Tag: bsf lesson 15 day 4

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BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 15, Day 4: Esther 9:20-32

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

Summary of Esther 9:20-32

Due to these events, Purim was established (named after the casting of lots, pur, for the Jews’ destruction), a time to remember these two days of the Jews defeating their enemies.

BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 15, Day 4: Esther 9:20-32

9) A festival to remember the two days the Jews defeated their enemies. The Festival of Purim commemorates the “great reversal” of the Jews’ fate. It celebrates their deliverance from Haman’s genocidal plot, which was determined by a “pur” (lot). It marks the time their designated day of destruction was transformed into a day of victory, turning their sorrow into joy.

10a) Because God is near, and He wants us to be happy. And, we have Jesus! What is there NOT to be grateful for?! Believers should rejoice always (Phil 4:4) because their joy isn’t based on fleeting circumstances, but on the unchanging reality that “the Lord is near” (Phil 4:5). It is an act of faith and God’s will (1 Thess 5:18), rooted in gratitude and trust, not in feelings.

b) Gosh, this is a loaded question! Everything to put it simply. God is good, omniscient, omnipotent, and in control. His love wraps me. And He is responsible for everything in my life. And, I get to be with Him forever! What joy! Joy comes from knowing God is sovereign, present (“the Lord is near”), and always working for our good, even when hidden. Our salvation is secure, our sins are forgiven, and He promises to turn our greatest sorrows into joy and grant us eternal life.

11a) It gives me courage to keep fighting the good fight when all I want to do is give up. Remembering God’s past faithfulness builds our trust for future challenges. It gives us a bank of evidence to draw from, proving His character and reliability. This strengthens our faith, reduces fear, and provides hope when we face uncertainty.

b) God’s ways, will, and purpose always prevail. The core truth many people want their loved ones to remember is that God loves them unconditionally and He is always faithful. No matter what challenges they face or mistakes they make, He is always present, He will never leave them, and His goodness can always be trusted.

Because that truth is the ultimate anchor in life.

People want their loved ones to grasp this because it’s the foundation for:

  • Security: Knowing God’s love is unconditional gives a person unshakeable worth that isn’t dependent on their performance, success, or what others think of them.
  • Resilience: Believing God is faithful and present provides profound comfort and hope during failure, fear, and suffering. It’s the conviction that they are never truly alone.

Ultimately, it’s the one truth that can provide deep peace and a solid foundation, no matter what life brings.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 15, Day 4: Esther 9:20-32

I love how the Jews turned a day that was to be their end into triumph, victory, and celebration! How amazing!

End Notes BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 15, Day 4: Esther 9:20-32

Remembering what God does for us is so important.

Today, Purim is a joyous, carnival-like holiday. Jews celebrate by reading the Megillah (Scroll of Esther), wearing costumes, and making noise at Haman’s name. The celebration includes a festive meal, sending food gifts to friends (Mishloach Manot), and giving charity to the poor.

END NOTES SUMMARIZED

Esther 9:20-32 documents the official establishment of the Festival of Purim as a permanent, annual celebration.

Interpretation

Following the Jews’ victory, Mordecai writes letters to all 127 provinces, instructing the Jews to celebrate the 14th and 15th days of Adar every year. This new festival, named Purim (after the “pur,” or lot, that Haman cast), was to commemorate the great reversal: the time their sorrow was turned to joy and their mourning into a celebration.

The passage emphasizes that this was a time for feasting, joy, sending gifts to one another, and giving presents to the poor.

The section concludes by noting that Queen Esther confirmed the institution of Purim with a second letter, giving it her full royal authority and making its observance a permanent, binding tradition for all future generations of Jews.

Conclusion

This passage formalizes the story’s triumphant ending. It shows the Jewish leaders, Mordecai and Esther, ensuring that God’s hidden providence and their miraculous deliverance would never be forgotten. They deliberately transformed a date chosen for their destruction into a permanent, joyful festival, enshrining the themes of reversal, deliverance, and communal celebration into their national identity.

