MORE Promises for the Journey Study SIXTEEN: The NEW Covenant Jeremiah and Ezekiel

MORE Promises for the Journey Study SIXTEEN: The NEW Covenant Jeremiah and Ezekiel I Day ONE: Introduction Read Jeremiah 30:1-3; 31:15-37; Ezekiel 36:8-31; John Each of the 12 Minor Prophets have revealed facts about God s promised Messiah from within his own particular historical and cultural context. Each led by the Holy Spirit, they tell about the promised seed who is yet to come to Israel s defense and deliverance. It is now good to remind ourselves how three Major Prophets - Jeremiah, Ezekiel and Daniel (whose book we studied) prophesy of Jerusalem s downfall, Judah s exile and the ultimate downfall of Gentile world powers at the same time they celebrate God s PROMISES! Daniel was taken with the Royal Princes to Babylon in 605 and lived in the context of a Gentile government. His prophecies showed the ultimate victory of the Son of Man! Ezekiel was taken to Babylon in 597 B.C. (final group) and prophesied to the exiles of the future State of Israel and how the Spirit of God would someday capture the hearts of the nation! In all three cases, in spite of Israel s apostasy, HOPE for the apostate nation of Israel is predicted and only realized in the person of the Christ. II Day TWO: The NEW Covenant PROMISES from Jeremiah Jeremiah, a priest from Anathoth was commanded not to marry and served as prophet to the Southern Kingdom under the reigns of Josiah, Jehoiakim, Jehoiachin and Zedekiah. From 640-586 B.C., Judah knew a period of storm and stress from the countries of Egypt, Assyria and Babylon. Josiah and Jeremiah were kindred spirits and enabled a reformation movement that ignited great trust in the Lord. Sadly, Josiah s sons hated Jeremiah and the words he prophesied. Jeremiah was never taken to Babylon but taken to Egypt with the Jerusalem Remnant. His prophecies bring hope by offering the NEW and Expanded Covenant Yahweh would bring. The middle section of his book speaks prophecies of judgment and comfort (Second Book: 25-45). Jeremiah, hated by good King Josiah s sons, wrote from Judah of the fall of Jerusalem. In the Book of Comfort, Jeremiah teaches us the heart of OT theology: he urged the remnant still in Jerusalem to remain, and God s righteous judgment would not destroy them. They refused, and taking Baruch and Jeremiah, they left for Egypt. Ezekiel, taken in 597 B.C. to Babylon, writes to the captives about God s broken heart over the violation of the Temple and the future promises of hope for Israel! Both tell of another unconditional Covenant: the NEW (Spirit) Covenant. 1. The judgment of God came on Israel because of their many sins (Jeremiah 7:1-28 the list includes apostasy as the children gather wood, the fathers kindle the fire and the women knead the dough to offer cakes to the queen of heaven as well as pouring out offerings to other gods!). The consequences of being cast out of the sight of the Lord (v. 15) could fill the Jewish heart with hopelessness. What amazing thing will God do as recorded in Jer. 30:1-3 about days that are coming? I will re the fortunes of my people, I and J...and bring them back that I gave to their fathers. 39

2. Chapters 30-34 carry a detailed list of blessings on the Jews as well as the Gentile nations. What does the Lord promise Israel and Judah through Jeremiah in 31:31-37? a. When will it happen? (v. 31a, 33a) b. What is it called? (v. 31b) c. Who is it made with? (v. 31c) d. How does it differ to the Mosaic Covenant? (v. 32) e. What will the LORD do after those days? (v. 33b, c) f. How will they relate to each other? (v. 34a) g. What is the best news of this Covenant? (v. 34b) BUMPS on the ROAD: In spite of Jeremiah s warnings and final call to King Zedekiah (ch. 52) to submission, the king refuses. God s prophecies of judgment through Jeremiah come true, as does the promise of a new day for God s people! What is the necessary promise to be kept to deal with the giant BUMP that plagued Israel mentioned in Jer. 51:60-64? How does Rev. 18:1-3 confirm this? MAPQUEST: How would Jeremiah s description of the New Covenant bring hope to those exiled to Babylon or taken to Egypt to still believe in the Lord s Word? What in Jeremiah s description of the New Covenant promises, reminds you of any Gospel truths? What truths give you hope in these days of uncertainty? III Day THREE: The SPIRIT Covenant: PROMISES from Ezekiel Living during a time of international upheaval, Ezekiel, another priest-prophet was brought to Babylon with the second group of exiles from Judah. Ezekiel was called by God to serve the exiles in Babylon, faithfully relaying to them the harsh words of God s judgment on Jerusalem and upon seven enemies of Israel. These words were followed by the consoling word of hope for dead bones: Israel would experience revival, restoration and have a glorious future because of God s Spirit-Covenant! 1. All of Ezekiel 36 describes the future restoration of Israel. How does Ez. 36:22-23 summarize the reason for Israel s demise? For what reason does the Lord promise hope and blessing to her? 2. Describe how the Lord says He will do this based on Ez. 36:24-32. Make note of the specific internal promises the Lord says He will do for His nation: a. V. 24 a & b I will b. V. 25 a & b I will c. V. 26 a & b I will d. V. 27 a & b I will 40

