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BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 7, Day 5: John 5:40-47

by atozmom, posted in BSF John's Gospel: The Truth 2023/2024

SUMMARY OF JOHN 5:40-47

The religious leaders refused to come to Jesus. They do not have the love of God in their hearts. They accept and seek glory form other, but they don’t seek the glory that comes from God.

Moses is their accuser. They don’t believe Moses because Moses wrote about Jesus and they don’t believe him.

BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 7, Day 5: John 5:40-47

13a) The religious leaders could have believed in Jesus. But it was by choice that they would not come to him. They did not have the love of God in their hearts (aka they were unbelievers).

b) For them to accept Jesus into their hearts.

14) We need to believe in Jesus and have God in our hearts. It’s a choice.

15) Because God and Jesus are the same. They are inextricably intertwined as part of the Trinity. If you reject one, you reject both.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 7, Day 5: John 5:40-47

I love the emphasis on free will. Belief is a choice.

End Notes BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 7, Day 5: John 5:40-47

The religious leaders did not believe all of the overwhelming testimonies before them (John the Baptist, his works, Scripture, and God), so they would not believe Jesus’ word either.

They did not love or honor God.

If another comes (the Anti-Christ), they would embrace him instead.

The religious leaders cared only about honor from others. Their pride got in the way.

Moses wrote about Jesus (Deuteronomy 18:15), and the leaders still rejected him when he came. Therefore, the religious leaders don’t believe Moses, either.

The testimony was overwhelming, and the religious leaders still did not believe. Very sad, indeed.

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BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 3, Day 2: John 2:1-12

by atozmom, posted in BSF John's Gospel: The Truth 2023/2024

Summary of John 2:1-12

Jesus attends a wedding with his mother and disciples in Galilee. When they run out of wine, Mary asks Jesus to help. Jesus turns water into wine for the wedding banquet. It was choice wine.

This is the first of many signs that Jesus performed that revealed his glory and who he was. Jesus then traveled to Capernaum.

BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 3, Day 2: John 2:1-12

3a) They ran out of wine for the wedding banquet. This is an embarrassment and could bring shame upon the couple. Hospitality was huge back in ancient times, and failing to provide your guests with adequate drink was a major faux pas.

b) I think Mary was asking Jesus for a solution, not necessarily a miracle. We see this when she tells her servants to do whatever Jesus tells them to do. She responds with obedience.

c) If you approach Jesus with the expectation he will do what you want, you can expect a poor response. If  you approach Jesus with an open heart and looking for help, you can expect him to answer in his way.

d) Jesus is hesitant to reveal himself yet to the masses, but he does so.

4) Miracles but also answering people’s requests with an active answer.

5a) Jesus did something only the Messiah could do.

b) It shows me that not only is anything possible with God, but anything is possible when you have an open heart and mind.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 3, Day 2: John 2:1-12

I love this miracle! It solves a basic human need (drink) and helps avoid an embarrassing situation (shows Jesus’ compassion), and it’s done in an unpresumptuous way.

End Notes BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 3, Day 2: John 2:1-12

The 3rd day refers to the continuation of John’s telling of events: the beginning (John 1:19-28), Day 1: (John 1:29-34), Day 2: (John 1:35-42), Day 3: (John 1:43-51)

Jesus blesses weddings (he does this as we see by attending them). He blesses events in our lives when we invite him in.

It is presumed that Joseph died young since he is not mentioned here. Many Bible scholars believe Jesus took care of the family until they were of age. This is why he stayed in Nazareth and left when they were all cared for.

Mary probably approaches Jesus as the head of the household who is used to solving problems. It’s no different today from going to your family members to solve problems.

By calling Mary “woman,” Jesus is distancing himself since he is now in the public eye.

Fun Fact: Many only appears in the Gospel of John one more time — at the cross (John 19:26)

When Jesus spoke of “his hour,” he meant the cross.

Jesus most likely prayed before performing this miracle and did not do it just to please Mary.

Note that not very many words of Mary’s are recorded in the Bible. Those that are point to Jesus as Sovereign. As we see here, you are to do whatever he tells you to do.

Jesus used the existing water pots, allowing the servants who filled them to share in his miracle.

The pots were filled to the brim; a transformation was coming, not an additive to the water.

They took out the water in faith that was now wine.