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BSF Study Questions Revelation: The Hope Lesson 15, Day 4: Revelation 11:7-14

by atozmom, posted in BSF Revelation: The Hope 2024/2025

Summary of Revelation 11:7-14

The 2 witnesses will be killed by the Beast. Their death will be celebrated by those on earth because these witnesses had tormented them. Their bodies will lie out for 3.5 days.

God then raised the witnesses after 3.5 days. They were taken to heaven. An earthquake struck and killed 7,000 people and destroyed 1/10th of the city. The survivors gave glory to God, marking the passage of the 2nd woe.

BSF Study Questions Revelation: The Hope Lesson 15, Day 4: Revelation 11:7-14

9a) The two witnesses will be attacked, overpowered, and killed.

b) God raised them up and took them into heaven.

c) 1/10th of the city was destroyed by an earthquake and 7,000 people were killed. The survivors gave glory to God.

10a)

John 11:25-26: Jesus says anyone who believes in him will have eternal life.

John 14:1-4: Jesus says he is preparing a place for his disciples for when he comes back for them.

1 Corinthians 15:20-28: In Christ, all will be made alive again.

Philippians 3:20-21: Our bodies will be transformed like Christ to be like his glorious body again.

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18: God will bring with Jesus those who believe in him. The Lord will come down and the dead in Christ will rise again. Those still alive will be caught up to meet the Lord in the air and be with the Lord forever.

1 John 3:2: When Christ appears again, we will be like him.

All of these verses give me comfort to know I’ll be with my loved ones and God forever.

b) This is hard to know who to share the Lord’s word with, so I try to give him credit when I can and witness about our Lord and Savior in the hopes those that need to hear will.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions Revelation: The Hope Lesson 15, Day 4: Revelation 11:7-14

Amazing passage! I love the care God has for these witnesses and how He raises them to be with Him once their job is done. So amazing!

End Notes BSF Study Questions Revelation: The Hope Lesson 15, Day 4: Revelation 11:7-14

The beast is Satan (Revelation 9:11)

Note that the witnesses finish the work God has for them before they are allowed to be killed by Satan. They cannot be touched until God deems their time is up.

You can relate this to your life. You have an assignment from God, and you won’t leave this side of heaven until it is complete.

We all are witnesses testifying about the Lord, and we are only taken when our task given to us by Lord is complete on this earth.

The witnesses are killed in Jerusalem, where Jesus was killed. Jerusalem is referred to as Sodom, Egypt, and the great city (aka Babylon) as a symbol of the evil it has fallen into.

Remember that earthquakes are often used as judgments for sin.

Some Bible scholars see the 2 witnesses as representative of the entire church, but most believe they are actually 2 people. Many speculate as to who these 2 witnesses would be (from Enoch to Elijah), but no one knows.

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BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 15, Day 4: John 11:28-44

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

Summary of John 11:28-44

Mary met Jesus outside Bethany and told him that if he had been there, he would not have died. The mourners followed her, also weeping alongside her. Jesus wept.

He went to the tomb and told the people to pull away the stone. He then called Lazarus out, and he came out, alive and well.

BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 15, Day 4: John 11:28-44

9a) Because he was sad that everyone around him was sad about Lazarus’ death.

b) It shows he is human and that he cares how we feel and how we are doing. It humanizes him essentially. It means that I can trust Jesus in all things, including my sorrows. That he hears me, sympathizes with me, and wants me to heal quickly. Jesus sees our tears. He is not indifferent to them.

c) Same as above. That he cares how I am doing and feeling and wants me to be/feel better. It shows he is sad, too.

10) Jesus and the Father are one, and he wants to make sure he is doing God’s will. It’s always important to pray before every decision for God’s will to be done.

11a) “Lazarus, come out!” “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.”

b) Very similar. Lazarus was granted time on this side of heaven; whereas, we’ll be granted time eternity on the other side of heaven. We are dead in sin, but alive in grace, mercy, and eternal life.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 15, Day 4: John 11:28-44

This is perhaps Jesus’ greatest miracle and one of the best proofs he is who he says he is. Love also how Jesus weeps here like all of us do.

