) 3. God spares the individually righteous when judgment comes: God told Josiah that he would be spared experiencing the destruction of Jerusalem because he had humbled himself and was contrite for his sins. (2 Kings 22) 4. The Israelites were consistently evil and broke their covenant with God: The History of Israel is a tragic one. It would appear that righteous men who kept the law of God were relatively rare. The Israelites worshipped other Gods and Josiah s attempts at reform show just how fallen the people were.

244 Setting: The Final Days of the Kingdom of Judah before exile in Babylon. Story Summary Chapter 24: King Nebuchadnezzar begins his reign in 2 Kings 12- The Babylonian Captivity (Chapters 24-25) Babylon and Jehoiakim is his vassal for three years before he rebels. God then allows the Chaldeans and others to begin attacking Jerusalem to destroy it. Jehoiakim dies and his son Jehoiachin reigns in his stead for 3 months but he is another wicked king. Nebuchadnezzar lays siege to Jerusalem and Jehoiachin surrenders and is taken captive into Babylon along with thousands of other soldiers and artisans. Nebuchadnezzar leaves only the poorest people in Jerusalem and sets Jehoiachin s brother Zedekiah as a puppet king over the people that remain. He rules wickedly for 11 years and then decides to rebel against the King of Babylon. Chapter 25: Nebuchadnezzar responds to Zedekiah s rebellion by laying siege to Jerusalem for the second time. The people starve while trying to wait out the siege so the king and his army attempt to flee Jerusalem by night. The Chaldeans catch up to Zedekiah, capture him and bring him forth to Nebuchadnezzar. Zedekiah s sons are killed in front of him, his eyes are torn out of his sockets and he is taken prisoner. Nebuchadnezzar then sends men to Jerusalem to tear the walls down and destroy the temple. Nebuchadnezzar sets Gedaliah as the new governor of Judah, though hardly anything remains. He tries to convince the remaining people to live peacefully under Chaldean rule but he is killed by a group of soldiers who then lead the remainder of the people to Egypt. 37 years later, a new King of Babylon named Evil-Merodoch frees Jehoiachin and gives him power and authority in his house. Notes 1. Wickedness leads to destruction: The ultimate consequence of breaking their covenants and ignoring the commandments of God was exile and a loss of their inheritance. God is no respecter of persons and cannot excuse sin in his own people.

245 OLD TESTAMENT SUMMARY EZRA, NEHEMIAH & ESTHER Ezra 1. The Return from Exile and Rebuilding the Temple. (1-6) 2. Ezra leads the Second Group of Exiles to Jerusalem. (7-10) Nehemiah 1. Nehemiah Rebuilds the Walls of Jerusalem. (1-7) 2. Ezra and Nehemiah Restore the Law of Moses. (8-13) Esther 1. Esther delivers her people. A TESTAMENT OF JESUS CHRIST

246 Ezra 1-The Return from Exile and Rebuilding of the Temple (Chapters 1-6) Setting: The Jews return to Jerusalem from exile in Babylon after Cyrus the great conquers the Chaldeans. Story Summary Chapter 1: During the first year of King Cyrus of Persia s reign, he declares that the Lord has commanded him to build a temple in Jerusalem. He declares that the Jews should return there and rebuild and that others should help by donating money and resources. Cyrus takes the treasures that were taken from the temple and gives them back to the returning Israelites. Chapter 2: A list of the Israelites who returned to Jerusalem is given and it totals around 42,000 people with another 7000 servants. When they arrived at Jerusalem many donated large amounts of wealth to help rebuild the temple. Chapter 3: Seven months after they arrive, they all gather together in Jerusalem. Jeshua and Zerubbabel rebuild the altar of God to offer burnt offerings to God and to keep the Law of Moses. A bit later, they then lead the people in the foundations of the new temple and appoint Levites to oversee the work. The people play music and sing psalms in celebration. Chapter 4: When the adversaries of Judah and Benjamin heard they were rebuilding the temple they came and tried to deceive them into letting them help but Zerubabbel and Jeshua said no. Their enemies then engaged in all sorts of tactics to delay the building of the temple and this occurred until the reign of Darius. Before Darius came to power their enemies wrote the Emperor Artaxerxes and asked him to put a stop to building the temple. They accuse the Jews of being seditious and that they will not pay tribute when the city is rebuilt. Artaxerxes agrees with the enemies of Judah and sends a force to halt construction of the temple. Chapter 5: The prophets Zechariah and Haggai begin prophesying so Zerubbabbel and Jeshua become encouraged and begin rebuilding the temple again. Their enemies once again come over and try to halt the work and send a letter to Darius asking him to stop them. They ask Darius to prove that Cyrus ever decreed that the temple was to be rebuilt. Chapter 6: King Darius searches the temple and discovers the decree of Cyrus so responds to the enemies of Israel that they must pay for the temple to be rebuilt and offer the animals for sacrifice. He declares that if any hinder the work they will be impaled. With the aid of Darius, the temple was finished and the Passover was observed. Notes

247 1. God rules amongst all people: God had raised up Cyrus and given him power to conquer the nations so that Gods work could go forth. Cyrus decreed that the temple would be rebuilt in Jerusalem and allowed the Jews to return. 2. God raises up people by his Spirit to do His work: Then rose up the chief of the fathers of Judah and Benjamin, and the priests, and the Levites, with all them whose spirit God had raised, to go up to build the house of the Lord which is in Jerusalem. (Ezra 1:5) 3. Opposition to God s work: The Enemies of Judah tried to put a stop to building the temple and were temporarily successful. Opposition to God s work will always occur. 4. God s work will always be done, despite opposition: The enemies of Judah may have thought they were victorious in halting the construction of the temple but God ensured that it was eventually done. We may see delays, but we will always see the will of God done.

248 Ezra 2-Ezra leads the Second Group of Exiles to Jerusalem (Chapters 7-10) Setting: The Jews return to Jerusalem from exile in Babylon after Cyrus the great conquers the Chaldeans. Story Summary Chapter 7: Ezra, a descendant of Aaron, is a scribe who leaves Babylon with a second group of exiles and heads for Jerusalem. King Artaxerxes decreed that any who wishes to accompany Ezra were to do so and sends gifts of silver and gold to help with the rebuilding effort and for sacrifices. Artaxerxes declares that Ezra can use whatever he needs from the treasury until Jerusalem is rebuilt and exempts temple officials from paying taxes. He also tells Ezra to appoint judges and magistrates to teach people the law of God and gives him authority to punish any lawbreakers. Chapter 8: Ezra gives another list of those who returned on the second trip back to Jerusalem. The company stops at the river Ahava and Ezra realizes there are no Levites amongst the group so he sends messengers to Iddo at Casiphia, asking for Levites to minister in the temple. Ezra obtains the Levites that they need and then they fast for direction and protection as Ezra had turned down the Kings offer for an armed escort. God hears their prayers and delivers them safely to Jerusalem where they offer sacrifices to God. Chapter 9: Israelite officials tell Ezra that many of the people have intermarried with Canaanites and are still following after their customs. Ezra rents his clothes and plucks hair out of his head and beard in grief and then those who fear God gather around him. Ezra then offers an intercessory prayer on behalf of Israel. He confesses the guilt of Israel before God since its founding and says he is ashamed. He recognizes the great mercy God has shown in leading the people back to Jerusalem but says he is worried that the people are intermarrying with Canaanites and that they will forsake God yet again. Chapter 10: Ezra weeps before the temple and then many others join him and resolve to make a covenant with God to send away their foreign wives. Ezra then fasts and then sends a proclamation that all Israel must gather and whoever doesn t show up will be disinherited and cast out. All the men of Judah and Benjamin gather and then Ezra declares that they must send away their strange wives. The people agree but say that this is going to take a while to do so they ask for it to be done over a period of time. Ezra then lists everyone who had taken foreign wives and gave them up. Notes

249 1. Ezra prepared his heart for the law of God: For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the Lord, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments. (Ezra 7:10) 2. God blesses those who seek him but His wrath is upon those who forsake Him: The hand of our God is upon all them for good that seek him; but his power and his wrath is against all them that forsake him. (Ezra 8:22) 3. Ezra s Intercessory Prayer (Ezra 9: 6-15): And after all that is come upon us for our evil deeds, and for our great trespass, seeing that thou our God hast punished us less than our iniquities deserve, and hast given us such deliverance as this; Should we again break thy commandments, and join in affinity with the people of these abominations? Wouldest not thou be angry with us till thou hadst consumed us, so that there should be no remnant nor escaping? 4. The importance of marrying in the faith: Ezra thought it so important to marry within the faith to preserve their culture and religion that he sent away all foreign wives and children.

250 Nehemiah 1- Nehemiah Rebuilds the Walls of Jerusalem (Chapters 1-7) Setting: The Jews return to Jerusalem from exile in Babylon after Cyrus the great conquers the Chaldeans. Story Summary Chapter 1: Nehemiah lived in the Persian capital of Susa when his brother Hanani reports to him that the Jews in Jerusalem are really struggling. Nehemiah fasts and prays and asks God to remember His covenant that He would regather His people after scattering them. Chapter 2: Nehemiah serves as King Artaxerxes cupbearer and one day when he was serving him the King noticed he looked sad. Nehemiah told him he was sad because of the state of Jerusalem and asked if he could go and help rebuild. The King seemed to really like Nehemiah so he grants his request and sends him with a letter guaranteeing safe passage and access to timber to for building a house and the temple. Two of Israel s enemies, Sanballat and Tobiah, heard about Nehemiah s quest to rebuild Jerusalem so they try and stop him. Nehemiah arrives in Jerusalem, sneaks out at night and then delivers a speech to the people asking them to help rebuild the walls. Sanballat and Tobiah mock him but he tells them they have no part in Jerusalem. Chapter 3: Nehemiah lists the names of everyone who helped build the walls and gates of Jerusalem. Chapter 4: Sanballat and Tobiah continue mocking Nehemiah and those who are rebuilding so Nehemiah asks God to judge them. They become angrier when they see good progress being made on the walls so they plan to attack Nehemiah and the workers in order to stop the work. Nehemiah responds by setting armed guards around the worksite day and night and then eventually arming the workers themselves. He says he will blow a trumpet if they are attacked and asks all the workers to rally to the trumpet sound to defend Jerusalem. Chapter 5: Many Jews come to Nehemiah and complain there isn t enough food and they are having to sell their children as slaves to borrow enough money to live. Nehemiah is angry when he hears this and demands that the lenders and officials return the money they have taken and they agree. Nehemiah promises that God will cast out any who do not return the money they had taken from the people. Nehemiah continues to serve as Governor of Judah for 12 years and does not exact taxes of the people and focuses solely on rebuilding the wall. Chapter 6: Sanballat and Tobiah see that Nehemiah is almost done his work so they try and convince him to leave the work and come meet them as they plan to ambush him. Nehemiah responds 4 times that he is doing a great work and will not leave it to pursuit some lesser cause. Sanballat and Tobiah continuing threatening Nehemiah and say they will bear false witness to the king that Nehemiah is planning to become king and rebel. They even send false prophets to try and deceive Nehemiah into hiding in the temple (only Levites are allowed

251 in) but he detects them and asks God to deal with them. The wall is finished in 52 days, which is so fast that the surrounding people begin fearing them and believe God is with them. Chapter 7: After the wall was built, Nehemiah promotes his brother Hanani to Governor of Jerusalem. He then lists the families that had returned to Jerusalem and numbers around 50,000 people. Many claim to have Levite ancestors so Nehemiah uses the Urim and Thummim to determine if they are telling the truth. Notes 1. The Scattering and Gathering of Israel as a pattern: Remember, I beseech thee, the word that thou commandedst thy servant Moses, saying, If ye transgress, I will scatter you abroad among the nations: But if ye turn unto me, and keep my commandments, and do them; though there were of you cast out unto the uttermost part of the heaven, yet will I gather them from thence, and will bring them unto the place that I have chosen to set my name there. (Nehemiah 1: 8-9) 2. God places His servants in positions that help them bring about His purposes: God made Nehemiah King Artaxerxes cupbearer so that the King would grant his request to help rebuild Jerusalem. 3. Like Nehemiah, We should not leave the heights of our great work to pursuit lesser causes: And I sent messengers unto them, saying, I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down: why should the work cease, whilst I leave it, and come down to you? Yet they sent unto me four times after this sort; and I answered them after the same manner. (Nehemiah 6: 3-4)

252 Nehemiah 2- Ezra and Nehemiah Restore the Law of Moses (Chapters 8-13) Setting: The Jews return to Jerusalem from exile in Babylon and help rebuild it and restore the Law of Moses. Story Summary Chapter 8: All the people gathered at the water gate to hear Ezra read the Law of Moses from morning until midday. The people weep when they realize they haven t kept the law but Nehemiah tells them to rejoice for this is a holy day. After reading the law of Moses, the Jews realize they are supposed to be celebrating the Feast of Booths and are to live in booths outside their houses so they go and make them. They observe the feast for 7 days and Ezra teaches them the law every day. Chapter 9: The Israelites were all assembled in sackcloth and ashes and they separated themselves from the foreigners and confessed their sins before God. Ezra gets up and recites the History of Israel up until the present time and confesses that Israel has been evil and God has been gracious. They resolve to renew their covenant with God. Chapter 10: Nehemiah lists the people who entered into a covenant with God and they promise not to marry foreigners, buy food on the Sabbath and to forgive debts every seventh year. They agree to give money for the upkeep of the temple and for performing feasts and offerings. Chapter 11: The leaders all live in Jerusalem and people cast lots to see who has to stay and who can live in other cities. Those who volunteer to live in Jerusalem are blessed. Nehemiah then gives a list of the people who live in Jerusalem and lists some other important people. Chapter 12: Nehemiah gives another list of Priests and Levites who lived at the time. The people dedicate the temple and Jerusalem and set aside portions of food for singers, gatekeepers and priests. Chapter 13: The Israelites discover that the Law of Moses says they should not associate with the Ammonites or Moabites so they refuse to do so. Nehemiah returns to visit King Artaxerxes and while away, Tobiah is given a great room where the offerings were stored. Nehemiah returns and casts Tobiah out of the temple, restores the offerings and ensures the Levites are given their proper portions. Nehemiah discovers the people are buying and selling on the Sabbath and so he puts a stop to that as well and orders the gates to the city shut on the Sabbath. He discovers traders dwelling outside the gates and tells them to either leave or be forced out so they finally leave. Nehemiah then discovers some have married foreign wives so he forbids it and makes them give

253 them up. He chases out allies of Sanballat and establishes the duties of the Levites and asks God to bless him for his good deeds. Notes 1. Buying Goods on the Sabbath was prohibited: And if the people of the land bring ware or any victuals on the sabbath day to sell, that we would not buy it of them on the sabbath, or on the holy day: and that we would leave the seventh year, and the exaction of every debt. (Nehemiah 10: 31) 2. Nehemiah said that people who bought and sold on the Sabbath were profaning it and committing evil: Then I contended with the nobles of Judah, and said unto them, what evil thing is this that ye do, and profane the Sabbath day? Did not your father s thus, and did not our God bring all this evil upon us, and upon this city? Yet ye bring more wrath upon Israel by profaning the Sabbath. (Nehemiah 13: 17-18) 3. Those who enter into a covenant with God are recorded: Nehemiah thinks it s important to list all of the people who entered into a covenant with God. This list is symbolic of the Book of Life referred to in Revelation, where names are recorded for eternal life. 4. God requires our first fruits as a sacrifice and not our leftovers: And to bring the first fruits of our ground, and the first fruits of all fruit of all trees, year by year, unto the house of the Lord. (Nehemiah 10:35) 5. Solomon was a great king who fell because he married outside the faith: And I contended with them, and cursed them, and smote certain of them, and plucked off their hair, and made them swear by God, saying, ye shall not give your daughters unto their sons, nor take their daughters unto your sons, or for yourselves. Did not Solomon king of Israel sin by these things? Yet among many nations was there no king like him, who was beloved of his God, and God made him king over all Israel: nevertheless even him did outlandish women cause to sin. (Nehemiah 13: 25-26)

254 The Book of Esther Setting: In the Persian Capital of Susa, during the reign of King Ahasuerus. Story Summary Chapter 1: This story takes place in the Persian Capital of Susa under the reign of King Ahasuerus. The Kings throws a massive feast that lasts for 180 days to show off his wealth and power. Vashti, the Queen, made a feast for all the women of the Royal House as well. One day, the King sent for the Queen to show off her beauty to his friends but she refused to come. The King was furious and his advisors all feared this would set an example for other wives not to obey their husbands and would result in chaos. The King decrees that Vashti will lose her crown and that it will be given to someone else because of her disobedience. Chapter 2: The King s advisors begin their search for a new queen and they gather lots of pretty virgins to bring before the king. Meanwhile, a Jew named Mordechai was serving in the King s palace as he was one that was carried away into captivity when Nebuchadnezzar destroyed Jerusalem. He adopted his cousin Hadassah (Esther) because her parents were dead and she was one of the virgins that was brought before the King. The Servant of the King liked Esther and she quickly rose in prominence but she felt that she had to conceal her lineage. The King begins calling in each girl to spend the night with him and to take home whatever gift they ask of him. When it is Esther s turn she goes into the King and resolves to only ask for what is appropriate and the King favors her above all other women. The King anoints Esther queen and throws a large feast in celebration. While sitting at the gate, Mordecai learns of an assassination plot by two of the king s servants. He tells Esther who tells the King and the servants are hanged and Mordecai is recognized by the King. Chapter 3: The King promotes a man named Haman to be above all the princes in the court and commands all his servants to bow and reverence him. Mordecai refuses to bow and Haman learns of this and discovers he is a Jew so Haman resolves to kill all the Jews in the Kingdom. He tells the King that the Jews are rebellious and won t follow his laws so the King gives him permission to carry out this genocide. Haman sends a letter to all provinces ordering the execution of all Jews. Chapter 4: When Mordecai heard the decree he dressed in sackcloth and ashes and mourned at the Kings gate. Jews all throughout the Kingdom were mourning as well. Esther learns of this so she sends her servant Hatach to find out why Mordecai is mourning. Hatach visits Mordecai and then returns to Esther and tells her of the Kings Extermination decree and Mordecai s request that Esther pleads before the King to save her people. Esther was afraid as she knew that none could come in unto the King unless they were called or else they would die. She asks Mordecai and the all the Jews to fast on her behalf for three days and then she resolves to go in unto the king and face death if necessary.

255 Chapter 5: Three days after the people fast, Esther puts on her royal apparel and approaches the King. She finds favor in his sight and he lets her approach, promising to give her up to half of his kingdom. Esther asks only that the king and Haman attend a banquet that she will prepare for them. The King agrees and then Haman leaves and sees Mordecai at the gate still refusing to bow to him. Haman gathers his friends and plots to hand Mordecai in the morning. Chapter 6: That night, the King had insomnia, and ordered his servants to begin reading him from his chronicles. The King was reminded that Mordecai had saved his life by telling him of the assassination plot and resolves to honor him for this deed. The King sends for Haman and asks him what he would give someone he would like to honor and Haman (thinking he is speaking of himself) says he would give the man royal robes and a crown and have a parade for him. The King tells Haman to do all of this for Mordecai so Haman does so and then goes home weeping. His friends tell him his plot probably isn t going to work now and he goes off to Esther s banquet. Chapter 7: The King and Haman attend Esther s banquet and then the King asks Esther to make her request of him. She asks the King to spare the lives of her people and the King is furious and asks who would give such an evil decree (I suppose he forgot he signed it?). Esther tells him that Haman has plotted to kill her and her people so the King resolves to punish Haman. Haman flees and then attacks Esther in her bed when the King finds him and orders him executed on the gallows he had created to hang Mordecai. Chapter 8: The King learns that Mordecai was Esther s adoptive father so he gives him Haman s ring and makes him ruler over Haman s house. Esther then approaches the king one more time and begs him to reverse the extermination order that he had earlier signed. The King agrees and tells Mordechai to write letters and seal them with his ring and to deliver them to all the provinces declaring that no harm is to come upon the Jews. The letters are sent and the Jews rejoice throughout the land. Chapter 9: However, when the original date of execution was approaching the Jews gathered together in the land and began to kill their enemies. Mordecai had attained great power and so the local rulers were afraid of him and allowed the Jews their vengeance. The Jews killed 500 men in the palace and then kill the 10 sons of Haman. The King asks Esther what else he can do and she tells him to allow the Jews to keep killing their enemies for another day and to hang the corpses of Haman s sons in the gallows for all to see. The King agrees and the Jews avenge themselves by killing of their enemies throughout the provinces. The day after their victory the Jews rested and feasted and rejoiced in their victory. This day of rejoicing became the national holiday of Purim and occurs to this day in March. They celebrated the fact that their sorrow was turned to joy and were told to give gifts to one another and hold a great feast. It was called Purim because Pur meant Lot which Haman cast to see which day he would destroy the Jews. But instead, the lot was reversed against him and he decreed the very day he would be killed. Esther and Mordechai make Purim an official Holiday and send the decree to all Jews throughout the Kingdom that they must observe it.

256 Chapter 10: Mordechai becomes second in power only next to the King himself. Mordecai s deeds are recorded in the Book of Chronicles of the Kings of Media and Persia. He did great things for his people. Notes 1. God anticipates threat to His people and prepares in advance to deliver them: God knew that Haman would seek a genocide against the Jews so he put Mordechai and Esther exactly where they needed to be to prevent this. Mordechai was placed to discover the assassination plot and Esther to please the King. 2. The Enemies of God s people will fall into their own traps: The exact same fate that Haman sought to inflict upon the Jews was instead inflicted upon him. He was killed on the gallows he prepared for Mordecai and his house was wiped out when he sought to wipe out the House of Judah.

257 OLD TESTAMENT SUMMARY THE WISDOM LITERATURE Job 1. God Allows Job to be tempted with Affliction. (1-3) 2. Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar Give Foolish Counsel to Job. (4-31) 3. Elihu Chastises Job for Questioning God. (32-37) 4. God Responds to Job and Compensates his losses. (38-42) Psalms, Proverbs and Ecclesiastes 1. Selected Wisdom and Teachings from Each Book. A TESTAMENT OF JESUS CHRIST

258 Job 1-God Allows Job to be tempted with Affliction (1-3) Setting: In the land of Uz. Story Summary Chapter 1: Job lived in the land of Uz and he was a perfect man who feared god and hated evil. He had 7 sons and 3 daughters and was extremely wealthy. He was very pious and sacrificed for his children daily just in case there was any sins in them. One day, the sons of God presented themselves before the Lord but Satan accompanied them. God told Satan that Job was a very righteous man but Satan says he is only righteous because his life is so good and if he lost his blessings he would rebel. God then permits Satan to afflict Job with anything but death. Satan then proceeds to destroy Job s life as he loses his wealth and the house collapses on his family killing them all but his wife. Job hears the news and then he expresses faith in God and resolves to continue serving him. Chapter 2: The Sons of God presented themselves before the Lord again and God tells Satan that Job has remained faithful but Satan says he would not if he were physically afflicted. God gives Satan permission to physically afflict Job but says he can t kill him. Satan afflicts Job with boils and he becomes sick and Job s wife tells him to curse God and die but Job responds with faith. Job s three friends Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar come and mourn with him in sackcloth and ashes. Chapter 3: Job cries out in pain and wishes that he was never born. He contemplates death and considers it preferable to his life right now. Notes 1. Satan lives on earth and goes to and fro tempting everybody: Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan came also among them. And the Lord said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it. (Job 1: 6-7) 2. The Test of Job: Satan accused Job of only obeying God because he was extremely blessed. The test of Job then is to have our blessings removed to see if we will remain obedient to God. Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? Thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land. But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face. And the Lord

259 said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the Lord. (Job 1: 10-12) 3. Job recognized all his blessings were from God so when he lost them he accepted it as the will of God. Job responded to this loss of blessings with incredible faith: And said, Naked came I out of my mother s womb, and naked shall I return thither: the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord. (Job 1: 21) 4. Satan cannot do anything that God does not allow. Satan had to get permission from God to tempt and afflict Job and until he had leave to do so he was powerless: But put forth thine hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse thee to thy face. And the Lord said unto Satan, Behold, he is in thine hand; but save his life. (Job 2: 5-6) 5. Job is tempted to curse God and die when he is afflicted but responds with faith instead: Then said his wife unto him, Dost thou still retain thine integrity? Curse God, and die. But he said unto her, Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh. What? Shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? In all this did not Job sin with his lips. (Job 2: 9-10)

260 Job 2-Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar Give Foolish Counsel to Job (Chapters 4-31) Setting: In the land of Uz. Story Summary Chapter 4: Job s friend Eliphaz says that only the wicked are punished so he assumes Job has done something evil to have this brought upon him. Eliphaz says that God gets angry with His angels so humans don t stand a chance of being righteous enough. Chapter 5: Eliphaz counsels Job and says that these afflictions must be for his benefit in some way. If Job endures correction then he will be blessed by God. Chapter 6: Job declares that his pain and grief is so great that his only desire is to die. Job maintains his innocence before his friends but understands how their worldview is being challenged. Chapter 7: Job begins complaining to God asking him why He has set his sights on punishing him. He says that man has an appointed time on earth and he is looking forward to the end of his appointed time. Job wonders why God hasn t redeemed him if there are any sins that he isn t aware of. Chapter 8: Bildad wonders if Job s children have sinned and that s why these afflictions are come upon him. He says that God does not punish the righteous so this must be the case. He says that God will not cast off a perfect man and that eventually he will be restored. Chapter 9: Job acknowledges the greatness of God and concludes that there is nothing man can do to contend against Him. Chapter 10: Job continues to express frustration that God created him and then has set to destroy him even though he has done no evil to warrant it. He wants to die and wishes he was never born. Chapter 11: Zophar assumes that Job is lying and that God always punishes people with less than they deserve so Job must have done something really bad. Chapter 12: Job tells his friends he knows all of what they are saying and that he is just as wise as them but he is still wondering why the Great God has afflicted him. Chapter 13: Job is frustrated with his friend s insistence that he is guilty of some sin so he tells them that they should keep quiet as their counsel is of no value. He declares that even if God kills him he will be faithful and rely on Him for salvation. Chapter 14: Job says that life is short and difficult and death is certain. He yearns for death.

261 Chapter 15: Eliphaz responds to Job and says that he should not be questioning the ways of God and that the wicked will be punished. Chapter 16: Job tells his friends they are terrible comforters and if he was in their shoes he would be much more uplifting. He says that he is innocent and heaven in his witness even though he is being accused by his friends. Chapter 17: Job speaks on the sorrows of death that he is experiencing. Chapter 18: Bildad tells of the damned state of the wicked who don t know God, implying Job is damned. Chapter 19: Job lists all of the ills that have come upon him: his family has died, his friends have all abandoned him, his servants treat him like a stranger, he is suffering great injustice with no remedy, he hast lost all hope, and his wife has abandoned him. Yet despite all this Job declares that he knows his redeemer lives and he will be resurrected and will see God in the flesh after he dies. Chapter 20: Zophar lists all the terrible things that will come upon the wicked, implying Job is wicked. Chapter 21: Job says that the wicked sometimes prosper and go unpunished but will be brought forth at the Day of Judgment and wrath will come upon them. Chapter 22: Eliphaz doubles down and says Job must have sinned to be experiencing these afflictions and accuses him a list of sins. Chapter 23: Job says that he is trying to find God but cannot reach him as God seems to have hid himself from Job. Job asserts that after he is tried he will come forth as gold and maintains his innocence. Chapter 24: Job laments the fact that those who do wicked acts go unpunished for a short time. Chapter 25: Bildad says man is like a worm compared to God. Chapter 26: Job chastises Bildad for lacking empathy and then praises God for his greatness. Chapter 27: Job says that as long he lives he will not lose his integrity no matter what happens. Chapter 28: Job says that wisdom is priceless and it is summarized as fearing God and departing from evil. Chapter 29: Job remembers and yearns for the days where God prospered him for his obedience. Chapter 30: Job says he is reviled by the children of vile men and he cries to the Lord for help. Chapter 31: Job invites God to judge him and lists numerous sins that if he were guilty of doing he would gladly take the penalty for doing them. He lists the sins of vanity, deceit, adultery, mistreating servants, not caring for the poor orphans and the widows, trusting in wealth, rejoicing in the destruction of enemies and covering up sins as being worthy of punishment.

262 Notes 1. When things go wrong we usually assume it was deserved in some way: Remember, I pray thee, whoever perished, being innocent? or where were the righteous cut off? Even as I have seen, they that plow iniquity, and sow wickedness, reap the same. (Job 4: 7-8) 2. We must be able to endure the chastening of God to be happy: Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth: therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty: For he maketh sore, and bindeth up: he woundeth, and his hands make whole. (Job 5: 17-18) 3. Job suffered so much that he wanted to die and asked God to kill him: Oh that I might have my request; and that God would grant me the thing that I long for! Even that it would please God to destroy me; that he would let loose his hand, and cut me off! (Job 6: 8-9) 4. Our lives have an appointed time and we are like workers who labor in life and then get the rewards of our labor when our lives are over: Is there not an appointed time to man upon earth? are not his days also like the days of an hireling? As a servant earnestly desireth the shadow, and as an hireling looketh for the reward of his work. (Job 7: 1-2) 5. Job expressed his grief and anguish and did not stay silent: Therefore I will not refrain my mouth; I will speak in the anguish of my spirit; I will complain in the bitterness of my soul. (Job 7:11) 6. Job is confused because the wicked and the righteous both suffer: If I be wicked, woe unto me; and if I be righteous, yet will I not lift up my head. I am full of confusion; therefore see thou mine affliction. (Job 10:15) 7. We often assume God punishes less than we deserve: And that he would shew thee the secrets of wisdom, that they are double to that which is! Know therefore that God exacteth of thee less than thine iniquity deserveth. (job 11:6) 8. God upholds all the living and every soul is in his hand: In whose hand is the soul of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind. (Job 12: 10) 9. With age comes wisdom and understanding: With the ancient is wisdom; and in length of days understanding. (Job 12: 12) 10. God controls the growth and fate of nations: He increaseth the nations, and destroyeth them: he enlargeth the nations, and straiteneth them again. (Job 12: 23) 11. Job s faith in God is so great that he say that he will remain faithful even if God kills him: Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him. He also shall be my salvation: for an hypocrite shall not come before him. (Job 13: 15-16)

263 12. Job sought to know what his sins were before God: How many are mine iniquities and sins? make me to know my transgression and my sin. (Job 13:23) 13. Life is short and filled with troubles and difficulty: Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble. (Job 14:1) 14. God determines the lengths of our lives and death is certain: Seeing his days are determined, the number of his months are with thee, thou hast appointed his bounds that he cannot pass; 15. Job wonders if people live again after they die: If a man die, shall he live again? All the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come. (Job 14:14) 16. Job is falsely accused but says God is his witness that he has done no sin: Also now, behold, my witness is in heaven, and my record is on high. My friends scorn me: but mine eye poureth out tears unto God. (Job 16: 19-20) 17. Job declares that he knows his Redeemer lives and will resurrect him in the latter days: For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me. (Job 19: 25-27) 18. That the triumphing of the wicked is short, and the joy of the hypocrite but for a moment? (Job 20:5) 19. The Wicked are not always punished immediately and the righteous are not always blessed immediately: In Chapter 21, Job says that the wicked appear to get away with their sins in the short term so there are always exceptions to the rule that the wicked are punished. Likewise, the righteous might not always be blessed immediately thought both the righteous and wicked will receive their just reward on judgment day. 20. In our times of despair, God can seem far away from us even though we seek Him. WE must trust that we are being purified in the furnace of affliction to come forth as gold: 3 Oh that I knew where I might find him! That I might come even to his seat! Behold, I go forward, but he is not there; and backward, but I cannot perceive him: On the left hand, where he doth work, but I cannot behold him: he hideth himself on the right hand, that I cannot see him: But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold. (Job 23: 3, 8-10) 21. Like Job, we should be committed to our integrity no matter what happens: All the while my breath is in me, and the spirit of God is in my nostrils; My lips shall not speak wickedness, nor my tongue utter deceit.god forbid that I should justify you: till I die I will not remove mine integrity from me. My righteousness I hold fast, and will not let it go: my heart shall not reproach me so long as I live. (Job 27: 3-6)

264 22. What is the point of Hypocrites gaining earthly treasures when they lose their soul? For what is the hope of the hypocrite, though he hath gained, when God taketh away his soul? Will God hear his cry when trouble cometh upon him? (Job 27: 8-9) 23. When wicked men die, terrors come upon them: The rich man shall lie down, but he shall not be gathered: he openeth his eyes, and he is not. Terrors take hold on him as waters, a tempest stealeth him away in the night. The east wind carrieth him away, and he departeth: and as a storm hurleth him out of his place. (Job 27: 19-21) 24. To Fear God and depart from Evil is wisdom and understanding that is priceless: And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding. (Job 28: 28) \ 25. We should treat those we have power over with respect for God has power over us and we will answer to him: 13 If I did despise the cause of my manservant or of my maidservant, when they contended with me; What then shall I do when God riseth up? And when he visiteth, what shall I answer him? Did not he that made me in the womb make him? And did not one fashion us in the womb? (Job 31: 13-15) 26. We should not rejoice when our enemies fall: If I rejoiced at the destruction of him that hated me, or lifted up myself when evil found him: Neither have I suffered my mouth to sin by wishing a curse to his soul. (Job 31: 29-30)

265 Job 3-Elihu Chastises Job for Questioning God (32-37) Setting: In the land of Uz. Story Summary Chapter 32: A man named Elihu becomes angry with Job and his three friends and says he was silent because they were older and he was young but nobody is giving the right answer so he feels constrained by the Spirit to give his opinion. Chapter 33: Elihu says that God is greater than man and speaks to man by visions and dreams. He ransoms those who repent from being cast into the pit and gives them new life. Chapter 34: Elihu says that God cannot be unjust and that Job needs to accept chastisement without complaint as he is adding Rebellion to his sin. Chapter 35: Elihu continues to chastise Job by saying that God is wiser than he is and that God is greater than man. Chapter 36: Elihu reiterates that the righteous are blessed and the wicked are punished and continues praising the greatness of God and what He does for man. Chapter 37: Elihu concludes his message to Job by saying that God rules on earth and controls the elements and that Job should not think he can understand what God does. Notes 1. The Spirit of the Lord Can Give Great Understanding to Youth that Confounds the Aged: I said, Days should speak, and multitude of years should teach wisdom. But there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding. Great men are not always wise: neither do the aged understand judgment. Therefore I said, Hearken to me; I also will shew mine opinion. (Job 32: 7-10) 2. The Spirit of the Lord constrains us to speak from time to time: For I am full of matter, the spirit within me constraineth me. (Job 32: 18) 3. God speaks to man by visions in the night or dreams: For God speaketh once, yea twice, yet man perceiveth it not. In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falleth upon men, in slumberings upon the bed; Then he openeth the ears of men, and sealeth their instruction. (Job 33: 15-16)

266 4. God ransoms those who repent from being cast into the pit and gives them new life: He looketh upon men, and if any say, I have sinned, and perverted that which was right, and it profited me not; He will deliver his soul from going into the pit, and his life shall see the light. Lo, all these things worketh God oftentimes with man, to bring back his soul from the pit, to be enlightened with the light of the living. 5. Our Ears discern words just as our mouths discern taste so we should use them to know what is good: For the ear trieth words, as the mouth tasteth meat. Let us choose to us judgment: let us know among ourselves what is good. (Job 34: 3-4)

267 Setting: In the land of Uz. Story Summary Job 4-God Responds to Job and Compensates His Losses (Chapters 38-42) Chapter 38: God finally responds to Job s complaints, through a whirlwind, by asking him a series of questions that help him to see that he should not expect to understand everything that god understands. He asks Job where he was when he created the earth and all of Gods children shouted for joy. He asks him other questions designed to help him see that he, as a man, is relatively small compared to God s work and understanding. Chapter 39: God continues his line of questioning to further reinforce that Job should not compare himself to God nor think to question God s methods. Chapter 40: God asks Job if he would like to counsel Him but Job replies that he is a vile person and will stop speaking. God cautions Job against condemning Him so that he may appear righteous. God compares His strength to that of a behemoth and invites Job to show forth his godlike power. Chapter 41: The Lord gives the Leviathan as an example of his power, so that Job may understand. He says that all things under heaven are His. Chapter 42: Job repents in sackcloth and ashes for questioning the Lord and the Lord says that he accepts Job. The Lord then tells Eliphaz and his two friends that he is angry with them for how they treated Job. He tells them to go and make offerings for their sins. The Lord restores to Job what he lost and gives him double what he had before. Job lives another 140 years in peace and prosperity and then dies. Notes 1. God s message to Job is that he should not expect to understand everything that God does and He asks Job where he was when God was making the earth. (Job 38: 4-7) 2. God says that when He created the earth, the sons of God shouted for joy suggesting people existed before life on earth: Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy? (Job 38: 4,7) 3. A sample of God s questions to Job to help him see that he cannot comprehend all the works of God: Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? Declare, if thou hast understanding When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?