Whether the wine was transformed in the pot or at the pouring, we do not know. There was extra, which the couple could have sold for more money for a start in life.

This is the FIRST of SEVEN signs recorded in John’s Gospel, each designed to bring the reader to faith in Jesus.

Jesus’ 7 Signs in the Gospel of John

  1. John 2:1-11 – Water into wine
  2. John 4:46-54 – Healing of the nobleman’s son
  3. John 5:1-15 – Healing at the pool of Bethesda
  4. John 6:1-14 – Feeding the 5,000
  5. John 6:15-21 – Jesus walks on water
  6. John 9:1-12 – Healing of the man born blind
  7. John 11:1-44 – Lazarus raised from the dead

Fun Fact: The Greek word for “signs” is used 74 times in the New Testament, 23 times in John’s Gospel.

Note the hint of the 3rd day of glory as this miracle happened on the 3rd day.

The disciples believed in Jesus more after the miracle, which was probably a motivation for Jesus performing it — to strengthen their faith.

We believe more in the Lord when He does great things for us, too!

Mary expects great things and lets Jesus do it his way. Great example!

map of Galilee in times of Jesus www.atozmomm.comCapernaum was on the shore of the Sea of Galilee. Jesus spends a lot of time here during his ministry. (Matthew 4:13).

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BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 25, Day 3: Select Passages From Jeremiah

by atozmom, posted in BSF People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided 2022/2023

BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 25, Day 3: Select Passages From Jeremiah

7)

Jeremiah 2:5-6; 3:19-20: God’s people followed worthless idols and therefore became worthless themselves. They no longer sought the Lord. Instead, the people were unfaithful even when God gave them everything.

Jeremiah 4:6; 6:1: God is bringing destruction from the north.

Jeremiah 10:17-18: God will bring distress on His people. They will be captured and forced to leave the land.

Jeremiah 25:8-14: I will summon all the peoples of the north and my servant Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon,” declares the Lord, “and I will bring them against this land and its inhabitants and against all the surrounding nations. I will completely destroy[a] them and make them an object of horror and scorn, and an everlasting ruin. 10 I will banish from them the sounds of joy and gladness, the voices of bride and bridegroom, the sound of millstones and the light of the lamp. 11 This whole country will become a desolate wasteland, and these nations will serve the king of Babylon seventy years.

12 “But when the seventy years are fulfilled, I will punish the king of Babylon and his nation, the land of the Babylonians,[b] for their guilt,” declares the Lord, “and will make it desolate forever. 13 I will bring on that land all the things I have spoken against it, all that are written in this book and prophesied by Jeremiah against all the nations. 14 They themselves will be enslaved by many nations and great kings; I will repay them according to their deeds and the work of their hands.”

8a)

Jeremiah 4:19-21: Jeremiah is distraught, in anguish. He must speak.

Jeremiah 9:1: Jeremiah cries for his people.

Jeremiah 10:23-25: Jeremiah pleads for God’s people. He asks God to pour out His wrath on other nations that do not acknowledge Him.

Jeremiah 15:16-18a: Jeremiah loved God’s word. He sat alone sometimes becuase of his obedience to God. Jeremiah was angry at being the bearer of bad news. He was in pain and did not know when it would end. He wondered about God’s goodness and power.

b) It bothers me, but it’s impossible to linger on or you will be like Jeremiah and let it consume you. I pray about it, and let God do the rest.

c) Lord, let me see those who need you and your Son, Jesus Christ. Let me pray over them to find you and to be open to you. Let me see what you see. Let me help who you want me to help. Let me be more like you. In Jesus’s name, Amen.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 25, Day 3: Select Passages From Jeremiah

I can’t imagine the burden that Jeremiah felt with his calling in life. To be the bearer of bad news, the one no one likes and the one everyone hates is tough. It was definitely by the will of God, that’s for sure.

End Notes BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 25, Day 3: Select Passages From Jeremiah

God’s people are so ungrateful for what He has done for them that they dismiss Him. This has to pull at God’s heart.

Therefore, God will bring judgment.

Jeremiah is grieved for his people. He pleads with God for mercy and to judge the Babylonians for their evil, too.

Jeremiah feels alone sometimes because of his obedience, calling from God, and faithfulness to God. How many of us feel that way, too?

Jeremiah points out the people’s sins, tells them judgment is coming and to repent, and gives them hope.

