Tag: bsf exile & return lesson 17

photo of Zechariah 1:1-6 as God calls Zechariah to prophesy to the exiles in Jerusalem from bsf exile and return study www.atozmomm.com

BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 17, Day 5: Zechariah 1:6

by atozmom, posted in BSF Exile & Return: A Time to Build 2025/2026

Summary of Zechariah 1:6

“But did not my words and my decrees, which I commanded my servants the prophets, overtake your ancestors?

“Then they repented and said, ‘The Lord Almighty has done to us what our ways and practices deserve, just as he determined to do.’”

BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 17 Day 5: Zechariah 1:6

9) I would say immediately. Their confession acknowledges that God is just and reliable. They admit the exile was not random misfortune, but the precise fulfillment of God’s purpose, executed exactly as their ancestors’ deeds deserved.

10a) The dictionary defines repent as “to feel such sorrow for sin… as to be disposed to change one’s life.” Biblically, however, it goes deeper than mere regret. It is a decisive “u-turn”—changing one’s mind (metanoia) and behavior to turn away from disobedience and walk in agreement with God.

b)

Psalm 32:1-5: When you confess your sins, God forgives you and cleanses you because of the blood of Jesus. Repentance is the pathway from the crushing misery of hidden guilt to the liberating joy of divine forgiveness through the simple act of honest confession.

Romans 2:4: God’s kindness is intended to lead us to repentance. True repentance is not a forced reaction to fear, but a grateful response to God’s kindness, which is designed to gently lead us back to Him.

1 John 1:8-9: If we confess our sin, we are forgiven and purified from all unrighteousness. Repentance replaces the self-deception of denial with honest confession, assuring us that our forgiveness rests not on our own perfection, but on God’s faithful character to cleanse us completely

11) So many ways. I can move on from my sins and not let the weight of them drag me down. I can learn from my past and do better, walking in the ways of God and Jesus.

People experience repentance as the lifting of a crushing weight. It replaces the anxiety of guilt with the peace of forgiveness. It removes the barrier between the soul and God, restoring intimacy and providing the freedom to break destructive cycles and begin again with a clean conscience.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 17, Day 5: Zechariah 1:6

I love how repenting is so freeing. God is so, so good.

End Notes BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 17, Day 5: Zechariah 1:6

END NOTES SUMMARIZED

This verse provides the definitive answer to the questions posed in verse 5, establishing the invincibility of God’s Word.

  • The Relentless Pursuit: The text personifies God’s words and statutes as a hunter. While the ancestors tried to outrun God’s warnings, the consequences eventually “overtook” (nasag – caught up with) them. Time does not erase truth.

  • The Vindication of God: The ancestors are quoted admitting that God was fair. They realized their suffering was not random bad luck, but the exact fulfillment of what God “purposed to do.”

  • The Law of Harvest: The phrase “according to our ways and deeds” confirms that God’s judgment was not arbitrary; it was a direct, measured response to their specific behavior.

Conclusion

You can ignore God’s Word, but you cannot escape it. Reality will eventually align with Scripture; we can either humble ourselves and agree with God now (in repentance), or be forced to agree with Him later (in judgment), but ultimately, God is proven right.

Great Gifts (Leftover Edition)!

https://amzn.to/3MhB1sG

https://amzn.to/43QouCK

https://amzn.to/3LXAmwz

https://amzn.to/43Jh3gz

https://amzn.to/4p5NHSk

https://amzn.to/4oS6PTz

*As an Amazon associate, I earn from qualifying purchases

Contact me today!

photo of Zechariah 1:1-6 as God calls Zechariah to prophesy to the exiles in Jerusalem from bsf exile and return study www.atozmomm.com

BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 17, Day 4: Zechariah 1:4-5

by atozmom, posted in BSF Exile & Return: A Time to Build 2025/2026

Summary of Zechariah 1:4-5

“Do not be like your ancestors, to whom the earlier prophets proclaimed: This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘Turn from your evil ways and your evil practices.’ But they would not listen or pay attention to me, declares the Lord. 5 Where are your ancestors now? And the prophets, do they live forever?”

BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 17 Day 4: Zechariah 1:4-5

7a) Don’t be like your ancestors. Turn from your evil ways and practices.

b) To remember what it was like in exile. They remembered that their ancestors died in captivity, proving sin has deadly consequences. They realized that while the prophets were gone, their warnings had come true. This forced them to admit that humans are temporary, but God’s Word is eternal and inevitably overtakes those who ignore it.

8a) Because if you don’t learn from history, you’ll repeat the mistakes of the past. Reflecting on history exposes the undeniable link between actions and consequences. It prevents repeating past failures by showing that while generations pass, truth remains constant. We gain wisdom from our ancestors’ errors, allowing us to choose obedience today rather than suffering the same regrets.

b) I think people can get too caught up in the guilt of it all, when they need to let it go, learn from it, and move forward. Past failures can create a prison of fear, convincing people that history inevitably repeats itself. Shame paralyzes them, making them feel defined by old wounds rather than future potential. This mindset blocks hope, causing them to surrender to cynicism instead of trusting God for a new beginning.