268 Hast thou commanded the morning since thy days; and caused the dayspring to know his place; that it might take hold of the ends of the earth, that the wicked might be shaken out of it? Hast thou entered into the springs of the sea? Or hast thou walked in the search of the depth? Have the gates of death been opened unto thee? Or hast thou seen the doors of the shadow of death? Hast thou perceived the breadth of the earth? Declare if thou knowest it all. Where is the way where light dwelleth? And as for darkness, where is the place thereof? Hath the rain a father? Or who hath begotten the drops of dew? Out of whose womb came the ice? And the hoary frost of heaven, who hath gendered it? Canst thou bind the sweet influences of Pleiades, or loose the bands of Orion? Knowest thou the ordinances of heaven? Canst thou set the dominion thereof in the earth? Wilt thou hunt the prey for the lion? Or fill the appetite of the young lions Who provideth for the raven his food? When his young ones cry unto God, they wander for lack of meat. Gavest thou the goodly wings unto the peacocks? or wings and feathers unto the ostrich? Doth the hawk fly by thy wisdom, and stretch her wings toward the south? Doth the eagle mount up at thy command, and make her nest on high? 4. God Cautions us not to criticize or condemn Him to make ourselves seem righteous: Wilt thou also disannul my judgment? Wilt thou condemn me, that thou mayest be righteous? 5. God cautions those that challenge Him and asks them to show forth their godlike power: Hast thou an arm like God? Or canst thou thunder with a voice like him? Deck thyself now with majesty and Excellency; and array thyself with glory and beauty. Cast abroad the rage of thy wrath: and behold every one that is proud, and abase him. Look on every one that is proud, and bring him low; and tread down the wicked in their place. Hide them in the dust together; and bind their faces in secret. Then will I also confess unto thee that thine own right hand can save thee. (Job 40: 8-14) 6. Everything under the heavens belongs to the Lord: Who hath prevented me that I should repay him? Whatsoever is under the whole heaven is mine. (Job 41: 11) 7. The Law of Compensation. The Lord restored double what Job had lost because he was faithful: And the Lord turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before. (Job 42:10)

269 Wisdom from the Psalms Setting: The Psalms were written throughout Israelite history but most are thought to have been written by David or around the time of King David. Notes 1. We should not listen to the advice of the ungodly but instead meditate upon the law of the Lord Day and night. Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. (Psalm 1: 1-2) 2. Sinners will be cut off from the congregation of the righteous: Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. (Psalms 1:5) 3. The Lord testifies of the Son and how He will rule the earth: I will declare the decree: the Lord hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee. Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession. Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter s vessel. (Psalms 2: 7-9) 4. We should pray to the Lord in the Morning: My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O Lord; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up. (Psalms 5:3) 5. We should worship the Lord in His temple: But as for me, I will come into thy house in the multitude of thy mercy: and in thy fear will I worship toward thy holy temple. (Psalms 5:7) 6. Those that trust in the Lord should rejoice for He will be their shield: But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee. For thou, Lord, wilt bless the righteous; with favour wilt thou compass him as with a shield. (Psalms 5: 11-12) 7. God tries the hearts of men and establishes the just and removes the wicked: Oh let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end; but establish the just: for the righteous God trieth the hearts and reins. My defence is of God, which saveth the upright in heart. (Psalms 7: 9-10) 8. God is angry with the wicked and is preparing their destruction: God judgeth the righteous, and God is angry with the wicked every day. If he turn not, he will whet his sword; he hath bent his bow, and made it ready. He hath also prepared for him the instruments of death; he ordaineth his arrows against the persecutors. (Psalms 7: 11-13)

270 9. The Lord will judge the world in righteousness forever: But the Lord shall endure for ever: he hath prepared his throne for judgment. And he shall judge the world in righteousness, he shall minister judgment to the people in uprightness. (Psalms 9: 7-8) 10. The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed who put their trust in Him: The Lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, Lord, hast not forsaken them that seek thee. (Psalms 9: 9-10) 11. The Lord destroys the wicked by turning their own wicked plots against them: The heathen are sunk down in the pit that they made: in the net which they hid is their own foot taken. The Lord is known by the judgment which he executeth: the wicked is snared in the work of his own hands. Higgaion. Selah. (Psalms 9: 15-16) 12. The Wicked nations will be thrust to hell and the Lord will judge them and they will realize they are just men: The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God. For the needy shall not always be forgotten: the expectation of the poor shall not perish for ever. Arise, O Lord; let not man prevail: let the heathen be judged in thy sight. Put them in fear, O Lord: that the nations may know themselves to be but men. Selah. (Psalms 9: 17-20) 13. The wicked are filled with cursing, deceit, vanity and fraud: His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and fraud: under his tongue is mischief and vanity. (Psalms 10:7) 14. The Lord resides in Heaven and in His Holy Temple: The Lord is in his holy temple, the Lord s throne is in heaven: his eyes behold, his eyelids try, the children of men. (Psalms 11:4) 15. The Wicked will receive fire and brimstone and tempests as a reward for their works: Upon the wicked he shall rain snares, fire and brimstone, and an horrible tempest: this shall be the portion of their cup. (Psalms 11:6) 16. The Lord will cut off those who flatter and deceive and puff themselves up: They speak vanity every one with his neighbour: with flattering lips and with a double heart do they speak. The Lord shall cut off all flattering lips, and the tongue that speaketh proud things: Who have said, With our tongue will we prevail; our lips are our own: who is lord over us? (Psalms 12: 2-4) 17. We all have times where we feel God is not there or is not listening. Like David, we must resolve to trust in the Lord and that salvation will eventually come: How long wilt thou forget me, O Lord? For ever? How long wilt thou hide thy face from me? How long shall I take counsel in my soul, having sorrow in my heart daily? How long shall mine enemy be exalted over me? But I have trusted in thy mercy; my heart shall rejoice in thy salvation. I will sing unto the Lord, because he hath dealt bountifully with me. (Psalms 13: 1,2,5)

271 18. The Fool has said in his heart that there is no God: The fool hath said in his heart, there is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good. (Psalms 14: 1) 19. We are all sinners and all reliant on God s grace: The Lord looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God. They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one. (Psalms 14: 2-3) 20. David says that God will not leave his soul in hell: For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. (Psalms 16: 10) 21. A Fulness of Joy is only possible in the presence of God where there are endless pleasures: Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. (Psalms 16:11) 22. God s word keeps us on the straight and narrow path and protects us from the destroyer: Concerning the works of men, by the word of thy lips I have kept me from the paths of the destroyer. Hold up my goings in thy paths, that my footsteps slip not. (Psalms 17: 4-5) 23. God saves those that put their trust in Him: Shew thy marvellous lovingkindness, O thou that savest by thy right hand them which put their trust in thee from those that rise up against them. (Psalms 17:7) 24. The Heavens and all of Creation testify of the Creator God: The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handiwork. (Psalms 19:1) 25. The Law of the Lord converts the soul and a testimony makes the simple wise: The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. (Psalms 19:7) 26. The Law of the Lord causes the soul to rejoice and enlightens us: The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. (Psalms 19: 8-9) 27. While many trust in the strength of men and armies, we will trust in the strength of the Lord: Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the Lord our God. (Psalms 20: 7) 28. David predicts events from the Life of Jesus Christ. The Messiah will ask why God has forsaken Him. His enemies will cast lots and divide his garments. He will have his hands and feet pierced. He will be given vinegar to drink and He would be the stone that the builders refused but who would become the headstone. My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? Why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring. (Psalm 22: 1) They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture. (Psalms 22: 18)

272 For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet. (Psalms 22:16) They gave me also gall for my meat; and in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink. (Psalms 69:21) The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner. This is the Lord s doing; it is marvellous in our eyes. (Psalms 118: 22-23) 29. The Messiah will rule amongst all nations: All the ends of the world shall remember and turn unto the Lord: and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before thee. For the kingdom is the Lord s: and he is the governor among the nations. (Psalms 22: 27-28) 30. All of the earth and its inhabitants belong to the Lord: The earth is the Lord s, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein. (Psalms 24:1) 31. We must have clean hands a pure heart to dwell with the Lord: Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? Or who shall stand in his holy place? He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. He shall receive the blessing from the Lord, and righteousness from the God of his salvation. (Psalms 24: 3-5) 32. David desires to worship the Lord continually in His temple: One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in his temple. (Psalms 27:4) 33. We should courageously wait on the Lord s deliverance: Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord. (Psalms 27:14) 34. We should give the Lord the glory His name deserves and worship Him in Holiness: Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name; worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness. (Psalms 29:2) 35. The Lord grants life to those in his favor and turns our momentary weeping into endless joy: For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning. (Psalms 30:5) 36. David says the Messiah will commit His spirit unto the Father: Into thine hand I commit my spirit: thou hast redeemed me, O Lord God of truth. (Psalms 31:5) 37. Those whose sins are forgiven by the Lord are in a blessed state: Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man unto whom the Lord imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile. (Psalms 32: 1-2)

273 38. We must confess all of our sins before the Lord: I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah. (Psalms 32:5) 39. Sorrows come upon the wicked but mercy comes upon those that trust in God: Many sorrows shall be to the wicked: but he that trusteth in the Lord, mercy shall compass him about. (Psalms 32:10) 40. The whole earth should stand in awe of God and His mighty works: Let all the earth fear the Lord: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him. (Psalms 33:8) 41. Nations who choose to serve God will be blessed and receive His inheritance: Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance. (Psalms 33:12) 42. Angels of the Lord surround and protect those that fear God: The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them. 43. Those that seek the Lord will not lack any good thing: The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the Lord shall not want any good thing. (Psalms 34:10) 44. We should not speak evil and beguiling words but should depart from evil and seek peace and goodness: Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile. Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it. (Psalms 34:13-14) 45. The Lord utterly destroys the wicked so that they are not remembered: The face of the Lord is against them that do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth. (Psalms 34:16) 46. The Lord visits those with a broken heart and contrite spirit: The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit. (Psalms 34: 18, Psalm 51) 47. The righteous will experience many afflictions but God will eventually deliver them from all of them: Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all. (Psalms 34: 19) 48. Do not fear or envy the wicked for their inevitable fate is sorrow and desolation: Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity. For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb. (Psalms 37: 1-2) 49. Trust in the Lord and do His will and He will give you the desires of your heart: Delight thyself also in the Lord; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. (Psalms 37: 4-5) 50. We should cease from anger and forsake wrath: Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil. (Psalms 37: 8)

274 51. The meek will inherit the earth and dwell in peace: But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace. (Psalms 37:11) 52. When you are righteous, you don t require much to be happy but the wicked with abundance are not happy: A little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked. (Psalms 37: 16) 53. Our unforgiven sins are like heavy burdens that weight us down: For mine iniquities are gone over mine head: as an heavy burden they are too heavy for me For I am ready to halt, and my sorrow is continually before me. (Psalms 38:4, 17) 54. We have a duty to declare the goodness of God to others: I have not hid thy righteousness within my heart; I have declared thy faithfulness and thy salvation: I have not concealed thy lovingkindness and thy truth from the great congregation. (Psalms 40:10) 55. The Lord will bless those who care for the poor: Blessed is he that considereth the poor: the Lord will deliver him in time of trouble. (Psalms 41:1) 56. We should not trust in our own abilities to deliver us from our enemies: For I will not trust in my bow, neither shall my sword save me. But thou hast saved us from our enemies, and hast put them to shame that hated us. (Psalms 44: 6-7) 57. When trials come we should be still and trust that God knows what He is doing: Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. (Psalms 46:10) 58. The Rich and Powerful cannot buy redemption and their hope of their house lasting forever will not come to pass: They that trust in their wealth, and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches; None of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him: Their inward thought is, that their houses shall continue for ever, and their dwelling places to all generations; they call their lands after their own names. Nevertheless man being in honour abideth not: he is like the beasts that perish. (Psalms 49: 6,7,11,12) 59. God redeems our souls from the grave: But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave: for he shall receive me. Selah. (Psalms 49:15) For he hath looked down from the height of his sanctuary; from heaven did the Lord behold the earth; To hear the groaning of the prisoner; to loose those that are appointed to death. (Psalms 102:19-20) 60. Sin leads to God removing His Spirit form our lives and we lose the hope and joy of salvation: Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. (Psalms 51: 11-12)

275 61. God renders to every man according to his works: Also unto thee, O Lord, belongeth mercy: for thou renderest to every man according to his work. (Psalms 62:12) 62. God is a father to the fatherless and finds the lonely families: A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, is God in his holy habitation God setteth the solitary in families: (Psalms 68:5-6) 63. Parents are to teach their children the Law of God: For he established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers, that they should make them known to their children: That the generation to come might know them, even the children which should be born; who should arise and declare them to their children: That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments. (Psalms 78:5-7) 64. Many flatter and lie to God but their hearts are not right with Him: Nevertheless they did flatter him with their mouth, and they lied unto him with their tongues. For their heart was not right with him, neither were they steadfast in his covenant. (Psalms 78: 36-37) 65. When we follow the lusts of our own heart and walk after our own counsel the Lord leaves us: So I gave them up unto their own hearts lust: and they walked in their own counsels. (Psalms 81: 12) 66. The Lord says we are Gods and children of the Most High God: I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High. (Psalms 82:6) 67. Jehovah is the name of God: That men may know that thou, whose name alone is JEHOVAH, art the most high over all the earth. (Psalms 83:18) 68. God is merciful and ready to forgive all those that call upon Him: For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee. (Psalms 86:5) 69. We should revere God and not take His name lightly: God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints, and to be had in reverence of all them that are about him. (Psalms 89:7) 70. The Lord promises to establish David s seed and throne forever. While Israel may be scattered, God will honor His promise to David and will gather them again. His seed also will I make to endure for ever, and his throne as the days of heaven. If his children forsake my law, and walk not in my judgments; If they break my statutes, and keep not my commandments; then will I visit their transgression with the rod, and their iniquity with stripes. Nevertheless my lovingkindness will I not utterly take from him, nor suffer my faithfulness to fail. My covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips. Once have I sworn by my holiness that I will not lie unto David. His seed shall endure for ever, and his throne as the sun before me. (Psalms 89: 29-36) 71. One thousand years is as a single day to God: For a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past, and as a watch in the night. (Psalms 90:4)

276 72. Angels will watch over the Messiah: For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone. (Psalm 91: 11-12) 73. Sometimes it appears as though the wicked triumph when God has not come out in judgment yet against them: Lord, how long shall the wicked, how long shall the wicked triumph? (Psalms 94:3) 74. The thoughts and beliefs of man are vain to God: The Lord knoweth the thoughts of man, that they are vanity. (Psalms 94:11) 75. We should sing songs of praise and worship to God: O come, let us sing unto the Lord: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation. Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms. (Psalms 95: 1-2) 76. God will judge the world at the end of it: Before the Lord; for he cometh to judge the earth: with righteousness shall he judge the world, and the people with equity. (psalm 98:9) 77. The Lord will reign from Zion during the Millennium: The Lord reigneth; let the people tremble: he sitteth between the cherubims; let the earth be moved. The Lord is great in Zion; and he is high above all the people. (Psalms 99: 1-2) When the Lord shall build up Zion, he shall appear in his glory. (Psalms 102:16) 78. We should not associate with the proud or deceitful but should seek out the faithful: Whoso privilege slandereth his neighbour, him will I cut off: him that hath an high look and a proud heart will not I suffer. Mine eyes shall be upon the faithful of the land, that they may dwell with me: he that walketh in a perfect way, he shall serve me. He that worketh deceit shall not dwell within my house: he that telleth lies shall not tarry in my sight. (Psalms 101: 5-7) 79. In the end, the heavens and earth will pass away and new ones will be created: Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth: and the heavens are the work of thy hands. They shall perish, but thou shalt endure: yea, all of them shall wax old like a garment; as a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed. (Psalms 102: 25-26) 80. The Lord gives righteousness and judgment for those that are oppressed: The Lord executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed. (Psalms 103:6) 81. Man s life is short and temporary but those that fear God are given eternal life through His mercy: As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth. For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more. But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children s children; To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them. The Lord hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all. (Psalms 103: 15-19)

277 82. The Messiah will be a Priest forever after the Order of Melchizedek: The Lord hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek. (Psalms 110:4) 83. Those that trust in the Lord will not fear bad news: He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the Lord. (Psalms 112:7) 84. God dwells in the Heavens: But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased. (Psalms 115:3) 85. The Lord Delivers from Death and Hell: The sorrows of death compassed me, and the pains of hell gat hold upon me: I found trouble and sorrow. Then called I upon the name of the Lord; O Lord, I beseech thee, deliver my soul. (Psalms 116: 3-4) 86. We should recognize each day as a gift from God and rejoice that we are alive: This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. (Psalms 118: 24) 87. Our afflictions often turn us unto God and thus they are good for us. If we don t turn to God, our afflictions cause us to perish: It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes. Unless thy law had been my delights, I should then have perished in mine affliction. (Psalms 119: 71, 92) 88. Unless the Lord builds something, it will not last and unless the Lord watches over us there is no guarantee of safety: Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain. (Psalm 127:1) 89. Children are a gift of God that bring happiness to those with many of them: Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth. Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate. (Psalm 127: 3-5) 90. The Messiah will come from David s line and will live in Zion forever: The Lord hath sworn in truth unto David; he will not turn from it; Of the fruit of thy body will I set upon thy throne For the Lord hath chosen Zion; he hath desired it for his habitation. This is my rest for ever: here will I dwell; for I have desired it. (Psalms 132: 13-14) 91. The Lord knows all our thoughts act acts: O Lord, thou hast searched me, and known me. Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off. Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways. (Psalms 139: 1-5) 92. We can never escape the Lord as He is everywhere: Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; Even there shall thy

278 hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me. If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me. Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee. For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother s womb. (psalms 139: 7-13) 93. We should ask God to search our hearts and try us to see what we lack: Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. (Psalms 139: 23-24) 94. The Lord heals the broken-hearted: He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds. (Psalms 147:3) 95. The Lord is omniscient: Great is our Lord, and of great power: his understanding is infinite. (Psalms 147:5) 96. Children and Babies Praise the Lord. (Psalm 8: 2) 97. The Lord has created the heavens and the earth and yet He is mindful of and concerned with man. (Psalm 8: 3-4) 98. Man was made just a little lower than the angels and was given dominion over the earth. (Psalm 8: 5) 99. The righteous who speak the truth, refrain from backbiting, exploiting the poor and doing evil and honor God s servants will dwell with Him. (Psalms 15) 100. The Lord is our protector: The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower. (Psalms 18:2) 101. The Lord delivers from death and hell: The sorrows of death compassed me, and the floods of ungodly men made me afraid. The sorrows of hell compassed me about: the snares of death prevented me. In my distress I called upon the Lord, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even into his ears. (Psalms 18: 4-6) 102. The Lord delivers us from that which is too difficult for us: He delivered me from my strong enemy, and from them which hated me: for they were too strong for me. (Psalms 18:17) 103. The Lord recompenses us according to the cleanness of our hands: The Lord rewarded me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands hath he recompensed me. (Psalms 18:20) 104. The Lord gives us power over our enemies: He teacheth my hands to war, so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms. (Psalms 18:34) 105. The Lord is our Shepherd who provides and cares for us like a Shepherd does His sheep. (Psalms 23)

279 106. The Lord gives us peace and shows us the righteous path. (Psalms 23) 107. The Lord will protect us from death and hell and comfort us from fears. (Psalms 23) 108. The Lord blesses us so much that our cup runs over with abundance. (Psalms 23) 109. The Goodness and mercy of the Lord are over all those who follow him and ultimately they will dwell with Him. (Psalms 23) 110. We should learn from our youthful sins and mistakes: Remember not the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions: according to thy mercy remember thou me for thy goodness sake, O Lord. (Psalms 25:7) 111. The Lord will teach sinners the way to eternal life if they humble themselves before Him: Good and upright is the Lord: therefore will he teach sinners in the way. The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way. (Psalms 25: 8-9) 112. The Lord gives mercy and truth to those that follow Him: All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies. (Psalms 25: 10) 113. The Lord will covenant with those that fear him and give them peace and their children will inherit the earth: What man is he that feareth the Lord? Him shall he teach in the way that he shall choose. His soul shall dwell at ease; and his seed shall inherit the earth. The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant. (Psalms 25: 12-14)

280 Psalms 8 Setting: The Psalms were written throughout Israelite history but most are thought to have been written by David or around the time of King David. 1 O Lord our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! Who hast set thy glory above the heavens. 2 Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger. 3 When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; 4 What is man, that thou art mindful of him? And the son of man, that thou visitest him? 5 For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour. 6 Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet: 7 All sheep and oxen, yea, and the beasts of the field; 8 The fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, and whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas. 9 O Lord our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! Notes 1. Children and Babies Praise the Lord. (Psalm 8: 2) 2. The Lord has created the heavens and the earth and yet He is mindful of and concerned with man. (Psalm 8: 3-4) 3. Man was made just a little lower than the angels and was given dominion over the earth. (Psalm 8: 5) 4. David wonders at the mighty works of God and yet ponders how important man is to Him.

281 Psalms 15 Setting: The Psalms were written throughout Israelite history but most are thought to have been written by David or around the time of King David. 1 Lord, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill? 2 He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart. 3 He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbour, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour. 4 In whose eyes a vile person is contemned; but he honoureth them that fear he Lord. He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not. 5 He that putteth not out his money to usury, nor taketh reward against the innocent. He that doeth these things shall never be moved. Notes 1. The righteous who speak the truth, refrain from backbiting, exploiting the poor and doing evil and honor God s servants will dwell with Him.

282 Psalms 18 Setting: The Psalms were written throughout Israelite history but most are thought to have been written by David or around the time of King David. 1 I will love thee, O Lord, my strength. 2 The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I willtrust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, andmy high tower. 3 I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies. 4 The sorrows of death compassed me, and the floods of ungodly men made me afraid. 5 The sorrows of hell compassed me about: the snares of death prevented me. 6 In my distress I called upon the Lord, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even into his ears. 7 Then the earth shook and trembled; the foundations also of the hills moved and were shaken, because he was wroth. 8 There went up a smoke out of his nostrils, and fire out of his mouth devoured: coals were kindled by it. 9 He bowed the heavens also, and came down: and darkness was under his feet. 10 And he rode upon a cherub, and did fly: yea, he did fly upon the wings of the wind. 11 He made darkness his secret place; his pavilion round about him were dark waters and thick clouds of the skies. 12 At the brightness that was before him his thick clouds passed, hail stones and coals of fire. 13 The Lord also thundered in the heavens, and the Highest gave his voice; hail stones and coals of fire. 14 Yea, he sent out his arrows, and scattered them; and he shot out lightnings, and discomfited them. 15 Then the channels of waters were seen, and the foundations of the world were discovered at thy rebuke, O Lord, at the blast of the breath of thy nostrils. 16 He sent from above, he took me, he drew me out of many waters. 17 He delivered me from my strong enemy, and from them which hated me: for they were too strong for me. 18 They prevented me in the day of my calamity: but the Lord was my stay. 19 He brought me forth also into a large place; he delivered me, because he delighted in me.

283 20 The Lord rewarded me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands hath he recompensed me. 21 For I have kept the ways of the Lord, and have not wickedly departed from my God. 22 For all his judgments were before me, and I did not put away his statutes from me. 23 I was also upright before him, and I kept myself from mine iniquity. 24 Therefore hath the Lord recompensed me according to my righteousness, according to the cleanness of my hands in his eyesight. 25 With the merciful thou wilt shew thyself merciful; with an upright man thou wilt shew thyself upright; 26 With the pure thou wilt shew thyself pure; and with the froward thou wilt shew thyself froward. 27 For thou wilt save the afflicted people; but wilt bring down high looks. 28 For thou wilt light my candle: the Lord my God will enlighten my darkness. 29 For by thee I have run through a troop; and by my God have I leaped over a wall. 30 As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the Lord is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him. 31 For who is God save the Lord? or who is a rock save our God? 32 It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect. 33 He maketh my feet like hinds feet, and setteth me upon my high places. 34 He teacheth my hands to war, so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms. 35 Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy right hand hath holden me up, and thy gentleness hath made me great. 36 Thou hast enlarged my steps under me, that my feet did not slip. 37 I have pursued mine enemies, and overtaken them: neither did I turn again till they were consumed. 38 I have wounded them that they were not able to rise: they are fallen under my feet. 39 For thou hast girded me with strength unto the battle: thou hast subdued under me those that rose up against me. 40 Thou hast also given me the necks of mine enemies; that I might destroy them that hate me. 41 They cried, but there was none to save them: even unto the Lord, but he answered them not. 42 Then did I beat them small as the dust before the wind: I did cast them out as the dirt in the streets.

284 43 Thou hast delivered me from the strivings of the people; and thou hast made me the head of the heathen: a people whom I have not known shall serve me. 44 As soon as they hear of me, they shall obey me: the strangers shall submit themselves unto me. 45 The strangers shall fade away, and be afraid out of their close places. 46 The Lord liveth; and blessed be my rock; and let the God of my salvation be exalted. 47 It is God that avengeth me, and subdueth the people under me. 48 He delivereth me from mine enemies: yea, thou liftest me up above those that rise up against me: thou hast delivered me from the violent man. 49 Therefore will I give thanks unto thee, O Lord, among the heathen, and sing praises unto thy name. 50 Great deliverance giveth he to his king; and sheweth mercy to his anointed, to David, and to his seed for evermore. Notes 1. The Lord is our protector: The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower. (Psalms 18:2) 2. The Lord delivers from death and hell: The sorrows of death compassed me, and the floods of ungodly men made me afraid. The sorrows of hell compassed me about: the snares of death prevented me. In my distress I called upon the Lord, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even into his ears. (Psalms 18: 4-6) 3. The Lord delivers us from that which is too difficult for us: He delivered me from my strong enemy, and from them which hated me: for they were too strong for me. (Psalms 18:17) 4. The Lord recompenses us according to the cleanness of our hands: The Lord rewarded me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands hath he recompensed me. (Psalms 18:20) 5. The Lord gives us power over our enemies: He teacheth my hands to war, so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms. (Psalms 18:34)

285 Psalms 23 Setting: The Psalms were written throughout Israelite history but most are thought to have been written by David or around the time of King David. 1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. 3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name s sake. 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. 5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever. Notes 1. The Lord is our Shepherd who provides and cares for us like a Shepherd does His sheep. (Psalms 23) 2. The Lord gives us peace and shows us the righteous path. (Psalms 23) 3. The Lord will protect us from death and hell and comfort us from fears. (Psalms 23) 4. The Lord blesses us so much that our cup runs over with abundance. (Psalms 23) 5. The Goodness and mercy of the Lord are over all those who follow him and ultimately they will dwell with Him. (Psalms 23)

286 Psalms 25 Setting: The Psalms were written throughout Israelite history but most are thought to have been written by David or around the time of King David. 1 Unto thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul. 2 O my God, I trust in thee: let me not be ashamed, let not mine enemies triumph over me. 3 Yea, let none that wait on thee be ashamed: let them be ashamed which transgress without cause. 4 Shew me thy ways, O Lord; teach me thy paths. 5 Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day. 6 Remember, O Lord, thy tender mercies and thy loving kindnesses; for they have been ever of old. 7 Remember not the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions: according to thy mercy remember thou me for thy goodness sake, O Lord. 8 Good and upright is the Lord: therefore will he teach sinners in the way. 9 The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way. 10 All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies. 11 For thy name s sake, O Lord, pardon mine iniquity; for it is great. 12 What man is he that feareth the Lord? him shall he teach in the way that he shall choose. 13 His soul shall dwell at ease; and his seed shall inherit the earth. 14 The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant. 15 Mine eyes are ever toward the Lord; for he shall pluck my feet out of the net. 16 Turn thee unto me, and have mercy upon me; for I am desolate and afflicted. 17 The troubles of my heart are enlarged: O bring thou me out of my distresses. 18 Look upon mine affliction and my pain; and forgive all my sins. 19 Consider mine enemies; for they are many; and they hate me with cruel hatred. 20 O keep my soul, and deliver me: let me not be ashamed; for I put my trust in thee.