End Notes BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 15, Day 4: John 11:28-44

This is the 7th sign/miracle that John records of Jesus’ power and authority.

Jesus is “The Teacher.” He teaches us every day in the way and the word.

Mary was probably called, so she could have some time alone with Jesus, too.

Both believed in Jesus enough to know he would have healed Lazarus, so he wouldn’t have died. But, they had no idea what was about to happen!

The weeping of the Jews would have been hysterical weeping, loud to where all could hear.

Jesus, on the other hand, was quietly weeping, as the verb in Greek indicates so.

Jesus was angry that sin caused (and still causes) such heartache in us (the penalty for our sins is death).

Jesus weeps out of his love for us. There is no shame or sin in tears.

“What if” talk leads to regret and should be avoided.

You see God’s glory when you believe. Otherwise, you just see the act.

The stench proved Lazarus’ death, which is why Jesus waited for four days.

Jesus prays and thanks God for the miracle he is about to perform to grow people’s faith and convert believers.

Others helped by removing the grave clothes. Jesus often asks others to participate in his miracles to give them a role and to grow their faith, too.

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BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 15, Day 4: Hosea 4-13

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

SUMMARY OF HOSEA 4-13

Hosea begins to warn the Israelities of their sins and how they must repent to God. They are rejected as God’s priests and will not have enough to eat. They are unfaithful to the Lord and will face consequences.

Israel does not repent of their sins despite the warnings. They will be punished for their great sins, no longer loved, and rejected.

Yet, God loves Israel and will have compassion on them. He will rescue them.

BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 15, Day 4: Hosea 4-13

9a)

4:1-3: There is no faithfulness, no love, no acknowledgment of God in the land. 2 There is only cursing, lying and murder, stealing and adultery; they break all bounds, and bloodshed follows bloodshed.3 Because of this the land dries up, and all who live in it waste away; the beasts of the field, the birds in the sky and the fish in the sea are swept away.

5:4-6: “Their deeds do not permit them to return to their God. A spirit of prostitution is in their heart; they do not acknowledge the Lord. 5 Israel’s arrogance testifies against them; the Israelites, even Ephraim, stumble in their sin; Judah also stumbles with them. 6 When they go with their flocks and herds to seek the Lord, they will not find him; he has withdrawn himself from them.

7:11-16:“Ephraim is like a dove, easily deceived and senseless— now calling to Egypt, now turning to Assyria. 12 When they go, I will throw my net over them.  I will pull them down like the birds in the sky. When I hear them flocking together,  I will catch them. 13 Woe to them,  because they have strayed from me! Destruction to them,  because they have rebelled against me! I long to redeem them   but they speak about me falsely.14 They do not cry out to me from their hearts but wail on their beds. They slash themselves,[a] appealing to their gods  for grain and new wine, but they turn away from me.I trained them and strengthened their arms, but they plot evil against me.16 They do not turn to the Most High;they are like a faulty bow. Their leaders will fall by the sword because of their insolent words. For this they will be ridiculed in the land of Egypt.

8:1-5:“Put the trumpet to your lips! An eagle is over the house of the Lord because the people have broken my covenant and rebelled against my law. 2 Israel cries out to me, ‘Our God, we acknowledge you!’ 3 But Israel has rejected what is good; an enemy will pursue him. 4 They set up kings without my consent; they choose princes without my approval. With their silver and gold they make idols for themselves to their own destruction. 5 Samaria, throw out your calf-idol! My anger burns against them. How long will they be incapable of purity?

10:1-2: Israel was a spreading vine; he brought forth fruit for himself. As his fruit increased, he built more altars; as his land prospered, he adorned his sacred stones. 2 Their heart is deceitful, and now they must bear their guilt. The Lord will demolish their altars and destroy their sacred stones.

