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BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 2, Day 5: Ezekiel 37:15-28

Summary of Ezekiel 37:15-28

God promises to bring together His people (Judah and Israel) into one land, one nation, with one king. They will be God’s people, and He will be their God.

David will be king over them. They will keep God’s decrees. They will live forever in the land God gives them. God will make an everlasting covenant with His people.

BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 2, Day 5: Ezekiel 37:15-28

11a) God told Ezekiel to take a stick of wood and write on it, ‘Belonging to Judah and the Israelites associated with him.’ Then take another stick of wood, and write on it, ‘Belonging to Joseph (that is, to Ephraim) and all the Israelites associated with him.’  Join them together into one stick so that they will become one in your hand.

b) It illustrates how God promises to bring together His people (Judah and Israel) into one land, one nation, with one king.

12) The covenant of peace and our eternal salvation that God is speaking about that will be everlasting is the New Covenant granted to us by our belief in Christ. Jesus is an ancestor from the line of David.

13a) God will dwell with us forever. He will always be our God. He will make His people holy forever.

b) Christians can be role models to others of what God can do in their lives since He has done so much in the lives of His people. There is a different way to live than what culture says, and Christians can demonstrate this in their daily lives.

14) The knowledge that He is always with me, working for me and through me, and everything is for my good and will work for good. I also know that circumstances are temporal, but He and His promises are forever. I’ve learned that God loves us so much that He always cares for us, comforts us, and provides for us. He is always there when we need Him. Nothing is without His knowledge. He guides us and protects us always.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 2, Day 5: Ezekiel 37:15-28

Great lesson on how God always watches over His people and works for good in their lives.

End Notes BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 2, Day 5: Ezekiel 37:15-28

Ephraim refers to Israel here since Ephraim was the largest and most powerful tribe in the Northern Kingdom. We see this a couple of times in the Old Testament.

Despite the people having been scattered, they are all still God’s people. All would be restored.

Purity, cleansing, and relationship with God are all the result of the New Covenant.

Ezekiel had previously said David would be the king (Ezekiel 34:23-25).

While we can see Jesus in this passage, the clear reference is to David. We reason this because God would not have said David specifically if He hadn’t meant him.

That being said, God does seem to describe the New Covenant here with his reference of peace  (Ezekiel 34:25 and Isaiah 54:10), everlasting (Ezekiel 16:60Isaiah 55:3, and Hebrews 13:20), and the multiplication of His people (Ezekiel 36:10-11).

The sanctuary is referring to the temple, as Ezekiel continues to outline in Ezekiel 40-48.

God is alive, and Israel is His people.

END NOTES SUMMARIZED

This passage, centered on the prophetic sign-act of joining two sticks, succinctly outlines God’s plan for the complete political and spiritual restoration of Israel.

The analysis can be broken down into four key movements:

  1. The Sign-Act: God commands Ezekiel to take two sticks, one representing the southern kingdom of Judah and the other representing the northern kingdom of Joseph/Ephraim, and join them into a single stick. This physical act serves as a powerful, tangible symbol of the promise to come.
  2. The Promise of Reunification: The core message is the end of the centuries-long division of Israel. God Himself will gather His people from exile and reunite the two estranged kingdoms into one nation, permanently ending the political schism.
  3. The Restored Kingdom: This unified nation will be ruled by one king, identified as “my servant David,” signifying the restoration of the ideal Davidic monarchy. This unified kingdom will be characterized by spiritual purity (cleansing from idolatry) and obedience to God’s laws, all sealed by an everlasting “covenant of peace.”
  4. The Climax of Divine Presence: The ultimate goal and guarantee of this restoration is God setting His sanctuary (dwelling place) in their midst forever. This permanent, divine presence is the final seal on their security and serves as the ultimate witness to the surrounding nations that Yahweh is the one true God who has set Israel apart for Himself.
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BSF Study Questions Revelation: The Hope Lesson 2, Day 5: Revelation’s Content: Eternal Hope

BSF Study Questions Revelation: The Hope Lesson 2, Day 5: Revelation’s Content: Eternal Hope

8a) Jesus is the First and the Last.I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.”

b) Jesus is there always and he will be there always once I have passed. He is omnipresent, and whenever I need him, he is there.