BUMPS on the ROAD: Daniel was taken with the Royal Princes to Babylon in 605 (first captivity), eight years earlier than Ezekiel. Unlike Ezekiel who lived among the exiles, Daniel rose to great power in a Gentile government. His prophecies showed the ultimate victory of the Son of Man over the Gentile nations. Why is it essential for the seed of the woman to crush the rulers of the world in real time? What bumps are obvious in our world today that only the Christ can solve? MAPQUEST: One of the important lessons from the Major Prophets is that God provides HOPE for His people. In Hebrews 11:1-3 the writer takes the time to go back to God s people of faith. What was at the heart of their HOPE according to these verses in spite of the terrible atrocities they suffered? (v. 32-40) In what ways have you come to HOPE in God through faith despite trials? IV Day FOUR: PREPARING for the Seed Even when things grew dark and the Kingdom of Judah was wiped out, the Holy Spirit is faithful to give us a glimpse of HOPE on how the Lord would carry out His plan to bring the seed. At this point, it is important to prepare our minds for the event that will silence God s deafening silence of 400 years. There are three prophecies/promises in the OT that describe the plan that will take place. Take the time to read what the nation of Israel should have recognized in the man called John the Baptist. Next week, we will look at God s man in detail; today, catch the picture of him and realize that all four Gospels refer to them. What should Israel know about the forerunner of Messiah? 1. Isaiah 40:1-8 (all four gospels refer to this: Mt. 3:1-3; Mk. 1:2; Lk. 3:4; Jn. 1:23) - What will he be like? 2. Malachi 3:1 (the last prophet writing the last OT book 420 B.C. Jesus Himself refers to this verse) - What purpose will his life serve? 3. Malachi 4:5-6 (Luke 1:17 repeats these last two verses in the OT; they also imply a distant future hope!) - Four hundred years of silence would intervene before this promise would be fulfilled. In which prophet s likeness will John finally come? BUMPS on the ROAD: The verses above are important in that they establish the connection between the OT and NT because John is a transitional figure between the two. He unites two ages together: the last of the OT type prophets and the first of the NT prophets. 41

MAPQUEST: Perhaps one of the most overlooked servants of God would be John the Baptist. In most references to him he is seen as serving the needs of others including those listening to him ( a voice to be heard, a messenger who serves and compared to Elijah in power). Filled with the Spirit from before birth, how does John s humility achieve the purposes of God as explained in James 4:5-6 and 1 Peter 5:5. How have you learned to live humbly among all types of people? What is so divisive and destructive about pride? V Day FIVE: Meditation and Memorization In preparation for next week s lesson, consider John the Apostle s description of John the Baptist and his place in history concerning Israel s promised seed of the woman! who will finally arrive on planet earth. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. John 1:6-10 Other passages worth considering: Jer. 9:23-24, 17:7-8. 42