13:2-3: Now they sin more and more; they make idols for themselves from their silver, cleverly fashioned images, all of them the work of craftsmen. It is said of these people, “They offer human sacrifices! They kiss[a] calf-idols!” 3 Therefore they will be like the morning mist, like the early dew that disappears, like chaff swirling from a threshing floor, like smoke escaping through a window.

b) Each time I sin, I realize it now and come to him and repent. I catch myself sometimes before I sin, too. It’s great to know that God accepts me in the midst of it all no matter what.

10a)

6:6: “Come, let us return to the Lord. He has torn us to pieces but he will heal us; he has injured us
but he will bind up our wounds.” God restores us no matter our sins.

7:13: “Woe to them, because they have strayed from me! Destruction to them, because they have rebelled against me! I long to redeem them but they speak about me falsely.” God always longs for us no matter how far we have strayed.

9:10: “When I found Israel, it was like finding grapes in the desert; when I saw your ancestors, it was like seeing the early fruit on the fig tree. But when they came to Baal Peor, they consecrated themselves to that shameful idol and became as vile as the thing they loved.” We are beautiful in God’s eyes and He only wants our hearts.

13:4: “But I have been the Lord your God ever since you came out of Egypt. You shall acknowledge no God but me, no Savior except me.” God has been with us always no matter our sins.

b) When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son.It was I who taught Ephraim to walk, taking them by the arms; but they did not realize it was I who healed them. 4 I led them with cords of human kindness, with ties of love. To them I was like one who lifts a little child to the cheek, and I bent down to feed them. I will not carry out my fierce anger, nor will I devastate Ephraim again.

c) It’s comforting knowing God loves me and everyone else and this world, especially when there is evil in this world. He never stops pursuing me and everyone. He loves us even when we do not love him. Very comforting, indeed.

11) This is a tough one. You can always say natural disasters. Yet, God punishes in other ways, too. He shows us His love, too. He punishes us individually for our sins

Conclusions BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 15, Day 4: Hosea 4-13

I LOVE this! I love how God is great even we aren’t. He always roots for us, and most of us need that on a daily basis.

End Notes BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 15, Day 4: Hosea 4-13

Note: Israel is referred to as Ephraim.

We start Hosea 4 with the charge of sins against Israel. Even the priests are corrupt and ineffective. Judgment will come, especially in the midst of idolatry. Judah is warned, but God will remedy.

In Hosea 5, Israel continues to sin with idolatry, and Israel’s leaders are rebuked. Israel will be desolate. Israel wrongfully looks to man for restoration. God judges, hoping to bring His people back to Him.

In Hosea 6, Israel is called to return to the Lord in faithful trust. They should walk in confidence. The people realize how much they have missed God. Still, the sin of idolatry hangs on.

In Hosea 7, we see Israel willfully blind to their sins as they chase after idols. They are prideful and stubborn. They fly about to the other nations like a dove. They run away from God in doing so.

In Hosea 8, Israel casts off God and embraces other idols. Israel is judged and regathered. God rejects their offerings because Israel does not understand His words. Because of this, there is no refuge.

In Hosea 9, Israel will be exiled in judgment. We read about their punishment in Egypt. God then sends barrenness, dryness, and bereavement as judgment to a wandering Israel.

In Hosea 10, Israel is still in sin like an empty vine and throne. God warns Israel to acknowledge their sin and submit to His cleansing. He tells them to break up the hard ground of their hearts and to quit resisting Him.

In Hosea 11, we see God’s love for His people as He calls them back to Him. Yet, their actions are chastened. Yet, God takes compassion on Israel and calls them back.

In Hosea 12, Israel still makes alliances with foreign nations like ancient Jacob did. God will judge them.

In Hosea 13, the Israelites will be scattered due to their sins. They will be torn apart by a lion. The king will be rejected, and they will be judged.