287 21 Let integrity and uprightness preserve me; for I wait on thee. 22 Redeem Israel, O God, out of all his troubles. Notes 1. We should learn from our youthful sins and mistakes: Remember not the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions: according to thy mercy remember thou me for thy goodness sake, O Lord. (Psalms 25:7) 2. The Lord will teach sinners the way to eternal life if they humble themselves before Him: Good and upright is the Lord: therefore will he teach sinners in the way. The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way. (Psalms 25: 8-9) 3. The Lord gives mercy and truth to those that follow Him: All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies. (Psalms 25: 10) 4. The Lord will covenant with those that fear him and give them peace and their children will inherit the earth: What man is he that feareth the Lord? Him shall he teach in the way that he shall choose. His soul shall dwell at ease; and his seed shall inherit the earth. The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant. (Psalms 25: 12-14)

288 Wisdom from the Proverbs Setting: The Proverbs are attributed to King Solomon and is simply a collection of wisdom or advice on how to live a good life. Notes 1. The Foundation of Wisdom is a recognition and reverence of God. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction. (Proverbs 1:7) 2. Do not allow yourself to be enticed to sin: My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not. (Proverbs 1: 10) 3. We should seek knowledge like many seek riches: Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; Then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God. (Proverbs 2: 3-5) 4. The Lord gives the righteous wisdom: For the Lord giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding. He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: he is a buckler to them that walk uprightly. (Proverbs 2: 6-7) 5. The Righteous will remain the land while the wicked will eventually be removed: For the upright shall dwell in the land, and the perfect shall remain in it. But the wicked shall be cut off from the earth, and the transgressors shall be rooted out of it. (Proverbs 2: 21-22) 6. Keeping the commandments leads to a long, peaceful life: My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments: For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee. (Proverbs 3: 1-2) 7. We should value honesty and be merciful to those who have wronged us: Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart: So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man. (Proverbs 3: 3-4) 8. We should not rely upon our own opinion of things but defer to the word of the Lord: Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil. It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones. (Proverbs 3: 5-8)

289 9. If we offer to God the first fruits of all our increase we will always have plenty: Honour the Lord with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase: So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine. (Proverbs 3: 9-10) 10. We must accept correction from the Lord for he chastens us like a father does a child: My son, despise not the chastening of the Lord; neither be weary of his correction: For whom the Lord loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth. (Proverbs 3: 11-12) 11. Wisdom is of more worth than silver and gold: Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding. For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold. (Proverbs 3: 13-14) 12. We should not withhold good things from those we are able to give them to: Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it. Say not unto thy neighbour, Go, and come again, and tomorrow I will give; when thou hast it by thee. (Proverbs 3: 27-28) 13. We should not harm others unprovoked: Strive not with a man without cause, if he have done thee no harm. (Proverbs 3:30) 14. The Lord gives grace to the humble but scorns the scorners: Surely he scorneth the scorners: but he giveth grace unto the lowly. (Proverbs 3: 34) 15. We should not be contentious or perverse in speech: Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee. (Proverbs 4:24) 16. We should make deliberate plans to stay on the straight and narrow path: Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established. Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil. (Proverbs 4: 26-27) 17. Immoral women seem enticing but the end of fornication is death and hell: For the lips of a strange woman drop as an honeycomb, and her mouth is smoother than oil: But her end is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a two-edged sword. Her feet go down to death; her steps take hold on hell Remove thy way far from her, and come not nigh the door of her house. (Proverbs 5: 3-8) He goeth after her straightway, as an ox goeth to the slaughter, or as a fool to the correction of the stocks...for she hath cast down many wounded: yea, many strong men have been slain by her. Her house is the way to hell, going down to the chambers of death. (Proverbs 7: 22-27) 18. Men should be satisfied with the wife of their youth: Let thy fountain be blessed: and rejoice with the wife of thy youth. Let her be as the loving hind and pleasant roe; let her breasts satisfy thee at all times; and be thou ravished always with her love. (Proverbs 5: 18-19)

290 19. The Idle will live in poverty: How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? When wilt thou arise out of thy sleep? So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth, and thy want as an armed man. (Proverbs 6: 9-11) 20. The Lord hates pride, lies, murder, wickedness and contentiousness: These six things doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren. (Proverbs 6: 16-19) 21. Those who commit adultery are playing with fire and will not be innocent before God: Can a man take fire in his bosom, and his clothes not be burned? Can one go upon hot coals, and his feet not be burned? So he that goeth in to his neighbour s wife; whosoever toucheth her shall not be innocent But whoso committeth adultery with a woman lacketh understanding: he that doeth it destroyeth his own soul. A wound and dishonour shall he get; and his reproach shall not be wiped away. (Proverbs 6: 27-33) 22. To Fear the Lord is to hate evil, pride, arrogance and contention: The fear of the Lord is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate. (Proverbs 8: 13) 23. Correct a proud person and he will hurt you but the wise accept and learn from correction: He that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself shame: and he that rebuketh a wicked man getteth himself a blot. Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee. Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning. (Proverbs 9: 7-9) He is in the way of life that keepeth instruction: but he that refuseth reproof erreth. (Prov. 10:17) Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge: but he that hateth reproof is brutish. (Prov. 12:1) Correction is grievous unto him that forsaketh the way: and he that hateth reproof shall die. (Prov. 15:10) 24. Diligence leads to wealth while slacking off leads to poverty: He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich (Proverbs 10:4) 25. Love deescalates hate but hate only makes conflicts worse: Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins. (Proverbs 10:12) 26. Too much gossip and slander leads to sin: He that hideth hatred with lying lips, and he that uttereth a slander, is a fool. In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise. (Proverbs 10: 18-19) 27. Fools die because they lack wisdom: The lips of the righteous feed many: but fools die for want of wisdom. (Proverbs 10:21) 28. God prolongs the life of the righteous and shortens the life of the wicked: The fear of the Lord prolongeth days: but the years of the wicked shall be shortened. (Proverbs 10: 27)

291 29. The Lord hates when people scam others financially: A false balance is abomination to the Lord: but a just weight is his delight. (Proverbs 11:1) 30. Riches can do nothing on judgment day but righteousness buys eternal life: Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivereth from death. (Proverbs 11:4) 31. Righteous people are a benefit to their communities while the wicked are not: By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted: but it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked. (Proverbs 11:11) 32. Don t spread gossip or rumors but instead conceal them: Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety. (Proverbs 11:14) 33. People need wise mentors otherwise they will be lost: Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety. (Proverbs 27:14) 34. Mercy heals our soul while cruelty troubles our own flesh: The merciful man doeth good to his own soul: but he that is cruel troubleth his own flesh. (Proverbs 11:17) 35. Righteousness leads to life while wickedness leads to death: As righteousness tendeth to life: so he that pursueth evil pursueth it to his own death. (Proverbs 11:19) 36. A beautiful woman without virtue is like a pig with a gold nose ring: As a jewel of gold in a swine s snout, so is a fair woman which is without discretion. (Proverbs 11:22) 37. Those who trust in riches will fall: He that trusteth in his riches shall fall: but the righteous shall flourish as a branch. (Proverbs 11: 28) 38. The righteous man will care about the health of animals: A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast: but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel. (Proverbs 12:10) 39. Fools think they know everything but wise men seek counsel: The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise. (Proverbs 12:15) 40. Prudent men do not shame others: A fool s wrath is presently known: but a prudent man covereth shame. (Proverbs 12:16) 41. Truth will be established forever while lies will eventually be discovered: The lip of truth shall be established for ever: but a lying tongue is but for a moment Lying lips are abomination to the Lord: but they that deal truly are his delight. (Proverbs 12:19, 22)

292 42. The Industrious will rule while the slothful will be servants: The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute. (Proverbs 12:24) 43. Wise children obey their parent s instruction: A wise son heareth his father s instruction: but a scorner heareth not rebuke. (Proverbs 13:1) 44. The rich can feel as if they have nothing and the poor can feel very rich: There is that maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing: there is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great riches. (Proverbs 13:7) 45. Only by Pride comes contention: Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom.. (Proverbs 13:10) 46. Those who do not earn their wealth will lose it: Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labour shall increase. (Proverbs 13:11) 47. Those who despise the word of God will be destroyed: Whoso despiseth the word shall be destroyed: but he that feareth the commandment shall be rewarded. (Proverbs 13:13) 48. Parents that fail to discipline their children harm them: He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes. (Proverbs 13:24) 49. Those that are righteous love God but the perverse despise Him: He that walketh in his uprightness feareth the Lord: but he that is perverse in his ways despiseth him. (Proverbs 14:2) 50. We rise or fall with the company we keep: He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed. (Proverbs 13:20) Go from the presence of a foolish man, when thou perceivest not in him the lips of knowledge. (Proverbs 14:7) 51. We can be deceived into thinking something is right but it is really wrong: There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. (Proverbs 14:12) 52. Simple people believe everything they hear: The simple believeth every word: but the prudent man looketh well to his going. (Proverbs 14:15) 53. We should be slow to wrath: He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly. (Proverbs 14:29) 54. Those who oppress the poor anger God: He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker: but he that honoureth him hath mercy on the poor. (Proverbs 14:31)

293 55. Righteousness exalts a nation, while sin disgraces one: Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people. (Psalms 41:1) 56. A soft answer deescalates a confrontation: A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger. (Proverbs 15:1) 57. A wholesome tongue is like a tree of life while a perverse tongue harms the spirit: A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit. (Proverbs 15:4) 58. A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance and continual satisfaction: A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken. All the days of the afflicted are evil: but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast. (Proverbs 15: 13-15) 59. Wicked thoughts are an abomination to the Lord: The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the Lord: but the words of the pure are pleasant words. (Proverbs 15:26) 60. Righteous people think before they speak while wicked people blurt out evil things: The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things. (Proverbs 15:28) 61. If our works continually please God our thoughts will be pure: Commit thy works unto the Lord, and thy thoughts shall be established. (Psalms 62:12) 62. Obtaining Grace, learning the truth of God and then fearing Him changes Evil people: By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the Lord men depart from evil. (Proverbs 16:6) 63. Pride leads to destruction: Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall. Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.. (Proverbs 16: 18-19) 64. Those who trust in God are happy: He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the Lord, happy is he. (Proverbs 16:20) 65. Grey hair is a crown of glory to those who have lived a righteous life: The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness. (Psalms 81: 12) The glory of young men is their strength: and the beauty of old men is the gray head. (Prov. 20:29) 66. Being slow to anger is a greater feat than conquering a city: He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city. (Proverbs 16:32) 67. It s better to have a little food with peace than abundance with strife: Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than an house full of sacrifices with strife. (Proverbs 17:1)

294 68. A wise servant will end up ruling over foolish children: A wise servant shall have rule over a son that causeth shame, and shall have part of the inheritance among the brethren. (Proverbs 17:2) 69. Those who are happy when they see others suffer will be punished: Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker: and he that is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished. (Proverbs 17:5) 70. Grandchildren are the crown of old men and women. Children s children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers. (Proverbs 17:6) 71. Just as a crucible forges silver and gold the Lord forges our hearts in the crucible of life: The fining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the Lord trieth the hearts. (Proverbs 17: 3) 72. Continually bringing up the transgressions of others is not love: He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends. (Proverbs 17:9) 73. Evil men are always rebelling against good: An evil man seeketh only rebellion: therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him. (Proverbs 17:11) 74. Those who respond to love with hate will have evil continually upon his house: Whoso rewardeth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house. (Proverbs 17:13) 75. Those who justify the wicked and condemn the just are an abomination to God: He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both are abomination to the Lord. (Proverbs 17:15) 76. Strife is like water that breaks through a damn and quickly becomes unstoppable so stop contention early: The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water: therefore leave off contention, before it be meddled with. (Proverbs 17:14) 77. A friend loves at all times and family is there to help us in adversity: A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. (Proverbs 17:17) 78. Wicked men take bribes to pervert judgment: A wicked man taketh a gift out of the bosom to pervert the ways of judgment. (Proverbs 17:23) 79. Wise men are more reserved and quiet: Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding. (Proverbs 17:28) 80. A fool s mouth is his destruction: A fool s lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes. A fool s mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul. (Proverbs 18: 6-7) 81. Spreading rumors and gossip wounds others: The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly. (Proverbs 18:8)

295 82. Those that are slothful are like those who waste: He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster. (Proverbs 18:9) 83. We should hear the full story before giving our opinion: He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him. (Proverbs 18:13) 84. Man s own folly causes his fall but many blame it on the Lord: The foolishness of man perverteth his way: and his heart fretteth against the Lord. (Proverbs 19:3) 85. Those who care for the poor lend to the Lord and the Lord will repay them: He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the Lord; and that which he hath given will he pay him again. (Proverbs 19:17) 86. Children need to be disciplined despite their crying: Chasten thy son while there is hope, and let not thy soul spare for his crying. (Proverbs 19:18) 87. Alcohol is dangerous and leads to mocking and raging: Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise. (Proverbs 20:1) 88. People should be judged by their actions: Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right. (Proverbs 20:11) 89. We should avoid sleeping too much: Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty; open thine eyes, and thou shalt be satisfied with bread. (Proverbs 20:13) 90. We should leave vengeance to God: Say not thou, I will recompense evil; but wait on the Lord, and he shall save thee. (Proverbs 20:22) 91. God uses our spirit to know our heart and mind: The spirit of man is the candle of the Lord, searching all the inward parts of the belly. Proverbs 20:27) 92. Suffering cleanses us from evil and builds character: The blueness of a wound cleanseth away evil: so do stripes the inward parts of the belly. (Proverbs 20:30) 93. The Lord ultimately controls who is in charge: The king s heart is in the hand of the Lord, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will. (Proverbs 21:1) 94. The Lord wants us to be just in our dealings: To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice. (Proverbs 21:3) 95. The Diligent use planning and are not too hasty: The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but of every one that is hasty only to want. (Proverbs 21: 5)

296 96. Those who lie to get gain are on the path of death: The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a vanity tossed to and fro of them that seek death. (Proverbs 21: 6) 97. It is better to be homeless than to live with a contentious woman: It is better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and an angry woman. (Proverbs 21:9) 98. If we do not help those in need we will not be heard in our hour of need: Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard. (Proverbs 21:13) 99. Those who live for pleasure will be poor and those that love alcohol will not be rich: He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man: he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich. (Proverbs 21:17) 100. A Single Wise man can take down a whole city: A wise man scaleth the city of the mighty, and casteth down the strength of the confidence thereof. (Proverbs 21:22) 101. A Good name is greater than riches: A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold. (Proverbs 22:1) 102. Childhood is a critical age for teaching children how to behave: Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. (Proverbs 22:6) 103. Children are naturally foolish and need to be guided by parents: Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him. (Proverbs 22:15) 104. Do not hang around angry people for you will learn to be angry too: Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go: Lest thou learn his ways, and get a snare to thy soul. (Proverbs 22: 24-25) 105. Don t attempt to speak wisdom or truth to fools: Speak not in the ears of a fool: for he will despise the wisdom of thy words. (Proverbs 23:9) 106. Discipline children to save them from hell: Withhold not correction from the child: for if thou beatest him with the rod, he shall not die. Thou shalt beat him with the rod, and shalt deliver his soul from hell. (Proverbs 23: 13-14) 107. Drunkards and Gluttons will live in poverty: Be not among winebibbers; among riotous eaters of flesh: For the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty: and drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags. (Proverbs 23: 20-21) 108. Children should honor and care for their parents when they are old: Hearken unto thy father that begat thee, and despise not thy mother when she is old. (Provebs 23:22)

297 109. Do not rejoice when your enemy suffers for this displeases God: Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth: Lest the Lord see it, and it displease him, and he turn away his wrath from him. (Proverbs 24: 17-18) 110. Avoid binge-eating: Hast thou found honey? Eat so much as is sufficient for thee, lest thou be filled therewith, and vomit it. (Proverbs 25:16) 111. Do not overstay your welcome at your neighbor s house: Withdraw thy foot from thy neighbour s house; lest he be weary of thee, and so hate thee. (Proverbs 25:17) 112. Help your enemy when he is in need and if he continues to wrong you God s wrath will come upon him: If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink: For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the Lord shall reward thee. (Proverbs 25: 21-22) 113. Those who lay traps for others will fall into their own traps: Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon him. (Proverbs 26:27) 114. Flattery causes ruin: A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin. (Proverbs 26:28) 115. Let other people praise you and don t do it yourself: Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth; a stranger, and not thine own lips. (Proverbs 27:2) 116. Sin makes people cowards but righteousness brings courage: The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion. (Proverbs 28:1) 117. Those who lead the righteous astray will fall into the pit: Whoso causeth the righteous to go astray in an evil way, he shall fall himself into his own pit: but the upright shall have good things in possession. (Proverbs 28:10) 118. Hiding our sins does not benefit us while confessing and forsaking them leads to mercy: He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy. (Proverbs 28:13) 119. Those that are too quick to be rich are not innocent: A faithful man shall abound with blessings: but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent He that hasteth to be rich hath an evil eye, and considereth not that poverty shall come upon him. (Proverbs 28:20, 22) 120. To be partial in judgment is bad as you are vulnerable to bribes: To have respect of persons is not good: for for a piece of bread that man will transgress. (Proverbs 28:21)

298 121. It is better to rebuke a man when needed than to flatter him: He that rebuketh a man afterwards shall find more favour than he that flattereth with the tongue. (Proverbs 28: 23) 122. When wicked people are in charge, the people mourn: When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn. (Proverbs 29:2) 123. Without vision the people perish: Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he. (Proverbs 29:18) 124. Every word of God is pure: Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. (Proverbs 30:5) 125. Adulterous women deny their sins: Such is the way of an adulterous woman; she eateth, and wipeth her mouth, and saith, I have done no wickedness. (Proverbs 30:20) 126. Alcohol is not for kings or judges but for those who are in great pain or dying: It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink: Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted. Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts. Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more. (Proverbs 31: 4-7) 127. Virtuous women who fear the Lord are priceless treasures: Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised. (Proverbs 31: 10, 30) 128. An Ideal woman is described: They gather in food and know how to make clothing. They run the household and ensure chores are done, plants gardens, grows strong and sells merchandise and is industrious. She gives to the poor and clothes her household. She is never idle and fears the Lord. (Psalm 31)

299 Setting: The Writer of Ecclesiastes says he is the son of King David called Qoheleth. This is wisdom literature. Notes 1. Everything is mere breath and constantly changing. Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity. What profit hath a man of all his labour which he taketh under the sun? (Proverbs 1:7) I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity and vexation of spirit. (Eccl 1:14) Wisdom from the Proverbs 2. There is nothing new under the sun: The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun. Is there any thing whereof it may be said, See, this is new? It hath been already of old time, which was before us. (Ecclesiastes 1:9-10) 3. Eventually everything is forgotten that happens on earth: There is no remembrance of former things; neither shall there be any remembrance of things that are to come with those that shall come after. (Ecclesiastes 1:11) 4. With more knowledge and understanding comes more suffering: For in much wisdom is much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow. (Eccl 1:18) 5. Pleasure, wine, women and wealth are all vanity that don t satisfy: (Eccl 2) 6. There is a season for everything in life as our experiences will be varied and temporary : To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace. (Eccl 3: 1-8) 7. It is not good to be alone as having friends is better than not having friends: Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up. Again, if two lie together, then

300 they have heat: but how can one be warm alone? And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken. (Eccl 4: 9-12) 8. Fools are known by their many words: For a dream cometh through the multitude of business; and a fool s voice is known by multitude of words. (Eccl 5:3) 9. We should be careful not to engage in ordinances without understanding: Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God, and be more ready to hear, than to give the sacrifice of fools: for they consider not that they do evil. (Eccl 5:1) 10. Those who love wealth will never be satisfied by it: He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this is also vanity. (Eccl 5:10) 11. We can t take anything with us when we die: As he came forth of his mother s womb, naked shall he return to go as he came, and shall take nothing of his labour, which he may carry away in his hand. (Eccl 5:15) 12. We labor to fulfill physical appetites but this will never fully satisfy us: All the labour of man is for his mouth, and yet the appetite is not filled. (Eccl 6:7) 13. Sorrow helps us grow while non-stop pleasure would be harmful to us: Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better. The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning; but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth. (Eccl 7: 3-4) 14. We should be slow to anger: Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools. (Eccl 7:9) 15. Wisdom causes a glowing countenance: Who is as the wise man? And who knoweth the interpretation of a thing? a man s wisdom maketh his face to shine, and the boldness of his face shall be changed. (Eccl 8:1) 16. Because evil is not immediately punished, people continuously commit evil. This allows God to try our hearts to see what we really desire: Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil. (Eccl 8:11) 17. When we die our Spirit returns to God who gave us life: Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it. (Eccl 12: 7) 18. The main purpose of life is to prepare for judgment day by fearing God and keeping His commandments: Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil. (Eccl 12:13-14)

301 OLD TESTAMENT SUMMARY THE MAJOR PROPHETS Isaiah 1. The Establishment of Zion. (1-12) 2. Isaiah s Burden Prophecies. (13-22) 3. Isaiah s Prophecies of the Last Days. (24-35) 4. The God of Israel and the Nations. (36-47) 5. The Gathering of Israel and Coming of Messiah. (48-54) 6. The Last Days and the Millennium. (55-66) Jeremiah 1. Prophecies against Israel under Josiah and Jehoiachim. (1-20) 2. Prophecies until the fall of Judah. (21-39) 3. Prophecies after the fall of Jerusalem. (40-45) 4. Prophecies against the Surrounding Nations. (46-52) Ezekiel 1. Ezekiel s Prophecies against Jerusalem. (1-24) 2. Prophecies against the Nations. (25-32) 3. Prophecies of Latter Day Israel. (33-39) 4. Vision of the Latter Day Temple. (40-48) Daniel 1. Daniel Interprets Nebuchadnezzar s Dream of the Last Days. (1-2) 2. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. (3) 3. Daniel prophesies the Destruction of Babylon. (4-5) 4. Daniel and the Lion s Den. (6) 5. Daniel s Prophecies of World History. (7-12) A TESTAMENT OF JESUS CHRIST

302 Isaiah 1-The Establishment of Zion Setting: Isaiah was a prophet in the Kingdom of Judah who lived during the reign of King Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah. His writings serve as warnings to the Jews at the time as they were not keeping the Law of Moses and enemies were constantly threatening their destruction. Story Summary Chapter 1: Isaiah begins by describing a vision in which God told him that Israel no longer recognized Him as their God and that they were a sinful and wicked people. Isaiah compares the current inhabitants of the land to Sodom and Gomorrah and says that the Lord has rejected their rituals and sacrifices. The Lord, through Isaiah, pleads with the people to cease to do evil and to repent and He will forgive them. The Lord says that if the people will keep His law they will be prosperous in the land but they do not they will be destroyed by their enemies. God promises to cleanse Jerusalem (Zion) and make it clean again. Chapter 2: Isaiah has a vision of the Last Days in which he sees the temple built in the mountains of Zion and all nations flowing into it. He sees the law coming from Zion and the word of God from Jerusalem and peace will reign on the earth. Isaiah then declares that the great day of the Lord will come and all the proud will be brought low and the Lord alone will be exalted. Chapter 3: Isaiah prophesies that Jerusalem will be punished for disobedience and then Isaiah describes the horrible state that Jerusalem will find itself in. Important leaders would all die and then youthful leaders would take over until anarchy reigned. The Lord was not pleased with the vanity and arrogance of the women of Jerusalem and promised to turn their beauty into ugliness. Chapter 4: Times will be so bad in Jerusalem that women will beg to marry a man but expect no support from him because men are so rare. Isaiah then speaks of the Latter Days and says that the remnant that remain after the judgments of God will be holy and will be led by God in a cloud by day and a pillar of flame at night. Chapter 5: Isaiah gives a parable the vineyard in which God planted a vineyard and then went to pluck the fruit but nothing but bad fruit was there. He removed the protections from the vineyard and it was destroyed and weeds and thorns grew there instead. Isaiah then pronounces Woes upon Israel for abusing alcohol and pleasure seeking, calling evil good and good evil, being proud and for despising the word of God. The Lord will then draw Israel s enemies to attack Jerusalem and to utterly destroy it. Chapter 6: Isaiah describes a vision in which he sees the Lord sitting upon a throne with angels surrounding Him. The angels declare the the Lord is holy and the earth is filled with His glory. Isaiah then recognizes his fallen state and says that he is unclean and then an angel puts a coal on his mouth and says he is clean from his sins.

303 The Lord then sends Isaiah to give the people a message but says the people will hear him but not understand and will reject him. The Lord says that He will utterly destroy the people but will spare a remnant in the same way a tree loses its leaves in winter but still remains alive. Chapter 7: The Northern Kingdom of Israel and the Syrians form an alliance and threaten to attack the Kingdom of Judah. Ahaz becomes worried but refuses to seek the Lord s counsel. The Lord tells Isaiah to let the King know that they will not be victorious as the Northern Kingdom will cease to exist soon. The Lord then gives Ahaz a sign saying that the Messiah will be born of a virgin from the remnant of Judah and his name will be Immanuel (God is with us). Chapter 8: Isaiah and his wife the prophetess have a son and God tells them to name him Maher-shalal-hashbaz which means quick to the spoils, quick to the prey. The son s name describes what will happen to Syria and the Northern Kingdom of Israel as Assyria will crush them. The Lord also says that Assyria will attack Judah but that Judah will survive. Isaiah says that the Messiah will be a stumbling block to both Judah and Israel and that he will ultimately be rejected by them. Isaiah concludes this chapter by warning the people not to consult mediums or other gods for help as it wont do them any good. Chapter 9: Isaiah prophesies that while Galilee is currently destroyed, it will be restored and the Messiah will be born there who will be called the Prince of Peace and He will reign on the throne of David forever. When Jerusalem is attacked, the people will not turn to God but will instead rely upon their own strength to rebuild it and because of that they will be attacked again. Isaiah says that the people are being led by corrupt leaders and false prophets that are causing the people to sin and that these leaders and prophets will be destroyed. Chapter 10: Isaiah says that judgment will come upon the corrupt who write laws that oppress the orphan and widow as the Lord will send the Assyrians to destroy Jerusalem. After the Assyrians have destroyed Jerusalem, the Lord says He will also destroy Assyria for its wickedness as well. The Lord will lead a remnant of Judah back to reclaim Jerusalem after Assyria is destroyed. Chapter 11: Isaiah prophesies of the Messiah and his millennial reign. He says that the Messiah will be a descendant of Jesse and that the Spirit of God will be upon Him and He will rule in righteousness. He says that the wolf will lie down with the lamb and that the lion will eat straw and the effects of the fall will be reversed and peace will reign on earth. In the last days, God will raise an ensign to the nations and regather scattered Israel for the second time and Ephraim and Judah will no longer be rivals but will be brothers again. Miraculous highways will arise that will lead the remnant together. Chapter 12: In the millennium, all will praise the Lord and declare His doings and worship Him. Notes 1. The Lord tells Isaiah what kind of people the Israelites were during his life: The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his master s crib: but Israel doth not know, my people doth not consider. Ah sinful nation, a

304 people laden with iniquity, a seed of evildoers, children that are corrupters: they have forsaken the Lord, they have provoked the Holy One of Israel unto anger, they are gone away backward. (Isaiah 1: 3-4) The Lord says the people are murderers, oppressors, the poor orphans and widows are abandoned, idolatry and fornication abound. Isaiah 2: The people looked to other religious philosophies, listened to soothsayers, became like the heathen nations in culture, were wealthy and materialistic, had great militaries and would engage in idolatry. Isaiah 3-The women of the time were proud and more concerned with beauty, jewellery and clothing than with righteousness. The People would do away with God s law and despise the scriptures: Therefore as the fire devoureth the stubble, and the flame consumeth the chaff, so their root shall be as rottenness, and their blossom shall go up as dust: because they have cast away the law of the Lord of hosts, and despised the word of the Holy One of Israel. (Isaiah 5:24) 2. Religion is vain for those who observe it without sincerity: To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices unto me? Saith the Lord: I am full of the burnt offerings of rams, and the fat of fed beasts; and I delight not in the blood of bullocks, or of lambs, or of he goats Bring no more vain oblations; incense is an abomination unto me; the new moons and Sabbaths, the calling of assemblies, I cannot away with; it is iniquity, even the solemn meeting. (Isaiah 1: 11-13) 3. The Lord commands Israel to cease doing evil, to relieve the oppressed and to care for orphans and widows: Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil; Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow. (Isaiah 1: 16-17) 4. The Lord is willing to forgive our sins if we come unto Him: Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. (Isaiah 1: 18) 5. If we keep God s law we prosper in the Land but if we reject Him our enemies will destroy us: If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land: But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it. (Isaiah 1: 19-20) 6. Isaiah Describes conditions in the Last Days and Millennium: Isaiah sees the Last Days in which he sees the temple of the Lord built in the Mountains: And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the Lord s house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. (Isaiah 2:2) In the Last Days the Law will go forth from Zion (New Jerusalem) and the Word of God from Jerusalem: And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the

305 Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. (Isaiah 2:3) During the Millennium there will be no more war but nations will be at peace with each other: And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore. (Isaiah 2:4) The Great and Dreadful Day of the Lord will come and all the proud will be brought low: The lofty looks of man shall be humbled, and the haughtiness of men shall be bowed down, and the Lord alone shall be exalted in that day. For the day of the Lord of hosts shall be upon every one that is proud and lofty, and upon every one that is lifted up; and he shall be brought low. (Isaiah 2: 11-12) 7. Isaiah describes what the Judgment of God upon Jerusalem will look like. Young, inexperienced rulers and children having no respect for elders: And I will give children to be their princes, and babes shall rule over them. And the people shall be oppressed, everyone by another, and every one by his neighbour: the child shall behave himself proudly against the ancient, and the base against the honourable. (Isaiah 3: 4-5) Complete poverty so that one with clothes is seen as a ruler: When a man shall take hold of his brother of the house of his father, saying, Thou hast clothing, be thou our ruler, and let this ruin be under thy hand. (Isaiah 3:6) Women will rule as the men are all slain: As for my people, children are their oppressors, and women rule over them. (Isaiah 3:12) And in that day seven women shall take hold of one man, saying, We will eat our own bread, and wear our own apparel: only let us be called by thy name, to take away our reproach. (Isaiah 4:1) Hell will consume the people: Therefore hell hath enlarged herself, and opened her mouth without measure: and their glory, and their multitude, and their pomp, and he that rejoiceth, shall descend into it. (Isaiah 5:14) 8. Our countenances show forth our spiritual state: The shew of their countenance doth witness against them; and they declare their sin as Sodom, they hide it not. Woe unto their soul! for they have rewarded evil unto themselves. (Isaiah 3:9) Every man and every person who lives in this world wields an influence, whether for good or for evil. It is not what he says alone; it is not alone what he does. It is what he is. Every man, every person radiates what he or she really is.... It is what we are and what we radiate that affects the people around us. Every man and every person who lives in this world wields an influence, whether for good or for evil. It is not what he says alone; it is not alone what he does. It is what he is. Every man, every person radiates what he or she really is.... It is what we are and what we radiate that affects the people around us. (David O McKay-Man May Know for Himself) 9. Woe unto those who abuse alcohol and party: Woe unto them that rise up early in the morning, that they may follow strong drink; that continue until night, till wine inflame them! And the harp, and the viol, the

306 tabret, and pipe, and wine, are in their feasts: but they regard not the work of the Lord, neither consider the operation of his hands. (Isaiah 5:11-12) 10. Woe unto those who call evil good and good evil: Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! (Isaiah 5:20) 11. Woe unto those who think their wisdom is greater than Gods: Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight! (Isaiah 5:21) 12. Angels Declare the Holiness of God and the Earth is filled with His glory: And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory. (Isaiah 6:3) 13. Isaiah recognized his fallen state after he had had a vision of God: Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts. (Isaiah 6:5) 14. The Message had to be preached to Judah so that the people would be accountable: And he said, Go, and tell this people, Hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not. Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed. (Isaiah 6: 9-10) 15. Isaiah prophesies that the Messiah will be born of a virgin: And he said, Hear ye now, O house of David; Is it a small thing for you to weary men, but will ye weary my God also? Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. 16. The Messiah will be a stumbling block to Judah and Israel: Sanctify the Lord of hosts himself; and let him be your fear, and let him be your dread. And he shall be for a sanctuary; but for a stone of stumbling and for a rock of offence to both the houses of Israel, for a gin and for a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem. (Isaiah 8: 13-14) 17. People should not visit mediums to communicate with the dead: And when they shall say unto you, Seek unto them that have familiar spirits, and unto wizards that peep, and that mutter: should not a people seek unto their God? For the living to the dead? (Isaiah 8:19) 18. Isaiah prophesies that Christ will be born in Galilee: For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this. (Isaiah 9: 6-7)

307 19. When the Judgments of God begin, if we do not repent but instead rely on our own strength then we will fall: And all the people shall know, even Ephraim and the inhabitant of Samaria, that say in the pride and stoutness of heart, The bricks are fallen down, but we will build with hewn stones: the sycomores are cut down, but we will change them into cedars. Therefore the Lord shall set up the adversaries of Rezin against him, and join his enemies together; The Syrians before, and the Philistines behind; and they shall devour Israel with open mouth. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still. For the people turneth not unto him that smiteth them, neither do they seek the Lord of hosts. (Isaiah 9: 9-14) 20. The Lord will judge the corrupt leaders and false prophets that lead nations astray: Therefore the Lord will cut off from Israel head and tail, branch and rush, in one day. The ancient and honourable, he is the head; and the prophet that teacheth lies, he is the tail. For the leaders of this people cause them to err; and they that are led of them are destroyed. (Isaiah 9: 14-16) 21. Boasting against God is like an axe boasting against its wielder: Shall the axe boast itself against him that heweth therewith? Or shall the saw magnify itself against him that shaketh it? as if the rod should shake itself against them that lift it up, or as if the staff should lift up itself, as if it were no wood. (Isaiah 10:15) 22. Isaiah prophesies of the Messiah s millennial reign: And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots: And the spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord; And shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the Lord: and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears: But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked. And righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins. (Isiah 11: 1-5) 23. Isaiah says that during the Millennium, the effects of the fall will be undone: The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them. And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together: and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice den. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea. (Isaiah 11: 6-9) 24. The Lord will regather scattered Israel from the four corners of the earth in the Last Days: And it shall come to pass in that day, that the Lord shall set his hand again the second time to recover the remnant of his people, which shall be left, from Assyria, and from Egypt, and from Pathros, and from Cush, and from Elam, and from Shinar, and from Hamath, and from the islands of the sea. And he shall set up an ensign for the nations, and shall assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth. The envy also of Ephraim shall depart, and the adversaries of Judah shall be cut off: Ephraim shall not envy Judah, and Judah shall not vex Ephraim. (Isaiah 11: 11-13)

308 25. We should trust God to be our salvation and declare His mighty works to all: Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the Lord JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation. Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation. And in that day shall ye say, Praise the Lord, call upon his name, declare his doings among the people, make mention that his name is exalted. Sing unto the Lord; for he hath done excellent things: this is known in all the earth. Cry out and shout, thou inhabitant of Zion: for great is the Holy One of Israel in the midst of thee. (Isaiah 12:2-6)

309 Isaiah 2-Isaiah s Burden Prophecies Setting: Isaiah was a prophet in the Kingdom of Judah who lived during the reign of King Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah. His writings serve as warnings to the Jews at the time as they were not keeping the Law of Moses and enemies were constantly threatening their destruction. Story Summary Chapter 13: Isaiah prophesies of the destruction of Babylon (which is a type of the destruction of the wicked). He says that other armies (Persians and Medes) will destroy Babylon and that the sun, moon and stars will not give their light on that day. God says He will punish the wicked and those that do evil and cause the arrogance of man to cease. Babylon s destruction will be so terrible that the land will be left desolate and totally uninhabited afterwards. Every man, woman and child will be destroyed. Chapter 14: Israel will ultimately be delivered in the Last Days and they will rule over their oppressors. Isaiah prophesies of the fate of the King of Babylon, who is a type of Lucifer, saying that he will be thrust down to Hell and the people of the earth will marvel at his fall. He will not have a burial monument, just as Lucifer who never received a body, will not have one either. Israel will ultimately triumph over Babylon. Chapter 15: Isaiah prophesies the destruction of the Moabites and lists specific cities that will be destroyed. Chapter 16: Isaiah continues prophesying the destruction of Moab and tells the Israelites to accept the Moabite refugees. God will tear down all of their vineyards and their joy will turn into mourning. Chapter 17: Isaiah continues prophesying the destruction of Syria and Israel saying that Damascus will be a ruinous heap and Ephraim (Northern Kingdom of Israel) will also fall but God will spare a remnant from these great civilizations. The people will cease worshipping the works of their hands and look to God instead as their strong cities will all become desolate. Chapter 18: Isaiah says hail (text is mistranslated to woe) to a land shaped like wings (some think this is the Americas) that will send ambassadors to gather the scattered remnants. The Lord will raise an ensign on the mountains in this new land with a message for all nations. Israel will gather to Mt. Zion in the Last days. Chapter 19: The Lord says He will also judge Egypt and will cause a civil war to occur amongst them. The Nile River will dry up and the people will mourn over it. God will also pour out a spirit of confusion upon the Egyptians. After they are destroyed, the Egyptians will eventually recognize God and worship Him in the land along with Assyria. Chapter 20: Isaiah was told to remove all his clothing but his tunic as a symbol of what would happen to Egypt and Ethiopia as the Assyrians will conquer them and take them captive.

