Tag: bsf lesson 17 day 5

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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.

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BSF Study Questions Revelation: The Hope Lesson 17, Day 5: Reread Revelation 13:1-18

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

Summary of Revelation 13:1-18

John saw a beast coming out of the sea. It had ten horns and seven heads, with ten crowns on its horns, and on each head a blasphemous name. The beast resembled a leopard, but had feet like those of a bear and a mouth like that of a lion. The dragon gave the beast his power and his throne and great authority. The whole world was filled with wonder and followed the beast. People worshiped the dragon because he had given authority to the beast, and they also worshiped the beast and asked, “Who is like the beast? Who can wage war against it?”

The beast was given a mouth to utter proud words and blasphemies and to exercise its authority for forty-two months. The beast slandered and blasphemed God and all those in heaven. It was given power to wage war against God’s holy people and to conquer them.  All inhabitants of the earth will worship the beast—all whose names have not been written in the Lamb’s book of life.

John saw a second beast, coming out of the earth. It had two horns like a lamb, but it spoke like a dragon. It exercised all the authority of the first beast and made the earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast.  This beast performed great signs, and it was given power to perform on behalf of the first beast. The second beast was given power to give breath to the image of the first beast. It forced all people to receive a mark on their right hands or on their foreheads, so that they could not buy or sell unless they had the mark, which is the name of the beast or the number of its name, 666.

BSF Study Questions Revelation: The Hope Lesson 17, Day 5: Reread Revelation 13:1-18

12a) Dragon, The First Beast from the Sea, The Second Beast from the Earth. The Second Beast is attempting to imitate Jesus, who is the Lamb of God. He is trying to appear meek and mild in order to deceive believers into thinking he is Jesus. He needs to appear unintimidating in order to succeed.

b) God’s message is one of love, peace, compassion, and gratitude. The deceptive trinity is trying to deceive everyone in order to get them to fall and turn to evil ways. It’s one of bullying, sin, and evil.

13a) Deuteronomy 13:1-4: We must not listen to false prophets who ask us to follow false gods. It is a test to see if we love God with all of our hearts and souls. We must obey God, keep His commands, and hold fast to Him. Matthew 7:15-20: False prophets will come to us in sheep’s clothing, but we will recognize them by their fruits. Mark 13:22-25: False prophets will perform signs and wonders we must we wary of. 1 John 4:1-3: False prophets say that Jesus is not from God.

b) Wisdom. From God, through prayer, and in His Word with the presence of the Holy Spirit.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions Revelation: The Hope Lesson 17, Day 5: Reread Revelation 13:1-18

Great warning of false prophets. We must test those who perform signs and miracles. We must always go back to God’s Word and His character to ensure what we see is in line with who He is! We must always be vigilant!

End Notes BSF Study Questions Revelation: The Hope Lesson 17, Day 5: Reread Revelation 13:1-18

The Jewish people saw the sea as a frightful place. This may be because most people could not swim and people did not know there were others across the wide ocean from them. Therefore, the sea was seen as evil and chaotic in ancient times.

Note that the beast is not the dragon. Therefore, this beast is not Satan as we’ve seen in Revelation 12:3. It’s separate from the dragon/Satan.

Note the dragon has the same number of heads and horns as the beast (Revelation 12:3)

Remember horns are a symbol of strength and power in the Bible. Therefore, the beast/dragon would be hard to kill with 7 heads.

Fun Fact: The word Antichrist only appears in the Bible five times in four verses (1 John 2:18, 2:22, 4:3, and 2 John 7). The beast is believed to be the antichrist. This thing will be the opposite of Christ.

Note that the 10 crowns of the beast is different than the 7 of the dragon. Remember, 7 is the number of completeness. Here, Bible scholars believe the 10 refers to the number of nations that the beast rules over, which comes from Daniel’s vision of the antichrist (Daniel 7:24). Bible scholars are divided over which head/heads are wearing the crowns. Many see this as the beast that Daniel saw due to the 10 horns Daniel 7:7

The description of the beast also connects with Daniel’s vision Daniel 7  Daniel’s beasts represent governments, so many think that this beast does so as well.