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BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 22, Day 3: Genesis 3:19; Job 5:7; and Psalm 109:21-22 & Others

by atozmom, posted in BSF People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided 2022/2023

SUMMARY OF GENESIS 3:19; JOB 5:7 & PSALM 109:21-22

Genesis 3:19: “By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground, since from it you were taken; for dust you are and to dust you will return.”

Job 5:7: “Yet man is born to trouble as surely as sparks fly upward.”

Psalm 109:21-22: “But you, Sovereign Lord, help me for your name’s sake; out of the goodness of your love, deliver me. For I am poor and needy, and my heart is wounded within me.”

BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 22, Day 3: Genesis 3:19; Job 5:7; and Psalm 109:21-22 & Others

6a) Since the Fall, humans have and will suffer as part of the Fallen condition. Yet, the glory that awaits us makes our sufferings pale in comparison.

b) Human suffering tests us and strengths us. It also grows us closer to God. It can also be the work of Satan or of God who wishes for others to see his work through others’ pain and suffering.

c) That God’s ways are not our ways. He is higher than us, and He has a purpose for pain and suffering that most of the time we do not understand why. Our lot is to walk the path He has laid out for us, whether we like it or not.

7) God does all things. He is in control. Yet, He is with us and will strengthen us. God keeps us humble.

8 ) Our troubles achieve for us eternal glory, and we are being renewed in God each and every day. We will once again reign with God in Eden. When life is tough, we know that there is much more beyond this world, so we can persevere and endure, waiting on God’s timing.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 22, Day 3: Genesis 3:19; Job 5:7; and Psalm 109:21-22 & Others

I love how there’s always a purpose in our suffering, even when we can’t see it. We just have to trust that God has it.

End Notes BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 22, Day 3: Genesis 3:19; Job 5:7; and Psalm 109:21-22 & Others

Trouble comes to us as a judgment from God. Since all men sin, they deserve the trouble that befalls them.

Jesus bore these sins for us as our Redeemer.

The plain fact of the matter is that no one knows why we suffer because God’s ways are not our ways. He knows why we suffer, and it’s up to us to discover the purpose in our suffering and to rely wholeheartedly on Him in the midst of it.

It’s an on-going challenge to resist sin; yet, it’s an opportunity to experience God’s strength

Suffering can be as discipline, from Satan coming against us, or from living in a fallen world. It’s how you respond that matters most.

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BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 17, Day 3: 2 Kings 22:1-23; 20; 2 Chronicles 34

by atozmom, posted in BSF People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided 2022/2023

SUMMARY OF 2 KINGS 22:1-23; 20; 2 CHRONICLES 34

2 Kings 22:

Josiah was eight years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem thirty-one years. He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord. The book of the Law was found in the temple. Josiah tore his robes when he read the book because he knew none of the other kings had followed it.

The Lord responded by saying He would bring disaster on this place and its people, according to everything written in the book the king of Judah has read. 17 “Because they have forsaken me and burned incense to other gods and aroused my anger by all the idols their hands have made,[a] my anger will burn against this place and will not be quenched.’ 18 Tell the king of Judah, who sent you to inquire of the Lord: Because your heart was responsive and you humbled yourself before the Lord when you heard what I have spoken against this place and its people—that they would become a curse[b] and be laid waste—and because you tore your robes and wept in my presence, I also have heard you, declares the Lord. 20 Therefore I will gather you to your ancestors, and you will be buried in peace. Your eyes will not see all the disaster I am going to bring on this place.’”

2 Kings 20:

When Hezekiah became ill, the prophet Isaiah said, “This is what the Lord says: Put your house in order, because you are going to die; you will not recover.” Hezekiah wept and the Lord promised to add 15 more years to his life. And I will deliver you and this city from the hand of the king of Assyria. I will defend this city for my sake and for the sake of my servant David.’

Hezekiah showed the envoys his riches, and Isaiah prophesied that they would be carried away by Babylon. His son, Manasseh, succeeded him as king.

2 Chronicles 34:

Josiah was eight years old when he became king, and he did what was right in the eyes of the Lord. He purged Judah and Jerusalem of high places, Asherah poles and idols. 4 Under his direction the altars of the Baals were torn down; he cut to pieces the incense altars that were above them, and smashed the Asherah poles and the idols. He repaired the temple of the Lord.