310 Chapter 21: Isaiah receives another vision in which he sees the destruction of Babylon by the Medes and he is anguished at the sight of it. Isaiah then tells Judah to set a watchman on the wall and the Lord tells the watchman that Babylon has fallen and been destroyed. The watchman also learns of the destruction of other peoples as well. Chapter 22: Isaiah continues declaring that he s had a vision of the destruction of Jerusalem. He says that the Lord called them to mourn and repent in sackcloth but instead they chose to eat, drink and be merry and they will be destroyed because of it. The Lord says he will put his servant Eliakim over Jerusalem for a period of time to replace the corrupt ruler Shebna. Eliakim is a type of Christ, who will replace the corrupt rulers of Jerusalem. Chapter 23: Isaiah prophesies that Tyre will be overthrown, which dominated maritime trade. After 70 years, it will return to prominence but will be a more righteous nation. Notes 1. Like Babylon, the Lord will destroy all the wicked: Howl ye; for the day of the Lord is at hand; it shall come as a destruction from the Almighty Behold, the day of the Lord cometh, cruel both with wrath and fierce anger, to lay the land desolate: and he shall destroy the sinners thereof out of it. (Isaiah 13: 6, 9) 2. God will punish the wicked and cause the arrogance of man to cease: And I will punish the world for their evil, and the wicked for their iniquity; and I will cause the arrogancy of the proud to cease, and will lay low the haughtiness of the terrible. I will make a man more precious than fine gold; even a man than the golden wedge of Ophir. (Isaiah 13: 11-12) 3. The Ultimate Fate of the Wicked is as Babylon, Sodom and Gomorrah: And Babylon, the glory of kingdoms, the beauty of the Chaldees Excellency, shall be as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah. (Isaiah 13:19) 4. Israel will rule over is oppressors in the Last Days: For the Lord will have mercy on Jacob, and will yet choose Israel, and set them in their own land: and the strangers shall be joined with them, and they shall cleave to the house of Jacob. And the people shall take them, and bring them to their place: and the house of Israel shall possess them in the land of the Lord for servants and handmaids: and they shall take them captives, whose captives they were; and they shall rule over their oppressors. (Isaiah 14:1-2) 5. Lucifer tried to overthrow God but was instead thrust down to Hell and he rages in the earth tempting people to do wickedly. The people will be astonished when they see the pathetic end state of Lucifer: How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit. They that see thee shall narrowly look upon thee, and consider thee, saying, Is

311 this the man that made the earth to tremble, that did shake kingdoms; That made the world as a wilderness, and destroyed the cities thereof; that opened not the house of his prisoners? (Isaiah 14: 12-17) 6. The People worshipped the works of their hands and put their trust in themselves so desolation was the judgment: At that day shall a man look to his Maker, and his eyes shall have respect to the Holy One of Israel. And he shall not look to the altars, the work of his hands, neither shall respect that which his fingers have made, either the groves, or the images. In that day shall his strong cities be as a forsaken bough, and an uppermost branch, which they left because of the children of Israel: and there shall be desolation. (Isiah 17: 7-9) 7. The Lords judgments include civil war and a spirit of confusion on Egypt: And I will set the Egyptians against the Egyptians: and they shall fight every one against his brother, and every one against his neighbour; city against city, and kingdom against kingdom. The Lord hath mingled a perverse spirit in the midst thereof: and they have caused Egypt to err in every work thereof, as a drunken man staggereth in his vomit. (Isaiah 19:2) 8. Prophets are like watchmen in the night: The burden of Dumah. He calleth to me out of Seir, Watchman, what of the night? Watchman, what of the night? (Isaiah 21:11)

312 Isaiah 3-Prophecies of the Last Days (Chapters 24-35) Setting: Isaiah was a prophet in the Kingdom of Judah who lived during the reign of King Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah. His writings serve as warnings to the Jews at the time as they were not keeping the Law of Moses and enemies were constantly threatening their destruction. Story Summary Chapter 24: Isaiah has another vision in which he sees the earth being emptied by God as a result of apostasy. He sees that the people have broken God s laws, changed His ordinances and broken the everlasting covenant. All of the inhabitants of the earth are in danger of destruction. Isaiah also sees changes in the earth as the earth will reel to and fro like it is drunk. When The Lord reigns, the sun and moon will hide in shame as their light is nothing compared to the glory of God. Chapter 25: Isaiah describes the Millennium when Christ will reign again. He says there will be great feast to attend his return in the mountains and He will conquer death once and for all. Everyone will declare that God reigns and bask in His salvation. Chapter 26: Isaiah counsels us to trust in the Lord forever and we will have peace. He sees a vision of God conquering death and the inhabitants of the earth being resurrected. Chapter 27: The Lord will destroy the dragon (Satan) in the last days and cause Israel to bloom and blossom in the earth. Jerusalem will be destroyed and then the remnant will return and rebuild it. Chapter 28: Isaiah declares woes to Ephraim and says the Lord will destroy them with hail and floods. After Ephraim is destroyed, the Lord will be like a crown to the remnant of Ephraim that remain. Isaiah compares Ephraim to drunkards and says they have erred in vision and judgment. God wonders who He can teach the law and concludes he can teach those who are weaned off breast milk and can learn line upon line. Isaiah then scolds the corrupt leaders of Jerusalem for making a covenant with death and hell as the rulers probably believed they have cheated death in some way. Isaiah then compares the current judgments to threshing a field to bear fruit later and says this is necessary for righteousness to reign. Chapter 29: Isaiah gives another dual prophecy in which he declares woe to Jerusalem and says it will be besieged and destroyed but subsequent verses indicate he is also talking about the Nephites. Isaiah says that the fallen will speak from the dust (most likely through written records) to survivors. A book will come forth (book of Mormon) that is sealed and that learned men will not be able to translate but an unlearned man will translate (Joseph Smith). Isaiah then describes what resembles the First Vision where God tells Joseph that the

313 people draw near with their lips but their hearts are far from Him. Isaiah says the Lord will do a marvellous work and wonder in the Last Days which will be the Restoration of the Gospel. Isaiah says that those who have been spiritually blinded will see clearly when they read this new book that will come forth and the book will correct errors in doctrine. Chapter 30: Isaiah declares woe to the Israelites who trusted in the might of Egypt to be saved rather than God. Egypt will not be able to save them as judgment will come upon them for rejecting the prophets and seers and for seeking after soothsayers and false prophets. God says he is only feeding them the bread of affliction for a certain amount of time and then He will bring them back to Jerusalem and their prophets shall be restored. Chapter 31: Isaiah repeats his message of declaring woe on Israel for trusting in Egypt and not God. He says that God will defend and preserve Israel when it is restored. Chapter 32: Isaiah speaks of the Millennium where The Messiah will reign in righteousness. He says that those who have called themselves liberal to cover their vileness will no longer do so and their hypocrisy will cease. Isaiah also calls women who are at ease to repent and says that thorns will cover the land until the last days. In the last days, God will pour out His spirit on the land and it will be healed and the people will dwell in peace. Chapter 33: Isaiah warns those who spoil and destroy that they will be destroyed. He then describes the Millennial Day where Zion will be filled with righteousness and wisdom. Before that day, however, the people will be wicked and in apostasy and the Lord will come in a consuming fire and only the righteous will remain in His presence to dwell in everlasting burnings. Isaiah says that during the Millenium Zion and her stakes will be established and God Himself will reign as our King, Judge and Lawgiver (President, Supreme Court and Congress). Chapter 34: Isaiah declares that when the Lord comes again His wrath will be upon all nations and armies and they will be utterly destroyed. At His second coming, the heavens will roll together as a scroll and the stars will fall from heaven. The earth will be cleansed with fire and the land will becoming a burned wasteland so that animals inhabit the ruins that remain. Chapter 35: Isaiah sees the days of the restoration and the wilderness blossoming like a rose (Mormon settlement of Utah is part of this). God will protect those that remain and cause the blind to see, the deaf to hear, the dumb to speak and the lame to walk. A Holy highway will be created that will lead the saints to Zion and the righteous will be safe when they travel on it. Notes 1. God will entirely remove nations in judgment: The land shall be utterly emptied, and utterly spoiled: for the Lord hath spoken this word. (Isaiah 24:3)

314 2. Apostasy occurs when people transgress God s laws, change His ordinances and break His covenants: The earth also is defiled under the inhabitants thereof; because they have transgressed the laws, changed the ordinance, broken the everlasting covenant. (Isaiah 24:5) 3. God will conquer death once and for all: He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord God will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth: for the Lord hath spoken it. (Isaiah 25:8) All people will be resurrected: Thy dead men shall live, together with my dead body shall they arise. Awake and sing, ye that dwell in dust: for thy dew is as the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out the dead. (Isaiah 26: 19) 4. Those who trust in God will have perfect peace: Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Trust ye in the Lord for ever: for in the Lord JEHOVAH is everlasting strength: (Isaiah 26: 3-4) 5. The judgments of God instruct men in the ways of righteousness: With my soul have I desired thee in the night; yea, with my spirit within me will I seek thee early: for when thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness. (Isaiah 26:9) 6. God teaches those who are ready, line upon line and precept upon precept: For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little. (Isiah 28:10) 7. Those who think they can make deals with the devil to escape death and will be destroyed: And your covenant with death shall be disannulled, and your agreement with hell shall not stand; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, then ye shall be trodden down by it. (Isaiah 28:18) 8. Prophets are like watchmen in the night: The burden of Dumah. He calleth to me out of Seir, Watchman, what of the night? Watchman, what of the night? (Isaiah 21:11) 9. The Fallen from the House of Israel will speak from the dust (through scriptures): And thou shalt be brought down, and shalt speak out of the ground, and thy speech shall be low out of the dust, and thy voice shall be, as of one that hath a familiar spirit, out of the ground, and thy speech shall whisper out of the dust. (Isaiah 29:4) 10. Isaiah prophesies of the Book of Mormon: And the vision of all is become unto you as the words of a book that is sealed, which men deliver to one that is learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I cannot; for it is sealed: And the book is delivered to him that is not learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I am not learned. Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men: Therefore, behold, I will proceed to do a marvellous work among this people, even a marvellous work and a wonder: for the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hid. (Isaiah 29:11-14)

315 11. Woe will come upon those who think they can hide their sins from God: Woe unto them that seek deep to hide their counsel from the Lord, and their works are in the dark, and they say, who seeth us? And who knoweth us? (Isaiah 29:15) 12. The Book of Mormon will remove spiritual blindness and correct misunderstood doctrines: And in that day shall the deaf hear the words of the book, and the eyes of the blind shall see out of obscurity, and out of darkness. They also that erred in spirit shall come to understanding, and they that murmured shall learn doctrine. (Isaiah 29: 18, 24) 13. Those who trust in the might of earthly organizations and teachings will be left desolate: Woe to the rebellious children, saith the Lord, that take counsel, but not of me; and that cover with a covering, but not of my spirit, that they may add sin to sin: That walk to go down into Egypt, and have not asked at my mouth; to strengthen themselves in the strength of Pharaoh, and to trust in the shadow of Egypt! Therefore shall the strength of Pharaoh be your shame, and the trust in the shadow of Egypt your confusion. (Isaiah 30 :1-3) Woe to them that go down to Egypt for help; and stay on horses, and trust in chariots, because they are many; and in horsemen, because they are very strong; but they look not unto the Holy One of Israel, neither seek the Lord! (Isaiah 31:1) 14. A people ripe for destruction ignore the law of God and tell the prophets and seers to be silent and uphold soothsayers and false prophets. That this is a rebellious people, lying children, children that will not hear the law of the Lord: Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits: Get you out of the way, turn aside out of the path, cause the Holy One of Israel to cease from before us. (Isaiah 30: 9-11) 15. Isaiah says that vile people often call themselves liberal and that this will cease when Christ returns: The vile person shall be no more called liberal, nor the churl said to be bountiful For the vile person will speak villany, and his heart will work iniquity, to practise hypocrisy, and to utter error against the Lord, to make empty the soul of the hungry, and he will cause the drink of the thirsty to fail. (Isaiah 32: 5-6) 16. Righteousness yields peace, quietness and assurance forever: And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever. (Isaiah 32:17) 17. God warns those who spoil and destroy that they will be destroyed and their own treachery will be turned back upon their own heads: Woe to thee that spoilest, and thou wast not spoiled; and dealest treacherously, and they dealt not treacherously with thee! when thou shalt cease to spoil, thou shalt be spoiled; and when thou shalt make an end to deal treacherously, they shall deal treacherously with thee. (Isaiah 33:1) 18. Isaiah describes the traits of those who are able to dwell in the presence of the Lord: The sinners in Zion are afraid; fearfulness hath surprised the hypocrites. Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire?

316 who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings? He that walketh righteously, and speaketh uprightly; he that despiseth the gain of oppressions, that shaketh his hands from holding of bribes, that stoppeth his ears from hearing of blood, and shutteth his eyes from seeing evil. (Isaiah 33: 14-15) 19. In the Millennium, Zion and her stakes will be perfected and the Lord will be our King, judge and lawgiver: Look upon Zion, the city of our solemnities: thine eyes shall see Jerusalem a quiet habitation, a tabernacle that shall not be taken down; not one of the stakes thereof shall ever be removed, neither shall any of the cords thereof be broken. For the Lord is our judge, the Lord is our lawgiver, the Lord is our king; he will save us. (Isaiah 33: 20,22) 20. The Lord will destroy the nations and armies of the earth at His second coming: For the indignation of the Lord is upon all nations, and his fury upon all their armies: he hath utterly destroyed them, he hath delivered them to the slaughter. (Isaiah 34:2) 21. At the second coming, the heavens will roll together like a scroll and the stars will fall from heaven: And all the host of heaven shall be dissolved, and the heavens shall be rolled together as a scroll: and all their host shall fall down, as the leaf falleth off from the vine, and as a falling fig from the fig tree. (Isaiah 34:4) 22. In the Last Days the Desert will bloom like the rose when the Saints gather there: The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them; and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose. (Isaiah 35:1) 23. Isaiah sees a highway called the way of Holiness where the Saints will be safe to travel to Zion: And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for those: the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein. No lion shall be there, nor any ravenous beast shall go up thereon, it shall not be found there; but the redeemed shall walk there: And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away. (Isaiah 35: 8-10)

317 Isaiah 4-The God of Israel and the Nations (Chapters 36-47) Setting: Isaiah was a prophet in the Kingdom of Judah who lived during the reign of King Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah. His writings serve as warnings to the Jews at the time as they were not keeping the Law of Moses and enemies were constantly threatening their destruction. Story Summary Chapter 36: During the reign of Hezekiah, the King of Assyria laid siege to the cities of Judah. He sends a messenger to Hezekiah asking him why he thinks he can rebel by allying with Egypt and says that God told Assyria to attack Judah. The Jewish messengers ask the Assyrian ones to speak in Aramaic so the people don t understand but the Assyrian yells louder and tells the Jews that Hezekiah will not be able to protect them. The Jewish messengers rent their clothes and deliver the message to Hezekiah. Chapter 37: Hezekiah hears the news and rents his clothes and asks Isaiah for help. Isaiah says the Lord will cause him to return to his own land and die there. Hezekiah prays before God and God assures Hezekiah that he will spare Jerusalem and that the Assyrian army will be destroyed. The next day Angels of God destroy 185,000 Syrian troops and the King of Assyria flees back home where he is killed by his own sons. Chapter 38: Isaiah tells Hezekiah that he is going to die so Hezekiah prays and asks God to live longer. God says he will grant Hezekiah s request and adds 15 years to his life and promises to defend his kingdom from Assyria. As a sign that this will occur, the shadow on the sundial will move back 10 degrees. Chapter 39: Messengers from king Merodoch-balan of Babylon come to congratulate Hezekiah on his recovery and he shows them all of his wealth. Isaiah ten prophesies that all those treasures will belong to Babylon and Hezekiah s descendants will be servants there. Chapter 40: Isaiah prophesies of John the Baptist crying the wilderness to prepare the way of the Lord. He sees the millennial day when the earth will be changed to make living in it easier. The people will be called to Zion in the mountains and Jerusalem will declare the glory of God. Isaiah then asks who can counsel God and who has given Him his knowledge to create the earth? He is greater than all and He gives strength to those who trust in Him and causes them to sore like eagles. Chapter 41: Isaiah tells those who live on the coast to be quiet and listen and asks them a series of questions designed to help them see the great works of God. Isaiah says that Israel is still God s people and that He will protect them and all their enemies will be wiped from existence. God promises to give water to the desert and

318 to beautify the wilderness. He dares Israel to get their idols to predict the future and says that ultimately their idols are frauds that cannot benefit the min any way. Chapter 42: Isaiah speaks about the Messiah who will bring judgment to the Gentiles and will not fail in His mission. Isaiah says that the Messiah will become a light to the Gentiles and He will release the prisoners from prison (the dead from the grave). The Lord will destroy all idols and all His enemies and the remainder will sing praises to Him. God has held his peace for a long time but in the end He will judge the earth and all will know He is God. Chapter 43: God tells Israel that He created them and He will ultimately redeem and restore them. There is no Savior but the Lord and Israel are His chosen servants to bear witness of this truth. God says He will destroy Babylon and tells the people to forget the old ways to but to turn to the new that God will give them. Chapter 44: The Lord tells Israel He will pour out His spirit upon their descendants. He says that there are no Gods beside Him and that idols are vanity. The process of how idols are made is described and God further condemns their worship. He says that He will use King Cyrus of Persia to rebuild Jerusalem and the temple. Chapter 45: God says that Cyrus the King of Persia is His servant and that He will give him victory over other nations. God says that Cyrus has served Him though he hasn t known it and Cyrus will be the tool through which God restores Israel. God continues to condemn those who worship idols and declares that He is the only God and that all will eventually bow the knee and confess that He is God. Chapter 46: God continues to condemn idols and says they are unable to save anyone and He can t be compared to them. He says He will bring Cyrus in from the East to destroy Babylon and release Israel from bondage. Chapter 47: God says that Babylon will be destroyed as it oppressed Israel and in its arrogance thought it would remain in power forever. The Babylonians trusted in their wickedness and in their own knowledge and thought there was none greater so desolation would come upon them as judgment. God challenges the Astrologers and Sorcerers to save Babylon from ruin but declares they will be unable to and will be burned as stubble. Notes 1. Isaiah prophesies of the John the Baptist: The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. (Isaiah 40:3) 2. In the Millennium every valley will be exalted and every mountain made low: Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain: And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it. (Isaiah 40: 4-5) 3. In the Millennium the Lord will care for his saints like a shepherd does His sheep: He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young. (Isaiah 40:11)

319 4. All nations are like nothing before God and are vanity: All nations before him are as nothing; and they are counted to him less than nothing, and vanity. (Isaiah 40:17) 5. Those who trust in the Lord will be given strength and power: Hast thou not known? Hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? There is no searching of his understanding. He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. (Isaiah 40: 28-31) 6. The Lord has created and declared the generations from the beginning the earth was created: Who hath wrought and done it, calling the generations from the beginning? I the Lord, the first, and with the last; I am he. (Isaiah 41:4) 7. The Lord will protect Israel and destroy all her enemies: Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. Behold, all they that were incensed against thee shall be ashamed and confounded: they shall be as nothing; and they that strive with thee shall perish. (Isaiah 41: 10-11) 8. The Messiah will be a light to the Gentiles who will release the prisoners from death: I the Lord have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles; To open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house. (Isaiah 42: 6-7) 9. The Lord will eventually require all to recognize Him as God: I am the Lord: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images. (Isaiah 42:8) 10. The Lord tells His people of future events before they happen: Behold, the former things are come to pass, and new things do I declare: before they spring forth I tell you of them. (Isaiah 42:9) 11. The Lord holds His peace while the earth stands but on His day He will exact vengeance on His enemies: The Lord shall go forth as a mighty man, he shall stir up jealousy like a man of war: he shall cry, yea, roar; he shall prevail against his enemies. I have long time holden my peace; I have been still, and refrained myself: now will I cry like a travailing woman; I will destroy and devour at once. (Isaiah 42: 13-14) 12. There is no other Savior but God and Israel are His witnesses to the world: Ye are my witnesses, saith the Lord, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me. I, even I, am the Lord; and beside me there is no saviour. (Isaiah 43: 10-11)

320 13. The Lord will pour out His Spirit upon the Descendants of Israel: For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground: I will pour my spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring. (Isaiah 44:3) 14. Non-Israelites were still God s servants and served Him even though they didn t know it: Thus saith the Lord to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have holden, to subdue nations before him; For Jacob my servant s sake, and Israel mine elect, I have even called thee by thy name: I have surnamed thee, though thou hast not known me. (Isaiah 45: 1-4) 15. WO unto those who who strive with their maker: Woe unto him that striveth with his Maker! Let the potsherd strive with the potsherds of the earth. Shall the clay say to him that fashioneth it, What makest thou? Or thy work, He hath no hands? (Isaiah 45: 9) 16. Every knee will bow and every tongue confess that the Lord is God: I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear. 17. God declares the end from the beginning and will bring all his works and sayings to pass: Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure: Calling a ravenous bird from the east, the man that executeth my counsel from a far country: yea, I have spoken it, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed it, I will also do it. (Isaiah 46:10-11) 18. Those who trust in their wickedness and in their own knowledge and say that God does not exist will be visited with sudden desolation: For thou hast trusted in thy wickedness: thou hast said, None seeth me. Thy wisdom and thy knowledge, it hath perverted thee; and thou hast said in thine heart, I am, and none else beside me. Therefore shall evil come upon thee; thou shalt not know from whence it riseth: and mischief shall fall upon thee; thou shalt not be able to put it off: and desolation shall come upon thee suddenly, which thou shalt not know. (Isaiah 47: 10-11)

321 Isaiah 5-The Gathering of Israel and Coming of the Messiah (Chapters 48-54) Setting: Isaiah was a prophet in the Kingdom of Judah who lived during the reign of King Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah. His writings serve as warnings to the Jews at the time as they were not keeping the Law of Moses and enemies were constantly threatening their destruction. Story Summary Chapter 48: The Lord says that many call themselves true followers of God in Israel but really they have gone astray. God says He has given the people prophesies in the past so that they would not attribute outcomes to idols. God has chosen Israel and will refine them in the furnace of affliction for His glory. He will destroy Babylon and the Chaldeans but has a plan to eventually redeem Israel. The Lord admonishes us to keep His commandments so that we may have peace and prosperity but declares that the wicked will not have peace. Chapter 49: The Lord says that much of Israel has been scattered abroad because of the wickedness of the religious leaders in Israel. Israel was given the word of God (sharp sword) and God has hid scattered Israel in the palm of His hands and knows exactly where they are. He says that Latter Day Israel will be a light to the Gentiles and a beacon of salvation to the ends of the earth. The Lord says He will hear the cry of Israel and when the time is right He will re-establish the covenant in the latter days so that those who are in darkness can be saved. The Lord will gather the people to Israel from the four corners of the earth and they will not hunger or thirst. The Lord says that like a mother who could not forsake her child He will not forsake Israel as He has graven Israel on the palm of His hands. The Lord then describes the gathering of Israel in the Last Days and says that so many people will come that there won t be enough room in the land. The Gentiles will nurse Israel and will bring their children to Zion and kings and queens will be servants of Israel. The Lord ends by saying He will destroy Israel s enemies. Chapter 50: Isaiah speaks as the Messiah and asks Israel if they can produce His divorce papers. The Messiah says He is able to redeem and deliver Israel and He has the tongue of the learned. The Messiah will give his back to the smiters and will be abused by the people. The Messiah then says that those who trust in themselves and not in God will eventually lie down in sorrow. Chapter 51: The Lord promises to comfort Zion and to turn its deserts into beautiful gardens. The Lord will give a law to the people that will be a light for them to follow and he will judge and reign in righteousness. While the earth will eventually die, the salvation of the Lord will last forever. The Lord invites the righteous who love His law to come unto Him and to not fear men for they will all perish. Those whom the Lord redeems will return to

322 Zion singing with everlasting joy. The Lord then says that Israel has drunken from the cup of His fury but that in the Last Days Israel s enemies will drink from the cup of God s fury instead and Israel will never drink it again. Chapter 52: Zion and Jerusalem will be holy cities that only the righteous will be able to dwell in and the Priesthood of God (beautiful garments) will go forth from them. The Messiah will reign in Zion and will publish peace and salvation to the inhabitants of the earth. All of God s people will rejoice when Jerusalem is redeemed and the Lord is made known to all of the people. The Lord tells the people to flee Babylon in an orderly manner and that He will lead them. Chapter 53: This is one of the most important prophesies in the entire Bible so the entire text is listed below. The Messiah would be born as a mortal man and grow up like any other without anything distinguishing Him as the Messiah. The Life of the Messiah would be filled with sorrows and grief and He would take the punishment for the sins and iniquities of the people. The Messiah would ultimately be killed for the sins of the people, like a lamb going to the slaughter. He would visit the dead in prison and would release them as He bore their transgressions. As a result of this, the Messiah would receive all the Father has (Portion with the great) and all who come unto Him will share in that reward (Divide the spoil with the strong). Chapter 54: The Lord compares Israel to a desolate wife that had not borne children but says Israel will have many children in the Last Days. The Stakes of Zion will expand and the tent of Israel will cover the earth until they inherit the Gentiles desolate cities. Israel will forget her shameful history as God will be Israel s husband and will gather her in great mercy. God promises to bless Israel so that fear and oppression will never touch her again. Anybody that attacks Israel will be destroyed and no weapon that is formed against her will prosper. Notes 1. Many say they worship God but are not really His true followers: Hearken and hear this, O house of Jacob, who are called by the name of Israel, and are come forth out of the waters of Judah, or out of the waters of baptism, who swear by the name of the Lord, and make mention of the God of Israel, yet they swear not in truth nor in righteousness. Nevertheless, they call themselves of the holy city, but they do not stay themselves upon the God of Israel, who is the Lord of Hosts; yea, the Lord of Hosts is his name. (Isaiah 48: 1-2) 2. God refines His followers in the furnace of affliction: Behold, I have refined thee, but not with silver; I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction. (Isaiah 48:10) 3. Peace is the fruit of righteousness but the wicked will never have peace: O that thou hadst hearkened to my commandments! Then had thy peace been as a river, and thy righteousness as the waves of the sea there is no peace, saith the Lord, unto the wicked. (Isaiah 48: 18,22) 4. Israel will be a light to the gentiles and the beacon of salvation to the whole earth: I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth. (Isaiah 49:6)

323 5. God has graven Israel on the palms of His hands and is like a mother who could never forget her child: But Zion said, The Lord hath forsaken me, and my Lord hath forgotten me. Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? Yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee. Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me. (Isaiah 49: 14-16) 6. God has all power to deliver and redeem His people: Is my hand shortened at all, that it cannot redeem? Or have I no power to deliver? Behold, at my rebuke I dry up the sea, I make the rivers a wilderness. (Isiah 50:2) 7. Isaiah prophesies of the mistreatment of Christ by His people: I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not my face from shame and spitting. (Isaiah 50:6) 8. Those who trust in themselves and not the Lord will one day lie down in sorrow: Behold, all ye that kindle a fire, that compass yourselves about with sparks: walk in the light of your fire, and in the sparks that ye have kindled. This shall ye have of mine hand; ye shall lie down in sorrow. (Isaiah 50:11) 9. The Earth and heavens will die but the salvation of the Lord is forever: Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look upon the earth beneath: for the heavens shall vanish away like smoke, and the earth shall wax old like a garment, and they that dwell therein shall die in like manner: but my salvation shall be for ever, and my righteousness shall not be abolished. (Isaiah 51:6) 10. The Lord writes His law on the hearts of His servants: Hearken unto me, ye that know righteousness, the people in whose heart is my law; fear ye not the reproach of men, neither be ye afraid of their reviling s. (Isaiah 51:7) 11. Those who the Lord redeems will dwell in Zion with everlasting joy: Therefore the redeemed of the Lord shall return, and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy shall be upon their head: they shall obtain gladness and joy; and sorrow and mourning shall flee away. (Isaiah 51:11) 12. Why should we fear man who will die but not God who created all things: I, even I, am he that comforteth you: who art thou, that thou shouldest be afraid of a man that shall die, and of the son of man which shall be made as grass; And forgettest the Lord thy maker, that hath stretched forth the heavens, and laid the foundations of the earth;. (Isaiah 51: 12-13) 13. Isaiah prophesies of Christ the peace bringer: How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth! (Isaiah 52: 7) 14. The Messiah will redeem Jerusalem and all the earth will know the God of Israel. Break forth into joy, sing together, ye waste places of Jerusalem: for the Lord hath comforted his people, he hath redeemed

324 Jerusalem. The Lord hath made bare his holy arm in the eyes of all the nations; and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God. (Isaiah 52: 9-10) 15. Those who are engaged in the Lords work must be clean and sanctified: Depart ye, depart ye, go ye out from thence, touch no unclean thing; go ye out of the midst of her; be ye clean, that bear the vessels of the Lord. (Isaiah 52:11) 16. Isaiah s Suffering Servant Prophecy of the Messiah: 1 Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed? 2 For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him. 3 He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. 4 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. 5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. 6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned everyone to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. 7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth. 8 He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? For he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken. 9 And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth. 10 Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand. 11 He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities. 12 Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors. 17. The Stakes of Zion will expand in the last days to cover the earth and Israel will inherit the Gentile cities: Enlarge the place of thy tent, and let them stretch forth the curtains of thine habitations: spare not, lengthen thy cords, and strengthen thy stakes; For thou shalt break forth on the right hand and on the left; and thy seed shall inherit the Gentiles, and make the desolate cities to be inhabited. (Isaiah 54: 2-3) 18. The Lord swears an oath that He will gather and restore Israel: For a small moment have I forsaken thee; but with great mercies will I gather thee. In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment; but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the Lord thy Redeemer. For this is as the waters of Noah unto me: for as I have sworn that the waters of Noah should no more go over the earth; so have I

325 sworn that I would not be wroth with thee, nor rebuke thee. For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the Lord that hath mercy on thee. (Isaiah 54: 7-10) 19. No weapon that is formed against Israel will prosper: No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is of me, saith the Lord. (Isaiah 54: 17)

326 Isaiah 5-The God of Israel and the Nations (Chapters 55-66) Setting: Isaiah was a prophet in the Kingdom of Judah who lived during the reign of King Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah. His writings serve as warnings to the Jews at the time as they were not keeping the Law of Moses and enemies were constantly threatening their destruction. Story Summary Chapter 55: The Lord invites all to come unto Him for salvation is offered to all and is free. The Lord asks why we labor all the days of our lives for that which cannot satisfy and invites us to come unto Him and delight in abundance. The Lord will make an everlasting covenant with those who come unto Him and He invites us to seek Him while He is near. The Lord says that we should forsake our evil thoughts and beliefs and look unto His beliefs for they are higher than ours and His word nourishes and blossoms those who hear it. Chapter 56: The Lord extends the blessings of the Gospel to everyone and says that strangers (non-israelites who dwelt in Israel) and Eunuchs (they were barred from participating in rituals because they weren t physically whole) who keep His Sabbaths will have an inheritance greater than sons and daughters who don t. They will be brought to Zion and their offerings will be accepted. The Lord seeks to gather others as those shepherds currently watching over His flock are letting the beasts devour the sheep and are leading the people in their own way and for gain and not seeking the Lord s will. Chapter 57: When the righteous die they enter into peace but the wicked who commit adultery by breaking their covenants will not profit and will ultimately go to hell. The Wicked are compared to a troubled sea that cannot rest and produce dirt and mud. Chapter 58: Many Israelites fasted in vain as they failed to fast for the proper reasons. True fasting should focus on loosing the bands of wickedness, undoing heavy burdens and helping the poor and afflicted. When people fast in this way the Lord promises to answer and to nourish our souls and guide us continually. The Lord also promises that those who keep the Sabbath Day Holy by taking delight in it and doing the Lords will, will delight in the Lord and enjoy Jacob s heritage (eternal life). Chapter 59: The Lord says that iniquity and sins separate us from God and then lists the many sins of Israel including murder, lies, perverseness and injustice. Israel s sins and transgressions are before God and they have lied to Him and injustice reigns in Israel. The Lord will visit Israel adorned in the breastplate of righteousness, the helmet of salvation, the garments and vengeance and the cloak of zeal and will repay us according to our deeds. The Lord then covenants that His spirit will be upon those who turn from transgression and He will redeem them. Chapter 60: In the last days darkness will cover the whole earth but God will raise up Israel to be a light to the Gentiles. Israel will be gathered and the Gentiles will flock to it and in the last day the Gentiles will help Israel

327 rebuild Jerusalem. The nations that fight against Israel will perish and all other nations will serve Israel. God will reign personally in Zion so there will be no need for the sun or moon and the people will inherit the land forever. Chapter 61: Isaiah speaks as the Messiah saying that He will heal those who suffer and give liberty to the captives. He will turn suffering and mourning into joy and gladness and the people will repair and rebuild the land. In the last days, the Lord will establish His covenant and Priesthood and righteousness and truth will come to all nations. Chapter 62: The Gentiles will see the righteousness of latter day Israel who will be known by a new name and God will accept Israel and the land as His bride. God will protect Israel and ensure that other nations do not plunder and will call the people of that day a holy people. Chapter 63: Isaiah speaks as the Messiah who says He will return in red apparel as it will be symbolic of the vengeance He will take upon the wicked. Isaiah says that the Lord upheld Israel until she rebelled and made God her enemy. Israel will return to God in the last days and ask Him to rule over them. Chapter 64: The saints pray for the Lord s second coming to occur as they declare that none can comprehend the glorious reward that God has for those who trust in Him. The Lord has been angry with Israel for her sins but Israel asks the Lord to have mercy and restore her to glory. Chapter 65: The Lord says that Israel has been a rebellious nation that have disregarded His laws. Israel has been punished as a result of their disobedience. However, God says He will cause the remnant of Israel to inherit His Holy Mountains. God says He will create a new heaven and a new earth and all weeping and mourning will cease. The people will all live full lives and premature death will cease and they will build houses and eat the fruit of their labor. God will answer their prayers before they even ask and the wolf and lamb will lie down together in peace. Chapter 66: The Lord condemns those who offer sacrifices without the corresponding sincerity of purpose and compares killing an ox to killing a man as a result. The Lord says He will turn the fears and delusions of the people back onto them. God then says that in the last days, Israel will be born as a nation in a single day and He will give her peace like a river. He will destroy the wicked with fire and then the Gentiles will come before Israel and all flesh will worship God that remain. Notes 1. Salvation is Free: Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. (Isaiah 55:1) 2. Many spend their whole lives laboring for that which cannot satisfy as only God can give us that which truly satisfies us: Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? Hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness. (Isaiah 55:2)

328 3. The Lord invites us to seek Him while He can still be found and to forsake our evil thoughts and beliefs so that God may pardon us: Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. (Isaiah 55: 6-7) 4. The Lord s thoughts and beliefs are Higher than ours so we should compare and correct: For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. (Isaiah 55: 7-8) 5. The Word of the Lord is like rain that causes the earth to blossom and nourish: For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. (Isaiah 55: 10-11) 6. Strangers and Eunuchs or those who were once outside the covenant will be given a greater inheritance than Israel if they keep His Sabbaths and Commandments: For thus saith the Lord unto the eunuchs that keep my Sabbaths, and choose the things that please me, and take hold of my covenant; Even unto them will I give in mine house and within my walls a place and a name better than of sons and of daughters: I will give them an everlasting name, that shall not be cut off. Also the sons of the stranger (Isaiah 56: 4-6) 7. The Lord says His pastors in the Last Days will be ignorant and greedy and allow the flock to be devoured: The Lord God which gathereth the outcasts of Israel saith, Yet will I gather others to him, beside those that are gathered unto him. All ye beasts of the field, come to devour, yea, all ye beasts in the forest. His watchmen are blind: they are all ignorant, they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber. Yea, they are greedy dogs which can never have enough, and they are shepherds that cannot understand: they all look to their own way, every one for his gain, from his quarter. (Isaiah 56: 8-11) 8. When the righteous die they enjoy peace: The righteous perisheth, and no man layeth it to heart: and merciful men are taken away, none considering that the righteous is taken away from the evil to come. He shall enter into peace: they shall rest in their beds, each one walking in his uprightness. (Isaiah 57:1-2) 9. The wicked cannot know peace as their works are filthy: But the wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt. (Isaiah 57:20) The way of peace they know not; and there is no judgment in their goings: they have made them crooked paths: whosoever goeth therein shall not know peace. (Isaiah 59:8) 10. Fasting should be focused on righteous goals such as eliminating wickedness, easing burdens and caring for the needy: Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? Is it not to deal thy bread to the