Since the beast is worshipped, he is considered a man here who is supported by Satan. This is the beast that ascends out of the bottomless pit (Revelation 11:7, 17:8). Therefore, he is some sort of evil spirit.

The beast has been wounded, most likely by God, but the beast healed as mentioned here, too (Revelation 13:12 and 13:14)

The people are worshipping the dragon along with the beast since the dragon gave the beast authority. This is similar to God and Jesus, too. This is Satan worship, but people don’t like to acknowledge they are devil worshippers.

The dragon and beast will be strong, but not for long.

42 months is the 3.5 year time frame that Revelation keeps mentioning. The beast rules for the first half of the 7 years but under God’s authority. He is against those that God has saved.

Those who do not worship the beast will be persecuted/killed.

Those who do worship the beast will not be saved. Their names will be omitted from the Book of Life.

All of this happens according to God’s good plans. God is in control, and those who were saved were pre-chosen, too (Revelation 17:8).

John then says to listen up. If you lead others astray, you will pay the consequences for your actions.

God’s people must have faith and endurance to prevail.

This second beast is subordinate to the first beast and comes from the earth, not the sea.

This beast is a false prophet. (Revelation 16:13, 19:20, 20:10)

This makes 3 evil beings we’ve seen (dragon, the beast from the sea, and the beast from the earth) that form a perverse trinity.

It is important that we are made aware of these false prophets and their signs because we don’t know when they will show themselves. We must always be vigilant for them.

We must all be careful because the image of the beast will appear very real to us. It is what is referred to as the abomination of desolation (Daniel 9:27, Matthew 24:15, and 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4).

If you don’t have the mark of the beast, you will most likely die because you can’t buy or sell goods.

Letters were assigned numeric values in ancient times, which is why the beast’s name is 666.

Bible commentators have put forth dozens of theories on who the person may be with numbers that add up to 666. Interestingly, the letters of Jesus add up to 888. 666 falls way short of Jesus (obviously). No doubt it is an unholy Trinity.

The beast is impersonating Christ. That is all it can do. It has no originality whatsoever.

Satan is mocking God.

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BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 17, Day 5: John 13:22-30

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

Summary of John 12:22-30

The disciples were confused and wanted to know who would betray Jesus. Jesus said whomever he gave the bread to would betray him. He gave the bread to Judas, and Satan entered him. Jesus told him to betray him quickly, and Judas left. The rest of the disciples presumed he was sent on an errand by Jesus, not that he was the betrayer.

BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 17, Day 5: John 13:22-30

13a) Satan had a hold of Judas’ heart, and it was night.

b) Satan is always lurking, and we must constantly be vigilant in order to keep him at bay.

14) Jesus loved Judas no matter what sins he would commit. Unconditional love. So we must show this, too.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 17, Day 5: John 13:22-30

I love how Jesus spared the other disciples the knowledge of Judas’ betrayal. It probably would have distracted them from the important last day of Jesus and the lessons he would teach. In addition, it shows how Jesus often spares us from knowledge for our benefit.

End Notes BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 17, Day 5: John 13:22-30

Peter desperately wanted to know who the betrayer was, so he asked John (the disciple whom Jesus loved who was sitting next to Jesus) to ask.

Fun Fact: John refers to himself as “the one whom Jesus loved” 4 times in his Gospel (John 13:23), (John 19:26), (John 20:2), and (John 21:20).

They most likely were laying on their stomachs for the meal. John and Judas sat next to Jesus. Judas was in the place of honor on the left side of Jesus. He could easily speak to him without being overheard.

The dipping of the bread was an honor, which was a sign of love.

Jesus told John the identity of the betrayer, but he says nothing.

Judas has multiple chances to repent.

Judas had decided to betray Jesus earlier (John 13:2), but the devil entered after the giving of the bread. Judas chose to let Satan in, as we all have free will and choices.

If the disciples had known who the betrayer was, they would have stopped him. This was not God’s plan, so the knowledge was hidden from them for the benefit of ours. We should well remember this when we don’t understand things in our lives, yet we petition God for answers who does not give them — often for our benefit.

Even those with the best teachers can (and do) fall, as we see pastors, too.

Even in the presence of the brightest Light of the World, Judas chose darkness. Never underestimate the power of Satan. Fortify yourself with the Word and power of God.