The book of the Law was found in the temple. Josiah tore his robes when he read the book because he knew none of the other kings had followed it. He read the book to the people and renewed the covenant in the presence of the Lord. Everyone in Jerusalem and Benjamin pledged themselves to it. Everyone followed the Lord as long as Josiah lived.

BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 17, Day 3: 2 Kings 22:1-23; 20; 2 Chronicles 34

6a)

2 Chronicles 34:1-2: Josiah was eight years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem thirty-one years. 2 He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord and followed the ways of his father David, not turning aside to the right or to the left.

2 Chronicles 34:3a: In the eighth year of his reign, while he was still young, he began to seek the God of his father David.

2 Chronicles 34:3b-7: In his twelfth year he began to purge Judah and Jerusalem of high places, Asherah poles and idols. 4 Under his direction the altars of the Baals were torn down; he cut to pieces the incense altars that were above them, and smashed the Asherah poles and the idols. These he broke to pieces and scattered over the graves of those who had sacrificed to them. 5 He burned the bones of the priests on their altars, and so he purged Judah and Jerusalem. 6 In the towns of Manasseh, Ephraim and Simeon, as far as Naphtali, and in the ruins around them, 7 he tore down the altars and the Asherah poles and crushed the idols to powder and cut to pieces all the incense altars throughout Israel. Then he went back to Jerusalem.

2 Chronicles 34:8:  In the eighteenth year of Josiah’s reign, to purify the land and the temple, he sent Shaphan son of Azaliah and Maaseiah the ruler of the city, with Joah son of Joahaz, the recorder, to repair the temple of the Lord his God.

7a) He tore his robes and inquired of the Lord about the consequences of those who acted before him.

b) You truly can’t grow with God until you do acknowledge your weaknesses before Him.

8a) Nevertheless, the Lord did not turn away from the heat of his fierce anger, which burned against Judah because of all that Manasseh had done to arouse his anger. 27 So the Lord said, “I will remove Judah also from my presence as I removed Israel, and I will reject Jerusalem, the city I chose, and this temple, about which I said, ‘My Name shall be there.

b) God heard Josiah and postponed punishment: “Therefore I will gather you to your ancestors, and you will be buried in peace. Your eyes will not see all the disaster I am going to bring on this place.’”

Josiah read the Law to the people and renewed the covenant in the presence of the Lord. Everyone in Jerusalem and Benjamin pledged themselves to it. Everyone followed the Lord as long as Josiah lived.

c) I hope rightly. I hope I repent and turn to His ways and not mine. This is not always the case, I’m sure. I’m unsure on the recent experience.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 17, Day 3: 2 Kings 22:1-23; 20; 2 Chronicles 34

I love reading about the good kings much more than the bad kings. It gives me hope for the human race.

End Notes BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 17, Day 3: 2 Kings 22:1-23; 20; 2 Chronicles 34

2 Kings 22:

Josiah followed the Lord. He repaired the temple. According to 2 Chronicles 34, the repair of the temple happened after Josiah committed to the Lord at age 16 and began getting rid of idolatry in Judah. The book of the Law is found and read. Deuteronomy 31:24-27, tells us that there was a copy of the Book of the Law beside the ark of the covenant from Moses on. But, the book had been neglected for so long due to bad kings.

  •  Deuteronomy 17:18-20 says each king was to have a personal copy of the law, and he was to read it.
  • Deuteronomy 31:9-13 commands the entire law to be read to an assembly of the nation once every 7 years at the Feast of Tabernacles to remind the people of God’s word.

There was apublic reading of the law in Joshua 8:34, during the reign of Jehoshaphat (2 Chronicles 17:7-9), more than 500 years later, and in the reign of Josiah  (2 Chronicles 34:30), more than 250 years after Jehoshaphat. There could have been more readings, too.

A spiritual revival happened, especially in Josiah. He sought the Lord, and the Lord says judgment is coming, but he spares Josiah due to his faithfulness and postpones judgment of the people. We’ve seen this a lot in this study where God takes pity on his people when they repent and postpones judgment (Ahab,1 Kings 21:25-29). This should encourage us.

2 Kings 20:

God extends Hezekiah’s life 15 years when He tells him that he will die (which is kind of God). He does this because he was faithful to the Lord. We know from 2 Kings 18:2 and 2 Kings 20:6 that Hezekiah was 39 years old when God told him he would die soon. This is also recorded in Isaiah 38.