329 hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? When thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh? (Isaiah 58: 6-7) 11. Those who fast properly and focus on helping the poor and afflicted are blessed with health and continual guidance from God: Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the Lord shall be thy rearward. Then shalt thou call, and the Lord shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am And the Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not. And they that shall be of thee shall build the old waste places: thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations; and thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in. (Isaiah 58: 8-12) 12. If we take delight in the Sabbath and set it apart as a Holy day to the Lord and follow His will on that day we will be blessed with the heritage of Jacob (eternal life): If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the sabbath a delight, the holy of the Lord, honourable; and shalt honour him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words: Then shalt thou delight thyself in the Lord; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it. (Isaiah 58: 13-14) 13. Our Sins and Iniquities separate us from God. Specifically, murder, lies, perversion, injustice and vanity all distance us from God: But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear. For your hands are defiled with blood, and your fingers with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies, your tongue hath muttered perverseness. None calleth for justice, nor any pleadeth for truth: they trust in vanity, and speak lies; they conceive mischief, and bring forth iniquity.. (Isaiah 59: 2-4) 14. The Lord recompenses us according to our deeds: For he put on righteousness as a breastplate, and an helmet of salvation upon his head; and he put on the garments of vengeance for clothing, and was clad with zeal as a cloak. According to their deeds, accordingly he will repay, fury to his adversaries, recompense to his enemies; to the islands he will repay recompense. (Isaiah 59: 17-18) 15. The Lord promises His spirit to be with those who turn from transgression: As for me, this is my covenant with them, saith the Lord; My spirit that is upon thee, and my words which I have put in thy mouth, shall not depart out of thy mouth, nor out of the mouth of thy seed, nor out of the mouth of thy seed s seed, saith the Lord, from henceforth and for ever. (Isaiah 59:20-21) 16. In the last days darkness will cover the earth but Israel will be a light to the Gentiles: For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the Lord shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee. And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising. (Isaiah 60: 2-3)

330 17. In the last days the Gentiles will help Israel rebuild Jerusalem: And the sons of strangers shall build up thy walls, and their kings shall minister unto thee: for in my wrath I smote thee, but in my favour have I had mercy on thee. (Isaiah 60:10) 18. In the Millennium, God will reign personally so there will be no need for the sun or moon and the people will inherit the land forever: The sun shall be no more thy light by day; neither for brightness shall the moon give light unto thee: but the Lord shall be unto thee an everlasting light, and thy God thy glory. Thy sun shall no more go down; neither shall thy moon withdraw itself: for the Lord shall be thine everlasting light, and the days of thy mourning shall be ended. Thy people also shall be all righteous: they shall inherit the land for ever, the branch of my planting, the work of my hands, that I may be glorified. (Isaiah 60: 19-21) 19. The Messiah will heal the broken-hearted and give liberty to the captives: The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn; To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified. (Isaiah 61: 1-3) 20. The Second coming will be a day of vengeance upon the wicked: Wherefore art thou red in thine apparel, and thy garments like him that treadeth in the winefat? I have trodden the winepress alone; and of the people there was none with me: for I will tread them in mine anger, and trample them in my fury; and their blood shall be sprinkled upon my garments, and I will stain all my raiment. For the day of vengeance is in mine heart, and the year of my redeemed is come. (Isaiah 63: 2-4) 21. Man cannot conceive of the glorious reward that God will give to those who wait on Him: For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him. (Isaiah 64:4) 22. We are as clay and God is like a potter who molds clay in His hand: But now, O Lord, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand. (Isaiah 64:8) 23. God will create a new heaven and earth where all weeping will cease: For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind. (Isaiah 65:17) 24. In the millennium there will be no premature death as all will live full lives: There shall be no more thence an infant of days, nor an old man that hath not filled his days: for the child shall die an hundred years old; but the sinner being an hundred years old shall be accursed. (Isaiah 65: 20) 25. In the millennium, the people will live in houses and enjoy the fruits of their labor: And they shall build houses, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and eat the fruit of them. (Isaiah 65:21)

331 26. The Lord can answer our prayers before we ask: And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear. (Isaiah 65:24) 27. In the millennium, the curse of the fall will be reversed: The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, and the lion shall eat straw like the bullock: and dust shall be the serpent s meat. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain, saith the Lord. (Isaiah 65:25) 28. The Lord condemned sacrifice in the wrong spirit: He that killeth an ox is as if he slew a man; he that sacrificeth a lamb, as if he cut off a dog s neck; he that offereth an oblation, as if he offered swine s blood; he that burneth incense, as if he blessed an idol. Yea, they have chosen their own ways, and their soul delighteth in their abominations. (Isaiah 66:3) 29. In the last days, Israel will be born as a nation in a single day: Who hath heard such a thing? who hath seen such things? Shall the earth be made to bring forth in one day? or shall a nation be born at once? for as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children. (Isaiah 66:8) 30. At the second coming the Lord will destroy the wicked with fire: For, behold, the Lord will come with fire, and with his chariots like a whirlwind, to render his anger with fury, and his rebuke with flames of fire. For by fire and by his sword will the Lord plead with all flesh: and the slain of the Lord shall be many. (Isaiah 66: 15-16) 31. In the Millennium, all that are left alive will worship God: And it shall come to pass, that from one new moon to another, and from one sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before me, saith the Lord. (Isaiah 66:23)

332 Jeremiah 1-Jeremiah s Prophecies under Josiah and Jehoiachim (Chapters 1-20) Setting: Jeremiah was a prophet who lived about 50 years before the Babylonian Captivity and his message to Judah was to repent or be destroyed by Babylon. Story Summary Chapter 1: Jeremiah was the son of the priest Hilkiah and his prophetic career occurred from Josiah right to the Babylonian Captivity. The Lord calls Jeremiah when he is a child and tells him that he knew him before he was born and foreordained him a prophet to the nations. Jeremiah was not confident, as he was a child when God called him to be a prophet, but God touched his lips and told him to speak His words and He would protect Jeremiah. Jeremiah then has a vision in which he sees the branch of an almond tree, which is the first tree to bud in the spring, and just as the almond tree hastens to bud in the spring so will the Lord hasten to fulfill His word to Judah. Jeremiah then has a second vision in which he sees a boiling cauldron overcoming the northern kingdom and threatening to consume Judah. God says He will judge Israel for forsaking Him and worshipping the works of their hands. He promises to protect Jeremiah from those who will seek his destruction. Chapter 2: Jeremiah asks Israel why they have forsaken God and forgotten how he delivered them in the wilderness. Jeremiah condemns them for forgetting God, who made them great, and seeking after vanities. Jeremiah says that Israel has forsaken the fountain of living waters and worshipped gods which can hold no water and have instead drunk the spiritual waters of Egypt and Babylon. Jeremiah says that the consequences of Israel s sins will lead to correction. Jeremiah then compares Israel to a noble vine that was planted that has turned into a degenerate and strange one. Even the strongest means of purification (nitre and soap) cannot cleanse Israel of her sins. The Israelites have worshipped idols continually and have attributed their existence to those idols. God challenges them to get their idols to save them when destruction comes. Chapter 3: Jeremiah compares Israel to an adulteress who has been unfaithful to God and then is seeking to return without consequence. Their wickedness has polluted the land and caused the rains to be withheld. Jeremiah says that God gave a bill of divorcement to Northern Israel for its crimes and sins and yet Judah did not heed the warning. God promises to gather Israel in the last days if they will acknowledge their sins and turn to Him. In the last days, Jerusalem will be a holy city and the lost tribes will return from the north and reunite with Judah. God invites Israel to return to Him for salvation is only through Him. Chapter 4: Jeremiah calls Israel and Judah to repentance otherwise Babylon will destroy them. He uses the imagery of the lion and the desert wind as symbols of approaching destruction. The Lord says the land will be

333 completely desolate but this will not be the final end for Israel. The heavens and earth will mourn over Israel s destruction. Chapter 5: Jeremiah says that Israel has refused to accept correction and has hardened instead of repented so they must perish. God says that He cannot excuse their sins and that their evil works are going to result in judgment. Israel does not give credit to God but worship idols instead and are a completely corrupt people. Chapter 6: Babylon will come from the North and destroy Jerusalem but Israel will not heed God s warnings. Everyone in Israel is corrupt, including the prophets and priests. God declares that the nation that ignores His law and His words will be destroyed. Chapter 7: The Lord tells Jeremiah to stand at the temple doors and to call the people to repentance and to tell them that if they repent the Lord will preserve them in the land. The Lord declares that His temple has become a den of robbers and that He will cleanse it and destroy Judah as He has Ephraim (Northern Kingdom). God recounts the rebellious history of Israel and condemns them for sacrificing their children to other gods. Chapter 8: Death and destruction will come upon Judah because they chose evil rather than good and their bones will be digged up by their enemies and scattered (a sign of contempt). False prophets at the time were speaking soothing words rather than hard truths so the people were led to destruction. The Israelites will realize they had procrastinated the day of their repentance and will declare that the summer has ended and they are not saved. Chapter 9: Jeremiah mourns for the people and wishes he could weep day and night for the people. He says the people are filled with lies and deceit and that God must come out in judgment against them. God will feed the people with gall and wormwood and will scatter them among the nations after Jerusalem has been destroyed. The Lord says that we should not glory in our own strength but glory instead in our God. Chapter 10: The Lord tells Israel not to learn the ways of others nations for their customs and beliefs are all vain. Jeremiah tells Israel to trust in the King of Nations, the God of Israel. The Lord is grieved but must judge Israel for its iniquity. Chapter 11: Jeremiah says Israel will be cursed for breaking the covenant they made with God and continues to condemn idolatry. The Lord promises to destroy those seek Jeremiah s life. Chapter 12: Jeremiah asks the Lord how long the wicked will prosper and judgment will be withheld. The Lord responds that Jeremiah will have to bear much worse than he already has. The Lord says that after He scatters Israel He will regather them and any nation who adopts His ways will be numbered with Israel. Those who oppose Israel will be destroyed as a nation. Chapter 13: The Lord tells Jeremiah to take a belt and hide it in a rock for a while and then he returns and finds it decayed. The Lord says that Judah and Jerusalem will decay just like this belt has as they have refused to listen to Him even though Israel was supposed to cleave unto God like a belt does a man. The Lord will weep when Israel is scattered and taken into captivity but it must occur. They are so wicked it is in their nature and they will not change, like a leopard who can t change his spots.

334 Chapter 14: Jeremiah prays for his people as there is a great drought and famine in the land. The Lord responds by telling Jeremiah not to pray for them because they are so wicked He will not hear. The Lord condemns the false prophets of Judah for saying the judgments of God would not come and says those false prophets will face the very judgments they deny. Chapter 15: Jeremiah declares four punishments for Judah: Death, War, Famine and Slavery or captivity and then scattering afterwards. God specifically mentions a great crime from King Manasseh that must be punished. God is weary of repenting and continues to tell of the horrible things that await an unrepentant Judah. Chapter 16: God tells Jeremiah that he is not to do three things: marry and have children, lament the fallen in Judah and feast with any friends in Jerusalem. God did not want children brought into this wicked time and place and Judah brought destruction upon themselves so lamenting them was not appropriate. Also feasting was a sign of fellowship and Jerusalem was to be cut off from the Lord. Jeremiah prophesies that in the future people will praise the Lord for regathering scattered Israel rather than for leading them out of Egypt. Chapter 17: The Lord says that Israel is cursed for trusting in flesh and blood instead of in God while those who trust in Him will never want. The Lord tells Jeremiah to stand at the gate and tell the Kings of Judah to obey the Sabbath but they did not listen. The Lord promises them that if they keep the Sabbath He will preserve Jerusalem but if they do not then it will be destroyed. Chapter 18: The Lord tells Jeremiah to go to the potter s house and observe him molding clay in his hands. God says that He is like the potter and Israel is like the clay in His hands. Jeremiah is told to tell the people to repent but the people utterly refuse to change their ways. The people of Jerusalem plot to kill Jeremiah so he prays that God will destroy them quickly and protect him. Chapter 19: The Lord tells Jeremiah to declare that the end of Jerusalem is near because of idolatry and wickedness. The People had sacrificed their children to Baal which was a gross abomination before God. Jeremiah prophesied that Jerusalem would be under siege and that the people would resort to Cannibalism to survive. Jeremiah is instructed to break a potter s jar in front of them as a symbol that Jerusalem would be broken and could not be restored fully. Chapter 20: Jeremiah is persecuted and tortured for prophesying by a man named Pashur. Jeremiah prophesies to him that he will witness the destruction of Jerusalem and captivity in Babylon. Jeremiah mourns his prophetic calling and says everyone mocks him. Jeremiah is tempted never to speak of the Lord again but the spirit of the Lord could not be restrained within him so he continued. Jeremiah says he will trust in God and prays for the destruction of his enemies. However, he is so depressed that he curses his birth and wishes he was never born. Notes 1. The Lord knew us before we were born and foreordained our life mission: Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations. (Jeremiah 1:5)

335 2. The Lord touched Jeremiah s mouth and changed his capacity to speak: Then the Lord put forth his hand, and touched my mouth. And the Lord said unto me, Behold, I have put my words in thy mouth. (Jeremiah 1:9) 3. Just as the branch of an almond tree hastens to bud in the spring so does the Lord hasten to fulfill His word: Moreover the word of the Lord came unto me, saying, Jeremiah, what seest thou? And I said, I see a rod of an almond tree. Then said the Lord unto me, Thou hast well seen: for I will hasten my word to perform it. (Jeremiah 1: 11-12) 4. The Lord will judge those who forsake Him and worship the works of their own hands: And I will utter my judgments against them touching all their wickedness, who have forsaken me, and have burned incense unto other gods, and worshipped the works of their own hands. (Jeremiah 1:16) 5. Israel forsook God, who made them great, and chased after vanities instead: Hath a nation changed their gods, which are yet no gods? But my people have changed their glory for that which doth not profit. (Jeremiah 2:11) 6. The consequences of our sins can lead to correction: Thine own wickedness shall correct thee, and thy backslidings shall reprove thee: know therefore and see that it is an evil thing and bitter, that thou hast forsaken the Lord thy God, and that my fear is not in thee, saith the Lord God of hosts. (Jeremiah 2:19) 7. Israel attributed their creation and existence to idols instead of God as the Creator. Saying to a stock, Thou art my father; and to a stone, Thou hast brought me forth: for they have turned their back unto me, and not their face: but in the time of their trouble they will say, Arise, and save us. (Jeremiah 2:27) 8. Wickedness pollutes the land and destroys it: and thou hast polluted the land with thy whoredoms and with thy wickedness Therefore the showers have been withholden, and there hath been no latter rain; (Jeremiah 3:2-3) 9. The Lord will gather Israel when they confess their sins in the last days: Only acknowledge thine iniquity, that thou hast transgressed against the Lord thy God, and hast scattered thy ways to the strangers under every green tree, and ye have not obeyed my voice, saith the Lord. Turn, O backsliding children, saith the Lord; for I am married unto you: and I will take you one of a city, and two of a family, and I will bring you to Zion. (Jeremiah 3: 13-14) 10. The Lost tribes will return from the North in the last days and reunite with Judah: At that time they shall call Jerusalem the throne of the Lord; and all the nations shall be gathered unto it, to the name of the Lord, to Jerusalem: neither shall they walk any more after the imagination of their evil heart. In those days the house of Judah shall walk with the house of Israel, and they shall come together out of the land of the north to the land that I have given for an inheritance unto your fathers. (Jeremiah 3: 17-18)

336 11. Vain thoughts and beliefs lead to destruction and woe: O Jerusalem, wash thine heart from wickedness, that thou mayest be saved. How long shall thy vain thoughts lodge within thee? (Jeremiah 4:14) 12. When a nation does not respond to correction, judgment is near: O Lord, are not thine eyes upon the truth? Thou hast stricken them, but they have not grieved; thou hast consumed them, but they have refused to receive correction: they have made their faces harder than a rock; they have refused to return. (Jeremiah 3:5) 13. When we sin we lose the blessings of God: Your iniquities have turned away these things, and your sins have withholden good things from you. (Jeremiah 5:25) 14. Israel was so corrupt that God says that even the prophets and priests were wicked: For from the least of them even unto the greatest of them every one is given to covetousness; and from the prophet even unto the priest every one dealeth falsely. (Jeremiah 6:13) 15. Jeremiah declares that any nation that rejects God s law and His words will be destroyed: Therefore hear, ye nations, and know, O congregation, what is among them. Hear, O earth: behold, I will bring evil upon this people, even the fruit of their thoughts, because they have not hearkened unto my words, nor to my law, but rejected it. (Jeremiah 6: 18-19) 16. In Jeremiah s time the temple had become corrupted and was a den of robbers : Will ye steal, murder, and commit adultery, and swear falsely, and burn incense unto Baal, and walk after other gods whom ye know not; And come and stand before me in this house, which is called by my name, and say, We are delivered to do all these abominations? Is this house, which is called by my name, become a den of robbers in your eyes? Behold, even I have seen it, saith the Lord. (Jeremiah 7: 9-11) 17. The People of Judah sacrificed their children to the heathen Gods: And they have built the high places of Tophet, which is in the valley of the son of Hinnom, to burn their sons and their daughters in the fire; which I commanded them not, neither came it into my heart. (Jeremiah 7:31) They have built also the high places of Baal, to burn their sons with fire for burnt offerings unto Baal, which I commanded not, nor spake it, neither came it into my mind: Therefore, behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that this place shall no more be called Tophet, nor The valley of the son of Hinnom, but The valley of slaughter. (Jeremiah 19: 5-6) 18. False prophets speak soothing lies rather than hard truths: Therefore will I give their wives unto others, and their fields to them that shall inherit them: for everyone from the least even unto the greatest is given to covetousness, from the prophet even unto the priest every one dealeth falsely. For they have healed the hurt of the daughter of my people slightly, saying, Peace, peace; when there is no peace. (Jeremiah 8: 10-11)

337 19. If we procrastinate repenting it will be too late, like it was for Ancient Israel: The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved. (Jeremiah 8:20) 20. The wicked live according to deceit and their worldview is filled with lies: And they will deceive every one his neighbour, and will not speak the truth: they have taught their tongue to speak lies, and weary themselves to commit iniquity. Thine habitation is in the midst of deceit; through deceit they refuse to know me, saith the Lord. (Jeremiah 9: 5-6) 21. We should not glory in our own gifts but instead in our God: Thus saith the Lord, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the Lord which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the Lord. (Jeremiah 9: 23-24) 22. The Lord says not to learn the ways of other cultures or to adopt their customs for they are vanity: Hear ye the word which the Lord speaketh unto you, O house of Israel: Thus saith the Lord, Learn not the way of the heathen... For the customs of the people are vain. (Jeremiah 10: 1,3) 23. While the wicked may appear to prosper in the short-term they will inevitably face the wrath of God. However, God is longsuffering and will not destroy before necessary: Wherefore doth the way of the wicked prosper? Wherefore are all they happy that deal very treacherously? (Jeremiah 12:1) 24. The Lord will regather scattered Israel and any nation who supports her will be upheld but those nations who oppose her will be destroyed: And it shall come to pass, after that I have plucked them out I will return, and have compassion on them, and will bring them again, every man to his heritage, and every man to his land. And it shall come to pass, if they will diligently learn the ways of my people, to swear by my name, The Lord liveth; as they taught my people to swear by Baal; then shall they be built in the midst of my people. But if they will not obey, I will utterly pluck up and destroy that nation, saith the Lord. (Jeremiah 12: 15-17) 25. Israel was set in its wicked ways and God knew they would not change like a leopard couldn t change its spots: Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots? Then may ye also do good, that are accustomed to do evil. (Jeremiah 13:23) 26. There comes a point at which praying for someone will do no good and God won t hear it: Then said the Lord unto me, Pray not for this people for their good. When they fast, I will not hear their cry; and when they offer burnt offering and an oblation, I will not accept them: but I will consume them by the sword, and by the famine, and by the pestilence. (Jeremiah 14: 11-12) 27. False prophets say the judgments of God will not come and they lull the people in security. False prophets will face the judgments they deny. Then said I, Ah, Lord God! Behold, the prophets say unto them, Ye shall not see the sword, neither shall ye have famine; but I will give you assured peace in this place.

338 Then the Lord said unto me, the prophets prophesy lies in my name: I sent them not, neither have I commanded them, neither spake unto them: they prophesy unto you a false vision and divination, and a thing of nought, and the deceit of their heart. Therefore thus saith the Lord concerning the prophets that prophesy in my name, and I sent them not, yet they say, Sword and famine shall not be in this land; by sword and famine shall those prophets be consumed. (Jeremiah 14: 13-15) 28. The Gentiles trust in their vanities for security but none but the God of Israel can give true security: Are there any among the vanities of the Gentiles that can cause rain? or can the heavens give showers? art not thou he, O Lord our God? therefore we will wait upon thee: for thou hast made all these things. (Jeremiah 14:22) 29. The Judgments of God upon Israel were: Death, War, Famine & Captivity: And it shall come to pass, if they say unto thee, whither shall we go forth? then thou shalt tell them, Thus saith the Lord; Such as are for death, to death; and such as are for the sword, to the sword; and such as are for the famine, to the famine; and such as are for the captivity, to the captivity. (Jeremiah 15:2) 30. There comes a point at which God will be weary of repenting and deliver us to judgment: Thou hast forsaken me, saith the Lord, thou art gone backward: therefore will I stretch out my hand against thee, and destroy thee; I am weary with repenting. (Jeremiah 15:6) 31. The Lord tells His people not to marry or have children when destruction is imminent and tells them not to mourn those who brought the judgment of God upon themselves or to have fellowship with the doomed. (Jeremiah 16:1-9) 32. The Lord will be known for and praised for regathering the Lost tribes of Israel: Therefore, behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that it shall no more be said, The Lord liveth, that brought up the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt; But, The Lord liveth, that brought up the children of Israel from the land of the north, and from all the lands whither he had driven them: and I will bring them again into their land that I gave unto their fathers. (Jeremiah 16:14-15) 33. Those who trust in flesh and blood will be cursed: Thus saith the Lord; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the Lord. (Jeremiah 17:5) 34. If Israel kept the Sabbath then God promised to preserve Jerusalem but if they did not, God would destroy it. And it shall come to pass, if ye diligently hearken unto me but hallow the sabbath day, to do no work therein..then this city shall remain for ever. But if ye will not hearken unto me to hallow the sabbath day then will I kindle a fire in the gates thereof, and it shall devour the palaces of Jerusalem, and it shall not be quenched. (Jeremiah 17:24-27)

339 35. Jeremiah was persecuted and cast out while false prophets were upheld and popular: Then Pashur smote Jeremiah the prophet, and put him in the stocks that were in the high gate of Benjamin, which was by the house of the Lord. (Jeremiah 20:2) 36. True prophets are often mocked and cast out of society. A prophets calling is often lonely and difficult: O Lord, thou hast deceived me, and I was deceived: thou art stronger than I, and hast prevailed: I am in derision daily, everyone mocketh me. For since I spake, I cried out, I cried violence and spoil; because the word of the Lord was made a reproach unto me, and a derision, daily. Then I said, I will not make mention of him, nor speak any more in his name. But his word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not stay. (Jeremiah 20:9) 37. Jeremiah cursed the day he was born and suffered immensely for his calling: Cursed be the day wherein I was born: let not the day wherein my mother bare me be blessed. (Jeremiah 20:14)

340 Jeremiah 2-Jeremiah s Prophecies until the Fall of Judah (Chapters 21-39) Setting: Jeremiah was a prophet who lived about 50 years before the Babylonian Captivity and his message to Judah was to repent or be destroyed by Babylon. Story Summary Chapter 21: Zedekiah sends a messenger to Jeremiah, asking if the Lord will deliver them from Babylon. Jeremiah tells Zedekiah that the Lord himself will destroy Jerusalem and that Babylon will be victorious and take many captives. Jeremiah says the royal family will live if it surrenders rather than fights. Jerusalem will be destroyed with fire. Chapter 22: The Lord sends Jeremiah to deliver a message to the King of Judah: repent or be destroyed. Israel will be taken captive and those alive will not see Jerusalem again in their lives. King Jehoiakim will be killed and none will lament him. Chapter 23: God pronounces woes upon the pastors that have scattered His flock and says they will be punished for their evil doings. He says He will gather scattered Israel in the last days and give them pastors who will nourish and protect them. The Messiah will reign on the throne of David in righteousness and bring justice to all. The lord condemns adultery and says that swearing causes the land to mourn. He also condemns the false prophets who are leading the people astray in the land and says they will be punished. Many false prophets lead people away with their dreams but their intent is to deceive. The Lord will forsake them and bring them to shame. Chapter 24: Jeremiah has a vision where he sees a basket of good figs and a basket of rotten figs. God says the good figs are those whom he will cause to return to Jerusalem and become His people and the rotten figs represent Zedekiah and others who will be carried away and will never come back. Chapter 25: Jeremiah says that the Lord caused Babylon and Nebuchadnezzar to destroy Jerusalem for its wickedness. Jeremiah prophesies that Israel will be in captivity for 70 years after which God will punish and destroy Babylon for its wickedness. Jeremiah also prophesies that the surrounding nations will also be punished for their sins as well, not just Israel. Chapter 26: Jeremiah visits the temple and tells the people once again to either repent or face destruction. The people arrest Jeremiah and put him on trial for saying Jerusalem will be destroyed. Jeremiah refuses to take back his words and tells them to kill him if they must but innocent blood will be on their hands. A man named Ahikam protects Jeremiah but another prophet named Urijah flees to Egypt and Jehoiakim chases him and kills him.

341 Chapter 27: Jeremiah tells the Kings of the region that it is the Lords will that they submit to Babylon or the Lord will give Babylon power to destroy them. False prophets were trying to tell Zedekiah that he was supposed to rebel against Babylon and Jeremiah warned him against this. He told the people the Lord will return the treasures looted from temple on his own timetable. Chapter 28: Hananiah prophesies that the Lord will deliver Judah from Babylon within 2 years and that Judah will not go into captivity. Jeremiah simply says that the people should observe to see whose words come to pass to detect the true prophet. The Lord then tells Jeremiah to tell Hananiah that he will die within the year for deceiving the people and being a false prophet. Hananiah dies, fulfilling the prophecy of Jeremiah. Chapter 29: Jeremiah writes a letter to the Jews who are taken captive into Babylon and tells them to start living normal lives and to seek the peace and welfare of whatever city they live in. Jeremiah says that they will be in captivity for 70 years but then the Lord will remember them and regather them back at Jerusalem. The Lord says the Kings of Israel have been delivered into the hands of Babylon and he condemns the false prophet Shemaiah and says he will not witness the return of Israel. Chapter 30: The Lord tells Jeremiah to record all of His words in a book and promises that the regathering of Israel will occur. The Messiah will reign on David s Throne and Israel will be restored to her former glory in the Last Days. Chapter 31: The Lord will gather and restore Israel in the Latter Days and says He will gather the lost tribes from the North Country and from the coasts of the earth and a large number of people will return. The Lord says Ephraim is His first born and he will be gathered back in and shall not have sorrow anymore. The Lord says He will make a new covenant in the latter days with Judah and with Ephraim and will write His laws on the hearts of the people in that day and everyone will know the Lord. Chapter 32: Jeremiah is imprisoned during the siege of Jerusalem for prophesying that Babylon will be victorious. Jeremiah says that he purchased land from his cousin and put the proof of the purchase in a jar that would be hid as proof that he sincerely believes the land will be restored in 70 years. The Lord then reassures Jeremiah and repeats the same prophecies that He will restore them to their lands in 70 years. Chapter 33: In the last days, God will regather Israel and forgive them of their previous sins and will bless them so much that other nations will be in awe. The Messiah will reign on the throne of David in righteousness and there will be an abundance of priesthood bearers. The Lord will multiply the seed of David and the Levites so that they are as the sand of the sea in number. Chapter 34: While Nebuchadnezzar is laying siege to Jerusalem, Jeremiah prophesies that King Zedekiah will be carried captive into Babylon. The people refuse to release their servants after 7 years of service, which was the requirement under the law of Moses, so the Lord declared judgments on Judah. Chapter 35: This chapter goes back in time to the reign of King Jehoiakim and gives the example of the Rechabites as a people who honored their covenants, in contrast to Israel who did not. The King offered the Rechabites wine in the temple but they refused to drink saying they had made a covenant with their father

342 never to do so. The Lord praises them and tells Israel they should have obeyed their Father (God) as the Rechabites did. Since Israel did not honor their covenant they would be cast out and the Rechabites would be blessed forever by God. Chapter 36: In the reign of Jehoiakim, Jeremiah is instructed to write down the words of the Lord that were given to him concerning Judah and Israel. Jeremiah calls Baruch as his scribe to record the words and then Baruch reads them to the people in the temple and in the streets of Jerusalem. Some of the people are afraid of the words so a man named Jehudi takes the book and tells Baruch and Jeremiah to hide from the king. Jehudi reads the book before the king and the king burns it and seeks out Baruch and Jeremiah but the Lord protects them. The lord then tells Jeremiah to write another book and to add another prophesy that King Jehoiakim will shortly die and the Lord will punish his house for their iniquity. Chapter 37: Zedekiah, son of Josiah, becomes King instead of Jehoiakim s son fulfilling Jeremiah s prophesy. Zedekiah was not a good king and still refused to listen to the Lord s warnings. The Egyptians come in an attempt to help Judah but the Lord says He will cause the Egyptians to return home so that the Chaldeans will be victorious. Jeremiah says that no matter what, God is giving victory to the Chaldeans, so he is accused of being a traitor and thrown in prison. Zedekiah then secretly sends for Jeremiah and asks if the Lord has anything to say and Jeremiah reaffirms that defeat and captivity are inevitable. He is moved to the prison at court and given daily bread. Chapter 38: Jeremiah is thrown into a muddy pit for prophesying the defeat of Judah and left to die. An Ethiopian Eunuch, named Ebed-melech, convinces the king to let Jeremiah out of the pit and he is brought again before Zedekiah. Zedekiah asks Jeremiah to prophesy and swears he won t let the people harm him if he does so Jeremiah tells him that if he surrenders he will live but if he doesn t Jerusalem will be burnt to the ground and he will die. Zedekiah makes Jeremiah sware he won t tell anyone that they spoke and Jeremiah agrees. Chapter 39: King Nebuchadnezzar lays siege to Jerusalem and then Zedekiah attempts to escape Jerusalem at night. Nebuchadnezzar catches him, kills his sons and all the nobles of Judah in front of him, rips his eyes out and then takes him captive to Babylon. The Chaldeans burned Jerusalem to the ground and then took the survivors captive into Babylon. They left some of the poor of Judah to live in the ruins. Nebuchadnezzar tells his captain of the guard to take Jeremiah and to give whatever he asks. Jeremiah is released from prison as a free man and he tells the Ethiopian who rescued him that the Lord will deliver him for trusting in Him. Notes 1. Many pastors scatter and destroy the flock rather than protect and nourish them and God will destroy them: Woe be unto the pastors that destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! Saith the Lord. Therefore thus saith the Lord God of Israel against the pastors that feed my people; ye have scattered my flock, and driven them away, and have not visited them: behold, I will visit upon you the evil of your doings, saith the Lord. (Jeremiah 23:1-2) 2. In the last days, God will gather the remnant of Israel from all the nations and will set pastors over them who will care for them: And I will gather the remnant of my flock out of all countries whither I have driven

343 them, and will bring them again to their folds; and they shall be fruitful and increase. And I will set up shepherds over them which shall feed them: and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, neither shall they be lacking, saith the Lord. (Jeremiah 23: 3-4) 3. The Messiah will reign on the throne of David and execute judgment and justice in the earth: Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth. In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, The Lord Our Righteousness. (Jeremiah 23: 5-6) 4. Swearing causes the land to mourn and to wither and decay: For the land is full of adulterers; for because of swearing the land mourneth; the pleasant places of the wilderness are dried up, and their course is evil, and their force is not right. (Jeremiah 23: 10) 5. Church leaders at the time were wicked and led people astray: For both prophet and priest are profane; yea, in my house have I found their wickedness, saith the Lord. (Jeremiah 23:11) Therefore thus saith the Lord of hosts concerning the prophets; Behold, I will feed them with wormwood, and make them drink the water of gall: for from the prophets of Jerusalem is profaneness gone forth into all the land. Thus saith the Lord of hosts, Hearken not unto the words of the prophets that prophesy unto you: they make you vain: they speak a vision of their own heart, and not out of the mouth of the Lord. (Jeremiah 23: 15-16) 6. The Lord warns against false prophets who claim they have had revelations in dreams and lead people astray: I have heard what the prophets said, that prophesy lies in my name, saying, I have dreamed, I have dreamed. How long shall this be in the heart of the prophets that prophesy lies? Yea, they are prophets of the deceit of their own heart; Which think to cause my people to forget my name by their dreams which they tell every man to his neighbour, as their fathers have forgotten my name for Baal. (Jeremiah 23: 25-27) Behold, I am against them that prophesy false dreams, saith the Lord, and do tell them, and cause my people to err by their lies, and by their lightness; yet I sent them not, nor commanded them: therefore they shall not profit this people at all, saith the Lord. (Jeremiah 23:32) 7. The Lord can give us a new heart that loves Him and His ways: And I will give them an heart to know me, that I am the Lord: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God: for they shall return unto me with their whole heart. (Jeremiah 24:7) 8. The captive Jews were told to seek the peace of the city they dwelled in: And seek the peace of the city whither I have caused you to be carried away captives, and pray unto the Lord for it: for in the peace thereof shall ye have peace. (Jeremiah 29:7) 9. Ephraim is the Lord s firstborn and will be regathered in the last days: hey shall come with weeping, and with supplications will I lead them: I will cause them to walk by the rivers of waters in a straight way, wherein they shall not stumble: for I am a father to Israel, and Ephraim is my firstborn. Hear the word of the

344 Lord, O ye nations, and declare it in the isles afar off, and say, He that scattered Israel will gather him, and keep him, as a shepherd doth his flock. For the Lord hath redeemed Jacob, and ransomed him from the hand of him that was stronger than he. (Jeremiah 31: 9-11) 10. In the last days the Lord will make a new covenant with Judah and Israel and write His law upon their hearts: Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah: Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the Lord: But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the Lord, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people. (Jeremiah 31: 31-33) 11. If we don t uphold the cause of liberty then God will visit us with war, famine and pestilence: Therefore thus saith the Lord; Ye have not hearkened unto me, in proclaiming liberty, everyone to his brother, and every man to his neighbour: behold, I proclaim a liberty for you, saith the Lord, to the sword, to the pestilence, and to the famine; and I will make you to be removed into all the kingdoms of the earth. (Jeremiah 34:17)

345 Jeremiah 3-Jeremiah s Prophecies after the Fall of Jerusalem (Chapters 40-45) Setting: Jeremiah was a prophet who lived about 50 years before the Babylonian Captivity and his message to Judah was to repent or be destroyed by Babylon. Story Summary Chapter 40: Nebucahdnezzar s captain of the Guard tells Jeremiah that the fate which his God has decreed has come upon Jerusalem and that he was free to come to Babylon or stay behind. Jeremiah chooses to stay behind with Gedaliah, who was made governor over the land, along with a remnant the Babylonians left behind to stay in Mizpah. Gedaliah is warned that a man named Ishmael was planning to kill him but he ignores it. Chapter 41: Ishmael and ten other Jews kill Gedaliah and those who were with him and then they kill 70 mourners who come to make offerings at the temple but spare 10 who bribe them to live. Ishmael takes some captives and begins to flee to the Ammonites when a man named Johanan discovers what he has done and pursuits him. Ishmael escapes with 8 men into Egypt and hides from the wrath of the King of Babylon for killing the man he appointed governor. Chapter 42: Johanan seeks a blessing from Jeremiah and Jeremiah tells him that the Lord wishes for him to stay in the land and not to fear the King of Babylon. He says that if the remnant flees to Judah then they will die by sword, famine and pestilence. Chapter 43: Johanan and the others do not believe Jeremiah s prophesy and accuse him of trying to deceive them. Johanan leads everyone to Egypt, including Jeremiah, so the Lord tells Jeremiah to hide stones in the clay near Pharaoh s house and declare that Nebuchadnezzar s throne will be on the stones Jeremiah has laid. Jeremiah says that when Nebuchadnezzar destroys Egypt and the temples to their gods the people will suffer death and captivity. Chapter 44: Jeremiah prophesies that the Jews in Egypt who worship idols will be destroyed as they failed to learn the lesson when Jerusalem was destroyed. Jeremiah says the Lord was not pleased they were worshipping a false god called the queen of heaven and that as a sign that the Lord would destroy them, Pharaoh would be killed by his enemies. Chapter 45: Jeremiah promises Baruch that the Lord will preserve him for faithfully serving Jeremiah and being his scribe.