9a) Oh, gosh, so much. World events, wars, crimes, murder, the breaking of the 10 commandments, the move towards agnosticism, so many things that are evil and not of God. I think all evil impacts us in some small way because we are all connected. Evil infiltrates people, which then permeates outward. Evil tends to make me wary and guarded.

b) It keeps me from freaking out every day and worrying about things I cannot control. I am at peace and can be more peaceful with others knowing that God has got it. One day, we will all be with Christ. That is comforting, indeed!

Conclusions BSF Study Questions Revelation: The Hope Lesson 2, Day 5: Revelation’s Content: Eternal Hope

Without Christ, you have no hope, and I see those people who live with no hope, and their lives are utterly sad. Christ and his return is what we as Christians hold onto to get us through the tough times. Will you share this with others?

End Notes BSF Study Questions Revelation: The Hope Lesson 2, Day 5: Revelation’s Content: Eternal Hope

Revelation was written for the express purpose of revealing what is to come so that the church could be prepared for what is to come. The time of the writing was, needless to say, tumultuous, and moral decay was everywhere. This book reminded Christians about their eternal hope in Christ Jesus.

God alone is in control of our lives. Surrender to Him, and you will feel an indescribable peace in your life. God determines history; the devil is merely a player.

Understanding what will happen allows us to live today.

When you think there is nothing left, remember there’s always the Triune God!

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old gargoyle www.atozmomm.com bsf study of john's gospel lesson 2

BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 2, Day 5: John 1:43-51

Summary of John 1:43-51

Jesus calls Philip in Galilee to follow him. Philip tells Nathanael that they have found Jesus of Nazareth, the one Moses wrote about in the Law.

Nathanael asks if anything good can come from Nazareth. He meets Jesus who tells him that there is no deceit in him because he saw him while still under a fig tree.

Upon hearing this, Nathanael believes Jesus is the Son of God. He tells him he will see great things, including ‘heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on’ the Son of Man.”

BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 2, Day 5: John 1:43-51

11) Jesus called Philip to follow him. Philip does and tells Nathanael, too.

12a) Skeptical. Prejudiced. Hesitant.

b) Kindly. Matter-of-factly. By telling him there is no deceit in his heart and proving who he was.

c)  Jesus has come to bring heaven to humanity. Jesus is the ladder or bridge to God for humanity.

13) Unsure. Put out feelers and keep giving God the glory. When you talk about Jesus, you never know who is listening.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 2, Day 5: John 1:43-51

I love how everyone comes to Jesus differently. Great stuff!

End Notes BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 2, Day 5: John 1:43-51

So simple words (Follow me); such a profound impact on a life and on others.

Nathanael was prejudiced against those from Nazareth, as we see by his response. Jesus challenged him to come and see for himself.

Bible scholars differ on if Nathanael actually prayed under a fig tree or if this common expression of the times meant he meditated on the Scriptures.

All believers can expect to see greater things when they believe in Jesus.

Jesus is the link between heaven and earth. He came to bring us to heaven. Jesus is the mediator for us to God.

Jesus calls himself The Son of Man frequently because it was a title that referred to the Messiah.

4 Ways to Come to Jesus We See Here

  1. Preaching/spreading the Word about Jesus
  2. Witness by others
  3. Direct call by Jesus
  4. Overcame prejudices to find Jesus

All the Ways to Identify Christ

  • Eternal
  • Anointed with Holy Spirit
  • Lamb of God
  • Son of God
  • The Messiah, Christ
  • One prophesied about in the Old Testament
  • Son of God
  • King of Israel

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Great Resources for Our Study of the Gospel of John

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BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 2, Day 5: 1 Kings 14:21-31 and 2 Chronicles 11:5-12:16

SUMMARY OF 1 KINGS 14:21-31

Rehoboam ruled Judah, which did evil in the eyes of the Lord. They set up for themselves high places, sacred stones, and Asherah poles to other gods. There were male shrine prostitutes, as the people engaged in detestable practices.