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BSF Study Questions Genesis: Lesson 15, Day 4: Genesis 24:28-51

by atozmom, posted in BSF Genesis 2020/2021

Summary of Genesis 24:28-51:

Rebekah ran home and told all what had happened. Laban, Rebekah’s brother, ran out to the servant to bring him to their house. So the servant, his men, and his camels were brought to Rebekah’s house and provided for. Before he ate, the servant told them his story, how he came there seeking a wife for Abraham’s son, and how Rebekah had been the girl to answer his prayer to God.

Laban and Bethuel agreed that this was God’s will so they let Rebekah go.

BSF Study Questions Genesis: Lesson 15, Day 4: Genesis 24:28-51

9) Laban addresses the servant as one being blessed by the Lord upon seeing the gold offerings he gave to Rebekah (Verse 31). They believed the servant’s story and let Rebekah go as the Lord has directed.

10) The servant was to find a wife amongst Abraham’s father’s clan and one who was not a pagan. God grants the servant’s request for the sign exactly and grants him success.

11) He says that God is the one who will grant him success (verse 42). He praised God who led him on the right road to Rebekah (verse 48). He prayed ahead of time for the one instead of choosing himself, and he recounts the story with God first.

12) Isaiah 48:11 says God does not yield his glory to another. 1 Corinthians 1:27-31 says how no one can boast before God. God rewards those who humble themselves. God rewards the faithful like He did Abraham. He wants to guide us and lead us. All we have to do is ask.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions Genesis: Lesson 15, Day 4: Genesis 24:28-51

Just as key as the servant’s humble attitude is the belief of Laban and Bethuel in God to let Rebekah go. This would have completely changed history if they had refused.

End Notes BSF Study Questions Genesis: Lesson 15, Day 4: Genesis 24:28-51

Note that Laban was generous after he saw the gold Rebekah had received.

Fun Fact: the word master occurs 22 times in this chapter alone. Eliezer is determined to let it be known that he is working for his master who is the one God has blessed. He is filling in Abraham’s brother on how he’s doing after so many decades. He says that Isaac is the only heir, which is probably so that the family would know that Rebekah would be taken care of.

There seems no hesitancy on the part of Rebekah’s family. They knew this would be a good match for her and that this was indeed God’s will.

BSF Study Questions Genesis Lesson 15, Day 4: Genesis 17:1-8

by atozmom, posted in BSF Genesis 2012/2013

Summary of passage:  God appeared to Abram when he was 99 and said He was going to confirm His covenant with him.  Abram fell face down and God told him he would be the father of many nations.  God renamed Abram Abraham, which means father of many. God will make Abraham fruitful and kings will come from him.

This covenant will be between Abraham, God, and all of Abraham’s descendants and God will give Abraham and his descendants Canaan forever and God will be our God.

Questions:

9a)  Personal Question.  My answer:  No.  I think it means to be blameless/perfect before God, which we achieve when we repent of our sins and God forgives us.  We are then righteous in His eyes through Jesus Christ our Savior and the Holy Spirit.

One commentary said the word blameless here means “whole” so God wanted all of Abram, a total commitment to Him like God was giving to Abram (and to us).

b)  Walk before God, which means to know God and who He is.

10a)  Abraham will be the father of many nations; he will be fruitful; kings will come from him.  God gives Abraham the whole land of Canaan to him and to his descendants and this covenant God makes with Abraham’s descendants as well.

b)  Personal Question.  My answer:  God clarifies by saying in verse 8, “The whole land of Canaan, where you are now an alien, I will give as an everlasting possession…”  This would be the land Abram is occupying now and possession is something you hold physically.

c)  Forever

Conclusions:  I’m not sure what to conclude nor am I sure what to get out of this besides God confirming His covenant YET AGAIN with Abraham.  I guess this speaks to man’s unending wavering, self-doubt, low self-esteem, and need for confirmation and affirmation.

Sometimes I just wish God would have created us a bit stronger.

Yet it had been 13 years since God had spoken to Abram so at times he surely must have thought God had forgotten so here God is again giving a powerful reminder with a new name.

I’m still waiting for my reminder…