MORE Promises for the JOURNEY Study SEVENTEEN: The Forerunner of the Seed I Day ONE: Introduction The Last OT Prophet Prepares the Way! The close of the OT canon left Israel in two great divisions. Most of the nation was dispersed throughout the Persian Empire, more as colonists than captives. And a remnant, chiefly of the tribe of Judah with Zerubbabel, a prince of the Davidic family, and some survivors of the priests and Levites, had returned to the land under Cyrus decree. The last two verses of the OT (Malachi 4:5-6) carry a poignant promise for God s people of all ages. It is concerned about a historical moment in the future when either Elijah or an Elijah-like figure would come prior to the day of the Lord. It is helpful to realize that the Jewish audience in Malachi s time would identify the promise that the coming of Elijah would signal the coming of Messiah in preparing the way for Messiah to come. They did not recognize there would be two times: first when Messiah came as Savior then when He will come as King and Judge.Therefore, Elijah was a very significant person in Israel s history. He turned the Israelites back to God at the time of dire apostasy when Ahab and Jezebel had made Baal worship the official religion of Israel. He restored the worship of Yahweh when it had almost passed out of existence. In the same way, Elijah will unite the hearts of the Jews to turn back and worship Yahweh. 1. How does Luke 1:8-23 interpret Malachi s prediction in Gabriel s first century news to godly Zechariah? BUMPS on the ROAD: The primary bump for Zechariah was the way he responded (or reacted!) to the heavenly messenger s news about his son! What is his problem and what should Zechariah have understood about this son of his? Before we judge Zechariah too harshly, mention any causes in your life that make you doubt God s Word? Why is doubting futile? MAPQUEST: Revelation 11:3-12 implies another time when Elijah s presence will be obvious on the earth. As one of the two witnesses sent by God at the mid-point in the tribulation, an Elijah-like figure (or Elijah) will do what Elijah did back during Ahab s time. For what future fulfillment event would this Elijah-like figure be preparing the way? II Day TWO: The LINEAGE, PARENTS and BIRTH of the Forerunner of the Seed 1. John's Lineage is given in Luke 1:1-7. Luke's gospel begins with John the Baptist, and specifically, his parents. 43

a. His father was a priest in the, of the course (rotation) of. We read in Chronicles that David had distributed the ministries and duties of the priesthood into twenty four rotations (1 Chr 24). Zacharias was of the lineage of Abijah, and Abijah's family had the eighth course among the rotations. Eight is the number in scripture that speaks of new beginnings. Here in Luke's gospel we see that God is about to bridge the four hundred years of silence and usher in a new beginning in dealing with His people. b. His mother, Elisabeth, was also a descendant of. So John represents the best of Israel under the law and the prophets. His lineage is impeccable. c. His parents were and before God as touching the law(1:6). Considering his lineage, and what he might have been, would it be fair to consider that he could have held a position of great honor among the Jews? How differently was his life contrasted to this? d. Like Abraham and Sarah before them, both John s parents were well on in years and Elisabeth was (1:7). In those days, for a man and wife to remain barren for so long meant others saw it as a (1:25) but bearing a son to carry on the family name was a high priority in patriarchal Judaism. Yet God brought blessing to these two concerning a special son! 2. Gabriel s Announcement: Luke 1:8-20 A unique announcement, the angel Gabriel appears to on the right side of the altar of incense (this altar speaks of worship and prayer). He tells him that Elisabeth will bear a son. Notice five important things in Gabriel s announcement: a. The Proclamation is given in v. 13 Elisabeth shall bear a ; call his name ; many shall rejoice. b. The Promise is: He shall be in the sight of the Lord c. The Prohibition is: He shall drink neither nor drink. d. The Provision: He shall be with the Holy Spirit even from his mother s. e. The Purpose: He shall turn many of the children of to the Lord their God. 3. John s Birth: Luke 1:57-79 Tell the story of John s birth and the details that surrounded the name he received. (Zechariah means Yahweh has remembered ; Elisabeth means Oath of God and John means God s mercy!) 4. Zachariah s Prayer: Luke 1:67-80 At what point does Zachariah receive his voice back? Comment on the things Zachariah pours forth in praise, being filled with the Holy Spirit. Notice how the meaning of their names appear in the prayer (vv. 72, 73 and 78). 44