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BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 17, Day 5: 2 Kings 23:31-25:30; 2 Chronicles 36

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

SUMMARY OF 2 KINGS 23:31-25:30; 2 CHRONICLES 36

2 Kings 23:31-25:30

Jehoahaz[a] was twenty-three years old when he became king. The king of Egypt dethroned him in Jerusalem and imposed on Judah a levy of a hundred talents[b] of silver and a talent[c] of gold. 4 The king of Egypt made Eliakim, a brother of Jehoahaz, king over Judah and Jerusalem and changed Eliakim’s name to Jehoiakim. But Necho took Eliakim’s brother Jehoahaz and carried him off to Egypt.

Jehoiakim was twenty-five years old when he became king. He did evil in the eyes of the Lord his God. The Lord sent Babylonian,[a] Aramean, Moabite and Ammonite raiders against him to destroy Judah, in accordance with the word of the Lord proclaimed by his servants the prophets.

Jehoiachin was eighteen[e] years old when he became king. He did evil in the eyes of the Lord. He surrended to Nebuchadnezzar. He made Mattaniah, Jehoiachin’s uncle, king in his place and changed his name to Zedekiah.

Zedekiah was twenty-one years old when he became king. 19 He did evil in the eyes of the Lord.

Now Zedekiah rebelled against the king of Babylon. Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon marched against Jerusalem with his whole army. They laid seige to Jerusalem and eventually captured it. They bound Zedekiah after killing his sons and putting his eyes out. He burned God’s temple and took Judah into captivity.

In the thirty-seventh year of the exile of Jehoiachin king of Judah, in the year Awel-Marduk became king of Babylon, he released Jehoiachin king of Judah from prison

2 Chronicles 36:

Jehoahaz[a] was twenty-three years old when he became king. The king of Egypt dethroned him in Jerusalem and imposed on Judah a levy of a hundred talents[b] of silver and a talent[c] of gold. 4 The king of Egypt made Eliakim, a brother of Jehoahaz, king over Judah and Jerusalem and changed Eliakim’s name to Jehoiakim. But Necho took Eliakim’s brother Jehoahaz and carried him off to Egypt.

Jehoiakim was twenty-five years old when he became king. He did evil in the eyes of the Lord his God. He was taken to Babylon by Nebuchadnezzar as a prisoner.

Jehoiachin was eighteen[e] years old when he became king. He did evil in the eyes of the Lord. 10 In the spring, King Nebuchadnezzar sent for him and brought him to Babylon, together with articles of value from the temple of the Lord, and he made Jehoiachin’s uncle,[f] Zedekiah, king over Judah and Jerusalem.

Zedekiah was twenty-one years old when he became king. 12 He did evil in the eyes of the Lord his God, and all the people became even more unfaithful to God.

God brought Babylon up against his people. God gave them all into the hands of Nebuchadnezzar. He carried into exile to Babylon the remnant, who escaped from the sword, and they became servants to him and his successors until the kingdom of Persia came to power, Cyrus king of Persia would begin building God’s temple once again.

BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 17, Day 5: 2 Kings 23:31-25:30; 20; 2 Chronicles 36

11)

Jehoahaz. He did evil in the eyes of the Lord.

Jehoiakim. He did evil in the eyes of the Lord.  Jehoiakim paid Pharaoh Necho the silver and gold he demanded. In order to do so, he taxed the land and exacted the silver and gold from the people of the land according to their assessments.

Joehoiachin. He did evil in the eyes of the Lord.

Zedekiah. He did evil in the eyes of the Lord and did not humble himself before Jeremiah the prophet, who spoke the word of the Lord. He became stiff-necked and hardened his heart and would not turn to the Lord, the God of Israel. 14 Furthermore, all the leaders of the priests and the people became more and more unfaithful, following all the detestable practices of the nations and defiling the temple of the Lord, which he had consecrated in Jerusalem.

12a) God sent warnings to his people via messengers. He brought consequences down on them for their sin. He took their kings away in captivity and gradually he took them, too.

b) The messengers were mocked. They continued to sin. They continued to follow other gods. No one learned.

c) God is faithful even when you are not.