Hezekiah prayed to God, and God answers (something we all should do). God confirmed his prophecy with a sign (another thing God did not have to do but does out of mercy for us).

Next, we see Hezekiah sin by being prideful of his riches that God gave him. He did not testify about God to these envoys either. This is a sin that God addresses. God says they will be taken away to Babylon, but Hezekiah is joyous because it won’t be in his day.

Hezekiah did not finish well. Will you?

2 Chronicles 34:

Josiah was a good king who worked to end idolatry in Judah. He restored the temple and discovered the book of the Law again. Josiah is overjoyed and goes to God. God answers. He will punish his people but not in Josiah’s time. Josiah will be gathered to his people.

Josiah renews God’s covenant and helps the people to follow God’s ways.

Josiah finishes well. Will you?

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BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 16, Day 4: 2 Kings 18:1-8; 2 Chronicles 29-31

by atozmom, posted in BSF People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided 2022/2023

SUMMARY OF 2 Kings 18:1-8; 2 Chronicles 29-31

Hezekiah son of Ahaz king of Judah began to reign in Judah, and he reigned in Jerusalem twenty-nine years. He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord. There was no one like him among all the kings of Judah, either before him or after him. He held fast to the Lord and did not stop following him; he kept the commands the Lord had given Moses. He purifed the temple, celebrated Passover, and encouraged worship of the Lord.

BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 16, Day 4: 2 Kings 18:1-8; 2 Chronicles 29-31

9a) He removed the high places, smashed the sacred stones and cut down the Asherah poles. He broke into pieces the bronze snake Moses had made, for up to that time the Israelites had been burning incense to it. The first commandment is to love the Lord your God before all others. Therefore, idol worship could not be tolerated ever.

b) The Lord has to be first in everything we do, always. The hard part is trying to remember that.

10)

The role and activity of the priests: He purified the temple and the priests and rededicated them to the Lord. Hezekiah assigned the priests and Levites to divisions—each of them according to their duties as priests or Levites—to offer burnt offerings and fellowship offerings, to minister, to give thanks and to sing praises at the gates of the Lord’s dwelling. He ordered the people living in Jerusalem to give the portion due the priests and Levites so they could devote themselves to the Law of the Lord.

Calling the people back to God: He celebrated Passover and the Festival of Unleavened Bread, inviting everyone including Judah to come to Jerusalem and do so. More high places were smashed.

11a) You have to fix what is wrong before you can do what is right. Hezekiah understood this by smashing idol worship and restoring the priesthood and retraining them to serve God. He took action once the corrective measures were taken to restore the priesthood and put God at the center of people’s lives once again.

b) Good question. He’s definitely asking me to put him first more and get my priorities straight.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 16, Day 4: 2 Kings 18:1-8; 2 Chronicles 29-31

Amongst all the bad kings, the good ones shine out — and boy do they shine brightly. Love reading about Hezekiah and his example of how it can only take a few things to turn the world around for many.

End Notes BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 16, Day 4: 2 Kings 18:1-8; 2 Chronicles 29-31

In 2 Kings, we see Hezekiah’s reign was righteous, so he prospered. God preserved the royal line of King David (and thus Jesus) through Hezekiah.

In 2 Chronicles 29-31, we see Hezekiah cleanse the temples and restore worship and sacrifices. Passover is celebrated, and the regular work of the priests is restored.

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BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 14, Day 2: Joel 1:1-2:17

by atozmom, posted in BSF People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided 2022/2023

SUMMARY OF JOEL 1:1-2:17

Joel reports the word of the Lord, which is a prophecy of the locusts coming. A nation has invaded and destroyed the land. Everyone should mourn, fast, and cry out to the Lord.

The day of the Lord is coming, so all should tremble. Nothing will escape and everything will be destroyed. An army comes with the Lord at the head. God calls his people to return to him for He may relent. Fast, gather, and pray for the Lord to spare His people.

BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 14, Day 2: Joel 1:1-2:17

3a) “What the locust swarm has left the great locusts have eaten; what the great locusts have left the young locusts have eaten; what the young locusts have left other locusts have eaten.” Basically, everything will be eaten and laid to waste, and the people’s joy will wither.

b) The day of the Lord is coming where everything besides the fields will be devoured. Everything will be a desert waste. The earth shakes, the heavens tremble, the sun and the moon are darkened, and the stars no longer shine. All is dreadful.

c) It’s not too late for God’s people to turn to him, repent, and be saved. Declare a holy fast, offer grain and drink offerings, and come together to pray. Have the priests ask for forgiveness. Cry out to God.