346 Jeremiah 4-Jeremiah s Prophecies under Josiah and Jehoiachim (Chapters 46-52) Setting: Jeremiah was a prophet who lived about 50 years before the Babylonian Captivity and his message to Judah was to repent or be destroyed by Babylon. Story Summary Chapter 46: Jeremiah prophesies that Nebuchadnezzar will conquer Egypt but that God will lead Israel back to their homeland and destroy the surrounding nations. Chapter 47: Jeremiah prophesies that the Philistines will be destroyed as well. Chapter 48: Jeremiah prophesies that the Lord will destroy the Moabites so that all of their cities will be desolate. The Moabites were condemned for their pride and arrogance. Chapter 49: Jeremiah prophesies that destruction will come upon the people of Ammon, Edom, Kedar, Hazor and Elam. Chapter 50: Jeremiah prophesies of the Persian conquest of Babylon and says Babylon will be utterly desolate because of its wickedness. Babylon will never be inhabited again, and will be as Sodom and Gomorrah. In that day the Lord will pardon Judah and lead her back to Jerusalem. Chapter 51: Jeremiah repeats his prophecy of the destruction of Babylon and tells Israel to flee out of Babylon. The Lord says that Israel is his battle axe that He will use to destroy the nations. The destruction of Babylon is described in great detail. Chapter 52: This chapter is simply a summary of historical events already described. Zedekiah was an evil king who rebelled against Babylon so Nebuchadnezzar laid siege to Jerusalem, causing the people to starve and resort to cannibalism. Zedekiah tried to flee Jerusalem in the night but he was caught by the Babylonians and led captive into Babylon. Jerusalem was burned to the ground and many were carried captive into Babylon while a remnant was left behind. Notes 1. The Lord rules among all nations, not just His covenant nation of Israel: Israel was punished for breaking its covenant with God but other surrounding nations also faced the judgment of God. A nation doesn t need to have a formal covenant with God to be under judgment. (Jeremiah 46-51) 2. Israel is the Lords battle axe to destroy all nations: Thou art my battle axe and weapons of war: for with thee will I break in pieces the nations, and with thee will I destroy kingdoms. (Jeremiah 51:20)

347 The Book of Lamentations Setting: Lamentations was written by the prophet Jeremiah and contains 5 poems that describe the terrible condition of Jerusalem. Story Summary Chapter 1: Jeremiah laments the destruction of Jerusalem and captivity of the Jews. The enemies of Israel prosper and Jeremiah says his sorrow is unlike any others have felt. The Lord has delivered Israel to their enemies and they feel the hopelessness of resisting the judgments of God. The Lord is not comforting Israel, because of its sins it is alone and desolate. Jeremiah recognizes Israel s sins and that this fate was deserved but prays for deliverance. Chapter 2: The Lord in His wrath has destroyed Jerusalem, the temple and scattered the people. The people who walk by marvel at the utter destruction that has occurred and confess that God has kept His word and has not excused Israel s sins. The people lament the greatness of the destruction that has come upon them. Chapter 3: Jeremiah says that the Lord has brought great darkness and affliction upon Israel. Physical afflictions, darkness, damnation, isolation, bitterness, grief and mourning, loss of peace and hope, all attend the judgments of God. Nevertheless, God has not utterly destroyed them and there is a remnant that can hope for a future time of reconciliation and peace. Israel prays that God will avenge them of their enemies who are taking pleasure in their downfall. Chapter 4: The surviving Israelites feel that death would have been a better fate as many begin starving to death. The corrupt prophets and priests were destroyed in the siege as well. Chapter 5: Israel has lost its inheritance because of sin and have been delivered into the hands of their enemies. Famine and hunger have come upon the survivors and Jeremiah describes the horrors of war that came upon Jerusalem. Israel feels rejected but pleads for God to remember them again. Notes 1. Jeremiah describes the futility in resisting the judgments of God: The yoke of my transgressions is bound by his hand: they are wreathed, and come up upon my neck: he hath made my strength to fall, the Lord hath delivered me into their hands, from whom I am not able to rise up. (Lamentations 1:14)

348 2. Because of sin, the Lord was not near to comfort Israel in her desolation: For these things I weep; mine eye, mine eye runneth down with water, because the comforter that should relieve my soul is far from me: my children are desolate, because the enemy prevailed. (Lamentations 1:16) 3. God will fulfill all of His words and will not allow pity to interfere with justice: The Lord hath done that which he had devised; he hath fulfilled his word that he had commanded in the days of old: he hath thrown down, and hath not pitied: and he hath caused thine enemy to rejoice over thee, he hath set up the horn of thine adversaries. (Lamentations 2:17) 4. Physical afflictions, darkness, damnation, isolation, bitterness, grief and mourning and a loss of peace and hope all attend the judgments of God. 5. The Lord s judgments are not forever as He will have compassion on the penitent: For the Lord will not cast off for ever: But though he cause grief, yet will he have compassion according to the multitude of his mercies. (Lamentations 3: 31-32) 6. Sin leads to us losing our eternal inheritance and being delivered into the hand of our enemy (Satan): Our inheritance is turned to strangers, our houses to aliens. We are orphans and fatherless, our mothers are as widows.our necks are under persecution: we labour, and have no rest. (Lamentations 5:1-5)

349 Ezekiel 1-Ezekiel s Prophecies against Jerusalem (Chapters 1-24) Setting: Ezekiel was a priest who lived during the time of the Babylonian exile in a community called Tel-Abib. Story Summary Chapter 1: Ezekiel was a priest who was living with the exiles in Babylon when the Lord gave Him a vision in which he saw four creatures: a man, an ox, an eagle and a lion which represented the peak of certain classes of animals. The throne of God was above the creatures symbolizing that God rules over all living things on earth. They all had wings which symbolized their power to move and act. Fire and lightning came out of the living creatures. Ezekiel then saw wheels that accompanied the creatures wherever they went. Ezekiel then saw a throne, with God who looked like a man, sitting in it. The throne was surrounded by fire and rainbows and Ezekiel fell down and worshipped. Chapter 2: God tells Ezekiel that he has a message for Israel that must be heard, regardless of whether they reject him or not and he is not to be afraid of them. God then tells Ezekiel to eat a book that he was given (symbolically) that described lamentations and woe. Chapter 3: Ezekiel eats the book that was given to him and then the spirit takes him away to Tel-abib. God tells him that he is a watchman on the wall and that if he sees wickedness and doesn t warn the people then their blood will be on his hands when judgment comes. Then the Lord spoke with Ezekiel again and told him the people would arrest him for preaching and that God will cause him to cease warning them at that time. Chapter 4: Ezekiel symbolically illustrates the siege of Jerusalem and the text says Ezekiel was to lay on his side for 390 days and then switch sides for another 40 days symbolizing Jerusalem would be in bondage. He was also told to eat certain foods which symbolized the scarcity that would exist. Chapter 5: Ezekiel prophesies that Jerusalem will be burned with fire and that the people will resort to cannibalism during the siege. A third will die with pestilence and famine, a third will be killed by the sword and a third will be scattered among the nations. The nations will be astonished at the destruction. Chapter 6: Ezekiel says God s judgments are upon Israel for their evil acts but that He will spare a remnant of them. Chapter 7: Ezekiel says God is judging Israel for their works and that He is recompensing them for their evil. Destruction will come upon Israel and great mourning will be throughout the land.

350 Chapter 8: Ezekiel has a vision in which the Spirit of God leads him to the temple in Jerusalem and shows him the abominations that the people of the time were committing. Ezekiel sees symbols of beasts and God says the Israelites of the time are doing great evils in the dark, thinking God does not see them. Chapter 9: Ezekiel sees a vision in which an angel marks the righteous in Jerusalem with a mark on their forehead indicating they would be spared from the coming destruction. The rest are to be utterly destroyed. Chapter 10: Ezekiel sees a vision in which angels scatter coals of fire over the city and he sees the same wheels and angels he saw before. Chapter 11: Ezekiel is called to condemn the corrupt rulers of Jerusalem but God tells him that He will regather Israel and give them a new heart that follows Him. Ezekiel s vision ends and he recounts it to the exiles in captivity. Chapter 12: God makes Ezekiel a symbol of the scattering of the people of Judah and prophesies of their scattering throughout the nations. Princes of Judah will flee hastily in the night but will be brought to Babylon in chains. The Lord says the day of reckoning is at hand and will no longer be delayed. Chapter 13: Ezekiel condemns the false prophets and diviners in Israel who try and deceive the people and says that the Lord will destroy them. Chapter 14: Ezekiel tells the people to repent or face judgment and be cut off from among the people. He says that the Lord will destroy any prophet who leads the people astray and that the people are so rebellious they wouldn t listen to Noah, Daniel or Job. God says that His judgments will not cause the people to repent either. Chapter 15: God says that Jerusalem is like a useless vine that is good for nothing but to be burned. Chapter 16: God says that He has blessed and multiplied Israel and made a covenant with her and adorned her in beautiful garments like a bride. However, God says Israel trusted in itself, because of how much God blessed her, and became a harlot. She sacrificed her children to idols and committed idolatry by worshipping the Egyptian and Assyrian gods. As a result, the judgments of God must come upon Israel for her sins were worst than Sodom and Gomorrah. Chapter 17: Ezekiel gives the parable of the Cedar tree in which a great eagle takes the branch of a tree and moves it to another land. This has been interpreted as referring to the Mulekites from the Book of Mormon (Mulek was a son of King Zedekiah who God led away to the Americas). Chapter 18: The Lord says that those who sin will die while those who repent and are righteous will live. Everyone will be punished for their own sins but the Lord takes no pleasure in destroying sinners and invites everyone to repent. Chapter 19: Ezekiel gives an allegory of the Lioness and her whelps which referred to the queen of Judah and her children which would be scattered. Ezekiel laments Israel and compares her to a vine planted in dry and thirsty ground.

351 Chapter 20: The Lord recounts the rebellious history of Israel from the time they left Egypt until the Babylonian captivity. Israel has worshipped idols and committed evil continually before the Lord so He will refuse to hear them. In the last days, He will gather them again. Chapter 21: Ezekiel prophesies that the righteous will suffering with the wicked in the coming destruction of Jerusalem. Ezekiel describes the great suffering that will occur as a result of the destruction of Jerusalem at the hand of Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon. The crown will leave Israel until the Messiah reigns again in the Latter Days. Chapter 22: Ezekiel lists the crimes for which Judah is being judged. They include: idolatry, murder, oppression of widows and orphans, Sabbath breaking and profaning the sacred, sexual crimes, usury, extortion and gain through dishonest means. As a result, God will scatter Israel among the heathen nations and cleanse the dross that Israel has become. Chapter 23: God compares Israel and Samaria to two sisters who committed whoredoms by worshipping idols of Egypt, Assyria and Babylon. As a result, God will destroy them and their lovers will destroy them. Chapter 24: Ezekiel prophesies the day that Babylon will besiege Jerusalem by using the Parable of the Boiling Pot. The pot was Jerusalem and the flesh and bones were the people in the city. Boiling the pot represented the siege of Jerusalem that would result in it being burned to the ground. Ezekiel s wife dies and as a symbol of how God won t hear Israel s cries when Jerusalem is besieged Ezekiel is not to mourn his wife. Notes 1. Ezekiel sees God, who appears as a man, sitting on His throne: And above the firmament that was over their heads was the likeness of a throne, as the appearance of a sapphire stone: and upon the likeness of the throne was the likeness as the appearance of a man above upon it. (Ezekiel 1:26) 2. God sends prophets among people even when He knows they will reject them so that they have informed consent: And they, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear, (for they are a rebellious house,) yet shall know that there hath been a prophet among them. (Ezekial 2:5) 3. If God has made us a watchman we must warn the wicked otherwise their blood is on our hands when judgment comes: Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me. When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand. Yet if thou warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul. (Ezekiel 3: 17-19) 4. The Lord will recompense us according to our works and will not pity the evil: And mine eye shall not spare, neither will I have pity: I will recompense thee according to thy ways and thine abominations that are in the midst of thee; and ye shall know that I am the Lord that smiteth. (Ezekiel 7:9)

352 5. God will give us a new heart that loves His word and commandments: And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh: That they may walk in my statutes, and keep mine ordinances, and do them: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God. (Ezekiel 11:19-20) 6. False prophets follow their own spirit and pretend they have had visions: Thus saith the Lord God; Woe unto the foolish prophets, that follow their own spirit, and have seen nothing! (Ezekiel 13:3) 7. False prophets use the Lord s name in vain and will be destroyed Therefore thus saith the Lord God; Because ye have spoken vanity, and seen lies, therefore, behold, I am against you, saith the Lord God. And mine hand shall be upon the prophets that see vanity, and that divine lies: they shall not be in the assembly of my people, neither shall they be written in the writing of the house of Israel, neither shall they enter into the land of Israel; and ye shall know that I am the Lord God. (Ezekiel 13: 8-9) 8. If the prophet deceives the people then God will remove that prophet: And if the prophet be deceived when he hath spoken a thing, I the Lord have deceived that prophet, and I will stretch out my hand upon him, and will destroy him from the midst of my people Israel. (Ezekiel 14:9) 9. We can begin to trust in ourselves when God blesses us and forget Him: But thou didst trust in thine own beauty, and playedst the harlot because of thy renown, and pouredst out thy fornications on every one that passed by; his it was. (Ezekiel 16:15) 10. The soul that sins will die while the just will live: The soul that sinneth, it shall die. But if a man be just, and do that which is lawful and right He shall surely live, saith the Lord God. (Ezekiel 18: 4-9) 11. We each will be punished for our own sins and not for those of family members: The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him. (Ezekiel 18:20) 12. If the wicked repent, their sins will be completely blotted out and will live: But if the wicked will turn from all his sins that he hath committed, and keep all my statutes, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall surely live, he shall not die. All his transgressions that he hath committed, they shall not be mentioned unto him: in his righteousness that he hath done he shall live. (Ezekiel 18: 21-22) 13. If the righteous become wicked their righteousness will be forgotten and they will die: But when the righteous turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and doeth according to all the abominations that the wicked man doeth, shall he live? All his righteousness that he hath done shall not be mentioned: in his trespass that he hath trespassed, and in his sin that he hath sinned, in them shall he die. (Ezekiel 18:24)

353 14. The Lord takes no pleasure in destroying the wicked and invites all to repent and live: Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye have transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit: for why will ye die, O house of Israel? For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord God: wherefore turn yourselves, and live ye. (Ezekiel 18: 31-32) 15. The Crown was taken from Israel until the Messiah returns in the Latter Days: And thou, profane wicked prince of Israel, whose day is come, when iniquity shall have an end, Thus saith the Lord God; Remove the diadem, and take off the crown: this shall not be the same: exalt him that is low, and abase him that is high. I will overturn, overturn, overturn, it: and it shall be no more, until he come whose right it is; and I will give it him. (Ezekiel 21: 25-27) 16. The Lord condemns those who get gain dishonestly Behold, therefore I have smitten mine hand at thy dishonest gain which thou hast made, and at thy blood which hath been in the midst of thee. (Ezekiel 22:13) 17. The Lord expects us to separate the holy and the profane: Her priests have violated my law, and have profaned mine holy things: they have put no difference between the holy and profane, neither have they shewed difference between the unclean and the clean, and have hid their eyes from my sabbaths, and I am profaned among them. (Ezekiel 22:26)

354 Ezekiel 2-Ezekiel s Prophecies against the Nations (Chapters 25-32) Setting: Ezekiel was a priest who lived during the time of the Babylonian exile in a community called Tel-Abib. Story Summary Chapter 25: Ezekiel prophesies that the Ammonites, Moabites, Edomites and the Philistines will all be judged and destroyed for wickedness. The general theme is that because these nations rejoiced at Israel s destruction they will be destroyed as well. Chapter 26: God s judgments will come upon Tyre as well for rejoicing in Israel s destruction and Nebuchadnezzar will conquer the city and it will not recover. Chapter 27: Ezekiel laments the fall of Tyre and the loss of her riches and commerce for this city traded with many nations. Chapter 28: The Lord says He will destroy Tyre for its arrogance in thinking it is a god when it is not. Sidon will also be destroyed by sword and pestilence. After the Lord judges the nations surrounding Israel He will lead the remnant back to possess the Land. Chapter 29: Ezekiel prophesies the destruction of Egypt and scattering of the Egyptians among the nations. After 40 years, the Lord will lead the Egyptians back to their land but will no longer allow them to rule over the nations. Babylon will conquer Egypt because God will allow it. Chapter 30: Ezekiel prophesies the destruction of Egypt, Ethiopia, Libya and Lydia. He repeats the prophesy that Babylon will destroy Egypt. Chapter 31: Ezekiel compares the fall of Egypt to the fall of Assyria as both were great nations that were destroyed. Chapter 32: Ezekiel laments the fall of Egypt and the great destructions that will come upon it and says it will descend into hell like other nations have. Notes 1. God scatters and regathers nations and puts boundaries on their power: Yet thus saith the Lord God; At the end of forty years will I gather the Egyptians from the people whither they were scattered: And I will bring again the captivity of Egypt, and will cause them to return into the land of Pathros, into the land of their habitation; and they shall be there a base kingdom. It shall be the basest of the kingdoms; neither shall it exalt itself any more above the nations: for I will diminish them, that they shall no more rule over the nations. (Ezekiel 29: 13-15)

355 2. Gods judgments are upon all nations and not just Israel: These chapters in Ezekiel prove that God will judge all nations for wickedness and not just those He has entered into a covenant with. (Ezekiel 25-32)

356 Ezekiel 3-Ezekiel s Prophecies of Latter Day Israel (Chapters 33-39) Setting: Ezekiel was a priest who lived during the time of the Babylonian exile in a community called Tel-Abib. Story Summary Chapter 33: Ezekiel says that prophets are watchmen on the wall who have a duty to warn the people of wickedness and if they do not then the blood of the people are on the watchman s head. The Lord takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked and pleads with them to repent and live. The righteous who sin will die while the wicked who repent will live. God says that many worship in the churches and like to hear the words but their actions do not change. Chapter 34: The Lord condemns the religious leaders who focus on benefitting themselves rather than the flock they are called to care for. God says He will regather the lost sheep of Israel that were scattered and He will feed them and care for them. The Messiah will rule over them and He will make a covenant of peace with Israel and cause the dangerous beasts to cease in the land. He will bless them abundantly with food and will protect them from danger. Chapter 35: The Lord declares judgment will come upon Mt. Seir and the world in general for their hatred of Israel. Chapter 36: The enemies of Israel rejoice at their destruction but God will not forget Israel and will make her greater in the last days than she ever was in the beginning. For Israel s sins she has been destroyed and scattered but God will regather her and give her a new heart and make a new covenant with her. The land of Israel will be so blessed in the last days that it will be like the Garden of Eden. Chapter 37: God gives Ezekiel a vision of the allegory of dry bones in which he sees a valley of bones that God brings back to life. The bones represented Israel which was destroyed and had lost hope and the resurrection of the bones represented God giving new life to Israel whom He will lead back to their land and give them of His spirit. Ezekiel then prophesies that God will unite Ephraim and Judah in the last days and that the record of Ephraim (Book of Mormon) will be united with the record of Judah (Bible) and be one. They will become one nation and will be ruled by one King, the Messiah, and the temple will be rebuilt in Jerusalem. Chapter 38: Ezekiel prophesies about the battle between Israel and Gog of Magog in the Latter Days. He sees many nations allied Against Israel and lists Persia, Ethiopia, Libya and other northern countries as among the nations that attack (most likely modern Asia Minor countries). The armies that will attack Israel will be numberless and they will attack a relatively undefended Israel during peace time. God will intervene with an earthquake that is unlike any that have ever been seen before and the mountains themselves will collapse. God will turn the armies against each other and will destroy them with pestilence and mighty hail and brimstone.

357 Chapter 39: Ezekiel continues his prophecy concerning Gog of Magog attacking Israel in the last days. Gog will come from the north and attack Israel in the mountains but God will destroy them and leave only 1/6 th of their armies alive. God says He will send a fire on Magog and those who are at peace in the islands and everyone will know that the God of Israel reigns on earth. It will take Israel 7 months to bury all the dead and 7 years to destroy all the weapons of war left behind after the battle. The beasts of the field will eat the remains of the mighty leaders of Gog. All nations will know that Israel was scattered for iniquity and then regathered by God who will sanctify them and be their God once again. Notes 1. We have a duty to warn the wicked to repent or their blood will be on our heads: But if the watchman see the sword come, and blow not the trumpet, and the people be not warned; if the sword come, and take any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at the watchman s hand. So thou, O son of man, I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore thou shalt hear the word at my mouth, and warn them from me. When I say unto the wicked, O wicked man, thou shalt surely die; if thou dost not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand. Nevertheless, if thou warn the wicked of his way to turn from it; if he do not turn from his way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul. (Ezekiel 33: 6-9) 2. God warns us against coming to church to listen but not to act on His teachings: And they come unto thee as the people cometh, and they sit before thee as my people, and they hear thy words, but they will not do them: for with their mouth they shew much love, but their heart goeth after their covetousness. And, lo, thou art unto them as a very lovely song of one that hath a pleasant voice, and can play well on an instrument: for they hear thy words, but they do them not. (Ezekiel 33:31-32) 3. God warns religious leaders who only act to benefit themselves and not the flock: Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God unto the shepherds; Woe be to the shepherds of Israel that do feed themselves! Should not the shepherds feed the flocks? (Ezekiel 34:2) 4. The Lord will gather the lost sheep of Israel in the last days and bring them to their own land: As a shepherd seeketh out his flock in the day that he is among his sheep that are scattered; so will I seek out my sheep, and will deliver them out of all places where they have been scattered in the cloudy and dark day. And I will bring them out from the people, and gather them from the countries, and will bring them to their own land, and feed them upon the mountains of Israel by the rivers, and in all the inhabited places of the country. (Ezekiel 34: 12-13) 5. The Messiah will rule over latter day Israel and make a covenant of peace with them: And I will set up one shepherd over them, and he shall feed them, even my servant David; he shall feed them, and he shall be their shepherd. And I the Lord will be their God, and my servant David a prince among them; I the Lord have spoken it. And I will make with them a covenant of peace, and will cause the evil beasts to cease out of the land: and they shall dwell safely in the wilderness, and sleep in the woods. (Ezekiel 34: 23-25)

358 6. When God restores Israel in the last days it will be greater than it ever was: And I will multiply upon you man and beast; and they shall increase and bring fruit: and I will settle you after your old estates, and will do better unto you than at your beginnings: and ye shall know that I am the Lord. (Ezekiel 36:11) 7. God will regather Israel from the heathen nations and then give them their land back with a new heart and make a new covenant with them: For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land. Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you. A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them. And ye shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; and ye shall be my people, and I will be your God. (Ezekiel 36: 24-28) 8. Israel will become as fruitful as the Garden of Eden in the last days: And they shall say, this land that was desolate is become like the Garden of Eden; and the waste and desolate and ruined cities are become fenced, and are inhabited. (Ezekiel 36:35) 9. The Allegory of Dry bones also refers to the Resurrection of the Dead: Therefore prophesy and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God; Behold, O my people, I will open your graves, and cause you to come up out of your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel. And ye shall know that I am the Lord, when I have opened your graves, O my people, and brought you up out of your graves. (Ezekiel 37:12-13) 10. Ezekiel prophesies of the latter day union of Ephraim and Judah and of the Bible and Book of Mormon: Moreover, thou son of man, take thee one stick, and write upon it, For Judah, and for the children of Israel his companions: then take another stick, and write upon it, For Joseph, the stick of Ephraim, and for all the house of Israel his companions: And join them one to another into one stick; and they shall become one in thine hand And the sticks whereon thou writest shall be in thine hand before their eyes. (Ezekiel 37:16-20) 11. Ezekiel prophesies of the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem in the latter days: Moreover I will make a covenant of peace with them; it shall be an everlasting covenant with them: and I will place them, and multiply them, and will set my sanctuary in the midst of them for evermore. My tabernacle also shall be with them: yea, I will be their God, and they shall be my people. And the heathen shall know that I the Lord do sanctify Israel, when my sanctuary shall be in the midst of them for evermore. (Ezekiel 37: 26-28) 12. If the wicked repent, their sins will be completely blotted out and will live: But if the wicked will turn from all his sins that he hath committed, and keep all my statutes, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall surely live, he shall not die. All his transgressions that he hath committed, they shall not be mentioned unto him: in his righteousness that he hath done he shall live. (Ezekiel 38: 21-22) 13. If the righteous become wicked their righteousness will be forgotten and they will die: But when the righteous turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and doeth according to all the

359 abominations that the wicked man doeth, shall he live? All his righteousness that he hath done shall not be mentioned: in his trespass that he hath trespassed, and in his sin that he hath sinned, in them shall he die. (Ezekiel 38:24) 14. Ezekiel sees the armies of Gog of Magog arrayed against Israel in the Latter Days: And thou shalt come up against my people of Israel, as a cloud to cover the land; it shall be in the latter days. (Ezekiel 38: 16) 15. Ezekiel describes how God will destroy Gog of Magog: For in my jealousy and in the fire of my wrath have I spoken, Surely in that day there shall be a great shaking in the land of Israel; So that the fishes of the sea, and the fowls of the heaven, and the beasts of the field, and all creeping things that creep upon the earth, and all the men that are upon the face of the earth, shall shake at my presence, and the mountains shall be thrown down, and the steep places shall fall, and every wall shall fall to the ground. And I will call for a sword against him throughout all my mountains, saith the Lord God: every man s sword shall be against his brother. And I will plead against him with pestilence and with blood; and I will rain upon him, and upon his bands, and upon the many people that are with him, an overflowing rain, and great hailstones, fire, and brimstone. (Ezekiel 38: 19-22) 16. Ezekiel prophesies that all nations will know Israel was scattered and regathered by God in the Latter Days: When I have brought them again from the people, and gathered them out of their enemies lands, and am sanctified in them in the sight of many nations; Then shall they know that I am the Lord their God, which caused them to be led into captivity among the heathen: but I have gathered them unto their own land, and have left none of them anymore there. Neither will I hide my face any more from them: for I have poured out my spirit upon the house of Israel, saith the Lord God. (Ezekiel 39: 27-29)

360 Ezekiel 3-Ezekiel s Vision of the Latter Day Temple (Chapters 40-48) Setting: Ezekiel was a priest who lived during the time of the Babylonian exile in a community called Tel-Abib. Story Summary Chapter 40: Ezekiel describes a vision in which the Spirit of the Lord took him into a high mountain and he saw an angel who guided him in the vision. The angel showed Ezekiel the temple that was to be built in Jerusalem in the Latter Days and gave him the measurements of the temple. He prophesies that the sons of Zadok (a Levite in the days of King Solomon) will once again officiate in the latter day temple. Chapter 41: Ezekiel continues to describe the vision in which the angel showed him the dimensions of the temple. He sees the holy of holies and how the temple will be decorated with cherub and palm trees. Chapter 42: Ezekiel continues the vision and is shown the place where the Priests will minister. Chapter 43: Ezekiel sees the glory of the Lord fill the Latter Day temple and God says He will dwell in His temple forever. Ezekiel is instructed to tell his vision to the Israelites so that they will be ashamed of their abominations and look towards a future reconciliation. God tells Ezekiel that it is important that ordinances of the temple remain whole and are not changed in any way. The Levites will again offer burnt offerings to the Lord in the temple. Chapter 44: Ezekiel sees the glory of the Lord continue to fill the House and the Lord says that no stranger may enter into His sanctuary. The Lord describes the special clothing that the Priests must wear in the temple that include linen bonnets and breeches. Regulations for the Priests from the Law of Moses will be reinstituted and observed. Chapter 45: A portion of the land will be set apart for the priests to live in and the land will be divided amongst the tribes. The people will pay their tithes and offerings and will have a just monetary system. The Lords Sabbaths and offerings will be observed again in the land. Chapter 46: The Ordinances and offerings of the Mosaic Law are described again. Chapter 47: The vision continues and Ezekiel sees that water will come forth from the temple that will heal the Dead Sea and cause life to bloom in abundance. The twelve tribes will inherit the land of Israel but Joseph will have a double portion.

361 Chapter 48: Ezekiel names what land each tribe will inherit and describes the dimensions of the city and says that the gates will be named after the tribes of Israel. The city will be renamed: The Lord is there. Notes 1. Priests in the temple were to wear special garments to minister: When the priests enter therein, then shall they not go out of the holy place into the utter court, but there they shall lay their garments wherein they minister; for they are holy; and shall put on other garments, and shall approach to those things which are for the people. (Ezekiel 42:14) They shall have linen bonnets upon their heads, and shall have linen breeches upon their loins; they shall not gird themselves with anything that causeth sweat. (Ezekiel 44:18) 2. The Lord will dwell in His Holy Temple in Israel forever: And he said unto me, Son of man, the place of my throne, and the place of the soles of my feet, where I will dwell in the midst of the children of Israel for ever, and my holy name, shall the house of Israel no more defile, neither they, nor their kings, by their whoredom, nor by the carcases of their kings in their high places. (Ezekiel 43:7) 3. God says it is important not to change the ordinances of the temple: And if they be ashamed of all that they have done, shew them the form of the house, and the fashion thereof, and the goings out thereof, and the comings in thereof, and all the forms thereof, and all the ordinances thereof, and all the forms thereof, and all the laws thereof: and write it in their sight, that they may keep the whole form thereof, and all the ordinances thereof, and do them. (Ezekiel 43:11) 4. No strangers can enter into the temple of the Lord but only those worthy Israelites: Thus saith the Lord God; No stranger, uncircumcised in heart, nor uncircumcised in flesh, shall enter into my sanctuary, of any stranger that is among the children of Israel. (Ezekiel 44:9) 5. In the last days, water will come forth from the rebuilt temple and heal the dead sea: Then said he unto me, These waters issue out toward the east country, and go down into the desert, and go into the sea: which being brought forth into the sea, the waters shall be healed. (Ezekiel 47) 6. In the last days, the twelve tribes will inherit the land of Israel and Joseph will have a double portion: Thus saith the Lord God; this shall be the border, whereby ye shall inherit the land according to the twelve tribes of Israel: Joseph shall have two portions. (Ezekiel 47:13)

362 Daniel 1- Daniel Interprets Nebuchadnezzar s Dream of the Last Days (Chapters 1-2) Setting: Daniel was a prophet who was taken captive during the Babylonian invasion and brought back to King Nebuchadnezzar s court where he did mighty works. Story Summary Chapter 1: When Nebuchadnezzar besieged Jerusalem during the reign of Jehoiakim, he brought back some of the children of Israel to serve in his court. Four of these children were Daniel (Belteshazzar), Hananiah (Shadrach), Mishael (Meshach) and Azariah (Abednego) whom the king gave new names. Daniel and friends decided they would not eat the meat or drink the wine of the Babylonians and this concerned the chief Eunuch Melzar who feared for their health. Daniel told him to observe their health and compare it to the others in 10 days and when 10 days were up Daniel and friends were healthier than all the others. Eventually, Daniel and his friends were brought before Nebuchadnezzar and he became very impressed with their wisdom and knowledge and Daniels ability to interpret dreams. Chapter 2: One day, Nebuchadnezzar had a dream that troubled him so he called all his wise men and his magicians and told them that if they didn t tell him what his dream was he would kill them all. He said that they should all know the dream, otherwise they were frauds and should all be killed. The wise men could not tell the king what his dream was so Nebuchadnezzar issued a decree that all the wise men were to be killed. Daniel hears of the decree and asks for some time to interpret the king s dream and then he goes to his 3 friends to try and figure it out. In the night time, God revealed Nebuchadnezzar s dream to Daniel so he gives thanks to God and heads to the king to interpret his dream. Daniel says that the dream the king had was about events that would occur in the latter days. The King saw an image with a head of gold, a breast and arms of silver, belly and thighs of brass, legs of iron and feet that were part iron and part clay. A stone was cut out of the mountain, without hands, and it smashed and destroyed the image and then became a mountain that filled the whole earth. Daniel then told him that the image represented the great kingdoms of the world until the end of the earth. The head of gold was Babylon which would fall and then other kingdoms would rise up that would all be destroyed by the stone which was the kingdom of God. The Kingdom of God would last forever. Nebuchadnezzar believed Daniel so he gave him wealth and power and set him as governor over Babylon along with his 3 friends: Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. Notes

363 1. God is sovereign and has power over all things: And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding: (Daniel 2:21) 2. God reveals secrets that wise men cannot reveal: But there is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets, and maketh known to the king Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in the latter days. Thy dream, and the visions of thy head upon thy bed, are these. (Daniel 2:28) 3. Daniel prophesied that the Kingdom of God would destroy all other nations and last forever: And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever. (Daniel 2: 44) 4. Interpreting the Kings Dream: The image represented the Kingdoms of the earth that would all arise and then be destroyed by the Kingdom of God. The head of gold was Babylon and then the breast and arms of silver represented the Medes and Persians. The belly and thighs of brass represented the Macedonian kingdom under Alexander the great. Finally, the legs of Iron represented the Roman Kingdom under Caesar which split into 2 kingdoms of Rome and Constantinople. The feet of clay and iron were the European kingdoms that arose from the breakup of the Roman Empire. They were represented by iron and clay because this signified both strength and weakness. Finally, in the days of the European kingdoms, God would set up His kingdom which would never be destroyed. In 1830, the Church of Jesus Christ was restored and this is the kingdom that will fill the entire earth and never be destroyed.