BUMPS on the ROAD: How did Elisabeth feel about the fact she would never have a child? Gal. 4:4 could not be true unless the forerunner first appeared. Write out Gal. 4:4 to confirm in your mind the faithfulness of God and how His specific timing differed to this couples. Compare Lk.1:57 with Gal. 4:4 as you write it out. MAPQUEST: In what ways in your life have you noticed God s timing is different to yours? Have you had to wait for something from Him only to find out later that His timing was best? Tell us how you responded when you realized His timing. III Day THREE: The LIFESTYLE and MINISTRY of the Forerunner of the Seed: Luke 1:80 1. What is unique about John s food, clothing and place of living from v. 80, Matt. 3:1-6? 2. What is unique about John s ministry and preaching from Luke 3:1-22? 3. When the word of the Lord came to John (Luke 3:2) he began his public ministry. What did John say and do that prepared the people for the coming of the Christ? BUMPS on the ROAD: Though John should have been a great priest in Judaism, he spent his days in great humility (in barren and lifeless deserts) eating a simple diet (locusts and wild honey) getting prepared for the day he would fulfill his ministry as the forerunner to the PROMISED Messiah. What advantage would simplicity in habit and message of John be over a complex strategy? MAPQUEST: The message of repentance based on confession of sin is still the way someone can be saved today. Why is it essential for people to recognize their lost condition in order to be prepared to accept the salvation that Christ offers? What does it mean to repent and what difference should it make in our life when we do it? 45

IV Day FOUR: The EVALUATION of the Forerunner of the Seed It is essential to establish the connection between the OT and the NT. John the Baptist is the key help at this point because he is a transitional figure between the two! He is the last of the prophets and brings the two time periods of Israel together! It is a Fulfillment of Isaiah and Malachi s Servant/Messiah Prophecies. 1. All four Gospels refer to Isaiah 40:1-8 therefore, we know that this prophecy speaks of John (Mt 3:3; Mk 1:3; Lk 3:4; Jn 1:23). The of him that in the wilderness. 2. Matthew and Luke show that the Lord Jesus Himself refers to this verse, assuming it is John the Baptist. John the Baptist establishes the important connection between the OT and NT. He is a transitional figure between the two: uniting two ages together. He is the last of the prophets raised up under the old plan, and the one who prepared the way for the new. In Malachi 3:1 he is the L messenger. 3. Malachi was written around 420 BC, after the remnant of Israel returned from captivity in Babylon. In Malachi we see God deeply grieved by the spiritual condition of His remnant people: they had turned their hearts far from Him; the priesthood had become corrupted; they offered lame and polluted offerings; the tithes were forsaken; judgment and justice had fallen by the wayside. But in all this, He still loves His people (3:6) and will send his messenger in the and of Elijah (Mal. 4:5,-). V Day FIVE: Consider and Meditate on Jesus Words about His Forerunner Jesus has something rather striking to say about this last OT prophet, this distant half-cousin of His who prepared the way for Him to come to earth the first time. His words are recorded in Matthew 11:7-15 and in Luke 7:24-28. Matthew 11:9 he was more than a - the born among women. Why is this commendation from our Lord an amazing commendation? You may find the three passages to help you answer this: 1. From John 1:15, 30 John proclaimed the pre- of Christ. 2. From John 1:29 John proclaimed the ato work of Christ. 3. From John 1:34 John proclaimed the d of Christ. 4. From John 3:29, 30 John knew his part in God s plan and hu pointed men away from himself to the true LIGHT. From what you know of John the Baptist, why do you believe God permitted his life to end so tragically? From what you know of John the Baptist s heart, what is the most famous quote he spoke and why is it so very important? He must ; I must. May this be our prayer! 46