4a) He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity.

b) 2 Chronicles 7:14 says that if people humble themselves, pray, and seek God, as well as turn from their wicked ways, God will forgive their sins and heal their land. True repentance is with the heart. Turn to God and away from sin. False repentance is saying the words but you don’t mean it. Your actions don’t change as you seek to be like Him.

5) Wow. Lots. Many financial struggles, health concerns, injuries, and moves. Yet, He is still with me throughout it all.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 14, Day 2: Joel 1:1-2:17

I liked this passage because it’s not just gloom and doom. It’s gloom and doom with the message of hope of forgiveness.

End Notes BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 14, Day 2: Joel 1:1-2:17

Joel prophesied to Judah. He does not date his book with the names of kings, so Bible scholars believe the book was written around 835 B.C. He also never refers to the two kingdoms of Israel.

Joel is therefore believed to be one of the earliest prophets and was prophesizing while both Judah and Israel were still free. Only Obadiah is believed to have been before Joel. Jonah, Hosea, Amos, Isaiah, and Micah were of this time period, too.

Remember, this was the time of Queen Athaliah at the beginning of the reign of King Joash.  (2 Kings 8:26, 2 Chronicles 22:2) She was the one who killed all her heirs except Joash who escaped.

Fun Fact: Joel means “Jehovah is God.”

Judah will experience famine and crisis. Judah should mourn. The priests should repent for the nation.

Drought is coming. The day of the Lord means on God’s timing. It means God’s judgment and His restoration of those who turn to Him.

In Joel 2, Joel predicts an invasion of the land. The invasion never happened because the people repented. We see Joash take the throne. (2 Kings 11:4-21)

God has sent the army, but the people can still repent.

Tearing of the clothes is a symbol of mourning.

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BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 13, Day 4: Amos 7:1-9:10

by atozmom, posted in BSF People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided 2022/2023

SUMMARY OF AMOS 7:1-9:10

Amos 7

The Lord prepared judgments against Israel (locusts, fire, and a plumb line) but Amos asked the Lord to forgive, and He did. Amaziah, a priest of Bethel, tried to kick Amos out of Israel and send him back to Judah, so he would quit prophesying there. Amos told him God sent him to Israel to say they will be exiled from their native land.

Amos 8

The Lord told Amos he will spare his people no longer, as he sees a vision of a basket of ripe fruit and the Lord standing by the altar.

Amos 9:1-10

God will kill all of the sinners amongst his people. No one will escape.

BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 13, Day 4: Amos 7:1-9:10

10)

7:1-3: Amos saw locusts, but asked the Lord to relent against Israel, and he did.

7:4-6: Amos saw fire, but asked the Lord to relent against Israel, and he did.

7:7-9: Amos saw a plumb line, but asked the Lord to relent against Israel, and he did.

8:1-3: Amos saw a basket of ripe fruit, but the Lord will spare his people no longer.

9:1-10: Amos saw the Lord standing by an altar, and God will kill all of the sinners amongst his people. No one will escape.

11) Amos faithfully obeyed the Lord’s calling to prophesy against Israel.

12a) God gives everyone plenty of chances to turn to him, but he’ll judge at the end. People never change; they are sinners at heart.

b) I should always be looking for God and turning to him.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 13, Day 4: Amos 7:1-9:10

Gloom and doom here. The people sin; God judges. This is the entire story of the Old Testament (and the New Testament) except that God gives us Jesus to save us.

End Notes BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 13, Day 4: Amos 7:1-9:10

Amos 7: Amos sees the judgment of Israel with locusts, fire, and a plumb line. Prayer is powerful, as Amos saves the people here. A plumb line helps to build straight walls. God’s people must be straight against His standards.

Bethel was the center of Israel’s idolatry, and Amos was faithful in delivering God’s warnings to His people.

Amos 8: The ripe fruit has turned sour. Israel is dishonest and cheats the poor, so God will judge.

Amos talks about the famine of not hearing God’s word. God grants us the ability to hear his word and to benefit by it.

Amos 9: All of God’s people will face judgment.