364 Daniel 2- Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego (Chapter 3) Setting: Daniel was a prophet who was taken captive during the Babylonian invasion and brought back to King Nebuchadnezzar s court where he did mighty works. Story Summary Chapter 3: One day, King Nebuchadnezzar created a golden idol and commanded everyone in Babylon to bow down and worship it whenever they would hear a certain song. He said that any who did not worship it would be thrown into a fiery furnace to be killed. When the music was played, everyone bowed except Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego who refused to do so. When the king found out he was enraged and ordered them to bow or to be cast into the furnace. The 3 men bravely answered that they believed God would deliver them from the furnace but if not they still would not bow to the golden idol. The King ordered his men to bind the 3 Jews and then to throw them into the furnace. The furnace was so hot that it killed the men who threw the 3 Jews into the furnace but God miraculously preserves them and stands with them in the fire. The King is astonished and decrees that any who speak against the God of Israel will be cut into pieces and destroyed and then promotes Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. Notes 1. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego had faith God would deliver them, but even if He didn t they resolved to be faithful: If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up. (Daniel 3: 17-18) 2. God miraculously preserves those who are faithful to Him no matter what: He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God. (Daniel 3:25)

365 Daniel 3- Daniel Prophesies the Destruction of Babylon (Chapters 4-5) Setting: Daniel was a prophet who was taken captive during the Babylonian invasion and brought back to King Nebuchadnezzar s court where he did mighty works. Story Summary Chapter 4: King Nebuchadnezzar has another dream of a great tree that grew and reached heaven and provided shade and fruit for the animals of the earth. An angel comes down and declares that the tree will be cut down so that only the stump remains. The King calls Daniel and asks him to interpret the dream but Daniel is troubled because he knows the dream is a bad prophecy for the King. Daniel says the tree is Babylon and that it will be destroyed and the king will dwell with the beasts of the field. Daniel then counsels the King to repent and be more righteous and give to the poor and then his life will be prolonged. However, Nebuchadnezzar doesn t change and chooses to trust in himself. As a result, he hears a voice declare that judgments will come upon him, and then within an hour he goes mad and begins living like an animal. Eventually, his sanity is restored and he praises God and declares that He has all power and rules among men. Chapter 5: Later in Daniel s life, he is living under a new King named Belshazzar. One day, Belshazzar threw a large party where the people drank lots of wine from the cups looted from the Jerusalem temple. The people praised the gods of gold and silver. An hour later, the fingers of a man s hand are seen writing on the wall and Belshazzar is perplexed at the meaning. He declares that any who can interpret the writing on the wall will be richly rewarded but none of the magicians and wise men can interpret the writing. Belshazzar s wife then tells him of Daniel s ability to interpret dreams so he sends for Daniel who refuses to accept a reward but gives him the interpretation. Daniel recounts the history of Belshazzar s father Nebuchadnezzar and how he was driven mad because of his pride and failure to acknowledge God. He says that Belshazzar knew this about his father yet did not learn the lesson and continued in his pride before God. Daniel then read the words MENE MENE TEKEL UPHARSIN which meant that God had numbered the kings days and it was over. That the king was weighed on the scales of justice and found wanting and that his kingdom would be given to the Medes and Persians. Belshazzar gives Daniel the reward anyways and then is killed that very night by Darius the Median who then takes the throne. Notes 1. Nebuchadnezzar says that kings are as nothing compared to God and that His will is done in the earth no matter what: And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his

366 will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?. (Daniel 4:35) 2. God numbers our days, weighs our deeds on the scale of judgment and then disinherits us if we are found wanting: And this is the writing that was written, Mene, Mene, Tekel, Upharsin. This is the interpretation of the thing: Mene; God hath numbered thy kingdom, and finished it. Tekel; Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting. Peres; Thy kingdom is divided, and given to the Medes and Persians (Daniel 5: 25-28)

367 Setting: Daniel was a prophet who was taken captive during the Babylonian invasion and brought back to King Nebuchadnezzar s court where he did mighty works. Story Summary Chapter 6: King Darius was now ruling Babylon and he made Daniel president of princes in the nation. This made the other rulers jealous so they tried to find fault with Daniel but realized they couldn t so they tricked Darius into signing a decree that any who prayed to a God other than Darius for the next 30 days would be thrown into a den of lions. Daniel 4- Daniel and the Lion s Den (Chapter 6) When Daniel heard of the decree, he continued to pray openly to God three times a day so the rulers caught him and reported him to Darius. Darius was grieved with himself when heard this and realized he was tricked. He expressed faith in Daniel s God and told Daniel God would protect him and then threw him in the Den of Lions for his decree could not be changed. A stone was then rolled over the lion s den and Darius went home and fasted for Daniel and got no sleep. In the morning, Darius rushed to the Den and removed the stone and found that Daniel was safe and he was very glad to hear it. Darius then took the men who accused Daniel and then threw them into the lion s den with their families and the lions ate them. Darius then made a decree in the land that all should tremble before the God of Daniel who was the everlasting God. Daniel prospered under the reign of Darius and Cyrus. Notes 1. Daniel was miraculously delivered from danger because he trusted in God: My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt. Then was the king exceeding glad for him, and commanded that they should take Daniel up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no manner of hurt was found upon him, because he believed in his God. (Daniel 6: 22-23)

368 Daniel 5- Daniel s Prophecies of World History (Chapters 7-12) Setting: Daniel was a prophet who was taken captive during the Babylonian invasion and brought back to King Nebuchadnezzar s court where he did mighty works. Story Summary Chapter 7: Daniel records a dream that he had in which he saw four great beasts rise up from the sea. The first was like a lion with eagle s wings whose wings were eventually plucked and then a man s heart was given to it. This represented the Kingdom of Babylon and Nebuchadnezzar s madness experience that eventually humanized him. The second beast he saw was a bear who had three ribs in his mouth and it devoured much flesh. This represented the Median-Persian Empire which conquered Babylon and ruled with ferocity. The third beast was a leopard which had four wings and four heads and dominion was given to it. This beast represented the Greek Empire under Alexander the Great which expanded greatly. The Fourth beast that Daniel saw was dreadful and terrible and it had ten horns and great iron teeth that tore everything apart. This represented the Roman Empire and the 10 horns were the kingdoms that would arise from its breakup. Eventually, a little horn arose from the beast with eyes like a man that spoke great things. This seems to represent the rise of another power, different from the kingdoms that arose out of the Roman Empire and that it would be an anti-christ power. Three kingdoms would bow before it. Daniel then sees all the kingdoms of the earth destroyed and the Ancient of Days (Adam) sitting on a throne and judging countless people. Daniel then sees the beast being destroyed forever and cast into hell. The Son of God comes before the Ancient of Days and is given the keys to the kingdom and all people will worship Him and His kingdom will last forever. Daniel then says that someone interpreted the dream for him who said the four beasts were four kingdoms that would be destroyed and the Kingdom of God would last forever. The little horn that arose was an anti-christ that would oppress the saints until Adam returned to usher in the kingdom of God. Chapter 8: Daniel has another vision in which he sees a ram with two horns but one was higher than the other and the Ram conquered everything in its path. Eventually, a goat with a horn kills the ram but then the horn is broken into 4 other horns. One of these horns became great and tried to cast down the stars of heaven and make itself great against heaven. It defiled the temple and took away the daily sacrifice for 2300 days. The Angel Gabriel (Noah) then appeared to Daniel and told him what the vision meant. He said the Ram was Media and Persia and the goat that destroyed them was the King of Greece with the horn representing the first

369 King (Alexander the Great). The kingdom would break up into four smaller ones and then in the last days of these kingdoms an evil tyrant will arise who will destroy Israel (Most think this is Antiochus IV of Syria). This tyrant will be destroyed by God eventually. Chapter 9: Daniel hears of the prophet Jeremiah s declaration that Israel will be in captivity for 70 years so he gives an intercessory prayer on Israel s behalf. He confesses the sins and wickedness of Israel but asks for God to be merciful. The Angel Gabriel visits Daniel again and tells him that seventy periods of sevens will occur before the Messiah will come and be anointed. Daniel sees that the Messiah will be cut off (crucified) and then he sees the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple (most likely by the Romans). Chapter 10: Daniel describes a vision in which he sees the Lord in His majesty and then is drained of strength. Michael (Adam) appears to him and tells him he is sent to reveal to him what will occur in the latter days and to help him fight the prince of Persia (most likely Satan). Chapter 11: Daniel has another vision in which he describes the wars and kings that will arise in his time period and afterwards. He sees a great persecutor arise and try to destroy the Jewish religion (many think this is Antiochus Epiphanes). He sees the abomination of desolation, which Christ said would occur when the Romans destroyed Jerusalem in 70 AD. This may be a type of what would occur in the Latter Days as well. Chapter 12: Daniel continues his vision and says that Michael will save Israel from persecutions and difficulties like they have never experienced before. The Lord applied this verse to the fall of Judah in 70 AD but this may also refer to a latter day event (some think Armageddon). Daniel then sees the Resurrection of Life and the Resurrection of the Damned and prophesies that in the last days, knowledge will greatly increase. The Lord then gives a cryptic time frame for when the world will end but has never provided the key for interpreting it so we can only speculate. Notes 1. Daniel sees Adam judging all of his posterity: I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire. A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him: thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened. (Daniel 7: 9-10) 2. Daniel sees Adam giving all of the keys back to Christ who will rule in His kingdom forever: I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him. And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed. (Daniel 7: 13-14)

370 3. Daniel sees an Anti-Christ power making war with the saints until the Ancient of Days returns: I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them; Until the Ancient of days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the most High; and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom. (Daniel 7: 21-22) And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise: and another shall rise after them; and he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three kings. And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time. (Daniel 7: 24-25) 4. Seventy periods of seven would occur before the Messiah would come and be anointed: Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy. (Daniel 9:24) 5. Daniel sees the time period between the decree to rebuild Jerusalem and the crucifixion of Christ: Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times. And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined. (Daniel 9: 25) 6. Daniel seems to see the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple: And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate. (Daniel 9: 26) 7. Daniel describes the majesty of God: Then I lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold a certain man clothed in linen, whose loins were girded with fine gold of Uphaz: His body also was like the beryl, and his face as the appearance of lightning, and his eyes as lamps of fire, and his arms and his feet like in colour to polished brass, and the voice of his words like the voice of a multitude. (Daniel 10: 5-6) 8. Daniel says that Michael (Adam) appeared to him to help him fight the prince of Persia (most likely Satan): Then said he, Knowest thou wherefore I come unto thee? And now will I return to fight with the prince of Persia: and when I am gone forth, lo, the prince of Grecia shall come. (Daniel 10:20) 9. Daniel describes the abomination of desolation which occurred in 70 AD and may occur again the Last Days: And arms shall stand on his part, and they shall pollute the sanctuary of strength, and shall take away the daily sacrifice, and they shall place the abomination that maketh desolate. (Daniel 11:31)

371 10. Daniel sees Michael delivering Israel from troubles: And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book. (Daniel 12:1) 11. Daniel sees the Resurrection of Life and the Resurrection of the Damned: And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever. (Daniel 12:2-3) 12. Daniel prophesies that in the Last Days knowledge will greatly increase: But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased. (Daniel 12:4) 13. The Lord gives Daniel a cryptic timeframe for the end of the world that we don t understand: And one said to the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, How long shall it be to the end of these wonders? And I heard the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand unto heaven, and sware by him that liveth for ever that it shall be for a time, times, and an half; and when he shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished..and from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, and the abomination that maketh desolate set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days. Blessed is he that waiteth, and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days. But go thou thy way till the end be: for thou shalt rest, and stand in thy lot at the end of the days.

372 OLD TESTAMENT SUMMARY THE MINOR PROPHETS Minor Prophets of Israel 1. Amos 2. Hosea 3. Jonah 4. Nahum 5. Obadiah Minor Prophets of Judah 1. Habakkuk 2. Joel 3. Micah 4. Zephaniah Minor Prophets or Rebuilding Phase 1. Zechariah 2. Malachi 3. Haggai A TESTAMENT OF JESUS CHRIST

373 The Book of Hosea Setting: Hosea was a prophet who lived in Northern Israel during the reign of Jeroboam. His marriage to a harlot was used as a symbol of God s marriage to Israel. His main message to Ephraim was to repent or be destroyed and scattered. He prophesies of Ephraim s return in the Latter Days. Story Summary Chapter 1: The Lord instructs Hosea to marry a harlot, as a symbol of God s relationship with Israel, so Hosea marries a woman named Gomer. They have a son that the Lord says to name Jezreel because He is going to avenge the blood of Jezreel on the house of Jehu and Israel will cease to exist as a nation. Next they have a daughter named Loruhamah which means the Lord will no longer show mercy to Israel. After that, they have a son named Lo-ammi which means Israel is no longer Gods people and He is not their God. The Northern Kingdom will be destroyed but God will spare Judah. Hosea then prophesies that even though Israel is being destroyed, in the last days it will be regathered and they will be called sons of the living God. Chapter 2: Hosea tells Israel to repent and cease committing adultery against God or He will destroy them. Israel will seek after her lovers (Egypt, Assyria, and Babylon) but will not find them and will try to return to God but He won t have them. In the last days, God will take Israel as his everlasting wife. Chapter 3: Hosea loves a harlot, just as God has loved Israel who played the harlot. He buys her back for 15 pieces of silver and tells her she must remain celibate for a while and not commit adultery. This symbolizes how God not rule over Israel until they repent and seek Him out again. In the last days, Israel will return to God and the Messiah will rule. Chapter 4: Israel has sinned and played the harlot against God and as a result God will destroy her. Israel has rejected the knowledge that God had offered her. Chapter 5: Hosea prophesies that both Ephraim and Judah will fall because of their iniquity and God will not hear them until they acknowledge their sins. Chapter 6: Hosea calls Israel to return unto the Lord for healing with sincerity and not vain ritualism. Chapter 7: God says He would have healed Israel but they are too sinful and they don t consider that God knows their wickedness. Ephraim will seek help from Egypt and Assyria but it will be in vain. Chapter 8: Hosea repeats prophecies against Israel and Judah saying they will be destroyed for wickedness.

374 Chapter 9: Hosea prophecies the destruction of Ephraim again and says they wont dwell in the land but be scattered among the nations. Chapter 10: Israel is compared to an empty vine that brings forth no good fruit as they have broken their covenant. God will destroy their idols and the people will mourn over them. Chapter 11: God says He lead Israel out of Egypt when she was a child and has loved her but she has been unfaithful. Ephraim will be scattered because he has turned away from God. Chapter 12: God says that Ephraim believes in lies and trusts in its alliance with Egypt for protection. Judah has also sinned and must be punished as well. The Lord says He has tried to lead Israel with visions and prophets but they have not listened. Chapter 13: Ephraim has sinned continually and worshipped idols so will be destroyed. The Lord will devour Ephraim like a lion because it has destroyed itself and not come to God for help. God says he will ransom Israel from death eventually but Samaria will be destroyed for its sinfulness. Chapter 14: Hosea pleads with Israel to return to God and says they have fallen because of sin. In the last days, Ephraim will return to God and put away idols. The just walk in the ways of God while the transgressors do not. Notes 1. God told Hosea to marry a harlot as a symbol of God s experience with Israel: The beginning of the word of the Lord by Hosea. And the Lord said to Hosea, Go, take unto thee a wife of whoredoms and children of whoredoms: for the land hath committed great whoredom, departing from the Lord. (Hosea 1:2) 2. God will regather Israel in the last days and call them sons of the living God: Yet the number of the children of Israel shall be as the sand of the sea, which cannot be measured nor numbered; and it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people, there it shall be said unto them, Ye are the sons of the living God. Then shall the children of Judah and the children of Israel be gathered together, and appoint themselves one head, and they shall come up out of the land: for great shall be the day of Jezreel. (Hosea 1: 10-11) 3. In the last days, God will take Israel as His everlasting wife: And I will betroth thee unto me for ever; yea, I will betroth thee unto me in righteousness, and in judgment, and in lovingkindness, and in mercies. (Hosea 2:19) 4. In the last Days, Israel will return to God and the Messiah will reign over them: Afterward shall the children of Israel return, and seek the Lord their God, and David their king; and shall fear the Lord and his goodness in the latter days. (Hosea 3:5) 5. The people are destroyed for wilful ignorance: My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children. (Hosea 4:6)

375 6. We must acknowledge our sins or God will not hear our pleas: I will go and return to my place, till they acknowledge their offence, and seek my face: in their affliction they will seek me early. ( Hosea 5:15) 7. God prefers sincere worship and change to religious rituals: For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings. (Hosea 6:6) 8. God knows all of our wickedness: And they consider not in their hearts that I remember all their wickedness: now their own doings have beset them about; they are before my face. (Hosea 7:2) 9. Hosea prophesies that Ephraim will be destroyed and scattered among the nations: My God will cast them away, because they did not hearken unto him: and they shall be wanderers among the nations. (Hosea 9:17) 10. The Lord leads Israel with prophets and visions: I have also spoken by the prophets, and I have multiplied visions, and used similitudes, by the ministry of the prophets. And by a prophet the Lord brought Israel out of Egypt, and by a prophet was he preserved. (Hosea 12: 10, 13) 11. Israel destroys itself through sin and does not seek God who can heal her: O Israel, thou hast destroyed thyself; but in me is thine help. (Hosea 13:9) 12. The Lord ransoms Israel from death and from the grave: I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death: O death, I will be thy plagues; O grave, I will be thy destruction: repentance shall be hid from mine eyes. (Hosea 13:14) 13. The ways of the Lord are right and the just walk in them: Who is wise, and he shall understand these things? Prudent, and he shall know them? For the ways of the Lord are right, and the just shall walk in them: but the transgressors shall fall therein. (Hosea 14:9)

376 The Book of Amos Setting: Amos was an 8th century prophet from the southern kingdom of Judah called to preach to the Northern Kingdom of Israel. Israelite society had become oppressive of the poor and needy and Amos was called to denounce the oppressive practices of the Israelites at the time. Story Summary Chapter 1: Amos says that the Lord will roar from Zion and judge the surrounding nations for their sins which are exceedingly abundant. Amos prophesies that the Syrians will be enslaved for being cruel to their captives, and the Philistines, Edomites and Tyre will all be destroyed. The Lord specifically condemns the Ammonites to destruction for killing women and unborn children. Chapter 2: Amos says the Lord will judge the Moabites for their wickedness. The Lord will also destroy Judah for their various sins, including oppressing the poor and committing sexual abominations. The Lord says he destroyed the Amorites and brought Israel out of Egypt but Israel has not listened. They have told the prophets not to prophesy. Chapter 3: The Lord says He has had a special covenant relationship with Israel but Israel has been unfaithful and wicked. Amos says that the Lord will not do anything to Israel except He reveals it to His servants the prophets first. Thus, God would not have destroyed Israel without first warning her through His prophets. Amos says none shall escape God s judgment and the Philistines and Egyptians will behold the destruction of Judah. \ Chapter 4: Amos continues to condemn the women of Israel and calls them Cows of Bashan for getting their husbands to oppress the poor so that they can live a merry life of pleasure. For these sins, God would destroy them and their sacrifices could not stop the coming judgment. The Lord says He has already brought famine, drought, pestilence and war to Israel but it has not stirred them to repentance. Chapter 5: Amos exhorts Israel to seek the Lord and live and to abandon their false idols. Israel despises the upright and those who rebuke wickedness so the prudent remain silent in such an evil time. Amos exhorts them to love the good and to seek after it and to hate the evil. The Lord says He will not accept their religious rituals as they are devoid of sincerity and exhorts them to instead let justice and righteousness run down as a mighty stream. Chapter 6: Amos pronounces woes upon those who are at ease in Zion when the nation is in such a sorry state. He tells the Israelites to look at the fate of the surrounding nations and just as they were punished for their sins

377 so will Israel be. He condemns the rich who live in luxury while the poor suffer. As a result of these sins, God will destroy Israel by raising up other nations against it. Chapter 7: Amos next describes 5 visions he had in the final 3 chapters. Amos first sees a swarm of locusts destroy the crops but Israel would become prosperous again afterwards. Next, Amos sees a devouring fire that destroys the ocean which symbolizes the desolation that will come upon Israel. Amos then sees a plumbline that the Lord puts in Israel symbolizing that justice will be done. A priest named Amaziah then accuses Amos before King Jeroboam of prophesying Israel s destruction. He tells Amos to go and prophesy in Judah but Amos says he was a simple shepherd who was called by God to deliver a message to the Northern Kingdom. Amos finishes by prophesying the destruction and captivity of Israel. Chapter 8: Amos continues with his fourth vision of a basket of summer fruit that symbolized Israel s ripeness for destruction. He then condemns those whose heart is set upon commerce and not the Lord and who use deception to get gain. The Lord swears He will not forget Israel s evil works and He will set their sun at noon (shorten their lifespan). The Lord will withdraw His prophets from the Land so that none may find the word of the Lord and a dark time of apostasy will set in. Chapter 9: Amos has a vision where the Lord will come and execute vengeance on the wicked. None will be able to escape His wrath though they flee to hell or hide in mountains. The Lord tells Israel that they are just like the Ethiopians or the Philistines to Him and that He will destroy them for their iniquity, just as He would any other nation. Amos then prophesies that Israel will be sifted among all nations and then will be gathered in again and restored in the Latter Days and they will never again lost their land. Notes 1. The Lord condemns a heathen nation to destruction for killing unborn children: Thus saith the Lord; For three transgressions of the children of Ammon, and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because they have ripped up the women with child of Gilead, that they might enlarge their border: But I will kindle a fire in the wall of Rabbah, and it shall devour the palaces thereof, with shouting in the day of battle, with a tempest in the day of the whirlwind. (Amos 1: 13-14) 2. For three transgressions and for four. The implication of the idiom is that three transgressions are too many, and you have even exceeded that. Thus saith the Lord; For three transgressions of Damascus, and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof. (Amos 1:3) 3. The Lord condemned Judah for oppressing the poor: Thus saith the Lord; for three transgressions of Israel, and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because they sold the righteous for silver, and the poor for a pair of shoes. (Amos 2:6 ) Hear this word, ye kine of Bashan, that are in the mountain of Samaria, which oppress the poor, which crush the needy, which say to their masters, Bring, and let us drink. (Amos 4:1) Forasmuch therefore as your treading is upon the poor, and ye take from him burdens of wheat. (Amos 5:11)

378 For I know your manifold transgressions and your mighty sins: they afflict the just, they take a bribe, and they turn aside the poor in the gate from their right. (Amos 5:12) 4. The Lord condemned Judah for sexual abominations: and a man and his father will go in unto the same maid, to profane my holy name. (Amos 2:7) 5. The Lord condemned Judah for telling the prophets not to prophesy: But ye gave the Nazarites wine to drink; and commanded the prophets, saying, prophesy not. (Amos 2:12) 6. God has a special covenant relationship with Israel and expects Israel to keep His ways: You only have I known of all the families of the earth: therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities. Can two walk together, except they be agreed? (Amos 3:2-3) 7. The Lord always reveals His will to the prophets before acting. Israel would not be punished unless they were warned first: Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets. (Amos 3:7) 8. Israel hated the upright and those who rebuked wickedness so the prudent remained silent: They hate him that rebuketh in the gate, and they abhor him that speaketh uprightly...therefore the prudent shall keep silence in that time; for it is an evil time. (Amos 5:10,13) 9. We should hate evil and the love the good and seek after it: Seek good, and not evil, that ye may live: and so the Lord, the God of hosts, shall be with you, as ye have spoken. Hate the evil, and love the good, and establish judgment in the gate: it may be that the Lord God of hosts will be gracious unto the remnant of Joseph. (Amos 5: 14-15) 10. The Lord despises vain religious rituals and prefers judgment and righteousness: I hate, I despise your feast days, and I will not smell in your solemn assemblies. Though ye offer me burnt offerings and your meat offerings, I will not accept them: neither will I regard the peace offerings of your fat beasts. Take thou away from me the noise of thy songs; for I will not hear the melody of thy viols. But let judgment run down as waters, and righteousness as a mighty stream. (Amos 5: 21-24) 11. Woe will come upon those that are at ease in Zion when it is in a pitiful state: Woe to them that are at ease in Zion. (Amos 6:1) 12. Amos condemns the rich who live in luxury while their brothers suffer: Ye that put far away the evil day, and cause the seat of violence to come near; That lie upon beds of ivory, and stretch themselves upon their couches, and eat the lambs out of the flock, and the calves out of the midst of the stall; That chant to the sound of the viol, and invent to themselves instruments of musick, like David; That drink wine in bowls, and anoint themselves with the chief ointments: but they are not grieved for the affliction of Joseph. (Amos 6:4-6)

379 13. God often calls the simple to become prophets: Then answered Amos, and said to Amaziah, I was no prophet, neither was I a prophet s son; but I was an herdman, and a gatherer of sycomore fruit: And the Lord took me as I followed the flock, and the Lord said unto me, Go, prophesy unto my people Israel. (Amos 7: 14-15) 14. Amos condemns those whose heart is set upon commerce and not the Lord: Hear this, O ye that swallow up the needy, even to make the poor of the land to fail, Saying, When will the new moon be gone, that we may sell corn? and the sabbath, that we may set forth wheat, making the ephah small, and the shekel great, and falsifying the balances by deceit? (Amos 8: 4-5) 15. The Lord sets the sun at noon for the wicked (shortens their lifespan as their sun sets earlier than it should): And it shall come to pass in that day, saith the Lord God, that I will cause the sun to go down at noon, and I will darken the earth in the clear day. (Amos 8:9) 16. When the people apostatize the Lord removes His prophets from the land: Behold, the days come, saith the Lord God, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord: And they shall wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east, they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the Lord, and shall not find it. (Amos 8: 11-12) 17. Amos s Vision of the Destruction of the Wicked at the Second Coming: I saw the Lord standing upon the altar: and he said, Smite the lintel of the door, that the posts may shake: and cut them in the head, all of them; and I will slay the last of them with the sword: he that fleeth of them shall not flee away, and he that escapeth of them shall not be delivered. Though they dig into hell, thence shall mine hand take them; though they climb up to heaven, thence will I bring them down: And though they hide themselves in the top of Carmel, I will search and take them out thence; and though they be hid from my sight in the bottom of the sea, thence will I command the serpent, and he shall bite them: And though they go into captivity before their enemies, thence will I command the sword, and it shall slay them: and I will set mine eyes upon them for evil, and not for good. (Amos 9: 1-4) 18. The Lord does not play favorites with His chosen people but treats all alike: Are ye not as children of the Ethiopians unto me, O children of Israel? Saith the Lord. Have not I brought up Israel out of the land of Egypt? And the Philistines from Caphtor, and the Syrians from Kir? Behold, the eyes of the Lord God are upon the sinful kingdom, and I will destroy it from off the face of the earth; saving that I will not utterly destroy the house of Jacob, saith the Lord. (Amos 9: 7-8) 19. Amos prophesies that Israel will be sifted among all nations: For, lo, I will command, and I will sift the house of Israel among all nations, like as corn is sifted in a sieve, yet shall not the least grain fall upon the earth. (Amos 9:9) 20. In the last days, Israel will be regathered and they will never again lose their land: And I will plant them upon their land, and they shall no more be pulled up out of their land which I have given them, saith the Lord thy God. (Amos 9: 15)

380 The Book of Obadiah Setting: Obadiah was a prophet in Israel around 850 BC and his short book is a prophecy concerning the fate of the Edomites (Esau), one of Israel s worst enemies. Story Summary Chapter 1: Obadiah proclaims judgments against Edom (Children of Esau) and declares that the Lord will humble their great pride. The Edomites will be destroyed for their violence against their brother Israel. The Edomites revelled in Israel s destruction and partook in the slaughter and plunder of them. As a result, God would cut off the Edomites forever. Obadiah then prophesies of a future time in which Mount Zion will flourish and the exiles of Israel will possess the Edomite lands. Saviors will be upon Mt. Zion. Notes 1. The Lord humbles the proud who think none are higher than they are: The pride of thine heart hath deceived thee, thou that dwellest in the clefts of the rock, whose habitation is high; that saith in his heart, who shall bring me down to the ground? Though thou exalt thyself as the eagle, and though thou set thy nest among the stars, thence will I bring thee down, saith the Lord. (Obadiah 1: 3-4) 2. God will do to all of Israel s enemies what He did to the Edomites: For the day of the Lord is near upon all the heathen: as thou hast done, it shall be done unto thee: thy reward shall return upon thine own head. (Obadiah 1:15) 3. Obadiah teaches that the enemies of Israel may appear to prosper, but in the end Israel will inherit all they have: But upon mount Zion shall be deliverance, and there shall be holiness; and the house of Jacob shall possess their possessions. (Amos 5:12) 4. Obadiah sees Saviors upon Mt. Zion: And saviours shall come up on mount Zion to judge the mount of Esau; and the kingdom shall be the Lord s. (Obadiah 1:21) 5. We should not revel in the destruction of our enemies nor aid in their downfall: God was upset with the Edomites because they revelled in Israel s destruction.

381 The Book of Jonah Setting: Jonah was a prophet who lived around 785 BC before the Northern Kingdom was conquered. God asked Jonah to call the people of Nineveh to repentance. Story Summary Chapter 1: The Lord calls Jonah to travel to Nineveh to call them to repentance for God has seen the wickedness of the city. Jonah did not want to go and instead tried to run from His life mission and boarded a ship to Tarshish. While travelling, the Lord sent a great storm that threatened to destroy the boat so the mariners cast lots to figure out whose evil had caused such a storm to come upon them. The lot fell upon Jonah so he told the mariners that he was running from God and that they should cast him into the sea. They try to row harder to shore but realize it is futile and cast Jonah into the sea and then the storm stops. The Lord had known this would occur, however, and he prepared a whale to swallow Jonah for 3 days and nights. Chapter 2: Jonah prays to the Lord for help while in the belly of the whale which he described as the belly of hell. In his darkest moment of suffering and affliction, the Lord gave him hope and he seized on that hope and prayed for deliverance. The whale then took Jonah safely to dry land and spit him out. Chapter 3: The Lord gives Jonah another chance and tells him to go to the people of Nineveh and tell them to repent. Surprisingly, the people of Nineveh believe Jonah and the repent in sackcloth and ashes. God sees their sincere repentance and decides to spare them for their earlier sins. Chapter 4: Jonah became very angry that the Lord didn t destroy Nineveh, even though they had repented. He complains to God and says this was why he fled in the first place, because He knew God was slow to anger and very forgiving of those who repent. God tells Jonah that his anger is not justified but causes a gourd to grow and provide Jonah with shade. The next day the gourd dies and Jonah is very angry once again but God says Jonah didn t labor for the gourd and it has only lived a day yet he mourns it. However, Nineveh has thousands of people whom God has labored for and loves and yet Jonah did not mourn them like he mourned the gourd. God is in no rush to destroy His children and rejoices when they repent. Notes 1. We cannot escape our God-given life mission: Jonah was given a clear command to go to Nineveh but instead he tried to hide from the Lord. He could not escape God, however, as the storm of the sea halted his plan to flee. Like Jonah, we cannot escape our god given life missions and our way will be halted if we try to. 2. God will hedge up our way if we are not on the right path: God sent the storm for Jonah s good as he needed to be cast into the sea for a course correction.

382 3. God prepared the whale in advance as He knew Jonah would flee. When we turn back to our life mission, God will do miracles to help us achieve it: God knew Jonah would flee but He asked him to go to Nineveh anyways. He knew Jonah would be cast into the sea so He prepared a whale to swallow him for 3 days and then bring him back to shore. 4. God hears our prayers while we are in the belly of hell and will deliver those who turn to Him: And said, I cried by reason of mine affliction unto the Lord, and he heard me; out of the belly of hell cried I, and thou heardest my voice. For thou hadst cast me into the deep, in the midst of the seas; and the floods compassed me about: all thy billows and thy waves passed over me. Then I said, I am cast out of thy sight; yet I will look again toward thy holy temple. (Jonah 2:2-4) 5. God truly will spare those who are headed for destruction but repent: And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God repented of the evil, that he had said that he would do unto them; and he did it not. (Jonah 3:10) 6. God is slow to anger and very forgiving of those who repent: And he prayed unto the Lord, and said, I pray thee, O Lord, was not this my saying, when I was yet in my country? Therefore I fled before unto Tarshish: for I knew that thou art a gracious God, and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repentest thee of the evil. (Jonah 4:2) 7. God labors for and loves all people and would that none were destroyed: Then said the Lord, Thou hast had pity on the gourd, for the which thou hast not laboured, neither madest it grow; which came up in a night, and perished in a night: And should not I spare Nineveh, that great city, wherein are more than sixscore thousand persons that cannot discern between their right hand and their left hand; and also much cattle? (Jonah 4: 10-11) 8. God calls us to be concerned with the welfare of our worst enemies: Nineveh was viewed, by the Israelites of the time, as one of the most hated and evil cities in existence. The story of Jonah is about God telling Israel to go and save the souls of their worst enemies.