MORE Promises for the Journey Study EIGHTEEN: The SEED Arrives! I Day ONE: Introduction The Forerunner s PARENTS: a Remnant waiting for the Seed! Read: Luke 1 and 2 and other references. As God s seed promise/plan advances, it is good for us to rest briefly on the most amazing arrival of any baby born to humanity: the promised ONE whose coming and going is from eternity. We rushed ahead to see and hear the presentation of the forerunner, who in the spirit that continued the old covenant line of prophets, prepared the way for Messiah. Now we back up in time to look briefly at the main characters six including John the Baptist who welcomed into their lives the very seed promised in the OT. Despite the silence of 400 years, these people played a central part in bringing in/announcing what God had promised in the past and was now bringing into being as His new order (around 6 BC to about AD 6). The continuity of these promises serves as a bridge from the OT to NT. Using a Bible Dictionary or Handbook (or if you can Google a reliable Biblical resource), find out details on the following people. Consider each one s words as it relates to the fulfillment of the OT promises and their influence on them. What kind of people are these choice vessels? 1. Zechariah and Elisabeth Luke 1:5-25, 39-45, 57-80; Luke 3:1-22 and Matt. 14:1-12 (We looked at these minimally last week along with his son John!) Some statistics to remember of John the Baptist are: John s record in the four Gospels are 194 verses! (47 in Matthew; 28 in Mark; 85 in Luke and 34 in John) Another 7 allusions to John are included in the book of Acts. This indicates the significance and importance of the message and work of John. While only 30 verses actually record his words, of 18-20 verses, more than fifty are allusions to OT sayings. And these are specifically from Isaiah, Malachi and Jeremiah. As we saw, John s similarity to Elijah is evident in the abrupt way John appears on the scene (1 Kings 17:1 and Luke 1:80 demonstrate how they both just showed up in their ministry. We know nothing about Elijah until he appears in Ahab s court and BANG he starts preaching. We have no record of John after his birth to the moment he speaks to prepare the way. BANG, he shows up after being in the desert and starts preaching to Israel). John the Baptist inaugurates the good news of God s kingdom and launches, as it were, the days of the age to come (Heb. 6:5) or the last days (Heb. 1:1-2). What promises in Zechariah s prophecy do you recognize from OT writers in their prophecies about the Messiah? BUMPS on the ROAD: What primary bumps do you see John s parents facing as they bring up their son according to the will of God for him? (Remember, John was filled with the Spirit from the womb, called to take the Nazarite Vow, lived in the desert dressed in rough clothing eating simple fare, preached messages that offended the Jewish political and religious leaders, baptized the Son of God in the Jordan, and got his head cut off for confronting Herod about his immorality.) 47

MAPQUEST: How would you evaluate this blameless couple s son s life in terms of health, wealth, power, prestige and a long life? Some in the 21 st C might reason that the sin in their life might have caused the early death of their son. What is right/wrong with this way of thinking? II Day TWO: The CHOSEN Parents and the Chosen Seed 1. Mary and Joseph Luke 1:26-38, 46-56; 2:1-7, 15-21, 33 and Matthew 1:18-25, 2:1; Luke 2:39-52 As you read these old familiar verses, comment on Mary s understanding of God s promises (evident in her Magnificat), her knowledge of God s plan. a. How might Mary s visit to Elisabeth have strengthened Mary for God s task for her? (Luke 2:50-51) b. Faced with an impossible situation, how would you describe Joseph s response to God s new plan? You might want to comment on it as though you had read Joseph s journal reflecting his secret concerns and thoughts. c. What is evident in Joseph s life that will make him a good father of the Child? BUMPS on the ROAD: Have you had a time in your life when you met a friend or relative like Elisabeth whose life strengthened you to keep going? Share it with your group. What does Mary seem to do when she doesn t fully understand everything? What have you treasured in your heart of things you don t understand because they are too wonderful? (see Ps. 1-3) MAPQUEST: How do you believe both Mary and Joseph were prepared by their families to expect the Messiah and be prepared by God for this good work? Ephesians 2:4-10 celebrates the work of Mary s baby on our behalf. What are all of us as believers promised in v. 10? 48