A healthy response acknowledges past failures without being defined by them. It involves honest confession and learning from mistakes, then accepting God’s grace to break the cycle. We use history as a guide, not a shackle, trusting that repentance opens the door to a new, redeemed future.

c) I have seen His faithfulness in all that I do, how He helps and guides me, and this helps me to trust Him as I move forward in life.

We learn that we are fragile and prone to wandering, highlighting our deep need for grace. Conversely, the past reveals God as the faithful constant. We see that while we change, He remains patient and sovereign, proving that His mercy is greater than our mistakes and His plan outlasts our failures.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 17, Day 4: Zechariah 1:4-5

Great lessons about learning from your past and using history to trust in God. So good!

End Notes BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 17, Day 4: Zechariah 1:4-5

It’s important to learn from your ancestors the mistakes they made so that you do not repeat them.

END NOTES SUMMARIZED

These verses act as a stern reality check regarding the consequences of ignoring God.

  • De-romanticizing the Past: Zechariah warns the people not to idealize their heritage. Their “fathers” (ancestors) had the same opportunity to repent when the “former prophets” (like Jeremiah and Isaiah) preached, but they stubbornly refused. Tradition is not an excuse for disobedience.

  • The Argument from Mortality: Verse 5 asks two haunting rhetorical questions: “Your fathers, where are they? And the prophets, do they live forever?” Zechariah is forcing them to look at the graveyards.

    • The ancestors are dead (many in exile), proving they could not outrun God’s judgment.

    • The prophets are dead, proving that the opportunity to hear God’s word through a specific messenger is limited.

Conclusion

Humanity is transient, but accountability is permanent. You cannot wait out God; the messengers will eventually pass away, and the stubborn will eventually die, but the window to repent is open now.

Great Gifts (Leftover Edition)!

https://amzn.to/3MhB1sG

https://amzn.to/43QouCK

https://amzn.to/3LXAmwz

https://amzn.to/43Jh3gz

https://amzn.to/4p5NHSk

https://amzn.to/4oS6PTz

*As an Amazon associate, I earn from qualifying purchases

Contact me today!

photo of Zechariah 1:1-6 as God calls Zechariah to prophesy to the exiles in Jerusalem from bsf exile and return study www.atozmomm.com

BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 17, Day 3: Zechariah 1:2-3

by atozmom, posted in BSF Exile & Return: A Time to Build 2025/2026

Summary of Zechariah 1:2-3

“The Lord was very angry with your ancestors. 3 Therefore, tell the people: This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘Return to me,’ declares the Lord Almighty, ‘and I will return to you,’ says the Lord Almighty.

BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 17 Day 3: Zechariah 1:2-3

5a) That God gets angry. It reveals God as consistently just and faithful. By citing His anger at their ancestors, He proves He is not indifferent to evil and keeps His word. He addresses the past honestly, showing He takes the covenant seriously. This establishes that His mercy is a deliberate choice, not an oversight of sin.

b) God is slow to anger; whereas, humans are quick to anger. God is a jealous God. God offers judgment. Human anger is often impulsive, selfish, and uncontrolled, driven by wounded pride. God’s anger is a deliberate, righteous reaction to evil. It is always just, measured, and constructive. Unlike human rage, God’s anger is never a loss of control but a necessary defense of holiness and justice.

c) Through the blood of Jesus Christ.

6a) ‘Return to me,’ declares the Lord Almighty, ‘and I will return to you,’ says the Lord Almighty.

b) God loves us infinitely. He is our strength from the devil and temptation. If we humble ourselves before the Lord, He will lift us up. It reveals God as redemptive and responsive. He takes the initiative to invite sinners back, proving He desires relationship over judgment. His promise to “return to you” (Zechariah 1:3) or “draw near” (James 4:8) shows that He is not distant; He is waiting to embrace anyone who humbly turns to Him.

c) He calls me to be close to Him and be more like Jesus. Through blessing me every day. Through challenges that make me rely on Him. Through prayer, faith, Bible study, and others. He calls me every day.

God calls people through the initiative of His Word and the internal conviction of the Holy Spirit. He uses Scripture, human messengers, and sometimes difficult circumstances to awaken a spiritual need. His call is an invitation to relationship, promising that if they humbly turn to Him, He will meet them there.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 17, Day 3: Zechariah 1:2-3

Great message of God’s great love for His people that He will never quit calling us to Him.

End Notes BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 17, Day 3: Zechariah 1:2-3

This is a reminder that God was angry with the Jews’ ancestors, and they were banished. The same can happen to them, too.

God promises the people He is close, but they must choose to return to Him.

Remember, we are the ones who have moved away from God, not the other way around. James 4:8

END NOTES SUMMARIZED

These verses establish the ground rules for the post-exilic relationship between God and Israel, pivoted on acknowledgment and action.