The King of Egypt attacked Judah and carried off all the treasures of the royal palace. There was continual warfare between Jeroboam and Rehoboam. When Rehoboam died, he was succeeded by his son, Abijah.

SUMMARY OF 2 CHRONICLES 11:5-12:16

Rehoboam fortifies Judah by building up the towns’ defenses. The Levite priests all moved to Jerusalem because of Jeroboam choosing other priests than those from their tribe. Those who were in Israel but loved God moved to Judah to sacrifice to the One, True God and supported Rehoboam.

The King of Egypt attacked Jerusalem because the people had been unfaithful to God. He captured the cities of Judah. However, the king and leaders humbled themselves, so God showed them mercy. he made them subject to the King of Egypt rather than destroy them as punishment.

BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 2, Day 5: 1 Kings 14:21-31 and 2 Chronicles 11:5-12:16

12) Faithfulness by those moving to Judah to worship God. Yet, they abandoned God’s law.

13) The attack from Egypt made Rehoboam humble himself before the Lord. This allowed the kingdom of Judah to keep surviving rather than be destroyed.

14) Mixed. He did right in the eyes of the Lord, but then he didn’t. Probably like most of our lives, I would say.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 2, Day 5: 1 Kings 14:21-31 and 2 Chronicles 11:5-12:16

I love how God always looks for ways to lessen our consequences when we turn back to Him. He is merciful, indeed.

End Notes BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 2, Day 5: 1 Kings 14:21-31 and 2 Chronicles 11:5-12:16

Now, Judah sins, so God becomes jealous and angry. God uses the King of Egypt to enact punishment.

However, when Rehoboam humbled himself, God showed mercy and made them servants to the King instead. He took away the treasures and the gold. This would have been the equivalent of millions of dollars today.

Note that the strength of Judah lay in their faith with God.

As Rehoboam grew in strength, he decided he didn’t need God, and he took the rest of the people with him in this sentiment, which is a horrible sin in the eyes of the Lord. Therefore, God sent Egypt to attack them.

Note that Jeroboam ended his life totally against God. Note that Rehoboam humbled himself and had a better ending to his life.

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Great Bible Resources Moving Forward

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BSF Study Questions Genesis Lesson 2, Day 5: Genesis 1:26-31

Summary of passage:  Finishing up the sixth day, God made man in our image (our being God the father, Son, and the Holy Spirit) and let man rule over the fish, birds, livestock, and all of earth and its creatures.  He created both male and female.  God blessed man and told him to be fruitful and multiply.

God gave man every seed-bearing plant and every fruit for food.  He gave all the other living creatures green plants for food.  God saw all He made and it was good.

Questions:

10)  1)  God made man in His own image

2) God created both male and female

3)  God let man rule over the fish, birds, livestock, and all the earth and its creatures

4)  God blessed man

5)  God told man to multiply

11a)  God gave man food:  every seed-bearing plant and every fruit.  Not until the Fall did God give man animals to eat (Genesis 9:3).

b)  Personal Question.  My answer:  Basic needs are food, clothing, and shelter, all of which I have thanks to God.  Everything else I have would be “beyond”, again all of which God has provided.

How?  By making me human, with a brain, the ability to work and grow into His purpose for my life.

12)  Personal Question.  My answer:  The gist of this passage for me was God making us in His image.  This is huge since nothing else on earth is.  So wrapping my mind around how God is similar to me (but definitely not the same).

Psalm tells us God created me and I am wonderful.  Always good to hear.  Especially when you don’t feel such.

Acts tells us that I belong here and now so I could find Him.

Great passages if you are questioning your place in this world.

Conclusions:  It’s always a good reminder that God provides everything we need.  This is His promise.  Not everything we want (as some claim and then get frustrated when they don’t receive).  It’s a good day to thank Him for the basics, which we often forget to do.