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BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 12, Day 3: Jonah 2 and Matthew 12:39-41

by atozmom, posted in BSF People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided 2022/2023

SUMMARY OF JONAH 2:

Jonah prayed to God from inside the fish. He called out to God who brought him up from the pit. Jonah will proclaim God’s name and say that salvation comes from the Lord. The Lord commanded the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto dry land.

SUMMARY OF MATTHEW 12:39-41:

For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. The people of Nineveh repented when Jonah preached, but Jesus is here who is greater than Jonah.

BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 12, Day 3: Jonah 2 and Matthew 12:39-41

7a) God listens even in our darkest (literally) hours.

b) “I have been banished from your sight; yet I will look again toward your holy temple.” Even though God has given us consequences for our sins, we can still praise him in his infinite mercy. He always lifts us up.

8a) Mankind is stubborn. Sometimes, we have to hit rock bottom to come to Him.

b) Patience. I’m trying to be patient as I yearn to move some place else.

9a) I hopefully learn not to disobey God and suffer the consequences. But when I do, all I have to do is cry out to Him for forgiveness and redemption.

b) Jonah saved many people in Nineveh. That matters to God.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 12, Day 3: Jonah 2 and Matthew 12:39-41

I can just picture the fish vomiting up Jonah. I’m unsure who was more relieved: Jonah or the fish?

End Notes BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 12, Day 3: Jonah 2 and Matthew 12:39-41

Jonah prayed many of the Psalms (Psalm 18:6), (Psalm 42:7), (Psalm 31:22). He was a man of God

Jonah is distressed to be separated from God. Yet, he praises God and realizes his mistake at resisting Him. He repents and promises to do what God tells him to do. He realizes salvation is the Lord.

Note Jonah was delivered after he truly repented of his wrongs. This is what we must do, too.

Jonah most likely was vomited onto the shore and then made his way to Nineveh.

Jonah’s journey foreshadowed Christ’s:

  • Both offered their life for others
  • Both spent 3 days and 3 nights “dead”
  • Both were resurrected per se

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BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 6, Day 4: 1 Kings 22:41-53

by atozmom, posted in BSF People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided 2022/2023

SUMMARY OF 1 KINGS 22:41-53

Jehoshaphat was king of Judah. He reigned 25 years. He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord. However, the high places were not removed, and the people continued to offer sacrifices there. He was at peace with the king of Israel, Ahab. He rid the land of the male shrine prostitutes. He built a fleet of trading ships that never sailed. He died, and his son, Jehoram, succeeded him.

Ahaziah son of Ahab only ruled two years. He did evil in the eyes of the Lord. He served and worshipped Baal and provoked the Lord to anger.

BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 6, Day 3: 1 Kings 22:41-53

9) He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord. However, the high places were not removed, and the people continued to offer sacrifices there. He was at peace with the king of Israel, Ahab. He rid the land of the male shrine prostitutes.

10) He did evil in the eyes of the Lord. He served and worshipped Baal and provoked the Lord to anger.

11a) Judah follows the Lord; Israel does not. This can only lead to disaster for Israel.

b) God is just. He lets those who follow him rule a long time. Those who don’t follow him die young. God rewards those who follow Him and punishes those who do not.

12) God is always good. Despite my shortcomings, He is there for me. He always forgives and promises the chance for a better tomorrow. I have hope that I’ll do better and be better because of the Lord and Jesus Christ.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 6, Day 3: 1 Kings 22:41-53

Great summary to end 1 Kings. Israel does evil in the eyes of the Lord; Judah does good. My prayer is to do good in God’s eyes always.

End Notes BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 6, Day 3: 1 Kings 22:41-53

2 Chronicles tells more about Jehoshaphat’s good that he does:

Note Jehoshaphat did not take down the high places. He wasn’t perfect.

Note that Jehoshaphat did not make an alliance with Ahab’s son. He learned his lesson after the battle that killed Ahab.

Coming up, we see that Jehoshaphat’s son, Jehoram, did not follow in the Lord’s ways because he married Ahab’s daughter (2 Chronicles 18:1). He would be noted as a bad king for Judah. (2 Chronicles 22:2-4).

Ahaziah’s short reign was partly due to the pronouncement of judgment against him for his father Ahab’s sins.  1 Kings 21:29.

1 Kings comes off the heals of King David and then descends from there.

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