383 Setting: The Lord raised up the prophet Nahum to warn Nineveh (Capital of Assyria) of destruction 120 years after Jonah did. Nahum thus wrote his book around BC. Story Summary Chapter 1: Nahum says that the Lord is slow to anger but takes vengeance on His enemies and will not acquit the wicked. The Lord is mighty and has all power over the earth but is a stronghold to those who know and trust Him. The Lord will destroy the idols of Judah and Nahum exhorts Judah to keep the laws and feasts of the Lord. The Book of Nahum Chapter 2: Nahum prophesies of the destruction of Nineveh and says it will become an empty wasteland. The Lord is against Nineveh so its destruction is assured. Chapter 3: Nahum continues prophesying of the destruction of Nineveh. He condemns whoredoms and witchcrafts and says that the enemies of Nineveh will have power to destroy them. Nineveh will not recover from this destruction and their destruction will be absolute. Notes 1. The Lord is slow to anger but takes vengeance on His enemies and will not acquit the wicked: God is jealous, and the Lord revengeth; the Lord revengeth, and is furious; the Lord will take vengeance on his adversaries, and he reserveth wrath for his enemies. The Lord is slow to anger, and great in power, and will not at all acquit the wicked: the Lord hath his way in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet. (Nahum 1: 2-3) 2. The Lord is a stronghold to those who know and trust in Him: The Lord is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him. (Nahum 1:7)

384 The Book of Joel Setting: Joel was a prophet in the Southern Kingdom of Judah who lived around 840 BC which was before the destruction of the 2 kingdoms. His main message was to the Southern Kingdom as he told them to repent or face judgment. He also prophesied on the events of the Last Days. Story Summary Chapter 1: Joel calls the people of Judah to repent and says they are drunken with iniquity. If they don t repent, Joel prophesies that another nation will conquer the land and destroy the temple. He also prophesies that a famine will come and uses the imagery of locusts destroying all the crops and fire devouring all the trees of the field. Joel tells the people to call a solemn assembly into the temple and to mourn and beg for forgiveness. Chapter 2: Joel prophesies of the great and dreadful Day of the Lord that will come at the Battle of Armageddon. He sees the numberless armies that will gather for the final battle who will destroy everything in their path, turning Eden into desolation. Joel sees the sun, moon and stars darkening and then the Lord will speak and call the people to gather in a solemn assembly and to repent and turn to the Lord. The Lord will save Israel in that day and will destroy the armies that are arrayed against her. God will bless Israel abundantly and will pour out His spirit on all people so that they will al prophesy and have visions. God will show great wonders in the heavens as the sun will be darkened and the moon turned to blood. Only Zion and Jerusalem will be safe and God will protect the remnant of Israel. Chapter 3: Joel prophesies that in the last days, God will gather all nations in the valley of decision and will plead with them on Israel s behalf. God will call all the heathen nations who wish to war against Israel to this valley and will judge them there. The Lord s voice will be heard from Jerusalem ushering in a great earthquake and He will save His people and establish Judah forever. Notes 1. The people were called to hold a solemn assembly in the temple and repent: Sanctify ye a fast, call a solemn assembly, gather the elders and all the inhabitants of the land into the house of the Lord your God, and cry unto the Lord, Alas for the day! for the day of the Lord is at hand, and as a destruction from the Almighty shall it come. (Joel 1: 14-15) 2. Joel prophesies of the Great and Dreadful Day of the Lord: Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain: let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: for the day of the Lord cometh, for it is nigh at hand. (Joel 2:1)

385 3. At the battle of Armageddon, the sun, moon and stars will all cease to give their light: The earth shall quake before them; the heavens shall tremble: the sun and the moon shall be dark, and the stars shall withdraw their shining. (Joel 2:10 ) 4. Joel prophesies that the Lord will destroy the armies of Armageddon that attack Israel: But I will remove far off from you the northern army, and will drive him into a land barren and desolate, with his face toward the east sea, and his hinder part toward the utmost sea, and his stink shall come up, and his ill savour shall come up, because he hath done great things. Fear not, O land; be glad and rejoice: for the Lord will do great things. (Joel 2: 20-21) 5. Joel prophesies that in the last days, God will pour out His spirit upon all of Israel and everyone will prophecy and have visions: And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit. (Joel 2: 28-29) 6. Joel prophesies that in the last days God will show wonders in the heaven and will darken the sun and turn the moon into blood: And I will shew wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke. The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and the terrible day of the Lord come. ( Joel 2: 30-31) 7. In the last days only Zion and Jerusalem will be safe and God will protect the remnant of Israel: And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the Lord hath said, and in the remnant whom the Lord shall call.. (Joel 2: 32) 8. At the Battle of Armageddon, God will cause a great earthquake and will save His people: The Lord also shall roar out of Zion, and utter his voice from Jerusalem; and the heavens and the earth shall shake: but the Lord will be the hope of his people, and the strength of the children of Israel. (Joel 3:16)

386 The Book of Micah Setting: Micah was a prophet in Judah around 725 BC during the reign of Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah and was a contemporary of Isaiah. His message to Israel was to repent or be destroyed. Story Summary Chapter 1: Micah says that the Lord is a witness against the people and that He will destroy their places of worship and Samaria will be a ruin. Micah then pronounces judgment on various villages in Israel. Chapter 2: Micah pronounces woes upon those who lay awake all night devising evil plots and then implement them during the day. He condemned those who would covet property and then obtain them by violence or oppression. The people tell Micah not to prophesy as they prefer false prophets who lie and say all is well. Micah then prophesies of the future gathering in of Israel after they are scattered by the Lord who will lead them. Chapter 3: Micah condemns the rules of Israel who love evil and hate good and he compares them to cannibals who eat their own people. Micah then condemns the false prophets who are hired by leaders to preach false security to make the people think the Lord approves. He condemns the leaders who build the city through blood and iniquity and says Jerusalem will be destroyed. Chapter 4: Micah prophesies that in the last days, temples will be built in the mountains and nations will flow unto them. The law will come forth from Zion and the word of the Lord will come from Jerusalem. The Lord will usher in a time of peace where war will be done away with during the Millennium. The Lord will gather the scattered remnant and reign over them in Mt. Zion. Many nations in the latter days will hate Israel and try to destroy her but they do not understand that God will deliver Israel and destroy her enemies. Chapter 5: Micah prophesies of the birth of the Messiah in Bethlehem and sees the day where the Messiah will destroy all of Israel s enemies. He sees the last days in which the remnant of Israel are scattered among the Gentile nations and prophesies of Israel s victory over the gentiles. Chapter 6: The Lord expresses His disappointment with Israel and asks them where He has wronged them to cause them to rebel. He requires justice, mercy and humility from His people but they have followed in the wicked ways of their kings Omri and Ahab. Micah says the lord will curse the people that they will eat but not be satisfied and they will sow but shall not reap. Chapter 7: Micah compares the people to a grapevine with a solitary piece of fruit and says that none are on the Lord s side but him (he is the fruit, Israel is the barren grapevine). He says the best of the people are like thorns and that all are dishonorable and untrustworthy. Even though Israel has rebelled, in the last days, God will

387 restore them and forgive their past transgressions. Israel s enemies will be ashamed when they see the glory of Israel s deliverance. Notes 1. Micah condemns those who obtain property via violence or oppression: And they covet fields, and take them by violence; and houses, and take them away: so they oppress a man and his house, even a man and his heritage. (Micah 1:2) 2. The people usually prefer false prophets who lie and give them false security: If a man walking in the spirit and falsehood do lie, saying, I will prophesy unto thee of wine and of strong drink; he shall even be the prophet of this people. (Micah 2:11) 3. The remnant of Israel will be gathered in the last days by the Lord who will lead them: I will surely assemble, O Jacob, all of thee; I will surely gather the remnant of Israel; I will put them together as the sheep of Bozrah, as the flock in the midst of their fold: they shall make great noise by reason of the multitude of men. The breaker is come up before them: they have broken up, and have passed through the gate, and are gone out by it: and their king shall pass before them, and the Lord on the head of them. (Micah 2: ) 4. Micah condemns false prophets who work with corrupt rulers to make the people think God approves of their sins: Thus saith the Lord concerning the prophets that make my people err, that bite with their teeth, and cry, Peace; and he that putteth not into their mouths, they even prepare war against him. Therefore night shall be unto you, that ye shall not have a vision; and it shall be dark unto you, that ye shall not divine; and the sun shall go down over the prophets, and the day shall be dark over them. Then shall the seers be ashamed, and the diviners confounded: yea, they shall all cover their lips; for there is no answer of God. (Micah 3: 5-7) The heads thereof judge for reward, and the priests thereof teach for hire, and the prophets thereof divine for money: yet will they lean upon the Lord, and say, is not the Lord among us? None evil can come upon us. (Micah 3:11) 5. Micah condemns those who build their cities through blood and iniquity: They build up Zion with blood, and Jerusalem with iniquity. (Micah 3:10) 6. Micah prophesies of the latter day gathering of Zion in the mountains: But in the last days it shall come to pass, that the mountain of the house of the Lord shall be established in the top of the mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills; and people shall flow unto it. And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. (Micah 4: 1-2)

388 7. Micah prophesies of the end of wars and ushering in of peace during the Millennium: And he shall judge among many people, and rebuke strong nations afar off; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore. (Micah 4:3) 8. The Lord will reign in Mt. Zion over the scattered remnant in the latter days: And I will make her that halted a remnant, and her that was cast far off a strong nation: and the Lord shall reign over them in mount Zion from henceforth, even for ever. (Micah 4:7) 9. God will destroy those nations who fight against Israel in the latter days: Now also many nations are gathered against thee, that say, Let her be defiled, and let our eye look upon Zion. But they know not the thoughts of the Lord, neither understand they his counsel: for he shall gather them as the sheaves into the floor. Arise and thresh, O daughter of Zion: for I will make thine horn iron, and I will make thy hoofs brass: and thou shalt beat in pieces many people: and I will consecrate their gain unto the Lord, and their substance unto the Lord of the whole earth. (Micah 4: 11-13) 10. Micah prophesies of the birth of Christ in Bethlehem: But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting. (Micah 5:2) 11. Micah prophesies that in the last days the remnant of Israel will be among the Gentiles and will purify those who will listen and then destroy those who do not: And the remnant of Jacob shall be among the Gentiles in the midst of many people as a lion among the beasts of the forest, as a young lion among the flocks of sheep: who, if he go through, both treadeth down, and teareth in pieces, and none can deliver. Thine hand shall be lifted up upon thine adversaries, and all thine enemies shall be cut off. 12. The Lord requires Justice, Mercy and Humility from His people: He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? (Micah 6:8) 13. God causes the wicked to eat but not be satisfied and to sow but not reap: Thou shalt eat, but not be satisfied.thou shalt sow, but thou shalt not reap. (Micah 6: 14-15)

389 The Book of Habakkuk Setting: Habakkuk was a prophet in Judah who lived around BC just before the fall of Judah. Story Summary Chapter 1: Habakkuk laments the violence and sinfulness of his people. Habakkuk asks God why the wicked are prevailing and He is doing nothing about it. The Lord then says He will raise up the Chaldeans to destroy Israel and this troubles Habakkuk as he asks why the Lord is letting a wicked people destroy a more righteous people. Chapter 2: The Lord answers Habakkuk s questions from the first chapter and tells Habakkuk to write down His plans, even though they might not happen immediately. He reassures Habakkuk that the faith of the just will grant them life in the end and then tells him that the Chaldeans will eventually be destroyed for their evil ways as well. He pronounces 5 woes upon the Chaldeans and says Babylon will be destroyed for getting gain through murder and theft, pride and covetousness, violence and iniquity, sexual immorality and drunkenness and finally idolatry. Chapter 3: Habakkuk writes a psalm of praise in the form of a prayer to God. He praises the might and majesty of the Lord and acknowledges that God rules on earth. Notes 1. The Lord is slow to anger and doesn t immediately destroy the wicked: O Lord, how long shall I cry, and thou wilt not hear! Even cry out unto thee of violence, and thou wilt not save! (Habakkuk 1:2) 2. The Just shall live by his faith or faith ensures everlasting life: Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith. (Habakkuk 1:7) 3. Habakkuk condemns those would plot to take make others vulnerable and take advantage of them: Woe unto him that giveth his neighbour drink, that puttest thy bottle to him, and makest him drunken also, that thou mayest look on their nakedness! (Habakkuk 2:15) 4. The 5 Woes of Babylon: Babylon will be destroyed for getting gain through murder and theft, pride and covetousness, violence and iniquity, sexual immorality and drunkenness and finally idolatry. 1.) Woe to him who heaps up what is not his own!" God condemned the pillaging and conquering of the Chaldeans and said that those they have pillaged will rise up suddenly against them. (Hab 2: 6-8) 2.) "Woe to him that coveteth an evil covetousness to his house that he may set his nest on high that he may be delivered from the power of evil!" God condemned the pride and covetousness of Babylon and says the very timber and rocks of their cities will witness against their sins. (Hab 2: 9-11)

390 3.) Woe to him that buildeth a town with blood, and stablisheth a city by iniquity! God condemns those who built up Babylon through violence and sin. 4.) Woe unto him that giveth his neighbour drink, that puttest thy bottle to him, and makest him drunken also, that thou mayest look on their nakedness! God condemns those who would commit sexual sins through the aid of alcohol. 5.) Woe unto him that saith to the wood, Awake; to the dumb stone, Arise, it shall teach! Behold, it is laid over with gold and silver, and there is no breath at all in the midst of it." (Hab 2:19) God condemns those who engage in idolatry and worship vanities instead of God.

391 Setting: Zephaniah was a prophet who lived during the reign of Josiah and appears to have been warning Israel against an imminent threat (the Scythians). Story Summary Chapter 1: Zephaniah prophesies that the Lord will judge the entire earth and will cut off the wicked. He will judge Judah as well and destroy them for their wickedness and God will sacrifice Judah on the Day of the Lord. The Lord will punish the deceitful and violent and those who have not sought Him. Zephaniah says the great day of the lord is darkness and destruction to the wicked and that it is very near. Riches will not save from wrath but the whole land will be consumed with fire. The Book of Zephaniah Chapter 2: Zephaniah pleads with the nations to repent and seek the Lord in meekness and righteousness before the Day of His Wrath is upon them. He prophesies that all of the major cities of the surrounding nations will be destroyed including the Philistines, Moabites, Ammonites, Ethiopians and the Assyrians. Those nations who imagine they are the highest power in existence will become desolate. Chapter 3: Zephaniah declares WO to the oppressors who do not obey God and respond to correction. At the second coming, the Lord will gather all nations and destroy them. A new pure language will be given to the people that remain and the Lord will reign amongst them. Israel will no longer fear and will be a righteous people. Notes 1. Zephaniah prophesies of the Great and Dreadful Day of the Lord where the earth will be consumed with fire: The great day of the Lord is near, it is near, and hasteth greatly, even the voice of the day of the Lord: the mighty man shall cry there bitterly. That day is a day of wrath, a day of trouble and distress, a day of wasteness and desolation, a day of darkness and gloominess, a day of clouds and thick darkness Neither their silver nor their gold shall be able to deliver them in the day of the Lord s wrath; but the whole land shall be devoured by the fire of his jealousy: for he shall make even a speedy riddance of all them that dwell in the land. (Zephaniah 1: 14-15, 18) 2. We must repent and seek the Lord in meekness before the Day of His Wrath: Seek ye the Lord, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought his judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the Lord s anger. (Zephaniah 2:3)

392 3. Those nations who believe they do not answer to God and that they are the highest power will be desolate: This is the rejoicing city that dwelt carelessly, that said in her heart, I am, and there is none beside me: how is she become a desolation, a place for beasts to lie down in! Every one that passeth by her shall hiss, and wag his hand. (Zephaniah 2:15) 4. In the last days, a new pure language will be given to the people: For then will I turn to the people a pure language, that they may all call upon the name of the Lord, to serve him with one consent. (Zephaniah 3:9)

393 The Book of Haggai Setting: Haggai was a prophet during the post-exilic rebuilding phase of Jerusalem. He was a contemporary of Zechariah. Story Summary Chapter 1: Haggai chastises Judah, and the governor Zerubabbel, for not being diligently engaged in fulfilling the command of God to rebuild the temple. Haggai says that the Lord is withholding the bounty of the earth and causing famine and drought because of disobedience. Zerubabbel listens to Haggai s message and begins rebuilding the temple so the Lord s spirit comes upon them and blesses them. Chapter 2: Haggai gives another message to Zerubabbel and the remnant encouraging them because the new temple was not going to be as nice as Solomon s temple. Haggai reassured them that the Spirit of the Lord was with them and then he prophesied of a time in which the Messiah would come and fill the New Jerusalem temple with glory. The glory of the temple in that time will be far greater than the glory of Solomon s temple. Haggai then compares the Jews to someone who was unclean under the Mosaic Law and in need of purification. When they repent, the Lord will bless them and forgive their transgressions. Haggai then says that the Lord will destroy and overthrow all kingdoms of the earth and will make Zerubabbel (a descendant of David) a valuable possession. Zerubabbel was a type of Christ (and His ancestor) so Haggai was saying the line and throne of David would be guarded. Notes 1. We must be anxiously engaged in the work God has given us and not slack: Is it time for you, O ye, to dwell in your ceiled houses, and this house lie waste? Now therefore thus saith the Lord of hosts; Consider your ways. (Haggai 1: 4-5) The people had slacked concerning the command to rebuild the temple. 2. The Lord will afflict us if we are not fulfilling the commands He has given us: Ye looked for much, and, lo, it came to little; and when ye brought it home, I did blow upon it. Why? Saith the Lord of hosts. Because of mine house that is waste, and ye run every man unto his own house. Therefore the heaven over you is stayed from dew, and the earth is stayed from her fruit. (Haggai 1: 9-10) 3. The Importance of the Temple: The Lord caused famine and drought to come upon Israel because they did not rebuild the temple. This shows the importance of temple to the Lord as it is necessary for the ordinances of salvation. (Haggai 1) 4. The Spirit of the Lord prompts many to do temple work: And the Lord stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the spirit of Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest, and the

394 spirit of all the remnant of the people; and they came and did work in the house of the Lord of hosts, their God. (Haggai 1:14) 5. In the last days a new temple will be built in Jerusalem and Christ will come unto it and fill it with glory: For thus saith the Lord of hosts; Yet once, it is a little while, and I will shake the heavens, and the earth, and the sea, and the dry land; And I will shake all nations, and the desire of all nations shall come: and I will fill this house with glory, saith the Lord of hosts. The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, saith the Lord of hosts. The glory of this latter house shall be greater than of the former, saith the Lord of hosts: and in this place will I give peace, saith the Lord of hosts. (Haggai 2: 6-9) 6. Haggai prophesies that the Lord would guard and preserve the line and throne of David and that Christ will reign over all kingdoms: Speak to Zerubbabel, governor of Judah, saying, I will shake the heavens and the earth; And I will overthrow the throne of kingdoms, and I will destroy the strength of the kingdoms of the heathen; and I will overthrow the chariots, and those that ride in them; and the horses and their riders shall come down, every one by the sword of his brother. In that day, saith the Lord of hosts, will I take thee, O Zerubbabel, my servant, the son of Shealtiel, saith the Lord, and will make thee as a signet: for I have chosen thee, saith the Lord of hosts. (Haggai 2: 21-23)

395 The Book of Zechariah Setting: Zechariah was a prophet who lived during the post-exilic rebuilding phase of Israel. He wrote his book from BC and most if it was prophecies about the destiny of Israel. Story Summary Chapter 1: Zechariah calls the Jews of his time to repent and not be like their fathers who did not listen when God warned them. Zechariah says they have the benefit of hindsight and can see that the Lord had done exactly what He said He would do to Israel through His prophets. Zechariah then has a vision in which he sees a man riding on a red, speckled and white horses among myrtle trees. An angel tells him these represent Gods messengers who are constantly observing what is going on and reporting back to God. They act via war (red) famine and disease (speckled) and victory and conquest (white) to ensure world history is guided appropriately. The Lord tells Zechariah He will rebuild Jerusalem and the temple again and Israel will be prosperous once again. Zechariah then sees four horns that represent the nations that scattered Israel and then four carpenters who symbolized rebuilding Jerusalem and victory over Israel s enemies. Chapter 2: Zechariah has his second vision in which he sees Angels measuring Jerusalem and declaring that it will be so prosperous and large it will no longer be confined by walls and the Lord will personally protect the city. The Lord will gather in scattered Israel from the Northern lands and will destroy any nation who fights against her, for Israel is the apple of His eye. Many nations will be joined to the Lord in the last days and He will reign personally on earth. Chapter 3: Zechariah has a third vision in which he sees a high priest named Joshua (symbol of Christ) standing before God and Satan resisting Him. The Lord rebukes Satan and gives the high priest a change of clothes as his old garments were filthy. This represents a change from sin to righteousness. The Lord will then bring forth His BRANCH which is a reference to the Messiah. Chapter 4: Zechariah has a fourth vision in which he sees a candlestick of gold with a bowl and 7 lamps and 7 pipes on top with an olive tree on each side. The candlestick represented Judah and the olive trees represented Joshua the High Priest and Zerubbabel the governor. God would bless Israel through church and state. Zerubbabel will lay the foundation of the temple and will finish building it through the Spirit of the Lord.

396 Chapter 5: Zechariah has another vision in which he sees a large flying book that curses those who steal and lie and consumes their houses. Zechariah then has a second vision in which he sees a woman in a round vessel with a heavy load of lead being carried away into Babylon. The woman represented Israel and the heavy load was her sin that was leading to exile in Babylon. Chapter 6: Zechariah has another vision where he sees four chariots coming from between 2 mountains of brass. He saw the first chariot with red horses, the second with black, the third with white and the fourth with grisled horses. The mountains represented the two places God would judge the nations from (Zion and Jerusalem) and brass symbolized the firmness of it. The Red horses represent war, the Black represent death and hell, the grisled or speckled horses represent famine and disease and the white horses represent conquest. The servants could not act without God s permission so God gives them permission to begin pouring out judgments. Once the enemies of Israel are judged, God s spirit will have rest. Zechariah is then instructed to set a crown on Joshua the high priests head and ordain him as the BRANCH that will build the temple of the Lord and rule upon His throne. Joshua is symbolic of the Messiah. Chapter 7: The exiles wonder if they should continue observing the rituals they had developed during the exile and the Lord responds that none of these were truly sincere. The Lord says He prefers judgment, mercy and compassion over ritual. Chapter 8: In the last days the Lord will dwell in Jerusalem and it will be a prosperous and peaceful city populated with children and elderly as opposed to the ruinous heap it was to the exiles. The Lord will bless the remnant of Israel and not do to them what was done to their fathers. He exhorts the remnant to act righteously and to love truth and peace. In the last days, Jerusalem will be the envy of the world and Jews will be famous and many will come from other nations to worship and learn of God in Jerusalem. Chapter 9: The Lord will judge the surrounding nations and destroy them for iniquity so that only the Godfearing will remain. Zechariah then prophesies that the Messiah will ride into Jerusalem on a donkey (which Jesus did). The Messiah will rescue the prisoners of the pit (hell) where there is no water (no saving ordinances like baptism). He will use Judah and Ephraim as His instruments and will deliver them from their enemies. Chapter 10: Zechariah says to ask the Lord to bless the Land and not to trust in idols or diviners to control nature. The Lord will be Judah s true shepherd who deliver them from her enemies. In the last days the Lord will reunite Judah and Ephraim and it will be like they were never scattered. Ephraim, which was scattered throughout the nations, will become mighty again and turn back to God and return to their lands in the Middle East. Chapter 11: Zechariah prophesies the destruction of Judah and calls for mourning. He prophesies that the Messiah will be betrayed for 30 pieces of silver. Because the Jews will reject their true Shepherd they will be lead instead by a false shepherd who will oppress them.

397 Chapter 12: Zechariah prophesies of the battle of Armageddon in which all nations will be gathered to war with Israel but God will destroy the nations and smite with them madness and blindness. Zechariah then sees that the Jews will recognize that they crucified their Messiah and they will turn again to Him and mourn because they rejected Him. Chapter 13: In the last days the Lord will destroy all idols and remove all unclean spirits and false prophets from the land. The Jews will look at the wounds from the cross in the Messiah s hands and He will say He got them in the house of my friends. Chapter 14: At the battle of Armageddon, Jerusalem will be under siege and half of it will fall when the Lord will appear on Mt. Olives and destroy the armies arrayed against Israel. The Mount of Olives will split in half, the sun will not set (no darkness) and living waters will begin flowing from Jerusalem. The land will become smooth like a plain and a plague will destroy all the enemies of Israel. The wealth of the earth will be inherited by Israel and any that remain will travel to Jerusalem to worship the Lord or will be smitten with drought and plague. Everything that remains, during the millennium, will be holy and pure before the Lord. Notes 1. We have the benefit of hindsight and can see that God does exactly what He says He is going to do through His prophets: But my words and my statutes, which I commanded my servants the prophets, did they not take hold of your fathers? And they returned and said, Like as the Lord of hosts thought to do unto us, according to our ways, and according to our doings, so hath he dealt with us. (Zechariah 1:6) 2. The Lord sends angels to watch over the earth and to ensure God s will is done among the nations. War, famine, pestilence, death, victory and conquest are all tools they use: And the man that stood among the myrtle trees answered and said, these are they whom the Lord hath sent to walk to and fro through the earth. And they answered the angel of the Lord that stood among the myrtle trees, and said, We have walked to and fro through the earth, and, behold, all the earth sitteth still, and is at rest. (Zechariah 1: 10-11) I saw by night, and behold a man riding upon a red horse, and he stood among the myrtle trees that were in the bottom; and behind him were there red horses, speckled, and white. (Zechariah 1:8) And I turned, and lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and, behold, there came four chariots out from between two mountains; and the mountains were mountains of brass. In the first chariot were red horses; and in the second chariot black horses; and in the third chariot white horses; and in the fourth chariot grisled and bay horses. Then I answered and said unto the angel that talked with me, what are these, my lord? And the angel answered and said unto me, these are the four spirits of the heavens, which go forth from standing before the Lord of all the earth. (Zechariah 6: 1-7) 3. In the last days, Jerusalem will be built up and prosper exceedingly and God will be her protection: And said unto him, Run, speak to this young man, saying, Jerusalem shall be inhabited as towns without walls for

398 the multitude of men and cattle therein: For I, saith the Lord, will be unto her a wall of fire round about, and will be the glory in the midst of her. (Zechariah 2: 4-5) 4. The Lord will gather scattered Israel form the northern lands in the last days: Ho, ho, come forth, and flee from the land of the north, saith the Lord: for I have spread you abroad as the four winds of the heaven, saith the Lord. (Zechariah 2:6) Thus saith the Lord of hosts; Behold, I will save my people from the east country, and from the West Country; and I will bring them, and they shall dwell in the midst of Jerusalem: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God, in truth and in righteousness. (Zechariah 8: 7-8) 5. Israel is the apple of God s eye and her enemies will all be destroyed: For thus saith the Lord of hosts; After the glory hath he sent me unto the nations which spoiled you: for he that toucheth you toucheth the apple of his eye. For, behold, I will shake mine hand upon them, and they shall be a spoil to their servants: and ye shall know that the Lord of hosts hath sent me. (Zechariah 2: 8-9) 6. Many nations will worship God in the last days and God will reign personally on earth: And many nations shall be joined to the Lord in that day, and shall be my people: and I will dwell in the midst of thee, and thou shalt know that the Lord of hosts hath sent me unto thee. (Zechariah 2:11) 7. Satan accuses us of sin before the Father but Christ intercedes and gives us new garments of righteousness to replace our old filthy garments of sin. (Zechariah 3: 1-4) 8. The Lord accomplishes His work through His spirit and often not through His might: Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, this is the word of the Lord unto Zerubbabel, saying, not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts. (Zechariah 4:6) 9. Those who lie and steal will be cursed and their houses will be destroyed: Then said he unto me, This is the curse that goeth forth over the face of the whole earth: for every one that stealeth shall be cut off as on this side according to it; and every one that sweareth shall be cut off as on that side according to it. I will bring it forth, saith the Lord of hosts, and it shall enter into the house of the thief, and into the house of him that sweareth falsely by my name: and it shall remain in the midst of his house, and shall consume it with the timber thereof and the stones thereof. (Zechariah 5: 3-4) 10. Zechariah prophesies that the Messiah will build the temple and will rule upon His throne: 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: 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. (Zechariah 6: 12-13) 11. The Lord prefers righteous action to religious ritual: This is the Lord s response to the return exiles wondering about continuing their rituals developed in exile. Thus speaketh the Lord of hosts, saying, Execute true judgment, and shew mercy and compassions every man to his brother: And oppress not the

399 widow, nor the fatherless, the stranger, nor the poor; and let none of you imagine evil against his brother in your heart. (Zechariah 7: 9-10) 12. God uses nature and the earth to bless or curse His people: For the seed shall be prosperous; the vine shall give her fruit, and the ground shall give her increase, and the heavens shall give their dew; and I will cause the remnant of this people to possess all these things. (Zechariah 8:12) Haggai said the people would be cursed with drought and famine for their disobedience as well. 13. The Lord exhorts us to love peace and truth: therefore love the truth and peace. (Zechariah 8: 19) 14. In the last days, Jerusalem will be famous among the nations and many will come to worship and learn of God there. A Jew will be highly sought after to lead others to truth. Yea, many people and strong nations shall come to seek the Lord of hosts in Jerusalem, and to pray before the Lord. Thus saith the Lord of hosts; In those days it shall come to pass, that ten men shall take hold out of all languages of the nations, even shall take hold of the skirt of him that is a Jew, saying, We will go with you: for we have heard that God is with you. (Zechariah 8: 22-23) 15. When the judgments of God come, only the God fearing remnant remain: And I will take away his blood out of his mouth, and his abominations from between his teeth: but he that remaineth, even he, shall be for our God, and he shall be as a governor in Judah, and Ekron as a Jebusite. (Zechariah 9:7) 16. Zechariah prophesies of the Messiah riding into Jerusalem on a donkey: Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass. (Zechariah 9:9) 17. The Messiah will rescue the prisoners from hell where there are no saving ordinances through His blood: As for thee also, by the blood of thy covenant I have sent forth thy prisoners out of the pit wherein is no water. Turn you to the strong hold, ye prisoners of hope: even today do I declare that I will render double unto thee. (Zechariah 9:11-12) 18. We must trust in the Lord to bless our land and to control nature not idols or false prophets: Ask ye of the Lord rain in the time of the latter rain; so the Lord shall make bright clouds, and give them showers of rain, to everyone grass in the field. For the idols have spoken vanity, and the diviners have seen a lie, and have told false dreams; they comfort in vain: therefore they went their way as a flock, they were troubled, because there was no shepherd. (Zechariah 10: 1-2) 19. God will reunite Judah and Ephraim in the last days: And I will strengthen the house of Judah, and I will save the house of Joseph, and I will bring them again to place them; for I have mercy upon them: and they shall be as though I had not cast them off: for I am the Lord their God, and will hear them. (Zechariah 10:6) 20. Ephraim, which was scattered among the nations, will become mighty and turn back to God: And they of Ephraim shall be like a mighty man, and their heart shall rejoice as through wine: yea, their children shall see

400 it, and be glad; their heart shall rejoice in the Lord. I will hiss for them, and gather them; for I have redeemed them: and they shall increase as they have increased. And I will sow them among the people: and they shall remember me in far countries; and they shall live with their children, and turn again. (Zechariah 10: 7-9) 21. Ephraim will be taken from exile and restored to their lands in the Middle East: I will bring them again also out of the land of Egypt, and gather them out of Assyria; and I will bring them into the land of Gilead and Lebanon; and place shall not be found for them. (Zechariah 10:10) 22. Zechariah prophesies that the Messiah will be betrayed for 30 pieces of silver: And I said unto them, If ye think good, give me my price; and if not, forbear. So they weighed for my price thirty pieces of silver. And the Lord said unto me, Cast it unto the potter: a goodly price that I was prised at of them. And I took the thirty pieces of silver, and cast them to the potter in the house of the Lord. (Zechariah 11: 12-13) 23. God creates the Spirit of Man: The burden of the word of the Lord for Israel, saith the Lord, which stretcheth forth the heavens, and layeth the foundation of the earth, and formeth the spirit of man within him. (Zechariah 12:1) 24. Zechariah prophesies the destruction of all nations that fight against Jerusalem at the battle of Armageddon: And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem. (Zechariah 12: 6,9) 25. In the last days, the Jews will recognize that they crucified their Messiah and they will mourn for their sins: And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn. (Zechariah 10:12) 26. Zechariah prophesies that the Jews will see the wounds from the crucifixion and recognize that they slew their God: And one shall say unto him, what are these wounds in thine hands? Then he shall answer, those with which I was wounded in the house of my friends. (Zechariah 13:6) 27. At the battle of Armageddon, Christ will appears on the Mount of Olives and deliver His people and split the mountain in half. The sun will not set on that day and living waters will come forth from Jerusalem where Christ will reign over the entire earth. For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle; and the city shall be taken, and the houses rifled, and the women ravished; and half of the city shall go forth into captivity, and the residue of the people shall not be cut off from the city. Then shall the Lord go forth, and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle.

401 And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south And it shall come to pass in that day, that the light shall not be clear, nor dark: But it shall be one day which shall be known to the Lord, not day, nor night: but it shall come to pass, that at evening time it shall be light. And it shall be in that day, that living waters shall go out from Jerusalem; half of them toward the former sea, and half of them toward the hinder sea: in summer and in winter shall it be. And the Lord shall be king over all the earth: in that day shall there be one Lord, and his name one. (Zechariah 14: 2-9) 28. The Lord will destroy the enemies of Israel with a plague when He comes: And this shall be the plague wherewith the Lord will smite all the people that have fought against Jerusalem; Their flesh shall consume away while they stand upon their feet, and their eyes shall consume away in their holes, and their tongue shall consume away in their mouth. (Zechariah 14:12) 29. Those that do not come to worship the Lord will be smitten with drought and plague: 17 And it shall be, that whoso will not come up of all the families of the earth unto Jerusalem to worship the King, the Lord of hosts, even upon them shall be no rain. And if the family of Egypt go not up, and come not, that have no rain; there shall be the plague (Zechariah 14: 17-18) 30. Everything that remains in the Millennium will be holy and pure before the Lord: In that day shall there be upon the bells of the horses, Holiness unto the Lord; and the pots in the Lord s house shall be like the bowls before the altar. (Zechariah 14:20)

402 The Book of Malachi Setting: Malachi was a post-exilic prophet who lived during the time of Nehemiah around 400 BC. Story Summary Chapter 1: The Lord says He has favored Israel and blessed her above other nations, such as their cousins the Edomites. Malachi condemns Israel for not honoring God as their Father and Master and says that God will not accept their lame and sick offerings. Malachi prophesies that the name of the Lord will be great among the Gentiles and among the heathen. Chapter 2: Malachi prophesies that the Lord will curse Israel if they will not obey God. He condemns the priesthood bearers of the day for their corruption and partiality in judgment. Malachi reasons that we are all children of the same father and were all created by the same God. However he condemns Judah for being treacherous towards God and says she has once again been unfaithful and followed after other gods. Malachi then condemns the men of Israel for putting away their wives and looking for younger ones. He says the tears of their wives have come up to God and He will cut off the men that do this. The Lord condemns the Priesthood judges of the time who knew about this practice and did nothing to stop it. Chapter 3: Malachi prophesies that the Lord will send His messenger to prepare the way for the second coming and the Lord will suddenly come to His temple. When the Lord appears He will be like a refiner s fire that purges the unclean. He will cleanse the sons of Levi so that they will give righteous offerings to the Lord once again. When the Lord comes again He will destroy the sorcerers, adulterers, liars, oppressors and those who do not care for the needy. The Lord condemns those who do not keep His ordinances and exhorts them to return unto Him by paying proper tithes and offerings. Those who do not pay tithes rob God of what is rightfully His. The Lord challenges the people to pay tithing and observe the blessings. He says there won t be enough room to receive the blessings and the bounties of the earth will be ours. Malachi says that many are concluding that it is of no use to serve God for the wicked prosper in the short-term. However, Malachi says that God keeps a book of remembrance where all who serve Him will receive their reward at the appointed time when He returns. The wicked who seemed to prosper for a short season will not receive the same reward as the righteous. Chapter 4: Malachi prophesies that at the second coming of Christ, all the wicked will burn and be cut off from the House of the Lord. They will have neither root nor branch or they will be cut off from their ancestors and future posterity. However, those who fear God will receive healing. Malachi prophesies that the Lord will send