  • Validation of History: God bluntly validates the trauma of the exile: “The Lord was very angry with your fathers.” He does not sugarcoat the past; the destruction of Jerusalem was a righteous judgment on previous generations.

  • The Invitation: The core message is a conditional promise of reciprocity: “Return to me… and I will return to you.” The Hebrew word for “return” (shuv) implies a literal change of direction, not just a feeling.

  • Urgency: The title “Lord of Hosts” (God of Armies) is repeated three times in one sentence, emphasizing that this is a supreme command, not a casual suggestion.

Conclusion

God is not holding a grudge over the past, nor is He distant; He is responsive. The restoration of His presence is guaranteed, but it waits upon the people’s initiative to move toward Him first.

Great Gifts (Leftover Edition)!

https://amzn.to/3MhB1sG

https://amzn.to/43QouCK

https://amzn.to/3LXAmwz

https://amzn.to/43Jh3gz

https://amzn.to/4p5NHSk

https://amzn.to/4oS6PTz

*As an Amazon associate, I earn from qualifying purchases

Contact me today!

photo of Zechariah 1:1-6 as God calls Zechariah to prophesy to the exiles in Jerusalem from bsf exile and return study www.atozmomm.com

BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 17, Day 2: Zechariah 1:1

by atozmom, posted in BSF Exile & Return: A Time to Build 2025/2026

Summary of Zechariah 1:1

“In the eighth month of the second year of Darius, the word of the Lord came to the prophet Zechariah son of Berekiah, the son of Iddo”

BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 17 Day 2: Zechariah 1:1

3a) Zechariah was a prophet of the Lord who was called to prophesy to the people. His grandfather was a priest who returned with Zerubbabel, son of Shealtiel, and with Joshua to Jerusalem, who was the head of a priestly family.

b) The timing of Zechariah’s prophecy sets it two months after Haggai’s first prophecy (Haggai 1:1) and within a month after another prophecy of Haggai (Haggai 2:1). This was between October and November of 520 B.C.

4a) Zechariah and Haggai were trying to get the people to rebuild the temple of the Lord. Jerusalem was paralyzed by fear and apathy. Temple construction had ceased for 14 years due to political enemies. The people prioritized their own luxury homes while God’s house lay in ruins, causing severe economic hardship. The prophets Haggai and Zechariah arrived to shatter this stagnation and spark immediate action.

b) That He cares about them and loves them infinitely. It reveals a relentless desire to dwell with His people. God refuses to abandon them to apathy or fear. By initiating contact, He shows that He remembers His covenant and values their relationship above their failures, actively intervening to restore their hope, purpose, and future glory.

c) He has guided me in the right direction and corrected me, too, if I misstepped. He always has the answers if we pray and listen and take the step we believe is right.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 17, Day 2: Zechariah 1:1

Wouldn’t it be cool if God called us now like He did in OT times? I am grateful for the Holy Spirit’s guidance, but to have God’s direct words from others must have been something to behold!

End Notes BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 17, Day 2: Zechariah 1:1

Zechariah is a prophet who lived at the same time as Haggai. He encouraged the Israelites to return to God and rebuild the temple. He wanted the Israelites’ spirits to renew and harken for God.

Zechariah means “Jehovah remembers.”

This is after the people have returned to Jerusalem from exile in Babylon. Note that there is no king of Judah or Israel at this time. Darius sits on the throne of Persia.

Be on the lookout for pictures and symbols that Zechariah is fond of using.

Fun Fact: There are at least 27 different Zechariahs mentioned in the Bible.

Zechariah encouraged the people by telling them how much God cares for them and wants to use them for His purposes.

It’s interesting to note that Jesus mentioned Zechariah in Matthew 23:35

Fun Fact: Zechariah refers to Jesus more than any other Old Testament prophet except for Isaiah.

END NOTES SUMMARIZED

Zechariah 1:1 serves as the historical and theological anchor for the entire book.

  • Historical Reality: By dating the prophecy to the “second year of Darius” (approx. Oct/Nov 520 BC), the text acknowledges that Israel is currently under foreign (Persian) domination, not a sovereign kingdom. It places the message two months after Haggai began preaching, creating a united front for spiritual renewal.

  • Thematic Hope: The prophet’s name, Zechariah, means “Yahweh remembers.” His lineage (son of Berechiah) implies “Yahweh blesses.” This immediately counters the people’s fear that God had forgotten them in their post-exile struggle.

  • Divine Authority: The phrase “the word of the LORD came” validates that this is a direct revelation from God, not merely social commentary or human wisdom.

Conclusion

God is sovereign over human calendars and foreign kings; even in times of political weakness and delay, He remembers His covenant and intervenes in history at the exact right moment.

Great Gifts (Leftover Edition)!

https://amzn.to/3MhB1sG

https://amzn.to/43QouCK

https://amzn.to/3LXAmwz

https://amzn.to/43Jh3gz

https://amzn.to/4p5NHSk

https://amzn.to/4oS6PTz

*As an Amazon associate, I earn from qualifying purchases

Contact me today!