III Day THREE: The Affirmation of God s PROMISES 1. Simeon and Anna: Luke We did not include the Jewish Shepherds as part of the prepared Remnant, though when they hear the angels and receive the first announcement of the seed of the woman they leave the hillside where they are caring for sheep and immediately go to Bethlehem. As well, they tell others what they had heard and saw as they leave the first sight of God s Son. a. Why is it strictly God s grace that the Shepherds hear first? The last of the Remnant couples are two people whose lives finished well even though they did not see the Lord Jesus grow to be a man. Their words to Mary and Joseph the day Jesus was brought to be circumcised and presented at the Temple is a reminder that even 400 years of silence will not keep the LORD from keeping His promises! b. What is so important about the connection Simeon has with Jesus? (Luke 2:23-35) c. What does Simeon confirm out loud when he holds Jesus up and blesses Him? (Luke 2:29-32) d. What strikes you as curious as Mary and Joseph respond to Simeon s words? (v. 33) What news is good and what is not-so-good that Simeon brought to Mary? (v. 29-32, 34-35 and John 19:23-27) e. What about Anna? To what had she given her whole life? What response does she make at the time the glory of God returns to the Temple? BUMPS on the ROAD: Three couples become the Frontispiece for a Waiting Remnant fixed on the promises of God. Each represent a different age group yet all looked for the Redeemer of Israel. Of the three, what do you believe were the greatest bumps each of the people faced? At what age do you believe the bumps on the road are most difficult for the true believer? Why/why not? MAPQUEST: Throughout Scripture, the journey of faith in the lives of the faithful is littered with moments of surprises. Yours may not be similar to those of these folks waiting for the Christ to come (a baby filling the barren space, a baby conceived without a man s help, hearts set on waiting for the Redeemer of Israel). Why not share something you have learned as the LORD supplied the keeping of His promise to you. Rejoice together. 49

IV Day FOUR: A Few Affirmations of the Coming of the Christ The story of the promised seed is not simply a story we pull out at Christmas. It is the culmination of prophecies made of redemption story. It is the fulfillment of a plan purposed by God for the atonement for His people and the purchase of people to belong to His only begotten Son. The following verses are random statements by different authors that tell us what the Spirit of God asked to be written about the Son of Abraham, Son of David. Enrich your soul with these verses and comment on any or all of them as they celebrate the arrival of our grand Redeemer. 1. Gal. 4:4 2. Heb. 1:1-3 3. 1 Peter 2:4-6 4. Colossians 1:13-16 V Day FIVE: Meditation and Memorization The coming of Christ is the center of history. The coming of Christ was the fulfillment of all the OT spoke of, the prophets prophesied and the remnant longed for. The coming of Christ did not occur in a secret place but in a public place where the poorest had access to and the richest brought of their wealth. As we celebrate Easter and the death, burial and resurrection of our precious Lord Jesus Christ, look back over the years (2000 from our count!) and comment on the importance of the Holy Spirit s Word in terms of the preparation of the race, the nation and the seed. Any favorite stories or promises you would like to share? For what are you expressly grateful to God for as you go back in time and then fast forward to the fulfillment? Thomas Watson celebrated the humility of the Lord Jesus as he was entrusted to earth by his Father in this way. Remind yourself of the restrictions He submitted to and comment on them after you read this quote by Watson. "That Christ should clothe Himself with our flesh, a piece of earth which we tread upon; oh infinite humility! Christ s taking our flesh was one of the lowest steps of His humiliation. He humbled Himself more in lying in the virgin s womb than in hanging on the cross. It was not so much for man to die, but for God to become man was the wonder of humility. He was made in the likeness of men (Phil. 2:7). (A Body of Divinity, p 196) 50

MORE Promises on the Journey Study NINETEEN: The SEED of the NEW Covenant I Day ONE: Introduction We have come to the climax of history in the world of time and space! The ONE promised by Yahweh in Genesis 3:15 has come and gone and for two thousand years, believers like us have rejoiced that the seed of the woman is no ordinary son of Adam. He is the very ONE who fulfilled everything the prophets wrote of Him. He is the very son of God who by word and deed, affirmed everything He did pleased the Father. And every book in the NT, celebrates the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, the One chosen and sent by God to be the Messiah. II Day TWO: The FINAL Word: God has SPOKEN in these LAST DAYS: Hebrews 1:1-4 In order to understand how wonderful the Mediator of the New Covenant is and why we ultimately are catapulted into a new and living way of life, the first of three central passages catch our attention. Hebrews 1 is written to Jewish believers two years (68 A.D.) before the temple is destroyed. This unknown Hebrew author likely from a Levitical family in glorious words, describes the crowning glory of God s REVELATION: the ONE, promised has come! As you read the following introductory verses of Hebrews 1, comment on a few things: 1. Who does the writer consider important to mention to these Jewish readers as those over whom God s Son is superior? 2. Why must the SON who is the seed of the woman be the FINAL WORD of God s revelation for these last days? Hebrews 1:1-4 1 Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. 3 He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, 4 having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs. BUMPS on the ROAD: Over the last two thousand years, false prophets have claimed to be the final word on God s revelation. How does Paul s warning in Gal. 1:6-9 confirm Christ alone as God s final revelation to man? How did the elect angels relate to the Son after the temptation in Mt. 4? See v. 11. In what way do the the elect angels relate to believers? (Heb. 1:14) 51