13) God postponed judgment for hundreds of years. God gave His people every chance. The consequences were just.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 17, Day 5: 2 Kings 23:31-25:30; 20; 2 Chronicles 36

Finally, the conclusion to Judah’s built-up sins. There were glimpses of light, but too few to make up for the darkness.

End Notes BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 17, Day 5: 2 Kings 23:31-25:30; 20; 2 Chronicles 36

2 Kings 23:31-25:30

Essentially, all of Judah’s final kings (who only reigned a total of 24 years) did evil in the eyes of the Lord as they were all exiled to Babylon. King Nebuchadnezzar makes Judah a servant nation mainly because of where it was located near his enemies of Egypt and Assyria. The first invasion was 605 B.C. Jerusalem would be invaded again in 597 and 587 B.C. Jehoiakim rebelled against Nebuchadnezzar, and it did not go well. He died, and more evil kings reigned.

Jerusalem was sacked, and the people were carried away by Nebuchadnezzar in 597. It was completely destroyed in 586 B.C. The skilled people were taken; the poor were left in Jerusalem. Jedekiah was made king by Nebuchadnezzar. He did evil and rebelled against Nebuchadnezzar despite Jeremiah’s warnings Jeremiah 32:1-5. Zedekiah arrested Jeremiah and imprisoned him.

Jerusalem was under seige and finally fell. Zedekiah was taken prisoner and killed as prophesied (Ezekiel 12:13). The city was destroyed along with the temple. More people were taken except the poor. Gedaliah is made governor. He is killed. 2 Kings ends with King Jehoiachin receiving kindness from Babylon.

2 Chronicles 36:

The last 4 kings of Judah were evil. The Lord’s message is rejected, but the messengers were mocked. Jerusalem is destroyed. The people would be captives of Babylon for 70 years. They could return to their land when Persia conquered Babylon in 539 B.C. God allowed Persia to conquer the Babylonians when it was time to send his people back home. Isaiah 44:28-45:7 and Jeremiah 51:57-58 (Exodus 23:10-11).

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BSF Study Questions Genesis Lesson 17, Day 5: Genesis 21:22-34

by atozmom, posted in BSF Genesis 2012/2013

Summary of passage:  Abimelech makes a treaty with Abraham probably because he doesn’t trust him.  Abraham said that some of Abimelech’s servants had seized a well. Abraham gifted sheep and cattle to Abimelech and set aside 7 ewe lambs to prove he dug the well.  The place was called Beersheba.  Abimelech returned to Philistine and Abraham planted a tree and called upon the name of the Lord.  Abraham stayed here a long time.

Questions:

12a)  Personal Question.  My answer:  Outwardly, Abraham has accomplished things only God could.  He rescued Lot and defeated the 4 kings.  He has prospered materially with all his herds of sheep and cattle and other signs of wealth.  He seems to have dealt with everyone with integrity, which we all admire in people.

And I’m sure when you looked at Abraham you could see a contentment, a peace, a security that only God can bring.  I’m stopping short of saying the Holy Spirit because that was only after Jesus died did we receive the Holy Spirit but something similar I would wager.

b)  Personal Question.  My answer:  Others see whether you live by God or by the world.  Your actions show it.  A God-centered life is abundant indeed.  I learn to be cognizant of this and try to reflect God wherever I go.

13a)  Abraham swore by God.  Abraham offers up lambs as proof of his work so he backs up his words with action.  Abraham planted a tree as a sign he called upon the Lord.

b)  Personal Question.  My answer:  This is a hard one because I don’t trust other people so I’m sure I come off as untrustworthy myself.  And part of me doesn’t care if others trust me or not or even if I am trustworthy because I don’t care what others think most of the time.  But I can pray about it and be more like Jesus.

Conclusions:  Easy lesson with no right or wrong answers since they are all opinion questions.  Abraham got along with his neighbors and treated them fairly and rightly as Jesus would do.  And others recognized this in him.  Seems like something we should all strive for.

End Note:  The Abimelech in Genesis 21 is NOT the same Abimelech in Genesis 20. Abimelech was a generic title for ruler amongst the Canaanites and is not a specific name.

Simple Map of Beersheba:  http://www.keyway.ca/htm2002/beersheb.htm