Tag: bsf lesson 16 day 4

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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 Matthew Lesson 16, Day 4: Matthew 15:21-28

by atozmom, posted in BSF Matthew 2021/2022

SUMMARY OF MATTHEW 15:21-28

Jesus now traveled to Tyre and Sidon. A Canaanite woman came to ask Jesus to help her daughter who was possessed by a demon. At first, Jesus did not answer. Apparently, the woman kept begging, prompting the disciples to ask Jesus to send her away. Jesus said he was sent to help only Israelites. The woman kept begging and showed great faith, so Jesus healed her daughter.

BSF Study Questions Matthew Lesson 16, Day 4: Matthew 15:21-28

9a) Because they would be preaching to the Gentiles after he died.

b) “Lord, Son of David.” This shows she understands who Jesus really is — the son of God.

10a) A Canaanite woman came to ask Jesus to help her daughter who was possessed by a demon. At first, Jesus did not answer. Apparently, the woman kept begging, prompting the disciples to ask Jesus to send her away. Jesus said he was sent to help only Israelites. The woman kept begging and showed great faith, so Jesus healed her daughter.

b) He was testing her faith and that of the disciples

11a) She never gives up hope in Jesus to heal her daughter. She realizes who Jesus is and humbles herself. She never loses faith or hope in Jesus.

b) The same. To never give up. To keep praying. And to not lose faith or hope in Jesus.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions Matthew Lesson 16, Day 4: Matthew 15:21-28

I love when Jesus helps those who are persistent. I’m very persistent myself.

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map of type and sidon www.atozmomm.comEnd Notes BSF Study Questions Matthew Lesson 16, Day 4: Matthew 15:21-28

Tyre and Sidon were located on the Mediterranean Sea about 20 miles apart from each other. They were about 50 miles travel distance from where Jesus was in Galilee. These were Gentile cities, so why would Jesus go there? To help this woman.

She came as an intercessor for her daughter. This gives us hope when we pray for others, too.

Jesus healed other Gentiles  (Matthew 4:24-25; 8:5-13) but always before in Jewish territory. Here, he is in Gentile territory.

The woman irritated the disciples, so they asked Jesus to heal her so she’d leave.

Jesus clearly states he is here for the Jews.

The woman did not back down. She continued asking for healing for her daughter.

Jesus called the woman a “little dog,” which was a traditional slur towards Gentiles. Household dogs were entitled to a portion.

The woman did not argue; she knew she was low. Instead, she continued to ask for Jesus’s help and blessing.

All she asks for is the crumbs — which his all any of us are worthy of.

Fun Fact: This is the only time Jesus tells someone their faith is great.

This is the only story recorded of Jesus’s ministry in Tyre and Sidon. It appears Jesus traveled all this way just to meet her. How awesome is that!

This woman had a need, and she never gave up. She knew who Jesus was and she kept pursuing him.

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esau and jacob www.atozmomm.com bsf genesis study

BSF Study Questions Genesis: Lesson 16, Day 4: Genesis 25:27-34

by atozmom, posted in BSF Genesis 2020/2021

Summary of Genesis 25:27-34:

Esau grew into a skilled hunter, while Jacob grew into a quiet man, prefering to stay around the tents. Isaac loved Esau; Rebekah loved Jacob. One day, Esau returned and wanted some stew that Jacob was serving. He called it red stew, which is why he was also called Edom, which means red. Jacob told him he would have to sell him his birthright for stew. Esau didn’t care and agreed. He ate and left, despising his birthright.

BSF Study Questions Genesis: Lesson 16, Day 4: Genesis 25:27-34

9) Esau grew into a skilled hunter, while Jacob grew into a quiet man, prefering to stay around the tents. They are both Isaac and Rebekah’s sons.

10a) Genesis 27:29 is Jacob receiving Isaac’s blessing, which in this case for birthright, is nations and people serving him and lord over your brothers. It also has those who curse you be cursed and those who bless you be blessed. Deuteronomy 21:15-17 explains that the right of the firstborn no matter the preference of feelings receives a double share of all he has, as the son is a sign of the father’s strength.  Great explanation of birthright HERE

We have inherited “birthright” status through Jesus Christ as the firstborn Son of God (Romans 8:29; Colossians 1:15; Revelation 1:5)

b) He sold the birthright because he was hungry and on impulse. He didn’t care; he only wanted food. He let temporary wants override eternal needs and desires. We can’t let things interfer that are temporary here on earth with eternity in heaven.

11) We see here God’s will be done as Jacob receives Isaac’s blessing despite being the second born. We see Esau make a dumb decision that affects the rest of his life. We must always be vigilant, prayerful, and seeking of God’s will before we make decisions.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions Genesis: Lesson 16, Day 4: Genesis 25:27-34

Like Moses being banned from the Promised Land over one decision, so, too, we see Esau sell his birthright. It seems harsh to us, but we ourselves should know that every decision we make has consequences, most, thankfully are not as severe if we choose poorly. Pray always first, and trust God for the rest.