MAPQUEST: What characteristics of God s Son qualify Him to be the ONE and ONLY victor over sin and Satan? How does this transform the way you view the relationship you have with His Son? III Day THREE: The ETERNAL Son is the HUMAN Seed: John 1:1-15 The second reminder of the NATURE of the seed of the woman is found in a familiar passage: John 1:1-15. It introduces the Gospel by John written to believers near the end of the first century (around 85 A.D.) It was a defense of the Deity of Christ who is referred to here as the Word and the Light. 1. Comment on the way John celebrates the deity of this One who is the Word and the Light. 2. Comment on the way John explains the situation the occurred because of the humanity of this eternal Word. John 1:1-5; 9-14 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. 9 The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. 11 He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. 12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. BUMPS on the ROAD: The union of God and man in this one person called Jesus was not something accepted by the nation of Israel (1:11). Nor was it quickly believed by Jesus family nor easily understood by Jesus own disciples! (1:12) Think about your own salvation by Christ Jesus. For what reason do you understand it is essential that Jesus HAD to be God in order to be our Savior? MAPQUEST: In a world where most people, even some who call themselves Evangelical would say all ways lead to heaven, why can that not be true? Based on v. 12-13, how does a person receive Christ? 52

IV Day FOUR: The High PRIESTLY Prayer of the seed of the woman : John 17 The final passage in this study that confirms the identity and work of the seed of the woman is also found in the Gospel by John. At the close of the Upper Room discourse prior to His Jesus High Priestly prayer in John 17 that captures the culmination of His coming, His death, His resurrection and final glorification. It describes the reason the Father is pleased with Him as well as serves as the central principle for the New Covenant. It is based on these facts that ALL of God s promises are kept and from which ALL our eternal benefits are derived! 1. Listen to the High Priestly prayer of our Lord Jesus in John 17. What is compelling about the personal and deeply caring words in His prayer? (Remember, John s purpose is to remind us about the right our Savior has to speak about to the Father on our behalf.) Notice what our Lord revealed of the Father to His disciples as well some of the main things He prays for. What in this prayer stirs your heart to love the seed of the woman who will begin the journey to crush the serpent s head? John 17 When Jesus had spoken these words, he lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you, 2 since you have given him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. 3 And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. 4 I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do. 5 And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed. 6 I have manifested your name to the people whom you gave me out of the world. Yours they were, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. 7 Now they know that everything that you have given me is from you. 8 For I have given them the words that you gave me, and they have received them and have come to know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me. 9 I am praying for them. I am not praying for the world but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours. 10 All mine are yours, and yours are mine, and I am glorified in them. 11 And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one. 12 While I was with them, I kept them in your name, which you have given me. I have guarded them, and not one of them has been lost except the son of destruction, that the Scripture might be fulfilled. 13 But now I am coming to you, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have my joy fulfilled in themselves. 14 I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 15 I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 17 Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. 18 As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. 19 And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth. 20 I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, 21 that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, 23 I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me. 24 Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world. 25 O righteous Father, even though the world does not know you, I know you, and these know that you have sent me. 26 I made known to them your name, and I will continue to make it known, that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them. 53

BUMPS on the ROAD: What does this prayer of the Lord Jesus teach you about bumps that He knows will come? What is wonderful about knowing the Lord Jesus Christ prays for you? MAPQUEST: We will look more deeply at the whole topic of the Priesthood in the New Covenant in the next few studies. For now, consider how Christ s prayer may help you in your prayer life? V Day FIVE: Meditation and Memorization Rejoice as you conclude your reading. The passages above establish the basis on which God s only begotten Son is our Savior and the Mediator of the New Covenant. See how Heb. 2:14-16 confirms what only the God-Man could do: Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery! For surely it is not angels that he helps, but he helps the offspring of Abraham! 54