End Note BSF Study Questions Genesis: Lesson 16, Day 4: Genesis 25:27-34

We should note that Esau acted impulsively, Jacob, too, was being a scoundrel, taking advantage of his brother and asking for the birthright when it was not his. Interestingly, Martin Luther himself pointed out that the birthright was already Jacob’s because of what God told Rebekah. Jacob had to have know this, as too did Esau. Essentially, this deal was invalid then.

Here, there was much more at stake because the birthright also came with God’s covenant to make that person into a great nation with land and bring forth the Messiah.

We see Jacob’s character as he attempted to take what God had already given him. We see his heart here. This is funny to me because God already said who was chosen. It would have been better if both brothers had just accepted that.

Neither men here were acting Godly at all.

Christians have a birthright to heaven and God via Jesus. Yet, look at how many thumb their nose at this. Ephesians 1:3-14

  • We are blessed to be in God’s family
  • We are forgiven for our sins.
  • We receive God’s grace and mercy.
  • We receive eternity in heaven with God.
  • We receive the Holy Spirit
  • We have life

The writer of Hebrews tells us more of Esau Hebrews 12:16 which shows God’s wisdom in choosing Jacob.

BSF Study Questions Genesis Lesson 16, Day 4: Genesis 19:1-14

by atozmom, posted in BSF Genesis 2012/2013

Summary of passage:  The angels of the Lord who had been with Abraham now arrived at Sodom and Lot was sitting at the gateway at the time (an indication he was now one of the leaders of Sodom).  Lot recognized them as angels and bowed to them.  He acted as Abraham did, inviting them to his house to wash their feet and spend the night.

At first, the angels refused but Lot insisted so they obliged.  Lot fed them.  At nighttime, all the men of Sodom came to Lot’s house and demanded that he hand over his guests so they could have sex with them.  Lot went out and offered his daughters instead, refusing to hand over the angels who were his guests.

They pushed him aside and told him he would be treated worse than the angels.  The men tried to break in but the angels pulled Lot inside and blinded the men so they could not find the door.

Then the angels tell Lot to get his family for they are going to destroy Sodom because the outcry against the city is so strong.  Lot ran to his son-in-laws and told them what was happening but they didn’t believe him.  They laughed in his face.

Questions:

11a)  Lot tried to reason with the men to not take the angels to sodomize them (verses 6-8) but the men pushed him aside, called him an alien, and threatened Lot as well (verse 9).  In verse 14 Lot’s son-in-laws laugh at Lot when he tells them the city is about to be destroyed and refuse to come.

These verses don’t show Lot’s influence on his wife but verse 26 describes how Lot’s wife looked back and turned into a pillar of salt because she didn’t want to leave Sodom.

b)  I would have thought when Lot got kidnapped by the four kings and he lost all his possessions and Abraham had to rescue him would have been a big clue to leave Sodom (Genesis 14:12-16).  But I think because Lot regained all that was taken due to God’s goodness Lot didn’t take the warning seriously.

c)  Personal Question.  My answer:  God often warns us and tries to re-direct our path when we are not following His will but our own.  He does this in many ways that often aren’t as dramatic as a kidnapping such as losing a job, a car accident, a death or illness in the family, or any other hiccup in your path that you know deep down inside is God.

The lesson is to heed these warnings and not to ignore them before it is too late and something irrevocable happens.

12)  He could have moved his family at any time away from the filth of Sodom to a more Godly environment.  Lot was rich enough he could have taken his flocks elsewhere and not suffered financially.  Instead, he was blinded by Sodom’s temptations and chose to stay.  He ignored God’s warnings and in the end paid the ultimate price:  degradation and loss of his family.

Conclusions:  God will keep trying to get our attention to move us to His path instead of ours.  If He has to take out our family in order to do it (like He did with Lot’s wife), He will.  Luckily, I think this is on the extreme side of God’s will for us.  But it happens.  We must remember God is in control and when we try to take control back from Him, we are in danger of being grasped by the devil and pulled under.

The key to understanding Lot is this:  he compromised his beliefs.  Yes, he was a believer. And he is in heaven today.  But he wanted to live in the world and enjoy life’s pleasures. So he allowed his family to be around evil-doers who unduly influenced them.  As Paul says, we must be careful our actions do not become a stumbling block for others who are weaker in the faith (1 Corinthians 8:9-13).  Children are undoubtedly weaker.

Lot was in such a bad situation that he felt he had to offer up his daughters to be raped to protect his guests (unjustifiable in any case but we see just how bad Sodom is).  He definitely wasn’t acting in his kids’ best interest when he moved to Sodom.

Lot was selfish.  He wanted pleasure now.  He wanted treasure on earth rather than in heaven.  As a result, he hurt (and eventually lost) those around him.

The same is for us.  We must heed God’s word and not compromise God’s truths.  For the sake of others around us if not for ourselves.  Otherwise, our life could mirror Lot’s.  Not exactly a role model I admire or want to emulate to say the least.

Life is not about us.  It’s about Him.  We would do well to remember that.